Page 36 of Just One Look

“You don’t want to give up, do you?” Courtney shifted a large vase from one hip to the other.

“Excuse me?” Glancing toward the closet door, Liz turned her back to where Devlin was hidden and grabbed a nearby box, busying herself with the unpacking.

“When are you going to realize that Devlin has no interest in you? You’re not his kind. A man like that needs a woman who can bolster him to new heights.”

Liz turned just enough so Devlin could see her face. Her expression shifted from momentarily baffled to what he suspected was slowly increasing irritation. “And you think you’re that woman?” Her tone dripped with disbelief, teetering on disdain.

“I’m more woman than even Devlin can handle, but the important thing is that I can handle him.”

She was certainly more woman than Devlin ever wanted to handle. Always had been. He often wondered if she’d gone to the Lucretia Borgia school of ambitious women. One thing he was sure of, all Courtney cared about was money and power. Her modus operandi seemed to be when a man richer and more powerful fell for her charms, she’d discard the current poor schnook she’d married and take on the new one. As far as handling him, she’d have to catch him first. Liz had been correct, hiding was the right move.

“At least I’m sure of one thing. Even with all your money, you’re quite delusional.”

The way Courtney’s eyes narrowed and her nostrils flared, Devlin considered bursting out of the closet and scooping Liz to safety. The gold-digging barracuda looked ready to blow her top.

“You simple-minded fool. You have no idea what you’re up against, but…” Courtney leaned forward, setting the vase on the table. “As sure as any fool can see this paperweight glass vase by Tiffany is worth at least fifty thousand, Devlin will see you for the gold-digging cretin that you are.”

“Pot calling the kettle black?” Liz was practically sneering with delight.

Shaking her head, Courtney eased back. “No man wants hamburger when he can have steak. And I, my dear, am Grade A, prime beef. Once Devlin has had a taste of me, nothing else will do.”

Liz shrugged. “The Barons do seem to like cows.”

In order not to be heard, Devlin had to slap his hand to his mouth to stop his laughter from resounding through the ballroom. Who else would have the nerve to call Courtney a cow?

“Keep dreaming, Emily. You won’t win this one.” Courtney took another step back and spun on her heels. When she reached the doorway, she called over her shoulder, “Tell Paige she can thank me later. That vase will bring a pretty penny. Just like me, everyone in the place will be clamoring for it.”

Under her breath, Liz muttered something that sounded like what a witch. Or she could have said something stronger. Either way, Liz had it right. “You can come out now. She’s gone.”

“And stupid. She thought you were Emily.” It had taken an enormous amount of self-control not to shove the door fully open and share a rather angry piece of his mind with the barracuda. If she were a man, he most definitely would have been delighted to wipe that smug grin right off her face.

“She’s lucky I’m not. Emily probably would have slugged her for some of those comments.”

He chuckled softly. Liz had a point. Emily just might have slugged her. Not for offending Emily, but for attacking Devlin. No one with any brains messed with people Emily cared about. From the way Liz continued to stare down the hall, her teeth grinding, he had the distinct feeling that if Courtney had any idea of what was good for her, she’d stay away from both Carter sisters. And, hopefully, him too!

Chapter Fifteen

Despite the unpleasant encounter at the ranch between herself and the barracuda, the rest of the preparations for the big event had been nothing but fun for Liz, and quite often downright exciting. Some of the items donated by the rich and famous of Houston were simply amazing. The Tiffany vase was indeed worth even more than Courtney had said it was, but it was far from the most exquisite or costly item. An anonymous donor had brought in a wristwatch given to Jackie Kennedy Onassis by her second husband, the Greek billionaire Aristotle. Liz didn’t mind admitting she’d ogled the thing for a very long time.

The plans for the fundraiser had been pretty set in stone overall, but the details had changed from hour to hour. Liz was as flexible as the next person when it came to a change of plans, but the Barons had a whirlwind style that allowed for pivoting on a dime, so to speak. As a result, Liz was learning so much more about just how much hard work it was being a patron of anything. Everyone involved in the event, including Paige and Eve, were dressed in the same outfit. Jeans, boots, and aSave the Steer’s Dent-shirt. While the t-shirts were identical, Liz knew the boots and jeans Paige wore were way more expensive than her bargain buys.

“Holy cow.” Eyes wide, Emily, dressed in the same t-shirt and jeans as Liz, spotted the Jackie Kennedy watch. “Who donated this?”

“Anonymous. Isn’t it exquisite?”

“And then some.”

“Except for his second wife,” Devlin strolled up behind them, “and possibly that watch, the man had awfully gaudy taste.”

Liz couldn’t resist scanning the man from the tips of his booted feet to the top of his sandy-brown hair, lingering a little longer on sparkling eyes before smiling. One thing was certain, besides having stunning blue eyes she could lose herself in forever, Devlin knew how to wear a pair of jeans.

The guests were beginning to arrive. Liz had never seen so many Stetsons in one place. The silent auction items had been set up on tables along the side wall. The actual items to be in the live auction, like Jackie’s watch and the Tiffany vase, were set up on tables for bidders to preview in an area designed for an orchestra. The number of people perusing the goods in both areas gave Liz goosebumps.

Devlin’s phone buzzed. “Grams has determined that we underestimated the last-minute attendees. She wants more tables on the veranda.”

“From the barn storage?” Emily seemed to know how the Baron household ran as well as any other family member.

“Yep.” Devlin nodded. “Mitch and Mack are sending out an all points bulletin for muscle.”

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