Virginia shook her head and reached for a packet of sugar, her movement brisk and efficient as she poured the sweetener into her tea. Her voice crisp and matter-of-fact even as she admitted, “I was devastated. I didn’t know how I’d go on without them, and to my shame, for a long time, I didn’t want to.”
As a child, Alexa had thought only of her own loss. Her mother, her father...gone. She hadn’t stopped to think of Virginia’s loss. It had seemed to her, at the time, as though her grandmother hadn’t cared. Now, as an adult, she could better understand that Virginia had cared too much. “I’m so sorry, Grandmother.”
“I wish I had been strong enough to show you how to move on, but instead I was stuck in my own sorrow. I hope someday you can forgive me for that.”
“There’s nothing to forgive. I loved them, too, but my parents were—unpredictable to say the least. I needed someone I could count on. Needed you.”
“I hope that’s true, Alexa. But it’s time for you to live your own life now. Don’t let your fear of losing love keep you from grabbing it with both hands and holding on tight.”
* * *
Some risks are worth taking...like falling in love.
Alexa’s voice echoed through his thoughts as Chance paced the waiting area at the San Francisco airport. Louder than his fellow passengers wheeling by with luggage, louder than the conversations carried on by people with cell phones all around him, louder than the distant roar of the airplane engines.
He’d made the long drive from Clearville at a record pace, not stopping to give himself time to think, only to arrive at check-in and discover the city’s frequent fog had delayed the inbound plane.
Leaving him with nothing to do but wait...and think.
She loved him. Alexa had all but said the words, and in return he’d left her. Walked away from the woman carrying his child. The woman who loved him.
The woman he loved.
All his life he’d lived on the edge. He relished adventure and excitement. Willing to take the greatest risk for the greatest reward.
God, he was such a fraud!
Chance bent over in the chair, elbows braced on his knees. He was brave enough to put his life on the line, but when it came to his heart? When it came to telling Alexa how he felt, he’d been a total coward.
He glanced at his watch. Damn, had his battery died? It couldn’t be—but a quick look at the digital clock behind the flight attendant’s station confirmed that only five minutes had passed.
After trying to sit for a few minutes with his knee jittering like a jackhammer, Chance shot to his feet. Paced. Sat. Paced some more.
“Settle down, son,” the elderly man seated a few chairs away said. “No need for all this commotion. Flying’s the safest way to travel.”
He wasn’t afraid to fly. He’d never been afraid to fly. So why was he suddenly so...terrified?
The intercom crackled, but instead of hearing the announcement, his father’s voice echoed through his mind. We just want you to slow down long enough to ask yourself if the life you’re living is still the one you want.
Slow down... The jackhammering in his leg came to a gradual stop as Chance sucked in a deep breath and asked himself if there was something he wanted more.
“I don’t want to leave.”
He didn’t realize he’d spoken the words out loud until the old man glanced over his wire-framed reading glasses and said, “Well, then, maybe an airport isn’t the best place for you to be.”
The vibration of his cell phone shot Chance from the chair once more, and he scrambled to pull it from his pocket. His crazily racing heart sank when an unfamiliar number flashed across the screen. “Hello?”
“Mr. McClaren, my name is Roslynn St. Clare. You don’t know me, but I own an art gallery in Beverly Hills and I saw some of your work at the Mayhew charity auction a few months ago.”
“Ms. St. Clare, this is a surprise.”
“A good one, I hope, once you hear what I have to say. It turns out I have an opening in the New Year and would like to showcase your work. We can finalize the details with your agent later, but I wanted to speak with you personally first. It will be a solo show, of course, as befitting your talent with a four-week run.”
Listening as the woman discussed the impressive terms, Chance knew most photographers would jump at the opportunity. But he couldn’t accept an offer he wasn’t 100 percent certain he’d earned.
“I’m sorry, Ms. St. Clare. I don’t know what Alexa told you, but I’m not interested in a gallery show.”
Judging by the silence that followed, Chance figured not many people turned down a woman like Roslynn St. Clare. “I don’t know what it is you think Alexa Mayhew told me. We discussed your work the night of the auction, but I had another engagement and had to leave before you arrived. I am sorry we didn’t get to meet that night and—”
“Wait,” Chance interrupted, “you spoke to Alexa that night? At the auction?”
Before he and Alexa had even met? Before she would have had any possible reason to suggest a showing of his photographs other than a real and honest appreciation of his work?
After another silence, the gallery owner stated, “You seem somewhat distracted, Mr. McClaren. Why don’t you get with your agent and take a day or so to think about my offer and get back to me?”
But as Roslynn ended the call, Chance wasn’t thinking about getting back to her. All he could think about was getting back to Alexa.
* * *
“What do you mean Alexa’s gone?” Chance stalked after his cousin as she walked through the lobby, ever-present tablet in hand.
“I mean, she...left.” Evie stopped to examine the display of brochures touting local businesses and upcoming Clearville events before making a note with her stylus on the glowing screen. It took every ounce of self-control he possessed not to jerk the damn thing from her hands and chuck it clear into the Pacific.
“She left.”
Giving an exasperated sigh, she turned to face him. “Alexa is gone. Alexa has left. And repeating everything I say doesn’t change that.”
“Fine. When did she leave? I was only gone—”
“Oh, that’s right. You were gone. And nope, repeating that doesn’t change things either, does it?”
He should have known Evie wouldn’t cut him any slack, not after her own less than stellar romantic history. After practically being left at the altar, she didn’t think too highly of men who bailed.
“Her grandmother arrived and they left together.”
“Her—” Chance stopped himself before he could echo Evie yet again.
“Yes, Virginia Mayhew flew in on a private jet, had a limo, and a bodyguard roughly the size of the Hulk, the whole ‘crazy rich’ nine yards.”
“Her grandmother came to take her home?”
“No, actually, she came to meet you, the father of Alexa’s baby, only...” Her voice trailed off with a pointed look as she waited for him.
“I was gone,” he filled in on cue.
Years ago, he’d been in a plane that had lost altitude, plunging thousands of feet in seconds. That was nothing compared to the way his stomach dropped now. Alexa had all but said she loved him and what had he done? Walked out on her in return. And then he’d expected, what? For her to just sit around and wait for him to come back?
He swore beneath his breath. “I screwed up, Evie.”
“That you did.” Softening her stance slightly, she held out her tablet and said, “But you can’t fix it while she’s there and you’re here.”
Looking at the screen, Chance saw an airline website and a list of flights to LA.
* * *
“Oh, my gosh! Isn’t this just...spectacular?”
Alexa managed a smile as Raquel rose on tiptoe and craned her neck to take in the glitz and glamour of the hotel ballr
oom. Gowns of every color gleamed beneath the golden chandelier, the light reflecting on the flash of rubies, emeralds and diamonds. Laughter and the clink of champagne flutes filled the air as the guests mingled together.
“And you look amazing! Have I told you how totally unfair it is that you look sexier pregnant than I do after dieting for the past three months?”
Alexa smoothed a hand along the skirt of her off-the-shoulder seafoam green gown. Having just hit the eighteen-week mark, the chiffon folds of the empire waist didn’t quite hide her baby bump. “You don’t need to diet. Most women would kill for your curves.”
“I still can’t believe I’m here with all these famous people!” Her grandmother’s assistant looked stunning in a violet halter-style gown that complemented her dark hair and olive skin. Seeming to catch herself, Raquel sank back down on her heels and added, “And, um, it’s for such a worthy cause.”
“You’ve done a wonderful job.” While Alexa had done the initial work organizing the Giving Thanks benefit, Raquel had proved herself over the past few weeks. Alexa had no doubt that she was leaving her grandmother in good hands.
“We both know I couldn’t have pulled this off without you laying the groundwork. And I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all the faith you’ve put in me.”
Alexa’s heart tugged a little at the younger woman’s words, but the sentimental moment ended as Raquel grabbed her arm with a gasp. “Did you see who just walked in?” A meteor shower of camera flashes announced the arrival of the latest Hollywood heartthrob. “Do you think I could go meet him? Just to, you know...”
“Welcome him on behalf of the Mayhew Foundation?” Alexa suggested wryly.
“Yes! Yes, that is exactly what I will do. I will welcome him.” Straightening her shoulders, Raquel smoothed her hands over her skirt before giving one last half-swallowed squeal of excitement. “He is so hot!”
Chuckling to herself, Alexa watched Raquel cross the ballroom to meet the famous actor. Despite whatever fangirl nerves she might have felt inside, the young woman was the epitome of professionalism as she shook the man’s hand and thanked him for his support.
“She’s right, you know.”
Alexa glanced over her shoulder as her grandmother joined her. “I had no idea you were such an action-star fan.”
“Don’t be impertinent, young lady,” Virginia scolded, but a small smile tugged at her grandmother’s lined lips. “We couldn’t have done this without you. It’s a fitting farewell.”
Tears scratched at the back of her throat. “It’s not like I’m leaving the foundation.”
On the trip back to LA, Alexa had talked to her grandmother about doing more, being more than simply the face of the foundation. How she wanted to be more hands-on, game-planning for how the money raised could be put to use and seeing at ground level the results of what all that hard work had brought to fruition.
The words had rushed out of her on a single breath of air, leaving her a little light-headed. Discussing her ideas with Lindsay and Theresa in Clearville was one thing. Bringing them up to her grandmother had been something else entirely.
But her grandmother had surprised her once more. “You’re a Mayhew, Alexa. There is nothing a Mayhew can’t do.”
Alexa had laughed at that. After all the years of what a Mayhew didn’t do...
Gazing around the ballroom, Virginia said, “I’m looking forward to seeing your efforts come to life, Alexa. But for now, I think there’s a certain action movie star I would like to meet. From what I’ve heard, he’s...hot.”
Her smile faded as her grandmother walked away, leaving Alexa by herself in the ballroom. It was impossible to ignore the memories of the last time she was on her own in a gilded ballroom, surrounded by wealthy and famous people.
“Can I have this dance?”
Alexa froze, certain she was imaging things. Because the deep voice sending chills down her spine sounded just like... Slowly turning around, her breath caught in her throat. “Chance!”
He looked heart-stoppingly gorgeous in a black tuxedo, the onyx buttons marching down his chest a sharp contrast to the crisp white shirt. “This is our song, isn’t it?” He stood with his hands casually tucked in his pockets, but a hint of nerves gave him away. His right hand twitched, rippling the material of his trousers.
“What—what are you doing here? What happened with your assignment?”
“I’m here because this is where you are and because I wanted to give you this.” He withdrew his hand from his pocket, but instead of holding out the butterfly hairpin, he held a ring. A princess-cut diamond in a platinum art deco setting sparkled beneath the crystal chandelier, stunning in its simplicity.
“Chance...”
“If you don’t like it, you can always pick out something else.”
She couldn’t imagine finding a ring she would like more. “It’s beautiful, but I—” Her voice broke on the word, but she held her head high. She and her grandmother might have come to an understanding, but not everything had changed. There were still some things a Mayhew did not do. Including having a meltdown in the middle of a charity event. “I know how important your job is to you. How much it is a part of you—”
“You’re right. It is a part of me, but only a small part. When it comes to you and our baby, I’m all in. Not just both feet, but heart and soul,” he vowed. “I talked to Roslynn St. Clare. Thankfully the woman is used to dealing with temperamental artists, so even if she does think I’m a complete whack job, she’s still willing to work with me on a showing.”
Her heart pounded as she tried to grasp hold of what his acceptance might mean, and Chance wasn’t done yet.
“I’ve looked at the dark side of life through my camera lens for too long. I want to focus on the good. Like the work done by the charities the Mayhew Foundation supports. The schools and clinics and shelters.”
The elegant ballroom seemed to twirl in a crazy kaleidoscope as Alexa’s head spun dizzily. Chance’s vision of his future so perfectly matched her own that she couldn’t have planned it better if she tried. “Are you sure, Chance? That you’ll be happy...”
“With you? With our baby? Nothing could make me happier.” He flashed her a smile that was one part cocky, one part nerves as he said, “Except maybe you saying you’ll marry me.”
“Oh, Chance.”
“I love you, Alexa. I should have said it before...”
“You’re saying it now, that’s all that matters.” The emotion in his eyes sparkled as brightly as the lights reflecting in the diamond ring, but one lingering doubt held her back. “What—what would you do if I wasn’t pregnant?”
“If you weren’t pregnant?” His expression gentled as he gazed down at her. “Is that what you’re worried about? You shouldn’t be because that’s an easy question to answer. If you weren’t pregnant, I’d do my damnedest to get you that way.”
Pure pleasure rippled through her at the sensual promise. “Well, it’s not like you can get me more pregnant.”
His teeth flashed in a dimpled grin. “That’s no reason not to keep trying. But the next time you’re in my bed, I would very much like to be making love to my wife.”
“I love you, Chance, and yes, I will marry you!”
After slipping the ring on her finger, Chance pulled her into his arms, and Alexa forgot all about what a Mayhew did not do as he kissed her in a ballroom filled with people. He held her tight as if they’d been apart for months, and she knew that no matter how far he might travel, he would always be with her. In the love she held in her heart. In the child they created together.
When Chance swept her into his arms beneath a sparkling chandelier all those months ago, Alexa would never have imagined he would be the man she would love, the man she would marry...
Life would never be without risks, but this was one chance she would never regret taking.
* * * * *
Will permanent skeptic Evie McClaren finally
meet her perfect match?
Don’t miss the next installment in
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Hillcrest House
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The Best Man Takes a Bride
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How to Be a Blissful Bride Page 19
