Star of His Heart - Brenda Jackson [9]
“Did you stress to him that all this is for fun, and the money is going to charity?”
“Yes, but Alex said it stopped being fun when Angela voiced her intentions, and that there’s only so far a person should go to help charity. The possibility of putting your life on the line by going out on a date with Angela was going too far.”
Netherland tried to cover a laugh behind a cough and failed. She cleared her throat. “What about Sterling Hamilton coming that night?” Clayton’s Uncle Jake’s wife, movie actress Diamond Swain Madaris, was going to use her connections and get her friend, movie actor Sterling Hamilton, to make an appearance. He would definitely be a big draw.
Syneda shook her head. “I spoke to Diamond a few days ago and Sterling will be here, which is good news. The bad news is that our headliner, neurosurgeon Dr. Lloyd James, just got engaged, and his fiancée doesn’t want him to participate. The Lord answered my prayers, and I was able to find someone at the last minute, thanks to a tip I received this week. It seems this man is hot in demand. I bet the bids for him will bring in a lot of money,” she said excitedly. “Women think he’s sexy as all outdoors. I spoke with him last night, and he consented to do it. Some lucky sister will be spending a weekend with him in New Orleans.”
Netherland’s interest was piqued. “Now you have me curious. Just who is this man who’s so hot in demand?”
Syneda smiled. “Trevor’s friend who’s visiting him. Colonel Ashton Sinclair.”
Ashton inhaled deeply and silently counted to ten. A quick glance across the room indicated that his good friend Trevor Grant was doing likewise. They both watched the very pregnant woman in the center of the room tilt her head way back and look up at the ceiling.
“Are you sure there’s no way the ceiling can get wallpapered today?” she asked, glancing first at her husband and then at Ashton.
As if on cue, Ashton and Trevor answered simultaneously, “Yes, we’re sure.”
Corinthians Avery Grant lifted one dark brow as she stared at each man again. “I hope I didn’t work you too hard today, but I don’t have long before the baby gets here, and I want to make sure everything is perfect.”
“And things will be, honey.” Trevor walked over to his wife and pulled her into his arms. “But don’t you think wallpapering the ceiling is a bit much?”
“I want Baby Grant to look up and see pretty things instead of a dull white ceiling.”
Trevor nodded, trying to understand her reasoning but failing miserably. “Then how about if Ashton and I paint it another color—a sunny yellow or something?”
She nodded as if considering his idea. “That might work.”
“But not today, sweetheart. Ashton and I are beat. You’ve already gotten your money’s worth out of us. Is there any way we can take a break, relax and watch the basketball game?”
Corinthians nodded. “Yes, that’s fine. I feel tired anyway.” Kissing her husband on the cheek and smiling gratefully at Ashton, she turned and waddled out of the room.
“Why is she tired, Trev? All she’s been doing all day is standing in one spot giving orders.”
Trevor chuckled, knowing his friend was telling the truth. “Yeah, but she looked so beautiful while giving them, don’t you think?”
Ashton shook his head, grinning. “I’ll cut on the TV. You can grab the beer out of the fridge.” Both men quickly left the room before Corinthians had a change of heart and found something else for them to do.
A while later during a commercial break Trevor asked Ashton how he was doing with Nettie. “I finally had to level with her, man, and let her know that we’re getting married.”
A grin covered Trevor’s face. “I’m sure that went over well.”
Ashton chuckled. “I didn’t stick around too long after that to find out just how well it did go.” He cast Trevor a determined look. “I thought seriously about kidnapping her. What do you think