Strictly Temporary

by Robyn Grady

  And he happened to have the perfect night in mind.

  Eleven

  Trinity was about to leave for the day when a special delivery arrived—a small box wrapped in white gloss paper. The label was addressed: Trinity Matthews. Careful. Fragile. The deliveryman said he’d been instructed to wait for a response.

  While the man gave her some privacy and ducked outside the reception room door, from the reception counter, Narelle Johns popped her perfectly coiffed, titian-blond head up.

  “You were on your way out, Trin. I’ll take care of that, if you want.”

  Trinity received goods from many of the people she interviewed—merchandise ranging from beauty products to quaint artworks to scented soaps resembling flags of the world. But as she weighed this particular gift, she felt most curious. She rotated the box and read the return label.

  She murmured aloud, “From Mr. Poultry-geist.”

  Her stomach looped and perspiration broke down the line of her back. She had to find the nearest chair or chance rubber legs buckling beneath her. Seeing her reaction, Narelle shoved back her caster chair and zoomed over.

  “Are you all right? Do you want a glass of water? Do I need to get security?”

  “No, no. It’s nothing like that.”

  “Then why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?”

  Trinity thought of Zack’s chicken story and her lips wobbled on a smile. “In a way, I have.”

  Narelle pulled up a nearby chair. With no one else in the room, Trinity found she couldn’t contain her curiosity enough to wait until she got home, or even make it back to her office. With the receptionist looking on, she peeled back the red ribbon, tore open the iridescent white paper, pried open the fitted lid and pulled out…

  Narelle let out a rapt sigh. “OMG. It’s beautiful.”

  Moisture edged Trinity’s eyes as she studied the thin glass ball that seemed to tell so many stories.

  “A snow globe,” she murmured, tipping the ball, which was set on a gold stand, upside-down then right-side-up. Her smile widened as a flurry of snow fell and settled on the scene. There was a wood cabin—nothing near as extravagant as Zack’s but just as homey looking—a big dog standing on his hind legs, perhaps barking at, or catching snow in his mouth. A couple stood by the front door. In the woman’s arms lay a baby swaddled in a white wrap.

  Trinity screwed her eyes shut and swallowed deeply. Looking into that globe brought to the surface such a mix of emotions—feelings she’d fought to control these past days but never to forget. She wanted those memories to live on in her mind until the day she died. Still, she didn’t want to live in the past, not anymore. She’d already decided to take Zack’s advice and move forward.

  “Who’s it from?” Narelle had picked up the box and was peering and digging around inside. “I don’t remember anyone we’ve interviewed having a connection with snow globes.”

  “It’s personal.”

  “In that case, you’d better read this note.”

  Trinity took the folded piece of notepaper from Narelle and scanned the lines. Every word made her heart lift a little higher and her resolve dig in a little deeper.

  Narelle asked, “Are you going to go?”

  Trinity darted a look at the younger woman who’d been reading over her shoulder.

  Narelle shrugged. “I couldn’t help but pick up on a few phrases, like ‘need to see you again’ and ‘this Saturday night.’”

  Trinity admitted, “When I was snowed-in in Colorado, I stayed in a place something like this.”

  “A wood cabin? With a dog?”

  Trinity nodded.

  But then Narelle tipped closer, squinted into the globe. “Isn’t that a baby?”

  “Yes, it is.”

  The receptionist sat back. “Wow. For a minute I thought this guy might’ve had this specially made.”

  “I think he did.”

  “But, a baby?”

  “Believe me, it’s a long story.” One she’d told Kate but no one else.

  “I guess the only question is…” Narelle waggled her eyebrows. “Are you going to accept?” She glanced again at the note, now lying open on Trinity’s lap. “Says it’s an engagement party. Black-tie at a private address in Oyster Bay Cove. All sounds terribly romantic.”

  Gnawing her lower lip, Trinity tipped the globe up and righted it again. The snow drifted down, coating the scene, and in her mind she could hear Cruiser barking, Bonnie Bel laughing and Zack…

  She sighed.

  He was intelligent and strong and funny and knowing him the way she did now—not the way the press depicted him—she couldn’t help but miss him. At night, alone in her bed, she could still feel his warmth, his soul-lifting kiss.

  On that final night, he’d said he wanted to see her again. The more time had gone by, the less she’d believed that he had. But it seemed he was as good as his word and, of course, she needed to accept, if only to tell him how that experience in Colorado had changed her life and why she could never see him again. Trinity sent word back. She accepted his invitation but she would make her own way to his parents’ estate.

  * * *

  When Zack received her reply, he’d reached for his cell to call her. He had Story Magazine’s office number, and if she’d left for the day, he’d also searched out and had on quick dial her private line details. But, twenty-four hours later, as he stood in his parents’ home overlooking the sound, he was glad he’d refrained. If she wanted to find her own way here, no harm. As long as she accepted that he would drive her home, and not until morning.

  Feeling a tap on his dinner jacket’s shoulder, he angled around. His mother, dressed in an elegant cream pantsuit, had left off entertaining the guests long enough to check on her middle child.

  “I swear you’ve been standing staring out this window for an hour. Are you sure this girl is coming?”

  “She’ll be here.”

  “There’s so many interesting ladies asking about you. Your sister does have a lot of lovely friends.”

  “And given it’s Sienna and her fiancé’s party, I’m happy to leave the mingling and small talk to her.”

  His mother’s green eyes glistened much like the emeralds dangling from her ears. “That’s unlike you, Zackery. You’re usually so amenable.”

  Leaning forward, Zack brushed a kiss on his dear mother’s cheek. “I’m fine. Go and enjoy yourself.”

  Disappointment and confusion lining her still beautiful face, she moved off to rejoin her many guests. Through the library door, Zack caught sight of his father cutting her off at the pass. He was offering to top up her champagne but clearly he wanted to talk, to stay close. Zack could imagine his mother’s thoughts.

  Where were you all those nights I wanted to talk?

  She’d been left largely to bring up the children while the man of the house had basked in the glory that was Harrison Hotels. They’d come together twice a year for vacations and his father usually made all the important dates in his kids’ lives. But as Zack had grown older he’d come to appreciate how lonely his mother must have been all those evenings her husband had stayed late at the office…the many weekends he’d worked out of town.

  They never argued in front of the children, but there’d been a couple of midnight quarrels Zack had overheard. Accusations with ugly words bandied around like “adultery” and “divorce.” As a boy, he’d flung the covers up over his head and prayed for his parents to stay together. But he never believed his father had ever cheated unless his mistress was his office and career.

  As the couple walked together into the mansion’s main reception lounge where a small band was playing and the party was in full swing, Zack returned his focus to the view outside one of the private library’s tall arched windows. He hoped his parents worked it out, but he would understand if they didn’t. His father had tried his best; his mother had, too. But if a man wanted to become a corporate force to be reckoned with, no matter what Thomas said, there simply weren’
t enough hours in the day.

  The swinging arc of car lights on the driveway had Zack thrusting back his shoulders. When he confirmed the vehicle was a cab, he strode out to meet the likely occupant. A moment later, near the front door, he cleared his throat and told Keats, their regular doorman for special events, that he would greet this guest himself.

  Out on the extensive portico, Zack rubbed his hands together against the slight chill in the air while the cabdriver held open the back passenger door and Trinity Matthews alighted.

  She wore his favorite color on her—a deep vibrant red. The dress was silky and two hundred percent sexy with silver brocade crisscrossing the bodice and looping around her neck. A luminous lightweight wrap rested in the crooks of her arms, its tails lifting softly in the breeze either side of the shapely high-waist-to-heel sheath.

  When she saw him, her eyes rounded before she gathered herself and, shifting the wrap up around her bare shoulders, clutched her silver pocketbook close to her chest. He’d heard about women looking like veritable visions. Now he could take pleasure in that wonder himself.

  As he moved forward, she seemed to take a breath and moved forward, too. When they stopped, standing face-to-face, he covered her chilled hands in his. He wanted to circle her in his arms and generate some heat the way they did best. Instead he smiled into her gorgeous moonlit eyes and led her into his family’s home.

  * * *

  Trinity had been ready for affluence but this magnificent waterfront estate was almost beyond imagination. The driveway had wound on forever. The house—more a mansion!—exuded an elegant yesteryear charm with an architectural design that reminded her of those old larger-than-life black-and-white films.

  “This makes my studio apartment look like a shoebox,” she said as, his hand on her elbow, Zack led her up a wide arc of stone steps. “When was it built?”

  “Nineteen thirty-six. With ten acres to romp around on, it was great here growing up, but seven bedrooms and an equal number of full baths, along with a library, ballroom, office, plus, plus, plus… It’s too big for my parents now.”

  “They’re thinking of selling?”

  “That’s still to be decided.”

  Inside, a three-tiered crystal chandelier hung from the soaring ceiling of a majestic vestibule. Artwork on the walls looked as if they might belong in a museum. She guessed the trimmings were all twenty-four-karat-gold plating, at least.

  With that dynamite smile that never failed to leave her light-headed, Zack urged her along.

  “Come in and meet the family.”

  Family…

  The very word made Trinity’s stomach jump so high, she had to press a palm to help slow the knots. Logically she had nothing to fear. From all she’d heard, the Harrisons were a great bunch. And their obvious wealth didn’t put her off. It was the fact she’d come at Zack’s invitation—as his date—and she was expecting everyone to be suitable, curious and ask a slew of questions.

  She’d already decided to be her usual vague self where private matters and the past were concerned. She was certain Zack would understand. But she intended to soak up this atmosphere and the conversation tonight. After spending those days in Colorado, she was curious like she’d never been before about seeing a truly happy family in action.

  “Are the children here?” she asked as they moved beneath a soaring ornate carved wood archway and the live music grew louder.

  “Wouldn’t be a party without the munchkins. Although they’ll be put to bed at a reasonable hour.”

  “In one of the seven bedrooms,” she concluded.

  But, taking her wrap and handing it to a uniformed maid, he shook his head. “There are a couple of private guesthouses on the grounds in case any of us decide to stay over but also want our own space.”

  “Are you staying over tonight?”

  “Oh, yes.” He sent her a lopsided grin. “So are you.”

  Trinity almost swallowed her tongue. Before she could object, she was standing among other guests and Zack was handing her a flute of champagne while introducing her to an inquisitive-looking man who resembled Zack a great deal. Same raven’s-wing hair. Same dazzling smile.

  “Thomas, this is Trinity Matthews.”

  Thomas took her hand and dipped his head in greeting. “So glad you could make it. It’s not every day our little sister accepts a marriage proposal.” He flicked a glance Zack’s way. “That leaves one.” He called over to a curvy redhead whose smile was as big as her generous bosom. “Willa, sweetheart, come meet Trinity, Zack’s date.”

  Willa was there in a heartbeat. “We’ve heard all about you. Being stuck in Zack’s cabin, cut off from everything.”

  Trinity waited for her to mention the baby. But Willa only talked on about the recent freakish weather. Clearly Zack hadn’t divulged that much about their story, although she did catch Thomas looking at her thoughtfully. She knew the siblings were close. Were Thomas and Zack close enough to discuss the more intimate details of the night they’d spent together?

  After five minutes of chatting, Zack called another woman over. She wore an amazing peach-colored evening gown. Her brunette hair was swept up in a flattering loose-curl style.

  “This,” Zack said, “is Sienna, my baby sister and woman of the hour.”

  “Congratulations on your engagement,” Trinity said, subtlety checking Sienna’s hands, not for the engagement ring so much as those chewed nails carried over from her childhood. “You must be very happy.”

  “I’m beyond happy! And a little shocked. I only accepted David’s proposal on the weekend. Mom insisted on putting this bash together. You know how mothers are.”

  While Trinity kept her straight face, Zack explained the engagement situation.

  “They’ve only known each other four weeks—”

  “Three,” Sienna cut in. “We met during a chocolate-making workshop in Brussels, although we ate more pralines than we made. Then we went on to Amsterdam together, then Berlin, then home. David’s from New York, too.” Sienna laughed. “We had to go halfway around the world to meet and fall in love.”

  Trinity held her brow. “Your heads must be spinning.”

  “It’s strange,” Sienna said. “I guess I knew I’d do it one day. Tie the knot, I mean. It’s in the Harrison DNA. But now I so totally get what people mean about love at first sight.”

  Trinity was intrigued. “You knew you were going to be married the first time you laid eyes on each other?”

  “It wasn’t so much a ‘club to the head’ deal. It wasn’t as if I imagined a big gold ring the instant we met. Just somewhere deep inside, I knew we’d be together.” Her earnest look faded and she laughed again. “Sounds silly, doesn’t it? My cool, collected brother here wouldn’t buy it for a second. Although I’m betting sparks flew when the two of you met.”

  Sienna was about to expand on that point when a woman—clearly a good friend—grabbed her free hand and unceremoniously dragged her away to another circle of people. No sooner had Zack’s sister left than another brother and sister-in-law introduced themselves as well as one of their children.

  As they spoke about the handmade toys Zack kept at the cabin, Trinity found herself relaxing in a way she never had before. It must be her imagination but she felt connected to these people who came from perfect backgrounds and seemed to lead such charmed lives. What a wonderful dream come true to really belong to all this.

  She was introduced to Zack’s mother and father separately, as well as a myriad of other people whose names she could never hope to remember. Zack was a perfect host and the hours sped by. When the music’s volume dropped and guests began to leave, Trinity couldn’t believe the time she caught on her wristwatch.

  “It’s past twelve.”

  Zack’s fingertips slid down her bare arm. “If your name’s not Cinderella, I don’t see a problem.”

  “But the night… It went so quickly.”

  “These big family occasions usually do. By the time you get thr
ough speaking to everyone, the staff is already tidying up.” Zack ducked a look around her shoulder. “But there is someone you haven’t met yet.”

  He beckoned a man over. Again, the family resemblance couldn’t be mistaken. This must be the eldest brother.

  “Dylan, Trinity Matthews,” Zack said.

  Trinity extended her hand but was a little taken aback when Dylan shook with his left rather than right hand. As the brothers talked, including her in the conversation wherever possible, Trinity couldn’t help noticing Dylan’s right jacket sleeve hung and its flat cuff was tucked into the pocket. He was an amputee? How long ago had the accident happened? Or was it a birth defect?

  A woman joined them, waving a hand full of diamonds. She addressed Trinity.

  “Hi, I’m Rhian, and I’ve come to rescue you from these two. They’ve been known to talk past dawn when they get started.”

  Dylan spoke behind his good hand. “She’s always bossing me around.”

  Rhian play-growled. “Oh, you love it.”

  Dylan shrugged. “She’s right. I do. Are you staying over tonight? We can do breakfast.” He spoke to Trinity. “The kids love Nana’s pancakes.”

  Rhian knuckled her husband’s ribs. “So do you. But we need to say good-night now if we’re going to get up at the crack of dawn.”

  “Do you jog together?” Trinity couldn’t think of another reason—any reason—for getting up that early.

  Dylan explained. “When the sun rises, so does our youngest. Rhian drags herself out of bed Monday through Friday so—rain, hail or shine—I take the weekend shift.”

  They each said good-night and before anyone else could sidle up, Zack took her hand and headed for a doorway. Not the enormous carved-wood arch this time, but a far less ostentatious exit that took them down a dimly lit hall.

  Trotting on his heels, she asked, “Where are we going?”

  “Home.”

  “What do you mean, home?”

  He stopped abruptly and she was pulled up in her tracks. In the shadows, she felt his gaze burning into hers, felt his will reaching out and wrapping around her, strong and warm like a snug cocoon she couldn’t hope to escape.