Chandler put his arm around her waist and kissed the back of her neck and Todd moved his hips back against her.
“Anything for you, darlin’.”
Chapter Nineteen
Their airplane landed at four p.m. Chandler saw George waiting beside the limo. He waved and urged Sunn toward the car.
“Wow, I’ve never ridden in such a fancy car.” Sunn took hold of Chandler’s arm as they got closer.
“George, it’s good to see you.” George put out his hand to Chandler and Chandler put his arms around him. When he stepped back, he introduced Sunn.
“George kept me out of trouble and helped all of us grow up.”
The tall, lean, balding man grinned at Chandler. “And you were a handful, Mister Chandler.” He grinned at Sunn. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m glad Mister Chandler has such a pretty lady to be his wife.” George held the door open for them.
“Call me Chandler.”
“Your momma wouldn’t approve. I’m afraid I might slip up in front of her. But it means a lot to me that you keep asking.”
George drove through the crowded streets. Then he drove onto the Sunrise Highway going to East Hampton Village. Sunn got more anxious the farther they rode. When they turned into the estate area, her heart flip-flopped.
Chandler held tight to her hand. “Don’t worry, honey. I love you, and I’ll stay by your side.”
“If you can. I’m afraid your mother or father may take you off, and I’ll be left in a room with strangers. Look at these houses. I don’t have the elegant clothes to go with all of this.” She spread her arms wide to include the large homes they passed. Her speech had gotten faster and her breathing rapid.
I am so not the one to be here with Chandler. I’m scared silly.
“Breathe slowly. Don’t panic. My brother and sisters will like you.”
“We’ll see. At least it’s a short trip.” The limousine turned into a long, curved drive. The huge house set on a slightly higher elevation than the road.
They stopped and George got out and opened her door. When she stood, he whispered to her, “You are what he needs. I see his love for you in his eyes. Fight them for him. He’s worth it.”
Chandler got out on the other side. He came around and took hold of her arm. As they walked toward the double-mahogany doors, Chandler asked, “What did George say to you?”
“He said to enjoy myself and love you lots.”
“I doubt he said exactly those words, but I’ll let the two of you have your secrets. I trust George.”
He opened the door and pulled her inside. “Hi Mom, Dad, where are you?”
A slender, medium-height woman hurried into the foyer. Her silver hair was immaculately in place, and she wore a simple jewel-blue dress. It was obviously expensive.
“Where are your manners, Chandler? Why didn’t you ring the doorbell? Edna would have answered and brought you to us.”
“Mom, I’d like you to meet Sunn Handley.”
Mrs. Larsson took Sunn’s hand gingerly in hers. “I’m pleased to meet you. Follow me to the living room where Chandler’s father is waiting.” She turned on her high heels and clacked across the exquisite tile entryway into a large living room. In one corner, a heavyset, gray-haired man was reading the paper.
He waited until they were at his side before glancing upward. As he rose, he studied Sunn from her head to her feet.
Sunn was surprised when he hugged his son. “It’s about time you came to see us.”
“Harry, this is Chandler’s friend, Sunn Handley.”
“She’s my fiancée, Mom.”
“How long have you known each other? After your divorce you don’t want to rush into anything.”
“We’ve known each other several years.”
“And you decided to wait until you were engaged to introduce us?”
“Yes.”
Sunn heard the irritation in Chandler’s voice and decided to butt in. “I’m thirsty from the trip. May I have a glass of water?”
His mother jerked her head around as though she’d managed to forget Sunn was in the room. “Of course.” She rang a small bell and a woman dressed in a black and white uniform came to the door. “Our guests are ready for refreshments, Edna.”
The maid nodded her head and disappeared. His mother motioned for them to be seated. “Now, tell us more about this crazy idea of yours to move to Saddlespurs, Texas, where you were born. I had hoped I’d gotten you out of there before you had a chance to get too attached to the place. And why do you want to have a cattle ranch?” His mother’s face reflected her annoyance and disgust.
“I’ve been visiting Saddlespurs on and off for years. I just didn’t tell you. I knew you’d be upset. But I’m in the process of moving. No one can change my mind.
“I’ll be looking for an office next week and for staff. I have a partner to work with me in the Houston office. I’ll see patients and do surgery in the hospital the two days a week I’m there. I’ll stay three if there’s an emergency.” Chandler put his arm around Sunn’s shoulder. “I don’t want to be away from my wife more than is necessary.”
Again, Sunn felt she was under a microscope when his mother turned her attention on Sunn. “You are an attorney?”
“Yes. I took over my father’s office when he retired.”
“And you don’t do malpractice cases?” Chandler’s father asked.
“I would if I knew a patient had been hurt by a reckless act of their doctor.” Sunn felt Chandler tense from where he stood next to her.
His father’s eyes squinted at her. “And what do you consider reckless behavior?”
“Working under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or doing a procedure you haven’t been trained to do. Those are the types of cases I’d be willing to take. I’m not interested in frivolous lawsuits.”
“A lawyer with a conscience?”
“We’re not all bad, sir.”
Edna arrived before he responded to her. Chandler squeezed her hand and winked at her. The tray of hors d’oeuvres looked delicious. Sunn sat and ate several and drank half her tea immediately.
“You were thirsty,” Mr. Larsson said. He smiled at her for the first time.
“When you finish, Edna will show you your room,” Mrs. Larsson said. “We’d like to speak with Chandler alone.”
Sunn took his mother’s hint. After eating a few more canapés and finishing her tea, she kissed Chandler and followed Edna up the spiral staircase.
“This will be your room during your stay. George brought up your suitcase.” She nodded her head toward the small bag, placed on the plush, dark-green carpet. Sunn was surprised by the size and elegance of the bedroom. It’s three or four times bigger than my bedroom at home or in my condo. I’m totally out of place here.
“If you need anything, Miss Handley, please let me know.” The maid smiled for the first time.
“You know my name.”
“George told me. We’re so glad to see Mr. Chandler has such a nice lady for his fiancée.”
“Thank you. You and George have made me feel welcome.”
“Don’t mind the parents. Chandler and most of his siblings are much different.”
“How long have you worked for his parents?”
“About thirty years. George and I saw the children grow up. Chandler was always a favorite of ours.”
“Are you and George married?”
“Yes, madam, we are.” Then she stepped out of the room. “I’d better go downstairs. I’ll bring you a sandwich and a pitcher of iced tea.”
“I’d appreciate it. I got very thirsty and still am.”
“I thought so.”
When she closed the door, Sunn looked around the elegant room and into the big bath. She’d never expected Chandler came from such a rich, sophisticated family. Even his warning hadn’t prepared her for the opulence of the home or the cold greeting from his parents. She went to the window and saw the ocean. It was all beautiful, but she missed ho
me.
* * * *
“Chandler, what possessed you to propose to such a woman? Our friends will take one look and know she is from the backwoods of Texas.”
“How can you tell, Mother. Is it written across her forehead?” He didn’t try to keep the sarcasm from his voice. His parents’ behavior had hurt him and, more importantly, Sunn.
“You’ll keep a polite tone in your voice when speaking with your mother,” his dad said.
“She was not polite to someone I brought to the house. A lady I fully intend to marry me. I love her, and I think she’s beautiful inside and out.”
“But she has no culture. She will not be an asset to you in your career,” his mother protested.
“Mother, you and dad’s choice for a wife for me led to a divorce. This time I’m marrying for love. I don’t need her help with my career. And if I did, I think my colleagues would like her immensely.”
“Come to my office and have a drink,” his father said. “Rita, will you excuse us?”
“Certainly, Harry. I’ll call Sherry and make sure they will be here for dinner tonight. Tomorrow we’ll have an afternoon tea to introduce your fiancée to some of our friends.”
“We don’t want a lot of bother, Mom. I only wanted you to meet Sunn.”
“It’s no trouble. The invitations have gone out, and I’m all prepared.”
Chandler stared at her. “Mom, if you upset Sunn we won’t be back for a long time.”
She sniffed, raised her head, and left the room. His father led him to his study.
“Have a seat.” His dad went to the bar and poured them both a whiskey. Then he sat behind the wide desk.
Chandler recalled other lectures in this room, but without the bourbon. His dad obviously had more to say about his move from Houston.
“I’ve talked with several of the younger doctors at the hospital where I practiced. They knew of you. They said if a patient of theirs needed the type of surgery you do, they’d encourage them to go wherever you have an office.” He took a sip of his bourbon. “Apparently you’re right about your reputation. But others can come along and be just as good. With you living in that insignificant little town, patients will prefer the doctor who’s in a big city, at a well-known hospital.”
“Is that your opinion or those of others?”
“Mine, and I’ve been around longer than any of you youngsters. I understood I had to get away from Saddlespurs if I wanted to be a success and make a name for myself, so I went to Houston.
“When I met and married Rita, she made me promise I’d move to New York within two years. She didn’t have to twist my arm. Thankfully, I got an opportunity shortly after our wedding.”
“I know Grandpa and Grandma were disappointed we all moved so far away.”
“I sent my father money to make him and my mother’s life easier. Then I moved him here after mom died.”
“I appreciate your concern for my welfare, Dad. But I’ve made up my mind. I’m confident I’ll be able to support a wife and family.”
“You’ll never have all this.” His father spread his arms to indicate the house.
“I don’t want to be unkind, Dad, but you wouldn’t either if mother hadn’t inherited wealth from her family. Can you really say you’ve been happy with things? Wouldn’t you have rather had more love?”
His father’s face flushed a bright red, and he took a large swallow of his bourbon. “Are you insinuating I married Rita for the money she’d later inherit?”
“I’m saying it must have been a consideration. You and Mom have encouraged me and all my siblings to make profitable marriages.”
“And if you’d come home as your wife wanted, you’d still be married and much wealthier.”
“Having tons of money and two or more houses is not what I want.”
“Then what the hell do you want!”
Chandler took his time answering to let his father calm down. He swallowed a sip of his bourbon, and then leaned toward his dad.
“I want to be happy, to be loved, to have a family, and to have time to enjoy them. I’ll have enough money to see they’re taken care of well and can go to college. We won’t have a house like this, but our home will be cozy and filled with love. They won’t miss not having this.” He glanced around his father’s luxurious study.
His father looked stunned. “Rubbish, what’s this nonsense you’re spouting? You had all those things and luxury, too.”
“Whatever you say, Dad. I’d like to go see that Sunn is all right. As I’ve said before, there’s nothing you can say to change my mind.” He put the half-full glass on the desk and left the room. Then he took the stairs two at a time to find Sunn.
She was in the second room he checked. “Hi.”
Sunn turned from hanging her clothes in the closet. “Look at this dress. It will never do for a tea like your mother has planned.”
“We’ll go shopping. Dinner isn’t until seven. I want to get out of here and show you around.”
“I’d love to see the sights and maybe find a proper dress.”
“Good, let’s go. There are several cars in the three garages. I’ll get the keys for one from George.”
“Do I look okay to go walking around the village?”
His eyes roamed from her beautiful face to the dark-green shirt she’d worn and the black jeans. She had on comfortable walking shoes. “You are perfect. You’ll fit right in.”
“With the other tourists, you mean.” She smiled. “Get me out of here.”
George met them at the bottom of the stairs. “I thought you might want these, Mr. Chandler.” He winked at Sunn. “The convertible is usually his favorite.”
Sunn impulsively kissed George’s cheek. “I like you and Edna.” George blushed and Chandler grinned.
“Isn’t she wonderful?” Chandler asked.
“Yes. She’s brought a breath of fresh air to this house.”
They waved and Chandler took her hand and walked to the single garage. Inside was a 1965 yellow Mustang convertible.
“Oh, this is one of my favorite cars. I love the Mustangs from the sixties.” Sunn ran her hand across the shiny finish.
“It’s been taken care of well. My dad bought it for me when I graduated from college and headed to med school. I was the envy of all my classmates.”
“Why haven’t you kept it with you?”
“Dad loves it, too. He paid for it. I always felt I had it on loan.” Chandler opened the door for her. “Please get in my limousine, Madam.”
With the top down, they were soon on their way to sightsee and shop.
* * * *
Rita Larsson paced across the carpet in her husband’s study. She had a glass of wine in her hand.
“We must do something, Harry. It’s our fault we didn’t get him back home sooner. I have several young ladies I can introduce him to and they’re from wealthy families. They’ve been trained how to dress and act in society. This woman may be a lawyer, but she has no polish. Did you see how her hair was pulled back in a ponytail with a scarf around it? Beautiful hair should always be coiffured.”
“I agree she is not what we would choose for Chandler, but he is determined and has dug in his heels. Cool it and wait until after the tea tomorrow. He’ll see how out of place she is and might change his mind. I doubt it though.”
“He must. I’ll work on her.”
“Be careful or he’ll take her and leave before your tea. He was going on about wanting love, and a home. This is serious, Rita.”
“Then I’ll wait. After the tea if he feels the same, I’ll see her separately and make the offer we agreed on.”
* * * *
Sunn had found the perfect dress in a small shop on a backstreet of the village. They’d walked all over, stopped for coffee and a pastry, and then found the dress just when she was ready to give up.
She stood in front of the bedroom mirror. She’d left her hair down, drawing the sides back and fastening them with a spray o
f artificial flowers. The tiny pink and blue roses were just the right touch, not too formal and hopefully not too casual.
Her dress matched Chandler’s cobalt-blue eyes. She’d brought cream-colored heels with her. At a jewelry store, Chandler had insisted on buying her earrings and a matching ring in a lovely shade of blue topaz. Sunn turned every which way in front of the mirror.
Chandler stuck his head in the door. “Wow, you are so beautiful. My parents’ friends will be impressed.”
“I hope so. I have to admit to being nervous. I’m not used to being the guest of honor and to have so many people judging me.”
“No matter what, Todd and I adore you.”
She kissed him lightly. “I mustn’t smudge my lipstick.”
Chandler pulled her into his arms. “You know when I think you’re the most beautiful?”
“When?”
“Naked, with the flush you have on your face after we’ve made love and at the ranch when you leave makeup off except your sunscreen. Your natural beauty is the best of all.”
“Ah, you’re being sweet to give me courage to face the onslaught downstairs.”
“I’m being truthful.” He took her hand. “I heard the doorbell ring several times. If we don’t put in an appearance soon, my mother will be coming through the door.”
“My goodness, we mustn’t have that.”
Sunn took a deep breath as they started down the stairs. Chandler leaned close and whispered, “When you met my siblings and their families at dinner last night, they liked you.”
“All but your sister, Sherry. She’s very like your mother.”
“She’ll come around. Her husband is gradually wearing off her haute attitude. He may be well-to-do, but he’s a nice, pleasant guy.”
“I did like him. You have many doctors in your family, your brother, the dermatologist, and your sister, who’s studying to be a pediatrician. Your parents must be proud.”
They were walking across the foyer when the doorbell rang. Chandler waved Edna back and answered the door himself.
A tall blonde dressed in a short, fire engine-red dress threw her arms around Chandler’s neck. “Darling, I’ve missed you. It’s been dull around here without your handsome face.” She kissed his cheek even though he was pulling her arms from around his neck.
Seducing Our Lady's Heart [Commando Cowboys and Renegade Texans Unite 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 16