. She practically floated down them, her silk dress billo

a polite handshake. She wrapped her

spered, her voice thick with e

tive reaction. No one had ever held her like th

d her, the fragrance of Henrietta'

ension in her shoulders began to dissol

ping over her with a mixture of love and concern. "Oh, you're

the doorway, a look of de

iling and a floor of polished marble that reflected the light from a massive crystal

iss Vaughan," th

ant nothing to Ira. She gave a slight,

e expression and ramrod-straight posture-the family matriarch, Eleanor Vaughan. Beside her, a you

eyes cold and dismissive, before tu

er eyes were sharp, analytical, and held a clear spark of hostility. As

id, her voice bright, either unaware of or ignoring th

feel friendly but was possessively tight. "Welcome, Ira. We're going

e implication was not. A sub

her arm from Candace's grasp. "H

I hear. The sky must be very big there." It was phrased like a pleasantry, but

thickened with

her hands together. "Well! Ira must be e

a sweeping, c

rivate suite, decorated in shades of cream and soft blue, wit

rger than Ira's entire room at the Palmers' house. It was filled wit

er eyes shining with love. "If you don't like any of i

beside her whose love was so palpable it was a physical presenc

r voice quiet but clear. "I

. Henrietta's eyes filled with fresh tears. She pull

ey insane, Grandma?" she whispered venomously. "Bringing home some str

proving line. "Just watch, dear. Breedi