Chapter 12
TWELVE
Jenna knew she looked good, but the expression on Cormac’s face when he saw her was worth a million bucks.
Her dress was perfection. A very pale aquamarine silk fabric flowed in soft pleats from a banded empire waist. The strapless, sweetheart neckline and top were covered in beautiful aquamarine crystals.
She wore long dangling diamond earrings and a matching bracelet.
Her delicate hand was adorned by a beautiful emerald cut aquamarine ring that matched her dress.
Jenna liked the way that her heels made her tall enough to rest her head comfortably under Cormac’s chin, if need be.
Best of all, were the pair of soft blue eyes staring with lustful appreciation directed at her and only her.
Cormac strode across the room and took her hand in his, raising it to his lips. His eyes never left hers and a chill of delight covered her from head to toe.
“You are more beautiful than a field of heather in the Highlands. You take my breath away, a thaisce,” he stated in a voice filled with desire.
“Thank you. What does it mean?” she asked, not understanding the last of what he said.
“My treasure.” He leaned down and softly kissed her cheek, his hands caressing her from shoulders to fingertips.
Jenna could feel herself warming at his words, his touch, his eyes on her.
“You look very handsome. That tux fits you so well,” she babbled and self-consciously looked away.
“We should go. I just got a text that our limo is waiting downstairs.” She grabbed her wrap and her purse and hooked her arm through Cormac’s as she headed for the door.
She smiled up at him and he gave her his most devastating smile right back. This was going to be quite a night.
***
The limo pulled up outside of the St. Francis Hotel where the event was taking place.
As they stepped from the car, they were greeted by a large group of people who hoped to see a celebrity or two emerge from the row of limousines arriving at the curb.
Cormac threaded Jenna’s fingers through his own as they made their way up the red carpet.
They stopped to have their photos taken in front of a backdrop announcing the event and its’ sponsors.
Cormac wasn’t sure what was happening, but Jenna explained and he nodded his understanding.
They were shown to the ballroom where the gala was to take place and Cormac was amazed at how beautifully the room was decorated with flowers everywhere and lights the likes of which he had never seen.
They were more brilliant than candles or torches, but still added an ambience to the room which gave the feel of being in a fairy palace.
He smiled as he looked around and wrapped an arm possessively around Jenna’s shoulders, drawing her closer.
“It’s so beautiful,” Jenna sighed delightedly.
“Aye, ‘tis,” Cormac answered.
A raven-haired woman dressed in a long, flowing red gown excitedly approached them.
“Jenna!” she cried. “It’s so good to see you again!”
“Angelina!” Jenna let go of Cormac and threw her arms around the woman. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here tonight. How have you been?”
“Just fine. I’m in town for a few days and I thought I’d come support the hospital and hopefully run into you.”
The woman looked over at Cormac and a smile lit her very red lips. “And who is this handsome gentleman?” she asked.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Cormac MacBayne, this is Angelina Woods. Angelina this is Cormac. He’s visiting with us for a few days. Dylan couldn’t make it tonight, so he volunteered to be my escort.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Cormac. Lucky you,” she said looking at Jenna and then to Cormac, “I’m Jenna’s aunt.
Her mother is my much older sister.” She smiled at this last bit of information and offered her hand, which he took and brought to his lips.
He was surprised at the reaction he got every time he made that simple gesture which was common in his own time, but obviously not done here.
“Oh, Angelina, I’m glad Mom isn’t around to hear you say that,” Jenna teased.
“Are you accepting the award for them tonight, sweetie?” Angelina asked.
“I am. I’ve got my speech all memorized and I can’t wait to get it over with.” Jenna replied.
A waiter stopped and offered them each a glass of champagne, which they took.
“Slainte mhath,” Cormac raised his glass to the ladies. They both smiled and all clinked glasses.
“What does that mean, Cormac?” questioned Angelina.
“Good health,” Cormac replied.
“Gaelic?” she asked.
“Aye.”
“He’s from Scotland,” Jenna offered.
“Nice. I love a good Scottish accent and a good Scot.” Angelina winked at Cormac and he nearly choked on his champagne, once again marvellig at how very forward women were here in San Francisco. Not that he didn’t enjoy the attention, but he didn’t want Jenna to be concerned about it.
“I’m going to go mingle. I’ll see you at the table. I believe we’re seated together.” Angelina touched Cormac’s hand as she began to walk away and whispered something into Jenna’s ear, which made Jenna blush a lovely shade of pink.
“Yer aunt is very flirtatious.” Cormac stated. He didn’t ask what Angelina had said to get that reaction from her.
“She is a very big flirt. Always has been. She goes through men like some people go through water. Come on let’s go find our seats,” Jenna said.
They found their table number and their seats near the dais. Cormac held out Jenna’s chair so she could sit and then sat down next to her. He took her hand and examined her fingers, running his finger over her nails.
“Nail polish. Do you like it?” she asked.
“I’ve never seen the likes of it before.”
“Don’t tell me … they don’t have this where you’re from, right?”
“’Tis correct,” he smiled.
Jenna just shook her head at him. He continued holding her hand as she didn’t seem to mind and he was enjoying the feel of it in his own.
***
The dinner was very pleasant, although Cormac had to fend off Angelina’s advances throughout.
Jenna hid her laughter. She knew Angelina was not a threat.
She just really enjoyed men and flirting was second nature to her.
Cormac looked a bit uncomfortable and Jenna tried to let him know that it was alright.
In fact, she was quite sure that if he flirted back, Angelina would lose interest and set her sights on someone else, but Jenna was enjoying his discomfort, so she’d keep that piece of information to herself.
The award ceremony began and Jenna was called to the stage to accept the award for her parents amidst loud applause. She was not exactly comfortable speaking in front of large crowds, but she took a few deep, calming breaths and began.
“Thank you so much. On behalf of my parents, I’d like to accept this prestigious award.
They wanted me to let you know how honored they are to be recognized.
Their passion in life has always been helping children, whether here in San Francisco or in the remote jungles of Southeast Asia, South America or on the savannah’s of Africa.
It was a simple choice to help out the Children’s Hospital by donating a new wing to the existing building.
It is their hope that with this extra space, the doctors and researchers of San Francisco will work their magic and do what they do best to come up with cures for some of the more virulent diseases that are affecting children today, not just here, but worldwide.
They’ve put together a brief film to give you an idea of what they have been working to accomplish through their foundation.
Thank you again, and I hope you enjoy it. ”
The crowd erupted in applause and Jenna left the stage and headed back to her seat.
“Jenna, I am so proud of you,” Angelina gushed.
“Aye, lass, that was verra well done,” Cormac added.
Jenna smiled at them both and sat back to watch the film.
She was proud of the work her parents were doing, even if it meant she never got to see them.
She was a grown woman. She didn’t need them anymore.
She could manage her life on her own without their help.
That wasn’t really true. They had helped her with Jonathan and she knew if she asked they would be there for her in a heartbeat.
She had never been their main focus though.
Growing up her dad was always busy with his start-up company and her mom had been very involved as well.
After they sold the company and made a gazillion dollars in the process, they dedicated their lives and time to helping underprivileged children.
Dylan had the same issues with his folks.
They had followed in the footsteps of Mark and Sally and become world travelers.
It was an odd feeling being both frustrated and proud.
She hadn’t figured out how to get around it yet and maybe she never would.
The film ended to a standing ovation and when they were done, people started moving around from table to table to visit with friends and business acquaintances.
Jenna turned her head to find Cormac examining her with a look on his face she couldn’t quite decipher.
She squirmed just a little under his scrutiny.
“What?” she asked.
“I’m sorry, lass, I dinna know what yer asking,” he responded.
“What’s so interesting? You’re examining me like I’m some rare specimen.”
“I enjoy watching ye when yer not aware that I am. Yer expression changed from happy to sad to something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.”
“Oh, I guess I was just thinking about my parents.”
“What about them?” Cormac asked.
“Why I can’t seem to justify the time they spend away from me. I know they’re doing a good thing, but I don’t feel like I’m their daughter. I could just as easily have been the neighbor kid when I was growing up.”
Cormac appeared sympathetic as he listened to her vent.
“Mayhap they just dinna ken what it means to ye. Have ye ever told them how ye feel?”