CHAPTER 21
The Gala was spectacular. It was like something out of a movie and more elegant than I could have imagined. I had taken the plastic crown from my hair in the car, but there were several women wearing actual diamond tiaras in their hair. This was not only the award ceremony for the Champion of Champions Invitational, but also one of the biggest social events of the year. Everyone was dressed to the nines.
A string quartet played in a corner, and the dance floor was already beginning to fill with women in beautiful dresses and men in tuxes. I watched the dancers as they waltzed around on the black and white checkered floor, the heavy red, velvet curtains not even moving as skirts swished past. I recognized the back of Robbie's head, even though his sandy hair was cut short. I stepped forward, working my way toward him when I noticed his dance partner.
She was beautiful. Not model beautiful, but real-life, girl-next-door beautiful with long dark hair and curves that seemed to stretch into infinity. I wondered how Robbie knew her when he leaned down and kissed her. A hot wave of anger rushed through me until he turned.
It wasn't Robbie, just someone who looked a lot like him. It was Robbie's older brother, Jack. I had met him on several occasions, but he was a full six years older than Robbie and hadn't wanted to hang out with little kids.
The two brothers were built nearly the same: tall with light eyes and soft, sandy brown hair. Robbie had his mother's smile, whereas Jack took more after his father. Still, the family resemblance was strong enough that it had caught me off guard for a moment.
"You think I was kissing someone else?" Robbie's teasing voice whispered from behind my ear. I turned to see him grinning at me. He had gotten his hair cut, but not near as short as Jack's. I swallowed hard, enjoying the look of him in a tux. Years of sailing had him trim and fit, and the tux fit like a second skin. Even with the sling holding his arm, he looked amazing.
"What are Jack and Emma doing here?" I asked back, ignoring his question and hoping I wasn't blushing too badly. He kissed my cheek, being careful not to smudge my makeup.
"They came to celebrate our victory. Winning the biggest private race in the U.S. doesn't happen every day. Rachel and Dean are here too." He grinned. "By the way, you look gorgeous when you’re angry."
I stuck out my tongue at him and then glanced around looking for Rachel. I saw her dancing with an attractive, dark-haired man. She laughed and put her head on his shoulder as they spun gently to the music. I noticed that despite the ample room on the dance floor, they didn't stray far from Jack. I turned back to Robbie, touching his good shoulder lightly.
"Are you okay?" I asked him. "You seemed off earlier."
He shrugged. "I had some thinking to do. I'll tell you about it later."
I frowned slightly, opening my mouth to push him further on it; I wanted to know what was going on in his head, but Rachel was suddenly next to me with her hand on my shoulder. The man she was dancing with hung back slightly, his bright blue eyes scanning the room.
"Congratulations, you two!" Rachel exclaimed, pulling me into a hug. She was gorgeous in a cream-colored satin gown, her hair piled up on her head in long, romantic curls. "I'm so proud of you both!"
I felt a blush creep across my face as she let me go. She had always seemed like Robbie's older sister, and hearing she was proud of us was rewarding. She stepped back and gestured to the handsome man she had been dancing with.
"Sam, I don't think you've met Dean," Rachel said with a smile. She looked up at Robbie. "He's my fiancé."
Robbie's eyebrows raised, but he gave her a warm smile before extending his hand to Dean. "Congratulations. You take good care of her, or I'll make sure Jack fires you. I'd say I'd do something about it, but with the arm, I think you'd win." I gave Robbie a confused look and he added, "Dean is Emma's bodyguard."
Dean laughed and released Robbie from the handshake. "I'd be more afraid of what Emma would do to me."
I could tell there was more to that story, but I would just have to ask Robbie about Rachel and Dean later.
"Did I hear my name?" a sweet, female voice piped up. Jack and the lovely woman he had been kissing joined our little circle.
"Dean was just saying how he's afraid of you," Robbie told her with a wink for Dean.
She placed her index fingers together in front of her lips like an evil villain. "Excellent. He should be."
Rachel laughed, and Dean wrapped an arm protectively around her waist. There was more than enough security at The Gala, but he still gave off a hunting cat vibe. I pitied anyone who would try to take him on to get to Rachel or Emma.
Emma turned to me, extending a jeweled wrist. "I don't think we've been properly introduced. I'm Emma, Jack's wife."
I took her hand, surprised at the strength of her handshake. "Sam. It's nice to meet you."
Emma smiled, her pretty features even brighter. "I feel like I've already met you. Robbie won't stop singing your praises."
I could feel the blush creeping up my cheeks again. Robbie took my hand and gave it a squeeze, a smile gracing his features.
"Can I get you a drink, Sam?" Robbie asked quickly, saving me from my blush. I nodded fiercely.
"Yes, please. I'd love one," I answered quickly. I already was nervous about receiving a trophy in front of all these people, and a drink sounded wonderful. Robbie gave my hand a last caress before disappearing off into the crowd.
Emma watched him go, a smile on her face. "Robbie is completely smitten with you, Sam. In the time I've known him, I've never seen him this happy. He's even been getting along with Jack because of it."
"I would have thought pigs would fly before the two of us could have a civil conversation, but he has actually been pleasant to be around," Jack added. "He's even shown some business initiative."
I frowned slightly and exaggerated looking out the closest window. "I don't see any pigs with wings out there..."
The members of our small group laughed.
"I'm actually quite smitten with him too. But I've always gotten along with Jack, so that's nothing new." I grinned at Robbie's older brother and he rolled his eyes at me with a smile.
"You two always were good together," Rachel said, leaning against Dean. "Depending on Robbie's arm, what are you planning to do next racing season?
"Take over the world," Robbie answered, jumping back into the conversation. He handed me a flute of champagne and then wrapped his good arm around my waist. "Despite the arm, I have big plans for us."
I looked up at him, my brows coming together in a silent question, but he just smiled.
"I believe it's time for the awards," he said, changing the subject.
We all turned to face the front of the room where three trophies stood on display. The barrel-chested man with the beard from the skipper's pre-race meeting was tapping on a microphone to gather everyone's attention to the small stage. The lights dimmed as he began speaking, a spotlight focusing the attention of the room to him.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Champions Gala," he boomed out across the room. "Thank you all for coming to this time honored tradition. I won't bore you all with a speech on the history of the race or of this gala because I know you are all here just to have a good time and celebrate the end of an amazing racing season. With that in mind, I'd like to present the winners of the Champion of Champions Invitational with their trophies."
The room grew quiet. He looked out at the audience with clear eyes, appearing completely at ease with addressing a room of socialites and billionaires.
"This was a difficult race this year. Three vessels capsized, several were severely damaged, and many ended up returning to harbor. As such, the winners circle is small this year." He pulled a small piece of paper from inside his tuxedo jacket and read aloud.
"In third place, with a time of forty-five hours, twenty-seven minutes, and twenty-one seconds is: Seas the Day!"
Applause filled the ballroom as two young men sauntered up to the dais to accept a small bronze colored trophy. One of the winners raised it above his head in triumph before walking from the stage. The announcer waited patiently until the applause died down to announce second place.
"In second place, with a time of forty-two hours, thirteen minutes, and forty-seven seconds is: The Gauntlet!"
Polite applause sounded as Thomas Grant and the pretty Sarah Parish stepped up on the stage to accept their silver trophy. The lack of enthusiasm from the audience told me that most of the guests felt the same way as I did about Grant. Sarah smiled at everyone in the room, but Grant looked as though he smelled something unpleasant as he took the second place trophy and then stomped off the stage.
Silence filled the room as the announcer again took the spotlight.
"And in first place, with a time of twenty five hours, thirty three minutes, and two seconds: Avery's Hope!"
Robbie pushed me toward the stage, holding my hand in his and keeping me from tripping on my pretty green dress. Thunderous applause shook the room as the announcer handed me the giant silver Champion's Cup. Robbie's and my names was inscribed on the base below previous winners. Just seeing my name listed with the top names in sailing my head feel light.
I smiled out at a sea of smiling faces as camera flashes scorched my vision. My face was frozen into a smile, my brain unable to get any other emotion onto my face. My hands were shaking and sweaty trying to hold onto the trophy. I had won races before, but the crowds had never given me this level of attention. I was very glad Robbie was at my side, his shoulder against mine, giving me support.
"Thank you all for attending. Have a wonderful evening, everyone, and good luck for next year!" the announcer cried out over the applause. The lights came back on, but my eyes were still blurry from all the camera flashes. Robbie stepped off the stage and lent me his hand to help me down the stairs so I wouldn't trip on my dress.
Together we posed for several more photos with the Champion's Cup, and then a man with white gloves carefully took it from me to put back up on the display. People seemed to be coming from all directions to congratulate me on my win and tell me how much they were looking forward to seeing me race again in the summer. I felt Robbie's lips caress my head, and then he disappeared behind me, letting me enjoy the attention and glory of winning the Champion of Champions Invitational.
***
I finally broke away from the throng of well-wishers, darting off into a hallway and ducking around the corner. The hallway was cool and open after the warmth of the ballroom, and it felt good to have some space around me that wasn't full of satin gowns and suits.
At the end of a darkened hallway, peering out a window overlooking the lake, was Robbie. His good arm was up against the window, and he cast a fine silhouette with his dark suit and strong lines. Even with the sling on his arm, he looked handsome.
I put my hand on his shoulder and looked out the window, following his gaze. Boats bobbed peacefully in the harbor, a sliver of moon casting silver light across the waves. It was beautiful and serene. He turned and smiled at me, the soft light from an open door catching the green of his eyes.
"Enjoying your moment in the spotlight?" he asked, straightening from the window.
"Yes, but I'd like to have you with me. You won this race just as much as I did."
Robbie turned to face me, wrapping his good arm around my waist and pulling me in to him. His lips grazed my hairline, his voice soft and low.
"It's bittersweet for me in there," he said gently. I looked up questioningly, and he released me and turned back to the window. "The doctor says my arm will never be what it was. The tendon ripped, and he's not sure it's going to heal properly. He says I will probably never sail again like I used to."
I pushed gently at his shoulder to make him face me. "So get another doctor's opinion. This is a small town; there has to be another doctor who can do something."
A smile ghosted across his face as he shook his head. "Jack had this doctor flown in specifically for me. He's the leading specialist in elbow injuries, usually with football quarterbacks, but he knows what he's talking about. It was a bad break, Sam."
"Oh, Robbie..." I whispered. He turned back to the window to stare at the water.
I knew what sailing meant to him. I knew how much he loved to be out on the water by himself, reliant on only his skill and strength. The idea that he might never sail that way again, or even the time it would take to regain that independence, broke my heart. He was a bird with a broken wing, staring at the open sky and wishing he could once again fly.
"It's okay. We won, right? And I can still sail. I just won't be able to use my arm like I used to. I'll adapt." Robbie turned and put his hand on my shoulder, his face serious in the dim light. "I wanted to ask you something, though. Would you still be with me if I could never sail again?"
I put my hands on either side of his face, looking deep into his eyes so he would see the truth in my words. "Yes. I love you, Robbie. Not your sailing ability. If it were a choice between you and sailing, you would win every time." I smiled at him. "The reason I fell in love with sailing in the first place is because I got to do it with you. I would love anything as long as I'm with you.
Robbie's eyes sparkled with heartfelt tears like the ocean in the sun. He leaned forward and kissed my lips softly.
"I love you, Samantha Conners. More than you will ever know. I am a lucky man to have you," he whispered, reaching up to caress my cheek.
I leaned into his hand, feeling the hard sailing calluses against my skin. "You're damn right, you are." I took his hand in mine and kissed it, smiling up at him. "I think I'm pretty lucky, though, too."
Robbie's mouth opened in a wide smile, and he gently curled his hand around the back of my neck and pressed his smile against mine. My heart ached with happiness. I was made of moonlight and joy when I was with Robbie.
"Let's get back to the party," Robbie whispered as we broke apart. "I'd like to dance with you, and since you never let me lead anyway, I think I'll be fine with just one hand."
I laughed and took his hand in mine, the two of us walking away from the dark window and back toward the bright hallway. "You're the one who taught me how to dance in the first place. I only learned the leading part because you taught it to me. You were just too good of a teacher."
The ballroom spilled out light, soft music, and a gentle murmur of laughter. Robbie raised his hand, and I spun in a neat twirl as we stepped through the open doors. Together we waltzed into the ballroom, whirling and dancing as one.
***
The water splashes against the hull of my boat, a soft, comforting sound. The sky is bright blue without a cloud in sight. I am at peace. This part of the dream is always pleasant. I like this part of the dream. Evan is alive and happy with Grace. Mom and Dad are safe at home, and we are going to have meatloaf for dinner.
I frown. Mom and Dad are not at home. They are in Heaven. So is Evan. I have never had this happen in the dream before. I always lose them.
The wind plays with the sails, the soft, flapping sounds of the canvas merging into a gentle lullaby with the waves. This isn't right either; the wind is usually a hurricane gale that I can't control.
"Come sail with me, Sam." Robbie's voice echoes through my dream, deep and masculine.
I turn to see him sitting in my boat. The breeze ruffles his sandy hair, and his green eyes are as deep as the ocean. He's perfect. He smiles at me, and the world grows brighter. The blue sky is somehow more vivid, and the water is somehow richer.
"Come sail with me," he repeats, his smile brighter than the sun. There are no storms when I'm with Robbie.
I smile back at him, and take the helm. Together we sail into the horizon on calm waters.