Gorgeous: Book One (Gorgeous #1) - Lisa Shelby Page 0,17

I can get the team out front, that should do the trick."

"I love surprises, I'd love to help."

"You love surprises, do you?"

"Let me rephrase that," I correct myself. "I love surprising other people. I hate to be on the receiving end of surprises."

"Duly noted, Miss Adams." He holds his arm out in front of us and ushers me off the beautiful patio and into the kitchen. I follow him to the dining room where some of the guests are still standing and chatting while the others appear to be in the sitting room, enjoying after dinner drinks. This is where we find Evelyn.

We split up and go our separate ways. Joining Gloria and David on the opposite side of the room, he speaks under his breath, preparing them for the surprise. We both watch each other from across the room, and just before he nods his head to give me the all clear to proceed with his plan, he tilts his head again and that tiny smile graces his features one more time.

Just like minutes ago on the patio, this new move of his elicits a giggle out of me, and shaking my head, I take his queue and tap Evelyn on the shoulder.

"Excuse me, Evelyn."

"Yes, dear. Is everything okay?"

"Yes, everything is fine. We just need you in the kitchen if you have a moment?"

She gives her pardon and follows me into the kitchen. Once there, I realize I have no reason to have her back here with me, so I improvise.

"What is it, dear? What can I help you with?" She's glancing around the kitchen, looking for the fire to put out, but of course, comes up short.

Well, I was going to do this at some point tonight, why not now?

"Evelyn, I wanted to have a moment alone to tell you how much I appreciate you taking me under your wing. I know there is no way to ever replace you, but the fact you were kind enough to teach me all that you can will always mean the world to me. I cannot thank you enough."

"Oh, sweet girl, you don't have to thank me. I'll just be sitting at home bored, so if you ever need anything, you just ring me up, and I'll be here if you need me. You're going to do great, though..."

"Excuse me, ladies," Baxter says from the doorway. "Mr. McKinley is asking for you."

Baxter, I have learned this past week, is nearly always around. He calls himself Mr. McKinley's driver, but I’m certain this is not his only job title. The two men have a short-hand with each other unlike anything I have seen before. Besides, he is all muscles and far too fit to be a driver. There is clearly more to him than his title.

We follow the large “driver” to the front door, and Evelyn can see that all of the other rooms are now empty, and a genuine worry is starting to cloud her face. "Baxter, what's happened? Why has everyone left?"

"Miss Evelyn, I think the answer you're looking for is right outside." He opens the front door and then steps aside, and she stops short on the front steps.

"What have you done?" I hear her ask, but I can't see anything from where I stand in the entry way.

I can hear his smooth voice coming from the driveway, but I don't know what he's saying. Evelyn takes a few steps down the stairs, and I'm able to sneak up into the doorway to see what the surprise is all about.

Parked below, with a big red bow atop it, is a silver Lexus ES 350. It's now, I can hear the end of the speech being given by tonight’s host.

"...And I also thank you not only for the wonderful work you have displayed over the years, but I thank you for being such an important person in my life. You are and will always be family to me..." He then opens his arm to acknowledge the group of people standing with him. "...And to all of us. We hope your retirement will be all you hope for, but we also hope that you miss us terribly."

Everyone in front of her lifts their champagne classes when he shouts, "To Evelyn!"

And the rest of us repeat, "To Evelyn!"

She finishes her trip down the steps and is embraced by her friends. I take advantage of this moment to retreat back into the house. If I didn't find the task of taking her place