“Why, thank you, Mr. Montgomery.” She fluttered her lashes at Logan and graced him with a smile.
“You’re quite welcome.”
“And you’re quite married,” Colin muttered and not so discreetly slid his grasp to her hand, disengaging Logan’s grip and marking his territory.
She tried to tug her hand free but he held on fast. “I didn’t know you were the jealous type,” she said under her breath, suddenly enjoying his possessiveness.
“I didn’t know that about him, either.” Logan laughed.
And though Rina recognized good-natured ribbing between friends, she had the unexpected urge to protect Colin from any jokes directed his way. “I’ve heard so much about you from Emma, too. Where’s Catherine? I’ve been looking forward to meeting her.”
“Her company, Pot Luck, is catering this party.” Pride filled his voice, and it was obvious no woman could compete for Logan Montgomery’s affection except his wife. “She’s going crazy keeping things running smoothly, but as soon as she comes out of the kitchen, I’ll bring her by.”
“Please do.” It was a lucky woman who had not just her husband’s love but his approval to do or be anything she wanted. Catherine had both, and even without knowing the other woman, Rina was glad.
“As for you, Gran…” Logan turned to his grandmother.
“I’d hoped you’d forgotten all about me,” Emma said, a wistful note in her voice.
“Stan Blecher wants to take you to the Boston Pops and you can’t keep running off and ignoring the man. He’s a federal court judge, and much as I don’t get swayed by status, you can’t be rude. You’ll dig a hole for the Judge and for yourself,” he said pointedly.
Rina sensed the friction and undercurrents between grandmother and grandson but wasn’t sure of the cause. As if sensing her unasked question, Colin leaned in closer. “Emma has problems with her son. Logan asked me to get Emma a job with the paper so that the Judge wouldn’t put her in a retirement home,” he whispered.
“You got Emma a job?” Rina asked, surprised by the news.
“He did it as a favor. Because my son’s a stuffed shirt.” Emma sniffed, her regal nose in the air, yet her caring tone proved she loved her only child anyway. “But his colleague’s a lecher.”
Logan shook his head. “Not accurate, Gran. His last name’s Blecher and you’re just being rude. Now come back inside before Dad gets wind of this.”
“Oh, all right. But I’m going to redirect his attention, of that you can be sure.” Emma placed her weathered hand on Rina’s cheek. “I’m so glad you’re here. We’ll talk later.” She sashayed away with grace, her dress trailing on the floor behind her.
“I should go watch out for her,” Logan muttered. “I’ll find Cat and we’ll meet up again soon,” he promised Rina, then disappeared into the crowd.
Rina smiled. “I love Emma and Logan’s family dynamics. And as for your connection to them, I didn’t know you’d gotten Emma her position at the paper.” She met his gaze, knowing it was impossible to hide the respect she’d just gained for him and not caring if he saw.
“Are you saying you didn’t know I had a kind streak?” His husky voice reverberated in her ear.
“Not any more than I knew you had a jealous one.” She just now realized he still held her hand in his grasp, his thumb tracing erotic circles inside her palm. She shivered, unable to control the impulse.
“I enjoy your sense of humor, Rina. And I enjoy you.”
And she enjoyed him. Too much, she thought. Though she’d already chosen him as
the man with whom she’d set herself free, she still needed to protect her heart. No matter how charming, the man was a wanderer capable of leaving on a whim.
Already she knew Colin wouldn’t be a man easy to forget. “I need a drink.”
“Cat makes a delicious punch. Come on.”
After finishing a glass of sherbet-and-champagne-laced punch, Rina relaxed. She held another glass in her hand and, with Colin close by her side, she was enjoying the party. “So tell me more about getting Emma that job.”
“What’s to tell?” Colin shrugged. “About a year ago, Logan called and asked me for a favor. Everyone adores Emma, so I talked Joe into hiring her.”
“You did more than that. You saved her from her meddling self.”
He merely shrugged, obviously unwilling to admit that he had a caring nature, one that extended beyond Joe, beyond family. With each new fact she learned about Colin, she discovered an intriguing side, making her want to know more.
“I got her a desk job. I didn’t know she’d end up writing a singles column though.” His eyebrows furrowed, aggravation plain on his face.