The Ashtons - Cole, Abigail & Megan

wasn’t worried about what they would say to her. For one thing, they didn’t even know who she was.And for another, she had never had a problem standing up for herself. She barely suppressed a nervous giggle. If there was any doubt about that, they could always get in touch with poor old Harold. He could verify that she was anything but a pushover.
    “Are you doing okay?” Russ asked as they approached the entrance.
    Nodding, Abby smiled and leaned over to whisper in his ear. “How could I not be feeling fantastic with you as my date? In jeans and chambray shirt you’re very handsome. But in a tux you’re downright delicious.”
    “Honey, I was thinking you’re the one who looks delicious.” He gave her a wicked grin. “But as good as you look in that green dress, I can’t wait to help you out of it later tonight.”
    A shiver of excitement coursed through her. He knew just what to say to get her mind off what they were all about to do. Was it any wonder that she’d fallen head over heels in love with him?
    “I’m looking forward to getting you out of that tux, too,” she said, feeling extremely breathless all of a sudden.
    As they entered the reception hall, Abby couldn’t help but marvel at the opulence of her grandfather’s estate. The room was very elegant, with its beige fauxstone walls, heavy silk draperies and highly polished marble floors. It reminded her of a palace.
    “This is a far cry from Spencer’s Nebraska roots,” she murmured.
    “It’s a far cry from the way we grew up at The Vines,” Mercedes said, her tone tinged with bitterness. “By all rights, this place should belong to my mother.”
    Abby couldn’t say she blamed Mercedes for feeling the way she did. After Caroline’s father left the Lattimer Corporation to Spencer, he’d used his shrewd business sense, and a few illegal moves, to take control of not only John Lattimer’s vast holdings and fortune, but also the family estate—a home that had been in the Lattimer family for years. He’d left poor Caroline and their four children with nothing more than the house and small vineyard that had belonged to her mother’s family. He had paid a paltry amount of child support for Eli, Cole, Mercedes and Jillian, but beyond that he’d cut them out of his life completely.
    Reaching out, Abby gave Mercedes’s hand a gentle squeeze. “My great-grandmother Barnett always said that what goes around comes around. One day, Spencer’s dirty dealings will catch up with him and he’ll end up being the loser.”
    Mercedes gave her a grateful smile. “I hope I’m around to see it happen.”
    “Champagne?” a uniformed waiter asked, walking up to them.
    Craig took one of the crystal flutes, filled with pink sparkling wine, from the ornate silver tray the waiter held, then looked around the room as he straightened his bow tie. “You don’t mind if I mingle a bit, do you?”
    “Go,” Mercedes said, rolling her eyes.
    “Would either of you like champagne?” Russ asked, reaching for two of the remaining glasses.
    Abby smiled and shook her head. “None for me, thank you.”
    Mercedes smiled as she accepted the glass Russ handed her. “Thank you, Russ.” To Abby she added, “At least your date is a gentleman.”
    “Is Craig always this…” Abby’s voice trailed off as she tried to think of a diplomatic way to describe how insensitive the man was.
    “Callous? Self-absorbed? Shallow?” Mercedes finished for her. When Abby nodded, the woman shrugged. “I always come in second when Craig has the opportunity to circulate with the social elite of Napa Valley. I guess I’m used to it by now.”
    Before Abby could ask Mercedes why she continued to see the man, a beautiful young woman with long, ashblond hair and striking green eyes walked up to them. “Welcome to the Napa Valley Equine Society’s annual fund-raiser.” She smiled and held out her right hand. “I’m Megan Ashton, the hostess and event planner hereat the Ashton estate. If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to let me know.”
    The moment of truth had arrived, Abby thought as she shook the woman’s hand. She noticed that Russ tensed at her side. He was apparently expecting a confrontation, too.
    “I’m Abigail and this is Mercedes.”
    When the woman offered to shake Mercedes’ hand, Abby held her breath. “I’m really pleased you could join us this evening.”
    “Our last name is Ashton,” Mercedes said without preamble. “Abby