Page 63 of Hearts of Wealth

Timothy

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THE PARTY WAS IN FULL swing, and I found myself enjoying the lively atmosphere. Usually, I hated these things. I hated the pretentious nature and all the schmoozing, but it was actually nice. The weather was perfect. It couldn’t have been better. Laughter and conversation filled the air as guests mingled and enjoyed the festivities.

I wondered if it was Regina who had made everything so bad. I’d thought I hated parties, but maybe not. I hated the way she made me feel when we were at parties. She was always so obnoxious, dragging me from one group of people to the next. She was the socialite. I was the unwilling partner dragged to every party she received an invitation to.

But now she was out of the picture, and I was here with people who were mostly good. Bennet was smiling more. The usually brooding man was no longer brooding but rather enthusiastically dancing with Bella.

I glanced over at Catherine. She was talking with Amber and appeared to be enjoying herself. I knew she had been a little nervous, but she was settling in. So far, everyone seemed to be very accepting of her.

I found myself drawn to Catherine once again. “Hi.” She smiled.

“Hi, yourself.”

“Everything okay?” she asked with her hand automatically reaching for mine.

“Yes. I wanted to see how you were doing.”

“I’m going to find Luke,” Amber declared.

I ran my hand up Catherine’s arm. “What do you think of your first party in the Hamptons?” I asked.

“I think it’s much more enjoyable than I’d anticipated,” she replied with a grin. “Though I believe it’s your company that makes it better.”

“I’m glad you’re here,” I told her. “You make everything better, Catherine.”

She blushed prettily. “I’m just glad everyone seems to be having a good time.”

“Everyone except for your dad,” I said. “He’s been brooding in the living room.”

“I know,” she sighed. “I’ve talked to him a couple of times, but he says he’s fine. I think he just feels out of place.”

I heard laughter and turned to see where it was coming from. I immediately spotted Marcy. She was one of the women who lived out here full-time. She was a kind and gracious widow who was very popular in the neighborhood. Despite never having had children of her own, Marcy had played a significant role in Paisley’s life when she was younger.

“I’d like to introduce you to someone,” I said.

I offered my arm to Catherine and led her over to where Marcy was standing, laughing with a few other women. As we approached, Marcy’s gaze landed on us.

Her face lit up. “Well, if it isn’t Timothy!” she exclaimed. “I thought you were going to hide all night.”

“Not tonight, Marcy.”

“And who is this lovely lady you have with you?” Marcy asked.

“Marcy, I’d like you to meet Catherine.”

“Catherine.” Marcy’s eyes sparkled as she shook Catherine’s hand. “It’s a true pleasure to meet you, dear.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” Catherine smiled.

“You make a very handsome couple,” Marcy said. “What are your plans for the future?”

Catherine laughed nervously. “I don’t know.”

“You two will have beautiful children,” Marcy said.

I almost choked on my tongue. “I think we might be getting ahead of ourselves there, Marcy,” I managed to respond with a strained laugh. Catherine’s face was a pretty shade of pink.