Chapter 25
Catherine
Hallie drummed her nails on the kitchen island as hurried catering staff swirled around us. Her maternal gaze was exacting and severe. It had been two weeks since Hayes and I went on that evening ride that turned into something I was scared to name.
Two weeks of sharing the same bed whether Lewis was around or not. Two weeks of waking up in his arms and feeling something that I hadn’t felt in a long time.
Belonging, desire, security, and a particular four-letter word had been dancing in my mind even though merely recognizing the existence of that word was reckless.
I nervously fidgeted with the hem of yet another staple sheath dress I had yanked from my closet for today’s occasion. It was a tweed number in forget-me-not blue.
Maybe I had just been missing Hayes since he had been in DC for a conference over the last few days. Maybe the unease was because I wanted the ring on my finger to mean something.
“You’re staring,” I said when the caterers cleared the kitchen just long enough for Hallie and me to talk without being overheard.
“I’m trying to figure out why you look like you want to crawl out of your skin.”
“The owners’ luncheon,” I clipped. “That’s all. Hayes isn’t here and I feel weird representing the estate without him.”
Hallie dismissed the lie with a flick of her wrist. “It’s a piece of cake. The owners eat, you smile, and I’m here to make sure they don’t stab each other with oyster forks.”
I heaved. “I hate oysters. And we’re not even near the coast. Why the hell are we having oysters?”
“It was a Walt thing,” Hallie said with a grimace.
Once a year, the Wilder family—which happened to be me this time—hosted all the owners of the horses that trained and were boarded at the estate. It was an auspicious occasion of stuffy who’s-who-ing and elbow rubbing.
“No wonder Hayes wanted to outsource it,” I grumbled. “He would hate this.”
“Actually, he attended last year. He usually uses it for networking,” Hallie said. “Either you suffer through the antics, or you learn to play the game. And Hayes is really good at playing the game.”
That much I knew. Hayes loved his work. He loved solving the giant puzzle of supply chains and sealing deals while staying grounded to the reality that it put food on tables all over the world. I loved how dedicated and diligent he was.
“Aha. There’s that look again,” Hallie sang under her breath. “When are you finally going to fess up and tell me what’s going on between you two? I’ve barely seen either of you since the wedding.”
“Just been busy.”
Hallie picked up a spare oyster fork from the freshly shined collection of silver that belonged to the estate. “Don’t make me stab you.”
I snickered.
“Just because you’re busy doesn’t mean that something isn’t going on. Spill.”
“Hal…”
“Tell me before that dining room is filled with a buncha folks worth a few billion dollars.”
I stared down at the silverware. In just a few minutes, I had to play the part Hayes was literally paying me to play.
I was $10,000 into our agreement. Since my room and board were free at the estate and Hayes insisted I use his credit card during our marriage for everything from getting coffee at the Moo Brew to outfitting the cottage, I had been able to put a sizable chunk of it into paying off my debt.
The $5,000 deposit that had magically appeared in my bank account at the beginning of the month was a sobering reminder of exactly what this was. In a week, there would be another.
Fifteen thousand dollars for a wife…More, depending on how long Lewis dragged this out.
“It’s…complicated,” I hedged.
Hallie chuckled. “No shit, Sherlock. That tends to happen when you start falling in love with your husband.”
I cut my eyes at her.
“Are you going to deny it?” she pressed.
I swallowed and looked down at the ring. “No.” My phone dinged, and I swiped across, secretly hoping that it was Hayes texting me.
My jaw dropped. “Oh…”
Hallie’s brows creased. “Is that a good ‘oh’ or a bad ‘oh’?”
I turned the screen so she could read the email that had just dropped into my inbox. “I got an interview for the hospital job in Richmond.”
Hallie’s eyes narrowed. “Why do you look surprised? Didn’t you apply?”
I shook my head to try to slough off the surprise.
“I did. I just thought it was a long shot. I don’t have formal marketing experience.
The nonprofit sector is usually a ‘jack-of-all-trades, master of none’ situation.
I figured a hospital system would want someone with a history in healthcare administration. ”
Hallie rolled her eyes. “They probably don’t care if your résumé doesn’t match the job description. You’re a Wilder now. And Miss Virginia, but honestly, being a Wilder is more lucrative.” A car pulled up to the circular entrance. “And now it’s time for you to act like one.”
I left my phone in Hayes’s study, made my way to the foyer, and stood beneath the bridal portrait of Mildred Wilder, hoping I looked just as regal.
I glanced over my shoulder and caught Hallie snapping a photo of me as the hired driver opened the back door for the passengers.
“What are you doing?” I hissed.
Hallie shot off a text. Her phone dinged almost immediately with a response. She hustled over and showed me the screen. “Hayes asked for a picture.”
Hayes: Will you tell her she looks beautiful for me?
My heart did a little pitter-pat as Hallie disappeared. The first guests neared the door while another car pulled up.
“Mr. and Mrs. Elias,” I said as I stepped out to greet them. Hallie had given me a dossier with profiles of each owner to memorize, and it was already coming in handy. “Welcome to the estate. I’m so glad you were able to join us.”
There were perfunctory kisses on cheeks as Joseph and Darlene Elias said their hellos. They owned a media conglomerate and a professional football team, and were celebrating their first season as owners of a champion racehorse with an up-and-coming jockey.
“I was so sad to hear of Walt’s passing,” Darlene said with kindness in her spry eyes. “And then I heard there was a wedding at the estate, and look at you!”
I laughed politely. “It’s been quite the whirlwind. That’s for sure.” I showed them into the formal living room where catering staff were armed with trays of passed hors d’oeuvres.
The song and dance continued as car after car appeared with owners and their partners.
I had welcomed the last pair of guests and was about to close the door when a meaty hand wrapped around the doorframe.
“Lewis,” I said with an exasperated sigh. “I take it you’ll be joining us today?”
“Wouldn’t miss it, dear sister-in-law,” he sneered with a greedy smile and breath that was laced with Scotch.
I shuddered as he breezed past me and slid into the living room with a raucous “Hello” to the guests.
Hallie appeared at my side and slipped an oyster fork into my hand. “Go for the jugular.”
I tucked it into the pocket of my dress. “Hopefully it won’t come to that today. I’ll let Hayes have that pleasure when he gets the complaint contesting the will thrown out of court for good.”
Hallie reached for Mildred’s portrait and pulled it away from the wall like she was opening a cabinet.
“Holy shit,” I muttered. “Are there secret passageways here?”
Hallie grabbed a flask that was hidden in a cubby behind the painting. “Knowing Walt, secret passageways wouldn’t be at all surprising.” She offered the liquor. “Liquid courage before your speech?”
Sunlight danced in from the window and bounced off my engagement ring, making Mildred’s eyes twinkle.
“No. I’ve got this.”
I steeled myself as Hallie slipped the moonshine back in its hiding place and headed to where the catering staff had ushered everyone to the miles-long dining room table. The place settings had been artfully shuffled to make room for Lewis, opposite me.
I took my place at the head of the table as all eyes turned to me.
“On behalf of my husband, who is—unfortunately—unable to join us today, and the entire Wilder family, I would like to welcome you to the estate. It is truly an honor to have you all here today. Walt loved the art and dedication it took to excel in the equine disciplines. Though we miss him dearly, we know he’s smiling down on us each time a rider crosses the finish line.
” I winked at Mr. and Mrs. Elias. “And brings home a trophy and garland.” I motioned to the rose garden that was visible through the windows.
“Rumor has it, Walt propagated some of the roses for Mildred’s gardens using roses from Churchill Downs after a team from the estate made it into the winner’s circle for the first time. ”
There was a mixture of “aww”s and polite laughter at something only Walter Wilder would do.
But Lewis wasn’t laughing. He looked down at his phone as the screen lit up, then slipped from the room. Hallie watched him like a hawk. I turned my attention back to the table as she disappeared from sight.
I picked up my glass and raised it in a toast. “To Walt and Mildred. For the land they protected and the legacy they created. And to many more years of success.”
Lewis slid back into his chair with an unreadable expression as the first course was promptly served.
“Mrs. Wilder,” Darlene Elias said, catching the table’s attention. “What’s this Learning Cottage up by the gates?”
“It looks absolutely adorable,” Adeline Fairchild said, beaming. “And that sweet little calf up there”—she pressed a hand to her pearls like she just couldn’t believe it—“was absolutely darling. I asked the driver to pull off so I could take a picture of her.”
I let a demure smile slip. “Her name is Dorothy.”
Adeline swatted her husband, Beckett. “Do you hear that? Her name is Dorothy!”
Beckett Fairchild, a Chicago billionaire who boarded not one but three champion horses at the estate, looked at his wife like she hung the moon and stars.
“Rumor has it, it’s some kind of social initiative. Is that true?” Darlene asked.
“It is.”
“I can’t speak for the table, but I for one would like to hear about it,” Beckett said.
There were murmurs of agreement from the rest of the owners.
Beckett grinned. “Just make the cow part sound terrible, or Addy will have a pet cow picked out before we get back to Chicago.”
My husband wasn’t the only one who was good at playing the game. I smiled as my puzzle pieces began to fall into place. “I’d love to tell you.”