Attraction Read Online Free PDF Page A

thick, unruly hair into a loose French knot at the back, securing
it with jeweled hair sticks.
Marge shook her head with admiration as she took in Riley’s outfit again. “Hmmm,
hmmm, hmmm. You always knew how to dress, didn’t you, honey?”
Riley waved at her outfit. “This was on the orders of the general, on the threat of death.”
When Riley went out to the living room, her parents had just come down the stairs. They
were dressed for a formal occasion, her father in a dark somber suit and her mother in a pearl,
lace dress that she had bought for last Easter.
Caroline took in her daughter’s attire and was satisfied. “Oh, Riley, you do look lovely.”
Riley kissed her on the cheek. “So do you, Mom.” She kissed her Dad, who looked a
little pained. “You, too, Dad. Are we all ready to welcome this illustrious person into our humble
enclave.”
Caroline blanched a little. “God, I hope he’s not going to want a big formal wedding.
There will be so many important people, and I’ll be scared to death of them.”
Lawrence pulled at his collar. “If he’s wanting a big wedding, it’ll break the bank for us.”
Riley pointed out, “Ah, but Wait’s rich, remember? He can foot the bill if he wants ice
swans, white tents, and one hundred dollar champagne.”
Lawrence did turn sheet white. “One hundred dollars for one bottle of champagne? I’ll
have to get second, third, and fourth mortgage on my house.”
Riley slipped a reassuring hand through his arm. “Trust me, Dad, Robbie’s fiancée is
going to be footing the bill. In fact he’ll insist on it.”
“How can you be so sure? We’ve only met him once.”
“Well, Heron Wait’s rich, right? He was born and raised in wealth. The usual mentality
of rich people is that they have certain ideas on what they want, and they make sure they get
what they want by overriding objections with money. Who but the rich know that money has a
way of overriding any objections?”
The doorbell rang and Caroline and Lawrence looked at each other in panic for a
moment.
Caroline ordered, “Quick, Riley, go and tell Marge that they’re here, and start opening
the champagne.”
Riley went into the kitchen and gave her message to Marge. When she came back into the
living room, Roberta and Caroline were hugging each other, both laughing and babbling at the
same time, and their father was shaking, quite heartedly, Heron’s hand.
“Oh, darling, darling, darling Robbie. Your dad and I couldn’t be happier. This is all so
unbelievable.”
“I know. I’m still taking it all in,” Roberta said, her face flushed with excitement. When
she saw Riley, she instantly went over to her and they hugged for a good measure.
Caroline said to Heron, “And, Heron, welcome to our family.”
Heron put out his hand, but Caroline put her arms around him and hugged him. For a
moment, he looked shocked, then quite discomfited when she continued to hug him, that Riley
had to suppress a laugh. When Caroline released him, Riley went up to him and held out her
hand.
She said, trying to infuse the warmth and excitement that her family was feeling in her
tone, “Congratulations, Heron. Robbie is the most beautiful and wonderful woman a man could
ever marry.”
Heron stared at her proffered hand for a moment. He had heard the slight edge in her
voice. Then he shook it, rather perfunctorily. “Thank you, Riley. I know Roberta will make me
happy, and I think I can make her happy, as well.”
Then she saw a strange man standing behind Heron. He was quite good looking, straight,
sable brown hair that was cut short and neat, a few inches shorter than Heron, his body long and
lean, and looking as if he felt a little out of place.
Heron stepped aside. “Mr. and Mrs. Calderon, Riley, this is my younger brother, Tanner
Wait. He just arrived home two weeks ago after graduating from Harvard with his MBA.”
“Welcome, Tanner. It’s good to meet you.” Caroline gave him hug, which made his face
turn red with