CHAPTER THREE #6
She laughed with images floating through her head at that thought. Their feathers were very beautiful and she could see it happening. “With my luck, it’ll be me.”
He chuckled and put his arm around her shoulders and spoke in her ear. “That’s why I’m here. I’ll protect you,” he reassured.
There seemed so much more to that statement. It was probably wishful thinking on her part. Still, she felt a thrill go through her but did her best not to let it show. She was still so unsure of his affections.
The catering staff all wore the same uniforms as the rest of the hired staff, but had black aprons wrapped around their wastes.
There was a large open bar next to the band that was in the process of setting up, and the dance floor looked like it had just been finished freshly waxed.
It was enormous. On the other side of the dance floor were long buffet tables filled with a spread of snacks and other hors d’ouevres including a champagne fountain.
There was a lot of detail that went into designing the look of that presentation alone.
Multilevel platters held a multitude of different cakes, truffles, tarts and other snackable deserts.
Another held various types of fruit, then onto the expensive caviar, shrimp, bacon wrapped scallops,
“Oh dear. This is really beautiful.” Peach was never her favorite color, but she had to admit, her mother did an outstanding job.
More than likely she hired more than one wedding planner, but still, the final decision would have been hers.
Her mother did have a talent in creating the most extravagant parties.
She’d have to give her that. She knew this would be memorable for Anne and Royce and that’s what counted.
“It is.”
“I don’t want all of this for my wedding Lance, just our close friends.” She found it in her to tease him.
“Your wish is my command darling.” He took her hand and led her toward the bar. “First, I think you need a cocktail and I know I do if I have to deal with another lecherous admirer of yours.”
It was her turn to raise a brow. “Lecherous.” She smiled.
“It was a kind choice of words. You don’t want to know what I really want to say.”
No she didn’t. For some reason she knew he wasn’t used to using a filter but was doing so out of respect for her.
He could tell by the muscle bulging in his jaw that he was clenching his jaw.
Wow. She was certain she’d never seen him that annoyed.
So she decided not to push it. It took a lot for Lance to show his moods.
“You are such a gentleman.” She was trying to lighten the mood.
It worked, he managed to respond with humor.
“No. I’m a lawyer.”
She laughed.
By the time her brother and his new wife said their nuptials, she’d had several.
She still wept during the ceremony. Royce was completely in love with his bride and she was really happy for him.
Melanie was one of Anne’s bridesmaids. No doubt due to the suggestion of her mother, but she was okay with that.
She looked beautiful too. She was also relieved that she was able to relax a bit and enjoy this event, and herself.
Most of it was due to Lance’s company. People that would normally try and bully or manipulate her seemed to know that he was a presence to be reckoned with.
It wasn’t just her mother and Richard. There were a lot of people there that were craving gossip about her, but didn’t come directly to her to ask.
Instead, they would do what they always did, make stuff up.
Maybe a few years ago she would have cared about what people thought, but not now.
She loved her home and what she did and couldn’t wait to go back.
In Sulphur Springs, if people had something to say, they would say it.
There wasn’t much of a caste difference there.
She loved the people of her town. Her town.
That sounded more wonderful than she thought.
For Royce and Anne though, her upbringing kicked in and she played the perfect socialite and mingled with the crowd introducing Lance to the wedding guests that she recognized.
Some of them he already knew. She shouldn’t be surprised.
She was discovering more and more about him every day, and none of it was a deterrent.
He was everything she thought he was. That did not help her infatuation at all.
Even now while he was conversing with one of the guests, she knew she was staring at him with love in her eyes.
Quickly she averted her gaze and pretended to be interested in something the other person was saying.
She really needed to guard herself better.
While she was enjoying these few days alone with him, it would end eventually and she would be shattered.
Thankfully the announcement of the bride and groom’s first dance took her attention, and she wept again watching them. They genuinely looked deeply in love with one another. “I’m so happy for them,” she said to no one in particular.
“She’s really lovely,” Lance said genuinely.
“It means a lot to me that you like my brother and his new bride.”
He met her eyes. “What’s not to like? He’s a lot like you. Really down to earth. He’d fit right in with our family.”
That was a wonderful compliment. She couldn’t think of anything better he could say to her at that moment. She looked up at him. “Thanks for being here with me.”
“What are friends for?”
Three days ago, that statement would have thrilled her. Now it just made her heart sink.
Elizabeth, playing the wonderful hostess introduced Lance and Tammy to Anne’s father.
He was a very regal looking man, with thinning gray hair, but a strong broad build.
He came across as taciturn, but his eyes warmed when they landed on his beautiful daughter.
He seemed to genuinely like Royce too. It was a short introduction because her mother shuttled him along.
That was okay with Tammy because it was more of an effort than she expected from her mother and appreciated the little bit of it even if it was for Lance.
Lance kept his hand around her waist feigning possessiveness while they moved through the crowd.
She wasn’t worried about anything as long as he was near.
Her mother kept her distance after the brief introduction most likely due to her embarrassment from the night before.
Her father tried to spend more time with her, but whenever he seemed to spend too much time, her mother’s shrill voice called him away.
Tammy had a few more drinks during dinner when she found out she was sitting beside Richard and Melanie again.
It helped her cope with the leering stares.
Again though, her mother insisted on meddling.
Yet, she hadn’t even spent more than a few seconds with her.
It was okay though. It should have hurt, but she was relieved that the woman was busy making sure everything was running smoothly.
She had to hand it to her, she sure knew how to throw a party.
Thankfully Lance didn’t let her sit down too much and kept her distracted. They spent most of the night dancing.
“How are you?”
He’d held her close during one of the slow songs and she felt like they were the only two in the world at that moment.
His voice was deep and soothing in her ear.
His grip was strong, firm, and confident.
His muscular thighs rubbed against her bare legs repeatedly and it was hard to concentrate.
Yet dancing with him honestly did relax her despite the distraction of his body.
It even took her a moment to register that he’d spoken.
Though, she didn’t know how she could have missed it.
His voice was dripping with masculine sex appeal.
“I’m actually having a good time. The wine has been helping,” she laughed softly.
He tightened his hold moving her closer and turned. “Good to hear.” He bent his head so his mouth brushed her ear when he spoke next. “And you do have such a beautiful laugh.”
Gosh she was going to just melt.
When he circled her around, she saw Melanie staring at them envious. Yes, he was convincing, wasn’t he? In fact, he almost had her convinced.
Her eyes went to the other female spectators watching them with the same expression.
Lance was definitely something else to look at and he was attracting attention.
Yet, she was the one in his arms. He did a fantastic job at playing the adoring fiancé, and she could have wept over the show he was putting on just to make her happy.
He acted as if she was the only woman on earth, that he adored her explicitly.
He hadn’t even spared a glance at any of the other women there, and there were some gorgeous women.
There was no way she could possibly be more in love with this man at that moment.
She closed her eyes shutting everything out while he moved her skillfully around the crowded dance floor.
Before long, the bride and groom were being escorted to a white limousine for a sendoff on their romantic honeymoon.
Royce said he was taking her to Italy. Anne and Royce both hugged and kissed Tammy before they left thanking her for coming and reminding her to phone more often.
Royce shook Lance’s hand again telling him to make sure she did.
“I will. I promise.”
Royce seemed to be satisfied with that answer, blew his sister a kiss and got in the limousine.
The guests started leaving shortly after that, including her and Lance. She sought out her mother and father to say goodbye. Again George gave her a reserved hug and basically repeated what Royce said. Her mother was still cool, but thanked her for coming.