10 Chapter 10: A Tall, Dark, Handsome Stranger

There was nothing Cathy wanted more than to meet Scott for a drink, but as she stared into his earnest brown eyes her heart sank.

"What's wrong?" he asked with a slight frown. "I thought you'd be pleased."

"I am," she said hastily, "but I'm supposed to be going to a dinner party. Mom and dad are having some people over, but I'd much rather be with you. Screw it. I'll tell them I can't make it."

"Text me when you know for sure, and send me your address so I know where to pick you up," he said with a grin, "but if tonight doesn't work for you, no sweat, we can do it tomorrow."

"I don't think my presence at the house is a command performance or anything. I doubt there'll be a problem."

"Just let me know, now clean up the mess you made and pick up the buckets. Where's the other one?"

"Outside Pepper's stall."

"Is that right? Clever!"

"Don't worry, I'll put everything away."

"You'd better," he warned with a wink, then rose to his feet and marched off down the aisle.

Smiling happily, she leaned back against her horse's stall. She hadn't been imagining things, he did like her, and better still, he'd sent her a card! Eager to cancel her appearance at her parents house, she quickly pulled her phone from her pocket and called her mother.

"Hello, Cathy."

"Hi, mom, listen, I can't make it tonight," Cathy said, expecting the usual, oh, that's too bad, never mind, but instead she was met by a sharp intake of breath. "Mom? Are you okay?"

"Why can't you come?"

"I've had a better offer," she replied with a giggle.

"Cathy, that's not acceptable, you can't cancel at the last minute like this."

"But I cancel all the time and it's no big deal. What's so special about tonight?"

"Yes, you do cancel all the time, and I wish you wouldn't," her mother retorted. "It's rude and it has to stop. I have everything set for eight, and the table is being decorated as we speak."

"You're having someone decorate the table? Why is this so special?"

"Your father is entertaining some very important guests, and I expect you to be here at seven-thirty. Dress well. Wear those sapphire earrings and matching choker."

"Seriously? Who's coming?"

"The Mayor and his wife for a start," her mother said sharply.

"That sounds so boring," Cathy remarked, rolling her eyes. "He'll drone on and on about nothing."

"It might not be as boring as you think, and you mustn't let your father down."

"Okay, okay, I'll be there, but, mom, before you go, someone sent me a card and I didn't get it. Do you remember seeing it?"

"No card arrived here for you. If it had, I would have given it to you. Why wouldn't I?"

"Jeez, mom, calm down, I was only asking."

"Maybe whoever it was didn't send you anything, and they're just claiming they did."

"Why would they do that?"

"I don't know," her mother said testily. "People lie all the time. I must go. I'll see you tonight."

"Okay, sure. I'll see you tonight," Cathy replied as she ended the call, then stared at the phone. "Damn, mom, that was weird," she muttered, but disappointed she wouldn't be seeing Scott, she turned her attention back to him. Shooting him a text with the bad news, she added her address at the end. He texted her right back, and reading the message, her smile returned.

I said I'd pick the where and the when, and tomorrow night is better anyway. I'll have more time. The where is my house, and I'll also be feeding you. Stay hungry.

She sent him a quick, I can't wait, and as she started picking up the mess she'd made, she said a silent thank you to her mother. Dinner at Scott's house was a whole lot better than a drink in some bar.

Her parent's home had a large motor court at the side of the house, and a couple of hours later, as Cathy drove in, she was surprised to see a gleaming black Rolls Royce.

"No wonder mom wanted me to wear the crown jewels tonight," she mumbled as she checked her reflection in her rear-view mirror.

Glad she'd worn her elegant strapless black silk dress and glossy Jimmy Choo pumps, she grabbed her evening bag and stepped from her car, but paused to scrutinize the sumptuous automobile.

It almost put her father's Mercedes luxury sedan to shame.

Finding herself truly intrigued about its owner, she hurried into the house, and entering the formal lounge, she discovered her parents had pulled out all the stops.

A bow-tied waiter was carrying a tray of hors d'oeuvres, while another was serving champagne in tall crystal flutes. She spied her mother deep in conversation with the Hartleys. John Hartley was an executive in her father's company, Coleman Construction, and his wife Susan, was deeply involved in fundraising for charities. Looking across the room she spotted her father speaking with Mayor Baton, his wife Nancy, and another man with his back to her.

"Cathy, there you are," her mother exclaimed, beaming as she hurried over, then guided her towards the stranger. "Renaldo, this is my daughter, Catherine. Catherine, this is Renaldo Cavalleri."

As the man turned, Cathy extended her hand. He was impeccably dressed, sported a mop of longish, dark, thick curly hair, a killer smile, and bright hazel eyes. While he wasn't drop dead gorgeous, he certainly wasn't unattractive.

"Delighted," he said, shaking her hand with a firm grip. "I've heard so much about you."

"Then you have me at a disadvantage," Cathy quipped with a smile. "I know nothing about you."

"I hope you will give me the opportunity to change that."

Though she began to make the necessary small talk, she was furious. Her mother had tricked her, but her mother could be positively Machiavellian if she wanted something badly enough.

"I understand you're a very talented interior designer," Renaldo continued as he escorted Cathy into the dining room. "I have just bought a beautiful home near the coast in Tuscany. I'm looking for someone with fresh ideas. Perhaps you can give me your thoughts."

"Tuscany, as in Italy?" she asked, taken aback.

"Is there another Tuscany?" he replied with a grin as they sat down.

"Probably."

"Yes, probably," he said with a chuckle, "but I suspect none worth mentioning, and I am quite sincere. I have met with several decorators, but they are all the same. Flamboyant, over the top, but this house will not be a showcase. I already have houses that are showcases. This one must be a home."

"Renaldo has some beautiful properties, Cathy," her mother interjected, "but this one is something special. Why don't you tell everyone the story behind it, Renaldo?"

"It was once the home of my great grandfather. He had to give it up when he came to America. My grandfather tried to get it back, but failed, and so did my father, but I finally succeeded a few months ago."

"How did you manage that, Renaldo?" the mayor's wife asked.

"It was fortunate timing," he replied modestly.

"Your family history sounds so interesting," Cathy said, genuinely fascinated. "Can you tell us more?"

"I don't want to bore you."

"Bore us? My goodness, that doesn't sound boring at all," she exclaimed, thinking the more he talked, the more attractive he became.

"Yes, Renaldo, please tell us," her mother pressed.

"Very well, but only if you promise to stop me if it becomes tedious."

As he began to tell the tale of his great grandfather's arrival at Ellis Island, Cathy noticed his watch was a very expensive, vintage Patek, yet in spite of his obvious wealth, he had a warmth about him, and he oozed class and style.

But why was he sitting at the dinner table at her parents home?

She didn't have to wait long for her answer.