Page 55 of Richard

Richard leaned back in his chair and eyed his mother in indulgent amusement. As soon as he and Collette parted company this morning, albeit reluctantly, certainly on his part, he placed the call and asked her to come to the office.

Rodney could barely contain his excitement and was already making a list of things to accomplish regarding the wedding. He was also sworn to secrecy, something that was a given. The man had looked at his boss in reproach as if he was questioning his integrity.

“Darling, you sounded so mysterious on the phone and that– that Rodney was beaming as he showed me in your office.” Ruth pulled off her silk gloves and tucked them inside her jeweled purse, eyes bright and curious. “What is it? Are you going to be on the Oprah show again? And if that is so, I would love to be there with you.”

“Nothing like that.”

“Then what?”

“I am getting married.” It amused him to see her mouth dropping open, her eyes going wide.

“Excuse me?”

“Saturday at ten. Judge Michael Clarke has agreed to officiate the ceremony. And I must ask for your utmost discretion. We are–”

“Who is this mysterious woman?” she demanded. “And how is it that I have not seen or heard anything of you going steady with anyone?”

“Her name is Collette Sutherland.” A smile tugged at his lips. “I just met her a couple of weeks ago and–” He took a deep breath. “I love her.” He shook his head ruefully. “I feel like a damn schoolboy with his first crush. I wanted to marry her from the very moment I met her. She is handling our advertising account.

She is sweet and wonderful.” His smile faded, eyes boring into hers. “She has been through a hell of a lot, and I will not have her put through anything more. Is that clear?”

Ruth stared at her son in shock. The look on his face was priceless. She had wanted this for so long and had given up hope of it ever happening.

“Do you have a picture of her?”

“Why?” he demanded. “It doesn’t matter what she looks like, does it?”

“Of course it does, darling,” she rebutted silkily. “You are Richard McBride and as soon as the press gets hold of this information, you are—both of you will be bombarded…”her voice petered off as he turned his phone around and enlarged the photo he had taken of her astride the horse. It had been a candid shot.

She had turned her head toward him, laughing in sheer delightat being able to handle the horse. Her hair was streaming behind her, having escaped the rubber band she had secured it with, and her dark brown eyes were dancing.

Ruth stared at the colored photo in fascination. The woman could not be called beautiful in the accepted sense of the word, but there was an effervescence about her that made her striking. “She is– My word, she is radiant.” She shook her head. “That is not even the correct term.”

“I think you mean exquisite.” He turned the phone around so he could stare at her photo. He had taken several shots of her, ones when they were in bed, several of her fast asleep, and she had protested that he was being ridiculous.

“When do I meet her?”

“How does dinner at the loft tomorrow night sound? Or do you have to consult your secretary–”

“No. Anything I have on will have to be canceled, of course. I washoping you both would come to my apartment and allow me to play hostess.” She gave her son a disapproving look. “Since I am going to be cheated out of the big wedding, it’s the least I can do.”

Richard grinned at her. “I knew you were going to say that. I told Collette that you would get to provide the meal for the reception. How does that sound?”

Her eyes glimmered with tears. “It sounds rather lovely. Oh darling! I am so excited; it feels as if I am bursting.”

“I need your promise that you are not going to utter a word about this. We need time to tell the press and–”He shrugged fatalistically. “I also need to share something of her past. I am not divulging anything she does not want you to hear because I cleared it with her first.”

*****

“I am so happy you called. And you sounded so excited.” Janicegave her a grateful look as she slid into the chair.

“You look fabulous, Collette. Is that a new outfit?”

She had placed their orders before her sister arrived and waited until the waiter had placed the chilled giant shrimp with the rosemary sauce in front of them before responding.

“It is.”

“The color looks so good on you.”

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