Love Connection

by Crimson Romance

  “Hey, that could work. I knew I hired you for a reason.” Ford teased, drumming his fingers on the table as his mind went to work. Lily felt invisible, like the sliver of emotion that had cropped up between them was lost in the calculations happening in the conference room.

  “That’s why you pay me the big bucks.” Robert sat back with a satisfied grin.

  Lily had made no promises beyond the November election, but the engagement was starting to become more of a commitment than she’d agreed to. Ford had given her the impression that until Election Day, her only obligation was to keep up appearances. Now they had to start their bridal registry? Putting their wedding preparations in writing, and in magazines, and on television, documented for anyone interested in them, made everything much more difficult to back away from. How could she quietly end the engagement if that was her choice? She’d have to dismantle wedding registries, return early gifts, and broadcast the news that they’d broken up much wider than before. If they asked her to go ahead with wedding dress shopping, she’d have to put a stop to the runaway engagement train. If they had their way, she’d be chatting with a lifestyle reporter while she got her dress fitted. Her nonreturnable wedding dress.

  “Excuse me, but would you prefer that I answer questions or not? The reporter this morning certainly had no trouble finding me, so there’s no reason to think it won’t happen again.” Lily figured that if she was stuck following the team’s approach, she might as well get with the program and put herself back in the discussion. Maybe they’d stop talking about her and her imaginary wedding like she wasn’t in the room.

  Caroline tapped her pen against the table, narrowing her eyes as she decided. “You know, I think we should address any further questions head on. Dodging the reporters makes it look like there’s a story there, and we’d prefer that there’s nothing for them to grab on to. You know what I mean? Keep it simple, though, and don’t get caught explaining yourself or giving too many details. Something quick and breezy, like ‘we’re very happy together, thank you’ should suffice.”

  “That’s the truth,” Ford added, lacing his fingers through hers and kissing her hand. “There’s nothing more to the story than a simple engagement.”

  He wasn’t even letting his team in on the discussions they’d had about his need for a fiancée. As far as they knew, she hadn’t agreed to the engagement for his campaign; she’d said yes because they were in love.

  Chapter Seven

  Ford’s parents loved throwing cocktail parties in their home: his father to socialize, network, and bring the kids together, his mother primarily to show off the family’s art collection and excellent taste in expensive wine. When she entertained, she was in her element, buzzing through her home full of guests like the queen bee that she was. His engagement combined with the upcoming election was the perfect excuse for them to invite everyone who was anyone to celebrate, and their home was filled with laughter and animated conversation. Most men would probably introduce their fiancées to their parents during an intimate family dinner, but Ford knew better. After the awkward reception they’d received from Lily’s parents, he was convinced that the more people around, the better. They’d do what they had to do, but the tension would be pleasantly diffused with the atmosphere and alcohol. Mother would certainly make her opinion, whatever it was, known, but at least with such a large audience, he wouldn’t have to hear much about it tonight. The excellent wine and hors d’oeuvres were a bonus.

  With a gentle hand on her arm above her elbow, Ford leaned down to whisper. “Nobody but Mother knows that the advisory team wanted me to get engaged. She may hint at it, but she won’t tell my brothers or her friends.”

  “What about your dad?”

  “I don’t know if she’s told him or not. He won’t let it slip if she did, though. Just remember that as far as everyone else knows, this is a normal engagement.”

  “Got it.” When she tilted her face toward him to answer, the light perfume she wore drifted up.

  Ford’s youngest brother, Grant, was in town from medical school for the party. He attended University of Texas in Austin, so he could make the quick trip home for the occasional family get-together as necessary. He was pouring a frothy beer from the keg behind the bar when he noticed Ford and waved them over.

  “Hey!” Grant rounded the bar and pulled Ford into a bear hug, pounding him on the back a few times for good measure. “Dad said you were engaged, so I decided to finally come to one of these snoozefests and see for myself.”

  “I see. You’ll make the drive to drink Dad’s beer and meet a pretty girl, but not to help me get through any of the excruciating dinners they’ve been throwing for me lately.” Ford kidded his brother and punched him on the shoulder.

  “Hey, you know I’d love nothing more than to watch you talk about the same policies and political issues over and over again, but I kind of need to concentrate on school.” Grant took a big drink of his beer.

  “I guess I’ll let you off the hook. I’d hate to be the reason you’re not smart enough to avoid a malpractice suit someday.”

  Ford introduced Lily to his brother and enjoyed the way Grant’s eyes widened in appreciation. Lily was stunning, and the more time he spent with her, the easier it was to forget what a shock it could be to meet her. His middle brother, Lincoln, was sipping his own beer and chatting with his long-time girlfriend across the room. Grant called to him over the humming conversation, apparently unfettered with the basic manners their mother had worked so hard to instill in them.

  Grant and his girlfriend joined the group, and introductions were made. Ford took a moment to enjoy the ease with which Lily fit into the family. His brothers were easygoing and agreeable, but it couldn’t be easy to meet everyone in the family all at once.

  Lincoln’s girlfriend, Serena, had finished her master’s degree in social work earlier that year and had recently started a new job. “That’s so cool that you’ll have your own agency,” she said to Lily. “The place where I work is having trouble paying the bills, and they are laying people off left and right. I work for a program that’s funded by the government, so I’m not at quite as much at risk, but they pull those state dollars all the time apparently. I might come begging you for a job if they let me go.”

  “I’m sure we’d love to have you once we’re up and running. We should get in touch when I actually know what kinds of positions we’ll have available.”

  Serena and Lincoln had been together since college, so she might as well be a part of the family. She was the daughter of one of Mother’s best friends and definitely didn’t need to worry about money if she got laid off. It was nice to see the women in their lives networking and getting along so easily, though.

  “So, Lily, have you met the parents yet?” Mischief sparkled in Grant’s eyes.

  “Not yet. Any tips?” Lily looked like she knew there was a joke she wasn’t quite in on.

  “Wear a jacket.” Serena took an innocent sip from her straw and fluttered her eyelids at Lincoln. “What? Your mother can be a bit chilly.”

  Lincoln put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple. To Lily, he tried to be reassuring. “You have to meet her, but you don’t have to prolong it. Get in, get out, and save yourself.”

  Serena added, “I wish I could say he was kidding.”

  The group laughed, but nobody was really joking. It wasn’t going to be an easy, warm reception and Ford knew it. The sooner he introduced Lily to his parents, the sooner it would be over. His father was entertaining a small group of friends, so Ford excused himself and Lily to join them. Holding hands, they casually joined the intimate circle. After the group’s laughter at Dad’s joke died down, Ford made use of the opening.

  “Dad, I’d like you to meet Lily Ashton, my fiancée.” Ford held his breath as he scanned the room, looking for Mother. His father would love anyone he brought home, would be charming and agreeable no matter what he actually thought of her, and Ford didn’t worry for a seco
nd that Lily would feel right at home. Growing up with Buck Richardson as his example was where Ford learned how to charm people no matter the situation, to bring them to his way of thinking. It had been perhaps his most powerful asset in his campaign. Buck never met a stranger, and he had a way of loosening purse strings when it came to campaigns he cared about. His mother, on the other hand, had laid the sweetness in her voice on a little too thick to be believable when they spoke on the phone earlier, so he knew he was in for a tough time.

  His father shook Lily’s hand, beaming down at her warmly. “We’ve heard so much about you. It’s nice to meet you, dear.” He was practiced at making people comfortable, and he put his charms to work on Lily right away. “I’m only sorry that Ford took so long to bring you home. Where has he been hiding you?”

  Lily was clearly flattered by his attention. “Thank you for having me, Mr. Richardson. You have a gorgeous home.” A bit of tension left Ford’s shoulders. Lily was a natural in social settings and could hold her own; he shouldn’t have worried. Between his father’s practiced social graces and Lily’s natural charisma, he could likely leave them alone and confront his mother head on.

  “Call me Buck, honey. You’re family now. Where are my manners? Let’s get you a drink.” His father flagged down a passing waiter and pulled two glasses of red wine from the tray and handed one to Lily. “I hope you like red, because this is one of my favorites. Jessica and I discovered this fantastic winery in Napa on vacation last year. Ever since our trip, we’ve been sure to always have it on hand. Now, I’d like to propose a toast.” Ford took another glass from the tray and raised it in anticipation as several guests joined the loosely formed circle.

  “Thank you to everyone, our dearest friends and colleagues, who came to celebrate tonight. We are so proud of Ford and all he’s accomplished, and now we’re thrilled to add his beautiful fiancée to the family.” Dad raised his glass and smiled at Lily, sincere welcome in his eyes. “To Ford and Lily, a beautiful couple with a bright future. I look forward to dancing at your wedding.” Everyone tipped their glasses and drank to them, murmuring their well wishes. Ford accepted the group’s congratulations but kept an eye out for his mother.

  Her entrance was timed perfectly to ensure maximum impact. She sauntered toward them in a cloud of condescension and expensive perfume, her eyes focused on the trio. “Buck, why didn’t you tell me our guest of honor was here?” She turned and swiped a glass from the waiter’s tray. “You must be Lily. Welcome to our home; I’m Jessica Richardson. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” His brother was right; Lily should’ve worn a jacket.

  Lily shook Mother’s hand and looked her in the eye with a confidence he rarely saw in the women he introduced to his family. Either she didn’t realize who she was dealing with or didn’t care, because she didn’t shrink away or flinch from the acid cloaked in sugar in Mother’s tone. Whichever it was, standing beside a woman who didn’t wither under Mother’s gaze was a novel experience, one Ford hadn’t realized he’d enjoy quite so much.

  “Mrs. Richardson, it’s so nice to finally meet you.” Lily’s smile appeared to be genuine, likely the result of many years’ worth of practice. Being a professional model was coming in handy. He waited for Mother to insist that Lily call her Jessica, or at least pretend she accepted that Lily was joining the family.

  “I’m afraid Rutherford hasn’t told us much about you, but you look awfully familiar. What is it that you do?” Jessica Richardson sipped her wine, never breaking eye contact with Lily as she waited for the answer.

  Of course Mother knew Lily was a model. She was likely asking so she could gauge Lily’s reaction as she looked down her nose at her, to see how easy it was to shrink her with a single look. Mother never said anything by accident.

  Lily took a sip from her glass. “I’m a model. You’ve probably seen one of my ads or something.” Ford silently dared Lily to talk about Soldier On, to watch Mother try not to choke on her drink at the thought of a liberal marrying into the family, but no such luck. Serena got a pass from Mother because of her family. As long as she came from good stock, her job was irrelevant.

  Mother looked decidedly disappointed when Lily neither withered under her gaze nor looked apologetic about her profession. “Perhaps that’s it, but you do seem awfully familiar.”

  Mother drained her glass and set it on a table, likely certain that it would be collected by the catering staff before anyone noticed it was there. “Perhaps you have a familiar face, then. You kids enjoy the party. Be sure to try the shrimp tartlets; I hear they are positively divine.” She waved to a woman Ford recognized from the garden club, the diamonds in her tennis bracelet catching the light with every movement. Before he had a chance to register relief that the encounter had been so quick and painless, Mother laid her hand on his forearm. “Ford, dear, don’t leave before I give you the check the Carmichaels sent over for your campaign.”

  “I’ve got it in the study, actually,” Ford’s father chimed in. “They send their regrets for missing the party tonight. Let me go ahead and give it to you now so we don’t forget.”

  With his hand engulfing hers, Ford led Lily through the crowded great room toward the hallway leading to his father’s study. He watched her eyes flick across the family’s home, appraising the sumptuous furnishings and artwork. As well-traveled as she was, Lily had an eye for good art and would probably enjoy lingering at some of the family’s nicer pieces.

  “Lily, if you’d like to wait out here for a moment and check out the art, my parents have some incredible pieces. I won’t be long.” Glad to give her something to do besides worry about scrutiny from his mother, he showed her to the first piece.

  She needed no further encouragement and stopped in front of a Rembrandt etching his family had purchased when they first began collecting art for the home. Ford followed his father into the study, intending to collect the check and spend the rest of the evening entertaining Lily.

  • • •

  Lily suppressed the urge to run her fingertips over the priceless art lining the home’s hallway. Footsteps rounded the corner, and she smiled, ready to make conversation with Ford’s mother. The greeting died on her lips when Jessica Richardson flicked a look of icy disdain in Lily’s direction and brushed past her, disappearing into the study and closing the door behind her. Soft light and movement filtered through the door’s hammered glass insert. Though she wasn’t usually an eavesdropper, Lily found herself edging closer to the study, quietly listening for a clue about what was happening on the other side.

  “Really, Rutherford, a model? Why didn’t you just find a nice Hooters girl to bring home? Don’t you think you’re taking the trophy wife to a new extreme?” Jessica’s voice carried past the closed door, as though she didn’t care if she was overheard or not.

  “Mother, what are you talking about? I told you at lunch that Lily is a model.” His voice was calm, but there was an edge of impatience.

  “Honestly, I can’t believe you’re actually going through with this. Are you trying to humiliate me or commit career suicide?”

  “I think that’s a bit extreme.” Lily could picture Ford’s jaw clenching as he kept his voice calm. “You’re overreacting.”

  “Of all the potential wives available to you, did you even once consider one of the nice girls from Junior League? Did you look at the women your team went to the trouble to find for you? Ones who were appropriate? It would’ve been nice if you’d chosen someone with a more substantial background, or at least someone more educated.”

  “Jessica, come on now.” Buck interrupted, though his tone said he knew his words would fall on deaf ears. “We trust that the team knows what they’re doing when they say Ford needs to get married. It’s lucky that he was already seeing someone that he has feelings for. It shouldn’t matter if she’s from a certain family or doesn’t have an education.”

  “Lily is a college graduate, Mother, and while I don’t think she’s in Junior League, she’s cer
tainly civic-minded. I don’t have to defend her or my decisions to you, but she is definitely a woman of substance. Not that this is any of your business.”

  The pause that followed was likely accompanied by a look that would turn a lesser man to stone. As horrifying as it was to be torn to shreds by his mother, being defended by Ford was gratifying. They’d been put through their paces with the engagement going public, and at every obstacle, he’d been there ready to fight for her, more than she ever would have expected. “If you intend on bringing someone into this family, it’s most certainly my business. We’re talking about our family, Ford. You are much too cavalier if you think any woman off the street is appropriate to bring into this home without a thought to how it affects everyone else.”

  Ford’s words were soft, and Lily had to lean so close to the door in order to hear that if someone opened it, they’d hit her head. “We will not do this, Mother. With or without your approval, this engagement is going forward. Lily will be a Richardson, and it is your choice whether you embrace that reality or not. Whatever you decide, though, listen closely, because I’m only going to say it once. Regardless of your opinion, you will respect her, or you will not see me or any grandchildren until you do. I’m quite serious, and I won’t listen to you talk about her like this again. Am I making myself clear?”

  Jessica sputtered, but acquiesced. “Of course, Rutherford. I wouldn’t dream of interfering with your marriage.” The prospect of losing contact with her son and potential grandchildren must have hit home. A woman like Jessica likely prided herself on being the center of a strong family, and she couldn’t allow a rift of that size to develop. Lily could picture Jessica holding her head high, swallowing her pride like a bitter pill with every word she bit out.