“Is the pony princess okay with staying at your folks’?” he asked, as he helped her with her evening wrap.
Nodding, Kiley picked up her sequined clutch. “I don’t know who was more excited about her spending the night with them, Emmie or my parents. She has them wrapped around her little finger.”
Josh laughed as he placed his hand to her elbow and guided her out to his car. “She has that effect on just about everyone. She’s an adorable little girl.”
“Thank you,” Kiley said, hoping she had made the right decision to wait until after the funding committee meeting to tell him that Emmie was his daughter.
Kiley jumped when Josh kissed her forehead. “I don’t know what’s running through that pretty head of yours,” he said, helping her into the passenger seat of his Mercedes. “But frowning isn’t allowed this evening. Only smiles.”
As he drove them to the TCC clubhouse for the club’s biggest event of the year, Kiley decided he was right. Even if she hadn’t made the decision to wait to tell him about Emmie, tonight wasn’t a good time. When they talked, they would need privacy and plenty of time to sort everything out.
When Josh stopped the car at the front entrance, he handed his keys to a valet, then came around the front of the car and opened the passenger door for her. “This is beautiful, Josh,” she said, looking around as she got out of the car.
The TCC’s maintenance crew had strung white twinkle lights into an arched tunnel over the entrance for the ball’s attendees to walk through. Complemented by big red velvet bows, the effect was magical.
“Haven’t you attended one of these in the past?” he asked, tucking her hand into the crook of his arm as they started to walk through the tunnel of lights.
“No, I didn’t move to Royal until I graduated from college and Mark wasn’t a member of the club,” she answered as she looked at all the pretty decorations.
“Wait until you see how they’ve decorated inside,” he said, smiling as the doorman opened the big ornate oak entrance door for them. “The club spares no expense in making this the event of the year.”
Inside the foyer gorgeous red and white poinsettias had replaced the usual flower arrangements on the hall tables, and big bows adorned the tops of every doorway. “This is absolutely beautiful,” she said, taking it all in. “How long will they leave it this way?”
“They’ll take everything down the day after New Year’s,” he said as they walked past several groups of couples greeting each other just outside the Grand Ballroom.
“I’m glad it will be like this the day of the children’s Christmas program,” she commented. “It will make everything so much more festive.”
His smile sent a delicious warmth spreading throughout her body. “What day is the program?”
“This coming Tuesday.”
“I’ll make sure I’m free,” he promised, kissing her temple.
“To check up on the use of the extra funds?” she asked.
“No.” He stopped to gaze down at her from his much taller height. “I’ll be there because Emmie is in the program and her beautiful mother will be directing it.”
His low, intimate tone caused her knees to wobble and a delightful little flutter to stir in the pit of her stomach. But it was the spark of desire she detected in his intense gaze that stole her breath and sent a shiver of need streaking up her spine.
To distract herself from the sudden tension gripping her, she pointed toward a couple standing by the doors to the Grand Ballroom. “There’s Piper and her fiancé, Ryan Grant.” Concentrating on the emerald-green gown her friend had chosen the day they went shopping, Kiley walked over to hug her. “You look beautiful, Piper. The gown complements your red hair perfectly.”
“Thank you.” Piper smiled. “I was thinking the same thing about you. I know I told you the other day, but that black dress is gorgeous and looks like it was made just for you.”
While Josh and Ryan talked about the new Western wear store Gordon Construction was building, Kiley smiled at Piper. “Are you feeling a little more confident?”
Piper grinned. “If by that you mean, do I still feel like a fish out of water in a dress, the answer is yes.” She laughed. “But the look on Ryan’s face when he saw me in it for the first time was well worth it.”
Kiley knew what her friend meant. The look of appreciation in Josh’s eyes had been absolutely breathtaking and she knew for certain it was one she would never forget.