Love and Triumph: The Coltrane Saga, Book 8 Read Free Page B

shudder of delight at the sight of him. She had to admit to having had a crush on him from the first moment they met, more than four years ago. Tall, well-built, with broad shoulders and sinewy muscles, he presented an admirable figure in his white suit this morning. His hair was the color of the raven’s wing, and he had rich brown eyes. He was, she determined once more, the most handsome man she’d ever met.
    “I can’t believe what a difference it makes.” Kit shook her head in wonder. “Amazing. I’ve been tempted to do the same thing, but I’m afraid Kurt would divorce me.”
    Kurt laughed, “No, but I have to admit I like your hair as it is. The thing that’s so fascinating about Marilee, though, is that she did this on her own.”
    His attention turned to Joseph and Natasia who were running through the front door ahead of their harried nanny. Kurt scolded them for being so boisterous, but then they spotted their grandparents making their way down the circular stairway and the squealing began once more as they ran to meet them.
    Marilee was stung by Kurt’s offhanded remark, then realized with shock that he was right—cutting her hair had probably been the first decision she’d ever made about herself in her whole life. That realization made her feel strange…but wonderful.
    Kit gave her an encouraging wink as they waited while Jade and the children came toward the breakfast room.
    Marilee tensed, but needn’t have, because Jade took one look at her and cried, “I don’t believe it! I just don’t believe it!” She clapped her hands in delight, then rushed to circle her, all the while marveling at the effect. “Now if we could just get you into some glamorous clothes instead of those matronly costumes they taught you to wear at that mausoleum of a school…”
    Colt joined in to agree, and Marilee found herself the center of attention and loved every minute of it.
    Travis arrived and at once marveled over his cousin’s new and welcome look.
    Marilee was so happy, she almost felt like part of the family, but a casual remark from her uncle brought her sharply back to reality.
    “Yes, I’d say with the right clothes and a bit of makeup, we won’t have an old maid on our hands after all.”
    Everyone laughed, and Marilee managed a stiff smile which she did not feel. Then Kurt wanted to know her plans since she had finished school, whether she would be staying on in Spain.
    Jade replied before Marilee had a chance to speak. “She may be going to Switzerland. Her young man has invited her to visit him and his family.”
    Marilee felt her cheeks blazing and could not resist snapping, “Please don’t worry about me. I promise I won’t be a burden to this family, no matter what the future holds.”
    An awkward silence descended like a giant, invisible shroud. Everyone exchanged uncomfortable glances, then Jade quickly changed the subject. “I think it’s time we got back to matters at hand, like proposing a few little intimate toasts together, before half of Spain arrives for the wedding.” Her trailing laugh was forced, tense.
    “Here, here!” Colt boomed his approval, got to his feet, and lifted his glass of champagne to Travis. “A toast to my son on his wedding day, with the good wish that he will forever be as happy in his marriage as his father and grandfather before him.”
    The toasting passed to Jade, Kit, Kurt, finally to Marilee; by then she was feeling as bubbly as the champagne. “To Travis,” she said boldly, tipsily, “whom I’ve loved like family, even though he wasn’t…”
    Jade decided it was time to end the breakfast. Everyone began to file out of the room, but she called to Marilee just as she got to the door. “I’ll be leaving for Kit’s house in half an hour, and I’d like for you to ride with me. Can you be ready?”
    Marilee glanced at her watch and asked, “Why so early? We’ve lots of time.”
    Jade gave her a secret smile “You’ll see. Just be