Delsey nodded as she put a jeweled pin on Merrie’s head. “There. Darlin’, you could grace the cover of a fashion magazine,” she said with genuine praise. “You look lovely.”
“You’re sure I won’t embarrass Ren in this dress?” she asked worriedly.
“I’m positive. Okay, grab your coat. Time to go.”
“My knees are shaking, I’m so nervous. I don’t know anything about parties or dancing. I’ve never even been kissed in my whole life!”
Delsey took a breath. “Well, at least you’ll know about two of those things when you get home, right?” she teased. “I wish I could be here so you can tell me all about it. I’ll be at the hospital with my neighbor. But you can tell me tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay. That’s a promise. Thanks so much, for taking me to get the dress, and for helping with the makeup and my hair.” She shook her head. “I’m just clueless.”
“These things take time. You’re going to do fine. But if Angie comes after you, don’t you stand there and take it, you hear me?” she added firmly. “Bullies are full of hot air. You fight back and watch how quickly their superior attitude deflates.”
Merrie smiled. “I’ll remember.”
“Go have fun.”
*
AS LONG AS she lived, Merrie would never forget the look on Ren’s face when he saw her on the staircase.
He’d been looking at something on the screen of his iPhone, but when he heard her coming down the steps, he looked up. His mouth fell open. His eyes absolutely ate her up from head to toe in the elegant red silk dress with its black frog closures and high neckline and side slits.
“I know it’s not quite the conventional thing to wear to a party. Even a fancy one,” she faltered.
He moved closer. He was striking in a dinner jacket, his hair combed, the faint odor of expensive cologne coming from him, along with the clean smell of soap. He looked devastating.
He lifted his hand and touched her cheek. “You look beautiful, Meredith,” he said quietly. “Absolutely beautiful.”
She flushed and averted her eyes. “Thanks,” she said softly.
He laughed softly. “All right, I’ll stop staring. Let’s go, honey.”
Her heart jumped half a foot at the gentle endearment. He took her hand into his big one and held it tightly as they walked out the front door to where his red Jaguar was parked.
“It’s gorgeous!” she enthused.
He smiled as he helped her into the car. “I don’t like sports cars as a rule, but this one is exceptional.”
He got in behind the wheel, fastened his seat belt, made sure hers was fastened and pushed the button that cranked the car.
“No car key?” she asked, shocked.
“It’s a smart key.” He pulled the fob out of his pocket and showed it to her. “All electronic. It just has to be somewhere in the car, or in your pocket, to work. There’s no real key that goes in the ignition. Put on the brakes, push the start button and go.”
“I’ve never ridden in a Jag,” she confessed, fascinated with the wood on the panel and the console. “So many controls! It’s like the cockpit of a jet!”
He chuckled. “When we hit the highway, you’ll think you’re in one.”
He pulled up to the gate, used his electronic device to open it, drove the car through and closed the gate behind them. Beside the gate, a camera was at work displaying his image to the computer tech in the bunkhouse.
“Here we go,” Ren said, putting the car in gear.
It shot forward on the deserted highway, growling like the jungle beast for which it was named.
“Gosh!” Merrie felt her stomach drop at the speed. “It’s fast!”
“Fast, elegant and very safe. Jags are individual. They have quirks. Sometimes they purr, sometimes they roar. Sometimes they just want off the leash.” He pushed down on the gas.
“Can we go back for my stomach?” she asked with a grin.
“Leave it there. We’ll get it on the way home.”
She just laughed.
*
THE HOUSE WAS ELEGANT for a rural area. It was huge, and it looked as though every light inside had been turned on. There was valet parking at the front door of the brick mansion with its flat facade and high roof.
“All that expense to build it, and no front porch.” She sighed. “It’s just sad.”
“Some people don’t like porch swings.”
She looked up at him and laughed. “I guess not.”
“You do,” he teased.
She nodded. “We have a swing and all sorts of furniture that moves. Sari and I could never sit still, so Mandy made sure we had movable things to sit on.” She bit her lower lip, staring at the door. “Will there be a lot of people?” she asked worriedly.
He slid his hand into hers and curled it close. “Don’t worry about the people,” he said softly. “I’ll keep you safe.”
She tingled all over. Her heart jumped up into her throat at the way he was looking at her. She felt as if she might melt right there at his feet.
He saw that emotion in her. He felt it in himself. He held her hand tighter and led her into the house.