A Silken Thread by Brenda Jackson Read Free Book Online Page A

he was smiling, which meant her family’s phoniness was not getting next to him. But it was getting next to her. He had ignored the sugarcoated insults for the sake of peace but she wondered how long his tolerance would last.
    “Doesn’t matter,” she said, turning and wrapping her arms around his neck. “They’re just jealous.”
    “And I’m plain lucky.”
    She shook her head. “No, sweetheart, I’m the lucky one.” She then raised on tiptoe and placed a kiss on his lips, not caring who saw and who didn’t approve.
    “Don’t look now but your mother is glaring over at us.”
    Erica tilted back her head and laughed. “In that case…” She kissed him again.
    He shook his head and smiled. “Hey, what are you doing? Trying to get me into trouble?”
    “Who, me?” she asked innocently. “Not on your life. Just reminding whoever needs reminding that you’re the only man I want. The only man I will ever love.” She enjoyed telling him stuff like that because she meant every word of it.
    “I wish I had you alone someplace,” he leaned down to murmur in her ear.
    She wished he had her alone someplace, too, but since that was not the case they needed to make the most of it. Besides, even with the hypocrites present, the engagement party had turned out to be a nice affair. At least Brian’s family seemed to be enjoying themselves. His grandparents seemed amused by her mother’s outlandish extravagance. It would probably surprise Karen to discover most people would feel the same.
    “Did I tell you how beautiful you look?”
    “Yes,” she said, remembering when he’d done so. It had been when he’d arrived at her parents’ home with his mother and grandparents. After introductions had been made he had eased to her side, slid his arms around her waist and whispered the words in her ear. He had also told her just what he intended to do when he got her alone later. She had looked up at him with a hopeful look in her eyes and smiled.
    Trying to quell the heat she felt at the memory, she glanced around the room. Was that her father talking with Brian’s mother? Well, at least one of her parents had the sense to display good manners.
    “It seems your dad and my mom have a lot to talk about,” Brian said, grinning and following her gaze across the room to the couple.
    She smiled back at him. “Yes, it looks that way. It’s good to know there’s another Lawson and Sanders pair getting along besides us.”

    “So you enjoy traveling, Rita?”
    Rita Lawson glanced up at the tall, refined and handsome man. Erica’s father. She wasn’t stupid. She was well aware that Erica’s mother had sent him to keep her entertained. Karen Sanders had downed her snooty nose at her the moment they’d been introduced.
    Brian had warned her about what to expect. She just hadn’t expected his tip-off to be so darn accurate. There was definitely a distinct chill in the air. But Rita would be the first to admit she wasn’t feeling any negative vibes from Wilson. He seemed to be a genuinely kind man with smiling eyes. He may have been drafted to keep her out of the way but she had no problem with his doing so. She enjoyed their conversations.
    “So how often do you travel outside the United States?” he asked her.
    They were outside strolling along the patio that overlooked a huge lake. Other guests were mulling around, and on occasion a number of people had come up and to introduce themselves and to assure her that Brian would be marrying a lovely girl. Rita was just as quick to inform them that Erica would be trying the knot with a kind and gentle man who loved her very much.
    “I travel outside the States at least twice every month,” Rita answered. “The company I work for provides landscaping for businesses abroad and I help design exactly what they need.”
    “That’s sounds like an interesting profession.”
    She glanced over at him. There was a gentleness in the lines etching his eyes and the grin that marked