“When was the last time you were at a funeral reception?” I murmur, taking in the Manhattan Wolf’s sprawling ballroom and the bustling crowd gathered from a small dais off to the side.
“Last January. My grandmother’s. They held it in a church basement.” Miles’s nose scrunches up. “It smelled like mothballs and cat piss.”
I giggle. “Let me guess, they had long tables along the walls, with platters of egg and tuna sandwiches.”
“And cucumber. With the crusts cut off. I actually like those ones.”
“Yup. Sounds like every funeral reception I’ve ever been to.”
But here, tuxedo-clad servers weave through the crowd, carrying delectable canapés and crystal flutes of champagne in a setting that can only be described as lavish. I guess it’s only fitting for a man of William Wolf’s stature.
Miles makes a sound of agreement through a mouthful of quiche, his brown eyes searching for Henry, who’s by the shrimp ice sculpture, speaking to several older men. “Thanks, by the way. I got a whole hour last night with him. Almost uninterrupted. And he was in a half-decent mood.”
I smile, even as my cheeks flame. “That’s more than I got with him last night.” I drifted off on the sectional couch, watching the sky as a spectacular storm rolled through, and then found myself lying in bed next to him when I awoke, unaware of when exactly he came home and moved me.
“But you’re definitely getting something, aren’t you?”
I spin around to find Belinda standing behind me, her arms folded over her ample chest. As usual, the Wolf cove general manager is dressed both provocatively and inappropriately, in a fitted black dress that’s buttoned down the front and looking ready to burst from her curves.
It was only a matter of time. I avoided her sharp, knowing gaze earlier as I walked alongside Henry in the funeral procession, at his insistence. But I knew I wouldn’t be able to avoid her forever.
“Give us a minute, Miles?” she says, adjusting her stylish horn-rimmed glasses.
With a nervous glance at me, he ducks away, likely sensing the tension swirling around her like a cyclone. She was the first to accuse Henry of employing me for the sole purpose of having an assistant to screw while in Alaska, even though she couldn’t see the attraction. But she also couldn’t see any other reason for my being there. I didn’t meet Wolf Hotel’s hiring standards.
He vehemently denied anything besides a professional relationship between us. He had to—his father was breathing down her neck to find out whether his son was keeping in line, given the mounting legal issues around Kiera.
And she bought it.
Belinda leans over the railing. “Innocent little farm girl, indeed.”
“So when did you get in?” I ask lightly, trying to steer the conversation away from our deception.
“Henry says it started after you left Alaska?”
I feel her inquisitive eyes dissecting me as I try to grab Henry’s attention. “So how’s Wolf Cove doing?”
Her red-painted lips twist in thought as her gaze drifts to Henry. He’s watching now, and he shoots Belinda a warning glare. I sense her changing her mind about whatever she was going to say. “It’s fine. But I’m leaving, thank God.”
“Really? They still have another month before they close down for the season.”
“Everything’s in place to run smoothly. I was only there for start-up. Henry wants me in Barcelona.”
“To the Wolf that’s at risk of shutting down?” Where Henry was supposed to go after France.
“That’s the one. I’m flying out in a few days, after I get organized.” She pauses. “Will you be going with Henry when he goes?”
Just the thought of Henry leaving again makes my spirits sink. “No. I need to get back home to help out with the farm and my family.”
She frowns at a chipped nail. “That’s too bad.”
I can’t tell if she’s being sincere.
And I also can’t help but look at those lips of hers and think about where they’ve been on Henry. He said it was only the one night. I don’t doubt that she’d happily take another. What woman wouldn’t? “Why do you say that?” I ask, unable to hide the wariness in my voice. Is she going to make another play for him?
“Because his mood swings have been horrendous lately and I’ve finally figured out why. He’s much more tolerable—actually, pleasant—to work with when you’re around him, and he’s a fucking bear when you’re not.”
My face splits with a smile.
“You’re not supposed to find that amusing.”
“It’s not that. It’s just….” My words fade, because I don’t want to get into a heart-to-heart with Belinda over Henry, but she has no idea what she’s just confirmed for me—that Henry misses me. That our time apart isn’t just hard on me.
For a man who isn’t good with expressing emotions, actions do speak louder than words, and he expresses his hurt through anger.
Belinda studies me for a long moment. “How is your father doing?”
“Much better, thanks.” We spend a few minutes talking about my father’s tractor accident before the conversation dwindles and her gaze drifts over the sea of heads. When her face pinches up with distaste, I don’t have to ask to know that she’s spotted Scott Wolf.
And he’s in deep conversation with his mother.
“Who’s that woman he’s speaking to?” Belinda asks, frowning curiously.
“Not sure,” I lie, my gaze searching out Henry. Has he seen her? Does he know she’s here? If he does, he’s masking his feelings well.
“Someone should go and warn her that she’s talking to a lecherous snake,” Belinda mutters, looking ready to lean over the rail and spit.
She gave birth to that lecherous snake.
And they seem to be on much better terms than she and Henry are. She’s smiling at Scott, and his hand is settled on her delicate arm in a familiar, affectionate way. In a way that makes me wonder when they actually reconnected. I have a feeling it didn’t just happen yesterday.
But why is she here again? Henry made it clear yesterday that she’s not welcome. How does she even have the nerve to show her face? I’m disgusted by her, but also curious to understand her more. And, while I’m at it, to make sure she knows how badly she hurt her son.
But it’s not my place to do that. And, besides, Henry would kill me.
“Well, I’ve made my appearance,” Belinda announces, cutting into my thoughts. “I hope I see you again soon.” She hesitates. “And, whatever you’re doing to Henry… keep doing it. I’ve been going whole days without him biting my head off about something. It’s been nice.” I smile as I watch her saunter away, her hips swaying.
That was my first encounter with someone from Wolf Cove who I lied to about my affair with Henry, and it wasn’t so bad. Maybe it won’t be so bad, when the staff finds out about Henry and me, as they no doubt will—and soon. My smile grows wider, as I think about what Amber and Katie will say. And Tillie will be through-the-roof jealous.
I find Henry watching me, a curious frown on his face.
What’s that smile about? he mouths.
You, I mouth back.
He chuckles and opens his mouth to respond when a man grabs his attention and pulls him into a conversation with several others.
I take the chance to search out Crystal again. She and Scott are still talking, but now his arm is around her shoulders and they’re heading past the crowd of people, toward the terrace.
I can’t help myself.
I leave the dais and trail them outside.
It’s midafternoon and stifling hot, the only reprieve against the hot sun coming in the form of shaded alcoves and decorative ceiling fans that keep the air from turning stale.
A few guests mill around, laughing as they sip white wine and champagne, waving pamphlets in front of their faces to cool themselves.
I spot Scott’s stocky body on the opposite side of the fountain that sits as a centerpiece in the court—a goddess at least fifteen feet high. Feigning interest in the statue, I edge over.
“…I have enough to last me another three months. Four, if I live like a pauper,” I hear Crystal say, her tone full of despair. “I swear, William died just to punish me. I never should have agreed to that divorce settlement.”
“He would have ruined you otherwise.”
“Still… as long as he was alive, I was taken care of. Now? I’m going to be living on the streets.”
“No you’re not, Mom. Don’t worry. I’m going to take care of you.”
I frown. Scott is certainly closer to his mother than I expected. And more forgiving of her than Henry, it would seem.
“But what about the mine?” Crystal asks.
“I told you, don’t worry about it. Nothing will come of that.”
She sighs. “I don’t know, Scott. I still think you should fight for the hotel.”
“And spend all my money arguing against Henry’s lawyers? No way.”
“But you deserve your share.”
“So did you, and look how he screwed you over.”
“Maybe Henry would be more reasonable than William. I tried speaking to him, but he won’t even look at me. He’s as vengeful as his father was.”
“You need to work on his little girlfriend. Get her on your side.”
“The redhead. What was her name again?”
“Abbi.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
“Right. She seems like a sweet girl. Henry will crush her heart.” She doesn’t sound worried. More like, full of pity.
“Believe me, she’s not as sweet or innocent as she lets on. And she must have a golden pussy—”
“Scott! Don’t be crass.”
He heaves a sigh. “Whatever. Forget about the hotel, Mom. If I’m right about the mine, Henry will end up the chump in all this.” There’s something in Scott’s tone—a promise—that curls my senses.
“Why? What do you mean?”
“Listen, don’t say a word to anyone, but there’s a—”
“Abbi! There you are!”
I jump at the sound of Miles’s voice and spin around to find him marching toward me.
He jabs a thumb toward the ballroom. “Henry’s looking for you.”
Holding my breath, I dare glance over, to find both Scott and Crystal staring at me. Shit.
“Tell him I’ll be there in a sec.” I dart for the women’s restroom.
~ ~ ~
“I think your hands are clean.”
I look up from the sink to see Crystal McGuire leaning against the stone wall, her arms crossed over her chest. She must have followed me in.
“I don’t know what Henry has told you about me—”
“Nothing. He doesn’t talk about you.” I grab a towel from the basket and roughly dry my hands. Here I was, pushing Henry to give her a chance to talk, but he was right. She’s not here to reconcile or apologize, or even to see how her son is doing. She’s here for money.
I head for the exit, intent on getting away from this repulsive woman.
“I never wanted children.”
Her voice—and her admission—stalls my feet.
She strolls over to the mirror and leans in to inspect her eyeliner. “I thought I had won the lottery when I attracted the William Wolf. Of course he wanted to carry on the Wolf name, so I knew I’d have to have at least one child, but I wasn’t in a rush to give up my freedom, or to share what little attention he afforded me with anyone else.” She pulls a lipstick from her purse. “William was never home. That’s the thing with Wolf men. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but they’re addicted to success and control. That’s what the Wolf businesses give them. It’s exciting at first, being around such powerful men. Believe me, I know. And the money, the way of life, almost made up for the loneliness. All the business trips and the late nights and missed birthdays.”
She drags the dusty rose color over her lips. “The red lipstick on shirt collars, and beautiful women smiling secretively. He swore he never touched any of them, but I don’t see how he could resist.” Bitterness flashes in her eyes—the kind that’s dulled over the years, but still flares every once in a while. “Scott was an accident. But when I told William that I was pregnant, he suddenly changed. He was around more, he became more affectionate with me. I wasn’t just the token wife that he took to events, I was the mother of his child. I realized that I played an important role. I finally had some control over him. That’s why I had Henry. To maintain that control.”
I feel my face twist with shock at her candid—and disgusting—admission.
“Of course, I hoped that those maternal instincts would kick in at some point,” she adds as an afterthought, and then sighs. “Anyway, it didn’t last. Once the boys started growing, William became solely focused on the family business again, and getting Scott and Henry ingrained in it. Scott didn’t take as quickly, but Henry….” She shakes her head and chuckles. “He had an impressive collection of suits and ties by the time he was nine. All he ever wanted to do was please his father. He took to it like, well, a Wolf. He turned out just like his father, faults and all.”
“You don’t know him. You left him when he was eleven years old.”
“You don’t think Henry’s cold? Hurtful?” Her blue eyes shift from her own reflection to mine. I see the challenge to deny it in them.
“When the person deserves it.” I learned that the hard way. But I won’t let this woman stand here and talk ill of a son she abandoned and hasn’t talked to in twenty years. “He’s also passionate and caring, and thoughtful. And honest. And he has more integrity than anyone I’ve ever met.”
“And he’ll never make you his priority. I hope you realize that now.” She smooths another coat of lipstick over her lips. “Take it from me, you will find yourself gravely disappointed otherwise.”
“I don’t expect to be his priority. I just want to be in his life. I just want to be able to love him and have him love me. Something you’re clearly incapable of, because it sounds like the only person you’ve ever made an effort to love is yourself. And maybe you’re right and Henry is just like his father. But I’m nothing like you. I’m not with him for his money or his power. He could give it all away tomorrow and work on my farm, and I’d be just as happy.” The moment I say it, as ridiculous as the notion of Henry sitting atop a tractor and baling hay is, I realize that it’s true. “Or he could keep working day and night for Wolf. I’d never ask him not to, because I know how important his family’s business is to him and I admire his passion for it. And I don’t expect to be the most important thing in his life, or that he give me all of his time. I already know that I won’t get that, and I’m okay with it. And I can’t wait to have children.” It’s ironic, given pre-Henry, I was avoiding Mama’s pushes for grandchildren. “Lots of children. Not because I want to control Henry with them, but so I can listen to them laugh and hold them when they cry, and love them. I want to make them feel like they’re the most important people in the world, because they are. I will give everything, sacrifice everything for them, and for Henry because I’m so madly, deeply in love with him.” I can’t help myself. “But I don’t know if I’ll ever get to do any of those things with him, because he had an utterly selfish woman for a mother who has left him terrified of—”
“Abbi.”
Henry’s calm voice stops my tirade instantly. I spin around to find him standing at the door of the women’s restroom, holding it shut behind him, his face full of shock.
Oh my God. How much did he hear?
His gaze shifts from me to his mother, who at least looks somewhat chastised.
“Henry—”
“I’ll see you at home.”
My stomach sinks. What did I just say? I don’t even remember, and I have no idea what he heard. It couldn’t have been good. But I know when to obey Henry’s requests, and this is one of those times.
“I’m sorry—”
“Abbi,” he warns.
I head for the door, stalling in front of him, reaching for his free hand with my trembling fingers. Did I just screw everything up between us?
Finally he meets my eyes. He must see the fear in them. “We’ll talk at home,” he says more softly.
That’s the most comfort I’m going to get from him right now. “You were right, by the way. She’s looking for money from the Wolf estate. She lost your dad’s support when he died.”
His jaw clenches and he gives the slightest nod.
I rush out of there and straight for the limo, shaking the entire way.
