by ANDREA SMITH
“Caroline, ageless as always,” he commented.
With the help of a west coast plastic surgeon I bet.
“Trey, still the flirt I see,” she said, gushing.
“Caroline,” Trey said, pulling me close to him and turning to me, “I would like to introduce you to Tylar Preston who has agreed to be my wife.”
I could see a hint of surprise cross her otherwise impassive face. She held a long, thin hand out to me with a forced smile.
“Tylar, welcome to the family,” she said not meaning a word of it. “Mother Susan has told me so much about you already,” she commented with an underlying tone that I wasn’t quite sure about.
“Caroline, it is good to meet you. Trey has spoken of you as well.”
I saw a glint of irritation cross her tight unwrinkled face. Trey squeezed my hand and when I looked up at him I saw a hint of a smile on his lips.
“Trey, I see you are saving the best for last,” a familiar smooth and silky voice said.
The voice didn’t come from Trey; it was Tristan that spoke up moving closer to us, his eyes locked on mine. My stomach did a bit of a flip-flop and I wasn’t sure why.
“Tristan,” Trey greeted his brother warmly, grabbing his hand and slapping him on the back. Tristan turned his attention to me, his emerald green eyes flickering over me. That was the other major difference. Trey’s eyes were as blue as sapphires; Tristan’s were as green as emeralds.
Both of them were very striking men with slight differences that complimented them in different ways. Tristan was a bit more rugged in appearance, where Trey was a bit more refined. Trey possessed just a hint of arrogance; at this point, I wasn’t sure whether Tristan carried that same trait or not.
“So, this is Tylar,” he purred, taking my hand and raising it delicately to his full lips, brushing it against them. (Oh wow!)
Trey seemed not to notice or at least he wasn’t concerned. Perhaps this was simply Tristan’s way with all women.
“You are exquisite,” Tristan breathed, not taking his eyes off of mine. “But then my younger brother has a penchant for exquisite women it would seem.”
I was uncomfortable and confused by that comment. I decided to file it away for future reference.
“Tristan, I am pleased to meet you,” I said softly, pulling my hand from his finally, finding Trey’s hand beside me and locking mine into it.
Tristan threw his head back, laughing heartily at my discomfort it seemed. I wasn’t really sure.
“You better watch her, Trey,” he said, “She will turn many heads I can see that now.”
Trey looked down at me smiling. “There’s only one head she is interested in turning big brother,” he replied, "And that is mine.”
“Touché,” Tristan replied, once again locking his gaze upon me.
Susan had the servants bring out some eggnog, wine and brandy. Trey fetched me a sparkling water. Everyone filled their respective cups or glasses with the spirit of their choice.
I noticed that both Trey and Tristan chose brandy; Caroline was drinking white wine; Clive, Susan and Nigel were drinking the spiked eggnog.
Clive stood with his cup of eggnog raised to toast.
“To having all of my family here and healthy for this very special Christmas; to welcome our soon to be new family member who already feels like a daughter to Susan and me. Welcome Tylar, and Merry Christmas everyone!”
“Here, here,” Tristan said, raising his glass of brandy, and clinking it with everyone else’s in the circle, one by one.
As he got to my sparkling water, he clinked my glass, winking and taking a drink of his brandy his green eyes locking once again with mine.
“To family,” he whispered.
CHAPTER FIFTY
Our Christmas Eve dinner was elegant. The staff had prepared a beautiful crown roast of pork with apple-cranberry stuffing, truffled twice baked potatoes, asparagus casserole and glazed carrots. I could barely finish dessert which was a slice of Susan’s chocolate pie. It was delicious.
Caroline picked at her food making some comment to the fact she tried to avoid pork in her diet at all costs. I looked over as Tristan rolled his eyes at her comment, then flashed a smile at me when he realized he had been caught.
After dinner, everyone retired to the living room where the Christmas tree had been lit. Trey pulled me next to him on one of the sofas, his arm relaxed over my shoulders. Clive was pouring after dinner brandy for everyone. He brought me a sparkling water.
“So Tylar, I see that you don’t imbibe.” Tristan commented, lounging on the arm rest of the opposing sofa, sipping his brandy.
“Well, I . . .” stammered, not knowing if Trey wanted my condition known to everyone. Trey interjected immediately on my behalf.
“Everyone,” he said in his smooth and silky voice, “Now is as good of time as any to share with my family and loved one our wonderful news.”
Trey pulled a velvet ring box from his trouser pocket. It was marked with Cartier. He opened it, presenting it to me, his eyes warm with love.
“Tylar has agreed to be my bride. Though I’d marry her this minute, my fiancée has dictated we hold off until after the eagerly awaited and anticipated birth of our child in May.”
I heard Caroline gasp from across the room. Her reaction was quickly drowned out by the sound of everyone else clapping and congratulating us. I was in a temporary state of panic; not generally accustomed to having all eyes on me, including those of my future husband.
“Tylar,” Trey said softly, bringing me out of my daze, “Do you accept this ring as a token of my love and promise of our engagement to be married?”
“Oh, Trey,” I said, tears springing to my eyes, “You know that I do.”
I lifted the ring out of the silk lining of the box. It was magnificent. The band was platinum, with a huge emerald cut diamond. There was a baguette ruby on each side of the diamond. My birthstone was ruby.
Trey gently slid the ring onto my finger, giving me a soft kiss on my lips. I threw my arms around him, hugging him tightly willing the tears to stop streaming down my face.
Susan was immediately by my side, taking my hand to admire the ring, hugging me once I had released Trey.
“We are sure happy that you are going to officially be a member of the family, Tylar, but I’ve got to tell you something, you already feel like a daughter to me and Clive!” I hugged her tightly, looking over to see the sour expression on Caroline’s face. She was the only person that had not done anything but gasp at the news. I wasn’t sure if it was because of the engagement or the baby.
She finally sauntered over next to Trey and I, more out of trying not to be so obviously disinterested than anything else. She glanced down at the ring, my hand still in Susan’s.
“Nice,” she commented, “Much bigger diamond than the one you gave Tess.”
My head jerked up immediately, trying to read her expression. Her taut skin didn’t allow for much expression it seemed. I could feel Trey’s muscles tense beside me.
Nigel ignored her comment which was probably the result of years of conditioning. He likely had learned to tune her out. Tristan was the one who finally broke the silence.
“A much bigger diamond for a much greater love I think, dear Caroline,” he commented, not taking his piercing green eyes off of me.
I flushed nervously, glancing up at Caroline who was downing a glass of wine, impassive to his comment.
“So Nigel, it would appear we are to be uncles soon,” Tristan said, smiling at his older brother.
“Yes, how about that? Congratulations to you both,” Nigel replied warmly.
“Do you know whether it’s a boy or a girl yet?” Caroline questioned.
“We decided to be surprised,” Trey replied.
“I think we’re all pretty much surprised now,” Caroline commented, refilling her wine glass. “Don’t they teach about safe sex in fourth grade these days?” she commented, glancing directly at me.
&
nbsp; “Caroline,” Susan said, her voice carrying a distinct warning, “Please remember yourself while you are in our presence. This family is ecstatic about the arrival of our first grandchild.”
I felt a warm flush spreading; Trey’s arm around me was so tightly muscled that it was making my shoulder ache. I looked up at him and he was seething. I placed my hand on his chest and he lowered his gaze to me. I shook my head ‘no’ wanting to avoid further comments which would only serve to escalate the situation.
“Have you picked out any names yet?” Tristan asked sipping his brandy. I was so wishing that the subject would be changed.
Susan piped up, “Tylar are you still going with ‘Jack’ and ‘Danielle’?”
Oh God.
Tristan immediately looked at Trey, a slow smile spreading across his handsome features. Tristan had a dimple when he smiled broadly. I felt Trey squirm a bit beside me uncomfortably. Tristan had made the connection somehow and was enjoying Trey’s discomfort.
“We’re still kicking various names around for now,” I lied.
“So, Tylar,” Caroline semi-slurred, “Where are your people from?”
(Really Caroline? Do people your age really talk that way?)
“I’m from around Louisville, Kentucky. I attended school at Virginia Intermont College here in Bristol. Trey and I met this past summer when I worked for Sinclair Stables,” I replied.
(There, bitch. Wanna make something of it?)
“Another V.I.C. coed under your belt I see, Trey,” she replied, not trying to hide the smarminess in her voice.
“Trey,” Tristan interrupted just in time, “How about you, your fiancée and I taking a walk to the stables. I’d like to see what kind of horsemanship you still possess. I understand you’ve been handling a lot of the buying and breeding here. Father said you had a stellar season.”
I was relieved to have a reason, any reason to get the hell out of the house and away from Caroline.
“Trey,” I said softly to him, “Let’s get our jackets. I think a walk and fresh air would be nice.”
He nodded, obviously still pissed from Caroline’s last comment.
Out in the barn, Trey showed Tristan some of the warm bloods he had purchased this summer. I checked on Derringer who was nuzzling me for carrots. I was tempted to go back into the house to get some but the thought of running into Caroline again was too risky. Trey and Tristan came over to where I was brushing Derringer.
“Trey tells me you do quite well with dressage, Tylar,” Tristan commented. “I’d enjoy viewing the videos of the competitions you participated in this past season.”
“I’m sure Dad has them in the house somewhere,” Trey replied, pulling me close to him. He looked proud of me and I liked that feeling.
“Did Trey tell you I also did pretty well quarter racing for Sinclair Stables?” I asked, giving Trey a coquettish smile.
“No, he didn’t mention that at all. Which horse were you riding?”
“Jezebel – she’s stabled over at the ‘Belle,” I replied.
“Yep, took a first place purse in a feature race. I likely would’ve taken the bonus purse that night until Jezebel was scratched.”
Tristan looked over at me and saw that I was looking at Trey. He looked back and forth between the two of us trying to figure out what he was missing. Trey finally caved and blurted out his side of the story.
“Tylar went against specific instructions I implemented on her behalf. She was recovering from a concussion; I didn’t want her handling the horses. So what does she do? She enters herself as the jockey for Jezebel in the Kick-Off Season Stakes!”
“So the doctor hadn’t released you to ride, is that it?” Tristan asked me, smiling.
“No, Trey hadn’t released me to ride,” I explained, rolling my eyes.
Tristan was laughing now, looking at both of us.
“So Trey had the horse scratched from the race?”
“Yes, we were already at the gate lined up. It was humiliating.”
“Tylar,” he said, looking at Trey affectionately, “I love my little brother, don’t get me wrong, but he can be as stubborn and controlling as the day is long. This I know. I could tell you some stories,” he laughed, he eyes sparkling with amusement.
“Hey, I’ve got plenty of stories I could tell on you,” Trey replied with a grin, jabbing his finger at Tristan.
“I already know the one about Kate and ‘bumping uglies,” I commented.
“What?” Trey asked, spinning around to face me, his eyes widening in surprise.
“Your mom and I had quite a nice chat while we made cookies,” I said, snickering.
“Oh, God. I do remember that,” Tristan replied. “Trey, I should’ve kicked your ass right then and there.”
“I don’t think it would have been a fair, fight Tristan,” Trey laughed. “I was what, like maybe eight at the time?”
“Seriously though Trey,” Tristan said, “Are you going to go to that party at the Andrews tomorrow night?”
(What party?)
“Sure,” Trey answered, "Why not?”
“If you think Caroline was a bitch tonight, how do you think she’s gonna be when she has her sidekick Tess beside her?”
(What the fuck was this about? Why didn’t I know anything of it?)
Trey glanced over at me, realizing that I was just hearing about this for the first time.
“Tylar, Dad said something about this to me this morning when we were out cutting the tree. I meant to say something to you about it. We’re all invited over to the Andrews house tomorrow evening. They typically have a Christmas evening cocktail party for their friends and family.” (Oh that’s just flippin’ great!)
“Trey, you seriously want to take me around Tess and Landon?”
“What about Landon?” Tristan asked.
Trey filled Tristan in about what Landon had said to him the evening of Thanksgiving, not mentioning the part that he had shared with me about the baby not being Trey’s. It continued to bother me that Trey had not enlightened his family with the truth. It was a sore spot with me for some reason.
“Trey I just don’t feel that I would be comfortable around them,” I commented.
“Tylar, it’s important to my parents and to me that we don’t shun the Andrews. I promise not to leave your side, okay?”
“I have your back too, sis,” Tristan joked.
I nodded, but I was still not comfortable with it. Now it was just one more thing to dread apart from having to be around Caroline for the next few days. I so wished that Gina was here.
I excused myself from Trey and Tristan, wanting to give Gina a call from my Blackberry. We only talked briefly as Ian’s family was there. She bitched about her mother-in-law; I bitched about my soon to be sister-in-law. I told Gina about my ring. She asked me to take a picture of it and send it from my Blackberry. I told her that I would. I got off the call, telling her to call me when Ian’s family took off.
I had Trey take a picture of the ring on my hand, and then sent it to Gina. A short while later my Blackberry beeped signaling a text message. It was from Gina.
Jesus Christ girl, what a rock! That’s got to be 5 carats! The Hot Nazi has great taste. Tell him Ian and I said ‘Merry Christmas.’ Love ya!
By the time that Tristan, Trey and I went back to the house, Nigel and Caroline had retired for the night. Tristan left us to go visit in the family room with his parents.
“Trey,” I said, “Can I give you your Christmas presents up in our room?”
“Why?” he asked, puzzled.
“I just don’t want any rude or inappropriate comments from Caroline. She really makes me uncomfortable. I wanted to get you so much more than I did and she will probably make me feel bad in comparison to this exquisite ring that you gave me.”
“Whoa,” he interrupted me. “First of all, that ring is not your Christmas present, okay? That is for our engagement. I have something else for you for Christmas.”
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sp; “Okay, now you have just made me feel worse, Trey.”
“Baby,” he said, pulling me to him, tilting my face up to meet his gaze, "You being with me, loving me, and
carrying our child is the best thing that anyone could ever give me. Don’t you understand that?”
“I guess,” I relented.
“No, there is no guessing, Tylar. You are my life. I have never felt so connected with anyone before. I think of the future that you and I will build together. I think about the children we will have. You are the one that I will always love the most; you are the one who has my devotion. Okay?”
I nodded, tearing up again. Trey could be so warm and passionate at times. He could not only take my breath away with his touch, but also with his words.
We gathered our gifts out from under the tree and took them upstairs to our suite. We sat cross legged on the bed, tearing into our presents. Trey had bought me a ‘Baby’s First Year’ photo album, and an Atlas® dome watch, in rose gold from Tiffany & Co.
Trey loved everything that I had bought for him; the two CD’S, the tie that matched his eyes perfectly, the silver cuff links and the new Burberry wallet.
He handed me a single box he had brought out from under the bed. It felt light. I opened it and pulled a manila envelope out. Inside the envelope there were multiple legal looking documents. I looked at the top document it was a deed to ten acres of land located in DeKalb County, Georgia. There were photos of the property and it was gorgeous. Some of the areas were partially wooded; there was a running stream to a creek, and a natural pond.
“Trey, it’s beautiful,” I breathed, “I don’t understand.”
“I deeded this to you, Tylar. This is your land. This is where we are going to build the house of your choosing. This is where we will bring Derringer and any of the other horses you may want to stable. We have to build the stable first of course.”
“Oh, Trey,” I said, launching myself into his lap. “This is too much don’t you think?”
"No, it's exactly what we discussed. It is how we want to raise our children remember? I figure we need to get started with building our home if we want it ready by the time