“Mother!” Casting her mother a look of exasperation, Brisa began to shake her head. “Not everything is about getting married.”
Sibby was not the least bit fazed by her daughter’s reaction. “Just tell that to my cousin Brooke. Just the other night, Brooke told me that she and Savannah had been wedding dress shopping. Now, that is a wonderful mother-daughter thing to do.”
“Is cousin Savannah serious with anyone?” Ellie turned and began to walk out of the room. “The last time I spoke to Savannah, well….I don’t remember her mentioning anyone she was serious about.”
Sibby maneuvered her hand in a shooing motion as if waving away a pesky fly. “Oh, Savannah isn’t seeing anyone, but she is thinking about her future wedding.” And because Sibby instinctively knew what her daughters were thinking, she added, “It’s a great idea to plan ahead.”
“I’m not commenting,” retorted Ellie. She glanced over her right shoulder. Her mother and sister were inches behind her. “I’m only going to say that I highly doubt I will be meeting my future spouse tonight.”
Chapter 3
“Who is that girl?”
Ethan Strat stopped. It was then that he noticed the auburn haired woman. This moment was tantalizing. She stood tall and quite poised, but it was her rare beauty that manifested a striking appeal. The golden colored, sequined evening gown made her appear nearly untouchable, as if she were a mere image that Ethan had conjured up within his own mind.
He discreetly eyed the young woman from across the massive ballroom. The lady continued to stand off to the side of the main area, near a table of people that Ethan mostly recognized as his father’s business associates and well-known philanthropists.
Ian Strat glanced in his older brother’s direction. “That is Ellie Carrie. Samuel and Sibby’s daughter….I’m honestly surprised you don’t know her.”
Ethan did not take his eyes off the woman, but stated, “I’m a little older than you, Ian. What do you know about her?”
Surprised that his brother was asking him about a woman, Ian lifted his broad shoulders in a shrugging motion. “From what I know about Ellie…well, she’s a nice girl. She’s in college, likes to read and I think she’s written a book or something like that.”
Satisfied with a few of the details, Ethan nodded his head. He noticed the woman talking to a few people as she held a small flute of champagne that appeared nearly untouched.
Ian Strat took another sip of his drink as his eyes shifted over the crowded room. Various men wore specially tailored suits and tuxedos. The women in attendance were dressed in elegantly designed evening gowns that showcased their figures…and their wealth.
Because Ian noticed his brother’s attention was still fixated on Ellie Carrie, he said, “I know Ellie’s twin brother Damon. He’s the one with the dark red hair dancing by the orchestra.”
Ethan noticed the man and nodded his head to assure his brother that he was listening.
Ian nodded swiftly in the direction of the Carrie family. “Ellie is the youngest in the family. See that Asian woman in the yellow dress? That is Samuel and Sibby’s oldest child that they adopted at like…birth, I think.” Ian informed his brother. He continued by adding, “Just coming through the doorway is Cray Carrie, another brother.”
“Thanks, lan,” Ethan casually stated. “I’ll see you later.”
“Where are you going?” the younger man asked.
Ethan Strat was confident. “To introduce myself to Ellie Carrie.”
Ian Strat watched in a sense of wonderment as his older brother easily navigated his way toward the other side of the room. There was no hesitation, only a confident swagger. Within moments Ethan Strat was standing beside the young auburn haired woman as a smile etched across his face.
Now, Ethan grinned at the young woman standing by him. “Hi. I couldn’t help but notice you from across the room. My name is-”
“Well, if it isn’t Ethan!” Samuel Carrie placed an arm around the man’s shoulders and gave the man a small pat. “Why I haven’t seen you in quite some time. How have you been?”
Ellie noticed a brief look of turmoil cross over the man’s face, before he turned toward her father and answered, “Hello, Samuel. I’m fine. Yourself?”
“Super.” Because Samuel did not care for Ethan Strat looking too closely at his daughter, he wanted to engage the young man in direct conversation concerning business. “So I hear you’re working on the Mann project?”
“Yes. You heard correctly,” Ethan answered, but tried to casually change the flow of conversation that he knew was about to begin. “Well, I was actually in the process of introducing myself to your daughter.”
“Why?” Samuel asked with a sense of bafflement. “You’re too old and Ellie is still in college.”
“Dad!” Ellie could not help but chuckle. She then turned toward the man who was trying his best to inquire about her. The gentleman was clad in the usual black tuxedo with newly polished shoes. Thick, dark blonde hair fell across his forehead in a stylish way. The man’s vibrant blue gaze reminded Ellie of the seashore in Daffodil.
“I’m Ellie,” came the woman’s reply. “And as you can see, my father can be a little overprotective.”
Because Ethan had experienced his fair share of overly concerned dad’s in the past, he knew how to handle the situation. “If I was in his shoes, I would be protective, as well.”
“Well, that was a smooth response,” Ellie said and for a split second, Ethan did not know if she was mocking him or not. Deciding that he did not care if she was, his grin broadened a little wider. Ethan was about to respond, when he noticed Sibby Carrie gliding in their direction. The middle-aged woman wore a black floor length sequined dress that made her appear regal with a dynamic touch of sophistication.
“Samuel,” Sibby gently chided. “Let Ethan ask Ellie to dance.” She gently grabbed her husband’s arm and began to usher him away in the opposite direction.
Ethan Strat noticed his opportunity and took it.
“Would you like to dance?” Ethan asked. He gestured toward the ballroom, where several couples were moving ever so graciously across the dance floor. When Ellie hesitated, he added, “After all, your mother would like us to and-”
“Oh, my goodness.” Ellie had a small ounce of sympathy for the man. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.”
“Neither can I,” Ethan readily admitted. He had to grin in spite of the situation. “I was actually planning to be a lot smoother than that.”
“Really?” Ellie asked as she noticed Ethan place her hand within the crook of his arm. She did not mind his nearness. “Because so far my dear dad is playing the very overprotective card a little too well and my mother is just pleased that her single daughter is dancing with a gentleman.”
For the life of him, Ethan Strat could not figure Ellie Carrie out…and that elated him with a sense of happiness, sprinkled with a tiny morsel of intrigue. There was just something about this woman that kept his interest.
“You know,” Ethan said as he took a step toward the classically designed dance floor. “I’m not certain if you’re mocking me or are genuinely….somewhat, maybe even a little bit interested in me.”
“I don’t know you well enough to make that decision,” came Ellie’s swift reply, before her tone grew serious. “But please rest assured that I do not mock people….for any reason or for any amount of gain.”
Satisfied they were near the center of the dance floor, Ethan drew the potent woman into his embrace. He stared at her with a deep form of affection. “I’m going to have to be at the top of my game with you, Ellie Carrie.”
Pleased by the man’s attentive nature, Ellie smiled with a sense of easiness. The soft flowing orchestra music hummed around them. Ellie began to gracefully glide with Ethan. Together they navigated as one, as if two souls intertwined. The soft thudding within Ellie’s own heart surprised her. She felt Ethan’s presence. One hand rested near her lower back, whi
le the other gracefully clasped her hand, leading Ellie around the dance floor.
For several moments, neither of them spoke, until Ethan said, “I didn’t know it could be like this.” The words were soft, merely a quiet murmur of his thoughts.
Ellie lifted her head a fraction of an inch, her green eyes peering at Ethan. “Thank you in advance for such a lovely evening.”
“The night isn’t over yet, Ellie.”
“That is why I’m thanking you in advance,” came Ellie’s retort.
Rae Rally did not want to be here. After just walking through the entrance of the ballroom, Rae felt like the ugly duckling…who never got beautiful…and only remained ugly. Once she was through the ornate entryway, Rae took a moment to examine her surroundings.
Yep.
Youngest person here…and a complete outcast. With a set of nerves vibrating through her body, Rae softly smoothed a hand down the best second-hand dress that she owned. The material was itchy, but Rae hoped that others could not tell that by just looking at her…and right now, Rae was thankful that no one was peering in her direction.
She continued to stand rigidly beside her grandmother, before the elderly woman nodded toward her right. “See that table near the front? That is where we will be sitting.”
For a brief moment, Rae wanted to disappear. She wanted nothing more than the floor to open up and swallow her whole. Rae knew that she did not belong here. It was everything from her frizzy hair, itchy dress…to her borrowed high heels. No. She definitely did not belong here and the only person who did not seem to notice that was her dear grandmother.
Feeling a flush cast over her features, Rae stepped to the far side of her grandmother as the pair began to make their entrance into the grand room. She tiptoed along, hoping no one would see her.
But Rae knew she should have known better. Within seconds of their arrival, Rae watched in near horror, as Brisa Carrie excused herself from a small clustering of friends and walked in her direction. Rae was about to greet Brisa when the beautiful woman stated, “Mrs. Rally! Rae! So great to see both of you.”
Mrs. Rally glanced at the oldest Carrie child. She had known Brisa since the young woman was just a mere toddler. It was Mrs. Rally who had been one of the first people to know that her boss and his wife were adopting a child. It was also Mrs. Rally who was one of the first to know each and every time Samuel and Sibby decided to extend their family.
Over time it was Mrs. Rally who had seen the Carrie kids turn into young adults. She was the one who knew when Brisa had been offered a job at the elementary school. Mrs. Rally had known when Cray had written and published various academic papers in the psychiatric field. Mrs. Rally had witnessed the family at various intervals over the years; when Damon had started attending business meetings at the Carrie Corporation and when Ellie went to every literary agency in the city with her first book, trying desperately to seek the attention of anyone in the ruthless publishing field.
“We’re pleased to see you this evening, Brisa.” Mrs. Rally clasped her hands in front of her, as if bordering on impatience. “I believe Rae and I will take a seat at the family table.”
Rae shared a quick smile with Brisa before following her rigid grandmother to the table. To Rae’s amusement, Brisa winked at her. After greeting Mr. and Mrs. Carrie, Rae took a seat at her designated area. The ivory colored tablecloth was positioned over red linen, making the room appear chic. An orchestra played on the other side of the ballroom and Rae absently glanced at the couples dancing. She noticed Ellie Carrie gliding to the soft music with a handsome blonde man, with broad shoulders. Ellie appeared to be smiling at something the man was saying.
A few feet from Ellie was her twin brother. Rae sucked in a deep breath of air as she watched Damon twirl a slender blonde woman around in a full circle. With her palms suddenly becoming clammy, Rae wished now, more than ever, to be swallowed up by the floor beneath her borrowed shoes. Waves of embarrassment convulsed within her sense of self. She did not want Damon Carrie to see her like…this. Not in an itchy, oversized dress that was out of fashion. Not with frizzy hair. Not with only lip gloss applied to her lips because her grandmother thought make-up was a waste of money. Rae knew, that if she had her way, her life would be different. She would be different. But right now, Rae knew her life was just how it was.
Moments later, Rae noticed the orchestra had ended the song. She watched as Ellie walked fluidly across the floor, with the tall blonde man in the tuxedo, strolling just off to her side. Rae could easily identify when Ellie noticed her because the woman’s smile widened with a look of pure friendship.
“Rae!” The grin on Ellie’s face grew friendlier and for a moment, Rae felt as if she really did belong in this grand ballroom, surrounded by people with vast amounts of money and fancy clothing. For the very tiniest of moments, Rae felt a small wave of acceptance within this vastly different crowd.
Ellie walked closer to the young woman and now stood beside Rae’s chair. The smooth hand that Ellie placed on Rae’s shoulder was comforting. “It’s so great to see you, Rae. How have you been?”
Because Rae wanted to converse with her friend, she stood and eyed the youngest Carrie woman. Ellie appeared so confident. So very much sophisticated. So very much poised. So very much articulate.
“Oh, I’m fine,” Rae rushed to say. “How about you?”
“How about your college classes and-”
“I hate to interrupt, but can I say something to you, Ellie?” Ethan Strat stood next to the young woman who had captured his interest. Rae noticed the man and thought that he was just the sort of man that Ellie Carrie would date.
Tall.
Good-looking.
Wealthy.
Country club type.
After giving Rae an apologetic look, Ellie turned toward the man at her side. She could still smell the light scent of his aftershave. The blue eyes shone with kindness.
“Of course, Ethan,” Ellie assured the man. Again, she cast a quick look at Rae. “I will be back in a moment and then we can catch up, okay, Rae? Because I haven’t seen you in a long time and you’re one of my very favorite people.”
Rae nodded. She felt a sense of thoughtfulness at Ellie’s kind words. It was just this sort of friendship that Rae treasured. For a brief moment she watched as Ellie quietly walked away with the tall blonde man. After sitting down, Rae surveyed the entire Carrie family from her vantage point.
Samuel and Sibby were visiting with a small cluster of people a few feet away. Samuel, with his salt and pepper hair, was decked out in a tailored black and white tuxedo. Sibby, with her dark auburn colored tresses elegantly styled, was adorned in a stylish black evening gown. Brisa was across the room, nodding at something a young man was saying, and shifting her eyes over the area, as if looking for the nearest exit.
Rae watched as Cray, Brisa’s younger brother, swiftly walked to his sister’s side, and said something close to her ear. Brisa Carrie appeared cornered like a timid groundhog near an unfamiliar hole. Mere moments later, Rae noticed Cray and Brisa walking away from the young man, who had earlier conversed with Brisa. The pair of siblings were beside each other, as if very quietly communicating. Cray stood taller than his petite sister. The top of Brisa’s head barely reaching the young man’s shoulder. The pair walked by Damon.
Damon Carrie.
Wild.
Good looking.
Mischievous hellion.
Rae watched as Damon stopped. The woman hanging on Damon’s arm obviously did not want to chat with Brisa and Cray. With a pout on her thick make-up covered face, the young female kept tugging Damon to the dance floor.
From her distance away, Rae could tell that Damon was ignoring the woman and instead wanted to converse with his siblings for a brief moment. After a few seconds, Rae noticed Damon wave a hand at Brisa and Cray and then stroll toward the crowded dance floor with the lady Rae now thought of as Thick Make-up Woman.
Time passed. Rae sat contently jus
t watching the various people in attendance. A lady near the sidewall was wearing such a tight fitting dress that Rae absently wondered if the woman could breathe. A pair of very inflated plastic-surgery styled breasts appeared to be stretching the fabric, close to ripping the material.
A man near the food table was double-dipping a piece of shrimp in a sauce bowl. Three other men, all clad in tailored tuxedos, stood near the chocolate fountain, each of them smoking a cigar and patting one another on the back.
The music from the orchestra shimmered through the room with a hum of comfort. It was the depth of the musical notes that immersed with incredible harmony through the ballroom, making Rae feel a little more comfortable in her surroundings.
Now, Rae noticed Brisa walking toward the family table. There was a small, mischievous smile displayed across her fine features that made Rae wonder just what the oldest Carrie sibling was thinking. With a certain amount of poise, Brisa greeted Mrs. Rally and took a seat beside Rae.
“I have seen that grin on your face before,” Rae teased.
Brisa laughed good-naturedly, with not a moment of indifference. “Oh, a young man just asked me if I knew Mandarin because I’m Asian and….well, that guy is apparently not doing so well in his language class and wondered if I could tutor him.”
“What did you tell him?”
Brisa smiled as she said, “I explained that I was adopted from a Chinese orphanage when I was a toddler and although I know some of the language, he should really look into getting a tutor.”
“That makes sense,” Rae responded and because she noticed Brisa eyeing her ball gown, Rae leaned closer to the young woman and very, very discreetly whispered, “Is my dress that bad?”
“Of course not,” Brisa rushed to reassure the woman. With a hand in the air, as if dismissing the idea, Brisa shook her head. “Rae, you are beautiful in absolutely anything you wear. Besides Ellie once told me that clothes never make the person, it’s the soul that is inside the person that is showcased the most.”
Humping Her Hero Page 11
