***
Kara couldn’t enjoy the scenic drive along Palos Verdes Drive West and only half-listened to Baron’s tales about summer hikes and horseback rides on these hils. The closer they got to the mansion, the tenser she became.
Did Estele know he was bringing Kara to the family picnic?
What if her fears about Estele’s disapproval turned out to be true?
She could come up with an excuse and ask Baron to take her home. No, that was taking the coward’s way out. No matter how short her affair with Baron, she wasn’t ashamed of being with him.
The gates were open and cars, trucks, and motorcycle lined the broad road leading to the cobbled courtyard. Kara gave the wel-maintained landscape, flower beds, palm trees and shrubs a sweeping glance before studying the Mediterranean mansion. It was huge. Baron had told her years ago that when his brother moved back home he’d added an extra wing, but one couldn’t tel the old from the new façade by looking at the two-story house.
Baron parked behind a silver Jaguar, boxing it in.
“Lex’s car…he’s not going anywhere,” he explained as turned off the engine. “Ready to go in?”
The sounds of screaming kids, music, and conversation reached Kara’s ears, and a few pre-teen boys in swim trunks raced into view from the left side of the house and shot past, hardly paying attention to her and Baron.
Of course she wasn’t ready, but there was no going back now.
She nodded, but something must have given her nervousness away because Baron gripped her hand and said,
“They’re not so bad. Besides, no one’s going to bother you while I’m around.”
“You’re my hero.”
“No, baby. I’m your man, which is a very exclusive relationship, so do not rol your eyes,” he added when she roled her eyes.
She laughed and he joined her. Hand-in-hand, they walked past the inner gate to the arched doorway. A beaming Estele in a charming lemon-colored pantsuit and double-stranded pearls around her neck opened the door, accepted a kiss from Baron then turned and enveloped Kara in a welcoming hug.
“I’m happy you could make it, Kara.” She stepped back and added, “Aunt Sophia is in the living room, Baron. Introduce Kara to her before you join everyone in the back. I need to discuss something with Lex but I’l be out shortly.” Smiling, she waved and hurried toward the grand staircase.
Kara sighed with relief. She’d been worried over nothing.
Estele’s welcoming smile had been warm and genuine. Baron led her through the foyer with its hardwood floor, soaring ceiling, and crystal chandeliers to an arched entrance through which she could see two older women. From her past visit, she’d found the architecture of rope columns, archways, arched wal niches, and high, dramatic step ceilings interesting and unique, and the silence in the mansion unsettling. Today, the noise from the backyard filtered right into the house.
“Baron,” one of the aunts said and walked toward them.
She was a tal woman with a booming voice. The elderly one with glasses stayed seated and rocked back and forth, humming a tune under her breath.
“I was just about to go see what your uncles are up to, but first I want to meet this young woman you’ve brought home,” the aunt said when she stopped before them.
“Aunt Vivian, Kara Michaels. Kara, this is my one and only Aunt Vivian.” The woman chuckled at Baron’s introduction.
The night before, he’d regaled Kara with anecdotes about his indomitable Aunt Vivian, the Fitzgerald family’s point guard.
With her impressive height and carrying voice, Vivian Fitzgerald-Ward cut quite an intimidating figure.
Kara lifted her chin and smiled. “I’m pleased to meet you, ma’am.”
Vivian looked down her nose at her and humphed. “Is that so? How did you meet my nephew, Ms. Michaels?” she asked.
Kara blinked, taken back by the woman’s rudeness. “I work at his galery.”
“She’s your employee?” Vivian said it like Kara was something that had crawled from under a rock and landed on her plate. Her brow furrowed, her censoring glance shifting to Baron.
“An invaluable one,” Baron responded with a grin and planted a kiss on his aunt’s cheek. “You’re looking fine as usual, Aunt Viv.”
His aunt dismissed him with a curt wave, although from her smile, she liked the compliment. “Don’t try to charm me, you naughty boy. A boss and an employee…people frown on that kind of relationship.”
Kara bristled at her tone. Before she could come up with a response, Baron spoke. “But you and I know rules are meant to be broken.” He continued to grin, obviously not taking his aunt’s displeasure seriously.
“I know no such thing.” She shot Kara a withering glare.
“What exactly do you do for my nephew, Ms. Michaels?” The woman made it sound like Kara spent hours on her back instead of actualy working. Baron started to speak but Kara silenced him with a nasty look. It was his fault she was in this predicament. Dealing with nosey and judgmental people was one of the reasons she’d wanted their affair to take place in Idaho but oh no, he just had to invite her to his big, fat Sunday afternoon, Irish picnic.
“I’m an art conservator,” Kara said in a calm, but firm voice, her eyes locked with Vivian’s. She refused to apologize for her decision to have an affair with Baron.
“Is that so? And what does an art conservator do?” Kara’s eyes narrowed. “I restore oil paintings from the nineteenth century to contemporary pieces for public and private institutions, colectors, and galeries other than Baron’s. I clean, repair rips, water, and fire damage, conserve murals, and appraise colections.” Her voice stayed calm and without animosity but inside she was furious. No one had ever questioned her conduct or expertise until now. Kara didn’t even know why she felt compeled to explain herself to this annoying woman.
“How long have you worked for my nephew?” Vivian snapped, her eyes stil narrowed with disapproval.
“Five years.”
“When did your relationship—”
“Enough, Aunt Vivian,” Baron snapped in a hard voice.
“Kara is a friend and I wil not let you scare her with this senseless interrogation. Since when do guests in this house list their credentials?”
Vivian narrowed her eyes and glared at Baron. “Young man
—”
“I mean it, Aunt Viv.”
She humphed. “You’re right, they don’t. But someone has to keep the riff-raff from poluting the family gene pool.” She glanced at Kara, then she humphed again. “I guess I owe you an apology, Ms. Michaels.”
Kara would have loved to say, “There’s no need,” but Vivian didn’t sound or look apologetic. Too furious to speak, she just stared back.
“I might not agree with the way you young people do things but my nephew is a grown man, free to do as he pleases.” She offered her hand to Kara. “It’s been interesting meeting you.” Once again, Kara didn’t speak, just shook the offered hand then watched as Vivian took herself off toward the back of the house. That woman had no business treating her like she was scum.
Baron draped an arm across her shoulders. “I think you won her over.”
Kara shrugged off his arm. Couldn’t he see how he’d put her in an intolerable position by bringing her here?
“Believe me, that wasn’t my intention,” she said through her teeth. “Coming here was a mistake.”
“What are you talking about?”
How could he be so dense? She glared at him. “Every time someone asks me how the two of us got together, I’l have to explain.”
He ran his hands up and down her arms, his expression remorseful. “No, you won’t. It’s kind of hard to stop Aunt Viv once she gets started so it’s usualy better to let her do her thing and move on.” He peered at her earnestly. “However, I promise you no one else wil ask you personal questions again.” Kara shook her head and stepped away from him. “I know they won’t because I’m leaving.”
“Come on, baby.”
She shook her head. “I want to go home.”
He stared at her for a few seconds then rubbed his nape.
When he went back to looking at her, his expression was more resigned than angry. “Fine, Kara. If you’re uncomfortable then I’l drive you back.”
The ease with which he gave in only ticked her off more.
Why couldn’t he try a little harder to convince her to stay? What was happening to her? She couldn’t even decide what she wanted anymore.
Kara swalowed and turned toward the door, so desperate to leave she ignored the deep chuckle that emanated from behind her.
He’d better not be laughing at me or I’ll make him sorry.
When it came again, she turned toward the sound and froze, mortified. She had completely forgotten the presence of his other aunt. From the scowl on Baron’s face, she wasn’t the only one.
“Aunt Sophia,” he said apologeticaly.
“So you finaly remember me.” The elderly woman shook her head then turned her gaze in Kara’s direction. “Come here, child. Let me take a closer look at you.”
Kara let out a breath and shot Baron a glance, but he was scowling. What did he have to be ticked off about? This mess was his fault. Kara slowly walked to sit beside the bespectacled woman.
“Standing up to Vivian, not putting up with my grand nephew’s shenanigans, I like that.” She took Kara’s hand and patted it. “I’m Baron’s great aunt but you can cal me Aunt Sophia.” Her voice had a soothing cadence. “It’s nice to meet you, Aunt Sophia. I’m Kara Michaels.”
“Kara, such a pretty name. Are your people from this area, dear?”
“My parents are from Texas but they live in San Diego now.”
“Why are you not living near them?” She glanced at Baron.
“Stop hovering, child. I’m not going to hurt her.” After he sat, she continued talking to Kara. “Don’t you know children need to be close to family?”
She sounded like Kara’s mother. “My work is here.”
“Yes, I heard. You are an accomplished young lady. Is there room in your busy life for a husband and children?” Baron had warned her about this seemingly gentle woman with a voice of steel. Stil, her bluntness was unsettling. Or maybe bluntness was a Fitzgerald trait. “I love what I do, Aunt Sophia.
When the right man comes along, I’d love to have children.”
“How many?”
Kara blushed, too conscious of Baron’s presence. “I think two would be nice.”
“Two? Bah.” For a good five minutes, the woman lectured her on family and the joys of motherhood. She used Biblical quotes to explain why having more children was the wil of God. Kara sat there and nodded but in her head plotted Baron’s demise, thinking up painful ways to make him pay for putting her through this.
She was relieved when Sophia finaly shooed them away.
“Remember, my dear, only cowards run when faced with hardship.
You don’t strike me as one.”
Just like that, Kara’s intentions to leave were made nul and void. She glanced at Baron to see his reaction but his eyes were unreadable. How different he’d been on their drive here, teasing her and laughing. She wanted that happy Baron back. No matter how much she abhorred nosy people like his Aunt Vivian, she couldn’t make him skip his family picnic.
Kara touched his arm. “Baron—”
“This way.” He led her down a halway and pushed open a door to their right.
Kara found herself in a room with a giant washer and dryer, and lined wicker laundry baskets stacked in a corner. “What are we doing in here?”
He closed the door, leaned against it, and crossed his arms.
“I owe you an apology and I don’t want us interrupted. First, I shouldn’t have brought you here without prior warning. Granted, I wanted you to meet my family, but it was selfish not to consider how you might feel about it. Secondly, I shouldn’t have let Aunt Vivian insult you with her senseless questions. I’m sorry.” She couldn’t deny his first point. “Your aunt has trust issues, hardly your fault.”
“What makes you think she doesn’t trust you?” Because his family had money and he might fal victim to a gold digger. If he couldn’t see that, there was no point in bringing it up. “It’s nothing. Maybe I misunderstood her.”
“I highly doubt it.” He rubbed his knuckles along her cheek and chuckled. “You’re an amazing woman, Kara Michaels.”
No, I’m a woman in love who doesn’t know whether
she’s coming or going.
Kara studied his handsome face, the way the corner of his mouth curved when he smiled. “You think so?”
“I know so.” He wrapped his arms around her and puled her against his hard body. He proceeded to kiss her until her lungs were as empty as her mind, until she forgot where they were. When he eased off, he pressed his forehead against hers. “Let’s go back to your place and have our own private dinner.” Kara caressed his face. “No, I think we should stay.” Blue eyes sharpened. “You’re sure?”
“Absolutely. Just don’t ask me why I keep changing my mind.”
He chuckled. “Then let’s brave the crowd. But if they’re overwhelming, say the word and we’l make our escape. Deal?”
“Deal.”
He linked her hand with his and opened the door to find Chase lounging on the opposite wal, arms crossed, a smirk on his face.
“I’ve been debating whether to continue standing guard while you two do whatever it is you were doing.” Chase wiggled his brow. “Or hang up the
Do Not Disturb
sign outside the door and pray Mother doesn’t find you first.”
Baron ignored him and looked down at Kara. “You’re sure you don’t want to reconsider and leave now?”
Kara just laughed, her gaze shifting between the two brothers. With both of them dressed in black, they looked so much alike it was uncanny. If it weren’t for Chase’s long hair and the scar on Baron’s chin, they could easily fool people, but not her. Baron had a presence Chase lacked.
“Hi, Chase,” she said.
“Hey, gorgeous.” Chase bent his head and planted a kiss on her lips before she realized his intentions. “What’s this about leaving?”
“It’s nothing,” Kara said, glancing at Baron to see his reaction to the kiss. He was scowling.
“My brother wants to keep you to himself,” Chase said, ignoring Baron. “He can’t stand the competition.” Kara blinked. “What competition?”
He slanted Baron a glance. “You didn’t tel her? Go figure.” He gave Kara a once over, a naughty light glittering in his blue eyes.
“You see, I had this fantasy about—”
“Go find someone else to fantasize about,” Baron growled.
Chase laughed as though enjoying a private joke. “I know, I know. She’s taken. Do you have a sister, Kara? I’d be forever in your debt if you’d hook me up.”
Kara grinned. “Sorry, she’s happily married.” Chase let out an exaggerated sign. “Just as wel. I’l never tie myself to one woman. Not fair to the others out there.” He winked at Kara. “Keep a seat for me, gorgeous. I want to know what you’ve been up to when my brother is not glowering and hovering, like he’s doing now.”
Baron took Kara’s hand as they continued down the halway while Chase went toward the foyer. The conversation Kara had with Renee about Chase and Baron came back to haunt her.
“Is he serious about never settling down?”
“Nah. Once he finds the right woman, he wil.”
“And you?”
Baron cocked an eyebrow. “What about me?”
“Would you consider settling down if the right woman came along?”
He squeezed her hand. “In a heartbeat.”
Hope coursed inside of Kara at the conviction in his tone.
He stil believed in monogamous relationships despite what Valerie did to him. And there was nothing wrong with hoping
she
was the woman for him.
Kara glanced around with interest as they walked toward the back door. To their right, a glass door led into the kitchen where Kara could see lots of covered trays on granite counters and women talking and mixing drinks. To their left was an arched entrance leading into the dining room with an oblong cherry table, ladder-back chairs and a matching china closet. With marble floors, crystal chandeliers, original works of art and antique furniture, the Fitzgerald home was quite impressive. Yet it was homey enough that Kara could imagine Baron running along the halways as a child or studying some of the priceless figurines placed out of reach on glass shelves.
The last arched entrance led into high-ceiling family room with a large screen T.V. and a pool table. A group of men were watching ESPN while a bunch of teenagers played a game of pool.
“Hey, Baron,” someone caled out and heads turned their way.
Baron led Kara into the room. “Everyone, I want you to meet Kara Michaels. Kara, Uncle Larry,” he pointed to a balding man who saluted her with a beer bottle. “Uncle Sigmund…Uncle Jonas…”
Kara couldn’t keep up with the names, so she just smiled and nodded. Once they were done, they headed outside. The sheer number of people was daunting. Along the covered deck, men and women hunched over round tables playing chess, dominoes, or card games, some of them familiar faces from magazines, newspapers and television. Two tents with long tables and chairs were erected on the lawn, half of the seats already taken by chattering teens.
Younger kids splashed in the Olympic size pool, others waded the shalow end or lounged in the whirlpool. There were serious tennis and basketbal games going on in the courts to the left. To the right, a group of girls had staked the gazebo and were listening to music from an iPod on a docking station with speakers.
Baron walked around and introduced Kara to more uncles and cousins. The Fitzgerald men came in different sizes. Some were buff and sported tattoos while others looked squeaky clean in designer attire. Their women, some entrepreneurs and respected figures in their fields, others stay-at-home moms, were stylish in an understated way, the aura of privilege and contentment hanging over them like a cloak.
“Join us, Kara,” Baron’s sister Jade said from behind them a little while later and Kara sighed with relief. Her face hurt from too much smiling and her mouth was dry from al the talking.
Baron frowned. “She hasn’t met Uncle Mo and—”
“She can do that later, Baron,” Jade cut in. “Besides, you need to round up the players. It’s time.”
Baron grinned and explained. “We’re going to play basketbal. It’s something of a tradition at these picnics.” He leaned down to whisper, “Don’t worry when we become loud and obnoxious during the game...it’s al just for show.” Kara couldn’t help laughing. “I think I’m going to enjoy this.”
“Good.” He squeezed her shoulders and dropped a kiss on her forehead, then looked at Jade. “Take good care of her.” Kara stared after him as he walked toward the house, then turned to find Jade’s eyes on her. “What?”
“You two look good together.”
“It’s not like that.”
Jade laughed. “It’s exactly like that. I’ve never seen my brother so happy.” Jade put an arm around Kara’s shoulders.
“Come on, let’s join the others.”
Kara’s face heated, but thankfuly, Jade dropped the topic.
Kara liked Jade, an art history professor at UCLA and someone she’d colaborated with before. She also visited the galery often, so Kara was comfortable around her. The women they joined, Baron’s cousins—Ashley, Faith, and Teal the flight attendant—
didn’t mention her relationship with Baron either. Instead, they wanted to know about Kara’s future store. Apparently, Estele had told them.
Soon, the kids left the pool and grabbed towels, the games on the deck stopped and even the T.V. watching crew abandoned their positions indoors as people moved toward the basketbal court. Jade led Kara to a group of chairs, joining other women. The younger boys left the court as their older brothers, cousins, or uncles appeared. Judging by the cheering that greeted the players and the matching sports shirts for the two teams, the Fitzgeralds took their game seriously.
What folowed was a show of testosterone, pure and simple. The players tried to out dribble, outplay, and upstage each other, shamelessly strutting before their adoring wives and girlfriends, mothers and daughters. Kara was soon caught up in the moment. She loved a wel-defined body on a man and got an eyeful as the men ran up and down the court, but none looked as magnificent as Baron. It didn’t matter whether they were cocky twenty-somethings, eye candies in their thirties and forties, or the more refined and subtly sexy older gentlemen with neatly trimmed salt and pepper hair, the Fitzgerald men were blessed with good genes.
After he shot a three pointer, Baron jogged to her side, looking al delectable and sweaty, and stole a kiss. Kara’s ears grew hot as the women cheered and the men teased Baron. She only felt better when the other men took advantage of the moment and ran to their wives for kisses.
A gorgeous guy with twinkling gray eyes claimed Ashley’s lips, his hand gently rubbing her stomach in a teltale sign. Could Ashley be pregnant? Kara wasn’t the only one watching them. The other women whispered and grinned.
She puled her gaze away from Ashley and her man to find a tal guy bent over Jade. He was huge. Adoring was the only way Kara could describe the expression on his face before he kissed Jade. He took his time too, causing a few nearby older women to fan their faces. Both men lingered after they were done, until their women shooed them back to the game.
“You guys are making Faith look sad and pathetic,” a woman a few chairs away said. She was stunning, but there was something cruel in her gray eyes. “You should have sat with Mom and Sean,” she added, cocking her brow at Faith. “You could have gotten a kiss too.”
Faith gave a visible shudder and glanced at a distinguished older man seated across the court with Vivian Fitzgerald. Kara hadn’t been introduced to the man, but there was something familiar about him.
“Ignore her,” Ashley whispered.
“Sean was asking for you,” the woman continued, the others beside her looking uneasy. “He specificaly came today because of you, Faith.”