PROLOGUE
EMILY RADLEY SAT ramrod straight in the darkened booth, her posture unmarred despite eighty-six years of gravity taking its toll. Across the table, her longtime friend Gregory Tanner toyed with his drink, not even the slightest bit ill at ease despite the seedy bar and its leather-and-metal-clad patrons.
She’d picked the place because the odds were slim that they’d be recognized at a biker bar just outside of Santa Ana, California. In miles, they hadn’t traveled far from their homes near the Orange County beaches, but in California that wasn’t necessary to get to a completely different world. As they used to say in the commercials, they’d come a long way, baby. No one would recognize them here. No one in Emily’s social circle would come within five miles of the place, much less step inside.
Even Gregory, whose life had overflowed with, well, color, wouldn’t be recognized. This was the perfect place for their meeting.
Of course, they could have simply met at a Denny’s, but the lowbrow nature of the bar had been an additional point in its favor. They’d come here to plot and scheme, and Emily liked the added element of drama that meeting in such a place provided.
She took another sip of her gin and tonic, then clasped her hands on the table. “So we’re agreed?”
“I’m here, aren’t I?” he said. Even at eighty-five, he still looked as dashing as ever. Once, years ago, Emily’d had a crush on the notorious Mr. Tanner. As a Hollywood ingenue, she’d been unable to pursue it. After all, this had been before the days when being a bad girl got a girl further in the movie business. Now she wondered what she’d missed by not returning Gregory’s interest. She’d always had his friendship, of course, but it had been little Martha Kline, God rest her soul, who’d known the secrets of Gregory’s heart.
Emily shook her head. It didn’t matter. They weren’t here about their pasts; they were here about their futures. Their heirs and their families. The two children were simply floundering around, the years ticking away with no one to love or cherish them except a small group of old people. And, as much as Emily would like to live forever, she knew that was one thing her millions could not do for her.
And so Emily and Gregory had contrived a way to bring their grandchildren together, and Emily was absolutely certain that their scheme would work.
Without a word she reached into her purse and pulled out the package. She’d wrapped the jewelry box in brown paper, then tied it with twine. At about six inches long and two inches wide, it looked completely innocuous. Certainly, no one would guess that the contents were worth over half a million dollars.
As he took the package, she noted the way his eyes sparkled. For a moment she wondered if she’d ever see the necklace again, but she quashed the thought. Perhaps foolish, perhaps naive, but she trusted Gregory.
He tucked the package into the pocket of his suit jacket. “Not that I don’t appreciate a fine plot, Emily, but maybe we’d be better off simply introducing the kids.”
She waved her hand, dismissing the idea. Perhaps they’d been foolish years ago to hide their friendship, but it had been a different era, and it had seemed the best for Martha Kline to keep their contact to a minimum. Now was hardly the time to announce a lifelong alliance, particularly when their grandchildren’s ignorance could work in their favor. And, though she’d hardly admit it to Gregory, this way was simply much more fun.
“I’ve introduced Kyle to so many women he could host a Follies,” she finally said. “No. He can smell a setup. We’ve picked the perfect solution. A situation. A way for them to fall in love without even realizing they’re doing it. The perfect script.”
“Another Academy Award for your mantel?”
She flashed a camera-ready smile. “I’ve never won a directing Oscar.”
“Well, perhaps this is your year.” His gentle smile eased into a frown, and the furrows in his brow deepened. “And Frances is really willing to go along with this charade?”
“Don’t act so surprised. We have our differences, of course, but where Kyle is concerned we see eye to eye. The boy needs to settle down.” She reached over and patted his hand. “Don’t worry, Gregory. We’re already halfway through act one, and everything is going smoothly. Kyle thinks I’ve stolen an heirloom from my sister. And I know my grandson. He’s going to try to make it right, and since he’s coming to my soiree tomorrow, I’m sure that tomorrow’s our night. Everything is falling into place, and now it’s time for you to play your part.”
“I’m a thief, not an actor.”
“Nonsense. You were the most talented and dashing bit player ever to grace the silver screen.”
He scowled, his expression turning dubious.
“Don’t you dare chicken out on me now, Gregory Tanner. We’ve concocted the perfect plan. Nothing will go wrong.”
For a moment he didn’t react. Then he nodded, one efficient motion, and put a twenty on the table to cover their drinks. “I hope you’re right. I can’t help but think that I’ve failed Melissa.”
“Nonsense. You raised her. Took care of her—”
“Taught her a trade.”
Emily sniffed. “How the girl chose to make her living was hardly your doing. The point is that she wishes to be respectable now and you are supporting her wholeheartedly.” She stood and he followed suit, then helped her into her coat, a light jacket to ward off the chill from the ocean breeze.
“Still,” he said, as she took his arm, “I’m surprised that you consider Melissa suitable for your grandson. Under the circumstances, I mean.”
At that, Emily eased closer to his side and tightened her grip on his arm. Then, with impeccable timing, she tilted her head just so, met his eyes, and allowed a mere wisp of a smile to grace her lips. “Of course I have no objections,” she said. “I’d be quite a hypocrite if I did.”
He studied her face, the lines etched at his eyes finally crinkling into a smile of his own. And right then she knew that he’d seen the hint of desire peeking out from her own countenance, just as she wanted him to. After all, she had two Oscars and three Emmys on her mantel. If she’d wanted to hide her emotions, she was more than capable.
But now, at the twilight of her life and while the two of them were playing with fate…well, this was hardly the time to play the coy shrinking violet. No, this required a much brasher role. And that was a role that Emily Radley had been born to play.