21

Monday was spent verifying check payments and signing paperwork. Karen was eager to begin the renovations and was on the phone with the contractors before Harmony and she even exited the building. She bid her friend farewell and left the work in her capable hands. The rest of the week also flew by before she noticed that Friday was upon her.

Harmony was dressed in her emerald and crystal evening gown with the glass slippers and at the hairdressers by two pm. She had to be at the museum by five so she would be able to greet the guests. It took a little over an hour for her hair to be tamed. It fell in soft curls down her shoulders and was pinned away from her face with crystal accented hair clips. It was another hour after that before her makeup and nails were finished and the limo arrived to take her over to the museum.

Harmony met Mr. Moon and the mayor in the main hall of the museum. The mayor's wife kissed her cheek and cooed over how lovely her hair and gown was as they made their way into the main room to await the other guests. The way it worked, no one would be permitted into the gala without a donation check presented at the door. At the end of the evening the amounts would be totaled and she would make out her check. Shortly after the party would wind down and everyone would return to their lives and she would do the same.

Harmony wouldn't know how much money she would spend until the end of the evening. Yet she was required to greet and chat with each guest as they entered the hall. Hours went by before they closed the doors to the public. Everyone gathered in the main room to sip champagne and gossip while they tallied up the final count.

Harmony, the governor, and Mr. Moon waited on the make shift stage as the woman brought up a slip of paper with the total on it. Mr. Moon eagerly opened it as he stepped up to the microphone.

"We've had quite the turn out this evening." Mr. Moon commented.

"Thank you all for coming. I'm pleased to announce that we've raised quite a large amount together." He began to say and was interrupted.

"Hold the count!" a man shouted from the back of the room.

Everyone in the room turned to look at the man in the pinstripe hat as he held up his check in the air. The man came forward and handed the check to Mr. Moon whom in turn went wide eyed and began to stutter.

"Wow, this is very generous of you." Mr. Moon said.

"It's nothing really. Hello harmony."

"James," she smiled. "I'm surprised to see you."

"Are you now?" he winked.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new total." Mr. Moon announced.

"It looks like you owe us one hundred twenty thousand dollars Miss Pond." He said as the crowd cheered.

"Gladly Mr. Moon." Harmony said as she made out the check.

"Well done everyone. Thank you for your donations." She said.

"Two hundred forty thousand dollars has been accepted for our new wing. As we proceed with renovations, I have a personal note I'd like to add." Mr. Moon stated.

"You all know that tonight was completely arranged by the late John Prichard. So, in honor of the great things he has done for our community we would like to announce that the new wing will be named the john Prichard memorial wing." The crowd applauded.

"Wow, I'm sure he would have appreciated that. Thank you Mr. Moon, and thanks to everyone that donated. Have a wonderful time this evening." Harmony stated.

James held out his arm to Harmony. She took it with hers and followed him away from the crowd. When they were finally alone he spoke.

"You look beautiful." He pulled her into a tight hug.

"What are you doing here? I thought you had a concert tonight." She replied into his chest.

"I do. I can't stay long. I have to be on a plane to Miami soon. I just needed to see you." He breathed into her hair.

"Oh James," she sighed. "What are we doing?" she asked.

"I don't know." He tilted her chin up and pressed his lips to hers.

Harmony wrapped her arms around James shoulders. He kissed her with such passion and desire that she went weak in the knees. He pulled away all too soon as his phone began to beep excessively.

"I have to go." He said sadly. "I'll come back after my Tampa show Saturday night."

"Alright," she replied still shaken from his sudden show of affection.

In an instant James was gone. Harmony leaned against the wall trying to steady her nerves. Her mind refused to process any thoughts other than the feel of his soft lips pressed against hers. She had to force herself to return to the gala and say her goodbyes.

As soon as she arrived home, Harmony changed her clothes and called the airport. She bought a ticket for the next flight out to Tampa and packed a small travel bag. She took the car to the airport and parked it in their garage. Then she stuck the claim ticket in her purse picked up her ticket at the counter and headed for the security gate as her phone started ringing.

"How was Miami James?" she asked.

"It was loud." He laughed.

"I can't talk right now can I call you tomorrow?" she asked.

"Sure," he said. "You're not mad at me for tonight are you?"

"No, of course not. I'm just in the middle of something. I got to go. Good night." She turned the phone off just in time to throw it into a bucket and pass through the metal detector.

Harmony would be in the air until nine in the morning. She really wanted to surprise James and hoped that she hadn't upset him when she hung up on him. Once she was on the ground she head straight for the mall. She required a complete makeover if she was going to blend in at the concert.