Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Susan gave Smith a quick kiss on the cheek. Though a tall woman, she still had to go up on her tiptoes. Then she hugged Valentina. “It’s so wonderful you could both come.” She reached for Flo’s elbow. “Allow me to introduce you to my new friends. This is Michaela Killian and her mother, Flo.”
Was Michaela swooning when Smith shook her hand and spoke to her? No, no, that was Troy’s imagination. Flo, on the other hand, looked a little faint.
Susan went on, “And you already know Troy Harrington.”
Smith nodded and held out his hand to shake. “Good to see you again.”
“And this is Fernsby.” Susan put her arm around Fernsby’s shoulders. Good God, the man didn’t even flinch. He looked almost like a purring cat.
Smith smiled that drop-dead movie star smile of his. “I know Fernsby. Everyone,” he confessed, “knows Fernsby.”
The ever-so-modest Fernsby put a hand to his chest. “Of course, sir. There can be only one.”
Smith let out a loud laugh that turned heads—and not only because he was a handsome movie star.
Trust Fernsby not to be intimidated by fame.
Susan smiled at Valentina. “Your dress is lovely.”
“Thank you.” The beautiful woman stroked her abdomen.
Susan’s eyes went wide. “Is there something you need to tell us, dear?”
Valentina’s smile could light up a dark room. She took Smith’s hand. “I’m so glad you like the dress. It’s my first maternity dress.”
Susan squealed like only a grandmother could when she heard she was to have another grandchild, even if Valentina wasn’t related to her. She hugged the woman tightly, and stepping back, she said, “I’m so happy for you both.”
Flo asked, “When are you due, dear?”
Valentina gave them all a high-wattage smile. “November.”
Flo seemed to glow. “A holiday baby. How wonderful.”
Then Susan asked, “Do you know if you’re having a little girl or a boy? Or maybe you’re keeping that a secret until the baby’s birth?”
Valentina caressed her belly, though Troy could hardly make out a baby bump. With a smile for her husband, she said softly, “A baby girl.”
Susan squeezed Valentina again amid a flurry of questions. Had they picked out names? Did they think pink for a little girl, or would they choose all the colors of the rainbow? Had they started on the nursery?
The celebrity in the group, Smith Sullivan, was completely forgotten. Meeting Troy’s gaze over their heads, he mouthed, Baby talk.
The oddest thing was Fernsby, who was getting in on the conversation, offering his services in any way possible. Now that Troy thought about it, at any of the barbecues or family events, Fernsby was right there in the midst of all those Maverick babies.
Michaela, on the other hand, stood slightly apart. Did that mean she didn’t have baby fever? There was so much he needed to learn about her.
Finally, as Smith and Valentina moved on to do more mingling, Susan tucked her hand in the crook of Flo’s elbow. Her eyes lit with a smile. “I hope you don’t mind if I steal your mother away.” Then she beamed at Flo. “We need to talk clothes. I can see my grandbabies dressed in your beautiful creations.” And she carried Flo away.
Fernsby said, “Your mother has very admirable qualities.” Then he bowed slightly to Michaela. “But I must attend the buffet. I’d promised to return with an assortment of provisions for—” He shot Troy a look that said he’d been quite besieged. “—your family.”
Then he left them too. For the first time, Troy was alone with Michaela in the crowd.
“Since my mom is with Susan Spencer,” Michaela said, a bit too sternly for his liking, “don’t you think it’s time to introduce me to Gabby so we can get on with our deal?”
His gut screamed, No, no, no. He wanted her to himself for a little while longer.
She waited expectantly, and it wasn’t as though he could admit he wanted more time alone with her. So he said almost ungraciously, “Fine, but you’ll have to meet the whole family because, according to Fernsby, they’re all in that room.” He pointed to the large archway through which Fernsby had first appeared.
She smiled thinly at him. “I don’t have any problem meeting your family.”
He eyed her. “They can be intimidating.” That wasn’t true, but maybe she’d think twice about staying out here with him.
She snorted, and he found it charming. “You’ve introduced me to all manner of intimidating people tonight.” She spread her hands. “Do I look intimidated?”
She didn’t. In that sexy dress, she looked like nothing could intimidate her. Thank God his brothers were already attached.
Overhead lights showcased the paintings in the room, which were all as amazing as the ones in the front room. Gareth Tate painted landscapes, flowers, and ocean views, but most incredible were his portraits. They were all a little off—nothing grotesque, but a cheekbone pulled out a little too far, eyes reaching a little too high on the forehead. And those anomalies were what made the paintings so fascinating. Sometimes Michaela couldn’t at first see what was out of place, only that something wasn’t quite right.