Heart's Secret

“Well, I, it’s… Oh, dear.” Ms. Stinson’s hand fanned herself while her face darkened.

If Richard’s goal was to embarrass Kitty or Jaxon, he was sorely disappointed as the newly engaged couple wrapped their arms around each other and shared another tender kiss. “It doesn’t bother me what Kitty does for a living. As long as she brings all those fun little costumes home.”

Mrs. Stinson’s voice spiked. “You mean that she still, um, dances?”

Kitty’s smile ballooned. “Of course I do.” She glanced up at Jaxon. “And my baby here is still my best tipper.”

Mrs. Stinson looked scandalized, blinking and spluttering. “D-does your grandfather know about this?”

“Carlton?” Jaxon’s lips quirked up. “He’s thrilled about the whole thing.” He lied, but again his gaze flew over Kitty’s head and toward Zora Campbell. To his surprise, her eyes locked on him, as well.

To his right, Richard followed Jaxon’s stare. “My, my, my,” Richard said awestruck. “Is that who I think it is?”

A few more heads whipped in the ex-supermodel’s direction.

“Zora Campbell.” Richard’s whiskey voice hugged the name a little too much to Jaxon’s liking. He then cocked his head at Jaxon as if he was recalling a memory. Most likely an old frat party memory where Jaxon had drunkenly admitted that he thought Zora Campbell was hands-down sexier than Tyra Banks or Halle Berry any day of the week. Finally a small smile curled Richard’s lips. “Excuse me,” he said. “But I think Ms. Campbell looks as though she could use some company.”

Jaxon clenched his jaw, but could do nothing but watch this smooth snake slither across the room.

“She’s here,” Melanie whispered into Sylvia Landon’s ear after sprinting across the room in a pair of red Manolo Blahniks.

“Where?” Sylvia’s head whipped around the room, her eyes wide as she scanned the perimeter. In no time flat her gaze zeroed in on the supermodel on the opposite side of the grand room. “Oh. She’s even more stunning in person,” she complimented. “Jaxon should love her.” Sylvia glanced over at Melanie. “Do we know whether he’s seen her yet?”

“I don’t—”

“Oh, he’s seen her all right.” Veronica dipped into the conversation, having popped up out of nowhere. “Everyone’s gossiping about how his tongue damn near rolled out of his head outside.”

Melanie and Sylvia turned toward Veronica. Sylvia with hope and Melanie with dread. If Zora had already run into Jaxon, there was a good chance that she’d also run into his date.

Sylvia fluttered a hand over her heart. “Good. We may actually pull this off.” She looked as if she would swoon with relief.

Veronica confirmed Melanie’s fears. “It’s also circulating that his fiancée wasn’t looking too pleased, I might add.”

“That’s also good news,” Sylvia said with a roll of her eyes.

Carlton noticed his wife’s distraction. “What are you young ladies talking about?” His eyes twinkled as he slid an arm around his wife’s slim waist.

“Oh, nothing, dear.” Sylvia kissed his cheek and hoped that he wouldn’t pry any deeper into their conversation. It was a rare night for him to be in a good mood. The last thing she wanted to do was spoil it. Nothing could do that faster than a discussion about their rebellious grandson.

Carlton’s eyes narrowed but a playful smile tugged his lips. After sixty years of marriage, he knew when his wife was lying. Given the occasion, his twinkling eyes let her know that he was going to let her get away with whatever scheme she was cooking up—for now. “How about I just refresh your drink, dear?” he asked.

“That’s an excellent idea.” The look and smile they shared radiated a deep love that had sustained them for more than a half century. A lot of the guests caught the intimate moment, elbowed one another and shared knowing smiles.

At eighty-two, Sylvia was still the envy of most of her friends—mainly because all of them had suffered through at least one divorce. Love in the rich lane was usually short-term. As far as their friends were concerned, Sylvia and Carlton had somehow pulled off a miracle.

Once Carlton left to refresh her drink and was out of earshot, Sylvia quickly turned toward Melanie. “Okay. So what do we do?”

“Well, first thing we need to do is unhook Jaxon’s current fiancée from his arm so I can properly introduce him to Zora,” Melanie said. Of course her brain was still scrambling for an explanation for Jaxon’s fiancée. She had hoped to clear up all the hiccups for this hook up, but that no longer looked like that was viable option.

Sylvia winked. “I know just the thing. I’ll signal you when the coast is clear.”

Before Melanie could question her further, Sylvia gathered one side of her silver gown and made a beeline toward Jaxon and Kitty. Melanie noted that for an eighty-two-year-old, the woman still moved pretty quickly.

Carlton returned, carrying two flutes of champagne. He glanced at Melanie and then looked around as if double-checking to see if this was the spot he’d left his wife. “Now where did she run off to?”

Melanie just smiled and shrugged her shoulders. The best thing to do in her position was to play dumb. “Won’t you excuse me for a moment, Mr. Landon?” Instead of waiting for an answer, she hightailed it the opposite direction.

“Jaxon, baby. You made it,” Sylvia said, easing her way in between him and his date.

Jaxon jerked his gaze from the back of Richard’s head. His usually stoic face softened with a genuine smile. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” He leaned forward and pressed a kiss against his grandmother’s upturned cheek. “Happy anniversary, Grans.” He reached inside his jacket pocket and removed a thin ivory box with a glittering blue bow.

“Oh, bless Janine’s heart,” she said, taking the gift. “I’m sure that she was able to get us something wonderful. She has exceptional taste.”

Jaxon chuckled. There was no use in pretending that he had anything to do with picking out the gift. His grandmother would see straight through such a lie. “You know I love you, Grandma.”

“Of course I do, sweetie.” She leaned into his side to revel in the warmth of his love. She took great pleasure in being one of the few people Jaxon showered with genuine affection. On Wall Street he showcased his cutthroat, take-no-prisoners side. As far as friends were concerned, Jaxon believed the fewer of those the better. Of course, he had the opposite view when it came to women.

Reluctantly, Sylvia turned her attention to Kitty, but she made sure that she kept her smile at all the appropriate angles. “Kitty, darling. Now that you’re going to be a part of the family soon, what do you say that I give you an official tour of the house?”

Kitty blinked. “What? Now?” She glanced around the crowded room. “I wouldn’t want to take you from all of your guests.”

Sylvia waved off the comment. “Don’t be silly. It shouldn’t take us long.” Only about an hour. “Plus, I can introduce you to some important people—make sure you meet all the right people. It’s important if you’re going to become a Landon.”

“Well, I, uh…” Kitty glanced up toward Jaxon for guidance.

He only shrugged. “You might as well go. Grans never takes no for an answer.”

Kitty’s mouth dipped with disappointment.

“Don’t act like I’m the only one,” Sylvia said, waving a finger.