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Faith shook off the negative thoughts and focused on the matter at hand. She needed to get in the car and drive to the engagement party. With a labored sigh, Faith left her house and headed toward her car, putting the top down on her convertible so she could enjoy the balmy air. The wind would probably make her hair look like a disheveled mess, but she really didn’t care at the moment. Life was for living and racing down the coastal road with the wind whipping her hair around made Faith feel alive and vital. She really couldn’t ask for more.
At six-thirty sharp, Faith arrived at the stunning ocean-front home on Bay Shore Drive. The house was located at the top of a cliff. As she made her way along the winding coastal road, she was treated to incredible views of the ocean and a vast array of gorgeous homes. Her eyes nearly bulged out of her head when she viewed the breathtaking views visible from the driveway. After parking her car, Faith couldn’t help but walk over to the fence and take a peek at the view. She felt almost as if she was on top of the world.
“Pretty nice spread on a fireman’s salary,” she said, looking around her with a feeling of awe. She turned back toward the house. Several cars sat in the driveway. Thankfully she wasn’t the first to arrive at the celebration. That was never fun.
The home was all white, with large windows that no doubt gave one the feeling of living right on the beach. You could probably see forever from those windows! The place looked serene, as if one could really unwind at this little slice of heaven.
Faith followed the stone path leading to the front door, admiring the flowers along the way. Tulips. Roses. Snapdragons. Some of her favorites!
Other cars began turning into the driveway as more guests arrived. She pressed the doorbell, willing herself not to get tongue-tied or nervous.
“You are a child of God. You are a child of God,” she murmured, reminding herself that God’s love would sustain her through all adversities, even socially awkward situations such as this one. She just had to get herself together.
The moment the door opened, Faith sucked in a deep, steadying breath. The man standing before her was gorgeous. Simply stunning. He was the type of man one might have trouble looking away from. She couldn’t remember every having seen such a great looking man in her entire life. Goodness!
It just figured that he was Pamela’s fiancé. She had to admit, her cousin had picked well. With his azure blue eyes and dark, thick head of hair, he was gorgeous. His facial features were perfectly symmetrical. He had a strong jawline. He had a gaze that would melt even the most hardened of hearts. And he looked vaguely familiar. She’d seen him somewhere before but she couldn’t place him. It’s not as if Pamela had ever shown her his picture or anything. Matter of fact, Pamela had barely talked about Rafferty until she’d invited Faith to the engagement party. Humph! Typica
l Pamela.
“Welcome!” he greeted her with an easy smile that made him even more handsome if it was at all humanly possible.
She inhaled a deep breath. “Hello. You must be Rafferty.” She stuck out her hand by way of greeting. “I’m Faith O’Connell, Pamela’s cousin. It’s nice to meet you.”
He shook his head and grinned. “I’m happy to meet you, but I’m not Rafferty. I’m Micah Donahue, Rafferty’s friend, and the official party host. Welcome to my abode.”
Faith’s cheeks burned. She shifted from one foot to another. How in the world had she misunderstood things so badly? She could have sworn Pamela had told her that her fiancé was hosting the party at his home. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I totally misunderstood. It’s nice to meet you, Micah.”
He ushered her inside, making her feel immediately like an honored guest. “Come on in and help yourself to hors d’oeuvres and something to drink. Pamela and Rafferty are fashionably late. I’m sure you must know some of their friends.”
Faith wanted to make a snarky comment about her cousin but she held her tongue. She and Pamela didn’t hang out nor did Pamela ever include her in any of her social activities. It was almost laughable that she’d invited her here tonight. Faith wasn’t stupid. She knew Pamela had only insisted on Faith attending the party so she could have a family member present. Stewart was doing humanitarian work in Africa while Aunt Millie and Uncle Ed were working with the Red Cross in Haiti.
“I-I might know a few of them,” she mumbled, already feeling silly for bowing under the pressure to attend the party. Most likely, she wouldn’t know a single soul. Micah led her into a large room with soft music streaming as guests mingled and nibbled on the appetizers being served by black and white clad servers.
Micah turned toward her. “Would you like a glass of wine or some sparkling cider?” he asked.
“Yes, please. Sparkling cider,” she said, grateful for Micah being a gentleman. She watched as he took a flute from the server and handed it to her. His actions were graceful. Faith reached out and took the sparkling cider, murmuring a thank you to Micah. She raised the glass to her lips and looked around the room. She couldn’t remember a time when she’d been in the presence of such a beautiful group of people. Across the room a beautiful woman with auburn hair and sparkling eyes stood next to a man in his late fifties who resembled Micah. Were those his parents?
“They’re here!” shouted a stunning African American woman who was practically jumping up and down with excitement. At her side was an equally attractive brown skinned man who was looking down at her with adoration. He took her by the hand and pulled her close to him. They shared a tender look that made Faith’s heart flutter. Oh to be so in love, she thought. Wonderfully, faithfully, tenderly in love.
“Thanks, Addie,” Micah said, sending her a thumbs up. A few moments later, Pamela came walking into the room with an attractive man by her side. Pamela was decked out in a pink silk jumpsuit and white high-heeled shoes. She wore a gold choker at her neck. As always, she looked incredible. Faith wished she had an ounce of Pamela’s confidence.
Although not as striking as Micah, Rafferty Fitzgerald was a very handsome, rugged-looking man. With light brown hair, green eyes and a contagious smile, he had a laid-back air. He radiated pure charm. She could totally see him being a fireman. And she imagined many a female in Pelican Bay wouldn’t complain about being rescued by him.
Pamela walked by her fiancé’s side, her eyes wide with pleasure as she looked around her at the food and the festivities and the people.
Faith tried her best to tamp down her irritation. Ever since they were little, Pamela had always craved attention. With her raven-colored hair and green eyes, she was stunning. At least on the outside! There was no place she was more comfortable being in than the spotlight. Clearly, nothing had changed. Faith watched as she reached for Micah’s arm and grabbed hold of his bicep, squeezing it lightly. Although the gesture in itself wasn’t over-the-top, all of Faith’s senses came to life. Her cousin was looking at Micah with a little too much interest. And Micah didn’t seem very comfortable with her close proximity.
No, she must be imagining it. Her cousin was engaged to Rafferty, Micah’s best friend.
Micah backed away from Pamela, almost as if he didn’t want her to touch him.
She frowned. Something was going on, Faith realized, although no one else seemed to notice the tension. Perhaps her being an outsider made the situation more obvious to her. Or maybe she possessed a cynical mind. When it came to her cousin, anything was possible. She’d shown Faith her true nature on many occasions.
“Thank you so much for coming here tonight,” Pamela said in a sugary sweet voice. She looped her arm through Rafferty’s and pulled him close. “It means the world to us.”
Rafferty grinned as he looked around the room. “Thanks everyone for celebrating with us. I didn’t know we knew so many people,” he joked, drawing laughter from the crowd. He turned in Micah’s direction. “I especially want to thank Micah for hosting this engagement party. And I want to thank all of the Donahue’s for always being in my corner.”
A cry went up in the room, and much to Faith’s surprise, about six or seven men, including Micah, raised their fists in the air and shouted out “Donahue strong!” A pretty blonde woman joined in on the chant. Faith thought she looked vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t place her. Perhaps by the end of the evening she would figure it out. Otherwise, it might drive her crazy. And it was also bugging her that Micah looked familiar. Was he a sports celebrity? An actor? It would explain this gorgeous home.
