A Convenient Proposal - By Lynnette Kent Page 0,68

heading toward the wedding reception at the country club. A limousine pulled up at the curb to collect the bridesmaids and groomsmen, and in the general confusion, Arden and Griff headed for the Jaguar.

“We’ll party for a little while,” he promised as they drove. “But I want a few minutes alone with you during the evening. We need to talk.”

“Yes,” Arden said quietly. “We do.”

Chapter Fourteen

“One thing you can always count on at the club,” Jake Campbell announced at dinner. “Decent food.”

Arden smiled, and the rest of the family signaled their agreement. They had all been seated together again, but not at a table tucked into a corner this time.

“A ringside seat,” Griff had commented as they sat down. “Right on the dance floor and with a direct line of sight to the head table. I guess it pays to be nice to the bride and groom.”

The wedding reception was everything Zelda could have hoped for, Arden thought—beautiful, delicious and crowded. Red and white flowers emerged from tall vases on the tables and a red rose lay across each dinner plate. Confetti made up of tiny red and white foil hearts had been sprinkled across the white tablecloths. The new Mr. and Mrs. McPherson had given all their guests a memorable Valentine’s Day evening at no charge. Their wedding would, Arden suspected, be remembered for years.

She knew she would remember laughing with the Campbell family all during the meal, dancing with Griff and pretending—just for a couple of hours—that she could share the rest of his life.

Her final dance with his father would not be easily forgotten. He had asked and she had hesitated.

“Afraid of me?” he said, with a challenge in his eyes.

“Of course not.” But she was, and he probably knew it when she put her cold fingers into his warm hand.

He didn’t say anything for a few minutes, leading her with his expert grace through some fairly complicated steps. Then he drew back so they could see each other. “You’ve improved.”

“There have been several dances since that first one,” she reminded him. “Griff and I have practiced.”

“And, of course, you have a natural sense of rhythm. You would have to, in order to play so well.”

“Yes.” Here we go, she thought.

“I’m sorry to hear you’re losing your hearing,” he said. “That’s a tragedy for your fans, as well as a personal loss.”

“Thank you.” She looked over his shoulder, trying to hide her surprise.

But he could read her as easily as Griff did, it seemed. “Didn’t think I could be human, did you?”

“I wasn’t sure. But Rosalie married you, so I knew you must have a soft spot somewhere.”

“Touché.” He sent her into a spin and brought her back again. “You’ve been good for Griff.”

“I’m glad.”

“I know he’s been restless. Small town veterinary practice isn’t the most exciting life path, being composed of hard work and never enough time off.”

“But there are rewards in helping the animals and their owners.” She had driven with Griff out to check on Rajah one afternoon. Though the stallion’s wound was still healing, he was back to his energetic, magnificent self.

“I like it. Griff thought he might want something different, I think. Or somewhere different. That was one of the issues between him and Zelda. But since you’ve been here, I’m getting the feeling he sees himself settling down.”

Arden blinked hard. “I think he’s seen his hometown in a new light. Less of a burden, more of a blessing.”

“His mother and I would like that.” The song came to a close and Jake slowed their steps to a halt. Then, to Arden’s surprise, he bent low over her hand, pressing a kiss on her knuckles. “And we thank you,” he said.

Speechless with astonishment and emotion, Arden returned to their table with her dance partner this time, instead of running off to the restroom. Jake made sure she had champagne, then solicited his wife’s hand for the next dance, and they left her alone at the table for a moment. As she scanned the crowd, she couldn’t find Griff. But his sisters were mingling at different places around the ballroom. Dana, in her bright orange gown, was talking to friends whose sons played soccer with her own. Lauren, wearing bright blue, was deep in discussion with her best friend, probably about a new cooking venture they hoped to launch on the internet. Kathy seemed to be showing off her elegant maternity evening dress in green silk to a circle of mothers-to-be. Not that