Naked Hope (34 page)

“And your point is?”

Jill rocked back and forth, heel to toe. “I don’t know. They’re just all so damn maddening.”

Gage nodded. “With Gavin being the most maddening of all.”

“Yes

no

oh, Gage…” Jill yanked more tissue out of the box. “He
is
the most maddening,” she whispered into the wads of tissue. “And there’s no one else like him.”

Her friend drew the vanity stool, sat and fiddled with Jill’s hem, checking the drape as it felt to the floor. “He compromised your program, Jill. And his daughter’s recovery—her peace of mind.”

Jill nodded, unable to defend him.

“Perfect drape.” Gage twirled her hand indicating Jill should turn slowly. As Jill pivoted, Gage continued, “It might have ruined everything.”

“His actions
did
ruin everything—everything between us.”

“So, if he were here right now, what would you do?” Gage asked, pushing back the stool to stand.

Here?
Jill jerked up her head. “What?”

“What would you do if he were here right now?”

Out of her peripheral vision, Jill caught sight of herself in the mirror, wide-eyed and aching, barely able to find words. “I’d want things to be different. I’d want to undo everything that’s been done.”

Gage fluffed Jill’s gown, still hanging on the door. “Well, you can’t go back, but the future hasn’t happened yet. So

”

Jill raised her hand. “Ok, my friend. You can stop with the psychology. You want me to recognize that he’s not here because of my actions as much as because of his actions. Don’t you think I know that?”

“So, what would you do if he were here? Right now.”

Jill stared at her friend, obviously undeterred.

“Thought so,” Gage snorted. “After all this, you don’t even know what you’d do. And that’s why I don’t believe you. People say crap like,
oh, if only he were here right now, I’d do it all differently
. Then the guy shows up and they just repeat the same dance, letting pride, stupidity, and ego get in the way. So really, Jill, if he were here right now, what would you do?”

The doorbell sounded and both women jumped. Jill glanced at the clock. “That’s Edith.”

Gage removed Jill’s gown from the hanger, helped her step into it, and zipped up the back. “Fix your eyes. I’ll get the door.” She gave Jill a quick hug.

Alone in her bedroom, Jill stared into the mirror and saw a woman with daring cleavage in a scarlet gown made of fabric so clingy, she couldn’t risk a panty line. “Who are you?” she muttered, taking in her dark hair cascading down her back, and the
Love Me Red
lipstick that matched her fingers and toes. She’d never had a more glamorous moment. Or one so empty.

Her reflection stared back and jeered,
all dressed up like you’ve never been before in your life, and the man you want isn’t even here
.

The memory of Edith’s voice floated back. “Love isn’t something to be awarded because of how well someone does what you want them to. And love isn’t something to be withdrawn because of how catastrophically they might fail at something.”

Her reflection winced,
but he lied to you, and a lot of people got hurt
.

Jill whirled from the mirror muttering, “And that’s the difference between love and logic. In the eyes of a lover, even a toad can be a prince.” She reached for her phone and searched through the stored numbers until she found the one for Delta Airlines.

In a crisp voice, she said, “I’m in Minneapolis. What airport do I fly into to reach Whitesands Bay, South Wales?”

Moments later, Jill clicked off feeling radiant with conviction, collected her wrap, and slid her phone into her purse. She stepped into her new shoes, and left her bedroom, ready to enjoy the evening, giddy with the knowledge that the day after tomorrow, she’d be hopping a flight to Whitesands Bay.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

In her foyer, their gazes met.

She stumbled. He reached out to steady her. Their fingertips touched, and time stopped. She forgot to breathe. Gavin stood, tall and magnificent in a slim-fitting tux.

He spoke first. “How high are your heels?”

Four weeks since she’d last seen him and that was the first thing he thought of when he saw her? She blinked. Was he really here?

Without waiting for an answer, he swept her into his arms. “We can’t have the snow ruining your shoes.”

Cradled against him, Jill didn’t trust herself to meet his gaze and instead, she looked out into the night beyond. A light snow was falling, just enough to make the world new again. His lips teased her ear.

“Care to make a guy feel welcome?”

Her arms curved around his neck as if they had a mind of their own. Inside the waiting limousine, she asked, “I—I expected your parents. The Bentley. Why isn’t Baines driving?”

“Four weeks and that’s the first thing you have to say to me?” Amusement danced just beneath the twin flames of his eyes.

Unable to tear her gaze from his, she tried to regroup. “How is Olivia?”

He placed her hand over his heart. “She’s well, really well, Jillian. Wales agreed with her. As for my folks, they’ve gone on ahead with Baines.”

“Why?” She couldn’t stop staring, mesmerized by the beat of his heart.

“Why did they go on ahead?”

He hadn’t let go of her yet. She nodded.

“They knew I had something for you.” He released her hand and moved away just enough to open an interior compartment and withdrew an envelope and a small box and dropped them lightly into her lap. “I’m still sorting out my experience over there. When I left, I didn’t know if I was ever coming back. There’s only one reason I’m here.” He captured her hand and placed it over his heart a second time. “I came back because you sent me that text.”

Jill’s throat dried instantly. She tried to swallow. “That text wasn’t for you.”

“No, but in it, you said you missed me

” he broke off, his gaze imploring her to understand. “Uncle Raleigh left these for you.” He released her hand. “Will you read the letter now, Jillian?”

“But I don’t understand. What could he have to say to me? I only met him once.”

Gavin tapped the envelope. “Please, Jillian, read.”

Confusion dashed through her thoughts. She hesitated, trying to catch up.

They pulled up in front of the hotel. Gavin rapped on the window. “Drive around the block,” he instructed. “Slowly, please.”

Jill slid her fingers along the edge of the envelope. It opened easily, as if it was wrong for the words inside to remain sealed away. The letter she withdrew was written in Raleigh Fairfield’s elegant, if shaky, handwriting.

My Dearest Jillian,

You will think me a fool, perhaps. You remind me so of my beloved MaryAnn, I can certainly understand why my great nephew Gavin is so in love with you. The time has come for me to go on to whatever lies beyond death. And in so doing, I leave these for you. They have too long been separated from their mate, the necklace Gavin gave you at Christmas, just as I have been too long away from my MaryAnn.

I appeal to you because you have more reason in your heart than Gavin. Stop your foolishness. Whatever it is between you and my great-nephew that keeps you separate, give it up, girl. Let the boy become a man. By accepting my gift, I am eliciting your promise that you will bring together what should no longer remain apart.

Forever in your debt and with sincere fondness,

Raleigh Gavin Fairfield

Tears welled in her eyes.
Note to self: waterproof mascara. An absolute requirement when dealing with any of the Fairfields.
The letter dropped from her hand into Gavin’s lap.

“May I read?”

She nodded.

The driver pulled up in front of the hotel and stopped.

Gavin rapped on the divider. “Again, please.” He read in silence, his only discernible reaction was the way he tightened his arm around her. She shifted so that he could hold her close. He folded the letter and replaced it in the envelope. “Jillian, open the box.”

Jill couldn’t make her hands cooperate. Her brain raced to catch up.

“Please, Jillian. Open the box.” Gavin urged.

Jill’s fingers trembled as she worked the box open. Tucked inside was a pair of diamond-studded heart earrings in a platinum setting.

“They are as I remembered. When I asked Mother for the pendant last October, she mentioned the earrings. I’d quite forgotten them. She thought my great aunt MaryAnn was buried wearing them. It occurred to me that they should be restored as a set. I asked Raleigh about them at Christmas but the rascal wouldn’t be pinned down.” Gavin smiled as he added, “I should have known he’d find a way to flirt with you from beyond the grave.”

Warmed by his smile, Jill could only look at him, the faultless cut of his hair, the crisp knot of his bow tie that might have made another man look foolish, and the unmitigated desire for her in his gaze.

“Will you do my uncle the honor of wearing them? And this,” he added, taking the necklace he’d given her at Christmas from his pocket. His fingers brushed the side of her neck as he fastened the chain.

She touched the heart at her throat, the metal cold against her heated skin and asked, “Did you know you were coming back for the gala?”

Fingers tracing the necklace, he smiled down at her. “Honestly? No, I didn’t. Only God—if there is one

and apparently Mother

who I secretly believe one day we may find out
is
God, knew. I got your text and the next thing I knew, Liv and I were on a plane headed for home.”

“Are you saying Edith didn’t cancel you as the headliner?”

He grinned. “She won’t admit it but I think she paid off the replacement she arranged when I texted her from the plane.”

Heart pounding, Jill reached for him. “She didn’t get a replacement for you, Gavin.”

His gaze stroked hers. “Why do you say that?”

“Because there isn’t one.”

As they entered the hotel lobby, Jill slipped a protective arm through Gavin's, realizing for the first time what it took for him to be there.

Gavin smoothed his hand over hers. “It's all right, Jillian. I’ve got this.”

This year, with the institute boasting the Maestro Gavin Fairfield as not only their entertainment headliner, but also the father of one of the institute's students, many prominent guests who otherwise would have never heard of the institute, or known about the far-reaching effects of TBI, were in attendance. Some attended because they loved his music, others, because they wanted to support the institute. But all of them came curious about the man whose child had once been so promising.

Together, they moved through the crowded ballroom, stopping at each table to exchange greetings and introductions, share a story, or pose for a quick photo. From time to time when the conversation ran long, Gavin squeezed Jill’s arm and they moved to the next table.

Arriving at last at their table, Lawrence clapped Gavin on the back. “Hello, Son. My, my, Jill, don't you look a picture tonight.”

Edith kissed her son and squeezed Jill’s hand. “Good evening, dears. How wonderful to see the three hearts joined—as they should be—they are exquisite, aren’t they?” From her chair, she smiled up at Gavin and then at Jill. “But I don't see the flowers Gavin chose for you. Of course, I told him something smaller, perhaps for your wrist would be best as there was precious little on which to pin anything. But as usual, he insisted on making his own choice. And passion flowers. What that florist went through to get passion flowers this time of year, I'll never know. But where is it, dear?” Jill had no idea why Gavin’s smile blended amusement and tolerance.

“She doesn’t know what you’re talking about—I haven’t presented them yet.” He turned to Jill. “Why don’t we do that now?” He placed his hand at the small of her back and guided her through the crowd out the side door and into the hotel lobby. After a quick word with the bellman, he produced a florist’s box, and drew her into an alcove.

She trembled at his nearness and hardly dared breathe, willing the moment into perfection.

“I didn't give this to you earlier because as usual, Mother was right. A corsage would never work. So I had the hotel’s florist make them into something that will fit here.” He tied the brilliantly colored passion flowers around her wrist and placed her hands around his neck. His lips brushed her ear. “The blue is almost as bright as your eyes. The orange as vibrant as your laughter. The purple brings to mind your devotion to your work and the heated pink?” He pulled her closer. “I hope to explain under more intimate circumstances what that pink reminds me of. Which brings me to my next point. Right now, what I want most right now is you. You’re what I’ve wanted since the moment you walked into Chapman’s office with your ice water.”

The movement of his mouth ignited tiny fires inside her.

“But no matter how much I want you, the evening requires us to act otherwise.” His gaze captured hers. “Know this. The memory of you never leaves me.”

Edith had just started her opening welcome when they returned to their table. “Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m pleased to see you all having such a lovely time. Please do take a moment to find your seats so that we may begin serving. Tonight, we have a string quartet to take you through dinner. Afterward, my son, the maestro Gavin Fairfield, will honor us with a performance.”

As the crowd settled in, Edith began, “After his performance, you have many choices about how to spend the remainder of your evening. In this room, my son will entertain you by taking your requests while you fill out your pledge cards. In the Skywater Ballroom, we have a full orchestra for your dancing pleasure—while you fill out your pledges.”

She paused to smile. “The silent auction and casino slots are set up in the Ivy Ballroom, after you’ve filled out your pledges. By now, you’ve grasped my subtle hints about filling out your pledge cards. Please keep in mind the majority of the proceeds go to the Wilson Institute, and ten percent of those proceeds will be donated to the children’s community center. So please, give generously.” She tapped her heart. “And give with your heart.”