“Good idea.” Brandon gave Abby his patented paternal smile. “How about introducing me to the new man in your life, honey?”
A wave of anxiety swept through Abby. On the rare occasions when Brandon chose to play the concerned father, things rarely turned out well.
“Sam is a client,” she said quickly. “There’s nothing personal between us.”
Brandon chuckled just loud enough so that people standing nearby could hear him. “You can’t fool your dad. A father always knows when another man is interested in his little girl. I could tell from the way he walked into the room with you that there is definitely a very personal aspect to your relationship.” He looked around, frowning a little. “Where did he go?”
Sam materialized out of the crowd directly behind Brandon.
“I’m right here, sir,” Sam said. “Sam Coppersmith.”
Brandon turned easily, radiating his charismatic smile, and extended his hand. “Brandon Radwell. A pleasure to meet you. I have a few minutes before I start signing. Why don’t we find a quiet place for a quick chat?”
“Sure,” Sam said. He looked at Abby. “Don’t wander off.”
“We don’t have a lot of time,” Abby said through her teeth. “Dad needs to sign books.”
“This won’t take long,” Brandon said.
The two men walked through the crowd to a quiet corner of the room. Abby watched, deeply uneasy. When she turned back, she realized that Dawson had vanished.
“Done,” Laura said, relief evident in her voice. “Jessica and I get toleave now, right, Mom? You said we only had to stay for the perfect family scene.”
“Yes, you can go,” Diana said. She looked at Abby. “I want to talk to you.”
“I’m afraid I’m a little busy this evening,” Abby said. “I’ve got plans.”
“After all I’ve done for you,” Diana said, her voice low and hard, “and after all I put up with over the years, the least you can do is give me a few minutes of your precious time.”
Abby sighed. “I knew I shouldn’t have come here tonight.”
29
BRANDON SWITCHED OFF THE ENGAGING SMILE AND SLIPPEDinto concerned-father mode with effortless ease. The serious expression was just right, Sam thought. It consisted of a slightly furrowed brow, faintly narrowed eyes and a dash of paternal concern.
“My daughter tells me that you’re one of her clients,” Brandon said.
“Our relationship is complicated,” Sam said.
One of Brandon’s brows edged upward. “Aren’t they all?”
“Good point.”
Sam watched Abby and Diana disappear into a hallway. From where he stood, he could see that the corridor was lined with twin rows of offices. One of the doors was ajar. Abby and Diana went into the room. The lights came on. The door closed.Not good,Sam thought. But Abby had been dealing with her stepmother for a long time now. She could handle whatever was going down inside the office.
“How did the two of you meet?” Brandon asked.
“Through one of Abby’s business connections,” Sam said.
“She is in a rather unusual line of work.”
“Antiquarian books that are associated with the paranormal. Yes, I know.”
Brandon cleared his throat. “You collect those kinds of books?”
“I’ve got a few.”
“I see. Has she told you that she doesn’t just deal in books about magic, she actually believes in the occult?”
