Page 39 of Lovely Broken Strength

The Evans family had owned this place probably since the beginning of the town itself. Robert Evans came from money, his family owned several businesses that he ran operations on. The mansion sat on the same property as Willow Hope Ranch, but was separated by a line of trees, making the grounds of the house feel like its own estate.

Willow Hope had been Lydia’s baby, though. Robert had little to do with the ranch other than funding it. And now, I supposed that job was up to Annabelle and Knox since Lydia’s attack.

A pair of men in black tuxes smiled and nodded as they opened the grand front doors for me. I stepped inside the giant entry way that was packed with people. Voices echoed off the shiny marble floors and two story high ceilings.

I drew in a deep, calming breath. Knox didn’t live in the main house anymore, so I hadn’t been here in years. The energy of the crowd was palpable as people stood in groups, sipping champagne and eating hors d’oeuvres that came around on silver platters.

Toward the back of the space, near the curved staircase, were rows of the elegant, white tables where people could make donations. Items donated from various Cypress Falls businesses sat on display for people to bid on and win. I glimpsed Wren and Atlas near the tables, but the crowd was too thick to get to them quickly. I’d have to find them later, if I could.

“Ellie! You made it!” I jumped as a pair of long, thin arms wrapped me up in a hug.

“Hey, Annabelle.” I hugged her back. She pulled away, beaming.

“I’m so glad you’re here. Isn’t this wonderful? I think the whole town showed up!” Her eyes sparkled as she gazed around the crowd.

I nodded. “Everything looks stunning, Bell. You’ve done a great job.”

She smiled so wide I thought her face might crack. “Thank you. Please, feel free to go into the ballroom.” She looked around her as if searching for something. “My brother is around here somewhere.”

“I’ll find him.”

Annabelle nodded. “Well, I’ll see you around. Please, enjoy your night!” Then, she flitted off to the next guest.

The place was beautiful. I hadn’t even seen the ballroom yet, but spring flowers were everywhere; in bouquets on tables and twisted in gorgeous garlands up the long winding banister of the massive staircase. Flowers in all different colors lined the entrance into the ballroom.

I gazed in awe at the decor as I pushed through the crowd. I was officially attending the event with Ty and Knox, if the latter had time for me amid the chaos. I hadn’t wanted either of them to pick me up, though. I opted to simply meet them here. I didn’t know why, but I hadn’t expected such a crowd. The place teemed with people. Annabelle probably wasn’t exaggerating when she said the whole town was here.

Someone grabbed onto my elbow from behind, halting me outside the wide arch of flowers into the ballroom. “This goes without saying, but you look absolutely stunning.”

I turned, meeting the pair of hazel eyes I’d know anywhere.

Ty gave me a lopsided grin. He was clad in a slick, dark blue suit that almost matched my dress. I frowned, glancing down at myself and then back up at him in confusion.

“Did you plan this with Faye?” I asked, my voice on edge.

Ty blinked, his grin falling. “Plan what?”

I pointed to my dress, then to his suit. “We match.”

Ty glanced down at himself, and shrugged. “Happy accident, I guess.”

I narrowed my eyes, not sure if I believed him or not. When I didn’t say anything, he sighed. “I assure you, no one is going to be looking at me long enough to notice we match. Not with you at my side looking like that.”

My skin heated. “Whatever,” I grumbled.

Ty chuckled, holding his arm out to me. “Shall we go inside? I’m not sure where Knox is, but he’s not out here.”

I sucked in a breath, nodding. Tentatively, I draped my arm over his. His grin returned as he led us into the ballroom.

I’d forgotten how big this room was. It echoed with music and conversation. A live band was set up in the corner, like a mini orchestra, playing classical covers of popular songs. There were people dancing and tables set up along the edges for those who wanted to sit and talk. It was all overwhelming, but also familiar.

Ty leaned over and spoke softly into my ear. “Annabelle did quite a job here. It’s as if her mother wasn’t even missing. She definitely inherited the gene.”

I nodded, remembering the galas from years past. This might even be better than ones Lydia, her mother, had put together. She had been famous for them.

“This will for sure be the talk of the town for a while.”

I scanned the crowd, finding Knox near the center of the room. He was surrounded by a few people, chatting. I recognized some of them as local business owners. He wasn’t the type to be running around socializing like his sister, but this night was important to him too. As if he felt my gaze on him, he glanced up, giving me an apologetic look and a shrug. I smiled in return and gave him a thumbs up. He would find us later when he was less busy.

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