“Would you stop that!” Alex hissed under her breath.
Taylor continued to stare, grinning like a fool. “What’s the occasion?”
“Kate gave it to me for my birthday.” She nervously ran her palms down the skirt, wishing she had worn something else.
“That’s right, happy birthday!” He planted a quick kiss on her cheek.
“Thanks.”
Taylor took a deep breath, gave Alexandra another thorough look over and whispered, “You know, women usually have to pay a plastic surgeon to get a body like yours. You look as hot—hell, hotter—than the twenty-year-olds who come in here.”
At that, Alexandra laughed heartily.
“I mean it, Alex,” Taylor said seriously, careful not to let his customers overhear his words. “You’ve lost a hell of a lot of weight; you look down-right petite. Yet, you still have the biggest . . .”
“Taylor!” Alex gasped, punching his arm in retaliation.
“And they’re real,” he just wouldn’t shut up. Then he added, “I know they’re real.”
In spite of the inappropriateness of his comments, Taylor’s words were a welcomed birthday gift for a woman in her forties facing a future alone. Taylor’s compliments weren’t the only ones she received that night. Customers flattered, flirted, and a few actually gawked. She began to wonder if she should let Kate pick out all her clothes.
Wednesday proved to be a fairly brisk evening, keeping Alexandra busy helping the hostess and occasionally working behind the bar. She was just finishing entering a charge in the credit card machine when she looked up from behind the bar and noticed a large group entering the adjacent dining room. From her vantage point, the entrance was about twenty feet away.
Although the atmosphere of the Lucky Lady reflected refinement and class, its customers usually dressed casually. Cowboy boots and denims were appropriate attire, which is why Alexandra took special notice of the dozen or so new customers who poured noisily through the entrance. The men wore expensive suits, their female counterparts, covered in silk and furs, wore high-heeled shoes and flashy jewelry.
Steve eventually led them to a large table, not quite twelve feet from where Alexandra stood at the bar. The group was making a considerable amount of noise, obviously discussing who would sit where as they moved around the long table, pushing chairs about.
It took only a moment for her to recognize one member of the party, Russell Coulson. Then Alexandra remembered what Rosa had told her about Harrison making a reservation for tonight. That explained everything. Senator Harrison Coulson’s party was definitely not of the line-dancing variety.
Alexandra almost turned back to the credit card machine when she noticed a tall man walk through the entrance and join the Coulson party. He didn’t exactly walk; he took long, leisurely, confident strides. The manner in which he carried himself struck a familiar cord. The moment he walked inside, he slipped off his jacket, as if he couldn’t wait to be rid of its burden or it was simply too warm. Flinging it carelessly over the shoulder of his fitted vest, he walked toward his party. Unable to get a clear view of his face, she noted how his physique filled out his three-piece suit. You didn’t see three-piece suits every day in Coulson.
He stood behind one of the chairs at his table, his back to Alexandra, one hand resting on the top of the chair’s backrest. He appeared to be leaning over the top of the chair, talking to a man who had just been seated across his table. He was close enough for Alexandra to notice the beautiful color of his thick, wavy hair. She had never seen hair quite that shade. It was the color of pewter, an illusion created in dark brown hair by the gentle blending of gray.
She wondered if his facial features could possibly match the impressive width of his shoulders, the gracefulness of his movement. And yet, he seemed so familiar.
As she waited for the man to turn so that she could steal a glimpse of his face, Rosa approached the bar. Alex knew Rosa was coming for the credit card and charge slip she had recently put through the machine. Alexandra stepped out from behind the bar, and just as she handed Rosa the credit card and charge slip, the man turned and looked directly into her face.
Had Rosa not grabbed the credit card, it would have slipped from Alex’s hand onto the floor. Alexandra stood paralyzed, her hand still extended from passing the card to Rosa, her eyes fixed on the familiar blue eyes of Garret Coulson.
Rosa noted the peculiar expression of her employer and quickly looked into the direction of Alexandra’s gaze, only to see a handsome man returning a stare of equal intensity.
Garret had expected to see Alexandra tonight. What he hadn’t anticipated was the intensity of his body’s reaction to her. All of the old feelings, the yearning, the need, came flooding back with such magnitude that he was momentarily stunned. He never imagined she could look lovelier than she had been ten years earlier, but she did.
He knew she was surprised to see him. Garret had expressly asked Russell to say nothing about his return. He never intended his first meeting with Alexandra to be like this—so public. Unfortunately, Harrison had arranged a surprise welcome-home party for Garret. Unbeknownst to even Russell, Harrison decided at the last minute to have the party at the Lucky Lady.
Garret took a deep breath and then began walking toward Alexandra. She stood frozen with her hands now at her side and her expression unreadable, but those lovely hazel eyes were calling him home.
Rosa began walking back into the dining room when she noticed the good-looking man was now walking toward Alexandra. She couldn’t help but notice Alexandra had not budged. Curious, Rosa paused for a moment and simply watched.
From behind the bar, Taylor had stopped what he was doing and fixed his eyes on Alexandra and the tall man who approached her. Steve, who had just walked into the bar from the restroom, quickly noticed that both Rosa and Taylor were staring at Alex, and then he noticed the tall man. Neither Alexandra nor Garret was aware of the audience. As far as they were concerned, they were the only two people in the room.
Unsmiling, Garret approached slowly, his eyes ever fastened on hers. It had been like this when they first met at the Chamber of Commerce meeting, those many years ago. When he was just an arm’s length away, he stopped. He smiled.
“Hello, Alex,” he said, ever so softly.
Alexandra’s mouth was incredibly dry. Her stomach twisted and churned, her heart pounded, and her legs felt weak. She could not imagine how any man would have this effect on her.
“Hello, Garret,” she managed to say.
“It’s been a long time,” he said as his gaze washed over her. His hands went out to hers, lightly capturing hold of her fingertips.
“Yes, it has.” Alexandra blinked her eyes, certain tears were going to come. She was still unable to fully comprehend that Garret had finally returned.
“Doesn’t an old friend get a hello hug?” he asked gently. His eyes sparkled as he lightly squeezed her fingertips.
She felt the tightness in her chest increase; her heart pounded. She smiled and then answered by reaching up and placing her arms around his neck as he slid his around her waist and drew her securely to him.
He hugged her tightly, holding her for a moment without moving, without saying a word. His face nuzzled in her hair; she smelled sweet as he inhaled her familiar fragrance.
Alexandra had almost forgotten how tall Garret was or how incredibly secure she could feel in his embrace. The length of him crushed into hers; she wanted to bury herself in his warmth, never wanted to let go. Garret gave a final squeeze, a reassuring gesture before releasing Alex from the hug. When he stepped back slightly, he noticed there were tears in her eyes. He wanted to snatch her back into his arms and kiss away the tears, yet he knew this wasn’t the time.
Before either of them could say another word, Harrison distracted the couple by approaching Garret from behind and planting a brotherly slap on Garret’s shoulder.
“Where do you think you’re sneaking off to?” Harrison boomed and th
en noticed what had caught his brother’s attention. He could hardly blame Garret for wandering away. Harrison’s eyes lingered over Alexandra, wishing he had left his wife at home. “Hellooo, Alex,” he said with a whistle, then snatched up her hand and kissed her fingertips in a most annoying fashion.
Taylor’s, Rosa’s, and Steve’s eyes continued to be riveted on the scene.
“Back off, Harrison,” Garret warned. There was not a trace of humor in his voice as he glared at his older brother. Harrison quickly dropped Alex’s hand, eyed Garret’s expression, and then smiled. At the same moment Harrison dropped Alex’s hand, Russell joined the threesome. Alex found herself encircled by the three Coulson brothers.
“Hello, Alex,” Russell greeted. He walked around Garret and leaned his arm against the bar top. His eyes held a mischievous gleam, and his smile made one wonder if he had some grand secret that he couldn’t wait to share.
“Russell.” Alex looked over to Russell as she spoke. “You never mentioned that Garret was coming for a visit.” Her eyes flashed from brother to brother.
“This is no visit,” Harrison exclaimed, again slapping Garret’s shoulder. “He moved back.”
“Really?” Her eyes looked back to Garret; he was smiling and staring.
“Really,” Garret repeated, giving a small nod.
She wanted to ask him if he returned with a wife. Did he have a family, a couple of kids? Was one of the women at his table his wife, his girlfriend, his lover?
“Sorry to tear you away from this lovely lady,” Harrison began, “but you have a dinner party waiting, and you are the guest of honor.” Harrison flashed Alex his most political smile.
There was much Garret wanted to say to Alexandra, yet he knew this was not the time or place. Reluctantly, he allowed himself to be led back to the table. Garret did not want an audience during his first meeting with Alexandra.
Russell returned to the table with his brothers. He said nothing but chuckled heartily, continually glancing back in Alex’s direction. She couldn’t see what was so damned funny.
Less than two hours later, Alexandra was surprised to see Garret leave with his dinner party. He never spoke to her again, and he never said goodbye. Initially, Alexandra imagined Garret still harbored affection for her, yet now she believed it was all in her imagination. It had been over ten years, and she had no idea what the last decade had held for Garret. With a deep sigh, Alex told herself to let it go. All he had asked for was a hug from an old friend. She had always considered him her friend, and it was a little late to expect more now.
By ten-thirty, the dining room was empty and the bar crowd was nonexistent—a typically slow Wednesday night. Alexandra sat at the bar waiting for her sister. Unfortunately, since seeing Garret, she had no desire to go anywhere.
“I never knew you personally knew Senator Coulson!” Rosa exclaimed as she joined Alex, Steve, and Taylor at the bar.
“I met him when I was active in the Chamber,” Alex explained with a shrug.
“Who’s the guy you hugged?” Steve asked. He’d been dying to question her all evening but never had the opportunity.
“He’s the middle Coulson brother. Garret,” Alex explained. If they only knew!
“God, what a hunk!” Rosa sighed. “I didn’t know there was another brother.”
“He moved from Coulson about ten years ago,” Alex explained and then asked, “Taylor, can I have a Mai Tai?” God, I need a drink! Taylor’s brows shot up at the mention of a Mai Tai, but he reserved comment.
“He seemed fond of you,” Taylor observed as he scooped ice into a large brandy snifter. “A little competition for brother Russell?”
Alex didn’t respond.
“Alex, if this Garret Coulson is older than Russell, you obviously didn’t go to school with him. How did you get to know him?” Rosa asked.
“When I was in the Chamber,” Alex explained and then sipped the Mai Tai Taylor placed before her, thankful for the distraction.
“See, Alex, you met all kinds of interesting people when you were active in the Chamber!” Steve was at it again.
“What’s the deal with this guy?” Rosa prodded.
They were naturally curious. Alex imagined they were wondering about the hug. Had her expression been that transparent? What could she tell them that would help explain without actually telling anything? And then she remembered something she could say.
“Rosa, do you remember when Kate told you about the time I was attacked in downtown Coulson?” Alex asked.
“You were attacked?” Taylor asked sharply.
“She was almost raped,” Rosa explained. Both Steve and Taylor looked at Alex; they had never heard the story.
“It was Christmas time,” she began to explain. “I was on the Toy Drive Committee, and we had a late gift-wrapping session down at the old community building. The one they tore down a couple of years ago. I was driving home, my car broke down, and I had to start walking. Two guys started to attack me, and Garret Coulson saved my life.”
“He’s the one who saved you?” Rosa asked. Alex nodded.
“What did Ryan do?” Taylor asked.
“He called Garret and thanked him,” Alex answered, then sipped her drink.
“How did he happen to save you?” Steve asked.
“He left the building about ten minutes after me. He noticed my car on the side of the road and went to investigate. I was very lucky.”
“Why were you lucky?” Kate asked as she walked into the bar, only hearing the last part of Alex’s sentence.
“She was telling us about when Garret Coulson saved her life,” Steve answered.
“Garret Coulson?” Kate asked with a curious lilt to her voice.
“Yes, Kate.” Alex gave her sister a don’t say anything look and then added, “Garret moved back to Coulson.”
“No shit?” Kate looked bemused, shook her head, then ordered a drink without saying another word.
Alexandra was relieved when Taylor changed the topic, yet all conversation came to an immediate halt when two customers walked into the bar—Garret and Russell Coulson. All eyes fixed on the pair.
Garret had traded his suit for denims, a flannel shirt, and leather cowboy boots, while Russell wore dress slacks, a long-sleeved golf shirt, and loafers. Rosa thought it was an absolute sin for any man to fill out a pair of jeans the way Garret Coulson did. He actually managed to look better than he had in the three-piece suit, and he had looked damn fine in the suit.
Alexandra couldn’t believe he was here again. She sat quietly and watched as Russell and Garret entered the room. She wondered if they were self-conscious; there were five pairs of eyes following their every move as they walked to the bar.
“Hello, Garret,” Kate greeted. Her eyes sparkled, then she added, “Alex told me you returned to Coulson.”
“Hi, Kate. Good to see you.” Garret took the empty barstool between Alex and Kate. Garret greeted Kate as if they were old acquaintances, while they had only met twice—the night Alex was attacked and when Kate asked Garret to meet Alex at the cabin. Russell sat on the other side of Kate.
“Hi, Russy,” Kate greeted the younger brother. Over the years, she and Russell had run into each other around town.
“Hi, Katie. Interesting outfit.” Russell’s eyes washed over Kate’s peasant dress, a blast from the sixties. She only smiled, then turned her attention to Garret. After Garret and Russell ordered a drink, Kate spoke up.
“So, tell me, Garret, did you bring a wife and kids back with you from Chicago?” she asked brightly.
Alex nearly choked on her drink. Russell snorted and Garret grinned.
“No, Kate. There is no wife, no kids.” When he answered her question his eyes fixed on Alex. Alex was uncomfortably aware of his scrutiny. She nervously gulped the remainder of her drink and pushed the empty glass toward Taylor, motioning for a refill.
“You sure?” Taylor whispered. Alex nodded.
“What the hell you gonna do in Co
ulson?” Kate asked.
“Actually,” Garret explained, still looking at Alex, “I took an early retirement.”
“No shit?”
Alex wondered why her sister was cursing with every sentence.
“Katie, I see they never could teach you how to talk like a lady,” Russell commented as he frowned in her direction.
“Fuck you, Russell,” Kate said matter-of-factly. Russell glared angrily at Kate, the color draining from his face.
Now Alex knew. Kate was trying to get a rise out of Russell, conservative Russell. Yet, Alex remembered a time when she overheard Russell using his share of profanity.
“I want to buy Alex a drink,” Kate announced. “A birthday drink.”
“It’s your birthday today?” Garret sounded surprised. He had never known her birthday. There was so much they never shared.
“Why don’t you give her a birthday kiss?” Kate suggested.
“You’re a brat,” Russell hissed under his breath. Kate merely shrugged, then looked back to her sister, who was blushing. Alex never blushed.
Garret, who seemed quite taken with the suggestion, turned in his barstool and faced Alex.
“It’s your birthday?” he repeated softly.
“Guilty,” she said faintly, excruciatingly aware that Taylor, Steve, Rosa, Kate, and Russell were watching her and Garret. She felt as if she were the dinner show.
His eyes looked searchingly into Alex’s as she sat incredibly still, unable to breathe.
“Happy birthday,” he said, then took his right hand and lightly touched the side of her face as he leaned toward her, his mouth touching hers for a chaste kiss.
The way in which she swayed into Garret made him wonder if the lethal concoction she had been gulping just moments before was impairing her judgment. Would she be returning his kiss if she were completely sober?
When the kiss ended Alexandra felt uncomfortably aware of the audience. Taylor, who watched from behind the bar, was annoyed at Kate for instigating such foolishness. Alexandra had already had too much to drink. She didn’t need this rich playboy coming on to her.
Coulson's Lessons Page 17
