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Kianti pressed her cheek against his. “Thank God,” she murmured, shivering contentedly when he held on to her.
“Someone I thought I could trust switched their loyalty to the other side…” Therin thought of Vaughn Burgess then. “But he’s cooperating now and his people are pretty much running for cover. It’s not the happiest of endings, but I’ll take it. Especially if it means I get this woman for my wife.” He kissed Kianti’s cheek.
“An engagement like this…” Francina leaned back and fiddled with the rows of baby pearls nestled in the draping neckline of her rose-blush dress. “Honey, have you thought about what this means?”
Kianti laid a hand across her mother’s. “It means we’re in love.”
Conversation silenced when the waitress approached the table with drinks and took dinner requests.
“There’s so much to do.” Francina sighed and sent a huge smile toward her husband. “I’ve got to call Sherrill’s Florists. They did such a spectacular arrangement for the wedding of the daughter of one of your dad’s associates. It was like a sea of—”
“Mommy? What are you doing?”
“Honey…” Francina regarded her only child as if she’d lost her mind. “You are a renowned pianist. Therin’s practically royalty…” Francina’s lovely dark face was a picture of barely concealed glee. “This won’t be a run-of-the-mill wedding.”
“Whatever needs to be done, I’ll handle.” Kianti closed her eyes when her mother laughed.
“But that’s crazy!” Francina tugged on the long wrist-hugging sleeve of Kianti’s eggshell wrap dress. “You’re in no condition for that, baby.”
“Mrs. Lawrence?” Therin graced the woman with a smile that silenced her and brought a look of adoration to her eyes.
“I should tell you that your daughter isn’t quite as fragile as she may have led you to believe.” He shrugged a tad. “I should know since she saved my life a few weeks ago.”
The Lawrences were indeed stunned. Silently, they listened intently as Therin shared the story of what had happened in North Dakota—what hadn’t made it into the news broadcasts Donald had viewed. Still, it was a rather watered-down version. Therin left out the more grizzly elements but offered a pretty clear relay of the events.
Donald was quite impressed. Sadly, the story had the adverse effect on Francina.
“Well, I’d say that’s about all the exertion you can handle, wouldn’t you, Kibbie?”
“Mom, I—”
“It’s settled then. For the next several days, weeks, or—” She took a breath at last. “Have you two even set a date yet?”
Therin was speechless, floored by Francina Lawrence’s elation. He looked over at Kianti who gave him an “I told you so” look.
Dinner arrived then. As everyone prepared to dig into the delicious-looking Asian feast, Francina pressed a reassuring kiss to her daughter’s cheek.
“You just sit back, honey, and let me handle everything.”
Therin barely managed to stifle his grunt when Kianti slammed her fist into his thigh.
The trip back to Pacifica was silent. Therin let it play out until they were inside the house, where he turned Kianti into his chest for a hug. She relished it, melting into the embrace the second his arms came around her.
“So do you still want to marry me now that I’ve been exposed as a wimp?”
He kissed the top of her head and squeezed her tight. “You’re the sexiest wimp I’ve ever met, so I guess you’re still stuck with me. I’m taking you to bed.” He spoke softly against her ear and kissed her there as he carried her through the darkened house.
“Kia…” Therin began to rise from his slumber, stretching against the linens. “Kia?” He grimaced then realizing she wasn’t there next to him or anyplace else in the room. The grimace he wore faded whilst curiosity set in. He heard music and decided to follow it.
The closer he came to the music, the deeper his curiosity grew. The phrases of the piano were beautiful, affecting and…pounding. The passion had an enraged edge. Therin could see why when he found her out on the balcony banging away. He waited until she’d stopped to catch her breath.
“You play hard to drive away the frustration, don’t you?”
Kianti stilled but didn’t look at her fiancé. “Does seeing my mother’s face on the keys mean I’m disturbed?”
Therin grinned. “Maybe just a little.” He sat behind her on the bench, pulling her back against his chest.
