Lake Effect (16 page)

Grabbing her small clutch, she excused herself from the table that was now filling up and headed for the sanctuary of the restroom. Perhaps she could just sit in there all night talking to the attendant with whom she was certain she had more in common than anyone else at this event.

• • •

Wyeth couldn't wait for this night to end. It was as if his life at the vineyard had never been. If it weren't for his mother, he sure as hell wouldn't be here tonight. The event hadn't even begun in earnest and already he was making plans to give his speech and get out. Luckily he was the first speaker and would be up before the meal. He looked at his watch, satisfied that in exactly sixty minutes he could make his excuse and leave. People were driving him crazy as they attempted to act casual and talk about anything other than the upcoming hearing or the stories that had been plastered all over the newspapers for the past week.
Acting sympathetic while the entire time you know they're just thanking their lucky stars it's you and not them.
Shelby had told him that's how it was when she and Jack had lost their daughter.

Shelby. If he'd only had her here with him tonight, he'd be fine. She would've come. She'd wanted to come and he'd shut her down. Several times in the past month he'd almost called her and begged her to come. He'd not seen her or spoken to her since he'd terminated their contract. Was she giving him the space he'd asked for or were they through?

He reached into his pants pocket and wrapped his hand around the small box. The clerk at the little antique shop where he'd purchased it had assured him the emerald was real, as were the diamonds. She'd also mentioned that it had belonged to a couple who'd been married for seventy years. She'd purchased it at an estate sale just the week before. Why he'd even stopped at the little shop was a mystery — he'd intended on going to Tiffany's to buy her the most exquisite diamond he could find. But the emerald ring was perfect. Wyeth knew that Shelby wouldn't care if the stones were real. They were, but that wouldn't matter. She'd love the love story that went with it.

When he'd seen it this evening on his dresser he'd picked it up and popped the box in his pocket: a reminder that there would be better days ahead. Until he could see her in person, until his name was cleared, he'd use it as a talisman, his good luck charm.

• • •

Shelby spent as much time as she dared in the ladies' room. She stood by the mirror, taking one last look. Opening her clutch for her lipstick, she applied one more light application and made her way out to the benefit.

“Excuse me.” She hadn't been looking and felt silly as she almost walked into the woman standing in her way. She raised her head and found herself looking straight into the darkest eyes she'd ever seen.

Abby Newkirk was amazingly beautiful in a white sheath dress, simple diamond earrings, diamond tennis bracelet, and a flawless diamond necklace. Her jet-black hair was pulled up into a perfect French twist, fastened in place with a diamond clasp.

“I know who you are.” Her comment was cold and her eyes swept Shelby from head to toe before her lips curved into the slightest bit of a smile.

“Oh, and who would that be?” Shelby willed herself not to shake. Confrontation was never her forte but she'd be damned if she let this woman get to her.

“You're nobody, dearie. The sooner you realize it, the better off you'll be.”

Shelby watched as the woman slithered away and joined a group of friends by the door. She could feel the heat rise on her neck and stain her cheeks. It didn't help when the entire group of people burst into laughter over something Abby said to them. Not wanting to cause a scene, Shelby waited a few more minutes then made her way back to the table, prepared to feign sickness and get the hell out of there as fast as she could.

“There you are, have a seat, dear. Wyeth is going to give the opening address in just a moment. He has no idea you're here, never even questioned whose wrap was on the chair next to his. Sit down, sit down.” Olivia was so excited. Shelby just didn't have the heart to grab her things and run. So she sat down and took a very long drink from the wine glass in front of her.

“Where's James?” she whispered to Janele as the room quieted. She'd been meaning to tell James everything she'd heard Abby say at the spa, but in the whirlwind leading up to the benefit, there just hadn't been any time.

“He got called out about ten minutes ago. Happens all the time, he'll be here.” Janele's confidence was amazing to Shelby. To know and trust and love someone so completely had to be such a joy.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to welcome you all here tonight and thank you in advance for your generosity.” Wyeth's voice flowed like liquid heat down her spine. The house lights were dim so he had yet to notice her. He looked perfectly at ease up there, speaking in front of the crowded room: the CEO, in charge and in control.

He looked less brooding too. No doubt the result of years of practice or time spent in the company of his blonde friend earlier. Shelby felt her heart pounding and the anxiety building. Abby was right; she was a nobody. Wyeth didn't want her here and he didn't need her here. The man she was watching didn't appear to have a care in the world. What had seemed like a good idea yesterday now suddenly seemed disastrous.

James slipped quietly into his chair, wearing a grin from ear to ear. What did he have to be so happy about? These people really amazed her.

She couldn't bear it another minute. She would slip out now, while it was dark, and no one would be the wiser.

“Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't take a moment to thank those who spent so much of their time making this evening possible. Could we have the house lights, please?”

Oh shit, shit, shit.
Now she was in for it. The house lights came up and Wyeth, expecting to see his family at the head table, locked eyes with hers. Time stopped.

• • •

Were his eyes playing tricks on him? Was that goddess sitting next to his mother Shelby? He stood there staring for a full minute, the uncomfortable silence in the room growing with every second that passed. He knew he should continue with his speech but he just couldn't. Finally, the vision moved, rising out of her chair, and … was she
leaving
?

“Wait!” He laid the microphone down and jumped off the raised platform at the front of the room. In three long strides, he was next to her and without another word he bent her back over his arm and kissed her fiercely. The room erupted into a frenzy of clapping. He stood her back up, then grabbed her hand and pulled her back up onto the platform with him.

“Ladies and gentlemen, my apologies.” His eyes never leaving hers, he held the microphone in his hand and waited for the room to quiet down. Shelby's cheeks were stained red and her emerald eyes flashed at him with fury and embarrassment.

“It would appear that I need to thank my mother, Olivia Packard, for more than her amazing skills at organizing this benefit tonight. I believe, if I'm not mistaken, that she has managed to read my mind as well.” He turned to look at his mother and sister who were laughing and wiping tears from their eyes simultaneously. Looking Shelby in the eyes again and keeping a tight hold on her hand, he continued.

“As you are all aware from reading the newspapers, I am scheduled to have a hearing Monday with the SEC. I don't need to tell you that it's been weighing heavily on my mind. I also don't need to tell you that my Board of Directors has asked me to step down from my duties at Packard Corporation until a verdict is reached.” The room became deathly quiet; all eyes were on him.

“What you may not know is that I've just received word through my attorney that all charges have been dropped. It would appear a good citizen came forward with information. Due to this new evidence, tomorrow's hearing has been canceled.” He waited for the room to quiet and for people to sit back down and stop clapping. He reached out, still holding Shelby's hand, and used his thumb to wipe the tear coursing down her cheek.

“This woman, this beautiful, stubborn woman standing here next to me, came here to stand by me no matter what. I didn't know she'd be here tonight. In fact, when I looked out into the room and saw her, I thought she was a vision I had conjured up out of want and longing. I know you are all anxious to get this event started and to enjoy your dinner but I'm hoping you'll indulge me for just another moment.”

• • •

Shelby watched in awe as Wyeth set the microphone down, reached into his pocket, and dropped to one knee. Slowly he opened the box, removed the most beautiful ring she'd ever seen, and raised it to her finger. The room was so quiet she could hear her own heart beating, racing as if it would burst from her chest.

“Shelby Aylesworth, will you marry me?”

Standing there, looking down into his handsome face, Shelby nodded her head yes and the tears began to fall in earnest. Wyeth stood and took her in his arms, twirling her around. Suddenly they were surrounded by Wyeth's family and the raucous applause of the crowd. Joy surged through her filling every empty spot left in her heart, chasing away every doubt she'd felt over the past few days.

After the meal she was paraded from group to group — and that's when reality hit her. The people who had just an hour earlier shared a laugh at her expense with Abby Newkirk were now shaking her hand and congratulating her. Abby was right — she did not belong here. This was not her world, and she just couldn't help but wonder just how long she'd last before this bubble burst.

“Have I told you how fantastic you look in that dress?” Wyeth's voice was right in her ear, his hand on the small of her back. She looked into his eyes and suddenly realized she didn't care if she fit in or not. In fact, she didn't care about another person in this room except for him. If Jack and Kyrie's deaths taught her anything it was that life was a gamble at best. You couldn't live your life worrying about what might happen. You had to live, take chances, and put your heart out there. She smiled up into his face.

“All I can think about is getting you out of here and out of this lovely dress. Are you ready to go?”

“Yes. Let me just make a quick stop, please.”

“Don't take too long.” He kissed the top of her head and reluctantly released her.

• • •

For the second time that evening, Shelby found herself in the ladies' room. She fixed her makeup — thank goodness she'd worn waterproof mascara — and was brushing her hair when the door opened.

Abby Newkirk didn't even try to hide her anger as she dismissed the attendant, saying something to her in Spanish and pressing a bill into the woman's hand.

“Well, congratulations on sinking your claws into all that fabulous Packard cash. I guess collecting all that life insurance money from one dead husband just wasn't enough for you, huh? Tell me something, Shelby, you've been here this evening, seen the kind of people Wyeth hangs out with. Do you really think you fit in? Do you really think after the newness of fucking you wears off, you'll actually be able to keep him?”

Shelby glared at her, not certain if she should speak her mind or just start swinging at her. One thing was for certain, she'd had just about all she could take from this woman and she wasn't about to let her walk all over her now. Carefully closing her clutch, she straightened her shoulders and looked Abby in the face.

“I feel sorry for you, Abby. Sorry that you would not know the joy of loving someone so deeply that no amount of money could ever compensate for their loss. Sorry that you'll never know that love once, much less twice in a lifetime. Sorrier still that you feel the need to degrade me and harass me because you think I've got something you have a right to. You're right, I don't fit in with this crowd of people, but if fitting in with them means being like you, I'm okay with it.”

Clapping came from the last stall of the restroom, taking both women off guard. Shelby was surprised to see the leggy blonde emerge who had stolen Wyeth away earlier. Her heart dropped to her stomach. She was outnumbered, it would appear.

“Gretchen, I should have known you'd be hanging out in the ladies' room.”

Gretchen stopped by the sinks to wash her hands. Mystified and without thinking, Shelby handed her one of the fluffy white hand towels, filling in for the missing attendant. Gretchen gave her a smile and a wink then turned her attention back to Abby.

“Wow, Abby, not only have you managed to offend the lovely Ms. Aylesworth here, now you insist on attacking my sexuality. How charming and classy of you. I believe the woman here said it all. Not fitting in with the likes of you is a blessing. You've lost, go away.”

Shelby watched as Abby straightened her shoulders and left the restroom without another word. She turned her attention back to the blonde.

“Gretchen Short, Mr. Packard's secretary, and now, your biggest fan.” The smile she graced Shelby with could've lit up a room. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Oh, I've waited a lifetime to see that woman smacked down in her place and, sister, you did it with style and class. C'mon, let's go find that man of yours and get you two out of here.”

Shelby grabbed her clutch as Gretchen linked their arms and led her from the restroom.

“Uh oh, should I be worried that you two are together? That could spell trouble for me.” Wyeth laughed as he walked toward the two ladies.

“No, boss, you should just be thankful your beautiful woman here is straight 'cause I think I'm in love with her.” Gretchen winked again at Shelby as she delivered her into Wyeth's embrace. Before she handed her over completely she whispered into her ear: “Don't you listen to a word that was said, Shelby, you belong right where you are.” Shelby felt an instant affection for the bubbly blonde.