Convince Me (Holton Series #1) (15 page)

At
one end of the room where Steven's desk usually sat, a large table was
overflowing with food.  The huge cake was the centerpiece but surrounding
it was a variety of choices. There was fresh fruit and cheeses as well as
crackers, dips and chips. A variety of sweets, like chocolate candy, sugar
cookies and rich truffles were also available.

As
the party was a surprise, Steven had invited his parents out to dinner and made
the excuse of forgetting his wallet at his house.

When
the Carsons arrived, the surprise on their faces was evident.  Anna could
tell they were touched by the gesture and joyfully greeted everyone
present.  They were thrilled to see their daughter and knew immediately
that she had planned the party.  Anna felt a little awkward as she had not
yet met Steven's father but that was soon remedied.

Dan
was just as Rachel had described him.  He looked at Anna with serious eyes
so like Steven's.  The color was different but the look was the same and
Anna felt a kinship that surprised her.

Both
Dan and Patricia made sure she felt welcome and the party was underway. 
It was a huge success.  It was evident that the people gathered together
liked and respected each other and Anna momentarily envied their
closeness.  This is what she had missed out on.  The love and simple
closeness of a family.

Anna
watched the group carefully.  She was pleased, although still somewhat
surprised, to see that Nick was treated no differently than anyone else. 
This totally Anglo-Saxon group did not care about his background.  They
only cared about what kind of person he was.  Anna knew she could no
longer hold on to that fear.  Her race did not matter to these people and
she knew that would not change.

They
had a huge meal that had been carefully selected from Dan and Patricia's
favorite foods.  The conversation flowed as did the wine and everyone was
in high spirits.  After the meal, the rest of the guests arrived. 
Anna knew a lot of the people present but also saw several new faces.  It
was obvious that the Carsons were well respected in Holton and the party was
well attended.

There
were people of all ages from the youngest inhabitant of Holton, the Johnson's
newborn son to the oldest, Mrs. Emma Robinson who had just turned ninety-four.  As
Julie had said every little detail had been taken care of and it was a perfect
night.

Anna
was sitting on the couch watching the Carsons open their gifts.  She was
relaxed and comfortable.  Steven was on one side of her holding her hand and
Victoria on the other.  Rachel Lewis was nearby.  She had cornered
Anna earlier and made Anna admit that her fears had been unfounded. 
Laughter filled the room and Anna knew this would be a night they would talk
about for a long time.  She was glad to be a part of it.

After
the gifts, it was time to cut the cake and Julie brought a knife from the other
room just as the doorbell rang.  Steven and Victoria's eyes met over
Anna's head.

"Mitch,"
they said in unison.

Mitch
was Steven's brother and from the things Anna had heard the last few weeks, he was
late to every event but always managed to make it for the most important
part.  It appeared this time was going to be no exception.

Steven
excused himself to answer the door and Victoria went to join her parents. 
Nick, Julie, Andrew, Phyllis and the children followed her.  Directly in
the center of the room, all the Carsons and the Moores were gathered when Mitch
entered.  The rest of the guests moved back and gave them this moment
alone.

Anna,
too, sat back and watched as Mitch greeted his family.  She knew it had
been several months since he had been home and his welcome reflected
this.  He was passed around for hugs and kisses and immediately drawn into
their loving circle.  Anna wondered what it would be like to be part of
that circle-to be so well accepted and so well loved that the minute you walked
into a room everyone was happy to see you.

She
didn't realize that her thoughts were on her face and so easy to read but she
felt the tears fill her eyes.   Suddenly, she knew someone watching
her.  She turned to see Steven leaning against the wall staring at her
with a serious look on his face.  Their eyes met, and for a moment, Anna
believed he could read her thoughts.  He walked slowly over to her and
reached out a hand to caress her face.

Anna
was speechless.  Steven's tenderness caused the tears to flow and Anna
could not stop them.  He reached down to pick up her hand and then drew
her to her feet.  Steven looked into her eyes and then wordlessly, drew
her into his arms and kissed her head.  The tears dried and a feeling of
warmth and belonging filled her soul.  For the first time in her life Anna
felt safe.  She held on to that feeling knowing it wouldn't last.

#

Steven
held Anna tightly, not knowing what to say.  The look on her face a few
minutes before had nearly broken his heart.  It was such a wistful look,
full of longing and sadness and he vowed to remove that look from her eyes
forever.  He pulled her closer and savored the moment.  They were
soon interrupted when he heard his name being called.  He turned to see
his brother sauntering toward them.

It
was the only word for it.  Mitch moved with a cat-like grace, his steps
long and flowing.  He wasn't a handsome man but oozed a sexuality that
drew women like bees to a flower.  Steven and Andrew had watched his
success with women over the years with a quiet awe.  Their own good looks
passed over for Mitch's more earthy physique.  He moved with the
confidence of a man who knew who he was and enjoyed it.

Subconsciously,
Steven tightened his grip on Anna as Mitch drew closer.  The light in his
brother's eye made him realize what he had done and Steven forced himself to
relax.  Mitch and Steven were of the same height and build but Mitch had
light brown hair and hazel eyes having inherited his coloring from their father. 
He was dressed in what their mother called his renegade clothes.  He wore
tight jeans, a black t-shirt and a black leather jacket.  On his feet he
had thick black boots and his face sported at least a day's growth of hair. 
He looked tough and dangerous and if everyone present hadn't known him since
birth they would have run from the room.

He
stopped a few feet away and placed his hand on Steven's shoulder.  The
look in his eyes told Steven that Mitch was in one of his mischievous moods. 
Although not flamboyant like Victoria, Mitch had his own dashing personality.

"Steve,"
Mitch said in his gravely voice.  "Aren't you going to introduce me
to this ravishing creature?"

Shaking
his head in affectionate irritation, Steven punched Mitch on the arm.  He
watched as a light blush ran across Anna's face and her eyes began to
shine.  Mitch at his most charming was difficult to resist and Steven had
to remind himself that Mitch was doing this solely to irritate him.

Pulling
Anna closer, Steven made the introductions.  Mitch flashed her his
million-dollar smile and Anna shyly returned it.

"I
am very pleased to met you," she said in her soft voice.  Mitch
started to make a charming reply when Steven knew he had enough.  He threw
his brother a pointed look, which Mitch completely understood.  With a
resigned grin, Mitch made his excuses and wandered away looking for easier
prey.  Steven watched him go with amused affection.

"Your
family continues to amaze me," Anna said.

"Why?"
Steven asked puzzled.

"The
three of you couldn't be more different.  Don't you think it is
interesting?"

"I
guess so," Steven said slowly.  He was used to his siblings and had
long ago accepted their differences.  "Don't you like them?"

"Are
you kidding?" Anna said in a delighted voice.  "They are
wonderful.  Victoria is so much fun and Mitch, well, Mitch is too sexy for
words."

Steven
frowned.  He wanted Anna to like his family but this was something
else.  He sure didn't want her to be attracted to Mitch.  Anna
noticed his frown and reached up to run a finger between his eyebrows. 

"Why
the frown, Steve?"

"You
think Mitch is sexy?" he asked.

"Don't
tell me you're jealous?" she said with a laugh.

"Of
course not," he denied.  Anna just threw him a grin as she headed
across the room.  Steven grabbed her from behind.

"Where
are you going?" he asked still irritated.

"I
was going to help Tori with the cake."

Steven
glanced up and saw that his sister had started passing out the cake.  He
swallowed his impatience and let go of Anna's arm.

"Okay,
but stay after the party is over.  I want to talk to you."

"Alright,"
Anna agreed with a puzzled look.

Glancing
around the room, Steven realized that there were several people he had not yet
greeted so he began to make his way around the room.  As he saw most of
the people present on a daily basis, he only lingered a moment before moving
on.  He welcomed the Brockmans back from their trip and heard all about
their cruise.  Mr. Brockman told him how happy he was to hear that Anna
was doing so well.  Steven was proud of her and made a mental note to
later tell Anna about Mr. Brockman's comments.  He continued around the
room until he came across a group that he greeted with genuine delight.

The
Fishers were old family friends.  Steven had not seen them in years as
they had moved from Holton while he was still in law school.  He had not
even known they had been invited but he should have remembered that Victoria
kept in touch with everyone.  He was pleasantly catching up on their news
when he was tapped on the shoulder.

Steven
turned to see the Fisher's daughter, Olivia, standing beside him.  He and
Olivia were the same age and had dated in high school.  Steven was pleased
to see her.  They had been good friends in school.

"Olivia,"
he said, giving her a hug.  "How are you?"

"Fine,
Steve," she replied.  "It's great to see you.  I hear you
made your dream come true.  Steven Carson, Attorney-at-Law."

"Yes,"
Steven said with a smile.  "What about you?"

When
they were in school, Steven and Olivia and Andrew and whomever he was seeing at
the time, had spent hours sitting by Tanglewood Creek talking about the great
things they wanted to do.  Olivia had wanted to become an artist. 
She had a great flair for painting.  It was one thing that she and
Victoria had in common.  Victoria did not have Olivia's talent but they
had often talked art.  Steven knew Olivia had been accepted at a very
prestigious art school.

"I
had my first show five months ago," Olivia told him. "It went really
well and I sold several painting and a gallery has agreed to show my work on a
regular basis."

Olivia
went on to tell him that her show had been in Los Angeles and that Victoria had
seen the advertisement and had come to the grand opening.

"That's
great, Liv," he said giving her another hug.  They continued to talk
for over a half an hour and Steven was amazed at how much they still had in
common.  "Did you..."

"Steve,"
Victoria's voice interrupted.  "Will you help Anna refill the punch
bowl?  The containers are too heavy for her."

"Sure,"
Steven replied.  "Liv, excuse me for a minute. Don't leave without
talking to me again."

Steven
headed to the kitchen to help Anna.  Once there, he was surprised to see
that Andrew and Mitch were already moving the large jugs from the refrigerator
to the living room.  Mitch was flirting with Anna and standing far too
close for Steven's comfort.  Anna was smiling at something he said when
her eyes met Steven's.  Instantly the laughter died and she gave him a
look that would have frozen ice.  Seeing the look, Mitch turned his head
and saw Steven standing in the doorway. 

"I'll
just take this into the living room," Mitch said, following Andrew out the
door.  "It should be plenty for the rest of the party."

Anna
started to follow but Steven stopped her.  "Hey, what's wrong?'

"Nothing's
wrong," she said coldly.

"Anna,
the temperature dropped about fifty degrees when I walked in.  Aren't you
having a good time?"

"I'm
surprised you noticed.  You were so busy with your little friend."

The
reference could only be to Olivia.  Steven wondered if Anna was
jealous.  It was the only explanation and it warmed his heart.

"Anna,
are you jealous?" he asked softly.

"Of
course not," she snapped.  "If you want to ignore your guests,
that's no skin off my back."

"Well,
you sound jealous."  Anna's eyes flashed and Steven grinned. 
"Oh, honey, you have no reason to be jealous."

"Mitch
said you and Olivia were really close in high school."

Silently
cursing Mitch, Steven patiently explained.  "We were close in school
but, Anna, that was twelve years ago.  I have only seen her a couple of
times since then.  She is just an old friend."

Turning
to walk a few feet away, Anna took a deep breath.  "I do sound
jealous, don't I?"