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

his lips appeared unguarded. Genuine. Although she hadn’t spent a lot of time in the company of Erica’s mother, she couldn’t imagine Karen and Wilson Sanders sharing a life together. He seemed so warmhearted and friendly. What could have brought two totally opposite people together in marriage?
    Admonishing herself for conjecturing on a subject that didn’t truly concern her, she turned around and steered Wilson back toward the house. For some reason her stomach had begun to tighten in knots. Wilson had gotten quiet and she felt he was no longer with her to merely take her off his wife’s hands. No longer there to spy on her and report back to his wife.
    To keep the conversation going, she asked, “What about you? Do you travel a lot?”
    “Yes, every chance I get. I love international travels. I’ve gotten to the point where I have a good staff to run the company and my services are more valuable as an ambassador.”
    She nodded. She could definitely see him fulfilling that role. “Have you ever been to Dubai?”
    “Yes, it’s one of my favorite places in the Middle East.”
    Rita’s face broke into a huge grin. “No kidding? It’s also mine. I just love the Aiden. Have you ever eaten there?”
    “Yes, several times. Not only is the food fantastic but it’s housed right in the Cumja Gallery. The artwork there is exquisite.”
    “I agree. I was there last month and noted they’ve added a few new pieces by Terina, if you’re into her work.”
    “I am and I’m going to have to check them out the next time I’m there.”
    “You won’t be disappointed, Wilson.”
    He shot her a glittering smile that she felt down to her toes. “I’m sure I won’t be.”

    “Brian’s mother seems to be taking up quite a bit of Wilson’s time, Karen. Is that wise?”
    Karen cast an annoyed glance over at Aggie Pittman, a cousin on her mother’s side who often got on her last dignified nerve. “It is wise if he’s on a mission for me. I suggested he go keep her company to make sure she doesn’t cause us any embarrassing moments…if you know what I mean. Just look at her outfit. It has department store written all over it.”
    “Yes, but it does look good on her. I wasn’t aware a woman that age could still have a figure like that. Not everyone can pull such a style off and look so hot. My waistline certainly wouldn’t let me.” Aggie chuckled and added, “Neither would yours.”
    If Aggie’s words were meant to amuse, they came up short. “I saw Jaye leaving the party. Is something wrong?” Aggie’s youngest son, Jaye, was a private investigator living in New York. Jaye came home almost every weekend to check on his father, who was confined to a wheelchair.
    “No, he just needs to get back to New York to deal with some case he’s working on. I wish he would go back to practicing law.”
    Aggie and her husband, Lester, had sent Jaye to law school. He’d practiced a few years, claimed he was bored and become a private investigator instead. His change in professions had been a big disappointment for Aggie. Karen could understand. Children could be so selfish at times.
    She glanced across the room at her daughter. She fell within that category. Erica was everything Karen hadn’t been at her age, namely defiant. Unfortunately Wilson hadn’t been much help trying to get their daughter to obey.
    Karen had once been young, pretty and vibrant like her daughter but she’d always known how far to take things. There was never a time that she hadn’t felt the weight of the Delbert empire and legacy on her shoulders. Her father would have much preferred she had been born a male and had never let her forget it. She had tried so hard to please him, even going so far as to marry the man he’d picked out for her. The man whose blood was just as blue as hers.
    But, Erica… Even as a child she’d been defiant and headstrong. Growing up, she’d wanted to be a normal kid like all the others. It had taken all Karen