Cobb (Lighthouse Security Investigations #9) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,2

of Maine caught his eye. Moving to a more advantageous position, he observed a young woman standing alone. Her face was turned in profile, but that gave him an opportunity to admire her dress. The front fell only to her knees, then the material swooped down toward the back where it ended at the top of her stiletto heels. The dress was shimmery, seeming to change from pale blue to silver depending on how the light caught the silky folds. Her reddish-blonde hair was thick and wavy, falling beyond her shoulders in the back, the top held by a clip that glistened with crystals. Small diamond drop earrings hung from her ears, and a diamond bracelet encircled her wrist.

As she turned slowly, a heavy sigh left her lips, her chest heaving slightly with the exertion. Her lips barely curved into a smile that appeared to take all her effort to remain polite. In her hand was a champagne flute, untouched as though she had been offered the drink and holding the crystal gave her something to do with her hand even though she had no desire to partake of the bubbly alcohol. She stepped backward, slipping a bit further into the shadows, and the desire to go over to her rocked through him, not an emotion he normally felt.

Before he had a chance, a hand clapped him on the back, and he startled, surprised that he hadn’t realized someone was coming up behind him. Turning quickly, he smiled as he greeted his parents. His mother was beautiful in a deep burgundy gown, wearing her signature silver and turquoise jewelry. His dad’s silver hair was neatly trimmed but not overly styled, and he appreciated his parents’ ability to present an elegant picture without being affectatious. “Dad, you really outdid yourself for your sixty-fifth birthday. I’ve been standing here looking at all of these people surrounded by dinosaur skeletons, having to pinch myself to see if it’s real.”

His dad threw his head back and laughed, his arm wrapped around his wife. She winked and said, “When your dad told me where he wanted to have his party this year, I couldn’t believe it. But isn’t it wonderful?”

While wonderful might not be the word he’d use to describe the gala, he was glad his parents were happy. “As long as it gives you lots of donations to the charities you’re sponsoring, it’ll be great.”

Another couple approached, and his dad swung his arm out to greet them. “John, Betty, come meet my son, Jorge. This is John and Betty Rector. John is our State Senator.”

He shook hands with the Rectors, making the requisite small talk that he hated but was necessary at these events. He occasionally glanced beyond his father’s shoulder to see the young woman still standing alone. She had now turned in his direction, although her gaze had not rested on him, and her beauty almost made it impossible to focus on what his parents and the Rectors were saying. Glad when he could say goodbye as they all moved away, he began walking toward the woman, hoping to avoid any other interruptions. He approached her from the side, careful to not startle her. She appeared to be lost in thought and nonetheless jumped slightly when he reached her.

When she turned her pale blue eyes up to him, he almost stumbled at her beauty. He was no stranger to attractive women whether in ballrooms or barrooms, but she was an ethereal vision. Her dress continued to shimmer as she moved, the ever-changing silver-blue material accentuating the diamonds at her ears and wrist, causing them to glitter even more. Around her neck was a simple but elegant silver cross necklace.

“May I take this?” He reached up and gently slid the champagne glass from her hand, setting it on a server’s tray.

“What—”

“You’ve been holding that drink for a long time, and I don’t think you really want it.”

Her head tilted to the side as her gaze moved over his face, and he thought she was going to refute his assumption. Instead, she surprised him. “You’ve been paying attention?”

“You are the only person here to hold my attention. Please, come dance with me.”

She opened her mouth as though to refuse his offer, then pressed her lips tightly together. If she’d given resistance, he would’ve stepped back, but after assessing him for a long moment, she placed her hand in his, and they walked around the pillar. Now, partially hidden by the Ankylosaurus skeleton, he pulled