Joules looked from Johnna to Taylor and back again and then said, “They are here and about to walk into the ballroom. We need to go.”
Johnna gave a large sigh and said, “Praise the Lord. Let’s get out there before Edna comes looking for us.”
Taylor and Johnna followed Joules out of the bathroom and ran right into Bennett.
“There you are. I am glad I found you before I walked in.”
Taylor looked up and started to say something to Bennett when she saw Poppy right behind him. In that instant, it was as if the world went silent. The others continued to talk, but Taylor was unaware of anything but the woman in front of her. She could not help herself. Taylor just stood there looking at Poppy, unable to move or speak.
Dressed in a long, strapless emerald green gown, Poppy was stunning. Taylor had not remembered her being so beautiful or so tiny, yet she was. Even in heels, she barely came up to Bennett’sshoulder. Taylor was a few inches taller. Poppy was petite and reminded Taylor of a china doll. Her skin was pale and translucent, and her long red hair hung loose with soft curls falling down her back. The green in the dress brought out her green eyes. Taylor was mesmerized by how ethereal she looked.
The only thing disrupting her perfect features was the scowl on her face when she spied Taylor.
When Taylor saw it, her first thought was,Seriously, I am the one who has something to frown on about her. Not you.Of course, being Taylor, she said nothing. She just stood staring. In fact, Taylor was so engulfed by Poppy’s presence that she did not notice the man standing behind her until he called her name.
“TJ? Is that you?” the man said.
Taylor looked to her left and felt the little air she had managed to draw into her lungs rush out. The man calling her name was none other than Greer Stone, and he was standing next to Poppy.
Looking from Greer to Poppy and back to Greer’s face, Taylor had no idea what he was doing there or why he was holding Poppy’s hand. Panic began to rise in her throat.
Dressed in a black tuxedo, Greer was looking at her with a confused look on his face. With wide eyes, he asked, “TJ? What are you doing here?”
Before Taylor could respond, Bennett looked at Taylor and asked, “Do you know him?”
At the same time, Poppy looked at Greer and asked, “How do you know her?”
Suddenly, everyone started talking at once, but Taylor did not hear a word being said as her chest began to tighten.
At that exact moment, Edna Stone walked up and said, “Well, it is about time you all got here. Better late than never, I suppose. I am glad you have all met my nephew, Dr. Greer Stone. He was responsible for recommending Mrs. Thompson for this year’sauction as he was quite familiar with her work. He is a renowned cardiovascular surgeon from Alabama. And, given the situation of late, he has graciously agreed to be Mrs. Thompson’s escort for the evening.”
Gesturing toward Taylor, she continued, “Greer, this is Taylor Carrington.” Looking at Bennett, she added, “The current wife of the next Vice-President from the great state of Arkansas.”
At that moment, Taylor saw Greer blanch. Edna kept talking, but Taylor heard none of it. In her head, it all clicked. His last name was Stone. The art in his houseboat. The reason it seemed so familiar was that several of the pieces were by Poppy. Breathing suddenly became impossible, and a roar erupted in her ears. Gasping for air, Taylor tried to keep herself upright.
“TJ, is that true?” Greer asked, confusion and hurt clouding his face.
Before Taylor could answer, Bennett looked from Taylor to Greer and asked, “Taylor, what is going on here?”
Everyone looked at Taylor and waited for an answer. Only she didn’t have one. Not one that she was willing to give anyway. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Instead, the pain in her chest intensified. Grabbing it, she groaned heavily and collapsed to the floor as everything went black.
Chapter 15
Carrington Office
Searcy, Arkansas
November 24, 2023
Harvey Cox had finished scribbling his notes and put down his pen. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. Then, giving Taylor a frank look said, "This is crazy. This story is like some crazy romance novel. This is not real life. There are so many twists and turns. Greer knows Poppy and comes as her date. What are the chances? If I did not know this actually happened, I would think you were making it all up."
Nodding her head, Taylor replied, "Oh, trust me. I understand. I lived it and still have trouble believing it all happened. I will tell you that when Greer walked in with her, it was a life-changing moment. Until that moment, I did not get the whole six degrees of separation thing. Now, I am a believer. There is a consequence to every action, some good, some bad. And that we are all connected in the universe. What we put out affects others as much as us.
These are concepts I work hard to teach Rosie, even as young as she is. Every decision she makes will have ripple effects, even on people she doesn't even know. I did not know Poppy Thompson from Adam, but the decisions she and Bennett made long before Iwas in the picture greatly affected the trajectory of my life. It ended up having a very positive impact, even though, at this point in the story, I did not yet know that. I had no idea that Greer knew her or had supported her art career."
Picking his pen back up, Harvey said, "Okay, let's keep going. What happened next?"
Searcy Country Club
