Summer Nights (Fool's Gold #8)

“I’m the tallest girl in the room. Trust me, that’s not attention I want.”


“I’m short, so I know there’s an advantage to being the tallest girl. But you don’t use it.”

Charlie drew in a breath. “I know what beautiful is. My mother. I’m nothing like her.”

“There are all kinds of beauty.”

But Annabelle could tell Charlie didn’t believe her. Charlie’s mother was a petite, graceful ballerina. That could intimidate anyone, let alone a tall, gawky girl. Add the horrible date rape to the mix and it made sense that Charlie avoided anything remotely feminine. But with their guests arriving in the next few minutes, this wasn’t the time for that conversation.

They checked on the food, hit Play on the remote to start the music and then suffered through three minutes of “What if everyone hates our party” jitters before Heidi and May arrived.

“It’s perfect,” May announced, glancing around at the room. “I love it.”

“Me, too,” Heidi said. “I’m nervous. Why am I nervous?”

“Because you haven’t had champagne,” Charlie said, giving both women hugs.

One of the servers opened the first bottle of champagne and started to pour. Annabelle passed out glasses.

In the next twenty minutes the rest of the guests arrived. The Hendrix triplets were there, along with their mother, Denise. Mayor Marsha, Charity Golden, Pia and their resident famous author, Liz Sutton. Rina McKenzie, recently married to the local vet Cameron, arrived with Julia Gionni of the feuding Gionni sisters.

As more women arrived, Annabelle made sure she was by the door to collect the gifts and guide guests to the champagne. Conversation and laughter drowned out the music.

Once everyone had their drink, Charlie proposed a toast to the bride-to-be. The buffet was set out and people lined up to get food. The tables filled quickly as everyone settled in for dinner.

Annabelle found a seat by Charity. The city planner wore her hair in a cut bob with bangs.

“You’ve done a great job,” Charity said as Annabelle sat next to her. “I love that Jo’s opened this banquet room.”

“Party room,” Annabelle corrected. “She’s calling it a party room.”

Charity laughed. “Of course she is. I remember when I first moved here, I was so impressed by the idea of a bar catering to women. I wasn’t sure she could make the concept last, but she’s doing great.”

“I know. The first time Charlie and Heidi suggested we have lunch here, I was shocked. I’m not exactly the bar type. But it’s great.”

Charity’s brown eyes widened. “Not the bar type? Really? Because I heard you were dancing on the bar a few weeks back.”

“I keep telling everyone,” Annabelle said, exasperated. “I wasn’t drunk. I was demonstrating the dance of the happy virgin.”

“I wish I’d seen that. Will you be doing it again at the Máa-zib festival?”

“No. That will be the horse dancing. I’m just along for the ride.”

“Too bad. Because I’m guessing a lot of guys would pay to see the happy virgin dance.”

Maybe, but there was only one she was interested in showing it to, she thought.

Charity picked up her champagne, then paused. “Uh-oh. I know that look. Who’s the guy?”

“What guy?”

“I don’t know. The one making you look…” She paused.

Nevada, sitting across from them, looked up. “Sappy,” she offered. “Trust me. I know the look. I get it every time I think of Tucker. It’s humiliating, but inescapable.”

“There’s no look,” Annabelle said quickly, determined to think of something other than Shane. “No guy.”

“That’s not what I heard,” Pia called from another table. “I heard there was travel and hotel. A night at a hotel.”

Several women hooted.

“Details,” someone called out. “We want details.”

May winced. “Not too many. We’re talking about my son, ladies. There are some things a mother shouldn’t know.”

“Oh, good point,” Pia said. “But you can give us generalities.”

Annabelle sprang to her feet. “Oh, look. Heidi’s done eating. Let’s open presents.”

“I’d try champagne,” Charlie murmured, standing to join her. “You’re more likely to distract them with alcohol.”

Fortunately there was a momentary lull in the music so everyone heard Mayor Marsha say, “…bought the radio station.”

“Who bought the radio station?” Pia asked. “Why don’t I get the good gossip anymore? Is it having the kids? They’re worth it, of course, but I miss gossip.”

Mayor Marsha glanced around the room. “A very interesting man has purchased the radio station on the edge of town. His name is Gideon.”

“Oh, like the angel,” Heidi said, obviously feeling her champagne.

“Ah, no,” the mayor said. “He has an interesting past, though. I’m sure you’ll all get to meet him soon enough.”