Public Secrets Part 212

"Emma." He hesitated, then reached out for her hand. She looked

so . . . remote, he thought.

"It was nice of you to come."

"I'm proud of you." His fingers tightened on hers as if he were

searching for the connection he felt was lost. "Very, very proud."

She started to speak, then there was a volley of flashes from the

surrounding cameras. Was that another flash, she wondered, a flash of

annoyance on his face before the easy smile settled in?

"Brian, how does it feel to have your daughter taking the spotlight?"

He didn't glance up at the reporter, but continued to look at Emma. "I

couldn't be more pleased." Making the effort, he offered his hand to

Drew. "Drew."

"Brian. She's great, isn't she?" He pressed a gentle kiss to her

temple. "I don't know who's been more nervous about tonight, Emma or

myself. I hope you'll stick around for a few days, come by and see our

place. Have dinner."

It infuriated Brian that the invitation had come from Drew and not his

own daughter. "I'm afraid I leave for L.A. in the morning."

"Emma."

She turned, and her strained smile vanished in surprise. "Stevie."

On a laugh, she threw her arms around him. "I'm so glad to see you."

Moving back to arm's length, she studied him. "You look good." And it

was true. He would never be the smoothly handsome man she bad known in

childhood, but he had put on weight, and the heavy shadows no longer

haunted his eyes. "I didn't know you'd ... no one told me ..."

That he was out, she thought.

Understanding, he grinned. "Time off for good behavior," he told her,

then gathered her close for another hug. "I even brought my own

doctor." He released Emma to put a hand on the shoulder of the woman

beside him. After a moment's confusion, Emma recognized the pet.i.te

brunette as Stevie's psychiatrist.

"h.e.l.lo again."

"h.e.l.lo." Katherine Haynes smiled. "And congratulations."

"Thank you."

"I was your first sale," Katherine went on. "The portrait of Stevie and

his guitar. It looked as though he were making love to it. I couldn't

resist."

"She'll a.n.a.lyze it for hours." He caught the scent of Scotch and had to

check an old and deep craving. "P.M."s around, you know." Stevie leaned

close and lowered his voice to a wicked whisper. "He brought Lady

Annabelle."

"No, really?"

"I think they're engaged. But he's being coy about it." With a wink, he

took Katherine's arm and wandered off.

Emma was laughing as she slipped her arm through Drew's. "I think I'll

take a look for P.M." She cast a questioning glance at her father.

What could he say? She'd greeted Stevie with more affection and comfort

than she had greeted him. He wanted to have it out with her, but now

was hardly the time or place. "Go ahead. I'll see you before I go."

"Yes, go ahead, Emma." Drew kissed her cheek. "I'll just hang around