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Her mom patted her arm. “When you’re done with that can you start on the biscotti. I need two dozen hazelnut and two dozen almond for tomorrow.”
With a nod, Addie slipped back into autopilot. She’d been filling cannoli shells since she was twelve years old and could do it half-asleep at this point. As she reached for another shell, her mind went back to how her business might benefit if she completed a project for Trent Sherbrooke.
Chapter 3
Trent passed through the secret service agents posted at the gates of Cliff House and followed the winding driveway toward the garage. As the mansion came into view, he slowed. It’d been at least a year since he’d last visited, and he’d forgotten just how grand the old mansion was. In fact, it’d give the grand estates he’d visited while in England and France a run for their money.
Accelerating once more, he took the final bend in the driveway, pulled in alongside a black Austin Martin, and then he killed the engine. Once outside he took his time as he walked toward the main house. Unlike in the city, a cool breeze came up off the ocean, making the hot July day bearable despite the high humidity.
Like magic, the massive front door opened before he even reached for the handle and his uncle’s solemn-faced butler greeted him. “Good afternoon, Mr. Sherbrooke. Your aunt has been expecting you.” The man spoke in his ever-constant monotone voice as he stepped inside. “Everyone is out on the veranda,” the man said as he closed the door.
Trent passed through the familiar halls. As a child he and his siblings spent countless days at the mansion visiting with their cousins. Only when he’d hit his teens had his visits become less frequent, as he chose to spend his vacations from school in more exotic locations.
“Look who decided to grace us with his presence,” Jake said good-naturedly when Trent stepped outside.
After giving Jake a friendly thump on the back, Trent took a seat at the table. “I knew how devastated you’d all be if you didn’t see me before you left.” Of all his cousins, he was closest to Jake. Less than a year older than Jake, he’d spent much of his childhood with him. Later they’d attended the same boarding school in Connecticut. During college they’d seen less of each other. While Trent had attended Harvard like so many other Sherbrookes, his cousin had gone to Caltech. After graduation, they once again spent much of their time together visiting the same nightclubs and casinos. These days, though, they rarely saw each other. In fact, the last time he’d seen Jake had been more than a year and half ago at a New Year’s Eve party.
“It is wonderful to see you. I feared you wouldn’t make it before I leave,” Elizabeth Sherbrooke said, her voice still accented although she’d lived in the United States for over thirty years. “Your uncle is expecting me back in Washington tomorrow.”
He’d hoped to see his uncle that weekend. Ever since his conversation with Sara regarding Marty Phillips he’d wanted to get his uncle’s opinion. His absence today came as no shock, however. No matter how important the cause, his uncle couldn’t attend every fundraiser the family sponsored now that he was president.
“Have you met everyone?” Elizabeth asked.
“Everyone except Prince Charming’s wife,” he said, using the nickname the media had given his cousin years earlier.
Jake gave him a dirty look, then turned to the redhead seated next to him. “Charlie, this is my cousin Trent.”
The woman extended her hand toward him. “It’s nice to meet you. Jake’s told me a lot about you.” She gave him a smile that indicated her husband had shared a lot of personal information with her, including some he’d probably wished Jake hadn’t.
Trent accepted the woman’s hand. “It’s great to finally meet you. We’ll have to talk later. I have some stories that I could share with you that I bet Jake has never mentioned.”
“Hey, Trent. Sara said you might stop by.” Christopher Hall appeared at the doorway. “Nice to see you again,” he said as he joined everyone at the table.
He’d known Jake’s former college roommate and best friend for several years. In fact, on numerous occasions they’d prowled the Los Angles nightclubs together. “Congratulations on the engagement.” When the three of them had hung out together, Christopher had always been the one he imagined settled and married someday. He’d just never imagined it would be to his younger cousin Sara. Yet the two appeared happy and in love.
“Sara said you decided to run for Senate.”
Trent looked over at Dylan, his uncle’s stepson and his cousin’s husband. He’d known Dylan all his life and considered him family. Other than himself, he’d thought Dylan the least likely of everyone gathered at the table to ever marry. Now the no-nonsense executive sat with an arm around his pregnant wife’s shoulders. Talk about times changing.
With a nod, he answered. “Yes, I’ve hired Marty Phillips to run my campaign. My father and I met with him earlier this week.”
Across the table Callie frowned and glanced over at Sara, but remained silent.
“Good luck. If there’s anything I can do, let me know,” Dylan said, his subtle English accent lacing his voice.
“Same here, Trent.” Jake’s voice pulled his attention away from Dylan and Callie.
/> During the two years he’d worked on overseas projects for Sherbrooke Enterprises, he’d made few trips back to visit family. Now once again surrounded by his cousins, he realized how much he’d missed his family.
“Warren is pleased with your decision,” his aunt said. “He spoke with your father earlier this week.”
His Aunt Elizabeth’s comment came as no surprise. The Sherbrooke family had been involved in politics for years. In a way it was expected that at least one Sherbrooke male from each generation would get involved in politics. For the longest time his aunt and uncle had hoped Jake would follow in the family tradition even though he’d never displayed an interest. For Trent it’d always been in the back of his mind, but until that past spring he hadn’t been ready to take the plunge. Instead, he’d been content with his position at Sherbrooke Enterprises and his rather carefree lifestyle. When Callie and Dylan announced her pregnancy though, a switch had gone on inside him. He’d taken a good look around and realized that everyone he cared about was making these grand changes in their lives except him.
“Thanks, Trent. Now they’ll stop harassing me about it,” Jake said.
“You’re father hasn’t mentioned it to you in a long time Jake.” Trent’s aunt said from the head of the table. “He’s accepted that you have no interest in politics.”
Jake looked over at him. “A long time to them means six months. But now, thanks to you, the heats off me. I owe you one.”
