“I’m sure she knows that, Sadie.” He glanced through the window, seeing people in various groups having a good time. Then he looked at Sadie once more, here on the outside. She wasn’t a loner, by any means. He’d seen the way she got along with people, could draw out their stories and make them feel comfortable with her. But yes, she did still keep a part of herself distant.
Just as she did with him.
“If she needs you, why are you here?”
For a moment, he thought she wouldn’t answer. Finally she shook her head. “It’s the only way I know to help her now.”
She didn’t elaborate on the cryptic words, so Zach asked, “Your father?”
Sadie shook her head once more. “I don’t remember him. He left when I was little. We’re a lot alike in that, you and I.”
Zach stiffened, bracing himself with one hand against the wall. “How did you know that?” He never talked about his father, preferring not to give attention to someone so utterly lacking in human decency. “You’ve been snooping around again?”
Her eyes widened, appearing almost scared in the twinkling light. “I wasn’t snooping about that. I promise.” Her brows drew together. “I can’t help it if people like to talk.”
“About me?”
“Well, I like talking about you, so why not?” Her lashes lowered over her expressive eyes, as if she knew she’d revealed too much. Suddenly she shivered, drawing the sparkly shawl closer around her shoulders. “Goodness, I didn’t realize how cold it had gotten. We should go back inside.”
Not yet. As she tried to pass him, Zach reached out. His arms encircled her, his body warming hers in the only way he could in public. Then he leaned down and kissed away the chill.
When he finally pulled back, he felt rather than saw her grin. “Zachary Gatlin, are you coming on to me?” she asked.
That’s what they needed—a little light, a return to the celebration inside. “I don’t know—are you willing to risk another interrogation by Miss Gladys?”
He felt her breath catch beneath his palms on her back. “Oh,” she whispered. “I think it might be worth it.”
As they walked back inside, Zach let his arm remain around her shoulders. Anticipation built, bubbling beneath his skin, only to fizzle out as they rejoined their table. The Blackstone brothers were quietly gathering coats, readying everyone to leave.
“Luke called,” Aiden said, turning dark eyes Zach’s way. “Mother’s temperature has spiked again, but something else is going on. He’s concerned. We need to skip out, but I don’t want to ruin everyone’s evening. Can you take over from here?”
Luckily the mingling of the crowd and the dancing in the back room distracted most everyone from the family’s departure. As Zach started making final arrangements, he noticed Sadie falling into organization mode—directing the restaurant staff, taking care of last-minute requests from guests, coordinating cab rides for those who needed them.
Then Zach was left with a final conundrum: the Blackstones’ butler and chauffeur, Nolen, had taken them all to Blackstone Manor, where KC and Jacob had a suite with all the baby stuff they needed. That left Zach’s mother without a ride home—and her house was in the opposite direction of Sadie’s B and B...by quite a distance. While he pondered, Sadie appeared at the table. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Gatlin,” she said, her voice smooth and in control.
Which simply reminded him of just what drove her out of control...
“And you as well, young lady,” his mother said. “You handled this party like someone in the know.”
“Cleanup is an art form,” Sadie said with a slight smile and dismissive wave of her hand. “Just not one normally appreciated by others.”
Her words left him to wonder just who she was always cleaning up after.
“Let me just get Mother home, then I’ll come by—”
“Nonsense,” Sadie said, her eyes overly bright. “The last thing I want to be is trouble. I booked a cab for myself.” She patted his arm. He tried not to notice how her touch lingered for a few seconds longer than normal, because it reminded him of an opportunity missed.