Overnight Invitation by Jane Henry

Author:Jane Henry [Henry, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Astraea Press, LLC
Published: 2014-04-13T00:00:00+00:00

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A little later, as Kate made up a room for Evangeline, she thought about her conversation with Rick. He was clearly bothered by Evangeline’s visit. She couldn’t help but wonder what had happened between them to make the idea of seeing one of the most beautiful women in the world the cause of such anxiety. She had read the look in his eyes as clearly as a book. She’d seen the hurt and anger in their depths before he’d masked it with cynicism.

The tabloids had claimed so many different stories about the end of their relationship that it was impossible to figure out what really happened. No matter what it was, it was clear he hadn’t escaped unscathed. She could empathize with that, she thought. As she straightened the pillows and blankets, she tried to imagine what she would do if she was forced to spend a weekend with her ex. The mere memory of her ex-boyfriend brought back memories of hurt and betrayal that throbbed like an old wound. Sometimes she wondered if that wound would ever heal. She couldn’t imagine if that heartbreak had happened for all the world to see and judge.

The guests continued to arrive throughout the day; first Glenda Gold and her husband arrived, followed by Tony and his mother. Kate was too consumed with her duties as a hostess to spend any more time worrying about Rick or his ex-girlfriend. She had been surprised to see him amongst the crowd, meeting each new guest with a warmth and humor that she remembered from their day out on the town. She was amazed at how comfortable he was talking to everyone; there wasn’t a hint of the cold man she’d seen earlier. He talked and laughed without the slightest hint of the swollen ego one might expect from a celebrity. She was watching him listen attentively to one of Glenda’s rambling tales of life in the good old days when he looked up and caught her eye. Kate felt like she’d been caught doing something wrong, but he smiled at her and she thought the floor would give way beneath her. She smiled back and looked away quickly, hoping no one would notice the sudden blush in her cheeks.

Everyone was seated at the long dining room table enjoying the first course when the doorbell chimed. Kate instinctively glanced toward Rick who looked surprisingly calm. The only thing that gave away he was feeling any emotion at all was his clenched jaw, which, Kate was sure, she was the only one who noticed.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Kate said, although everyone but Rick was so consumed in the lively conversation that they barely noticed her exit. As she walked to the door she wondered whether she should have prepared her guests for the new arrival. She had told Tony, Ellen and her aunt but the others might be blown away by the new guest. She hoped nobody did or said anything to make her uncomfortable.

She opened the door to find the most strikingly gorgeous woman she had ever seen standing on her doorstep.

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