Though we'd had our differences, I didn't want to see her hurt. Thankfully when Nate said he would protect her, I believed him. He'd protected me. He'd do the same for her.
Chapter Twenty
Juliet
Three days after my mother's visit, Nate sauntered out to the garden when I was gathering herbs and announced we were going to a gala. Raising a hand to shield my eyes from the late afternoon sun, I looked up at him.
"What gala?"
"The Jennifer Crosbie Foundation. They're throwing a shindig at the Laurel Crest Vineyard."
"A shindig?" I scoffed. The Crosbies hosted some of the most elegant events I'd ever attended. "When?"
"Tonight." Nate glanced at the time on his phone. "In approximately two and a half hours."
I dropped the shears I'd been cutting the rosemary with. "What? Why didn't you mention this before?"
Nate grimaced. "Because I didn't want to give you time to weasel out of going."
I narrowed my eyes. "Why would I weasel out of going?" As I asked the question, the answer occurred to me. "Because Garrett's going to be there."
Nate confirmed my suspicion with a barely perceptible nod. I got to my feet.
"Did you think I'd be afraid to face him?" I demanded. "Because I'm not. Maybe three months ago I would have been, but with you by my side, I'm not afraid of anything. Don't you realize that?"
Nate's eyes glowed with pride. He stared at me as if he was about to throw me over his shoulder and carry me off to his bedroom. Unfortunately, if we were going to a gala in two and a half hours there wasn't time for that.
"Don't even think about it," I snapped.
"Don't even think about what?"
"We are not having sex right now."
"Phew, I'm glad to hear it." Eileen stepped out of the house and glanced between us. "A delivery came for you, Juliet, from Neiman Marcus."
"For me?" I glanced at Nate. "What have you done?"
"I ordered you something to wear tonight. I hope you like it."
Stunned, it took me a moment to react. I'd never had a man buy me clothes before. Well except when Nate picked up the tab at that store in Oakridge, but I'd chosen those myself.
"You'd better hope so, Mister," I scolded, grinning to show I wasn't serious. "Now keep out of my way for the rest of the day. I have to go beautify myself."
Nate shook his head. "You're already beautiful, Juliet."
The compliment washed over me like a soothing balm. I'd never get sick of Nate telling me I was beautiful.
"In that case, I'm going to go and put on some armor. You know these people, Nate. If I show up looking anything less than flawless, they'll tear me to pieces. Worse, they'll dredge up those ridiculous stories Garrett planted and assume you are exerting some sort of undue influence over me."
His chest rose and fell as he breathed in deeply. "You're right." He stepped closer and kissed my mouth. "Do what you need to do to feel comfortable tonight."
"Thank you. Now let me go get ready. I need to pamper myself a little."
I headed straight upstairs and into the bathroom for a quick shower to wash off the grime from the garden. Then I spent time perfecting my hair and make-up. I went for a simpler style than I usually would while retaining the elegance expected of me.
Finally I unzipped the garment bag that was hanging on the door of the closet. I'd been almost scared to look at it until now. When I drew the midnight-blue gown out of the bag, my breath hitched. With an embroidered-silk corset top and a flowing chiffon skirt, it was gorgeous. The boxes that accompanied it held matching shoes and a black silk clutch bag.
When I put it on, I felt like a princess. No, not a princess. A goddess. Like Venus herself. I slipped on the shoes, grabbed the bag, and headed downstairs.
