by Judith Keim
“I feel like a new man,” he murmured. “Thank you for giving me that time to recuperate. I needed it.”
He lifted my chin and settled his lips on mine, thanking me in a very different way. My heart hammered with desire. New man or not, this was the man I wanted. I responded to the increased pressure of his lips, the strokes of his tongue.
He pulled away. “Are we alone?”
I nodded.
He took my hand, and we headed to my bedroom. Knowing what lay ahead, I felt like dancing on my toes as I skimmed along beside him.
Later, lying beside Vaughn on my bed, gloriously fulfilled, I playfully tugged on a few strands of his chest hair.
He pulled me closer and stroked my face. “You make me feel alive. Know that?”
I smiled up at him. “The Florida sun and fresh air have already started to work its magic on you.”
“No, it’s you.” His smile disappeared. “I need to talk to you.”
He was obviously worried about something, but I didn’t want to let anything destroy the tenderness of the moment. “Later,” I murmured. “Kiss me now.”
His lips claimed mine, and we lost ourselves in one another’s arms.
Checking the bedside clock later, my eyes widened. “It’s late! We have to get going. I don’t want Liz to find us like this.” I hadn’t come that far from my upbringing.
Showered and dressed, Vaughn and I sat in the shade of the lanai, sipping drinks. It felt so right for him to be near me, enjoying a relaxing time at home.
“It’s good to be here. Back to reality and sanity.” Vaughn lifted his frosty glass of vodka and tonic in a salute to me. “But, Ann, we have to talk about something.”
“Okay, but here comes Liz. Can it wait?”
Looking unhappy, he shrugged. “I guess it’ll have to.”
As Liz got closer, I noticed her face was a mask of fury. Alarmed, I set down my drink and rose.
I met her at the entrance to the pool deck. She brushed past me and marched over to Vaughn. “You bastard! How could you!”
“Elizabeth Rutherford! What are you doing?” I grabbed her arm, but she brushed me off. “No, Mom! You don’t understand!”
“Understand what?” I felt as if I were caught up in a scene from his television show.
Liz turned to me, her eyes glistening with tears. “I’m talking about a brand new internet story about Vaughn and some lady named Lily Dorio. Mike asked me all about it when we were alone in the cockpit of his boat. He didn’t know Vaughn was here with you. The dirty double-crosser!”
Feeling ill, I staggered back into my chair. Liz came over to me and put her arm around me. “While you’ve been mooning for him down here, it seems Vaughn’s been fooling around with someone else. You deserve better than that, Mom.” She shot Vaughn another nasty look. “A lot better!”
I felt faint as I turned to Vaughn. “Is it true? Lily Dorio? The woman who kept throwing herself at you the last time you were here? You’re seeing her?”
Vaughn’s jaws worked, the muscles on the side of his face flexing in a rhythmic pattern that set my heart to pounding. He looked from me to Liz and back again. “No. It isn’t true. It’s all part of something I can’t discuss right now. God help me, I know that sounds like a lame excuse, but there it is. You have to believe me.”
Though I wanted to run and hide, I forced myself to answer. “If it’s something you can’t discuss with me, why should I believe you? The whole world must think it’s true. Why shouldn’t I?”
He stood. “Because you, of all people, know how those damn papers and internet reports work. They don’t tell the truth!”
I looked up at him, my body too weak, too cold to confront him standing. “They don’t tell the whole truth, but there’s always some tiny particle of truth to their stories. Enough to prevent lawsuits.”
Liz stood in front of me, inches from Vaughn. “How do you explain the fact that the story shows a picture of you kissing that Lily woman who is, according to the report, pregnant?” Her voice cracked on the last word.
I grabbed hold of the arms of the chair to keep from slumping to the floor. Lily pregnant? The whole world tilted. I closed my eyes. “Liz? Why don’t you change your clothes and go on over to Rhonda’s? Vaughn and I will join you later.”
“Are you going to be all right, Mom?” Liz grabbed hold of my hand and squeezed.
“I don’t know,” I whispered. “Vaughn and I need to talk, to work this problem out between us. Liz, I know how angry you are, but I’m asking you not to say anything to anybody else. Chances are, nobody here will see the story with all the wedding stuff going on. I don’t want to ruin this happy time for Rhonda. It’s so important to her. Agreed?”
Liz drew a deep sigh and glanced at Vaughn with undisguised fury. “Okay, but I don’t like it. I’ll tell Angela to keep quiet, too.”
“Thanks.” This scene was a replay of the news I’d received from Robert and was almost as hard on her as it was for me.
After Liz left us, I covered my face with my hands, gasping aloud. Pain, sharp as tiny razors, cut through my heart. My nightmares had come to life all over again. First, Robert’s deception. Now, Vaughn’s.
“Ann?” Vaughn stepped toward me.
I held up my hand. “No!”
“God, Ann, I’m so sorry! I never meant to hurt you. I know how wounded you’ve been in the past ...”
“No. You. Don’t!”
“Please, Ann.” He drew me up in his arms.
I stood helplessly and finally let myself relax in his embrace, needing it so much.
“Don’t cry, honey. Don’t cry,” he murmured. “I’m sorry.”
I gathered my strength and pushed him away with unexpected force. “Don’t cry?” Fury rippled through me. “You know how betrayed I felt by Robert. Now, you’re doing the same thing. How dare you tell me not to cry?”
Tears welled in Vaughn’s eyes, surprising me. “I swear to you, it isn’t true. It has nothing to do with me. I believe all of this is because of Roger Sloan.”
“Roger Sloan, your producer?” I snorted my disbelief. “Why would he have anything to do with you having an affair with Lily Dorio?”
Vaughn gritted his teeth. “I did not have an affair with Lily Dorio! I only saw her once. You’ve got to believe me. You’ve got to trust me.”
My temper flared. “Trust you? How can I trust you or any man? Am I always to be betrayed?” I pushed myself away from him.
Vaughn stopped me with a hand on my wrist. “Listen to me! I’m caught up in the middle of something I can’t control. I have most of the pieces in place, but not all of them. I need you by my side. I once asked you if you’d be willing to fight for our relationship. The time has come for you to decide. I promise you I didn’t lay a finger on Lily. You’ve got to believe me!”
Seeing the misery on his face, I took a shaky breath. “I want to believe you. I really do. But I’m not sure I can.”
Vaughn ran a hand through his hair, the same curls I loved to touch. He shook his head sadly. “I hope you can trust me on this. Without absolute trust in each other, we’ll have no chance of making anything of our relationship. Especially with me in the business I’m in. I tried to tell you. Dammit! I love you, Ann.”
I blinked in surprise. Loved me? He’d never said those words to me before. I saw the pleading in his eyes and hesitated. He was an actor. Was this just another scene to him? But then I recalled our lovemaking and knew no one could fake what had happened between us. He filled a need in me I hadn’t even known existed before I met him. If it turned out to be another lie, I didn’t think I could bear it.
“I do love you. I think you know that,” said Vaughn. “I wouldn’t be here now fighting for you if it weren’t true. You know me well enough by now to realize that what I say is true. Stay with me. Everything will be all right in the end. I promise.”
He held out his hand to me and, God help me, I took it and allowed myself to be drawn into his embrace, wher
e I let tears of pain and relief flow.
We made it to the rehearsal dinner at the hotel just as cocktail hour was coming to a close. I’d waited to leave the house until the swelling around my eyes had gone down and I could cover my blotchy face with natural-looking makeup.
Vaughn took my hand as we entered the small dining room. Margaret and Rhonda’s cousin Annette surrounded him, asking questions about the show. I went over to Liz.
She gave me a hug, and I whispered in her ear. “He says there was no affair with Lily and I believe him. He’ll be able to tell me the whole story soon and I’m going to give him time to do it.”
Liz’s nostrils flared. She glanced at Vaughn. “He’d better be telling the truth.”
I clasped her hand. “Give us both time, Liz.”
She stared at me and finally nodded. “Okay. I’ll do it for you, Mom.”
Angela called her name. Shoulders bowed, Liz left me to go to her.
“Hey, Annie!” Rhonda came over and threw her arm around me. “You’re sure you and Vaughn don’t want to stand up in front of the church with us?”
I forced a laugh. “Tomorrow is your day, partner. I wouldn’t change that for anything.”
Rhonda lowered her voice. “Is Vaughn okay? He doesn’t look so good.”
“He’s got some problems at work,” I said in as non-committal a tone as I could muster.
Rhonda indicated the crowd with a sweep of her arm. “Annie, I can’t believe all this is happening to me. How lucky can I get?”
I gave her a hug, squeezing back sentimental tears. “I’m so happy for you, Rhonda. I really am.”
“Hey, Sis!” Richie called from across the room. “Are you women going to stand around talking all night or are we gonna eat?”
Rhonda laughed. “Ok, bro. Let’s break bread.”
After everyone was seated and wine and water were poured, Will rose. “I’d like to make a toast to my lovely bride. Rhonda, you’re everything I’ve ever wanted. I thank you for agreeing to be mine.”
Rhonda dabbed at her eyes and lifted her glass.
Watching the look of love pass between them, my heart contracted. Their love was so sweet, so genuine. I felt eyes on me and looked across the table to find Vaughn gazing at me, his expression full of tenderness. My pulse quickened. He’s right, I thought, if we’re to have any meaningful relationship, we must trust each other. I fervently hoped it wouldn’t prove devastating to me.
He seemed to sense my decision and gave me a subtle wink that brought a smile to my face. More sure of myself, I lifted my fork. Vaughn was not Robert.
After dinner, Vaughn and I walked over to the house with Liz. It was important to me that the three of us come to some sort of understanding. I didn’t want Liz to think Vaughn was like her father.
At home, Liz grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator. “It’s late. I’m going to bed.”
Determined to bring up the topic that hung between us like a cloud of doom, I cleared my throat. “Vaughn has promised me that he and Lily Dorio were not having an affair. I’m going to trust him on this while he takes care of some personal problems concerning it. I want you to trust him too.”
“Yeah? Well, I’ve seen what happens when guys lie and take off with someone else. It’s not easy for anyone.” Liz’s face grew flushed, and I knew this was as much about Robert as it was about Vaughn.
“My children have suffered through a lot of false rumors,” said Vaughn. “I’m sorry for that, but it’s something that sometimes happens in my line of business. I would do nothing intentionally to hurt them, and I’d do nothing to hurt your mother or you. You can talk to Nell about it if that would make you feel better.”
“Yeah? Maybe I will.” She turned to me. “Goodnight, Mom.”
“And?” I waited. She’d talked about being grown up. Was she?
She rolled her eyes. “Good night, Mr. Sanders.”
She left, and I shook my head. Okay, so maybe she wasn’t so grown up after all.
“Good night, Mrs. Rutherford.” Vaughn gave me a tender smile. “I’ll make it easy on everyone and go on to bed. I could use the rest.”
“Good night.” I was too tired physically and emotionally to do more than blow him a kiss as he left the kitchen.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The day was crystal clear and pleasantly warm, without the hot stickiness that September can bring—perfect for Rhonda’s wedding, set for four o’clock in the afternoon.
Vaughn joined Will and the other men for an early round of golf at one of the clubs. Liz, Margaret, and Annette worked in the large dining room, helping the party planner decorate the room for the wedding reception. Rhonda and Angela took off for the beauty parlor.
At three forty-five, I stood outside the church greeting guests and introducing Rhonda’s brother and sister-in-law to friends. Through my work at the hotel and in the community, I now knew most everyone who’d been invited to the small wedding.
Vaughn arrived with Will, and then it was time to enter the church.
Holding hands, Vaughn and I walked into the cool interior of the church and were ushered to one of the front pews to sit with Liz and the family. Dorothy, I noticed, had a seat two rows behind me on the aisle. Tim, Manny, and Consuela sat beside her.
I took a calming breath and admired the stained glass windows. Lowering my head, I prayed for the inner strength to give Vaughn the time he needed to make things right. I was still so insecure from Robert’s betrayal.
Organ music announced the bridal procession.
I rose with the rest of the congregation and turned to face the bridal party. Vaughn smiled at me and squeezed hand .
Angela preceded her mother down the aisle. I drew in an admiring breath. She wore a simple, tea-length dress of pale-rose organza that showed off her petite figure. With each step forward, her brown hair swept the top of her shoulders. She carried a small, simple bouquet of off-white hydrangeas with the barest touch of rose. Green leaves added color. She glanced at Tim standing beside Dorothy, and a pretty smile lit her face, accentuating her beauty.
The music grew more dramatic.
I turned my gaze to Rhonda walking down the aisle with Richie. At the sight of her, my eyes grew misty. Rhonda wore a tea-length dress in ecru silk, covered with scattered, hand-worked silk flowers made brighter by pearl and crystal centers. With its simple, soft-flowing lines, the dress was perfect for her. A cluster of matching silk flowers nestled among the curls at the crown of Rhonda’s head. In her hands, she carried a large bouquet of hydrangeas like Angela’s. The hint of color was just right with the dress.
Rhonda exuded a mixture of awe and unrestrained enthusiasm. I held back a chuckle as Richie tugged on Rhonda’s arm, silently exhorting her to slow down. It was so typical of Rhonda to be in a rush, even for this. She looked over at me and winked, and my heart filled with joy for her.
Will stood at the front of the church alone, waiting for Rhonda to join him. His dark suit was molded to his trim build, and I thought he looked much younger than his fifty-two years. The sweet way his face lit up as Rhonda approached him sent people scrambling in their pockets for tissues. I dabbed at my own eyes.
Vaughn grasped my hand and caressed my palm with his thumb. I held on tight. Though I continued to gaze at Rhonda and Will, I was very much aware of the man beside me.
After the final words had been spoken and Will had kissed Rhonda, she turned to the audience and raised a fist in the air. “We did it!”
Will laughed with the rest of us. Rhonda grabbed his arm. Amid clapping and cheers, they marched up the aisle.
Outside, Will led Rhonda to a white, open-air carriage. It had been trimmed for the occasion with red roses that offset the red-velvet seats of the carriage. A ring of red roses hung around the neck of the gray-dappled horse that pawed the ground impatiently.
A coachman, dressed in bottle-green livery, assisted Rhonda and Will into the carriage and climbed up in the driver’s seat. Amid a shower
of red rose petals, they pulled away from the curb.
“Great wedding, huh?”
I turned to find Brock Goodwin at my elbow. Vowing to keep my good humor, I smiled and nodded. Rhonda had decided it would be good PR to have him around, but he was the last person I wanted to see at that moment.
Limousines carried us to the hotel. At the entrance to the dining room, I stood and gazed around with pleasure. Tiny sparkling lights and off-white trimmings had transformed the room into a fairyland.
“Nice,” murmured Vaughn as we found our table. Manny and Consuela were seated there, along with the mayor and his wife.
We greeted everyone and took a seat. Manny and the mayor got into a discussion about the use of fertilizers. I turned to Consuela.
“What a nice wedding.”
“Rhonda was so pretty,” gushed Consuela. I nodded, watching with interest as the mayor’s wife grabbed hold of one of Vaughn’s hands and complimented him on the show. He glanced over at me and, understanding how it was, I smiled.
I took a moment to study the crowd. Jean-Luc stood next to the dining room entrance, critically observing the waitstaff we’d hired for the event, making sure everything was done to his satisfaction.
For all their squabbling, he and Rhonda were fond of one another, and he’d worked hard on this event. The prime filet of beef was cooked to medium-rare perfection, the sea bass gently baked and sauced with a subtle blend of ginger and cream. For dessert, each of us was given a miniature white wedding cake, topped with a pink flower.
At the end of the meal, Will rose and gave a toast to the chef. Jean-Luc blushed at the loud applause he was given, but he deserved every bit of praise. The chocolate mousse cake beneath the stiff white icing had melted in my mouth.
Rhonda and Will made the rounds to each table, thanking the guests for coming. At our table, Rhonda greeted the mayor and his wife, hugged Manny and Consuela, and turned to me. “Here.” She placed her bouquet in my hands. “I’m not leaving it up to chance. Your turn next.” She eyed Vaughn meaningfully.
