Page 91 of All Yours

Alice shifted in the seat. “She and Uncle Stu never had kids, and no one in the family has the desire to deal with a home on this scale.” She motioned around us, wrinkling her nose. “And it’s nowhere close to my style. Using it for preserving history, education, and land conservation will benefit the town more than keeping this a private home.”

Lauren and I nodded like bobble head dolls while she spoke.

“This project sounds amazing,” Lauren said.

“My aunt said you’d be an excellent addition to the board,” Alice said.

“I agree,” I chimed in. “This is something right up Lauren’s alley.”

“I’ll think about it,” Lauren said. “What kind of native plants are you talking about?”

Alice lit up.

I stole a glance around the room to see if I could see Jonah, but he was nowhere in sight.

Chapter Thirty

Jonah

The group conversations lasted forever. Camden came alive and charmed person after person. He was in his element and pulled me from group to group along with him. And he almost didn’t come to this. I accepted a glass of champagne from a circulating server, but it was too sweet for my taste. So, I held onto the glass and laughed when Camden did at the story being told. I wasn’t paying attention to it. My eyes scanned the crowd for Sloane. Was there a place to pull her aside to and get her alone?

Mindlessly, I followed Camden away from the group. “So, you gonna do it?” he asked.

“Where? She wouldn’t like me to do it here in the middle of everyone.”

“Surely, this place has a secluded spot?” he glanced around, rubbing the back of his neck. Then, he took off through the room, winding through the crowd. I followed.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“You owe me,” he muttered, heading toward the group where Mrs. Pennington held court.

“Why?”

“Excuse me, Mrs. P.?” he asked.

Mrs. Pennington beamed at Camden. “Here is the most delicious young man in all Hart Valley,” she announced to the group. “Too bad he belongs to the Hart girl.” Everyone laughed.

“Can I steal you away for a minute?” He asked, holding out his hand.

“No stealing necessary.” She laughed, placing her hand on his. “If you’ll excuse me, there are two handsome gentlemen needing my attention,” she said, her gaze floating between Camden and me.

Camden led Mrs. Pennington out into the foyer. “How many rooms are in this place?”

“There are 64. Are you ready for that tour now?” She asked, glancing around. “Should we grab the girls?”

“In a minute. My buddy here is looking for a nice little quiet romantic spot to propose to his girl. Is that something you can help with?"

Mrs. Pennington’s face lit up as bright as the enormous Christmas tree behind her. “Oh, the little writer girl? That’s wonderful. She’s so sweet. And I must say, her love scenes can be quite saucy.” She winked at Camden and laughed.

Camden’s eyes bore into mine, with regret creasing his brow.

“Right this way, fellas,” Mrs. Pennington motioned for us to follow. “I trust her legal issues have been put to rest?”

“Yes, ma’am,” I said, following Mrs. Pennington up the stairs and down a hallway.

“Splendid. This room is nice and cozy,” she said, pushing open a door.

Inside we found a dark, wood paneled library lined with shelves of books. A large, elegantly carved, and lavishly decorated fireplace mantle anchored the far wall. Another glittering Christmas tree sat beside it. And above the mantle hung an oil painting of flowers. A couch and two armchairs flanked the fireplace and an antique rolltop desk completed the room.

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