Manhattan Merger

A tremor rocked Rainey’s body.

“That’s true. When the judge was reprimanding me, he said it best. Call it destiny or fate, you happened to paint the one man whose phenomenal success in life has made him vulnerable to the ugliest elements in our society.

“It seems that fate, or destiny, whatever you choose to call it, brought me to this house. While your fiancé was upstairs getting changed before taking me to the Boyce’s to meet you, I wandered into his study. That’s when something amazing happened.

“I saw his maps spread over the walls of the lighthouse. They were so fantastic, I was spellbound. I remember feeling the same way when I was young and came across Tolkien’s map of Middle Earth for the first time.

“When Mr. Sterling came back downstairs ready to leave, he found me babbling with so much excitement, I’m sure he didn’t know what to make of it. I practically begged for a chance to work with him.”

Diane’s brown eyes flared in surprise. Rainey could be thankful for that much reaction. At least she was listening.

“Yes, I’m guilty of wanting to grab at an opportunity to work with someone like him because fate would never allow it to happen a second time. But if you’re talking emotional attraction, that’s something else again because he’s spoken for. He’s asked you to marry him.

“If you’d seen your fiancé in court, then you’d know he was only there for one reason. To protect you. To make certain nothing would ever hurt you again.

“He was a frightening adversary when he thought I’d been out there stalking the two of you. After court ended I thought how blessed you were to have a fiancé who showed that kind of devotion to you. One who’d do anything for you. He’d give his life to see you walk again!” Rainey’s voice throbbed.

Diane unexpectedly averted her eyes.

“I discovered the strength of his devotion when he asked me to meet you and help reassure you that I posed no threat to your safety.

“He’s a hero in every sense of the word, Diane. Your hero. The kind you could read about in those little romance novels whose covers I paint.”

She had one more thing to say. This time she turned to Payne who’d been staring at her through shuttered eyes.

He’d enlisted her help. She’d complied with his request and would carry out her part of the bargain for a while longer. But she had to draw the line somewhere because her very existence depended on it.

“Did you tell Diane I’m only here in New York until my brother sends for me?”

“Uncle Payne?”

“In the dining room, sweetheart,” he answered his niece without acknowledging Rainey’s question.

“I brought Linda with me. She wants to meet Rainey.”

“Hi, Linda,” he drawled. “Come and have some breakfast

with us.”

“Thanks, Mr. Sterling.”

Seconds later the two teens breezed in the room wearing shorts and tops. Linda was a tall girl with pretty features and a chestnut braid hanging down the middle of her back.

She walked over to Diane. “Hi, Ms. Wylie! How are you?”

“I’m fine, thank you.” But Diane didn’t sound fine at all. Her voice held a definite tremor.

“I bet you’re getting excited for the wedding.”

“Yes,” she murmured.

“Rainey?” Catherine headed for her. “I’d like you to meet my best friend, Linda Miles. Linda? This is Rainey Bennett.”

“Hello, Linda.” The teen moved closer. “What beautiful hair you have.”

She and Catherine exchanged smiles. “Thanks. I saw the pictures you did for Catherine. They’re so good.”

“What she’s trying to say is, do you think you could draw one of Linda sometime?”