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“Wow, just wow.”
Veronica laughed heartily. “You’d better find something else to shoot. I told them they can’t pick the photos up until the exhibit is over, and the man was less than thrilled but had no choice.”
That little tidbit of information subdued the unease that had crept in when Veronica mentioned the sale. The last thing Jack needed was for the collection to dwindle before he got everyone back to the gallery this afternoon.
“I can’t believe it.” Siobhan took in a calming breath.
“I don’t do shows as favors. I don’t care who my friends are or who your grandfather is, I told you that you had a great eye. I hope you’ll continue to let me show your best pieces as they come in.”
“Absolutely.”
“Hate to interrupt, but we’re here.” Jack pulled into a space and cut the engine.
“Have to run, Veronica. Thanks so much for calling.”
While she said her goodbyes and hung up, Jack ran around to open the car door.
“Now can I take this silly eye mask off?”
As much as he’d rather she kept it on till the last minute so she’d have less time to figure out his surprise, he doubted that would go over well with the observing public. “Yes.”
Whipping the thing off with more gusto than he would have expected, she stared up at the building in front of them. “The airport?”
“Just a quick stop.” He grabbed hold of her hand and squeezed.
“The airport? You kept me in the dark—literally—for the airport?”
He squeezed her hand. “Trust me.”
Leveling her gaze with his, the look in her eyes softened. “You know I do.”
And knowing the truth of her words made his heart hammer even harder in his chest. So many moving parts had to happen for this little surprise to work. He’d considered buying tickets for anywhere to get them into security, but then he decided that there were too many ways that choice could backfire, so instead, he’d made sure they arrived late enough that they wouldn’t be standing at the baggage claim waiting.
“The airport,” she muttered again as they crossed the pavement between building and parking lot.
The second they walked through the doors, heads turned, they always did when Siobhan was at his side. Last night they’d been to a party at the country club. The moment they’d crossed the threshold all the guys in the place focused on Siobhan. He knew exactly what they were thinking. Every one of them probably wished she were there with them, but she wasn’t. She was with him. As every eye followed her, in his heart he kept thinking, nope, she’s my girl.
Working from a photograph he’d found online, it didn’t take him long to recognize who they’d come to meet at the airport. It took Siobhan a fraction longer to connect the dots. When the woman turned fully to face them and flashed a bright smile, Siobhan flew into open arms and squealed, “Mum!”
Siobhan couldn’t believe her eyes. “I thought you couldn’t get away from work?”
“That’s what I thought.” Maura Baron shrugged. “But apparently, someone,” her gaze shot over Siobhan’s shoulder to where Jack stood quietly watching, “convinced my boss that Samantha could fill in for me for a few weeks and the business wouldn’t crumble.”
“Well, I’m very glad of that.” Looking over her shoulder, she blew Jack a silent kiss.
“And you,” her mother sidestepped her daughter and walked up to Jack, “are my miracle worker.”
One shoulder hefted up in a casual shrug. “It wasn’t that hard.”
Her mum shook her head. “I know full well all the strings you had to pull to get that old goat to let someone else handle the viscount’s wedding reception.”
“I may have mentioned something about securing a prominent wedding or two for his venue in the near future.”
“Prominent?” Her mum laughed and looked at Siobhan. “He actually got a prince to call my boss and book the venue for his wedding next year. Not his admin, or secretary, but the prince himself.”
Siobhan looked from Jack to her mother. “Which prince?”
“I don’t know, or care, one of those nine hundred little principalities scattered around Europe, but Mr. Borner was over the moon and more than happy to let me come see your show.”
