knew Matt had never met the boy? Maybe after he closed the deal with J. Phillip Bradford, he’d take a day off and drive to Cedar Grove and look them up. “We haven’t been close in some time. She married and moved away.”
“Perhaps you could bring them to dinner some night.”
Matt’s palms sweated. Mariah had been stoned at his mother’s funeral, and he doubted she’d cleaned up her act. “Yes, sir.”
“Good.” Winthrop wafted O’s toward the ceiling again, then leveled his gaze at Matt. “Just so you know, my daughter is very precious to me. She’s my only child, and I’ll admit, more than a little spoiled. I even have in mind buying the house next door for her and her future husband.”
Matt swallowed. If Jessica agreed to marry him, he was not living next door to the Winthrops. Even if it was a mansion. But that discussion could wait until another night.
Her father stared at the white ash on the end of his cigar then stubbed the cigar in an ashtray. “Matthew, if you in any way hurt Jessica, I—”
“I can assure you, Mr. Winthrop, I will not hurt your daughter. With your blessing, and if she’ll have me, I want to marry her.”
* * *
ALLIE CAUGHT HER breath as Peter Elliott walked toward them, his light blue eyes fixed on her. He’d joked about them going out last week, but she hadn’t a clue he was serious. With his blond good looks, the broad-shouldered director of social services in Cedar Grove could date any number of women.
“You could’ve told me,” she muttered.
Clint laughed. “And have you say no?”
Not necessarily. But probably. Since the fiasco with Matt, she’d been reluctant to risk her heart again. Besides, she and Peter had been buddies since grade school, and she’d simply never thought of him in a romantic way. Maybe it was time to rethink their relationship.
Peter gave a slight bow when he reached them and took her hand. “I hope you don’t mind that I invited myself to your New Year’s Eve celebration.”
“Mind?” She shook her head. “Just a little surprised.”
Clint touched her arm. “I’m going to our table, over there in the corner.”
She followed his gaze to an empty table just below a huge TV that played images of New Year’s Eve celebrations from all over the world. Allie glanced around the room, counting ten TVs interspersed around the gold and silver streamers that hung from the ceiling.
“May I have this dance?” Peter said.
She hadn’t even heard the music and glanced toward the front of the room, where a string ensemble played “Moonlight Serenade.” Dancing seemed preferable to making small talk at the table. “As long as you don’t step on my toes, I’ll try not to step on yours.”
“I’m sure you won’t.” Peter held his hand out.
Allie wrinkled her nose at him. “You haven’t seen me dance.”
She accepted his hand and followed him to the dance floor, where he took her lightly in his arms. It never entered her mind that he might actually trample her feet. No, it would be the other way around. Peter Elliott came from old money in Cedar Grove, and his social graces were impeccable, as were his clothes. The black tux had high quality written all over it, and she’d bet he even tied his own bow tie. The memory of Matt holding his out to her brought a quick smile to her lips.
“Did I say something funny?”
An oops shivered down her spine, and she looked up into his questioning blue eyes.
“No...it was something that happened earlier tonight.”
Peter tightened his hold on her. “I’m sure Matthew Jefferies did any number of things that were amusing. I couldn’t believe it when your brother told me he and Jessica Winthrop were an item.” He leaned her back. “Weren’t you sweet on him once?”
“Once.” She almost stumbled, then concentrated on following Peter as he whirled her around. When the music ended, the ensemble slipped into a tango, and she shook her head at the invitation written on his face. “I think I’ll sit this one out.”
She allowed Peter to lead her through the crowd to their table, where Clint sat alone. Hopefully, with this many people at the party, she’d be able to avoid Matt and his girlfriend. Correction, make that his almost-fiancée. At the table, Peter offered to get her something to drink.
“Lime water,” she said. After he left, she turned on her brother. “Just how did this date come about? And why didn’t you tell me?”
“Last question first—I can count on one hand the number of men you’ve dated since you and Matt broke up. I figured you’d say no and so did Peter, so we decided not to tell you.”
“Why were you even talking to him?”
“Last week a sixteen-year-old girl from Cedar Grove showed up at my Boys and Girls Club. One of my older girls had dragged her there after finding her living in her car. Since Peter is head of social services in Cedar Grove, I called him so he could notify the parents and ended up inviting him to the party—I knew Jessica wouldn’t mind if I brought a few extra people.”
Allie traced the fleur-de-lis pattern on the linen tablecloth. “How...do you like Jessica?”
“She’s great. You’d like her if you met her. She volunteers at the club, teaching etiquette and art—the kids all love her.”
Allie swallowed the lump that suddenly clogged her throat. She licked her lips. Good. Matt had someone worthy of him.
“Your drink, ma’am.” Peter set down a crystal water glass with a wedge of lime adorning the rim.
At eleven on all the screens around the room, the ball dropped in New York City and confetti rained from an overhead vent as a rousing cheer went up. The evening was flying by. And without a glimpse of Matt.
“So, you forgive me for going behind your back to get a date with you?” Peter brushed confetti from her shoulder.
Allie tilted her head. “Why me?”
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
“About—?”
“Allie, you’re a beautiful woman. I’m surprised you’re still single. When Clint called and mentioned the party, I jumped on it. At least I’d have one night to convince you to date me.”
His confession stunned her into silence. Before she could recover, he touched his chest, frowning.
“It’s my cell, it must be important given how late it is. Excuse me,” he said and turned toward the wall as he fished his phone from inside his tux. “Elliott speaking.”
He fell silent, listening to whomever was on the other end. Allie turned her gaze to the dance floor, not wanting to eavesdrop. Even so, she couldn’t help overhearing his end of the conversation.
“I see.” Silence
