Dynasties: The Danforths. Maureen Child

afternoon, with her shift finished and the bakery closed, Tina made her way up the stairs to her aunt’s apartment. All day she’d been dreaming of a quiet evening at home. Alone. In her mind she’d planned an hour-long bubble bath, with scented candles and a glass of white wine. Next came her favorite sweatpants, a cotton tank top, soft slippers and the mystery novel she’d started two weeks ago.

      And maybe, just maybe, she might even get some sleep, instead of tossing and turning all night thinking about Reid.

      Her cheeks still burned every time she remembered what he’d said to her last night before he’d walked away. I haven’t asked.

      She’d managed to get through the rest of the evening, had even smiled and held her voice steady when her mother had dragged her over to meet Abraham Danforth. It was like looking at an older version of Reid. The same piercing deep-blue eyes, the same thick, sable-brown hair. The same charm. Like Reid, he exuded power and masculinity. And like Reid, the women, young and old, couldn’t take their eyes off him. Suddenly Tina completely understood why Reid hadn’t asked her to sleep with him.

      Because he didn’t have to.

      He had his pick of any woman he wanted. Anytime.

      Tina knew she was no femme fatale. Men might have shown an interest in her from time to time, but they weren’t exactly dropping at her feet.

      So the question she’d asked herself repeatedly since she’d met Reid was, why is he interested in me?

      Still mulling that thought over, she slipped her key into the lock and opened the door.

      In front of her eyes, Tina’s dreams of a quiet evening dissolved like sugar in water.

      “Tina, it’s so wonderful.” Rachel met her at the door and dragged her inside the apartment. “You won’t believe what Sophie’s done.”

      Rachel glanced at Sophia, who was sitting on the sofa, making an old pair of jeans and oversize white tunic top look like high fashion. She had an incredibly smug look on her face. “Swallowed the canary?”

      “No, silly.” Excitement danced in Rachel’s eyes. “She got Jason’s band booked at Steam. Tonight!”

      Tina stared wide-eyed at Rachel, then Sophia. Steam was the newest, hottest, most-difficult-to-get-into blues dinner and night club in Savannah. Though Tina had never been there herself, she knew that Sophia went often, that she’d even done some interior designing in the owner’s office.

      Tina also knew that it took nothing short of a miracle for a band to get a booking there. “And how, pray tell, did you manage that one?”

      Sophia casually shrugged a shoulder, but there was a twinkle of a smile in her eyes. “The band booked for tonight had to cancel. The owner owes me a favor.”

      Tina lifted a curious brow. “What kind of favor?”

      “Not that kind, dear,” Sophia said with a pretty tilt of her head. “Though Clay Crawford is quite a catch. We just decided we’d make better friends.”

      “Could we please not discuss Sophia’s love life for once.” Rachel took hold of Tina’s hand and pulled her to the sofa. “We have to talk about what we’re going to wear.”

      “We?” Tina swiveled a look at Rachel.

      “Of course ‘we,”’ Rachel said. “I told Jason we’d all be there. And this is the perfect night for us all to go out with no questions from Mom and Dad.”

      Saturday night was her parents’ date night out to Buddy’s Buffet and Bingo on the waterfront. Unless one of them was sick, they never missed it. It was the perfect night for her and her sisters to all go out and not have to worry about any inquisitions. Tina’s fantasy of a bubble bath began to pop, one scented bubble after the other.

      “Just think.” Rachel clasped her hands to her chest. “Jason, my Jason, singing at Steam! You have to come, Tina.”

      The happiness on her sister’s face disintegrated the last of Tina’s resolve. “Of course I’m coming,” she said, surprised at her own sudden rush of excitement. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

      “I love you both so much!” Laughing, Rachel threw her arms around Tina and Sophia. “This will be the best night of my life!”

      Maybe this was exactly what she needed, Tina reasoned. She hadn’t been out with her sisters like this in a long time. A little music, a little wine. It would be fun. Maybe she’d meet someone nice. Someone who could make her forget about Reid Danforth.

      Who knows, she thought, maybe this would be her lucky night.

      Starting at nine every night of the week, Steam featured only the best in live blues music. On a Saturday night, without a reservation or a connection, it was nearly impossible to get in either the posh second-floor restaurant or the trendy club on the first floor.

      Unless, of course, your last name was Danforth.

      “Are you dining this evening, Mr. Danforth?” The hostess, a pretty brunette in a black cocktail dress smiled at Reid. “Or would you like a table in the club?”

      “In the club.” Smiling back at the woman, Reid slipped her a bill that made her eyes widen. With the skill of a magician, the money disappeared. “I’m meeting my brother.”

      “Thank you, sir. Just give me one moment to find the best seat for you.”

      While the hostess scribbled on a seating chart in front of her, Reid took in the decor of the large, dimly lit reception area. Deep-red velvet draperies hung from the floor-to-ceiling windows; the walls were pale gray, with thin red stripes. A lavish Oriental rug in hues of red, gray and black graced the highly polished, dark mahogany floor. Behind the hostess, a large mahogany staircase led to the restaurant upstairs. To the right, the bar area vibrated with conversation and laughter.

      “Right this way, sir.”

      Still not certain why Ian had insisted on meeting him here tonight, Reid followed the hostess through an entrance to the left which led to the stage and dance area. “Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About” blasted from the dj’s speakers and bodies moved on the dance floor in rhythm to Bonnie Raitt’s raspy tune while cocktail waitresses in black slacks and button-down red blouses hustled through the crowd, balancing trays and taking orders.

      Settling in at a stage side table, Reid ordered a beer then munched on a spicy mix of pretzels and nuts the waitress had left him. Since his college days, he’d spent very little time in night clubs and bars, but some things never changed. And though Steam was much too high class for the average college frat boys, the draw was still the same: music, food, drink and, of course, the women.

      He glanced around the packed room at the slinky dresses and low-cut tops. A great deal of skin and cleavage were on display, and he’d have to be dead not to notice it. Still, other than a mild flicker of appreciation, he wasn’t interested in engaging any of the glances a few of the women were sliding his way.

      It irritated the hell out of him that he couldn’t get Tina out of his mind. Frustrated him to no end that since he’d kissed her, all he could think about was kissing her again.

      And more.

      At least he knew now it was Rachel, not Tina, who was involved with Jason. And while Tina hadn’t exactly waved a green flag, it also helped to know he was the only car on the course at the moment. He had the feeling there would be stop signs and detours, but he was determined that sooner or later he’d encounter a yield sign.

      He hoped like hell it was sooner.

      “So what do you think?” Ian asked over the hum of noise as he sat in the chair across from Reid. “Nice place, huh?”

      Reid nodded. “And we’re here because…?”

      “Sophia invited us.” Ian gestured to the waitress that he’d have the same as Reid.

      The bottle of beer in Reid’s