The Ties That Bind

blouse and high heels. Very trendy and very sophisticated. All of a sudden Shannon wondered what this stylish creature saw in a bunch of handcrafted tote bags. It was very daunting. But her fears vanished almost at once as the woman exclaimed over the designs.
    "They're absolutely marvelous! Wonderful! I haven't seen anything like them anywhere and, of course, that's the whole point, isn't it? Lost and Found customers will love them. How many can you give me a month?"
    Shannon tried not to exhibit her excitement and tension. "Would twenty a month sound reasonable?"
    "I could use fifty."
    "Do you really think so?"
    The buyer nodded with absolute certainty. "At least. More if you can get them done. What's your production schedule?"
    Belatedly Shannon remembered Garth's advice to sound positive and businesslike about production schedules. "It can be adjusted to suit demand. I have someone who will work part-time as needed to finish the bags. I'll handle the actual silk-screening process myself, of course. I think we could manage fifty." Mentally she crossed her fingers behind her back.
    "Excellent. I've brought a contract with me. Just a formality, you understand. Keeps everything neat and legal. We'll go over it during lunch, and I'll explain the highlights. I can take you to lunch, can't I? You'll have to suggest someplace in the area. I haven't been over to the coast in ages."
    "Sure." Shannon sucked in her breath at the rapidity with which everything was moving. Maybe there was a little too much speed involved here. The mention of the contract had been very fleeting. What was it Garth had said about big-city buyers taking advantage of naive craftspeople? "I'll, uh, want some time to look over the contract, if you don't mind."
    "Oh, it's a very simple one. Nothing to it."
    "All the same, it will take me a little time to study it." Before the buyer could argue the matter, Shannon waved a hand around the studio. "Would you like me to explain what goes on here?"
    "Oh, definitely. What are those?"
    "Greeting cards. I sell them locally."
    The buyer frowned over a stack of boxed cards. "I like the bird design and the flowers, but I love the illuminated letters. They're absolutely exquisite. I wonder if I shouldn't place an order for a few boxes and see how they do in the store."
    Shannon began to feel overwhelmed. "I didn't know you sold cards in the Lost and Found."
    "Normally we don't, but these are very special and they might do very well next to the totes." The buyer smiled brilliantly. "Let me have that guided tour."
    It was nearly seven o'clock that night when Shannon finally sank into a chair with a glass of wine and dialed Garth's home number. She couldn't wait to tell him the news. On the table beside her sat the unsigned contract. Shannon had convinced the buyer to leave it with her for a while, promising to mail it as soon as possible. The woman hadn't been pleased, but she was a businesswoman and quickly accepted the inevitable. She wanted the totes.
    The phone rang six times in Garth's home before Shannon admitted to herself he wasn't there. Her fingers drummed restlessly on the arm of the chair as she considered where he might be. Realistically speaking he could be anywhere, including out with another woman.
    Shannon thought about that as she closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the chair. She knew so little about Garth. It was entirely possible he kept a wife and ten kids in San Jose. She smiled to herself at the thought. No, whatever Garth might be doing at this hour of the night, he wasn't two-timing her. At least not with another woman. She trusted him.
    But she wasn't at all sure she trusted the business side of his life. On a hunch, Shannon picked up the receiver again and dialed the number for Sherilectronics . She wasn't really surprised when the phone was answered promptly by a professional-sounding female voice.
    " Sherilectronics , can I help you?"
    At seven o'clock at night, no less, Shannon marveled at the late hours. She wondered what Garth had to pay in overtime to get a secretary who sounded this professional at this hour. She tried to conjure up an image of the woman and failed. It made her realize again how many gaps there were in her knowledge of Garth.
    "I was calling to speak to Mr. Sheridan. Is he there?"
    "He's here, but he's in a meeting. If you'll leave your name and number, I'll have him return your call."
    Thoroughly intimidated by the notion of pulling Garth out of a