Wedding Day’s Final Drop
me to leave the recovery wing of
ut to help me
shoulder aching, b
ho stood a few feet away, her
n you give
cker of something – surprise?
ed past her, towards
me back to t
han?" she asked,
said, the irony
lking about a new restaurant
ling. "You look like you
smile. "Thanks, C
r easy companion
welcome
The pinnacle of New Y
bid on a centerpiece historical artifact – a dia
k in the family, a show
ill in a sling, but de
I saw
lle a
a silver gown that shi
tly tailored tuxedo, his cha
rehension, cold and unwe
for the ne
opening bid
ly, Leo Hayes ra
nt throug
ng against
apologetic shrug. "Just a little arti
the price. To make me, and
, to emb
ed, her expres
escalated. M
oying himself, pla
what I thought would be the winnin
beyond what Leo could afford. Far be
oneer's g
Miss Isabe
nce, then a bu
d, a cool, tri
rned t
dear brother," she said, her voice
m the Vanderbilt h
ot and fierce,
n Vanderbilt, outbid and outmane
was a low, bu
u see h
ed him be
o her brother! S
My pride, already
e defeated.
there was a call for
eassert Vanderbilt
e total sum raised tonight," I announced
ause. It was a ma
on the pledge, to transfer the fund
curity alert from my
and sharp, p
by and managing a Foundation
thrusting a platinum car
s also decl
arted again, lo
lt couldn't co
e Hayes step
Comp
said, her voic
uced her
on went throu
pledge. With her own, sur
on was comple
ng so, she had utterly destr