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He’d arranged for them to see her in hernewelement, in hernewlife, so she could draw on the strength it gave her.
Having him by her side made it better.
“It’s incredible that you’re here,” she said sincerely. “Let’s find a spot to sit so you can tell me everything happening with you.”
She subtly supported Bennett as she led their group to a large table in the shade. Pretending to straighten the hem of her dress, she helped him lower into a chair.
It was a ruse she’d perfected in the last year so Bennett could return to the public eye without awkward questions about his health and unusual weakness.
“It’s warming up and I know Miss Jeffries isn’t a fan of the direct sun.” Rowan waved at one of the servers with a smile and requested he bring food and drinks.
“Right away, Mrs. Jefferson.”
The man walked rapidly away as she lowered to a chair beside Bennett and took his hand. When she met his eyes, he winked.
He turned his attention to Gage and said, “Rowan told me about your family. Cattle is one of the original businesses my family invested in.” He grinned. “She said - and I quote - they are big fat cows with red hair and sad eyes...as if theyknowthey’re going to be steaks.”
Gage laughed. “She wasn’t a fan of the cows or horses. Strangely, she could spendhourspettin’ ornery chickens.”
Grinning happily, Bennett replied, “I can imagine.”
The men discussed business and Rowan met Nina’s caramel eyes. “You managed to get even more beautiful.” The other woman blushed and shook her head. “I saw your photoshoot for Calvin Klein. It wasstunning.”
“Th-thank you, Rowan.” She cleared her throat. “I fell into the modeling accidentally. My true love is the theater.”
“You’re mentioned by name in reviews among casts of two dozen. I’mreallyproud of you.”
Scanning the area just behind where they sat, Rowan gestured James closer with a smile. Nina’s eyes widened as the bodyguard appeared beneath the canopy.
“The first time I met James, I couldn’t get over how similar he looked to you. The masculine and feminine sides of the same coin. Crazy, right?”
“Uh…” Nina appeared rattled. “H-hello.”
“Miss Adams. James Statton. A pleasure to meet you.”
He extended his hand and Nina put hers in it. James kissed the back and there was no denying the reaction he had on a woman who’d been actively pursued by men all her life.
Rowan was intrigued.
Bennett on one side, Miss Jeffries on the other, she was strong enough to pick up the jagged shards of a friendship she’d valued highly and glue them back together.
They’d talked for two hours when Bennett squeezed her hand. “Darling, the heat is kicking my ass. I’m going to escape to my den for a little to cool off.”
Rowan started to stand. “I’ll go with…”
“I refuse to pull you away from your reunion, beauty. Stay here and I’ll make sure the caterer keeps food and drinks coming.” He glanced at James. “I think that slip earlier has managed to tighten up my back.”
His bodyguard clucked his teeth. “That’s what you get for being in a rush, sir. Let me help you so it doesn’t get worse.”
Standing anyway, Rowan waited for James to bodily lift Bennett from the chair without it appearing as such.
She noted that Gage stood as well. A chivalrous habit he’d learned from his father.
Holding her husband’s cheeks, she whispered, “Perhaps an ibuprofen to loosen the muscle.” He nodded. “I’ll run inside in a bit to soak up some hubby time in the air conditioning.”
He bent and kissed her lips. “You take such good care of me.” Looking at her friends, he said with more energy than she knew he had, “It’s great to put faces to the names at last. Make yourselves at home and I’ll see you in a couple of hours.” Winking at Rowan, he said, “There are going to be fireworks.”
She gave a sort of strangled laugh/sob remembering the last time she’d watched fireworks with the people around the table. “You think of everything.”
