Topaz Heat (Christian Romance) (The Jewel Series) (22 page)

“Do you want some cake?” Maxine asked, holding out a plate with a thin slice on it.

Sarah shook her head. “Not really.”

“It’s vegan.” She smiled and handed it to a guest before she picked up another plate. “No dairy products at all. Not even eggs. Though how the chef did it is beyond me.”

She took the plate because she felt like it would be rude not to. “You’ll have to get the recipe,” she said, forcing the fork to her mouth and taking a small bite. She gestured at the table loaded with gifts. “What do I do with those?”

Maxine laughed and slung an arm around her shoulders. Her sister, as always, looked stunning in a jade green sheath. A jade necklace and bracelet complimented the dress, and her hair swung unbound to her shoulders. “Open them.”

“Do I have to do it here?” The thought terrified her, being the center of attention for just blowing out the candles was hard, spending the time it would take to open the presents was too much. “I thought the invitations said no gifts.”

“No, you don’t. And yes, they did. But people are going to bring gifts, anyway.” She stopped to hand out more cake. “Tell you what, I’ll have the driver load them into the car and you can come out to Robin’s tomorrow right after breakfast. The twins are spending the night there, and the kids can help you open all of them. It will make up for the fit they all threw about not being able to come tonight. Barry and I will probably sleep there, too, and that way we can all see your loot.”

Maybe she’d feel more jovial in the morning. “That sounds like a good idea.” She set the half-eaten cake on the corner of the table. “I think I’ll go out onto the patio for a while. I’ll be back.”

Maxine put both hands on her shoulders and stared at her face. “You okay, kiddo?”

“I’m fine,” she said with a forced smile. “I’m just not used to all this attention.”

Maxine shook her head. “No. That’s not it. It’s Derrick. I know that the stress must be terrible on you and him. But we’ll just trust God that this will all work to His glory. Other than that, it’s out of our control.”

Sarah’s breath hitched and she bit the inside of her lip. “Okay. Thank you.” Taking another deep breath, she said, “I love the party Maxi, it’s exactly what I wanted. I can’t believe you even flew family members out, and I’m touched completely. I’m just a little off tonight. . Just let me get some air and I’ll feel better.”

Maxine hugged her and handed her a glass of punch. “Here. Go sit outside, drink this, get some air, and come back ready to dance.”

Her laugh was real this time. “I will. I promise.”

It took her ten minutes to get to the doors of the patio. She had to stop and speak with everyone in her path, and by the time she made it to the doors, she felt desperate just to get out of the room.

Outdoor heaters surrounded the patio, beating back the cold of the night. Even so, chilly air formed goose bumps on her arms, but she had no desire to go back inside and get her wrap. Instead, she wrapped her arms around herself.

“Looks like a good turnout.”

Sarah whipped around to see her mother standing near the patio door, dressed in a beautiful satin gown the color of rich wine. “Mom.”

Her mother pursed her lips. “I’m surprised you’re still willing to call me that.”

Sarah stepped forward, but didn’t reach out. “Of course I’m willing to call you that. That’s exactly who you are.”

“I haven’t been a good one.”

“What?” Sarah reached out this time, and hugged her mom, her eyes filling with tears. “Mom, don’t say that. I love you. I have missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you, too.” Her mom hugged her then stepped back and gestured to a stone bench. They sat, facing each other, knees touching. “I know you were angry with me for putting your father in the home. I’m afraid that my defenses pushed you away rather than argue with you about it. You took his death so hard that I was worried about you, and when you didn’t come to church that Sunday, when I walked into your house, I immediately thought the very worst of you and of your friend. Instead of graciously admitting that I made a mistake, I made it all worse.”

She reached out and took Sarah’s hand. “I love you, Sarah, and I am sorry about the last year. The worse about everything I felt, the worse I treated you. I’m lucky I didn’t lose you.”

“You didn’t lose me.” Sarah squeezed her mother’s hand. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

“I’d like to speak to your young friend. I owe him an apology, too.”

Sarah licked her lips. “He’s not here right now.”

Darlene cocked her head waiting for more, but Sarah said nothing else. “I see. I was under the impression that you two were close.”

“We are. I mean, we want to be.” Sarah huffed out a breath. “I mean, I love him.”

“Considering he was at your apartment to propose, I’m sure that makes him very happy.”

“Well, I haven’t told him yet.”

“Why?”

“Because –” Pulling her hand from her mother’s, Sarah stood. “There’s this thing that has been kind of getting in the way –”

“There you are.” Sarah spun around and saw Derrick coming out the patio doors. He looked amazing in his black tuxedo and stark white shirt. “I looked inside for you and couldn’t find you. I figured you came out for some air.”

Sarah rushed to him and threw her arms around his neck. “I was so worried!”

Derrick laughed. “I had a meeting across town. Coming back, a massive wreck had me stuck for over an hour. I walked into the hotel and into a major crisis that dominoed into another crisis. I kept thinking it would just be a moment longer, or I would have contacted you.”

Sarah stepped back and gestured nervously toward her mother, who had stood. “My mom came, too.”

Derrick smiled and held out his hand. “Mrs. Thomas. It’s good to see you again.”

This time Darlene took his hand, warmly, with both of hers. “It’s good to see you again, too, Derrick. I was just telling my daughter that I’d hoped we had a chance to speak.”

“Of course.”

“I just wanted to apologize for mistreating you and for anything I said that hurt you.”

Derrick nodded. “I accept your apology. Thank you.” He held out an arm. “May I escort you two beautiful women into the party?”

Darlene touched his arm but did not take it. “Why don’t you two take another few minutes alone? I can see my brother right inside the patio doors. I think I’ll join him.” She turned to Sarah and put her hands on Sarah’s arms. “Happy birthday, my darling daughter.”

“Thank you, mom.”

Sarah felt herself relax completely. Her smile beamed across her face, and her heart felt light for the first time in days. Derrick put his arm across her shoulders and hugged her to him. He smelled nice, she thought, masculine and clean.

“I hate that I missed you blowing out all thirty of your candles,” he said.

“Nice,” she teased. “Rub it in, young man.”

“It’s just that thirty is so far off for me.”

Sarah laughed and playfully jabbed him in the ribs. “I sometimes forgot I’m two years older than you.”

“I’ll make sure to keep reminding you, old lady.”

“Har.”

Derrick hugged her tight to him before he released her and stepped away. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a long box. “Happy birthday, Sarah.”

Sarah gasped and started to reach for the box but then pulled her hand back. Derrick smiled. “Go ahead. Open it,” he said.

This time when she reached out, she took the box. With hands that shook a little, she opened the lid. There, nestled in a bed of velvet, lay a stunning bracelet. Rectangular cut topaz stones the color of rich, warm honey lay surrounded by pearls, all twisted together in a beautiful antique silver chain. She ran her finger over the stone as tears filled her eyes.

“This is so beautiful,” she said.

“You’re beautiful. These are just rocks in comparison,” Derrick said, taking the bracelet out of the box. He slipped it over her wrist and efficiently clasped the clasp. It felt heavy, the metal and stones cold against her skin. She moved her wrist around, admiring the way the stones sparkled in the lights coming from the ballroom, how the pearls warmed the stone.

She looked up at Derrick and the love she felt for him overflowed her heart. “Thank you.”

He cupped her cheek and leaned forward, briefly brushing his lips over hers. “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

Sarah smiled and stepped closer to him. “Have I ever told you that I like it when you call me that?” Her voice sounded husky even to her own ears. She dropped the box and slipped her arms around his neck, rising up on her toes while pulling his head back down to hers. She felt the bracelet slide down her arm as his lips covered hers.

Derrick wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. The chill of the evening air completely faded away and her senses were pummeled with the feel of him, the smell of him, the taste of him. As he deepened the kiss, he gripped the back of her head. Sarah felt her knees weaken, felt her head spin.

She ripped her mouth away and gripped the lapels of his tuxedo jacket, resting her forehead on his chest as she struggled to catch her breath. His arms came around her, strong and safe, and he rested his cheek on the top of her head.

After several long moments, she heard the sounds of the party and realized that they needed to go back inside. She raised her head and stepped back just slightly, enough to look up at Derrick.

“I guess we better go back in.”

With a smile, he cupped her cheek again. “Of course. Let’s go eat cake and party.”

Sarah gripped his wrist with both hands and turned her head so that she could kiss his palm. “I’d rather stay out here with you.”

With a chuckle, Derrick put an arm over her shoulder and turned them so that they could walk to the doors. “Duty to your sisters calls. We’ll have more time later.”

Desperately hoping that was so, Sarah smiled and stepped back into the party.

She chatted with an aunt who had flown in from Nevada, and watched as Darlene introduced Derrick to her brother. He won over her family, making them laugh and smile and interact with him with seemingly little effort. Occasionally, he would come to her and talk to her, putting a hand on the small of her back or rubbing a shoulder. It felt right, to work the room with him this way, working together as they moved through the crowd. It felt right to be with him, paired with him, one half of a couple.

Eventually they stood near her sisters by one of the buffet tables. The entire menu was vegan, and Sarah loved seeing all the different dishes the hotel chefs had managed to come up with.

Barry popped an endive leaf smeared with tapenade into his mouth and washed it down with his customary Shirley Temple. “What’s up with the no meat, anyway, Sarah? I’ve never asked.”

Sarah started to shrug, but then remembered. “One of my mother’s boyfriends force-fed me raw hamburger meat one time after I complained of being hungry.” She rubbed her arms and shuddered. “I really couldn’t stomach meat after that.”

Barry paused in the middle of chewing his lettuce leaf and looked at her with wide eyes. “Wow.” He finished chewing and swallowed. “Can we talk about introducing a little dairy to your diet?”

Maxine laughed and put her arm around her husband’s waist. “Barry, my nutritionist and fitness expert.”

Sarah smiled. “I know. I’ve thought about it and probably will start a little bit. Take some baby steps.”

Barry nodded. “Let me know if you want some help with that.”

With warm love flowing out of her heart, Sarah hugged her brother-in-law. “I will. Thank you.”

Tony put a hand on Derrick’s shoulder. “C’è la venuta di difficoltà.” At Derrick’s questioning look, Tony said, “Trouble.” He gestured to the door with a nod of his head.

“Trouble?” Derrick turned in that direction, and froze. Sarah saw a fleeting look of alarm before it was replaced by steely anger. Her eyes followed their glance and she felt her stomach fall to her knees.

Detectives Wilson and Beaumont marched through the big double doors with two uniformed police officers flanking them. Derrick turned to Sarah. “Listen to me. Whatever happens, and whatever you hear, I want you to hear from me that I didn’t do this.”

Sarah reached up and framed his face with her hands. “I know. I want you to hear from me that I love you and I will see this through with you.”

Emotion flared in Derrick’s eyes. He reached up and gripped her wrists with his hands. “I’m not asking you to do that. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

“That’s okay.” Through nervous tears, Sarah smiled. “God knows what’s going to happen, and He wouldn’t have brought you and I this close together this quickly if He didn’t intend for us to be together. You hang onto that. Let that keep you positive. And I’ll be doing whatever I can for you.”

He pulled her hands down, briefly kissing her palm. “Okay. I love you.”

“Mr. Derrick DiNunzio,” Detective Wilson said as he approached the group. “You are under arrest for the murder of James Castolli. You have the right to remain silent…”

Sarah felt her emotions kind of skid to a halt as she watched them pat Derrick down and handcuff him before leading him out of the ballroom. She looked around and saw everyone at the party stopped, staring, watching. She met the eyes of her mother, who simply raised a questioning eyebrow. She mouthed the words, “It’s okay,” across the room, then turned to Tony.

“Why in the world did they do that here?” She whispered.

“I guess so they could start the public opinion of his guilt before anything even gets out,” he said with clenched teeth. “Lot of power players for the city in this room. They’ll picture Derrick being hauled away in handcuffs from now on.” He turned to Barry. “This is unacceptable.”

Barry nodded with his phone to his ear. “Agreed,” he said in a clipped tone. He turned his focus to the phone. “Clifford? Barry. They made it public. Yeah.”

Sarah laced her hands together and felt her sisters close to each side. “We need to leave before people start asking questions.”

Robin put an arm around her shoulders. “Let’s go up to Tony’s office. Maxine can disband the party.”

The emotions she’d put on hold to keep a brave face for Derrick started to come back. Her knees knocked together, and it was all she could do to hold the sob in before she got out of the ballroom. She covered her mouth with her hand and picked up the pace, running by the time they neared the elevators. As soon as she was safely inside with just Robin, she collapsed against her and let the sobs out.