A Will and a Way

run it through her fingers. “I’ve seen the doctor, and he said I was fine.”
    “I thought it was more something along the lines of you having a head like a rock.”
    She narrowed her eyes. “He was annoyed because I healed perfectly without him. The point is, I am healed, but if Sweeney keeps nagging and hovering, I’ll have a relapse.” It came out as a declaration as she stood straight in front of him, chin lifted, looking as though she’d never been ill a day in her life.
    “What would you like me to do?”
    “She’ll listen to you. For some reason she has the idea that you’re infallible. Mr. Donahue this, Mr. Donahue that.” She slapped the leather against her palm. “For the past week all I’ve heard is how charming, handsome and strong you are. It’s a wonder I recovered at all.”
    His lips twitched, but he understood Sweeney’s flattery could undo any progress he’d made. “The woman’s perceptive. However…” He stopped Pandora’s retort by holding up a hand. “Because I’d never refuse you anything—” when she snorted he ignored it “—and because she’s been driving me crazy fussing over my wrist, I’m going to take care of it.”
    Pandora tilted her head. “How?”
    “Sweeney’s going to be too busy over the next few days to fuss over us. She’ll have the dinner party to fuss over.”
    “What dinner party?”
    “The dinner party we’re going to give next week for all our relatives.”
    She glanced at the phone, remembering he’d been using it when she’d come down the hall. “What have you been up to?”
    “Just setting the scene, cousin.” He rocked back on his heels, already imagining. “I think we’ll have Sweeney dig out the best china, though I doubt we’ll have time to use it.”
    “Michael.” She didn’t want to seem a coward, but the accident had taught her something about caution and self-preservation. “We won’t just be inviting relatives. One of them tried to kill us.”
    “And failed.” He took her chin in his hand. “Don’t you think he’ll try again, Pandora, and again? The police can’t patrol thegrounds indefinitely. And,” he added with his fingers tightening, “I’m not willing to let bygones be bygones.” His gaze skimmed up to where her hair just covered the scar on her forehead. The doctor had said it would fade, but Michael’s memory of it never would. “We’re going to settle this, my way.”
    “I don’t like it.”
    “Pandora.” He gave her a charming smile and pinched her cheek. “Trust me.”
    The fact that she did only made her more nervous. With a sigh, she took his hand. “Let’s tell Sweeney to kill the fatted calf.”
     
    Right down to the moment the first car arrived, Pandora was certain no one would come. She’d sat through a discussion of Michael’s plan, argued, disagreed, admired and ultimately she’d given up. Theatrics, she’d decided. But there was enough Jolley in her to look forward to the show, especially when she was one of the leads. And she had, as they said in the business, her part cold.
    She’d dressed for the role in a slim, strapless black dress. For flair, she’d added a sterling silver necklace she’d fashioned in an exaggerated star burst. Matching earrings dripped nearly to her chin. If Michael wanted drama, who was she to argue? As the night of the dinner party had grown closer, her nerves had steeled into determination.
    When he saw her at the top of the stairs, he was speechless. Had he really convinced himself all these years she had no real beauty? At the moment, poised, defiant and enjoying herself, she made every other woman he’d known look like a shadow.And if he told her so, she wouldn’t believe it for a moment. Instead he merely nodded and rocked back on his heels.
    “Perfect,” he told her as she walked down the main stairs. Standing at the base in a dark suit, Michael looked invincible, and ruthless. “The sophisticated heroine.” He took her hand. “Cool and sexy. Hitchcock would’ve made you a star.”
    “Don’t forget what happened to Janet Leigh.”
    He laughed and sent one of her earrings spinning. “Nervous?”
    “Not as much as I’d thought I’d be. If this doesn’t work—”
    “Then we’re no worse off than we are now. You know what to do.”
    “We’ve rehearsed it a half-dozen times. I still have the bruises.”
    He leaned closer to kiss both bare shoulders. “I always thought you’d be a natural. When this is over, we have a