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"Yes," he said. smiling. "I'll get you a lifetime supply of our best products."
"Thank you. but I think you've made a mistake," I said. smiling. "I'm not really here to have a good time. Thank you for your invitation." I told him, and rose.
He sat there with a very surprised look of disbelief as I started away. Why would a man that age think I would want to be his date, no matter how rich he was? I didn't know whether to be amused or upset. but I knew I wanted to get back upstairs and away from this as soon as I could.
In my room, there was a message waiting for me from Dr. Anderson. He had made arrangements for me to see two other families if I wished, He had left their names and telephone numbers. It brought back my feelings of guilt and my anger at myself for contriving this whole scheme in the first place. I had to find a way to tell the truth. I thought, especially to my mother, a
nd as quickly as I could.
For now. I had to get myself ready to go out to dinner with Thatcher Eaton. A part of me was laden with heavy guilt over having even an iota of excitement about it and making any effort at all to make myself attractive. Daddy's death was far too fresh. What right did I have to experience even the smallest pleasure, and besides, what did this have to do with my real purpose for coming here?
Once again, I was thrown into an argument within myself, a part of me rationalizing my actions, justifying them with. He's helping you approach your mother. Look at how difficult Lindenwas. You should be grateful Thatcher is here and interested in you.
Don't lie to yourself Willow De Beers, said an inner voice that sounded very much like my adoptive mother's. Be honest, at least. You're attracted to this man.You've been beguiled, and now you're taking that titillation to another level. .Meeting and getting to know your mother has been put on the back burner.
"No, that's not so." I practically shouted at my image in the mirror.
I could hear my adoptive mother's thin, deriding laugh. and I turned from the mirror and sat down hard on the bed. I should call Thatcher and cancel, I thought.
And then what? Go back and throw yourself at the beach house door? Just think of Linden's reaction to that. You could ruin it all forever and ever, and then what would you go home to with _Allan angry at you, with your schoolwork, damaged? You could fall into that maelstrom of madness you have feared your whole life, Willow De Beers.
"Oh, this is ridiculous," I cried, and jumped up to shower and wash my hair. Afterward. I brushed it so hard I nearly ripped out some strands at the roots. I just put on some lipstick and threw on the nicest dress I had brought. No one had ever gotten dressed in as much of a rage. I thought, still conflicted and angry at myself for accepting the bargain with Thatcher.
While I was still pondering whether or not I was making too much of this dinner date, the phone rang.
"I can come up to get you," Thatcher said. "I wasn't sure and thought it was better to call to see how close you are to being ready, Most of the women in Palm Beach have little respect for time, at least the women I know."
"You should get out of town more." I countered, and he laughed, obviously amused and not put off by my hard, cold tone. "I'm ready. I'll be right there."
"Terrific," he said.
Why was I so angry at him? Was it because I was afraid this bright young man would eventually see through my cover story and be upset, or was I angry at myself for feeling like a high school girl on her first real date?
Try not to talk too much, I told myself. The less said, the better. But maybe that was easier thought than done, especially with a man like Thatcher Eaton,
When I stepped into the lobby, he turned from the reception desk where he had been conversing with one of the female employees, who looked absolutely dazzled by him. It was difficult not to be. He wore a solid olive suit with a pearl-white mock-turtleneck shirt. The suit was fitted and brought out the richness of his tan and the sparkle in his blue eyes. He smiled and started toward me.
"I'm sorry." I said immediately, referring to my rather plain black dress. I had no pretty jewelry, either, not even earrings, "I didn't bring anything special to wear because I didn't come here to party."
"Don't apologize. You look terrific." he said. "It's actually refreshing to see a woman who is understated these days, especially here."
"Understated? You are a good lawyer, very diplomatic," I said, and he laughed.
He held up his arm for me to take. It seemed to me that everyone was looking our way. As we walked toward the door, the elderly man who had tried to pick me up at the pool came in, still in a pair of shorts and a polo shirt. He nodded at me.
"Caught your fish. I see," he said as he continued by.
Thatcher paused, a curious smile on his face. "What did he say?"
"I don't know. He's a terrible old man. He actually asked me out when I was down at the pool, tried to get me to go to some yacht party. Whatever gave him the idea is beyond me.," I muttered.
Thatcher's eyes twinkled with amusement. He nodded at the valet attendant, who jumped to bring up Thatcher's Rolls,
"Why do you think that business with the elderly man was so funny?" I asked him.
"He just assumed that, being an unescorted young lady, you were here to play the Palm Beach game," Thatcher explained.
He moved before the valet attendant to open the door for me. I got in quickly, and he went around and slipped in as well,
