Page 29 of Landing Love

It was an hour before Bill was supposed to pick her up, and she paced nervously in her house dress. To avoid baby-related stains, she wanted to wait until the very last minute to put on the purple dress. Using hot tongs, she curled her hair and pinned it up in a stylish do. She fed Junior as much as he would take in the hopes of avoiding having to feed him again until the reception. Predictably, this quickly led to the need for a fresh diaper. Once she had him settled and drowsy, she dressed him in the outfit she made, hoping he’d manage to keep it clean at least through the ceremony. She stuffed an extra onesie in her bag just in case he needed it.

At last, she put on her dress and examined herself in the mirror. It wasn’t the ideal color for her, but it was a vast improvement on all that black. She put on some light makeup and a bit of lipstick. Looking in the full-length mirror again, she had to admit the overall effect was quite a transformation. She still wasn’t sure she was up to snuff for Aurora Belmont’s society wedding, but she hadn’t felt this alluring since the last time she saw Roger.

Bill was in for a surprise when he saw her this evening. She grinned even though she knew she was tempting fate. Despite her better angels, she looked forward to his reaction. Maybe he’d lose control and kiss her, something she wanted as desperately as she feared it. It took all her willpower to turn him away on their lunch date. After two weeks of waiting to see him again, she wasn’t sure how much willpower she had left.

At long last the doorbell rang. She should have come to the door with Junior and her bag, ready to go, but instead she opened it unencumbered to offer him a better view. His mouth dropped open, and he stopped breathing. His reaction was everything she had hoped.

He was wearing a formal black suit with a black bowtie. He looked as handsome as she’d ever seen him. It was so tempting to reach out and touch him, run her hand down his lapel, ruffle his carefully combed hair. Especially when he was looking at her with such intensity. But she had to keep her head. She’d drawn a boundary last time they met, and she was determined to stick to it.

“Come in while I get my things.” She gestured toward the sitting room.

He stepped inside, his eyes glued to her.

She picked up her bag and Junior, who was still asleep. Her son’s gentle breathing grounded her, reminding her of all the reasons she had to resist her attraction to Bill. “I’m ready to go.”

He swallowed. “As a friend, I should warn you that you are heart-stoppingly gorgeous, and I’m not sure my resolve to be a friend and no more will last.”

She froze. If her resolve was hanging by a thread before, his bold declaration tugged it loose. Looking up at him, she couldn’t for the life of her remember why it was such a bad idea to give in. “Well perhaps, just for tonight, I’m willing to let go of my woes and pretend I’m like any other woman enjoying the company of a handsome man.”

His eyes burned into her as he absorbed her words. She could hardly believe she said them, but after six months of unrelenting grief, she desperately needed this respite. One night to let go and remember joy.

He took her hand and kissed it, then turned it over and kissed the inside of her wrist. It was all she could do to remain standing.

Cupping his cheek, she glided her fingers along his jawline, making him inhale sharply.

“We should leave before I lose control completely,” he said in a strained, husky voice. “It wouldn’t do for the best man to miss the wedding, even for such an excellent reason as you.”

For a moment, she let herself imagine what might happen if they didn’t have somewhere to be, if she put Junior in his crib, took Bill’s hand, and led him to her bedroom. It would feel so good to give in. Thank heavens he couldn’t see her thoughts. She smiled a sultry smile she had forgotten she was capable of. “No, that wouldn’t do at all. Let’s go.”

Turning out all her lights, she closed the door and locked it. He ushered her to the car and helped her in before taking his place in the driver’s seat. Junior snuggled against her, snuffling as he dreamed his tiny baby dreams.

They spent the drive in silence because Junior was asleep, but Bill held her hand the whole way. When they arrived at Trinity Church, she clung to his arm, tamping down butterflies as she entered the church alongside some of the wealthiest, most prominent citizens of the city.

She tried her best not to be self-conscious about her modest dress as she watched Mrs. Astor climb the steps in a pale-blue gown so frothy and cloud-like that Ann couldn’t figure out at first glance how the effect was achieved.

Bill followed the direction of her rapt gaze and steered them closer. “Fancy dress, but I don’t like it half as well as yours.” His lips were so close to her ear. If they brushed against it, she might swoon on the spot.

“Mrs. Prince, how lovely to see you again.” Mrs. Astor’s majestic gaze settled on Ann, startling her so badly that she nearly woke Junior.

“Mrs. Astor, I’m delighted to see you too!” She smiled as brightly as she could, hoping the grande dame hadn’t noticed her acting like a besotted fool. “I was just admiring your gown.”

On closer inspection, the dress was embroidered with a thousand tiny pearls. It must have cost more than Ann would make in her entire life working as a teacher. What must it be like to walk around wearing so much wealth?

“Why thank you, my dear. Yours is quite stunning as well. Is that the same pattern I had on my gown at Miss Belmont’s birthday gala?”

Ann froze. Would Mrs. Astor be upset about her copying the pattern? It was rather presumptuous. Good heavens, this was awkward! “Well…yes. I hope you don’t mind. I liked it so much that I had to try my hand at it.”

“You know what they say: ‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.’ You wear it well, my dear.” Mrs. Astor smiled and patted Ann’s shoulder. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I must find my friend, Alva.”

As Mrs. Astor wafted away, Ann slowly let out her breath. Thank God that was over!

“All the pearls in the world can’t change the fact that you’re the most beautiful woman here,” Bill murmured once the woman was out of earshot.

Ann shook her head, her ears burning. “You haven’t even seen the bride yet.”

“I don’t need to. I already know she doesn’t hold a candle to you.”

Something within her clenched, and it was all she could do not to turn and kiss him on the spot. Ever since she went into mourning, people had looked away when she passed, and she had told herself it was a relief. But Bill saw her as a woman, not just a widow. He made her feel desired, valued, adored. And suddenly, she didn’t want to hide anymore. She wanted to be the woman he saw. But did she dare?