by Cat Schield
Was that true? Had he let London down? What his mother said made sense. He and London had been engaged for two years without committing to a wedding date. She’d tried pinning him down several times and each time he came up with an excuse for why he wasn’t ready. Was it because with each passing month, he’d grown less and less confident that she was the right woman for him?
Would he eventually feel that way about Claire?
Linc couldn’t imagine a time that he wouldn’t want to be with her. In fact, with each hour they spent apart, he grew more impatient to have her all to himself. Was that love? He’d certainly never felt like this with London.
And what if Claire didn’t feel the same way about him? She’d made it pretty clear all she was interested in was a casual physical relationship. Was that what she’d told him because she didn’t believe he could ever want more? Or because she hadn’t stopped grieving for her late husband?
One thing he was certain of, after the polo match event, they were going to have a serious discussion about taking their relationship public. His conversation with his mother today had made it clear that the only way Claire was going to believe they had a future was if he demonstrated he was going to fight for one.
* * *
After spending a fun morning with Honey and Linc at the aquarium, Claire was not in the mood for a business lunch with Everly Briggs. But she’d committed to doing the food for the polo event and Everly was the one in charge.
Claire dressed for the meeting in a blue-and-white seersucker shirtdress with short sleeves and a belt. She’d bought the dress at a consignment shop she’d found near Meeting and George Street and liked how the style was both professional and feminine.
When she arrived at the restaurant, Everly wasn’t yet there. The hostess showed Claire to a table beneath an enormous painting of a magnolia blossom. While the exposed ceiling beams and pine floors gave the space an industrial feel, the white tablecloths and metal vines corkscrewing up the iron support posts added sophistication. Claire was pondering the squat crystal vase with sprigs of tiny white flowers in the middle of the table when her lunch companion arrived.
“You’re early,” Everly said as she sat down opposite Claire. “I can’t tell you how much that impresses me. So many people don’t value another person’s time. Where is your daughter? I was looking forward to seeing her again.”
“I left her home. We went to the aquarium this morning and she’s pretty tired out.” Claire wondered why Everly thought she’d bring Honey. “And this is a business lunch, after all. It didn’t seem appropriate to bring her.”
“Of course. Is she with Linc Thurston? I heard he took her to the children’s museum a week ago.” Everly looked delighted. “How nice for you to have a built-in babysitter.”
Claire fought against rising panic. “He was just helping me out the one time because I was catering his mother’s party.” Although in truth, it had happened several times. Linc was someone who needed to keep busy, and for him, spending time with a toddler was anything but boring. Plus, not having to keep an eye on Honey freed Claire to tackle some projects that were challenging with a toddler around.
“Don’t worry,” Everly said with a toothy smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I wouldn’t dream of saying anything.”
“The food here looks so good. Do you have anything you recommend?”
Everly languidly waved her hand. “It’s all good.”
As soon as the women ordered lunch, Claire got down to business. She didn’t like this woman and refused to linger over the meal any longer than absolutely necessary. But Everly had a different agenda.
“With your accent, you obviously aren’t from the South,” the blonde woman began, her bright green eyes fixed on Claire as if she was the most fascinating person in the room. “Where is your family from?”
Although the last thing Claire wanted to do was talk about herself, she imagined that parting with a few details would be okay.
“I grew up in California, the Bay Area. San Francisco.” Claire added this last detail because she’d found some people in Charleston acted as if little beyond South Carolina was worth knowing about.
“I’ve never been to San Francisco, but I understand there’s a lot of fine dining there. Is that why you became a chef?”
No need to explain that her father hadn’t been the sort to take her out for fancy dinners. Or that she’d waitressed all through high school and became fascinated by everything that went on in the kitchen.
“I grew up watching cooking shows and started experimenting with recipes when I was nine.”
“I imagine your mother appreciated the help in the kitchen. Are you looking forward to sharing your love of food with your daughter?”
Actually, her mother had left shortly after Claire turned seven and her father hadn’t been all that good in the kitchen. So if she wanted something more than canned spaghetti and hot dogs, she’d realized she needed to learn how to cook.
“Honey is already showing signs of being an excellent chef,” Claire said.
“Is your husband a chef as well?”
Claire kept her smile in place, but her irritation was growing. “No, actually he was in the military.”
“I see.” Everly’s nod seemed to indicate that explained something. “Is he stationed nearby?”
“No.” Claire stared at her water glass to avoid meeting Everly’s gaze. She hated how everyone reacted when she spoke of what had happened to Jasper. “He was killed in action several years ago.”
“Oh, that’s just terrible. I’m so sorry. What a shame that Honey will never get to know her father.”
“Yes. Well...” Claire trailed off into uncomfortable silence. She was used to people’s condolences, but this conversation was more of an interview than idle lunch chatter. “Unfortunately, she wasn’t the only child who lost her father that day.”
“So you moved all the way across the country to Charleston. That’s a big step. Don’t you miss your family?”
“I wanted to start fresh,” Claire said, keeping her answer vague. “Charleston has an interesting history and it’s quite lovely.”
She had no intention of sharing the story of her family connection to one of the state’s founding families. Chances were it was just some bit of nonsense made up by one of her ancestors. Back in the 1800s, with travel being so arduous and a Civil War brewing between the North and the South, it would’ve been virtually impossible to prove someone’s claim of being the second son of a wealthy well-connected family.
And even if the story was true, Claire couldn’t imagine some long lost relatives opening their arms to welcome a stranger into their exclusive group, especially one who’d grown up in California.
Deciding to take control of the conversation, Claire cleared her throat and said, “Can you tell me a little bit about the food you arranged with the former caterer for your polo event? Is it a buffet or a sit-down lunch?”
Everly hesitated before answering, looking like she was reluctant to get down to business. At last, she gave a little flutter of her fingers and began. “The way we bring in revenue at this event is by selling tickets to the match and also offering special baskets for lunch. We’ve had a hundred baskets preordered. Each one costs three hundred dollars and will feed two people.”
Claire nodded as she jotted notes on a small pad of paper. She’d done a little research on the sorts of food served at a polo match. She intended to propose a sampler of sandwiches made with beef, ham, perhaps salmon, definitely one of vegetables. An artisanal meat and cheese tray with a delectable kale salad or perhaps a cold soup, maybe both. And seasonal fruit. For drinks, she’d recommend a bottle of Txakoli and her homemade aguas frescas.
As she spelled out her plans, Everly nodded her agreement and Claire relaxed with each minute that went by. While she was confident in her ability to cook, satisfy
ing a crowd of people accustomed to the best was daunting. Plus, what she might have fixed for a San Francisco crowd wouldn’t necessarily cut it in Charleston.
“Another thought would be to offer wines made by someone who plays polo.” Claire went on to list a couple brands that she’d researched.
“Well, aren’t you thorough,” Everly said, looking surprised.
The waitress brought their food, interrupting the flow of the conversation, and Claire picked up her fork, eager to taste what she’d chosen. Magnolias was known for their refined take on Southern cuisine. The menu had offered several dishes featuring fried green tomatoes, creamy grits and, of course, shellfish. But one dish in particular had caught her eye: a bourbon fried catfish with pickled hot peppers, okra and sweet corn fricassee, and Tabasco rémoulade.
Everly ignored her own plate of delicious-looking scallops. “After Bettina’s party, I knew that you were a fantastic chef, but your suggestions today are so much better than I expected. What made you think of the wine made by polo players?”
“I remember reading an article about the Argentinian wineries building polo fields because the pairing made so much sense.”
“It’s brilliant. Have you ever considered opening your own catering company? Someone with your talent could be a big hit in Charleston. I have a lot of connections in town and could help you get started.”
“That’s really nice of you,” Claire said, appreciating Everly’s enthusiasm but wishing everyone would stop trying to push her into something she wasn’t ready for. “But I’m not interested in catering full-time.”
“I don’t see why not. I recognize talent when I see it.”
“Thank you, but I like working for Linc and don’t intend to stop.”
“But your talent is wasted.” At last, Everly picked up her fork and turned her attention to her meal. “You could be doing so much more than just cleaning Linc Thurston’s house.”
“To be honest, I don’t know where to begin when it comes to launching a business. I’m only catering these few events because Bettina is Linc’s mother and your committee members seemed in a desperate situation.”
“I understand that starting a business must seem daunting. But here’s how I can help you. I belong to an organization of women entrepreneurs and we make it our mission to support and encourage people like you.”
“That sounds like a worthwhile mission,” Claire said, “but I don’t have the time or money to start my own catering company.” Why wouldn’t this woman stop pushing?
“I understand your concerns, but I’m sure you can work something out. You don’t have to do it all at once. Why don’t we get together after the polo match and I can walk you through some of the options. Your food is so good. I just know you’d be a huge success.”
Sensing the woman wouldn’t drop it, Claire managed a vague smile and a half-hearted nod. This encounter with Everly reinforced for Claire why she had no interest in starting a catering business. Too often, she struggled to assert herself. As a kid, she’d never learned to stand and fight. It was always easier to run away.
Fortunately for Claire, as the two women ate, she was able to turn the tables on Everly and persuade her to talk about her own background. Claire wasn’t surprised that, although Everly spoke about growing up in Charleston, she never mentioned her sister who’d been imprisoned for stealing.
When lunch was over, Everly snagged the check as soon as the waitress set it down and slid her credit card into the holder, ignoring Claire’s protest.
“My treat,” the blonde said. “You are saving us from a disaster. The least I could do is buy you lunch. Besides, I suggested eating here and I know it’s a little expensive.”
“Thank you,” Claire replied, deciding against letting the subtle jab get to her.
Still, no matter how much Everly complimented her talents as a chef, the Charlestonian would always view Claire as “the help.” It was this prejudicial view that Linc couldn’t seem to understand or refused to acknowledge despite growing up in this town.
No matter how successful or rich she became, as far as everyone who mattered was concerned, Claire would never be good enough for Linc. Although it put an ache in her heart, she’d accepted it. If only he would as well. Because if he didn’t, his faith in them as a couple was going to tear them apart sooner rather than later.
* * *
Claire stood beside Linc and marveled as the mass of horses and riders charged from one end of the field to the other in pursuit of a small white ball. The thunder of the hooves on the grass made her heart pound. She hadn’t been prepared for the adrenaline rush of watching the nonstop action of a polo match.
It was the second match of the day. She’d been occupied getting the luncheon baskets ready and missed the first. For some reason, she’d assumed polo was like other sports where it would take hours to play the game. Today, she’d discovered that the match was composed of six chukkers—or periods—lasting seven and a half minutes each, with a ten-minute halftime during which the spectators went out onto the field for the traditional divot stomp.
“What do you think?” Linc asked.
Flushed with enthusiasm, she glanced away from the field, noting that several of the ladies dressed in party frocks with adorable hats festooned with ribbons and flowers were paying more attention to her and Linc than the match.
“The spectators appear so civilized,” she said, grinning up at him. “While the polo riders are intense and a little crazy.”
The sport wasn’t for the fainthearted. Four horses from each team galloped down the field, bumping and jockeying for position while their riders swung four-foot mallets. It was a wonder no one was seriously hurt.
A cry went up from the crowd as Sawyer’s friend Ruby scored yet again for the women. This particular match was a battle of the sexes, and at the moment, the women were kicking butt.
“How come you don’t play?” Claire asked Linc. She’d noticed that several of his friends were on teams today.
Linc shook his head. “I like to keep both my feet on the ground when I’m chasing little white balls.”
“Have you tried it?”
“Once. It didn’t go well.” Linc’s grin was rueful. “Do you ride? I’m sure Ruby would be happy to give you some lessons in how to play.”
Although Claire had never been on a horse, she could imagine how empowering it would feel to charge down the field in pursuit of the ball at speeds of thirty to forty miles an hour. “I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
“It must take years to learn to ride well enough to do this.”
“You wouldn’t play at this level to start off. I’m sure there are plenty of people who are beginners that you could team up with.”
Though intrigued, Claire shook her head. She didn’t have the time or the money to spend on something like polo.
“Linc, there you are.” It was Landry Beaumont, yet another stunning woman with her sights set on Linc. “Where did you disappear to after lunch? It’s nearly halftime. Come meet my brother. He’s on Austin’s team. We can harass them about losing to a bunch of girls.”
While Linc was distracted by Landry, Claire faded from his side, fighting the dismay swelling in her chest. What had she expected? She’d known from the first that anything between her and Linc was temporary at best.
And from what she’d gleaned after Bettina’s party, it sounded like everyone was rooting for a relationship to develop between Linc and Landry. With her family connections, beauty and interests, she was being touted as the perfect girl for him.
Done with her work, Claire headed for the exit, her foolish heart aching. Unfortunately, her escape was thwarted by Everly Briggs.
“There you are,” Everly said. Today, she wore a filmy floral dress in various warm pastel shades, a broad-brimmed hat festooned with poppies, and dark glasses. “You�
�re not leaving already, are you?”
Feeling shabby beside the socialite, Claire nodded. “It’s been a long day and I should be getting back to my daughter.”
“Well, then, I’m so glad I caught you. You did a terrific job for us today. Do you have all the receipts so I can get our treasurer to write a check for you?”
The last thing Claire wanted was to be delayed, but she’d paid for the food out of her own pocket and needed to be reimbursed. “I have everything in my car.”
“Can you get it and bring it back here? I’ll go find Deirdre.”
“Of course.”
Claire made her way through the parking lot to her Saab and retrieved the folder that held all her receipts, as well as the paperwork the committee had requested she fill out so they could reimburse her.
When she arrived at the spot where she and Everly had parted, the other woman hadn’t yet returned. While she waited, Claire’s gaze roved the crowd in search of Linc’s tall form. She spotted him with Austin and a blond man she assumed was Landry’s brother, since the group also included her and Ruby.
“Well, look who’s here,” said a familiar female voice from just behind her shoulder.
Claire’s head snapped around and there stood Jasper’s mother and father. The malicious satisfaction in their expressions caused Claire to step back from them.
“Doug. Sharon.” Claire couldn’t believe what she was seeing. “What are you doing here?”
“You look surprised.” Doug Patmore sneered. “Didn’t think we would find you?”
Of average height with tanned skin and a fleshy face, Jasper’s father used the force of his personality rather than his physical presence to intimidate. Claire had never cared for the way he invaded her space. She suspected he enjoyed her discomfort.
The incongruity of seeing these two in Charleston, at a polo match, a party she was catering, left her dumbfounded and mute.
“Where’s our granddaughter?” Sharon demanded. “You had no right to take her away from us and we insist on seeing her at once to make sure she’s okay.”