extended his elbow to her. “May I escort you back?”
She took his arm. “I’d like that, thank you.” When her hand set on the crook of his arm, she felt heat and a twinge of excitement.
* * *
Declan prided himself on having good instincts about people, business deals and properties. He had walked away from million-dollar deals because he didn’t trust someone’s motives. Since he’d been in Shadow Creek, seeing the Coltons around town was usually accompanied by the impulse to avoid them. The rule of thumb was that they could not be trusted: proceed with extreme caution.
That response presented a problem when it came to River. Edith wanted them to be friends and since Declan cared about Edith, he felt the obligation to try to get to know him better. Edith had strong opinions on the matter and, true to form, she wasn’t shy about telling Declan what she thought. Knowing their history, she thought they could move forward in a positive direction. Optimistic Edith.
Jade was the sole Colton who gave him no pause. Her beauty was undeniable, but it was more than that. He witnessed her caring for her family in the manner she worked the party and she was warm and kind to her horses. Yet he sensed she wasn’t on the inside circle of the Colton clan.
Declan shook off his strengthening emotions for Jade. His entire adult life, he’d held people at arm’s length. The engagement party was getting to him, his affection for Edith coloring the entire situation. He wanted to believe that the Coltons weren’t rotten to the core and that desire was influencing how he viewed Jade.
“There you are!”
At the sound of Edith’s voice, Declan turned, forcing a smile. Her happiness was of the upmost importance to him and tonight was special for her and River. Though he had reservations about how fast they were moving, he understood Edith’s unmet desire for a family. She wanted to belong to something and the Coltons had embraced her. If nothing else, Declan gave them credit for that.
Edith’s eyes sparkled with joy and excitement. River was standing next to her, decidedly more stoic. A few minutes before, he had been smiling when talking to his family. With Declan, he was serious and seemed almost wary. They had talked about what had transpired between their parents, but the brothers had not moved fully past the awkwardness. It took a long time for a lifetime of hurt and betrayal to cool.
“Congratulations, both of you,” Declan said. He reached into his pocket and withdrew the card he had brought for the occasion. Extending her hand, Edith took it. “Thanks, Declan. It was nice of you to come tonight.” She knew this wasn’t where he wanted to be.
He’d picked out a card and bought her a gift certificate for a spa she liked in Austin. His obligation was fulfilled. “For you, I’d go anywhere.” Having survived a rough part of his life with Edith’s help, Declan wouldn’t forget her strength and how it had kept him going. Her optimism had pulled him through then, and he relied on it now.
“I have an awkward question,” Edith said. “Since you’re the closest person I have to a brother, and you’re River’s brother—”
“Half,” he and River said at the same time.
Edith shot her fiancé a disapproving look. “Since you’re River’s half brother, would you give a toast?”
“No” was on the tip of his tongue. This night was to celebrate Edith and River. Declan had made his peace with the fact that they were getting married. But to stand up in front of the Coltons and give his blessing was asking him to dig deep for acceptance he didn’t have. “What would you like me to say?”
Edith touched her chest. “Speak from the heart.”
The pleading in her eyes got to him. Lying to a crowd of strangers wasn’t beyond him, but he wouldn’t do that to Edith. Already mentally composing what he would say, he nodded. “I can say something.”
Edith smiled at him and River nodded his appreciation. They would bond over their mutual affection for Edith.
Declan grabbed a glass of champagne from the bar. In the crowd, his eyes fell on Jade. She watched him and he read the burn of interest in her eyes. His interest had to be reflecting back to her.
Declan raised his voice. “Excuse me, if I could have your attention for a moment.”
Sixty pairs of eyes turned toward him and the conversation dulled to quiet.
“I’m Declan Sinclair, Edith’s brother. I want to say a few words about Edith and River.” Unexpected emotion swamped him and Declan marshaled his control. Harboring anger and resentment for the Coltons, he had not anticipated any warm emotions regarding this marriage, but here they were. Edith was marrying a Colton, the family of his enemy. Though River loved Edith without question, Declan worried about Edith’s future and her happiness because he himself had learned at a young age it could be taken quickly. Even the best homes could be ripped apart. The greatest love could be destroyed by devious schemes and manipulation.
Declan cleared his throat and pushed away the sentimentality of the moment. “I’ve had the honor of knowing Edith since we were children. There is not a more honest, generous or talented woman in the South. She is the epitome of class and style and I am so happy for her that she has found someone to spend the rest of her life with. And while I’ve only known River a short time, it’s clear he makes Edith happy and for that he has my appreciation. I wish them both a lifetime of happiness. Cheers.” He raised his glass and the crowd echoed “Cheers.”
No lies. All truths. He felt good about that.
Edith came to him, hugging him tight. “Thank you, Declan. This has been the perfect night. Please make sure you get some cake. The baker is the same one we’re using for the wedding and I want your opinion.”
Cake was cake to him, but Declan walked to the table where pieces were set out on white plates with clear plastic forks. A white napkin was tucked beneath each. The napkin had a wedding bell on it and Edith’s and River’s names. The more he thought of Edith and River together, the more he saw their names together, the easier it became, like callousing himself to the inevitable.
Declan saw Allison Colton, Jade’s sister-in-law, who was doing some work for him at La Bonne Vie. She ran a construction company and had completed several projects in town, including renovating a boutique along Main Street for one of the Coltons. He raised his hand in greeting and she did the same.
At the end of a long table, Jade was sitting alone. Declan grabbed a second fork and sat beside her. He extended it to her. “Cake?”
She accepted the utensil. “Sure, thanks. That was a nice toast.”
“It’s easy to say nice things about Edith,” Declan said.
“What about River?” Jade asked.
Most people weren’t so blunt. He liked that she was honest about her thoughts. “He’s growing on me,” Declan said.
“You haven’t known him as long as I have, but I promise you, he is a good man,” Jade said. She took a bite of cake and then looked around.
“Looking for someone?” he asked.
Jade met his eyes and the haunted look startled him. She licked a small dot of pink icing from her lip.
“Did I say something wrong?” he asked.
Jade patted her hair. “I know this is paranoid thinking, but I feel like my mother is watching me.”
Every instinct to protect and fight roared to life. Anger followed quick on its heels. When it came to Livia Colton, he carried only rage and resentment. Ruining this day or attempting to hurt Edith again would be met with a swift and severe response. His business acumen took over and he hid his reaction. “Why would you think that?”
Jade shivered despite the warmth and humidity of the evening. “Nothing logical, and I haven’t seen her. I just feel it. Maybe because she’s tried to make contact with my other siblings