Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
S aturday, the night of the gala
Lyris pulled her hair into a half-up, half-down style with long curls falling like a waterfall down her back. She carefully applied her makeup, with a slightly smoky eye and only pink gloss on her lips. She checked herself in the long mirror and dropped her lip gloss into her black evening bag before leaving and making her way to the big house. The night was perfect for gazing at stars. Being out in the country like this made the stars look like a sparkling carpet in the sky. With the weather very warm and supposed to stay that way, she didn’t bother with a wrap.
She entered the kitchen as normal.
Ray was waiting.
He stepped forward. “You look spectacular. The green brings out your eyes.”
Lyris ducked her chin in a bow. “Thank you, kind sir. You clean up pretty good yourself.”
Ray wore a formal black tux with a light blue shirt and bow tie. He apparently eschewed a cummerbund. But that he didn’t wear one, didn’t matter at all. He took her breath away. His dark brown, almost-black, hair was combed back and ended in loose curls just below his collar.
He held out his arm. “My lady, will you do the honor of accompanying me to the ball tonight?”
She smiled at his knight-in-shining-armor wording and curled a hand around the crook in his elbow. “Yes, kind sir, I believe I will.”
Ray chuckled. “Your ride awaits.” He led her to the door on the north side of the kitchen. It opened into the six-car garage. “Take your pick. What would you like to ride in tonight? Perhaps the Ferrari or maybe the Lamborghini?”
She shook her head and put her hand on her chest. “Oh, my. I’ve never seen so many…incredible …cars in my life. I think tonight I choose the Corvette. I’ll try the others at another time.”
“Good choice. It’s one of my favorites. The Lamborghini is fast and looks flashy, but it’s not comfortable to ride in.” He led her to the midnight-blue car. “This is a classic 1963 C-2 Corvette. Let me get the door.” He opened the passenger side door and held it.
“Such a gentleman. I’m not used to this kind of courtly behavior. I must say I like it.” She appreciated he made sure her dress didn’t get caught before shutting the door.
Ray slid behind the wheel, buckled up and clicked the remote for the garage door. Then he started the engine and backed out of the garage.
“The drive to the Weston Hotel in Denver takes about thirty minutes.”
“So, tell me what this gala is for and why you’re a sponsor.”
“I started this ball almost thirteen years ago. My sister-in-law was diabetic—juvenile diabetes. She died because she wouldn’t take care of herself. She didn’t check her sugars, didn’t take her insulin when she should have and ate atrociously. Anyway, Francie and I wanted to do something to bring attention to the problem and raise money for research, so we began the gala.”
“Your wife must not have attended many before she died.”
“Only the first.” He looked in the rearview mirror and then the side mirror before signaling to change lanes and go around a semi-truck. “When Maddy is old enough, I’ll bring her. She wants to attend now, but she’s still too young. Maybe next year. Thank you for coming. I realize I didn’t give you much of a choice, but I’m still happy you agreed.” He moved back into the right lane.
Though the traffic was relatively light for this time of day as traffic in Denver was almost always bumper to bumper.
She laughed. “What girl in her right mind wouldn’t like a reason to dress up like Cinderella and attend the fancy ball?”
He laughed too but still kept his gaze on the road and hands on the steering wheel.
She was glad of that.
They arrived at The Weston.
Ray hurried around the car. “Keep your eyes in your head, young man,” he admonished the valet. “I’ll help her get out.”
The blond teenager nodded. “Yes, sir. I’ll park your car so it doesn’t get scratched.”
“I’d appreciate that.” Ray held his arm out to Lyris. “May I?”
She smiled as she heard the proprietary words Ray had with the valet. She accepted Ray’s arm. “Yes, you may.”
They walked through the lobby. It was light and open, with plenty of seating areas for talking with friends and colleagues. Ray walked them through to the elevator to the second-floor ballroom. Small tables with two chairs at each table were positioned near the room’s walls. The center was left open, and a dance floor had been laid in the middle. On the wall opposite the entry doors was a raised platform with a band.
As they walked in, she saw what looked like full bars along the walls to her left and right. People were already lined up to get their cocktails.
Wait staff moved among the partygoers with trays of champagne flutes.
Ray grabbed two glasses and handed one to Lyris. “A toast.”
“To what are we toasting?” asked Lyris.
“To me. It’s a wondrous night, and I have a beautiful woman on my arm.”
She felt the heat creep up her face from her neck and knew she probably looked like a tomato. With her red hair and pale skin, she could blush with the best of them. “Thank you. It’s always welcome to have a handsome man give me such a nice compliment.” She sipped the champagne. “This is very good champagne. I’m surprised. Usually these functions serve relatively cheap wine.”
“I make sure we serve a good champagne and the bars are stocked with the best liquors and liqueurs.”
“That’s good. I would assume most of these people are big donors to the cause.”
“They are and I want to treat them well as a thank-you for their donation.”
A tall woman with black hair approached. She placed her hand on Ray’s arm and leaned up to kiss him on the cheek. “Ray, you’re here. I was beginning to wonder if you were coming.” She wiped the lipstick off his cheek.
“Marissa.” Ray pulled his arm out of her grasp. “May I introduce Lyris Jennings? She is my new vet.” He turned toward Lyris. “This is Marissa Holloway. She owns another breeding farm and racing stable.”
The willowy woman was over six feet tall in her heels. She had the body of a swimsuit model. She wore a scarlet dress, cut similar to the one Lyris wore, except Marissa’s was open almost to the navel and slit above the top of her left thigh. When she walked, you could see where her thigh met her hip. If she turned too quickly, you could see a lot more than that.
Lyris extended a hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
Marissa looked at Lyris’s hand. She frowned and her nostrils flared, but in the end, she shook it. “Of course, you are.” She turned back to Ray. “Oh, darling, you didn’t tell her about us, now did you?”
He stiffened and placed his arm around Lyris’s waist. “There is nothing to tell. That happened so long ago it’s barely a blip in my memory. Speaking of which, where is good old Scott?”
“He’s here somewhere.” She waved a dismissive hand and then put that same hand on Ray’s chest and purred as she moved closer. She wasn’t the least intimidated by Lyris’s proximity.
“How can you say that us getting married was just a blip?”
Lyris looked at Ray and slightly cocked her head, waiting for the story.
Ray narrowed his eyes. “We didn’t get married. You saw to that the moment you started sleeping with my best friend.”
Now, Lyris widened her eyes. This was more interesting than any soap opera on TV. “Wow. Just wow.”
Ray grabbed Marissa’s hand by the wrist and forcibly removed it from his chest.
“It’s not as lascivious as Ray makes the event sound. We were just having a good time,” insisted Marissa.
A tall, blond man came up behind Marissa and wrapped his arm around her waist, bringing her back against his chest. “Hey, baby,” he said as he kissed her upturned cheek. “Did you miss me?”
Marissa pushed him away. “You know better than that. Just stop.”
With the way Ray’s eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared, he looked like he was about to set his ex-fiancée on fire and her boyfriend with her.
For his part, Scott pasted on a smile that didn’t reach his eyes and turned toward Lyris. He extended his right hand. “Scott Ross. Pleased to meet you.”
Lyris took his hand and shook it. “Lyris Jennings.”
Scott held her hand tightly. “Are you Ray’s hot new squeeze?”
She raised an eyebrow, undecided if she should be insulted or amused. She went for insulted and pulled her hand back. “I’m not anyone’s hot, new squeeze . I’m Ray’s new veterinarian.”
Scott’s brows lifted slightly. “His vet, huh?” He turned his gaze toward Ray. “Your taste in…vets…has greatly improved. Bravo, Ray.”
“Well, it’s been…something…meeting you both, but Ray promised me a dance.” She looked up at Ray. “I think I’m ready for that dance now.”
He nodded. “So am I.” He nudged her with his hand on her back. “Shall we?” He raised his arm.
A server walked up almost immediately. “Yes, Mr. Kincaid? Can I get you something?”
“No. Just take these glasses, please.” Ray smiled at the earnest young man.
He held his tray out to Ray.
Ray took their half-full glasses and placed them on the tray. “Thank you,” he said to the server.
“Certainly, sir.” He tilted his head and turned away.
Ray turned his gaze back toward Marissa and Scott. “If you’ll excuse us.” He didn’t wait for a reply but took Lyris’s hand and led her toward the dance floor, where he pulled her into his arms, bringing her close.
“I’m sorry about that. I probably should have warned you about Marissa.”
She could smell his cologne; the scent was masculine with notes of sandalwood and spice in it. She loved it. Sandalwood especially was one of her favorites. With one arm around his neck, Lyris shook her head. “You don’t have to tell me about your private life. I’m just contract labor, remember?”
He had one hand around her waist and his other hand clasped hers tightly between them as they swayed to “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper.
“Thank you for coming with me tonight.”
“You don’t have to thank me. Like I said, I feel like Cinderella at the ball, and what would that experience be like without the ugly stepsister?”
Ray’s eyes widened. He tipped his head back as he laughed. Then, he straightened. “You’re quite the surprise, Lyris Jennings. I think I like you.”
“I feel the same way about you, Ray Kincaid. Now, tell me the story behind Scott and Marissa. I already assume you found them in bed together and that is why the wedding was called off, but I feel like there is more to the story. What am I missing?”
Ray swayed to the music and was silent for a while. “Marissa wasn’t a great love, so don’t be thinking that. But we had similar interests, and I thought Maddy needed a mother.” He stopped for a moment. “Scott was my best friend. We’d gone to college together, and when we graduated, we both went to work for our respective families. His parents were in the breeding business back then.”
“This all sounds a little incestuous…even though none of you are related.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, I suppose it does. Anyway, that all happened more than a year ago. I’m actually surprised she and Scott are still together. That can’t be good for anyone. They are both conniving—I can’t say what they are in mixed company. You’ll think poorly of me if I do.”
She looked up at him in all seriousness. “After seeing you with Maddy, I doubt anything could make me think poorly of you. You are clearly a doting father. She’s the most important thing in your life, and that is the way it should be. I admire that about you.”
The corners of his mouth tipped up. “Thank you. I know you’ve only been here for just over a week, but I am very happy you took the job.”
“I should finish with the preliminary exams in the next two weeks. You’ve got another two mares just about ready to foal. I’ll be there to help, if needed.”
“You don’t look strong enough to do much helping.” He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “You look much too beautiful tonight to even think about pulling a foal.”
She chuckled softly. “It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve had to, but I’d rather not do it in my dress. Ruining this beautiful gown with birthing fluids would be such a shame.”
Lyris saw Scott approaching, just before he tapped Ray on the shoulder.
“Cutting in, old man.” Scott’s smile was feral…all teeth and didn’t reach his eyes.
Ray looked him up and down twice before deciding to cede his place with Lyris.
Marissa was right behind Scott and tapped Ray on the shoulder. “I believe this is our dance.”
Ray narrowed his eyes but gave her a curt nod. Then he put a hand on each side of her waist and extended his arms.
This position forced her to straighten her arms, too.
“Are you afraid you’ll discover you miss me if you hold me close?” she whispered.
“No. I simply realize I can wash my hands after we’re done and be rid of you.”
Lyris watched Marissa and Ray for a bit until Scott twirled her away.
“You’re more than a little fascinated with your employer.” Scott tried to keep her close.
She was having none of it and pushed her hands against his chest. “Back off, Scott. I’m not playing a game with you and Marissa. Whatever plans you have for Ray can wait until after the ball.” Lyris pulled completely out of his arms. “I’m done with you. Find someone else to amuse yourself with.” She turned and walked over to the bar.
After getting a glass of wine, she gazed over the crowd. She saw Ray had extricated himself from Marissa and was headed her way.
“I hoped you would find your way out of Scott’s embrace.”
“First, I didn’t let him embrace me, which he didn’t like at all. Second, I couldn’t do it fast enough. You abandoned me.” She lowered her gaze and batted her lashes. Then she threw her head back and laughed. “They are quite the pair, aren’t they?” She took a taste of her wine, which was a chardonnay. The tart flavor wasn’t really to her liking. She enjoyed sweeter wines.
Ray ordered a bourbon on the rocks and sipped his drink. “If I wasn’t driving, I could definitely tie one on. They make me crazy. I wish Marissa would just forget she’d ever known me. I’m doing my best to forget I ever was engaged to that woman.”
Lyris laid a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry. I know it can’t be easy having this gala every year and knowing you would probably run into her.”
He shrugged. “It is what it is. She is a good donor to the gala, and I take that into consideration. I can put up with her for one night.”
She gave his arm a little squeeze. “You’re a good man, Ray Kincaid.”
Ray looked at her with his deep blue eyes. “Thanks. It’s nice to hear.”
“Would you like to sit?”
“I have to say a few words first. If you’ll wait, I’ll be right back.”
“Of course.”
He placed his drink on the bar and walked up to where the small band played.
“Ladies and gentlemen. Could I have your attention, please?” Ray said into the microphone.
The sounds of people talking quieted.
“I want to thank you all for coming. As you know, this gala and the funds it raises are near and dear to my heart. My late wife’s sister suffered from juvenile diabetes ,which took her life entirely too young. My late wife and I started this event as a way to give Julie’s short life meaning. Hopefully more research can be done with the funds we raise tonight and fewer children will die. Now, please everyone have a good time and good evening to you.”
When he got back to her, Lyris was standing next to the bar.
Lyris laid a hand on his arm. “This is a very good thing you’re doing.”
The tips of his ears turned pink. “Thank you. I wish Francie had lived to see all the good that has been done.”
She squeezed his arm. “I’m sure she does.” She smiled. “Would you like to dance?”
“I have a better idea. Come with me.” Ray held out his right hand. “I know a place we can go and get some real food.”
Lyris grinned. She placed her wineglass on the bar next to his bourbon and took his hand with her left. “I’m game if you are.”