Fanny allowed a small smile to tug at the corner of her mouth as she winked at her escort. She would not think about the meeting in the garden with Ash. This day was for the twins, and for her too.
"They're here," Sunny bellowed at the top of her lungs. "Ohhh, Mom, would you look at Riley. Is he a hunk or what? Too bad he's our cousin. Do I look okay, Mom? Fm getting my ears pierced, did I tell you that? He's changed so much since I saw him last. Did I change. Mom? Wow, Uncle Moss is here too. That should tell us all something. Aggie's wearing those pearls, and this time she has matching earrings. Her snoot is higher than ever. Billie looks as pretty as you, Mom, but you're prettier. Uncle Seth looks like he just sat on a beehive." She wound down like a clock whose batteries were low. Fanny stared at her helplessly.
"Look at it this way, Fanny, she's starting to notice things," Simon hissed in her ear. "Excuse me, ladies."
"Moss, it's good to see you," Simon said, extending his hand. "Just think, if it wasn't for our conversation that day on the Big E, none of us would be standing here now."
"Every time I see you I want to call you Jessup. You're lookin'
good, Simon. This place looks better each time I see it. Reminds me ofSunbridge."
"Billie, you look beautiful," Fanny said, hugging her tighdy.
"Moss decided to come along as we were getting in the car," Billie whispered in her ear. "How's it going? I had no idea Simon was so . .. so . .."
"I didn't either," Fanny whispered in return.
"I could use a drink," Seth growled.
"I have two waiting, with your name on both of them," Sallie laughed. "It's good to see you again, Seth. Agnes, it's nice to see you too."
Ash joined them. His mood was expansive, his smile affable, as he shook hands, complimenting Agnes, who preened like a peacock.
From that point on the guests began to arrive, car after car.
The party was under way by noon, music rocking across the mountain, young people whooping and hollering as they frolicked in the pool to the loud music. Relatives visited and watched the youngsters with indulgent smiles on their faces. Some of the friends and business associates from town discussed the casinos until Sallie playfully waved her finger under their noses, indicating this was a social gathering. Texas beef, compliments of Seth Coleman, sizzled in the open pit manned by Chue and a cousin. Phihp's plump chickens twirled on a spit, browning to perfection. The gay red-and-white-striped tents held long tables with outrageously beautiful flower arrangements, thanks to Chue and his greenhouse. Adding to die fun theme were clusters of colorful balloons and gaily wrapped going-away presents piled to the top of the tent. It would take the boys hours to unwrap them all.
Agnes Ames, resplendent in a bright blue designer outfit, walked the property, her eyes cataloging and calculating the cost of the party, all the while comparing it to one of Seth's Texas barbecues. She needed to come up with a dollar amount because it would be the first thing Seth would ask on the way home. She watched out of the comer of her eye as Seth cornered Philip. She smirked, knowing exactly what he was asking: did chickens bring in as much money as beef? Then he'd want to know the cost of chicken feed. She'd hear all the details the moment they started for home.
Agnes sucked in her breath as her eyes traveled across the yard to where her son-in-law Moss was standing with Ash, Simon Thornton, and John Noble, Bess's husband. She'd never in the whole of her life seen four such handsome men in one place. She looked around for
her daughter and was dismayed to see her huddled wdth Fanny and Fanny's friend Bess. She could just imagine what they were talking about. Her stomach started to react. It would be just like Billie to decide on the spur of the moment to leave Moss because of his phikin-dering ways. And exactly where would that leave her? She fingered the pearls at her neck. She was the Mistress of Sunbridge, and she had no intention of giving up the title. Not now, not later, not ever.
She wasn't blind to her son-in-law's infidelities, infidelities that Seth condoned. Her job was to hold Billie in line, to make sure her daughter didn't do something foolish like file for divorce and take young Riley, heir to the Coleman dynasty, with her. She knew that was what Billie intended to do. The question was, when would she do it? She stared now at her beautifiil daughter, who was talking animatedly with Fanny Thornton. Two beautiful women who had come into their own, on their own, each giving support to the other. Ash Thornton, she knew, was an alley cat, just like her son-in-law. She'd learned that by eavesdropping, something she did on a regular basis. And then she raced to Seth and reported her findings. She hated herself for betraying her own daughter, but she wgis too old to give up the good life she'd grown accustomed to.
Agnes didn't like the way the three young women were huddling, didn't like the speculative looks in their eyes. They were comparing husband notes, and the men were coming up drastically short. She needed to do something, but what? She could feel Seth's eyes boring into the back of her head. Mustering all the willpower she could, she turned and marched across the yard to where Seth was sitting with SaUie. He looked like an ugly predator ready to snatch his grandson fi"om her daughter's arms if a divorce was imminent. She hated herself for aiding and abetting this cantankerous old man. She swadlowed hard, her fimgers on her pearls when she took her place next to Seth.
"Are you enjoying yourself, Agnes?" Sallie asked.
"Very much. The air is so crisp and clean up here. It reminds me of the Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania. It's different here now—things have changed in the past few years."
"Absolutely. A family lives here now. There are nicks and scratches everywhere, dogs and cats, bicycles and baseball bats. Some days you can't get in the front door. It's good to hear the laughter and even the squabbhng. The only problem is, this littie family is lopsided. My son doesn't participate much. I find it particularly amazing that Fanny has managed to keep it all together. I
imagine you both must feel the same way about Billie, proud of her plans to start up her own business. Fanny and Billie work so well together. They trade strengths. One day, mark my word, Billie will be a famous textile designer."
"And where's she going to get the money to do that? My boy isn't going to approve of his wife starting up her own business. She belongs at home with the family. Ain't that right, Aggie?"
Agnes decided to travel the low road. "Billie hasn't said anything to me about it. I'm her mother, I think I would know."
"No money for such foolishness," Seth growled again, not liking Agnes's response.
"That's not true, Seth. Fanny is going to back her. Bess and John are prepared to buy into it too. I don't think money will be an issue. The way I see it, Thornton money is just as green as Coleman money." Sallie leaned closer to her brother. "She's had enough, Seth, just the way Fanny has had enough. I'm not proud of what my son has been doing these past years. I don't see where you have any right to be proud of what your son is doing to Billie. She's a wonderful young woman with brilHant ideas and the energy to put those ideas to use. Neither you nor Moss will be able to hold her down. If you try, you'll regret it. As you know, I'm a gambling woman. If you'd like to place a small wager, I'm more than willing."
"That's the biggest damn fool thing I ever heard," Seth snarled. "Aggie, what do you have to say to this?"
"Not much, Seth," Agnes drawled. Maybe she was backing the wrong horse. Sallie was right, Thornton money was just as green as Coleman money, and there were indications there was more of it. Maybe she should switch gears and head for the high road right now. Common sense dictated she straddle the center line, for now, to see if it was going to be a Texas wind or a Nevada bonanza. Her long fingers with the manicured nails caressed her pearls.
"What in the goddamn hell is that supposed to mean. I want an answer, Aggie. She's your daughter, ain't she?"
"I gave you my answer, you simply didn't like it. In case you haven't noticed, Billie has a mind of her own. It's been a long time since she's listened to either you or me. You can't lead her around the w
ay you lead around your horse." There was such distaste in her voice that Sallie's eyes widened.
"Leave my horse out of this. You better rein in that little gal of yours real quick, Aggie."
"Or what, Seth?" Agnes asked coolly.
356 Fern Michaels
"This is supposed to be a party, and here we are discussing family problems. Our children have minds of dieir own and they'll do whatever they feel is right for them. I, for one, support them. That's my last word on the subject Here-come the girls. I guess I should say here come the young ladies since they aren't girls any longer. That does make us older, doesn't it, Agnes?"
"Yes it does. I, for one, like being a grandmother," Agnes said.
"And I love it too," Sallie said.
"Mother, are you enjoying yourself?" Billie asked.
Agnes smiled weakly. "Of course. Where's Moss?"
"I have no idea. He doesn't tell me where he's going or what he's going to do, as you well know. Why don't you ask Seth, he knows everything," Billie said with a bite to her voice.
"I'll be right back, I want to check on something in the house,*' Fanny said.
Fanny blinked as she walked dovm the corridor toward the kitchen, blinking again so her eyes would adjust to the dinmess inside after the bright simshine. She stopped outside the study door when she heard Moss Coleman's voice. She did something then that she'd never done in the whole of her life: she eavesdropped, her heart flip-flopping inside her chest at what she was hearing.
"Alice, I had to come, the old man said it was one of those mandatory things. I couldn't get out of it You know I do. I can top that, I count the hours. Fm leaving tomorrow. Fll tell Pap tonight I can catch the first plane to New York around ten-thirty. You'll be in my arms by six-thirty. Trust me, Fm real good at explaining things to Pap. BiUie will stay on here with her ftiends. When it's time for a divorce, you'll be the first to know. Now, tell me again what it is you're going to do to me when we . . ."
Fanny turned and fled in the other direction. At the end of the hall that led into the sunroom, she bumped into BiUie.
"My God, Fanny, what's wrong?"
"No. . . nothing. I think coming in fi-om the bright sunlight made me . . . light-headed for a moment Fll be all right in a minute."
'*Well, well, what have we here?" Moss Coleman said jovially. *1 hope you don't mind, Fanny, but I had to use the phone. What's up, honey?" he said addressing his wife. "Did Thad get here yet?"
"No, not yet," Bilhe said, eyeing the hallway and the room Moss had exited, and where it ended.
"I think Fll check on Pap and wait for him. Great peuty, Fanny. Fm glad I could get away. I heard Birch organized a baseball game
for three o'clock, guys against the gals. The bets are going to be heavy so think about that. See you later, honey." A moment later he was gone.
"He's gone, Fanny, now tell me what you saw or heard and don't expect me to believe that sunshine story."
"Billie, it's just the way I said it was."
"It's okay, Fanny, I know what he's 2dl about. Isn't it better for me to know than to have me speculate, and perhaps be wrong? You were going down the hall toward the kitchen and Moss was in the study making a phone call. It wasn't business, it was monkey business, right?"
Fanny nodded miserably. "I never eavesdropped before in my life, Billie, I swear on my children."
"It's all right, Fanny. Now, tell me."
"He was talking to someone named Alice and . . . and he said he was leaving in the morning and would . . . would be in her arms by six-thirty. He said ... he said Seth made him come here today. That's all. I'm so sorry, BiUie. You should know, but I hate it that I was the one to tell you. Do you know Alice whoever she is?"
Billie nodded. "She's a Broadway playwright. Moss has been having an affair with her for years. I found some letters recendy. It's hard to believe I didn't know. Years, Fanny. My God, how could I have been so blind? He knows I know. At least now he's being a little more discreet, or I thought he was. We are not going to let this ruin our day. We are going outside and act like the ladies we are. I'll deal with this in my own way in my own time. Wipe that awful look off your face."
"I'm so sorry, Billie. I know how bad it hurts. I know," Fanny repeated.
"Their loss," BilUe said.
"Their loss," Fanny said, echoing her friend's words.
17
The baseball game was over. Mazie and her crew of cousins had cleared away the dishes and silverware. Now, Chue turned on the colored lanterns, and the band laid down the portable dance floor. Music echoed across the mountain.
358 Fern Michaels
"I don't see Sunny anywhere, and where's Sallie?" Fanny asked. "I haven't seen either one of them for almost an hour. I just love listening to music and watching the kids, don't you, Billie? I'm sorry, how thoughdess of me. I keep forgetting . . . well not really forgetting, I just never seem to know what to say about your daughters, Maggie and Susan."
"It's all right, Fanny. Maggie will make it when she's ready to stop fighting the world and her father. Susan wanted to go to England with Amelia to study her music. I guess it was meant to be. I have Sawyer and Riley. I just checked on Sawyer, and she's sleeping soundly. Oh, oh, you wanted to know where Sunny was. Weil, Fanny there she is."
"Oh, my God, that . . . that . . . beautiful creature is my daughter. Ah, so that was where SaUie was, fixing her up. That looks like one of your dresses, Billie."
BiUie laughed. "It is. I sent it to Sallie a month ago. I thought Sunny might want a party dress for when she goes off to school. You know, a fancy one that isn't too fancy. She looks beautiful. Look how everyone is staring at her. Be careful what you say, Fanny, this look she's showing off is very important to her."
"A couple of hours ago she was just a kid with skinned knees and a fat pigtail down her back. Oh, my!"
"Mom, what do you think?" Sunny asked, twirling around for her mother's benefit.
"I like it, honey," Fanny said. "The pearl combs in your hair are just the right touch. They match all those seed pearls on your dress. Summer white with your tan is glorious. If you had a dance card, it would be full. You look so grown-up. Sunny."
"Ah, Mom, you aren't going to cry, are you?"
"Of course not. Can you dance, you never told me."
"Mommmmm."
"Go!"
Go she did. She was all over the dance floor, smirking at the girls as the boys lined up to dance with her.
"She's flirting. I never did learn how to do that," Fanny said.
"Me either," Billie said.
"She's taking center stage," Sallie smiled. "It was worth it just to see the twins' faces. Look at them—they can't believe it either. Tonight will make a wonderful memory for Sunny. It's better than a debutante ball. I hope you aren't upset, Fanny. Sunny enlisted my aid a month or so ago. Actually, she got the idea the day the dress
arrived. We practiced with the makeup and hairdo for hours and hours. She couldn't make up her mind. Then she practiced her dancing until she got blisters. When that girl puts her mind to something, she accomplishes it. She takes after you, Fanny."
Fanny beamed as her daughter danced her way over and whispered in her ear. Fanny smiled. Sunny glowed.
"She said," Fanny lowered her voice to a bare whisper, "Ted Alexander said she looked like a Greek goddess. A first year cadet at West Point, no less."
Suddenly Fanny felt a hand on her shoulder. "Your daughter is making a spectacle of herself out there, Fanny. I don't see anyone else dressed like that, even the older girls. What were you thinking of? She looks like a goddamn floozie. Take her in the house and wash her face."
"Ash, don't be ridiculous. You've been drinking, and you're going to spoil everything. Leave it alone."
"Ash, Fanny is right," Sallie said quietly. "There's nothing wrong with the way Sunny looks, and there's nothing wrong with her having a good time. She's being a proper young lady."
"Well, you should know a thing or two about prope
r young ladies, Mother."
"That will be enough of that kind of talk, young mam. Now, go inside and get some coffee," Agnes said.
"Who do you think you are to give me orders in my own house?" Ash blustered.
"Whose house, young man?" Agnes demanded.
"Nasty old biddy," Ash snarled.
"I'm going to take that as a compliment," Agnes said as she took his arm and forcefully turned him around. "There will be no scenes at this party. Good night, young man."
"Mother," BiUie wailed.
"Mother, what? Did you think I would allow him to talk like that about Sunny? Sallie and Fanny have to be tolerant, but I don't. I apologize for my . . . take-charge attitude, but lately I find myself doing it with Seth. If I don't, he walks all over me. I don't like it when men demean women. Sometimes it appears that I do, but I don't. I hope I haven't offended you."
"I feel like giving you a medal, Aggie," Sallie said. "I don't think anyone has ever taken Ash to task quite like that."
Agnes knew she'd just endeared herself to the Thornton women.
360 Fern Michaels
Men were so incredibly stupid sometimes the way they underestimated women.
"Mom, we're turning over the dance floor to you guys. We're going into the tent to get our cake and open the presents. They're gonna play that old fogy music you like. Boy, this was some party, thanks, Mom, Grandma. Sunny was a knockout. Mom. You're gonna have to watch her, she's all grown-up now. Ted Alexander is going to ask her to go to West Point for his Christmas formal. Don't let her go, she's too young."
"Okay."
"Mrs. Thornton, would you do me the favor of having this dance with me?" Simon said as he bowed low in front of Fanny.
"I'd love to, Mr. Thornton."
"I like this song," Simon said, leading Fanny onto the dance floor. "No one can sing 'Because of You' like Tony Bennett."
"Hmmnn," Fanny murmured as she settled herself in Simon's arms to ghde across the dance floor. She couldn't ever remember feeling this good.
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