“I did something really stupid…” She took a shuddery breath.
“You don’t have to run away, Anne. You have friends who love you. If you’re pregnant, I’ll help you raise the baby. Antonio will too.”
“I’m not pregnant. It’s almost worse than that.”
“What is it?” Rayna’s eyes were round as saucers.
“I fell in love with Steven Gherring!”
“What?”
“Anne Best… countrified widow, mother of two, from Weatherford, Texas. And I fell in love with billionaire Steven Gherring.” She laughed bitterly. “I know. I couldn’t believe it either. I kept trying to convince myself it wasn’t true.”
“Doesn’t he kind of like you too?”
“No. He’s dating Ellen. I ought to know. I’m the one who matched them together. Just like you and Antonio. And Steven was… he was… you know… with her. And what am I supposed to do now? Huh?” Her voice rose to a hysterical pitch.
“You should go upstairs and go to sleep and decide in the morning what to do. My mother always told me you shouldn’t make an important decision in the heat of passion.”
Anne’s mouth dropped open. “I always said that to my girls too.”
“So you’ll stay? At least until tomorrow?”
“Rayna, I need to get away now. If I stay, I might betray my friendship with Ellen and do something with Steven Gherring I’d regret for the rest of my life.”
She hugged Rayna, who wiped her wet cheeks with her sleeve. “Please don’t go.”
“I have to,” Anne said, picking up the carry-on bag she’d dropped on the floor. “I don’t belong here. I don’t know where I belong…”
“You belong with me.” Steven's voice sent a warning ripple through her body. He stood in the doorway, barring her chance of escape.”
Her heart began to thunder in her chest. “No, I—”
“I took the liberty of paying off your taxi. But my car is outside. I’ll drive you to the airport.” He picked up her bag and took her by the arm, leading her toward the waiting limo.
Over his shoulder he said, “Thank you, Rayna. I appreciate your help.”
“Rayna!” Anne cried, gazing accusingly at her friend.
Rayna silently mouthed, “Sorry,” but she had a traitorous grin on her face.
Inside the warm car interior, Steven sat across from Anne. She tucked her jacked around her, hugging herself for comfort. He smiled at her.
“It’s a long ride. You should take off your coat and get comfortable.”
She didn’t respond but sat staring at her feet. He followed her gaze.
“Nice boots. But I really like those sexy sandals you had on earlier.”
She refused to answer. Even talking was dangerous with Steven Gherring.
“I must say, you’re very difficult to converse with. Either you talk so fast you don’t let me get a word in edgewise, or you refuse to talk at all.”
“There’s nothing to say.”
“Then why don’t you ask your questions again, and actually listen to the answers this time?”
She closed her eyes. “I’m not asking any more questions, because I don’t want to know the answers.”