“Waiting for someone special, brother dear?”
Donovan studied his baby sister. Sara sparkled with happiness as she flitted around him like a pesky mosquito.
“Like maybe—Abby?”
Sara’s husband, Cade Porter, lounged a few feet away, ostensibly listening to Donovan’s mother chatter about something at work. But the man’s protective stance told Donovan that the tall, lean cowboy would know exactly where his wife was at any given moment this evening. Cade and Sara had been flashing secret messages back and forth with their eyes ever since they’d arrived.
“Let it go, pest.” He’d never get a better time to apologize. “I’m really sorry I missed your wedding, Sara. I should have been here and I wasn’t. I let you down because I let business overwhelm me. That was a stupid thing to do and I wish I hadn’t.”
“I was very mad at you for a while, Donovan.” Sara pouted for a minute, then smiled. “Very mad.”
“I deserve it.”
“But Cade pointed out that you’d be coming home someday and then I could get payback at my leisure. Which I will,” she promised. “Cade is a smart man.”
“Yeah, he seems okay. A little too ready to pounce maybe, but nice.”
“He’s wonderful. I love him and we’re very happy.”
“I can tell. You deserve happiness, Sara, and I hope you and Cade get it in spades.” Donovan hugged her close, wishing he hadn’t missed everything. Which was odd for him. Regrets were not a usual part of his life.
“I like Ariane,” Sara said as she drew away. “She’s a sweetheart, but I wish she’d loosen up. She looks so scared.”
“If you had this family thrown at you all at once, you’d be a little scared, too. Give her time and she’ll be fine.” I hope. “In the meantime, I think I’d better rescue her from Brett and Brady. They make me afraid and I’m not a little girl.”
“No, when it comes to women, you’re a big chicken, brother dear.”
Sara’s laughter followed him across the room. Donovan gave his father the high sign and soon Brett and Brady, Reese’s rambunctious twins, had left Ariane to regale their grandfather with tales of their afternoon at Cade and Sara’s ranch.
“Everything okay, Ari?” he whispered.
She said nothing, simply nodded. He might have been a complete stranger for all the attention she paid him.
“Hey, everyone.” Fiona’s voice cut through the hum of noise like a paper shredder. His mother had never required amplification. “Abby’s here.”
It had been easy to avoid Abby on Thursday because she was away. Donovan had stayed away all day Friday out of sheer busyness. But he wouldn’t be able to keep it up forever. They would have to work together sooner or later.
But that wasn’t why he sought her out now. Tonight he was going to introduce her to Ariane because he wanted the little girl to meet all of the people who worked at Woodwards.
“There’s someone I want to introduce you to,” Donovan whispered.
Ariane grabbed his hand and held on, fear filling her expressive eyes.
“Don’t worry. You’ll like her.” He straightened, glanced toward the door and gulped as if he’d been swamped by one of the waves off Big Sur.
Abby had always been pretty, but tonight she was stunning. Her streaked hair usually fell to her shoulders, thick and straight. Tonight it was drawn up on her head, adding to her height. Slim and graceful in a red dress that hinted at her femininity and offered a glimpse of elegant legs, she looked like a fashion model. Sparkling stones nestled into her earlobes as if they’d grown there. On one wrist she wore the bracelet he’d given her on Thursday.
This was not his old school pal.
“I’m so glad you’re back,” Abby said to Winifred, right before she hugged her.
“Thank you, dear.” Winifred touched her chin. “You look lovely.”
“It’s one of your creations. How could I not?”
“I want to know about this New York project you’re working on.”
“Of course. Any time.” Abby turned, saw him. “Hello, Donovan,” she said, her voice as cool as an Arctic breeze.
“Hi, Abby.” His throat felt swollen, like a school boy’s. He drew Ariane forward to hide his sudden attack of nerves. “I want you to meet someone. Ariane, this is Abby.”
He’d been going to say, “my friend,” but dropped it at the last second.
“We’ve already met. Ariane stopped by a little earlier to check out my beads. Hello.” Abby stretched out her hand and gently shook Ariane’s. “Next time when you come we’ll make something really pretty. Okay?”
The little girl regarded Abby solemnly for several moments before nodding.
“You’re always welcome,” Abby told her with a smile, though it was clear she wondered why Ariane didn’t speak.
Brady and Brett came rushing up to invite Ariane to taste the punch. After a quick silent check with Donovan, Ariane followed, at a much slower pace.
“I hope she didn’t get in your way, Abby.”
“Of course not. She was just curious.”
“I should have told you this before but—” There was no easy way to say it. “Ariane doesn’t speak. She hasn’t since she witnessed her father’s accident. He was water skiing and another boat hit him. The doctors say it will take time before she feels able to talk again.”
“Oh, the poor thing.” Compassion glittered in Abby’s pretty eyes. “I wish there was something I could do to help her.”
Donovan frowned. A five-year-old conversation returned.
Abby detests kids. She puts on a good front, but she’s not interested in the things other girls are, like family. She’s totally focused on her future.
Could she have changed that much?
“We checked out her school this afternoon. She’s to start Monday morning.”
“I’m sure she’ll fit in beautifully.” Abby’s cool look was back. “You’ll do fine, Donovan. Excuse me. I want to speak to Sara.”
“Sure.”
Abby hurried toward his sister. The two shared a laugh before Cade offered them each a glass of the cranberry punch Winifred adored. Donovan felt as if Abby deliberately avoided looking at him when she turned to speak to Olivia.
“You’re frowning, Donovan. Is something wrong?” Winifred studied him with the same eagle eye she used to employ when he was a toddler in her Sunday school class. Her glance tracked to Abby.
“Nothing’s wrong.” One look told him she wasn’t satisfied with that response. “It’s just a bit awkward with Abby.”
“Bound to be, I imagine. You asked the girl to marry you, after all.” Winifred gave him a dark look. “Then you welshed on the deal. Still, you’re both adults now, pursuing your own careers. I’m sure you can get past it. Can’t you?”
The real question was, would he let the past influence the future?
“She seems so different.”
“Five years changes everyone. Including you. Now come over here. I want you to meet someone.” Her voice softened. “This is Art Woodward. He’s your grandfather’s stepbrother.”
“I didn’t know he had one. Nice to meet you, Art.” Donovan shook the older man’s hand and noticed how quickly the man’s other