A Convenient Proposal(46)

“Nope. Purely an accident. They might have a few qualms about the vaccine, but I suspect Jim will convince her to go for it. Homeschooling is all well and good, but even colleges still look at your shot record before they let you in the door.” He’d expected to provoke a laugh, or at least a smile, but Arden didn’t seem to hear. Or just didn’t get it.

After a minute, though, she returned from wherever her mind had been wandering. “So what’s the secret to going faster with Dorsey, here?”

Griff grinned. “That’s the first step. I never offer to speed up until a new rider asks. Now, for the trot, what you’re gonna do…”

Within a few minutes, Dorsey and Cowboy were trotting along the level stretch of road, with Arden posting as if she’d invented the practice. Cheeks pink with the wind, hair flowing and eyes bright, she was a picture of health and happiness that smote Griff in the heart.

I’d be happy to call Sheridan home, he thought, if Arden Burke would stay here with me.



THAT EVENING, Griff pulled the Jaguar into a line of cars snaking up to the front door of the Patrick home.

“Valet parking,” he said. “Of course.” Instead of his usual relaxed driving position, he sat upright with both hands gripping the steering wheel. He hadn’t smiled even once since picking Arden up at the cottage.

“Tell me about the Patricks,” she suggested. “What should I know to make this ordeal easier?”

“Ted Patrick practices law—personal injury and malpractice cases, mostly. Hence the huge house. His wife, Dee, is Zelda’s mother’s closest friend, president of the Garden Club and the Women’s Club and the Junior League. She pretty much runs the town. Their son works for his dad and their daughter married more money. I think she also does room decorating.”

“Interior design, I believe it’s called.”

“Right.” He tapped the wheel with his fingers. “If we could move on, actually leave the vehicle, then we could get this thing over with.”

Arden shifted in her seat, feeling slightly smothered even in her beautiful, spacious car. Her stomach hadn’t been feeling good all afternoon, and now her muscles ached, no doubt from the two hours she’d spent on Dorsey’s back. Griff had gone to visit Rajah after their ride, so she’d taken a nap, thinking she’d wake refreshed and ready for the party. But she still felt tired.

Perhaps the stress of the situation had made her nervous. She’d been a victim of stage fright occasionally in the past, at especially important concerts. Once she was involved with the music, her nerves and her twinges had always disappeared.

So she agreed with Griff wholeheartedly—they would be better off if they could just get into the house.

They reached the head of the line, finally—the spot in front of the steps, where the car doors were opened by a young man on each side.

“It’s showtime,” Griff muttered, and reached over to squeeze Arden’s hand. Hard.

“Hey, Dr. Griff.” The redhead on the driver’s side shook his hand.

“Hey, Rusty.” Upon emerging from the car, Griff assumed his usual friendly demeanor. “Good to see you.”

“Thanks. Hey, remember my hound, Bo? Thought we’d lost him to distemper, but you pulled him through? You oughta see him these days—ninety pounds of muscle, fit as a fiddle.”

“I’m glad to hear that. You’re keeping him vaccinated now, right?” Coming around the car, Griff put his hand at the small of Arden’s back as they started up the steps.

“Sure thing, Doc. I learned my lesson. And don’t worry— I’ll take good care of your car here.”

“Thanks. There are a few advantages,” he murmured into Arden’s ear, “to having everybody in town know your face.”

“I’m glad you think so.” She was grateful she couldn’t say the same.

Just inside the front door, a man and a woman greeted the guests. “Griff Campbell. Good to see you, son.” From his short, stylish salt-and-pepper hair to his custom-made suit and Italian loafers, everything about Ted Patrick whispered money.

“You, too, Mr. Patrick. Let me introduce you to Arden Burke.”

The attorney’s hands were soft as they closed over Arden’s. “I’m glad to meet you, Arden. Please enjoy yourself this evening.”

Like a stage curtain, Arden’s public persona fell into place without effort. “I’m sure I will. You have a lovely home, Mr. Patrick.”