Chapter Four.

"I can't believe the outfit Brian's mother is wearing." can't believe the outfit Brian's mother is wearing."

Wilson followed his wife's gaze and glanced across the room to look at Rita Lawson. He would be the first to admit that he'd been surprised when their maid had escorted Brian, and his mother and grandparents to the area of the house where the engagement party was being held. He wasn't sure what he'd expected but it wasn't the very attractive woman on her son's arm.

He glanced back to his wife, grateful they were alone, and hoped no one had overheard her thoughtless remark. "I see nothing wrong with what she's wearing." In fact, he thought the long flowing skirt and lace peasant blouse, belted to highlight the woman's small waistline looked pretty d.a.m.n good on her. He would even go so far as to say that she exuded more grace, femininity and elegance in her outfit than his wife and her friends who were dressed to the nines in their designer attire.

Karen rolled her eyes. "Of course you wouldn't see anything wrong with it. You're a man."

He could only smile at that. Yes, he was a man. A man who could still admire a beautiful woman when he saw one.

"I can only imagine what she plans to wear to the wedding. It would be most embarra.s.sing if she didn't show up dressed her age."

When Karen didn't get a response from him, she went on to add, "Even Marva had something to say about her outfit."

Wilson took a sip of his wine. He couldn't imagine Marva not having something to say about it. After all, Marva Hayes was Griffin's mother and, like Karen, she'd had high hopes for their only offspring to tie the knot. Both women had to be fit to be tied right now. Served them right that all their planning, prodding and manipulations over the years hadn't worked.

"I'm curious to know why you invited Marva. She's not family," he decided to point out, although he knew doing so would get a rise out of his wife.

She cut him the look he'd expected. "Marva is my dearest friend, so of course she and Herbert were invited. I'm just disappointed that Griffin refused to come."

Wilson shrugged. That showed him the boy had good sense even if his parents didn't. Why would he have come? Erica had made her choice. Still, he was sure Griffin wasn't heartbroken over the decision. Wilson had long ago seen what his wife had refused to see. What Griffin and Erica shared was a close friendship and nothing else.

Personally, he could tolerate the Hayeses most of the time, but he'd hoped like h.e.l.l they wouldn't ever become his in-laws. He'd known Marva and Herbert all his life and they still ran around in the same social circles. But lately Wilson had felt that circle tightening, grating on his last nerve.

"Oh, my, the woman has started mingling, Wilson. Do some thing."

Wilson raised a brow. "And there's a problem with her mingling?"

Karen glanced over at him like he was daft. "Yes. The less she has to say to the family and my friends the better."

He took another sip of wine and then said, "I don't know why you feel that way. She's an educated woman, well versed in numerous topics. I had the pleasure of talking with her earlier and found her to be most refreshing."

Karen frowned. "Then please go across the room and take the refreshing widow off my hands. I haven't been able to mingle much myself. I've been too busy trying to make sure she doesn't make a fool of herself and of us. Look at her. She's staring at our aquarium like she's never seen one before."

He figured the woman probably hadn't-at least not one like that. The aquarium Karen had had built off the patio a few years ago was huge and gaudy. What Karen thought was a masterpiece was nothing but a waste of money. But then his wife didn't care about the cost of anything. The important thing was making sure she had something her friends didn't have.

"Well, will you do what I asked, Wilson, and go spend some time with the woman?"

He drew in a deep breath. "Is there any reason you can't display some of those DelbertSanders manners you think everyone else around you is lacking and go spend some time with her yourself?"

"Don't be an a.s.s, Wilson. Just do what I ask."

He frowned down at her before glancing over to where Rita Lawson stood still staring at the aquarium. "Gladly," he said, while grabbing a gla.s.s of wine from the tray of a pa.s.sing server.

He smiled as he moved across the room. No doubt he would appreciate Ms. Lawson's company more than his own wife's.

"It would be nice if everyone who told us how happy they are for us truly meant it," Brian whispered in Erica's ear.

She tilted her head up and was relieved to see he was smiling, which meant her family's phoniness was not getting next to him. But it was getting next to her. He had ignored the sugarcoated insults for the sake of peace but she wondered how long his tolerance would last.

"Doesn't matter," she said, turning and wrapping her arms around his neck. "They're just jealous."

"And I'm plain lucky."

She shook her head. "No, sweetheart, I'm the lucky one." She then raised on tiptoe and placed a kiss on his lips, not caring who saw and who didn't approve.

"Don't look now but your mother is glaring over at us."

Erica tilted back her head and laughed. "In that case..." She kissed him again.

He shook his head and smiled. "Hey, what are you doing? Trying to get me into trouble?"

"Who, me?" she asked innocently. "Not on your life. Just reminding whoever needs reminding that you're the only man I want. The only man I will ever love." She enjoyed telling him stuff like that because she meant every word of it.

"I wish I had you alone someplace," he leaned down to murmur in her ear.

She wished he had her alone someplace, too, but since that was not the case they needed to make the most of it. Besides, even with the hypocrites present, the engagement party had turned out to be a nice affair. At least Brian's family seemed to be enjoying themselves. His grandparents seemed amused by her mother's outlandish extravagance. It would probably surprise Karen to discover most people would feel the same.

"Did I tell you how beautiful you look?"

"Yes," she said, remembering when he'd done so. It had been when he'd arrived at her parents' home with his mother and grandparents. After introductions had been made he had eased to her side, slid his arms around her waist and whispered the words in her ear. He had also told her just what he intended to do when he got her alone later. She had looked up at him with a hopeful look in her eyes and smiled.

Trying to quell the heat she felt at the memory, she glanced around the room. Was that her father talking with Brian's mother? Well, at least one of her parents had the sense to display good manners.

"It seems your dad and my mom have a lot to talk about," Brian said, grinning and following her gaze across the room to the couple.

She smiled back at him. "Yes, it looks that way. It's good to know there's another Lawson and Sanders pair getting along besides us."

"So you enjoy traveling, Rita?"

Rita Lawson glanced up at the tall, refined and handsome man. Erica's father. She wasn't stupid. She was well aware that Erica's mother had sent him to keep her entertained. Karen Sanders had downed her snooty nose at her the moment they'd been introduced.

Brian had warned her about what to expect. She just hadn't expected his tip-off to be so darn accurate. There was definitely a distinct chill in the air. But Rita would be the first to admit she wasn't feeling any negative vibes from Wilson. He seemed to be a genuinely kind man with smiling eyes. He may have been drafted to keep her out of the way but she had no problem with his doing so. She enjoyed their conversations.

"So how often do you travel outside the United States?" he asked her.

They were outside strolling along the patio that overlooked a huge lake. Other guests were mulling around, and on occasion a number of people had come up and to introduce themselves and to a.s.sure her that Brian would be marrying a lovely girl. Rita was just as quick to inform them that Erica would be trying the knot with a kind and gentle man who loved her very much.

"I travel outside the States at least twice every month," Rita answered. "The company I work for provides landscaping for businesses abroad and I help design exactly what they need."

"That's sounds like an interesting profession."

She glanced over at him. There was a gentleness in the lines etching his eyes and the grin that marked his lips appeared unguarded. Genuine. Although she hadn't spent a lot of time in the company of Erica's mother, she couldn't imagine Karen and Wilson Sanders sharing a life together. He seemed so warmhearted and friendly. What could have brought two totally opposite people together in marriage?

Admonishing herself for conjecturing on a subject that didn't truly concern her, she turned around and steered Wilson back toward the house. For some reason her stomach had begun to tighten in knots. Wilson had gotten quiet and she felt he was no longer with her to merely take her off his wife's hands. No longer there to spy on her and report back to his wife.

To keep the conversation going, she asked, "What about you? Do you travel a lot?"

"Yes, every chance I get. I love international travels. I've gotten to the point where I have a good staff to run the company and my services are more valuable as an amba.s.sador."

She nodded. She could definitely see him fulfilling that role. "Have you ever been to Dubai?"

"Yes, it's one of my favorite places in the Middle East."

Rita's face broke into a huge grin. "No kidding? It's also mine. I just love the Aiden. Have you ever eaten there?"

"Yes, several times. Not only is the food fantastic but it's housed right in the c.u.mja Gallery. The artwork there is exquisite."

"I agree. I was there last month and noted they've added a few new pieces by Terina, if you're into her work."

"I am and I'm going to have to check them out the next time I'm there."

"You won't be disappointed, Wilson."

He shot her a glittering smile that she felt down to her toes. "I'm sure I won't be."

"Brian's mother seems to be taking up quite a bit of Wilson's time, Karen. Is that wise?"

Karen cast an annoyed glance over at Aggie Pittman, a cousin on her mother's side who often got on her last dignified nerve. "It is wise if he's on a mission for me. I suggested he go keep her company to make sure she doesn't cause us any embarra.s.sing moments...if you know what I mean. Just look at her outfit. It has department store written all over it."

"Yes, but it does look good on her. I wasn't aware a woman that age could still have a figure like that. Not everyone can pull such a style off and look so hot. My waistline certainly wouldn't let me." Aggie chuckled and added, "Neither would yours."

If Aggie's words were meant to amuse, they came up short. "I saw Jaye leaving the party. Is something wrong?" Aggie's youngest son, Jaye, was a private investigator living in New York. Jaye came home almost every weekend to check on his father, who was confined to a wheelchair.

"No, he just needs to get back to New York to deal with some case he's working on. I wish he would go back to practicing law."

Aggie and her husband, Lester, had sent Jaye to law school. He'd practiced a few years, claimed he was bored and become a private investigator instead. His change in professions had been a big disappointment for Aggie. Karen could understand. Children could be so selfish at times.

She glanced across the room at her daughter. She fell within that category. Erica was everything Karen hadn't been at her age, namely defiant. Unfortunately Wilson hadn't been much help trying to get their daughter to obey.

Karen had once been young, pretty and vibrant like her daughter but she'd always known how far to take things. There was never a time that she hadn't felt the weight of the Delbert empire and legacy on her shoulders. Her father would have much preferred she had been born a male and had never let her forget it. She had tried so hard to please him, even going so far as to marry the man he'd picked out for her. The man whose blood was just as blue as hers.

But, Erica... Even as a child she'd been defiant and headstrong. Growing up, she'd wanted to be a normal kid like all the others. It had taken all Karen had to try and make Erica realize that she was of a unique cla.s.s of people, with a heritage that set her apart and would always keep her that way.

And now Karen would give all she had to keep her daughter from making a fool of herself by marrying Brian instead of Griffin.

Karen tightened her hand on the winegla.s.s she held and turned back to her cousin. "Aggie, please inform Jaye that I'd like to have a private meeting with him when he comes home again."

"I will."

If Aggie found her request irregular she didn't show it. Just as well, Karen thought. There were some things one was better off not knowing.

Chapter Five.

April glanced around the restaurant where she was meeting her agent, Neil Burton. She had flown into New York a few hours ago, barely having time to check into her hotel room and freshen up.

She had spent the last couple of weeks in Hattersville with Nana and would only be in New York for the weekend before flying to Paris for a magazine shoot. She'd stopped here purposely just to meet with Neil. They had important business to discuss about her future.

Neil had been her agent since he'd discovered her one summer on the sandy beach in Corpus Christi, where she'd gone her first year out of college to decide what she really wanted to do with her life and her new degree. She had been ready for the business world but it seemed the business world wasn't ready for her. Job interviews had become synonymous with the word rejection rejection and she had begun to feel she had gone to college for nothing. and she had begun to feel she had gone to college for nothing.

When he'd first approached her she'd thought he was trying to hit on her. She'd soon discovered his s.e.xual preference would not have made that possible. He had convinced her that her beauty-which she hadn't truly known she had-should grace the cover of every magazine and that he was just the man to make that happen.

Distrusting her own instincts she had taken him home to Nana. He survived her grandmother's interrogation and had won Nana's trust and respect when he'd promised to look after her as if she was his own child. Much to April's chagrin, he'd done just that. He thought Mark was too immature for marriage, had strong misgivings about Campbell, since Neil believed a gay person should never be in the closet anyway, and he outright detested Green. He'd warned her that the rocker was bad news from the start but she hadn't listened. She had promised Neil the next time she married it would be for love-which meant she would never marry, since unfortunately the man who had her heart would never know it.

Thinking of Griffin she couldn't help recall that night they had run into each other while out walking their pets. It had been nice sharing that stretch of concrete with him, walking beside him and indulging in lighthearted conversation. When they'd reached Nana's house he had said good-night, wished her well and continued on to his parents' home.

That night she had lain in bed, remembering the encounter, replaying every aspect of it over and over in her mind. Loving Griffin was something she had accepted as a part of her and over the years had schooled herself not to think about it. There was no point in doing so anyway, since their worlds were light-years apart. But on the very rare occasions when they had run into each other she savored the moments and thought of them often. She had remained in Hattersville for another two weeks but she hadn't seen him again. She had deliberately taken Fluffy out for a late-evening stroll a few times but hadn't run into Griffin and Pebbles.

"Sorry I'm late but traffic on the George Washington Bridge was a b.i.t.c.h."

The apologetic male voice pulled her out of her reverie. "No problem, Neil. I was just sitting here and enjoying the view."

In a way she had been. It was a beautiful day and the late-afternoon sun shining through the window was warm. She loved New York, and unfortunately didn't get here often enough. Most of her time was spent out of the country and when she did return back to the States it was to the West Coast. But she fondly remembered the three years she had lived in Manhattan during the early days of her modeling career. Those had been fun times, wild times, especially when Erica would visit her. But then it had also been the time she'd needed before finally settling down to become the responsible woman she was now. A woman who knew what she wanted to do with her life and was about to go after all her dreams and desires.

Except for one.

She dismissed thoughts of Griffin from her mind and gave her attention to Neil. With his blond hair, blue eyes and a too-handsome face, Neil was one gorgeous hunk. An older one-in his late forties-but gorgeous nonetheless. But women would be sorely disappointed to discover they wouldn't be his cup of tea. He and his partner, a lovable guy by the name of Aaron Crews, considered themselves married, although the laws of the land did not.

The waitress came to take their order and then April and Neil spent time chitchatting about Nana. It was only after the waitress delivered their food that Neil got down to business. "Now, what's this nonsense about you not wanting to expand your career into film?"

She smiled over at him. "No nonsense, Neil. I tried film once. It was nice but I can't see myself doing something like that on a permanent basis."

They both knew that at twenty-seven her career as a model was coming to an end. Although she kept her body in shape and in most cases was still sought after for modeling gigs, younger women were coming on board and being discovered-some right out of high school-and were dominating the scene. It was time for her to prepare for life after modeling. Neil had agreed with her on that part; however, he was determined that she become Hollywood's next leading lady.

"You're the face of Maybelline now and that's a lot of exposure, April."