It was one of these gentlemen she caught as they walked into the room. Quietly issuing her seating changes, she slowed her pace just enough to give the usher a chance to effect those changes before they reached the table.
"Here we are, Mr. and Mrs. Ford," Laura said, both pleased and grateful for her staff's efficiency. "You'll be seated beside Miranda and Troy. Tori's at this table, too, and I imagine she'll show up soon. We're keeping her busy. When we last spoke she was playing nearly a week's worth of catch-up with this assignment."
And Laura hated to think about what else.
When her guests took their seats, she smiled. "Please enjoy yourselves tonight. If you need anything, let me know."
"Thanks, Laura," Troy said.
Dale nodded in greeting and led her away. As soon as they were out of earshot, he leaned close and whispered, "You were brilliant."
"Do you really think so?" She sounded winded, almost as if she'd held her breath during the entire crisis and only now remembered to breathe.
"I do." He peered down at her with such heat in his gaze that Laura felt her tension melt away. "Now tell me how Tori could know your mom was coming tonight."
"She shouldn't know unless she was snooping where she shouldn't have been. But I'm not sure how to ask without putting her on the defensive. I can't sound as if I'm accusing her."
"My lovely gracious Laura." He brushed a kiss across her forehead. "I know you'd be more diplomatic."
She wasn't so sure. "I can't deal with this right now. I've got to go catch my mom and give her a heads up before she walks into this ballroom unprepared."
Twining his fingers through hers, he led her toward the entrance. "Can't have that. Although I got the impression your mom was made of tougher stuff."
"She is, but I feel responsible. I'm the only reason she took on Miranda and Tori tonight But the perfect Ford sisters aren't the same thing as my mom's sister. She deserves a chance to prepare herself."
"Agreed."
They caught her mom in the valet line. Laura had seen her formally dressed on so few occasions that seeing her all dolled up still had the ability to make her feel like she was a young girl looking at a fairy-tale princess.
"Oh, Mom, you're gorgeous." . She wore a burgundy silk gown cut so skillfully that it dripped off her and swirled around her ankles like a cloud Her eyes twinkled like the uncut gemstones sparkling at her ears and throat, pieces her dad had commissioned an artist in residence to design a few years back.
"Oh, Cherish. I can't look nearly as beautiful as you. She's the belle of the ball tonight, isn't she, Dale?"
"She is indeed, Suzanne, although please keep that to yourself. The bride's a personal friend."
Her mom laughed and introduced her companion. A tall, almost severe woman, Ms. Cecilia, known as the commandant among the Westfalls alumni, looked like she could run a school with a thousand students single-handedly. Age hadn't dulled her tough appearance, and in her typical straightforward fashion, she'd worn black. It lent a rather stylish air to her otherwise austere appearance.
"Falling Woman has been such a hit" Laura told her. "I'm sure she's responsible for the grand opening's success."
Ms. Cecilia lowered her cheek for Laura to kiss. "I'm delighted she's bringing you luck, dear girl."
"So far so good. Okay, Mom, I don't want you to freak but I had some unexpected guests show up."
Her mom flipped her hair back off her shoulders, a gesture of utter insouciance. "Hit me."
"Miranda's parents."
She shot a narrowed gaze at Ms. Cecilia. "What are the odds of them showing up the first time I've gone out since you roped me into that stupid fund-raiser?"
"It was for a good cause, Suzanne," Ms. Cecilia said haughtily. "But never you mind about tonight. I'm sure Laura had the sense to seat you at separate tables."
"Across the ballroom," Dale said.
Ms. Cecilia nodded. "Problem's already been solved."
"Well, I was ready for Miranda and Victoria." Her mom waved a dismissive hand. "What's two more?"
"Two happens to be my lucky number tonight, ladies." Dale looped arms with both women. "Shall we? I'm sure Laura will visit whenever time permits."
"I'll be there for dinner." She couldn't help but smile as he escorted them away. He had them both laughing before they'd gotten halfway across the ballroom.
She sighed in relief and thanked her lucky stars he was here to help her with this nightmare. One glance at Miranda's table proved no one had missed her mother's arrival and not one of them looked nearly as reconciled as her mom.
Dale sat at the table, making the most of his chance to impress Suzanne and Cecilia, who chatted as if they hadn't seen each other in years. For all he knew they hadn't, and as busy as the conversation kept him, he still found himself watching Laura as she greeted her guests and convened with her staff.
She'd worn her hair down and the crystal-cut chandeliers threw shimmering light over that amazing fall of pale hair as she moved gracefully through the crowd. He'd have never known she was stressed over hosting her mom and Miranda's parents at the same function. Her so-kissable mouth smiled easily and snatches of her silvery laughter managed to catch his attention from all around the room.
She was accomplished at hiding her feelings, and now that he understood the dynamics of her family relationship, he guessed she'd probably honed her skills during her years at Westfalls. Just the thought was enough to kickstart that possessive feeling as he grew mote familiar every day with Laura.
He didn't want her biding her feelings about him—not to him or herself. They deserved a chance to explore how they felt. He would convince her to give them that chance.
Guests still meandered into the ballroom where staff ushered some to their seats while others paused between tables and on the dance floor to greet friends and acquaintances. Peering around the room, he spotted another chance to further his cause.
"If you'll excuse me for a few moments, ladies," he told Suzanne and Cecilia.
"Go have a good time, Dale." Suzanne smiled, darting a quick gaze to where her daughter stood. "You shouldn't have to spend your night baby-sitting two old ladies."
"Old? Speak for yourself." Cecilia stared her down with a look Dale guessed would make more than a few students nervous.
Not Suzanne, though. She simply rolled her eyes and said, "Go chase my daughter, Dale. She needs a real man in her life."
"And you're looking at him." He laughed, appreciating the vote of confidence.
But once away from the table, he didn't weave a path through the guests to the lovely Laura. Instead, he headed toward the main entrance where Tori had just arrived with Adam.
"Adam." He greeted the assistant G.M. and took Tori's hand, brought it to his lips. "You look beautiful tonight."
The bronze gown she wore clung to her slim curves like liquid, and Dale couldn't help noticing the striking difference in his reaction to this fiery-haired beauty. Once he'd have enjoyed Tori's appearance and challenged his buddy Nick for her attention, no doubt grateful for a little excitement at an otherwise routine social affair.
But tonight there wasn't a woman in the place who could hold a candle to the lovely blonde with crystal eyes, quick smiles and enough romantic idealism to make a believer out of him. Times had changed.
And so could a man.
Tori shot a sassy gaze at Adam. "Do you hear that, Mr. Grant? You'll need to stick close so I don't get into trouble."
Dale let her hand slip away with a smile. "I've known Adam since the day he stepped foot on this property, and he's never struck me as a fool."
"Good, because I'll need him to keep me on the dance floor so I can overhear all the juicy gossip."
"I promise Ms. Ford will be well attended tonight, Dale." Adam smiled stoically.
"Just to be sure, how about I hold your place while you head over to table twelve and introduce yourself to the woman in black?"
Tori glanced over his shoulder. "The headmi
stress of Westfalls."
"And the woman responsible for your loan of the illustrious Falling Woman. I'm sitting at her table and thought you'd want to know. The woman in red beside her is Laura's mother."
Dale knew that Adam wasn't buying his explanation for a second, but the man took his duties as host seriously. Dale couldn't shake the feeling that Adam wouldn't mind a break from his charge, either.
"I should introduce myself," Adam said. "I'll be back."
"I'll wait breathlessly," Tori shot back. As soon as Adam was out of earshot she whirled on Dale. "So why do you want me alone? I thought you were Laura's date."
"I am Laura's date," he said with a look that left this woman no room to doubt that his interest was strictly business. "But you're right, I did want to get you away from Adam."
"Oooh, confidence. I like that in a man." Looping her arm through his, Tori led him away from the entrance, getting them out of the line of fire of the door. They wound up near video cameras Tyler had set up to catch the night's action.
"So what's up?"
"I wanted you to know that I'll run interference between your parents and Suzanne Granger tonight. like you, Laura's working and won't be able to stay on top of things. But I'm sure between me and Miranda—"
"You mentioned this to my sister?"
"No. She looks like she has her end under control, but when your mom mentioned you'd told Miranda that Laura had added Suzanne to the guest list, I guessed you were concerned."
"Personally, it didn't bother me in the least, but I knew Miranda would probably have a cow, so when Tyler told me, I warned her. She'll be fine. She called for reinforcements."
Pay dirt. Tori hadn't been the culprit. Tyler had.
"We did exactly the same with Suzanne. So everyone should be all set, then." Glancing down at one of the view screens, Dale watched Laura make her way through the tables toward the stage. "Whatever it takes for everyone to enjoy themselves tonight."
"Agreed. I can't wait to see what's going on around here…" Tori shot a gaze across the room at where Adam stood engaged in conversation with Suzanne and Cecilia.
Dale smiled at the implication in that and silently wished Adam luck. He'd be playing hardball with this one. The evidence was Tori's scowl when Adam moved away from table twelve and toward the stage and Laura rather than back toward them.,
"Doesn't that just figure," she said. "That man is already trying to give me the slip. I'm beginning to think he doesn't know how to do anything but work."
"I'd say you have a pretty good read on Adam for only just having met."
"Not much of a brain bender." Her expression softened into a thoughtful moue. "Well, thanks for the heads-up, Dale. I've got to run. That man is my direct line to the scoop around here and he's not getting away."
Without another word, she spun on her high heels and headed purposefully into the crowd. Dale didn't follow, but glanced down at the view screen for another chance to admire Laura up close. The sight of her in a candid moment kickstarted a longing to get back to her side. To touch her.
The feeling was so intense that he broke away from the sight with a laugh, accidentally nudging the second camera. As he repositioned the view screen, he found himself looking at an image of Suzanne Granger. She was a beautiful, more mature version of Laura, and Dale might have smiled at the sight—had it not been for the unexpected expression on her face.
Chapter Fifteen
Between greeting guests, interacting with the staff and recapping the bridal couple's itinerary, Laura had no chance to worry about how her mom, Ms. Cecilia and Miranda's family were faring. When the ballroom had filled, she cued the ushers to close the doors and headed toward the stage to introduce her bridal couple and begin the dancing.
After welcoming her guests, she invited Ms. J. up to speak a few words and, as she did, Laura finally had a moment to catch her breath. Glancing around the ballroom, she noticed Tori directing her photographer closer to the stage, and Tyler checking his video cameras around the room.
But it was Dale who captured her attention, watching her with a dashing smile, the very smile that promised a night of pleasure once they could head back to their suite.
He looked so handsome in his tux, so at ease at this banquet, charming her mother and Ms. Cecilia—funny, she couldn't remember when she'd stopped thinking of it as flirting—and keeping them occupied in spite of all the estranged family in the room.
When Ms. J. returned the microphone, Laura got Delia and Jackson onto the dance floor, and the band began to play. She left the stage and headed toward the table for a break.
Annabelle caught her en route. "We've got a gate-crasher."
"Lobby?"
"I thought you'd want to handle it."
Nodding, Laura slipped out the main entrance, hoping against hope that whoever was trying to crash her gate wasn't any worse than her surprise guests, only to find… "Daddy, what are you doing here?"
He stood beside the ushers, looking larger than life in a tux. He beamed when he saw her, an expression of such pride that Laura grew all soft and stupid inside.
Covering the distance, he took her hands and kissed her brow. "You look so beautiful, Cherish. And your mother…" He let his eyes flutter shut "That's why I decided to come. Something told me I'd want to be here. Not a problem is it?"
"Of course not, but where did you find those clothes?"
"Rental place. Can you believe they had something in my size?"
Laura thought it likely rental stores carried a gamut of sizes but had probably dusted off this one for him. He looked so handsome with his silver hair and his neat black tux that she could only lean up on tiptoe and kiss his cheek.
"Come on, Daddy. I'm sure mom will be glad to see you. Turns out that the Fords showed up to be with their daughters."
"Now see there, Cherish. You always laugh at me and my gut feelings, but here's a classic example of why I listen to them."
"No argument tonight." But Laura thought his feelings had more to do with him disliking being separated from her mom than any psychic abilities.
She led him into the ballroom, where he surprised her by dancing her onto the floor. "We'll blend in better," he said with a laugh. "Maybe I'll slip by the Fords unnoticed."
Laura thought that unlikely, given that he stood a head taller than most of the crowd.
"Do you remember the last time we danced?"
"How could I forget?" She rested her cheek against his shoulder.
It had been when Ryan Stratton had asked her to be his date for their eighth grade dance at Westfalls. By the day of the dance, he'd taken so much flak from Miranda and company that he'd told her he'd rather skip the dance than show up with her to be tortured all night.
Laura had packed her dress away in the back of her closet and had settled into her room for a night of reading Jane Austen, who never failed to sweep her away into a world where she could forget what happened in this one.
Her dad had shown up and asked her to walk with him. She hadn't had the heart to refuse when she saw that he'd brought her a corsage. They'd walked along the river, Laura wearing her orchid, and her dad reminiscing about when he'd met her mother. He'd told her that all the heartbreaks of the past had disappeared once he'd met his soul mate. They'd danced beneath the stars to the music of the river.
She wondered if Dale believed in soul mates.
The right woman can make the difference.
"I don't think those people have smiled since they let your mother get away," her dad said.
"Who?"
"Your mother's sister and her family. But then it can't be much fun living in that gloomy old mansion with the senator."
"Daddy."
"Well, it's true, Cherish. Trust me on this." He waltzed her around the edge of the dance floor, still working them steadily toward the table where her mom sat. "It's sad, though. They've lost out on so much. Your mother. You."
"You're biased."
"lam."
&nb
sp; They enjoyed another dance before Laura took her dad to the table, and unsurprisingly, his arrival had her mom gushing over how her thoughtful husband always managed to show up exactly when she needed him most.
"Honestly. Have you ever seen anything like these two?" Ms. Cecilia asked dryly, but her indulgent smile told Laura that she was just as charmed no matter what she said. "They haven't been away from each other for more than a couple of hours."
Laura laughed, but before she could answer, Dale had hopped up from the table, and asked, "Do you have a minute?"
"Of course," she said. Checking in on Bruno in the kitchen could certainly be bumped down on her to-do list in favor of a few stolen moments with Dale. "What's up?"
"I need to tell you something. Not here." He scanned the ballroom then led her around the dance floor.
When he finally got her to a shadowed alcove between potted palms and the main entrance, he spun her to a stop and said, "Tyler told Tori about your mom being added to the guest list."
"How do you know?"
"I went on a fishing expedition. Paid off."
It took a moment for his words to register. "Okay, I'll buy it. Ms. J. gave Tyler carte blanche around here to pull together his documentary, so he could have been around when Annabelle was making my changes to the guest list, but Dale, what possessed you—" Laura broke off when she saw the smile in his eyes. "You're trying to fix things again, aren't you?"
"Couldn't pass up another golden opportunity. And there's something else I want you to see."
Curiously she watched as he leaned over the two video cameras and tipped up the viewfinders before he scrolled through footage of the rehearsal dinner.
"Are you sure you should be touching those?" she asked.
He dismissed her concerns with wave of his hand. "Already cleared it with Tyler. I just have to make sure I set them back where I stopped them, But it'll take me a minute to find what I'm looking for. Wait until you see this, Laura, it just jumped out at me."
Footage of the event looped through the viewfinders and Laura caught flashes of herself, staff members and guests. Dale kept glancing at his watch, before stopping both cameras.
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