* * * *
The music from the calliope was a bit too loud, but the pitch and tempo made the hairs on the back of Shelby’s neck quiver with low-key, delicious excitement. Small children squealed with delight when the carousel started up. Even the parents standing beside the painted ponies and dolphins, helping their little ones hold on, smiled with infectious pleasure.
On the front stairs of the house, Ryan gathered together his next tour group. Over the ambient noise, Shelby could just make out part of his spiel. The man was a natural showman.
“…the turn of the last century. My great-grandfather, Raleigh Tanner, built the place as a summer getaway. Some people have claimed to see his ghost. He died the year before I was born and my father used to tell me…”
He and his audience of a dozen or so rapt followers disappeared into the house. In the main parlor and library, Shelby had set up displays of old family photographs. She’d even photocopied a few select pages from the Tanner wives’ journals and displayed them as well. Pages that gave insight into earlier lives of privilege yet showed that the trials and joys of children and life in general were common to everyone.
A couple of guests had commented on how cool the displays were. Shelby couldn’t help agreeing with them. Next year…again, if there was a next year…she’d drag a few sets of old clothes out of the attic trunks and set them up for viewing alongside the pictures.
“Hey, babe.” Wearing a huge grin, Lee walked up to her. “I see Dad’s taking a turn leading the tours.”
“He’s much better at it than I am. Maybe even better than you. And what is that?” she asked. Lee was holding a monster-sized grilled sausage, smothered in cheese, grilled onions, and what looked like honey mustard, on an even bigger bun.
“A coronary with a side of white bread,” he answered with a nonchalant shrug and moaned with pleasure as he took a first bite.
“You just had lunch”—Shelby checked her watch—“two hours ago. Why aren’t you the size of a blimp?” she demanded.
“Great sex and a lot of cardio work,” he whispered in her ear.
She pushed him away when he resumed chewing. “I hate you. And I hate your metabolism.”
“Liar. You think I’m funny, charming, and can’t wait to get me naked. Want a bite?” He held out the grilled sausage in offering.
Shelby hesitated. “Yes,” she admitted with a sigh of defeat. The thing was as delicious as it looked, but she refused to be temped into a second bite.
She blinked and Lee’d polished the rest of it off.
“I put in a bid on the Bahamas vacation,” he said out of the blue, took her hand and led her over to the charity auction area. “Thought we could use a getaway come February.”
As always, Lee’s casual generosity caught her off guard. When he looped his arm around her shoulders, she wrapped hers around his waist. “You’re too perfect for words. It’s not natural.”
“That’s me, baby,” he said as he checked the bidding sheet on the Bahamas vacation. “Supernaturally perfect.” Someone had topped his last bid. A determined crease formed between his eyes, and Lee raised the bid by two hundred dollars, bringing it to twelve hundred. Beside it, he wrote his name and phone number. “If this guy keeps it up, I’m going to have to pay him to back out.”
Shelby walked over to the beautifully displayed assortment of dog accessories. They’d been donated by a local pet shop. Her last bid of seventy-five dollars was still standing. She’d keep checking throughout the day though.
“Hey,” Lee called out happily, “Joey and Tabitha are here.” Taking her hand, Lee led Shelby over to the entrance. “Thanks for coming, guys,” he said and shook Joey’s hand. “Haven’t seen you since Columbus Day. How’ve you been?”
When their youngest, Joy, patted Shelby’s knee, she picked the little girl up so she could see over the crowd. Joy told Shelby about the painting she’d done at daycare, Shelby pointed out the bouncy castle and pony ride, and Joy’s parents told Lee how well their tiling business was doing.
“Damn.”
The flatness in Lee’s voice brought Shelby’s head around. His mouth had flattened into a thin line, and the corners were turned down. He looked pissed. She’d never seen him pissed.
“What’s she doing here?” he muttered.
“Damn,” Joey and Tabitha repeated in unison.
Shelby tracked their line of sight. A tall woman, with artfully streaked blonde hair and a face that would make Venus look plain, was striding toward them on long, shapely legs. Dressed in silk and cashmere, her neckline was unbuttoned just enough to reveal the swell of too-perfect and too-round breasts. Four people accompanied her—two women and two men. Their clothing was as high-end as hers, but while they looked around the grounds eagerly, perhaps even with an impression of growing fun, the blonde had eyes only for Lee. She licked her lips subtly, looked him up and down like he was a prize bull, and her artfully made-up eyelids seemed to grow heavy.
“Lee,” she drawled in a sultry tone as she stepped up to him. “You’re looking good. Bachelorhood seems to be agreeing with you.”
His brows drew together, and his lips moved like he was going to say something. His dark eyes were stormy, maybe even angry. “Michelle,” he finally greeted the woman coolly. “Good of you to come. The event’s for charity, so spend big.”
Throwing back her head, she laughed. It was a throaty sound, maybe deliberately so, although the sound was oddly cold. “I always do.”
When she and her friends finished laughing, she turned to Shelby. Taking in the way Lee held Shelby against his side, the way he’d angled his body so his shoulder stood between his ex and his girlfriend, Michelle looked Shelby over openly. One brow curved up slowly as she made an obvious assessment of Shelby’s pants and sweater set, her shoes, even the size of the diamond studs in her ears. The dismissive way the woman glanced over little Joy, still sitting in Shelby’s arms, made Shelby cradle the child’s small, warm body defensively.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
“Only if you don’t use it as an excuse to be rude.”
“Lee,” Michelle admonished him, again with that fake throaty voice. “I came here to spend money at your charity event. I can be civil if you can.”
Lee’s brow furrowed even more. He looked like he didn’t believe her. “Where have I heard that before?” he muttered, then turned to Shelby with obvious reluctance. “Shelby, this is Michelle. Michelle, Shelby.” When he looked back at his ex, his whole body screamed dismissal. “I hope you enjoy the event.”
He turned, making an obvious laneway for his ex and her friends to walk past, and his tone was cool. Shelby was startled by his lack of courtesy. She’d never seen him be anything but unfailingly friendly.
“Charming as always, Lee,” Michelle deadpanned, then walked past him. Her friends followed. When they were a few feet away, she said something to them quietly, and they burst into laughter.
Joy patted Shelby’s cheek to get her attention, then pointed to the carousel.
“Great idea, Joy,” Lee said. His voice was still a little strained, but the smile on his face when he turned to the rest of Joey and Tabitha’s kids erased the darkness in his eyes. Reaching into his pocket, he produced strips of ride tickets and started handing them out.
“Hey, Lee,” Joey said, “we can’t let you—”
“These tickets are bought and paid for. Besides, when do I get to hang out with your kids? Now, you take that beautiful wife of yours and show her a good time, hmm? Go spend your money on her.”
“All right,” Joey agreed. “Just don’t feed them too much sugary stuff or they’ll throw up on you.”
“Duly noted.” Lee nodded, lifted Joey’s youngest son onto his shoulders, and led the other children and Shelby to the carousel.
The line-up wasn’t long, and as soon as the kids were settled and the ride started, Shelby began waving to them. Joy was ecstatic to be just tall enough to ride on her own. After the caro
usel carried the Fanella children past, Shelby scanned the crowd. Although only midafternoon, the place was filling up nicely. She thought they’d booked too many rides but saw she was wrong. Even with the crowd, children weren’t left waiting in line for more than a turn or two. She and the Fab Four had kept the cost of attraction tickets low, and the children not queuing up somewhere to spend their tickets were running from attraction to attraction. A gale of laughter went up from the stage where the magician was performing. A number of kids and adults were walking around with balloon hats on their heads. Helen Whitevale’s pert voice rang out through the euchre tent speakers, announcing the latest winners.
Through the crowd, Shelby spotted Michelle. Although she’d always had a healthy self-image, Shelby knew even a princess would feel dowdy next to Lee’s ex. With those glossy waves of flaxen hair falling down her back, and that Valentino handbag and Manolo Blahnik booties, she presented a striking picture.
Michelle and her friends were placing bets at the poker wheel. Their body language suggested they were having a good time. It also suggested they were there to be seen. One of the men with Michelle was doing a bit more. He kept glancing over at Lee with an interest that was both carnal and determined.
Shelby couldn’t blame the man, but he was so barking up the wrong tree.
“Having a good time?” Lee tightened his hold on her waist, bent to her, and kissed her forehead. He held himself still like he was breathing in the scent of her hair.
“I’m having a blast,” Shelby answered truthfully and waved as the Fanella children rode past. “Remind me to thank your father again for coming up to help.”
“I don’t think I could have kept him away. He loves the energy at events like this. And he’s nuts about fireworks.”
“I’m confused.” She looked up at Lee and felt her forehead furrow. “Together, you butt heads. Apart, you’re all about building each other up.”
Lee laughed. “You’ve got us pegged all right. We’re too much alike…badgers determined to solve any problem that comes our way. I know it can sound like we harp at each other, but it’s just our way of communicating.” He laughed again. “New hires at the firm always think they’ve walked into an epic battle. You should hear us when we really get going. But the truth is we challenge each other to be better, think bigger. I’m actually in awe of the work he’s done, and he’s the first one to tell me when I’ve done a good job.”
Shelby shook her head. “Fathers and sons. I’ll ever understand.”
“That’s because you’re a girl. And I for one am damn glad you are.” He nibbled her ear then straightened when she giggled and tried to push him away.
“Tickling in public isn’t fair,” she groused and wrapped her arm around his waist. She hooked her thumb in one of his belt loops.
“Shoulda set the ground rules earlier, babe,” he said and waved when the carousel brought the children around again.
“So, this might be a sensitive question. Or not,” Shelby hedged. “But how come you and Michelle never had any kids?”
His smile lagged. “She didn’t want any. Oh before we got married, she was all for kids. Liked the idea every time I brought it up. After though, it was one excuse after another until she finally admitted she didn’t want kids, didn’t like kids, and never intended to have any kids.” He pinched the bridge of his nose between thumb and forefinger and sighed. “I should have seen that one coming. Michelle is all about Michelle, and god forbid anything mar that perfect body.”
Shelby felt her expression fall.
“I meant she works out, sure,” Lee backtracked quickly, “but she’s had a lot of work done, if you know what I mean. Some men dream about being with women who look like Barbie. Trying to cozy up to somebody who’s sixty percent recycled plastic isn’t part of the fantasy.”
“Oh,” Shelby said quietly, then forced a smile and waved as the children rode past again. “Makes sense she wouldn’t want kids, I guess. More alimony money to spend on herself. And from the looks of her, she’s pretty free with your money.”
Lee chuckled and hugged Shelby closer. “Iron-clad prenup. Her idea. Her family controls the board of one of the city’s biggest law firms, and her trust fund is at least ten times larger than mine. Without the prenup, she’d be paying me.”
It was purely selfish, but Shelby liked knowing there was nothing left tying Lee to his ex.
A collective groan went up from the carousel as it slowed then stopped. Joy raced back to Lee and Shelby, pleading for another ride. Lee scooped her up and planted her on his shoulders.
“Something for the older kids first,” he said with a patient finality that didn’t budge, not even under the pressure of Joy’s winsome badgering.
Producing more tickets, he led the older four over to the kid-size roller coaster. Shelby stuck with them to supervise and do the wave thing while he took Joy to the bouncy castle.
From where she was standing, Shelby could see him getting Joy’s shoes off and leading her into the castle. Other parents were standing around, watching their kids, and she saw two women separate themselves from the others and, one after the other, make their way over to stand by Lee. They struck up conversations, laughed, flipped their hair, and touched his arm until Shelby started to grind her teeth.
But Lee didn’t flirt back. He didn’t even seem to pay them much attention. When he wasn’t keeping a slightly paranoid eye on little Joy, he was scanning the crowd until he spotted Shelby. He’d smiled politely at the women, but when he smiled at Shelby, those dark eyes of his captured the sun and shone it on her.
After that, she didn’t feel the need to grind her teeth…or storm over and start yanking hair.
The roller coaster came to a stop, and Shelby shepherded the kids over to a shaved-ice booth. A snack that was ninety-seven percent water, she figured, should keep the throw-up factor low. Napkins in hand, she herded the brood toward the bouncy castle.
“…they’re adorable at this age, when they’re not making me crazy.” The latest would-be hit on Lee was brushing her body against his arm and about to go in for a full-breast press when Lee looked over her shoulder. His face lit up, and he stepped away from the woman without so much as a backward glance.
“Hey, babe,” he called out as Shelby approached, then grinned at the kids in her wake. “How was the roller coaster?” His arm slid around Shelby’s waist and tucked her into his side. He listened raptly as the children talked over each other, then presented arguments why they should go on their favorite ride next.
Shelby hid her satisfaction when the other woman’s face registered full-out disappointment, followed up by dawning resignation. Lee turned back to her to introduce her to Shelby, and the woman’s defeat was complete when he had to ask her name.
After that, she made her excuses and staked out another guy standing on his own.
For the next two hours, Shelby and Lee took turns shepherding Joy around the little-kid rides—the ones her siblings were too big for. She seemed to enjoy the one-on-one attention and the company of kids her own size.
Being the youngest, Shelby figured, meant Joy got bundled up in her siblings’ activities most of the time.
After they returned the children to their parents, Shelby and Lee took turns guiding tours of the house. Lee’s groups were always packed with women, but Shelby stopped getting bent out of shape about that…for the most part. Along with the Fab Four and Lee’s father, they kept encouraging bidders at the silent auction and snapped digital pictures of the pony rides. For a donation, parents got a download code for their kids’ photos.
Two dogs were adopted from the animal-shelter booth, and another had an appointment for a home visit the next day.
When the local fire department let off the fireworks display down on the beach, Lee stood behind Shelby, wrapped his arms around her, and ignored everything but the lights and her.
Chapter Ten
It was well after midnight when Shelby snuggled into Lee’s bare ches
t. Naked, sweaty, and sated, they stretched out on the big bed in the master suite.
“It seems so quiet,” he whispered. Lee hugged her tighter when she smoothed her cheek against his shoulder.
“It does.”
In the darkness, she felt him nod.
“You pulled together a helluva event. I’m really proud of you.”
Shelby’s cheeks grew warm. “Everybody pitched in, and the Fab Four were terrific. When I’m their age, I hope I have half their energy.”
“They are a force to be reckoned with,” Lee agreed. “Even Dad pooped out around midnight.”
“Are you sure he’ll be okay sleeping out in the gardener’s cottage?”
“He insisted on it. Mostly because the women were in your office, bundling receipts and working their way through a pitcher of margaritas. He’s not the party hound he was in his youth.” Lee shifted, making a more comfortable nook for Shelby’s head. “He loves a good time but needs uninterrupted quiet to get to sleep. That’s why he stays in the condo in the city and I live in the townhouse.”
“Hmm. And here I thought he didn’t want to overhear us making out like teenagers.”
Lee chuckled. “That, too.”
They fell silent for a moment. From outside their room, they heard the click of Tazer’s nails as he came down the hall then headed for his bed. Within minutes, he was snoring quietly.
“Michelle wasn’t what I expected.” Shelby spoke softly. She wasn’t sure if Lee would let himself be drawn out about his ex.
He exhaled slowly. “Ask. I can hear the cogs in your head turning, so ask everything you’re curious about—and have a right to know. I really dislike that woman, so I’d like to get the talking about her over with.”
“Okay…what attracted you to her? Besides the obvious of course.”
“We moved in the same circles as kids. Had friends in common,” Lee answered readily and quietly. “Maybe it was as simple as us being more suited than suitable for each other.” He slid his fingers between Shelby’s and pressed their joined hands to his chest. “I was young when we married. The same age as her but she was so far ahead of me sophistication wise, I couldn’t even see how little worldliness I had. And yes, at that time in my life, I was more into superficiality than character. She had looks, money, connections…everything that should have made her the perfect socialite wife for an engineer gunning for an international reputation.”
Ghostly Seduction (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) Page 14