Pining For You (Jasper Falls 4)

“Hold on. I’m confused. Why is the gala being moved here?”

“A complication with the hotel. It’s irrelevant. This is where we are now, and this fundraiser is important.” She walked to the powder room door where Addison’s tissue paper collage of a Christmas tree hung. “Unsightly decorations will all have to come down.” She glanced at the actual tree. “I’ll send someone over here to deal with this.”

Skylar frowned. “That’s the Buchanan’s family tree. They decorated it that way.”

“I don’t have time to explain why that doesn’t matter. I’m just here to give you a heads-up.”

Well, at least that was a nice change, considering she usually got no warning at all about the schedule. “How formal is the event?”

Her head cocked and she smirked. “Very. It’s an elegant fundraiser for the fine arts. Black ties and gowns, but that doesn’t concern you. Mr. Buchanan asked that you stay out of sight for this one.”

She drew back. “He said that?”

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

“What about Addison?”

“It’s not for children.”

“Oh.” She didn’t know why she was disappointed to be excluded. The last time she had to find a dress for an event, she’d been extremely stressed. She should be grateful she didn’t have to participate.

“Your job will be to keep the little one completely out of sight. Do you think you can do that?”

According to Erin, she was wildly incompetent. “I think I can manage.”

“Good.” She tugged the picture of the Christmas tree off the door. “I’d start taking this stuff down. And get dressed. An event coordinator will be stopping by any minute.”

Erin set up a temporary work station in the kitchen, so Skylar took Addison upstairs to get changed, not wanting to be anywhere near the other woman.

She wanted to call Rhett and hear his voice. Was Erin telling the truth about tonight? Did he really want her out of sight?

Once Addison was dressed, she told her to play in her room for a few minutes. Skylar went to the third floor to change and called Rhett.

He answered on the third ring and sounded harried. “Skylar, what’s up?”

Jarred by his direct greeting, she hesitated. “Um… There’s going to be a gala at the house tonight—”

“It’s a total cluster fuck. Erin should be there soon to take care of everything. You just worry about you and Addy.”

“She’s already here.” It amazed her how he never seemed to get the tyrant side of his PA the rest of them had to deal with.

“Oh. Well, good. Did you need something?”

He was obviously busy. “No, I just wanted to hear your voice.”

“That’s sweet.” His tone softened. “We can talk after the event.”

So, perhaps he didn’t expect her to attend after all. “Okay. I’ll see you later.”

“See ya.” The phone clicked in her ear and she felt more off balance than she’d been before she called.

The next three hours passed in a whirlwind of foot traffic and strangers. Rhett never stopped home, but the house was a hive of activity.

The usual furniture was moved into positions that weren’t functional for daily living. Sofas were steam cleaned and carpets were shampooed. There seemed a constant hum of machines running, as snow blowers tidied the walkways outside and catering companies built tents that extended off the back of the kitchen.

She and Addison escaped to her grandmother’s. For the chaos of the big house to bring more peace and quiet than the mayor’s mansion, proved how crazy things were.

The kids played with Addison as Gran sat in her chair stringing cranberries for the front porch garland. Pop snored in the recliner by the TV.

“They play nicely together,” Gran commented, smiling at the children.

“They should. They’re all the same age.”

“I suppose they’ll all go through school together. Just think, Addison could end up married to one of them.”

Skylar grinned. Her grandmother had a romantic soul.

A car pulled up in the driveway and she went to the window to check who it was. “It’s Uncle Colin.”

“Oh, he’s delivering the desserts I ordered from the school fundraiser. Be a dear and help him unload them. They’ll need to go in the big freezer in the shed.”

Skylar pulled on her coat and met her uncle out front.

“Skylar, what are you doing here?”

“We’re just visiting. The kids are playing. Gran wants me to help you put the food in the big freezer.”

She gave him a hand carrying the boxes. The shed was fairly tidy, but the freezer was packed with meat. They would have to reorganize if they wanted everything to fit.

“So, how’s it going up at the mayor’s place?”

Despite the cold air, her cheeks burned. “It’s amazing.”

Colin glanced at her and paused. “That great?”

Of all her uncles, Colin was her favorite, and she trusted him. “Rhett and I have really connected.”

He frowned and stood up from where he’d been hunched over the opening of the freezer chest. “Rhett?”