Page 66 of Her Snowbound Hero

Garret shot her a glance, then shrugged. “Yeah. Why do you ask?”

“No reason. You’d said the party was mostly going to be family and friends, that’s all.”

“Toby’s a friend. You don’t think so?”

“Of course. I spoke without thinking.” Or had she? Was this the beginning of her filling her father’s shoes?

They continued on, entered the large double doors leading into the Tulane family home.

“There he is. Let’s go.”

Her head snapped up, her gaze immediately locking on Tobias. He’d been watching them.

“I see a friend I need to speak to.” Jocelyn dug her four-inch heels into the opulent carpet. “I’ll join you in a minute.”

Garret’s gaze sharpened. “Something wrong?”

“No. Why would you think that?”

Before he could answer she saw Garret’s attention leave her. She followed his gaze and found Ethan escorting Rosetta and her pregnant guest into the room. So this was Darcy Rhodes.

She wished the woman was prettier. Not that Darcy was ugly by any means. But she wasattractive,not beautiful, which made Garret’s talk-of-the-town friendship with her all the more disturbing. Was something going on between them? “We need to say hello to your grandmother and wish her a happy birthday.” She didn’t know why she said it. She didn’t want to meet Darcy face-to-face and knew that to walk over there she forced them both into a slew of speculation. But she didn’t care. No, there was a recklessness taking hold inside her, one that had grown every day since she’d broken all the rules and kissed Garret’s best friend.

“If you like.”

Joss fell into step beside Garret and forced her chin high, aware that Tobias’s mocking gaze followed.

THREE HOURS after the string band played “Happy Birthday” for Rosetta’s arrival, Darcy accepted the cake handed to her by one of the catering staff and looked around for a quiet spot. Not finding any nearby, she escaped the crowded main rooms and made her way down a hallway. Spying an open, darkened room, she slipped inside and collapsed into the closest chair, her nerves raw, her emotions under a thin thread of control.

Garret’s parents were warm and welcoming and had made her feel very much a part of things despite the questions she saw in their expressions. Garret’s family was…awesome. They hugged and congratulated each other over the slightest accomplishments, complimented each other, missed each other. Only Nick stood off to the side, listening, watching it all, the quietest of the bunch, speaking when spoken to and obviously on edge.

Worse, her feet hurt, her back hurt and she felt totally inferior and out of place in her bargain-basement maternity dress compared to Garret’s gorgeous girlfriend. She wore a designer gown on her size-four body and wore it well.

Meeting Jocelyn had been just as painful and awkward as she’d feared. Another eye-opening smack to the face because she and Garret looked so perfect together. If not for Rosetta’s presence at her side, she would’ve left then and there. Maybe it was a good thing Nick hadn’t returned her car because had she had it, she would’ve jumped inside and driven to the next town at least. Anything to establish some distance.

Sighing, she propped the cake on her built-in belly tray and closed her eyes, concentrating on relaxing her tense muscles in the hopes that the cramping she’d felt off and on all night would fade. The last thing she wanted to do was ruin someone’s enjoyment of Rosetta’s party by having to ask for a ride back to the condo. Or the hospital.

Multiple footsteps approached the room where she sat.Keep walking. Don’t come in, keep walking. Please.She needed a moment alone to regain her composure.

“For the last time, go away and leave me alone.”

“You can’ttalkto me?”

Darcy recognized the voice of Garret’s girlfriend and Toby Richardson. She shrank down in the high-backed chair, wanting to disappear.

“What are you doing, Tobias? Do you want people talking about us? I’ve had enough gossip these past few weeks.”

Darcy winced, her guilt growing.

“Then what’s a little more? Stop treating me like the plague.”

“I’m marrying Garret.”

“If he asks.”

“He’s going to. He told Daddy that he planned to ask the night of the gallery opening.”

Her throat closed. So that was it. That explained Garret’s absence. He’d felt guilty about their make-out session, he’d made his decision and that was that, wasn’t it?

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