Chapter 4
Chapter Four
T roy spied Fernsby coming out of one of the gallery’s side rooms and assumed that was where his family must be gathered, since he hadn’t seen any of them here in the main room.
Making a beeline for the older man, he waylaid him on his way to the buffet, which was stocked with all manner of delicacies. “I’ve got a couple of lovely ladies to introduce you to, Fernsby.”
Though the same height as Troy, Fernsby managed to tip his chin so he could look down his nose imperiously.
“Of course, sir.” Then, Fernsby being Fernsby, he put his hand to his chest. “I’m charmed, dear ladies.
It’s so nice to meet you. My name is Fernsby.
” Fernsby would never be rude to a woman, beautiful or not.
Troy couldn’t help putting a proprietary hand on Michaela’s arm. Fernsby’s eagle eyes immediately shot to the gesture as Troy said, “This is Mickey.” He didn’t wait for Michaela’s reaction as he added, “And her mother, Flo Killian.”
He enjoyed the stark disapproval in Fernsby’s eyes. Fernsby never used a nickname, and Troy couldn’t help messing with the man. Even more, he loved messing with Michaela.
Her arm stiffened beneath his touch. “I told you I go by Michaela.” Which was exactly what Troy had expected her to say.
He gave her a wide-eyed, ever-so-innocent look. “I thought it was only Mick and Mikey you don’t like.”
Her pretty eyes darkened to the color of emeralds. When she glared at him, the woman stole his breath.
Fernsby filleted him with his own glare, then took both of Michaela’s hands in his. “I so appreciate a woman who gives proper respect to her full name.”
By the slight quiver of her lips, Troy could tell that Fernsby had caught her off guard, though she didn’t stammer. “Thank you. I’m Michaela Killian. So nice to meet you, Mr. Fernsby.”
Fernsby damn near smiled. Or grimaced. Troy wasn’t sure. But since he was speaking to Michaela, it had to be a smile. “I am Fernsby, my dear lady. No mister is necessary.”
Good Lord, the man was laying it on thick.
He relinquished Michaela’s hands to take Flo’s. “And it is so nice to meet your beautiful mother, Florence.”
Flo laughed, a sound almost as lovely as her daughter’s. “Why, that’s delightful. I’ve never been called Florence before.” She winked at Fernsby. “I do believe I like it.” Then she leaned close to Fernsby, lowering her voice. “But I don’t feel like a Florence.”
Fernsby patted her hands. “My dear lady, Florence is an elegant name for a very elegant woman. Please use it with joy.”
With a smile at Troy, Flo said, “Oh, I really like him.”
Susan Spencer approached then, and Troy couldn’t help reeling her in. Over the past year and a half, as he and his family worked with the Mavericks on various ventures, the Maverick matriarch had become a mother figure to the Harringtons as well.
Susan and her husband Bob had raised the Mavericks in a seedy Chicago neighborhood.
Already the parents of two children, Daniel and Lyssa, the Spencers had taken in the four teenage boys, raising them as their own.
More than a foster mother, she’d been a true mother to them all.
Recently, the Mavericks had moved Susan and Bob from Chicago to the Bay Area.
Lyssa had followed and then fallen for Cal Danniger, the Mavericks’ business manager.
And now Susan had adopted the Harringtons too.
Troy made the introductions. A beautiful, elegant woman in her late fifties, silver hair framing her face, Susan had lived a hard life until the Mavericks had grown old enough to give back to her and Bob, and yet she was still so full of love.
Taking Michaela’s and Flo’s hands in hers, Susan stretched her arms out wide. “Your dresses are exquisite,” she exclaimed, her enthusiasm genuine.
Michaela seemed to beam with pleasure. “Thank you so much. My mother made both outfits. She’s a wonderful seamstress.”
It amazed him again that Michaela would feel free to admit the dresses were homemade. Most women would pretend they were wearing haute couture. But Michaela won him over once again with how proudly she spoke of her mother and her talents.
Susan’s jaw dropped. Even Fernsby was a little awestruck, his eyes widening ever so slightly. Susan enthused, “They’re incredible. And they fit you both so perfectly.” Then she said to Flo, “You have an amazing talent.”
Flo blushed, and Troy found it charming.
“Thank you,” she said. “I appreciate your saying so.”
Troy agreed that Flo had worked miracles with fabric and thread and talent. But though Michaela’s dress was beautiful, she was the one who made it shine, rather than the other way around.
Then, looking past Fernsby’s shoulder, Michaela couldn’t seem to help herself. “Is that Smith Sullivan ?”
Troy answered nonchalantly. “Yes. And his wife Valentina.”
He hadn’t thought of Michaela as the starstruck type, especially since she worked with billionaires. Though he hadn’t asked, he was sure she’d matched movie stars and other high-profile celebrities.
Flo said in a dreamy voice, “He’s one of our favorite heroes in our favorite romantic movies.”
Susan added wistfully, “He’s a darling.”
She waved, and Smith and Valentina headed their way. Troy had met the couple at a few events. It was hard not to in the upper echelons of San Francisco Bay Area society. He’d always liked the man and felt he was down-to-earth despite his fame.
Susan gave Smith a quick kiss on the cheek. Though a tall woman, she still had to go up on her tiptoes. Then she hugged Valentina. “It’s so wonderful you could both come.” She reached for Flo’s elbow. “Allow me to introduce you to my new friends. This is Michaela Killian and her mother, Flo.”
Was Michaela swooning when Smith shook her hand and spoke to her? No, no, that was Troy’s imagination. Flo, on the other hand, looked a little faint.
Susan went on, “And you already know Troy Harrington.”
Smith nodded and held out his hand to shake. “Good to see you again.”
“And this is Fernsby.” Susan put her arm around Fernsby’s shoulders. Good God, the man didn’t even flinch. He looked almost like a purring cat.
Smith smiled that drop-dead movie star smile of his. “I know Fernsby. Everyone ,” he confessed, “knows Fernsby.”
The ever-so-modest Fernsby put a hand to his chest. “Of course, sir. There can be only one.”
Smith let out a loud laugh that turned heads—and not only because he was a handsome movie star.
Trust Fernsby not to be intimidated by fame.
Susan smiled at Valentina. “Your dress is lovely.”
“Thank you.” The beautiful woman stroked her abdomen.
Susan’s eyes went wide. “Is there something you need to tell us, dear?”
Valentina’s smile could light up a dark room. She took Smith’s hand. “I’m so glad you like the dress. It’s my first maternity dress.”
Susan squealed like only a grandmother could when she heard she was to have another grandchild, even if Valentina wasn’t related to her. She hugged the woman tightly, and stepping back, she said, “I’m so happy for you both.”
Flo asked, “When are you due, dear?”
Valentina gave them all a high-wattage smile. “November.”
Flo seemed to glow. “A holiday baby. How wonderful.”
Then Susan asked, “Do you know if you’re having a little girl or a boy? Or maybe you’re keeping that a secret until the baby’s birth?”
Valentina caressed her belly, though Troy could hardly make out a baby bump. With a smile for her husband, she said softly, “A baby girl.”
Susan squeezed Valentina again amid a flurry of questions. Had they picked out names? Did they think pink for a little girl, or would they choose all the colors of the rainbow? Had they started on the nursery?
The celebrity in the group, Smith Sullivan, was completely forgotten. Meeting Troy’s gaze over their heads, he mouthed, Baby talk .
The oddest thing was Fernsby, who was getting in on the conversation, offering his services in any way possible. Now that Troy thought about it, at any of the barbecues or family events, Fernsby was right there in the midst of all those Maverick babies.
Michaela, on the other hand, stood slightly apart. Did that mean she didn’t have baby fever? There was so much he needed to learn about her.
Finally, as Smith and Valentina moved on to do more mingling, Susan tucked her hand in the crook of Flo’s elbow.
Her eyes lit with a smile. “I hope you don’t mind if I steal your mother away.
” Then she beamed at Flo. “We need to talk clothes. I can see my grandbabies dressed in your beautiful creations.” And she carried Flo away.
Fernsby said, “Your mother has very admirable qualities.” Then he bowed slightly to Michaela. “But I must attend the buffet. I’d promised to return with an assortment of provisions for—” He shot Troy a look that said he’d been quite besieged. “—your family.”
Then he left them too. For the first time, Troy was alone with Michaela in the crowd.
“Since my mom is with Susan Spencer,” Michaela said, a bit too sternly for his liking, “don’t you think it’s time to introduce me to Gabby so we can get on with our deal?”
His gut screamed, No, no, no . He wanted her to himself for a little while longer.
She waited expectantly, and it wasn’t as though he could admit he wanted more time alone with her.
So he said almost ungraciously, “Fine, but you’ll have to meet the whole family because, according to Fernsby, they’re all in that room.
” He pointed to the large archway through which Fernsby had first appeared.
She smiled thinly at him. “I don’t have any problem meeting your family.”
He eyed her. “They can be intimidating.” That wasn’t true, but maybe she’d think twice about staying out here with him.
She snorted, and he found it charming. “You’ve introduced me to all manner of intimidating people tonight.” She spread her hands. “Do I look intimidated?”
She didn’t. In that sexy dress, she looked like nothing could intimidate her. Thank God his brothers were already attached.