by C. J. Harte
Teri walked quickly back to the house. Her irritability was growing. Part of it was from acknowledging that maybe there was something special about Mia.
*
The day had been productive. Teri was pleased. The small orchestra was playing by the time Teri wandered into the garden. The weather was perfect, and several dozen people were already present. She had opted for a gray silk suit with mid-calf skirt, tuxedo style silk blouse, and her black heels. She had carefully crafted an image that was controlled power. It was an image she was safe with.
She grabbed a glass of champagne and walked up to the Miltons. Both her parents were already circulating through the crowd.
“Let me introduce you to some of our other guests.” She led the foursome around introducing them to a various associates and business leaders. Mr. and Mrs. Milton started chatting with one of their California congressmen. After a few more minutes, she left the Milton siblings chatting with other guests and went to look for her brother. She had to admit he was impressive in the discussions earlier in the day. Jeremy had surprised her in how much he knew about the negotiations.
Teri placed her empty glass on a tray and grabbed another. She was about to wander back toward the Miltons when she noticed Jeremy and Mia coming from the directions of the guesthouse. Jeremy was elegant in his black tuxedo. Mia, however, was stunning in a simple, knee-length black cocktail dress. Teri stood mesmerized. The only person she could see was elegant, attractive Mia. The only thought filling her brain now was how much she wanted Mia.
Mia’s laughter brought her back to her surroundings. For a brief second, Teri wanted to be the one escorting Mia, but she quickly shoved the impulse down. It was not related to business.
She waited until they were close. Teri grabbed another glass of champagne and handed it to Mia. “Good evening. I’m glad you decided to join us. The dress is lovely. Is it new?” What she really wanted to know was whether her brother bought it.
“No, I’ve had it for some time. One of my errands in the city was to pick up some things from my hotel and to check out.”
“I didn’t realize you were staying in the city.” Teri’s curiosity was piqued. Mia was staying at the Stantons but had a hotel room in New York City. That meant she was choosing to stay out here.
“Mmmm.” Mia sipped her champagne.
God, she can be irritating.
“May I have this dance?” Jeremy asked. He removed the glass from Mia’s hand and gave it to Teri. He quickly led her out to the dance floor.
Once again, Teri felt control slipping. Mia looked lovely and comfortable dancing with Jeremy. This is insane. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t get the image of Mia far enough away or buried deep enough to ignore. She’s an excellent dancer. I didn’t know that Jeremy could waltz, but Mia…Mia is exquisite. Teri’s pulse was racing.
“They make a lovely couple.” Pamela’s brother, Gary, had walked up without Teri noticing.
“They’re good friends. Known each other a long time.” I need to pay more attention to business. “So, Gary, what is your role in the company?” Before he could answer, Teri was distracted by her sister walking in and hugging Mia. Is there no end to the influence she has in this family?
CHAPTER NINE
“Does checking out mean you’re leaving?” Jeremy asked.
“It means I don’t want to stay around here. Your family has demands on your time. I know how much this is creating tension in your family.”
“Mia, will you wait until I talk to you in the morning?” Bren asked. “I hurried back to meet with you. Not the Miltons.”
“Bren, you can’t change your family. Teri is all business, and the company’s in the middle of a big merger. The Miltons will be around for a couple of more days.”
“Just promise me you’ll wait until we talk. It will be early, I promise.”
“I promise, but only until noon.”
“Thanks,” Jeremy said. “Let me go make a couple of calls.” He kissed her cheek and ran toward the back of the house.
“Let me change clothes,” Bren said. “I think I know what Jeremy’s up to, and it will give us time to talk. I’ve some good news. Let me say hello to some of the guests first.”
Mia felt elation creep in. She watched Bren walk away. Could she have the news Mia was hoping for?
“Alone? Maybe I can provide some company?”
Pamela Milton! Mia took a deep breath and challenged herself to be polite. “I’m fine, thank you.”
“You’re very fine.” Pamela proceeded to whisper a rather indelicate invitation in Mia’s ear.
“I’m not interested.”
“Pourqoui pas? You won’t regret it.” Pamela ran a finger slowly along her arm.
Oh, I will definitely regret it. “My only regret would be saying yes.”
“I take that as a challenge. I promise no regrets.”
“Yes, you’ve already said that.”
Pamela ran her hand over Mia’s back causing Mia to move farther away. No matter how much Mia moved away, Pamela followed.
“My French is not nearly as good as yours. When I get excited, I have trouble thinking in English.”
Mia mentally rolled her eyes. She wasn’t sure how much more of this game playing she could take.
“Pamela, your parents want you to meet someone.” Somehow, Teri appeared and stepped in between them. Her voice seemed somewhat forced, as if she were struggling to be civil. “Let me introduce you.” She pushed Pamela across the room before a word was spoken.
Mia offered a whispered thank you when Teri looked back briefly.
Teri just nodded.
“It’s definitely time to get the hell out of Dodge,” Mia said as she headed to the guesthouse.
Mia was accustomed to people who were more forthcoming. More honest. There were too many games being played, and she was not going to get caught in the middle.
Tonight, she was exhausted. Tomorrow, early, she would pack and drive back into the city. Hopefully, she would be able to say good-bye to Jeremy and spend some time with Bren.
CHAPTER TEN
It was nearly eight in the morning when Jeremy knocked on the door. “Glad you’re packed. We’re going to Maine.”
“Jeremy, your family expects you to be here.”
Jeremy’s expression was determined. “No one asked me what I was doing. I’m not asking them. Bren has the helicopter standing by on the other side of the river and she’s already packed.”
“If you both leave, hell will break loose for both of you.”
“I’ve spent most of my life doing what my family expects. I went to Harvard and hated business. I changed to archeology and disappointed my parents. I go to the office every day but rarely have anything to do. Bren handles all the legal. Teri does the rest. You and Elaine are my only real friends. If she’ll have me, I’m going to marry Elaine, and I want you to be my best woman.”
Mia chuckled. “You’re certifiable. You just need to do something that you feel is worthwhile.”
“You’ve made me realize that there is more to life than work and making money.”
“You’re a good man, Jeremy. Between the two of us, we make one perfect person. Or one screwed up one.”
“You and I both know what your problem is.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m working on trusting my gut. And learning to trust that I can be loved for me. My mom’s illness and Nat’s death reminded me of my own mortality and that I don’t want to waste a minute of my life. There’s so much more, Jeremy. God, if we could only have the knowledge and confidence at eighteen or twenty we do when we’re older. But I’m getting there.”
“Good. Now, let’s get going. We’ve got everything planned, and we’re on a tight schedule.”
Mia laughed. “Are we escaping?”
“Absolutely.”
Mia pulled the blue dress out of the closet and put it on the bed. “Let’s go, then. I feel like a kid sneaking around on our parents.”
&
nbsp; Fifteen minutes later, the three of them were boarding the boat. The trip was fast. Mia was accustomed to the boats that took tourists and residents between the Greek Isles. They were water taxis compared to the luxury high-speed vessel the Stantons kept.
Once they crossed the river, a helicopter was waiting. Mia had never been in one and approached with caution. After they were airborne, however, she was fascinated at all they could see.
“This is incredible.” Too soon, however, they were setting down at Long Island’s MacArthur Airport. There a small private jet was waiting.
“Okay, this is too much. If you’re trying to impress me, you’ve done it.”
“This is a Gulfstream 650,” Bren said. “The company bought it because of its speed and functioning. It can make international flights with no problem.”
“This is where I’m leaving you two,” Jeremy said. “I’m flying to San Francisco to ask Elaine to marry me. I’ll call tomorrow and let you know what she said.”
Mia was surprised he wasn’t going to Maine, but she was happy for him. She hugged him good-bye and watched the limo drive him over to another waiting plane.
“Let’s go,” Bren said as she climbed aboard the Gulfstream.
Mia climbed aboard and was impressed with the large, comfortable leather interior. Lighting gave it a sense of space.
“It’s gorgeous and comfortable. Like flying first class.” Mia settled in her seat and looked out the large windows.
Once they were in the air, Mia looked at the large video screen showing the route they were flying. “We’re flying up the coast.” It had been so long since she had spent much time in New England. “I’ve missed this. My trips to the States have generally been business or family visits, or you and Jer.”
“Jeremy loves this area. Me, I love the nightlife of South Beach. I’ve come up here a few times during the summer to spend time with my brother.”
“Well, tell me. What news do you have?”
Bren grinned and opened her briefcase. “First, Michel. You have friends in the State Department. His passport should be ready in about ten days.” She pulled out some documents. “Here’s his citizenship papers.”
Mia reached across and hugged Bren. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me. Especially now.”
Bren squeezed her hand. “I’m honored that you asked me for help. I know how hard the last couple of years have been.”
“You and Jeremy have made the time passable.” A lump of emotion lodged in Mia’s throat and threatened to choke off any speech. She swallowed once, then twice until she was sure she could utter a syllable without falling apart. “Last year, when I began the adoption process, I was looking forward to starting a new chapter in my life. I didn’t realize what a big difference it would also make to my family. Or how complicated.”
Bren stroked her hand. “I’m glad I could help, at least with the adoption.”
Mia smiled. “My parents are so excited about becoming grandparents. My brother’s not in any hurry to have kids. When I told Mom and Dad, I was adopting Michel, you should’ve seen the look on their faces.”
“I’m happy for all of you. I also have a good friend looking at property in northern Virginia. She assures me she can find a place in your budget. Now, let’s celebrate a better year for us all.”
Mia raised her glass of juice. “Hear! Hear!”
The conversation turned to hiking, museums, and sunrises. By the time they landed at Bangor International Airport, Mia was looking forward to an enjoyable vacation.
On the ground, a Mercedes GL class SUV was waiting. Mia tossed her bag in the back and climbed in front. The leather seats were so comfortable she could easily fall asleep. The car still had that new car smell and look.
“How did you arrange all this in such a short time?”
“My admin makes all my travel arrangements. She’s accustomed to my having to leave on a moment’s notice. The plane we flew in is usually reserved for Teri or my dad’s use.”
“And the Mercedes?”
“I generally opt for a Prius.”
“Being a Stanton definitely has its privileges.”
“And disappointments. Yes, it’s easy to get whatever we want or need, but there’s a cost for everything.”
“Does Teri know that you would like to do more than legal work? Does she know you want to be C.O.O. one day?”
“Hell, no. My father and Teri expect Jeremy to step up.”
“Bren, I’m so sorry. I’m glad I don’t have to deal with those problems. I make good money, but I’m not even close to being able to afford this. Plus, I’ve tried to help my parents as much as I can.”
“I envy you,” Bren said. “Like Teri, I’ve become somewhat spoiled. Jeremy is the smart one. He knows what he wants. He just needs the courage to do it.”
Mia needed to lighten the mood. “Come on. Let’s explore this charming hideaway.”
The next forty minutes were spent driving around Bar Harbor. Mia was excited about the historical character of the small town and the lovely cottages. The town was small but delightful. Bren had brushed up on the history and life of the area and provided running commentary.
“If you’ll stop at a grocery store, I’ll fix dinner.”
“How do you find the time to cook?”
“It’s something I enjoy. Tonight, I’ll keep it simple.” Shopping was quick and then they were back in the SUV.
Bren pulled up a long driveway and stopped behind a three-story, white, typical New England house that had to be at least a hundred years old.
“This isn’t a cottage. This is huge. How many rooms does it have?”
“I’ve never counted, but there are eight or nine bedrooms, depending on whether you count the sleeping porch. My South Beach condo has five bedrooms and baths.”
Mia grabbed groceries and clothes. “This is probably the biggest house around.”
“My grandmother was born and lived in Maine until she married my grandfather. She came from a large family, and this house was where she grew up. She was determined to have a place in Maine. She generally spent every summer here. Teri, Jeremy, and I used to come up every summer until she passed away. I think that was when Teri started changing.”
“How did she change?”
“She stopped laughing. Everything became serious. She was fourteen. Jeremy had just turned seven. I think Granny kept us all grounded. When she died, we lost our grounding. Mother thought Bar Harbor primitive and never came up. Dad came up and brought me along until I was ten. Jer continued to come up once he was old enough to drive.”
They managed to unload the car in one trip, and Mia got a quick tour of the place. Bren showed her to a large bedroom that looked out on the water. She opened the windows. “I want this one, if it’s okay.”
“It’s not like there aren’t enough bedrooms that we could each sleep in a different one each night. Except that might make a lot of work for the housekeeper.”
“Well, let’s give her the night off and mess up the kitchen. Let me change and I’ll get started fixing something to eat.”
Mia changed into sweats and a well-worn T-shirt. She quickly put away all the groceries except what she needed for dinner.
“Can I help?”
“No, I’ve got everything. Sit and talk while I cook.” Mia quickly mixed ingredients and had dinner cooked and on the table. Conversation was light. She enjoyed sharing wine and catching up on each other’s lives.
Dinner over, Mia sat on the front porch and enjoyed the music of the frogs and crickets. She could feel her body relax. She put her head back. She hummed as she rocked, feeling the most relaxed since before her mother’s heart attack. She watched the lights of a vehicle turn up the drive.
Wonder who’s coming up here at this time of night?
The car stopped and the door opened. Mia stopped rocking. She had an answer.
“Brenna,” she called, “you need to come out.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
/> Teri was furious but was determined to remain in control. “Hello.” Her voice was barely civil. “Thought I might find you up here.” She stretched her fingers. They were sore from being in tight balls for most of the trip. Teri had listened to fifteen minutes of harangue from her parents, snide comments from Pamela Milton, and then discovered the helicopter unavailable and the jet she had personally chosen still on its way back to New York. To make matters worse, the private investigator had called. Pamela Milton was well known in certain circles on the West Coast for her discreet affairs with attractive women.
Her thoughts were everywhere. Could Mia be a spy sent to disrupt the merger? Teri was reluctant to believe it, but she couldn’t come up with another explanation. She had waited two hours for another helicopter, and that only added fuel to her fire. Checking Mia’s room, she found the blue dress and nothing else. What else could she think? She would take care of this once and for all.
“Is Jeremy here?” She walked up the steps and could barely make out Mia sitting on the rocker in the fading twilight.
“No, he should be in California by now.”
Teri was confused. She was sure Mia was not alone.
“Hi, Teri.” Bren wiped her hands on the dish towel.
Brenna? Teri hadn’t noticed her sister’s absence. “Can I talk to you for a few minutes?”
“Why don’t you two stay out here and I’ll go in.” Mia walked to the door. Teri was less than five feet away but refused to make eye contact. Mia shook her head. “We were just getting ready to have some dessert and coffee. Would you like to join us?”
Teri finally looked at Mia. Even in baggy sweats, she was attractive, although she was still a pain in the ass.
“I haven’t had dinner.”
The way Teri spoke it was obvious she didn’t expect an answer. “No problem.” She looked at Bren. “You two come on in when you’re ready.”
“What were you thinking?” Teri asked as soon as the door was closed, her voice controlled rage. “Everyone is talking about all of you being missing.”