Here I Am Read Free Page B

she’d tried too hard to become a high-society grande dame. What she hadn’t realized was that Fraser Wainwright had chosen to marry her because she was different. She wasn’t affected or a snob. During their thirty-five-year marriage, however, Leona had changed—becoming a social climber in the hopes that her mother-in-law would accept her. Unfortunately, it hadn’t happened. And in Leona’s mind, the only thing she had done right was to give her mother-in-law, Francine Wainwright, grandchildren.
    Leona, whose natural beauty hadn’t faded despite having recently celebrated her fifty-fifth birthday, flashed a dimpled smile. The fuchsia-colored silk suit complemented her smooth, peaches-and-creamcomplexion. “Brandt, you’re going to make a wonderful husband for some very lucky woman.”
    â€œI’m going to have to find that very lucky woman first before I can even consider getting married.”
    Leona sobered. “Are you against marriage?”
    His mother’s question had caught him off guard. He’d never been one to advertise his relationships, but it had been a long time since he’d brought a woman home to meet his family. It was just that he wasn’t ready to settle down.
    â€œNo.” The single word answer hung in the air. “Why would you ask me that?”
    â€œIt’s just that it’s been a very long time since you’ve introduced us to one of your girlfriends. By the way, I ran into Courtney Knight last week and of course she asked about you.”
    Brandt averted his gaze. He’d been engaged to Courtney for less than two months when he’d discovered that she was sleeping with one of his college buddies. In response, Brandt had issued an ultimatum: either she break off the engagement or he would disclose why he wasn’t going to marry her.
    â€œThat’s nice,” he drawled sarcastically.
    â€œThere you are, Brandt. I thought you’d left.”
    He turned to find his sister standing a few feet away. Rising to his feet, he smiled at her. “What’s up, Clarissa?”
    The enormous diamond on Clarissa Wainwright’s finger sparkled like a headlamp. She was a tall, blue-eyed blonde with striking features. But every time Brandt saw her, she appeared thinner than she’d beenbefore. Tiny blue veins were visible under her eyes, which were framed by long, dark lashes.
    Slipping her hand into her brother’s, Clarissa gave him a tender smile. “Do you plan to host any parties at your place before the end of the year?”
    â€œI don’t know. Why?” Aside from the New Year’s Eve bash at his penthouse, get-togethers were usually spontaneous. In the off-season, he would sometimes invite his teammates and their wives or girlfriends to his place for a casual dinner party.
    â€œMy friend Tonya wants you to introduce her to Alexander Fleming.”
    â€œClarissa!” Leona gasped.
    The younger woman waved a hand. “Please, Mother. Let me handle this.”
    â€œThere’s nothing to handle,” Brandt retorted. “You know I’m not into matchmaking.”
    Clarissa rested her hands at her narrow hips. “But you introduced Aziza to Jordan.”
    â€œI’m not going to discuss their relationship with you.” He’d asked his attorney to talk to his cousin because he’d believed Jordan would be able to help Aziza with a sexual harassment suit she sought to bring against her former employer. Brandt hadn’t known their involvement had segued from business to personal until they’d announced their engagement six weeks after first meeting. He also made it a rule not to introduce any women to teammates, because if the relationship soured he would never hear the end of it.
    Leona touched her daughter’s shoulder. “Let it go, darling. Let Tonya find her own boyfriend.”
    â€œWhat harm would it do for Brandt to introduce hisfriend to my