For Love of Emily Page 14

  Returning to the party was out of the question, so Silver busied herself tidying the kitchen and keeping the supply of hot hors d’oeuvres going. The first thing she did was to prepare another batch of the same canapés as replacement for the tray of snacks she’d ruined. If she couldn’t leave, at least she could be useful. The Harbesons were short-handed and could certainly use her help.

  As Silver bent to remove the tray of toasted cheese puffs from the oven, the kitchen door flew open. She jumped nervously and nearly sent another batch of snacks to an early grave. Platter teetering precariously, Silver managed to keep her balance long enough to get it parked on the top of the stove, but not fast enough to keep from burning her fingers. Sticking a sore finger into her mouth, she turned around to see Carole standing at the door.

  Silver sagged weakly against the counter. “Carole, you almost made me ruin another bunch of goodies.”

  “Where have you been?” Carole asked Silver accusingly. “I brought you here for moral support, and you spend the whole time in the kitchen.”

  “Where have I been? Where have you been? I haven’t seen you since we got here,” Silver pointed out in the same accusatory tone. “You seem to be having a great time without me.”

  “Don’t go starting that again. Colonel H. had the football game going on the TV in the den. We were all in there watching.” Carole reached for one of the cheese puffs. “It’s half time.” She popped a puff into her mouth and continued with her mouth full. “Why aren’t you in there mingling?”

  “I’ve had enough of that for a lifetime,” Silver answered grimly. “I’m just not the mingling type. I’ve decided that I absolutely hate attending gatherings that are larger than four people. With small groups somebody might actually talk to me.” Silver no longer cared if anyone ever spoke to her again, but she was in no mood to argue with Carole about it.

  “How are you going to catch the eye of the dashing Major Thibodeaux by hiding in here? I’d forgotten how gorgeous he is.” Carole popped another puff.

  “He’s already taken,” Silver replied bleakly, tears filling her eyes again.

  “Says who? I saw him giving you a pretty soulful look when he came in. He didn’t look taken to me.”

  “Was that before he kissed the redhead or after?” Silver asked acidly.

  Carole shrugged. “I didn’t see him kiss anybody.”

  “Well, you must have been the only one who missed it. It looked like the real thing to me.” Silver’s voice cracked and one tear rolled slowly down her cheek.

  “Honestly, Silver you give up too easily. Was it just a kiss or a kiss? Just because he’s out with somebody doesn’t mean he’s made a lifetime commitment. It’s Christmas time, there is mistletoe, and people are kissing all over the place. Go back out there and aim those baby blues at him, bat your eyelashes, and he’ll fall at your feet.

  “Oops, David is probably looking for me.” Carole turned to go.

  “Wait a minute. You can take this tray of stuff out.” Saved, Silver thought. She wouldn’t have to face the music until later.

  Carole took the tray and scanned the crowd. “There’s David.” She turned back to Silver. “Remember what I said. Go out and knock him dead.”

  She didn’t want to knock him dead. Maybe the redhead, but not him, thought Silver silently. However, she didn’t act on the inclination.

  Alone in the kitchen again, Silver dabbed at a spill on the counter with a paper towel and set about killing time until Carole and David would be ready to leave. She put together another batch of appetizers and poured another glass of wine.

  After the second glass, life started to look a little better. Silver even thought that she could face the music long enough to deliver the nachos she’d made to the hungry crowd.

  But she didn’t have to deliver them.

  Marianne Harbeson breezed into the kitchen and relieved her of them. “Thanks for making another batch, Silver. You’re a lifesaver tonight.” She whisked the tray from Silver’s hands, and turned to leave. “Would you mind getting some more veggies out of the fridge? We’re running low in the den.” Without waiting for a reply, she deftly balanced the tray with one hand, snagged a bottle of wine with the other, and pushed the door open with her foot.

  Grateful that she didn’t have to return to the noisy revelers, Silver rummaged in the refrigerator until she came up with the several plastic bags of sliced and slivered vegetables. She located another foil party tray and began arranging carrots, celery sticks, and other raw vegetables on it.

  The mechanical motion kept her from thinking as she concentrated on placing each piece with mathematical precision. She took her time to keep from having to confront the crowd or, worse than that, Thad. She spooned creamy, buttermilk dip into a plastic bowl and set it into the center of her carefully arranged geometric design.

  Marianne returned as Silver popped a twig of broccoli into her mouth. “Go back to the party. Thad is asking after you. I didn’t invite you here to put you to work,” Marianne said as she deposited another empty tray on the growing pile on the counter.

  Thad was asking for her? Silver convinced herself it was just to be polite. “Just let me straighten up here, and I’ll be out,” Silver answered reluctantly. She looked forward to returning to the party with as much enthusiasm as she would an execution. “You go ahead and take the veggies out. I’ll be right behind you.” Silver turned to put the rest of the vegetables back into the refrigerator and nearly lost her balance.

  She caught herself by clutching onto the refrigerator door. She tried to stand completely still for a moment. It didn’t work. She swayed, propped up by the open door and realized that she was on the verge of being drunk. The twig of broccoli had been the only thing she’d eaten all night, and that wasn’t enough to counteract the effects of several glasses of wine. She wasn’t normally a drinker, so she wasn’t familiar with the sensation, but if she wasn’t drunk yet, she was headed rapidly in that direction.

  With the discovery that she was tipsy came the realization that she was in no condition to engage in a battle of wits with Thad, or the redhead, for that matter. Silver downed the remains of a warm can of cola that had been left on the counter and stuffed a generous wad of shredded cheese into her mouth. She hoped that the cheese would act to buffer the effects of the alcohol and that the caffeine in the soft drink would clear her head. Of course, she was too late with her ministrations. What might have worked as prevention would not make a cure.

  Silver had managed to calm her whirling head a little, but she was far from clearheaded. She was about to propel herself out into the living room, when she noticed several wooden patio chairs gracing the deck outside the dining room. Certain that she would not be bothered there, Silver slid open the door and slipped quietly outside.

  The icy winter air slapped her cheeks and left rosy hand prints. “Thanks, I needed that,” Silver whispered and sank into the nearest chair. Snug in her knit dress and boots, she wasn’t really cold, and the brisk air quickly cleared her head. Getting rid of the questions and confusion was another matter.

  With the growing clarity of thinking, Silver recalled the last time she had slipped off from a party to sit alone away from a crowd of noisy strangers. Not a very good track record, she thought ruefully. That last time was the time when she had first met Thad. How she wished that day had never happened.

  How she wished that she could feel Thad’s strong arms around her again, his heart beating next to hers. How she wished that she could make up her mind about what she wanted. Silver leaned back in the chair, breathing the ice-laden air. She closed her eyes, trying to squeeze out the sights and sounds of this party and the memory of another.

  ****

  Thad looked up as Marianne threaded her way through her crowded living room. “I told Silver you were looking for her, but she didn’t seem too enthusiastic about joining you. What have you done?”

  Frowning, Thad scanned the crowd. “I don’t have the slightest idea, Mar
ianne. I want to talk to her, but I’ve barely caught a glimpse of her all night. You’d think she was avoiding me.”

  “Well, she’s been helping in the kitchen. Why don’t you go find out what’s eating her?”

  “Thanks, I’ll do that.” Thad excused himself from the group of people he was chatting with and started for the kitchen. Just as he reached the door, he caught a glimpse of bright green in his peripheral vision. He turned to look.

  There, outside in the cold, cold air was Silver. What was she doing out there?

  ****

  The faint click of the door mechanism first alerted Silver to the presence of an intruder. Hoping that if she said nothing she would be left alone, she kept her eyes closed. The ruse seemed to work. Another click sounded, then silence.

  “Is this what you do at every party you go to?” Thad’s rich baritone, molasses-thick drawl intoned. “Hide out in the dark?”

  “I guess I’m just not a party girl,” Silver replied without bothering to open her eyes. “I had hoped you’d go away.”

  “I don’t want to go away. I need to talk to you. I went to the trouble to get Marianne to invite you, and you’ve done nothing but avoid me all night.”

  He had asked Marianne?

  “It wasn’t necessary to go through all those secret maneuvers to get to me. You have my phone number.” Silver opened her eyes and stared directly at him. “What did you want to talk to me about?” Silver continued recklessly. “To break it to me gently?

  “You don’t have to, you know. I’ve already heard your news,” she concluded sharply. Her skin tingled with excitement as he moved closer to her.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I came to apologize.”

  Silver’s eyes flew open with surprise. “For what? Getting engaged without my permission? It’s not necessary. You’re an adult. I saw you kissing her when you came in. You weren’t exactly being discreet by kissing her like that in front of God and everybody.” Silver’s outrage increased with every word. By the time she had finished she was panting with righteous indignation.

  With great effort Silver settled down and added, “I hope you’ll be very happy.” She pushed herself up out of the chair with the intent of going back into the house.

  “You’ll excuse me if I don’t wait for the announcement.” Silver spun around and found herself pointed in the direction of the steps that led to the back yard instead, and stopped, stock-still before she stumbled down them.

  So much for a graceful and speedy exit, she thought ruefully.

  Thad grabbed and caught her elbow, hauling her close to him. “You’re going to stay here and listen to me,” he growled.

  As Silver struggled to escape his relentless grip, rivers of heat rushed from Thad’s hand into her trembling body. He was stronger than she, of course, and captured her other hand, pulling her up against his chest.

  Crushed against the broad expanse of sinew and muscle, so close to his rapidly beating heart, Silver couldn’t think clearly. The scratchy wool of his sweater teased her cheek, and the scent of his aftershave, mixed with his strong manly scent intoxicated her more than the wine ever had.

  “If you let me go, I’ll listen,” Silver managed to say.

  Thad released his steely grip.

  “Say what you have to say,” Silver whispered, chafing her arms where his hands had held her prisoner to try to rub out the feel of his hands against her. Free from him, she was unexpectedly cold. She shuddered with the awareness.

  “You’re freezing out here. Let’s go inside,” Thad suggested, touching his fingertip to Silver’s chin and tipping her head up to him.

  “Don’t touch me!” Silver snapped. She couldn’t bear his hands on her if this was going to be goodbye. It already hurt too much. Wearily, she continued, “I’d rather get this over with in private.”

  How could she think clearly when every time he came near her, all she could think about was being in his arms, having his lips on hers? Silver turned away and leaned heavily against the deck railing.

  “Silver?” Thad’s voice was soft, tentative.

  Could he be so unsure of himself? Silver wondered.

  “I behaved badly. I was a jerk with a capital J the first time I met you, and I didn’t behave much better afterwards.

  “I was embarrassed about jumping to the wrong conclusion about the kind of woman I thought you were. And after I got to know you as you really are, I was even more ashamed. I had a hard time reconciling you with the woman from the party. Even though I enjoyed that night.

  “I wasn’t sure about you and me and Emily. So I treated you even worse to cover up. My pride got in the way of the apology I owed you.”

  “Thank you,” Silver replied coolly.

  “It took me a very long time to realize that you were the girl from the pool party. I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t really look at her that night. I was just alone and lonely. If I had really paid attention to the way you talked, I would have known that you were not who I presumed you to be.

  “Then instead of apologizing to you, I turned the blame all around and tried to make it your fault. I was angry at you for deceiving me.” Thad paused.

  “Deceiving you? I was terrified that you’d remember me, and somehow report my behavior to the school board and I’d lose my job. At the same time, I was hurt that you didn’t recognize me. You’re right — you were the one who jumped to all the wrong conclusions that night. I did nothing to give you the idea,” Silver added bitterly.

  “I deserved that.” Thad continued, “When I met you at school, I thought I recognized you, but I couldn’t place you. You seemed so very proper, just the opposite of the kind of women I thought I’d met that night. So I didn’t make the connection.”

  Thad touched Silver’s shoulder and gently turned her to face him. “Will you forgive me for treating you so badly?”

  “Of course, I forgive you,” Silver whispered huskily.

  In an instant Thad’s lips were on hers and Silver responded to his touch.

  Stop, something told her. Silver struggled to escape his exquisite reach. With great difficulty, she shoved herself out of his arms. “You jerk!” Silver raised her hand to slap him.

  Thad caught her arm in mid swing. “What?” His face registered complete consternation.

  “Don’t you have a fiancée to get back to? I’m sure she must be wondering where you got off to,” Silver reminded him. She was angry at him and angry at herself for responding to his maleness. All she wanted was for him to go away and leave her alone. She turned away.

  Thad pulled her roughly around to face him. “What are you talking about?”

  “Forgotten so soon?” she answered sarcastically. “You know, the redhead you came in with!” Silver yanked herself free. “The one you kissed as you came in the door.”

  Thad looked at Silver with incredulity written all over his face. Rich laughter rumbled from deep inside him.

  It was Silver’s turn to be confused. “I don’t see anything funny in all this.”

  Forcing himself to keep a straight face, Thad answered slowly. “I didn’t come with Major Musselwhite,” he explained, emphasizing the word ‘major’, and laughed again. “We arrived at the same time, in separate cars. We just happened to come through the door together. Her husband, Colonel Musselwhite, I might add, is away on temporary duty, or he would have been with her.”

  “Does he know you’re carrying on with his wife?” Silver insisted stubbornly. “I did see you kissing her, and she was hanging all over you.”

  “She stumbled on the door mat. And if you had aimed your gaze about a foot higher, you would have seen the mistletoe above the door.”

  “Mistletoe?” she repeated blankly. “Who are you marrying, then?”

  “I’m not marrying anyone. Where did you get the idea that I was?” Thad’s eyes narrowed.

  “I heard two women talking. They said there was a rumor going around that you were in the market for a wife. You
know, so you’d have a built-in baby sitter,” Silver replied defensively. “When I saw you together, I just… .”

  “Jumped to the wrong conclusion?” A smile formed in the corners of Thad’s eyes and worked its way to his mouth. “Seems I’m not the only one guilty of that,” he said pointedly. “If I marry someone, for your information, it won’t be because I need a baby sitter.”

  “Yeah, I suppose not.” Not the way Thad kissed. He’d need a real wife. Silver returned the smile. “I guess that makes us even. We’ve both jumped to some pretty wild conclusions.”

  “Too bad there’s no mistletoe out here,” Thad commented, drawing Silver close to him.

  “Really?” Silver raised an eyebrow, but went willingly into his arms. “Why?”

  “Because I have this uncontrollable urge to kiss you.” Thad proceeded to act on his urge.

  Silver twined her arms about him and responded in kind.

  “You’re freezing,” Thad commented as he nuzzled her neck, during a rare moment when he came up for air.

  “Make me warm,” Silver commanded as she smiled into his dark, blue eyes.

  In a heartbeat, Thad’s lips were on hers and he wrapped his arms tighter around her, pressing himself up against her shivering body, transferring his warmth and vitality to her. Slowly the fires of their passion grew until they were ablaze with heat and emotion. Thad pulled his mouth away from Silver’s.

  “Come back,” Silver murmured dreamily.

  “If I do, I won’t be responsible for what happens next,” he stated huskily.

  “I’ll risk it.” Silver stood on tiptoe and pulled Thad’s head down toward her willing mouth.

  Long, intoxicating moments passed as they released the frustrated passions of the past months. When everything had been said with their lips, Thad pulled away and captured Silver’s hands. He pulled her fingertips to his mouth and rained tiny kisses on them.

  “You know what this means, don’t you?” Thad’s voice was thick with emotion.

  “No. What?”