Chapter One
“That’s a wrap.” She muttered under her breath, scanning the ballroom.
Nine months, four days…She glanced down at her phone.Thirteen hours and four minutes.
Roxanne Barrett had spent over half the year planning the gala. It was hard to believe it was over. Since starting her own party planning business, Roxanne had done hundreds of parties and events. But none of this magnitude. By all outward signs, it’d been a success. A major one. It wasn’t the first in her career, but it might be the most important.
She was resting against the column of the banquet hall, her hands tucked behind her back, peering around the room. She had mixed emotions. How could she not? This gala was a labor of love, a triumphant success and an homage to the woman who’d paved the way for her.My mother.Not by blood. That small, insignificant technicality hadn’t mattered. Since the age of six, in Roxanne’s mind, Darla Garrison was her mother.The only one I can remember.
“It was beautiful, Roxanne.” The stranger smiled, squeezing her arm as she passed. An acquaintance, a donor or just an attendee. The woman who’d nonchalantly congratulated her had paid her dues.Literally.A one-thousand-dollar donation got anyone in the door. It was pretentious, and slightly over the top. But it served its purpose. Without even seeing the final numbers, Roxanne was confident it’d been the most successful since it was founded years ago.
“Thank you for coming.” She straightened, forcing a smile as she fought against the ache in her feet and calves.
She spent most days in heels, which had never been an issue. However, eighteen hours on her feet in six-inch stilettos was rough even for her. The thought of going home, soaking in a hot bath, was the only motivation keeping her moving.
She smiled at the older couple walking hand in hand toward the exit. In another fifteen minutes, the last of the stragglers would be gone and cleanup would commence. Roxanne would get a small, three-month reprieve before starting the planning process again. Hopefully, with her at the helm.
When she’d requested to take on her family’s annual charity event, a fundraiser for the Haggard Foundation, she was met with a bit of reluctance. She understood why. The foundation relied on it as its biggest fundraiser, with hundreds of thousands of dollars on the line. There was no room for error. When given the opportunity, Roxanne had put everything else aside, making this event her top priority. She survived the past few weeks on caffeine, adrenaline and a few prayers along the way with only two major meltdowns. Fortunately, she saved those for the privacy of her own home. She’d held it together publicly, not that it was always professional. She may have muttered, “I know where you live,” when explaining to the waitstaff the importance of showing up on time and working through the long night. Her menial threat provoked a few giggles, which quickly soured when she held up their applications.
“I’m serious. I know where you live, and if you decide to back out of this event without notice, I’ll find you. Don’t let the manicure and Jimmy Choos fool you. I will come for you.”
It was overly dramatic, but it worked. Everyone showed. The food, though not what was originally on the menu, turned out perfect. The event went off with no major snafus. And with the early numbers, the Haggard Foundation would have a newrecord for donations. It was impossible to ignore the sense of pride she felt, not only for herself but for all those who’d taken part in the gala.
An overwhelming wave of emotion washed over her, and she folded her arms, steeling her features. For some people, the fundraiser was a way of helping the less fortunate. For others, it was a means of attending the party of the year. For Roxanne, it was personal. Without the Haggard Group, she wouldn’t have been placed with the Garrisons after her biological parents died.
“If your mom could see you now.” Her hair tickled her neck as his arm wrapped around her shoulder, pulling her into his side. “You’ve outdone yourself with this one, sweetheart.”
Her dad pressed his lips to the crown of her head, and Roxanne sank into his side, resting her cheek on his chest. It’d been an emotional night for everyone in their family. Roxanne had concentrated on containing her feelings and focused on the business aspect of the event. Had she allowed herself to give in to the meaning of it, she would’ve broken down hours ago.
“Thanks, Dad.” Her eyes welled, and she refused to look at him. She didn’t trust herself. She’d probably lose it.
As if he’d sensed her feelings, he hugged her closer.
“Your mom would be so proud of you, and all you’ve done.”
Shit!She should’ve known this was coming. Her father had always taken every opportunity to remind her and her brothers of this specific sentiment.
Roxanne sucked in a breath and flattened her lips. The hardest part of losing a parent was knowing everything they’d miss. Achievements, milestones and big life changes they’d never be a part of. She’d learned to cope with it over the years. They all had. It was part of their lives, and there was no way around it. But every once in a while, the grief hit harder.This is one of those days.
Her dad squeezed her arm. “Let’s get you home.”
Roxanne chuckled, shaking her head. “Dad, youdorealize I can’t leave until it’s all done, right? I still have a few hours before my night is over.”
He scoffed. “There are some perks to being the boss. But this isn’t one of them, huh, kid?”
“Nope.”
They moved through the room, and she peered around, mentally calculating all the tasks needing to be done. Her father waved to a business associate, who was leaving with her husband.
“It was a wonderful event, John. It’s sure to make the front page of theGazette.”
Roxanne forced a smile, resisted the urge to roll her eyes and remained silent. She wouldn’t add her own two cents to the comment. The gala didn’t hold the same meaning for all attendees. Whatever their reason, they all had to donate, and they did. That was her success.
Her father leaned closer, lowering his voice as the couple passed. “I heard a few people saying they’d never seen anything quite like this, Roxanne. It looked like everyone really enjoyed the silent auction.”
It was her brainchild. In the past years, the gala was merely a night of dinner and dancing. It’d always been an exquisite setting, amazing food and a band that kept the party going late into the evening. They’d accepted donations, which came with a notable thank you during the commencement speech. It drove up the donations. This year, she’d come up with a fresh idea to add a silent auction and have vendors donate with the foundation reaping all the proceeds. Roxanne had periodically checked the incoming bids throughout the night. It was impressive. Donating was good for the heart and soul. But as she’d quickly learned from the night, donating and walking awaywith something tangible had most people digging a little deeper in their pockets.
Roxanne circled a table, grabbing a candle and blowing it out. She may have been in charge of the event, doling out all the orders, but it didn’t stop her from pitching in with every aspect. Including cleanup.
