The Right Bride

Chapter Forty-Five


JENNA PICKED UP Emma and put her on a chair next to a covered painting. Jenna stood next to her with a microphone. Emma didn’t like all the people watching her, but Marti was coming soon and she’d stay with her.

“Ladies and gentleman. As you can see, the paintings we have here tonight are the wonderful creation of world famous artist Sofia Fairchild. The paintings are of her granddaughter, Martina Fairchild. The series was named simply, ‘Martina.’

“As promised, her granddaughter is here with us tonight to present Emma with a special gift. She was taught to paint by her grandmother from the time she was three when she came to live with her grandparents after her parents’ death.”

Cameron sat back, reeling. This was Marti’s story. “Oh my God, Marti is Martina Fairchild.” Cameron had no idea. It was right in front of him the whole time. She’d done Emma’s room and even signed her name. Everyone had given him hint upon hint and he just didn’t put it together.

“Welcome to the party. It’s about time you showed up,” Jack said snidely.

“I can’t believe I’ve been living with the richest woman in the state,” Shelly said, surprised. “She seemed like such a normal, ordinary person.”

“Because you thought she was just Marti. Now you know she’s a Fairchild, so you look at her in a completely different way. She’s rich and powerful and has the world at her fingertips, and that’s all you see.”

Jenna’s introduction continued. “Although she is an accomplished painter in her own right, she’s never before shown any of her paintings like this.

“The world knows her artwork in the form of children’s books she writes and creates the artwork for under the pen name Tina Fair.

“You see, Martina Fairchild is Tina Fair, author of the children’s books Tina’s Travels, which she wrote while fulfilling her grandmother’s final request.

“She spent a year traveling the world by sailboat, or ‘pirate ship’, as Emma would say, and writing children’s books, so all children would know what it’s like to be in a foreign land.

“In addition to the personally autographed books she’s donated tonight, she has two special edition books to present to Emma.

“Without further ado, I’d like you all to welcome Miss Martina Fairchild, aka Tina Fair, and to those of us who call her friend, Marti.”

Sam opened the side door and Marti stepped into the room and took his arm. Still in a lot of pain, but she’d promised Emma she would come, and she wasn’t about to let her down.

Sam took her arm, supporting her as she walked. The brace helped her knee, but it wasn’t enough. The doctors wanted her on crutches, but she wanted to walk in the room tonight. She wanted to make Emma proud.

Sam leaned into her and whispered in her ear. “Did the doctor numb you up?”

“She gave me several shots in the knee and in my shoulder. I can’t feel either. If you let me fall on my face, I’ll have to steal your gun and shoot you.” She squeezed his arm tighter for support.

She trembled next to him. “No need to worry. I won’t let you fall. You look like a queen.”

“Thank you. Emma and I dressed up like this one night and had a tea party.”

Marti wore her gold gown. The shawl she’d used to wrap Emma in was draped around her back and shoulders hiding the bruises. Atop her head, she wore the diamond and emerald necklace.

They made it to where Jenna stood next to Emma, who was on a chair. Marti stood in front of Emma for a moment and they were face-to-face. She didn’t even acknowledge the applause from the crowd behind her.

“Hello, Sugar Bug. I promised I’d come tonight and nothing would keep me from seeing you. Are you surprised?”

“You wrote the books Aunt Jenna said.”

“Yes, I did. I have some special gifts for you.”

Marti gave Jenna the go-ahead and Sam helped her take her place on the other side of the covered painting beside Emma.

Jenna waited for everyone to stop clapping for Marti’s entrance. The press snapped multiple pictures. They waited for everything to settle down.

Cameron watched closely. He’d seen Marti say something to Emma and she’d smiled. He hadn’t seen that smile in a few days. He wanted to see Emma smiling again like she used to. Sam helped Marti take her place. He didn’t like the way Sam held her in such an intimate way around the waist and close to his side. If he didn’t know Sam, he’d think they were a couple.

“Why the hell is Sam holding onto her like that? Elizabeth is going to kill him.”

Elizabeth stood off to the side of Jenna watching the proceedings. She smiled and clapped along with everyone else. She saw Sam. Why wasn’t she upset?

Jack enjoyed watching Cameron squirm. He’d been assigned to make sure Cameron didn’t make a scene by trying to approach Marti during the benefit. They didn’t want him to accost her like he’d done in the hospital.

“Sam is making sure she doesn’t fall. She’s not supposed to be here, but she made a promise and she’s keeping it. She should be in bed lying down and resting. The doctor had to shoot her up full of drugs to numb her knee and the muscles in her shoulder. She’s been in excruciating pain. It’s amazing what she’ll put herself through to keep a promise.”

“Why the hell doesn’t the doctor just give her some pain pills?”

“I wonder,” Jack said and rolled his eyes.

“Wait till you see this,” Tyler chimed in. “I snuck a peek earlier. You’re about to see something amazing. Seriously, I can’t wait to meet her.”

Cameron glared and held back the fist he wanted to plant in Tyler’s face.

Jenna continued with her announcement. “Martina has never shown one of her own paintings. As a gift for Emma, she painted a very special piece. It commemorates a very special evening in which Emma and Marti had a milkshake tea party. Emma, if you’ll do the honors, unwrap your gift.”

Emma pulled off the cover from the large painting, nearly as big as her. When she saw the painting, she squealed, “It’s our tea party!”

Marti smiled at the little girl and tried to ignore the flashbulbs going off from all the photographers.

“Yes it is, sweetheart. Now you’ll always remember our special night.”

The press went wild over the painting. It showed Marti and Emma sitting on top of a dining room table under a brightly lit crystal chandelier. On the table with them were an elaborate tea set and a plate of cookies. The two looked like princesses in their gold dresses and jeweled crowns. They appeared in the painting as they did tonight.

“Everyone, Martina has another surprise for Emma.” Jenna took the two books being held by the security guard behind her.

“Martina has written two new books, which won’t be available to the public for several months. The books feature Emma.”

Jenna had Emma hold the books in front of her for the press to snap more photos.

Shelly couldn’t believe all the attention Marti was getting. This was Cameron’s charity benefit and he was just sitting there watching. No one paid any attention to them. Jenna had taken over and turned the whole event into a worship-Marti fest.

“I can’t believe Jenna is letting Marti push her books here tonight.”

Jack wasn’t going to let Shelly get away with being rude. “If you’d shut up, you’ll see this has nothing to do with publicity for Marti and everything to do with Emma and this charity benefit.”

“Martina has two advanced copies of the books available for all of you to bid on in the auction. The special edition books will be a limited release. Emma has the first copies, and copies two and three will be in the auction.”

A cheer went up from the children and many of the parents.

Jenna was going to take the books back from Emma, but she wouldn’t let them go. Jenna anticipated her desire to hold onto them and signaled the guard to stay with Emma.

“Martina has also brought along autographed books from the Tina’s Travels series for all of the children here tonight.”

Jenna waited for all the kids to stop cheering again.

“She’s also donated five hundred copies to the Emma Shaw Foundation to be given to the children’s hospital.”

Everyone applauded and Sam helped Marti over to where many of the children waited. She stood talking with them and handing out books to each child with a smile and special word to each of them.

Emma jumped off the chair and ran to Elizabeth with her books. Elizabeth brought Emma back to the table where Cameron sat with Shelly looking perplexed.

“Daddy, look. She put me in the books.”

Emma stood next to her father and showed him the covers.

Cameron read the title, “Tina and Emma’s Pirate Adventure.” The cover showed a picture of Marti’s ship with Marti and Emma standing on deck. The other book’s title was Tina and Emma’s Princess Party. The book cover showed Marti and Emma sitting atop a table having a tea party. The pictures of Marti weren’t an exact likeness, but more a likeness of her as a child Emma’s age. Cameron was surprised, and so very happy for Emma. Marti was an amazing artist and author. He’d read all of her books to Emma and he enjoyed all of the stories himself. It was a pleasure to go on an adventure in the Tina’s Travels books with Emma each night.

“Those books are very special, Emma. Marti loves you very much. Isn’t it amazing, you’re in a book?”

“It’s so cool.”

“It sure is, Emma. May I see the books?” Shelly asked.

“No. You can’t have my things.” Emma ran to Jack and hid behind him.

Jack grabbed Emma and sat her on his lap. He held her in his arms. “It’s all right, sweetheart. You don’t have to let her see them. They belong to you and you can do whatever you want with them.”

“She needs to learn how to share,” Shelly said.

“You take things that aren’t yours.” Emma buried her head in Jack’s tuxedo jacket.

“Emma, honey, what’s the matter with you? Shelly won’t take the books. She just wants to see them.”

Emma didn’t answer. She looked at her aunt instead. “Aunt Elizabeth, can I stay with you tonight?”

“Sure, sweetie. I’ll take you home with me and Uncle Sam can read your books to you and Grace, if she’s still awake when we get home.”

Cameron looked at Elizabeth. “The wedding is tomorrow. I want her at home with me.”

“She doesn’t want to go home with you. I’m taking her home with me.” Elizabeth didn’t care what Cameron said. After what Emma had told them about Shelly and her threatening Emma if she told Cameron what happened with Marti, she wasn’t about to let Emma be alone with Shelly. If Cameron was smart, he’d fix things with Marti and get rid of Shelly by tomorrow.