Spontaneous - Brenda Jackson [26]
As soon as Wynona exited the room Kim turned to Duan. “So far so good. You’re handling Mom’s inter rogation well.”
Before Kim could say anything else, Wynona returned with a tall, slender man by her side. He was smiling as he approached them.
“Well, now, Wynona, this has to be your daughter. She favors you.” He came to stand before Kim and Duan, but only gave Duan a cursory glance. Kim had his full attention.
“Yes, Edward, this is my daughter,” Wynona said, beaming proudly. “Kim, this is the man I plan to marry in a few weeks.”
Kim extended her hand to him. “Nice meeting you, Edward. And this is the man I plan to marry, Duan Jeffries. Duan, this is Edward Villarosas.”
It was only then that Edward met Duan’s gaze, and Duan felt the smile he bestowed upon him wasn’t genuine. That feeling in his gut intensified. “Duan, nice meeting you.” Edward offered him his hand.
“Likewise,” Duan said, taking it.
Wynona leaned close to Edward. “Don’t they make a lovely couple, Edward?”
Edward smiled up at her. “Just as lovely as we do.” He then turned his attention back to Kim. “I understand you have doubts about me making your mother happy.”
Kim lifted a brow. “And you plan to rid me of those doubts, right?”
He chuckled. “I certainly do. Your mother is the only woman for me.”
“So this is your first marriage?” Duan asked, pinning the man with a direct gaze.
Villarosas seemed surprised by the question, and the look he gave Duan indicated he didn’t appreciate being asked. “No. In fact I’ve been married twice and both ended in divorce.”
Duan nodded. At least Villarosas was up front about that.
“But I’m determined to make sure this time is the last time,” he added, taking Wynona’s hand to his lips and kissing her knuckles.
A part of Duan wished everything the man said was true. That he was innocent in the disappearances of his two wives. Not for Villarosas’s sake but for Kim’s mother’s sake. She was a nice lady who deserved better.
“Mom, Duan and I are going to check in to the hotel now and—”
“But Gert will want to come by later to see you,” Wynona said.
Kim shrugged. “I’ll see Aunt Gert tomorrow. We’ll come join you and her for breakfast since I know you’re making a big deal out of it in the morning. I can just imagine who all you’ve invited.”
Wynona smiled. “Just family and friends. They’re looking forward to seeing you and meeting Duan.”
Kim chuckled. “I just bet they are, but I had a rough week at work and the flight was a long one and I want to rest up a bit. So, we’ll see you in the morning.” Turning to Edward, she said, “It was nice meeting you, Edward.”
“Same here, Kim.” He glanced over at Duan. “And you, too.”
Duan almost laughed at that. “Likewise, Edward,” he said with a serious expression.
Duan and Kim were about to walk out the door when Edward called out, “Sorry, Duan, but you didn’t say what you did for a living.”
Duan wondered what business it was of Villarosas’s, but answered, “Yes, I did, but you weren’t here at the time. I’m an ex-cop turned private investigator.”
Villarosas’s brows lifted. “In Key West?”
Duan smiled. “No, in Atlanta.”
Villarosas wasn’t quick enough to hide the startled look in his eyes. And Duan could just imagine the questions rolling around in the man’s mind right about now.
“And you didn’t say what you did for a living, Edward,” Duan ventured.
Again Villarosas seemed taken aback that Duan would question him about anything. He hesitated a moment before saying, “I’m retired.”
“Oh, I see.” Duan placed his hand in the center of Kim’s back and they continued out the door.
KIM WALKED INTO THE hotel room and tossed her purse on the sofa. She wished she could read Duan’s thoughts. He had been quiet during most of the car ride from her mother’s and she wanted to know what he was thinking.
She doubted it was obvious to her mother, whose inability to read people was legendary, but it hadn’t gone unnoticed by her that Duan had taken an immediate dislike to Edward and she wondered why.
She glanced over at Duan and noticed him looking around the room. After they had picked