The Expectant Executive

When the elder Elliott approached, it was like watching the parting of the Red Sea. The family divided into two groups, and just as Travis imagined happened thousands of years ago, a hushed silence reigned. Not even the smallest child present made a sound.

“A wee babe is a grand event and we welcome another addition to the family,”

Maeve said, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

Stepping forward, Fin smiled and hugged her mother. “Thank you, Mom.”

The crowd seemed to wait for Patrick to add his blessings, but it never came.

The man remained as stoic as ever.

Although Fin’s expression never changed, Travis could have sworn he saw a shadow of pain in her pretty green eyes. But it was gone in a flash, replaced with a defiance that matched her father’s.

The uneasy silence was almost deafening and just when Travis thought they’d all pass out from holding their collective breath, Maeve turned to her husband.

“‘Tis time you told them why you put them at odds to win the company, don’t you think?”

A frown creased the man’s forehead as he shook his head. “Leave it be, Maeve,”

Patrick said gruffly. “They’ll understand soon enough.” And with that, the Elliott patriarch tucked his wife’s hand in his arm, turned and walked away.

“Don’t let the old man get you down, sis,” Shane said, hugging her.

Fin didn’t look the least bit surprised by her father’s reaction. “I expected nothing less from him,” she said, shaking her head as she hugged her twin brother in return.

As the crowd began to recede and the band commenced playing, Travis noticed a young blond-haired woman slip up beside Shane. When she whispered something in his ear, the man let out a whoop loud enough to wake the dead, then wrapped her in a bear hug and, grinning like an old possum, swung her around in a circle.

When everyone stopped to stare at them, Travis had to choke back his laughter at the red flush creeping up from Shane’s collar all the way to his forehead. The little blonde beside him was just as embarrassed and looked as if she were ready to dive under the table at any moment.

“Travis Clayton, this is Rachel Adler, Shane’s executive assistant,” Fin said, grinning as she made the introductions.

“It was nice to meet you, Mr. Clayton,” Rachel said, her cheeks still bright red. “If you’ll all excuse me, I need to be going now. I’ll see you at the office on Monday, Shane.”

As they watched Rachel hurry to the family room door, Fin turned to her brother.

“Would you care to explain that emotional display and the huge grin on your face?”

“No.”

“You want to know what I think?” Fin asked.

“No, I don’t care what you think,” Shane said defensively.

“Tough.” As she winked at Travis, her smile caused a warmth to spread throughout his chest and he didn’t think he’d ever seen her look more beautiful. “I’m going to tell you anyway, dear brother.”

Shane frowned. “I’d rather you didn’t.”

“I don’t know what Rachel told you, but I think you’re to the point where you’d use any excuse to finally have her in your arms,” Fin said, clearly ignoring her brother.

“You, dear sister, need to shut up and mind your own business,” Shane said irritably as he turned to walk away.

“You just confirmed my suspicions, Shane,” Fin called after him.

For reasons he didn’t even want to begin to analyze, her delightful laughter had a strange effect on Travis’s insides. “Let’s dance,” he said suddenly, taking her by the hand to lead her out onto the dance floor.

“I thought Jessie mentioned one time that you didn’t like dancing,” she said, sounding a little breathless as he pulled her to him.

“I don’t.” He smiled at the shiver he felt course through her when he whispered, “Your brother isn’t the only man here who’ll use whatever excuse he can find to have the most beautiful woman in the room in his arms.”

Chapter 6

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more lovely couple,” Fin said, settling into the back of the EPH corporate limo for the ride back to the city. She sighed happily. “Jessie was absolutely stunning.”

“She looked just like you,” Travis said, reaching over to take her hand in his.

“A much younger version, maybe,” she said, laughing.

His smile heated her all the way to her toes. “I don’t think I had the chance to tell you how sexy you look in that slinky green dress.” He lightly touched the teal silk of her Versace gown with his index finger. “You and Jessie were the two most beautiful women at the wedding.”