Неизвестно - Megan's mate

Colleen might be wrong, she thought. After all, it had been nearly a decade. Why would Baxter bother with her and Kevin now?

Because he wanted to be a United States senator. Megan closed her eyes. She read the paper, didn't she? Baxter had already begun his campaign for the seat. And an illegitimate son, never acknowledged, hardly fit the straight-arrow platform he'd chosen.

Mom.

She saw Kevin's reflection in the mirror. His shoes were on and his chin was on his chest. Guilt squeezed its sticky fingers around her heart.

Yes, Kevin.

How come you're so mad at everything?

I'm not.

Wearily she sat on the e.g. of the bed.

I've just got a little headache. I'm

sorry I snapped at you.

She held out her arms, sighing when he filled them.

You're

such a handsome dork, Kev.

When he laughed, she kissed the top of his head.

Let's go down. Maybe Alex and Jenny are here.

They were, and Alex was just as disgusted with his tie as Kevin was with his. But there was too much going on for the boys to sulk for long. There were canape's to gobble, babies to play with and adventures to plan.

Everyone, naturally, was talking at once.

The volume in the room cut through Megan's aching head like a rusty saw. She accepted the flute of champagne Trenton II offered her, and did her best to pretend an interest in his flirtation. He was trim and tall and tanned, glossily handsome and charming. And Megan was desperately relieved when he turned his attentions on Coco.

Make a nice couple, don't they?

Nathaniel murmured in her ear.

Striking.

She took a cube of cheese and forced it down.

You don't look in the party mood, Meg.

I'm fine.

To distract him, she changed the subject.

You might be interested in

what I think I might have walked in on this afternoon.

Oh?

Taking her arm, he steered her toward the open terrace doors.

Coco and Dutch.

Fighting again? Saucepans at twenty paces?

Not exactly.

She took a deep breath of air, hoping it would clear her head.

They

were... at least I think they were...

Nathaniel's brows shot up. He could fill in the blanks himself.

You're joking.

No. They were nose-to-nose, with their arms around each other.

She managed to

smile even as she rubbed at the throbbing in her temple.

At my unexpected and

ill-timed entrance, they jumped apart as if they'd been planning murder. And they were blushing. Both of them.

The Dutchman, blushing?

Nathaniel started to laugh, but it began to sink in.

Good God.

I think it's sweet.

Sweet.

He looked back inside, where Coco, regally elegant, was laughing over something Trenton had whispered in her ear.

She's out of his league. She'll break his heart.

What a ridiculous thing to say.

Lord, why didn't her head just fall off her shoulders and give her some relief?

Sporting events have leagues, not romances.

The Dutchman and Coco.

It worried him, because they were two of the very few people in the world he could say he loved.

You're the accountant, sugar, and you're going to tell me that adds up?

I'm not telling you anything,

she shot back.

Except I think they're attracted to each other. And stop calling me 'sugar.'

Okay, simmer down.

He looked back down at her, focused on her.

What's the

matter?

Guiltily she dropped her hand. She'd been massaging her temple again.

Nothing.

With an impatient oath, he turned her fully to face him, looked into her eyes.

Headache, huh? Bad one?

No, it's-Yes,

she admitted.

Vicious.

You're all tensed up.

He began to knead her shoulders.

Tight as a spring.

Don't.

This is purely therapeutic.

He rubbed his thumbs in gentle circles over her collarbone.

Any pleasure either of us gets out of it is incidental. Have you always been prone to headaches?

His fingers were strong and male and magical. It was impossible not to stretch under them.

I'm not prone to headaches.

Too much stress.

His hands skimmed lightly up to her temples. She closed her eyes with a sigh.

You bottle too much up, Meg. Your body makes you pay for it.

Turn around, let me work on those shoulders.

It's not

But the protest died away when his hands began to knead at the knots.

Relax. Pretty night, isn't it? Moon's full, stars are out. Ever walk up on the cliffs in the moonlight, Megan?

No.

Wildflowers growing right out of the rock, the water thundering. You can imagine those ghosts Kevin's so fond of strolling hand in hand. Some people think it's a lonely place, but it's not.

His voice and his hands were so soothing. She could almost believe there was nothing to worry about. '

There's a painting at Suzanna's of the cliffs in moonlight, Megan offered, trying to focus on the conversation.

Christian Bradford's work I've seen it. He had a feel for that spot. But there's nothing like the real thing. You could walk with me there after dinner. I'll show you.

This isn't the time to fool around with the girl.

Colleen's voice cut through the

evening air, and she stamped her cane in the doorway.

Though Megan tensed again, Nathaniel kept his hands where they were and grinned.

Seems like a fine time to me, Miss Colleen.

Ha! Scoundrel.

Colleen's lips twitched. Nothing she liked better than a handsome scoundrel.

Always were. I remember you, running wild through the village. Looks like the sea made a man of you, all right. Stop fidgeting, girl. He's not going to let loose of you. If you're lucky.

Nathaniel kissed the top of Megan's head.

She's shy.

Well, she'll have to get over it, won't she? Cordelia's finally going to feed us. I want you to sit with me, talk about boats.

It would be a pleasure.

Well, come on, bring her. Lived on cruise ships half my life or more, Colleen

began.

I'll wager I've seen more of the sea than you, boy.

I wouldn't doubt it, ma'am.

Nathaniel kept one hand on Megan and offered Colleen his arm.

With a trail of broken hearts in your wake.

She gave a hoot of laughter.

Damn right.

The dining room was full of the scents of food and flowers and candle wax. The moment everyone was settled, Trenton II rose, glass in hand.

I'd like to make a toast.

His voice was as cultured as his dinner suit.

To Cordelia,

a woman of extraordinary talents and beauty.

Glasses were clinked. From his spy hole at the crack in the doorway, Dutch snorted, scowled, then stomped back to his own kitchen.

Trent.

C.C. leaned toward her husband, her voice low.

You know I love you.

He thought he knew what was coming.

Yes, I do.

And I adore your father.

Mmm-hmm...

And if he puts the moves on Aunt Coco, I'm going to have to kill him.

Right.

Trent smiled weakly and began on the first course.

At the other end of the table, sublimely ignorant of the threat, Trenton beamed at Colleen.

What do you think of The Retreat, Miss Calhoun?

I dislike hotels. Never use them.

Aunt Colleen.

Coco fluttered her hands.

The St. James hotels are world-famous

for their luxury and taste.

Can't stand them,

Colleen said complacently as she spooned up soup.

What's

this stuff?

It's lobster bisque, Aunt Colleen.

Needs salt,

she said, for the devil of it.

You, boy.

She jabbed a finger down the

table at Kevin.

Don't slouch. You want your bones to grow crooked?

No, ma'am.

Got any ambitions?

Kevin stared helplessly, and was relieved when his mother's hand closed over his.