Gray pulled up to the gate and gave his name to the guard there, who punched a button and let them through. Evelyn didn’t comment. He imagined since she dealt with some of the high rollers in D.C., Craig’s five-thousand-square-foot home wouldn’t impress her.
“Oh, would you look at the size of those trees in their front yard. Can you imagine a tire swing in one of those?”
That wasn’t at all what he expected her to say. “A tire swing?”
He pulled behind one of the cars and got out, then walked over to her side and let her out.
“Of course. You said they’re having a baby, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I can picture this huge yard, a bunch of kids, and a tire swing. I always wanted one of those.”
“You did, huh?”
She let out a soft laugh. “I did. My parents never owned property and we never had a big yard. We lived in apartments. Of course there were playgrounds, but I always coveted a yard that belonged to just me, with a lot of big trees and a tire swing. It’s something I vowed I’d give my own children someday.”
Now that was a revelation. He suddenly wanted to know more about Evelyn. A lot more. Unfortunately, they now stood at the threshold to Craig’s front door, and this wasn’t the time to ask probing questions, so he tabled that thought for later.
Craig opened the door and grinned. “Gray! I didn’t think you’d come. I know you’re busy with race stuff.”
Gray hugged him and they slapped each other on the back. “We never get to see each other. When I got your call saying you were having a birthday party, how could I not be here for it?”
“I’m glad.”
“Thirty, huh? Man, you’re old.”
Craig laughed. “And so are you. And where are my manners?” He turned to Evelyn and shook her hand. “Craig Reynolds. Welcome.”
“Evelyn Hill.”
Craig gave a look to Gray. “You’ve moved up in the world of women. Evelyn, you’re gorgeous. Come on inside and meet my wife.”
Used to large crowds of people she didn’t know, Evelyn wasn’t the slightest bit intimidated. Craig was tall and lean, with sandy brown hair cut short. He wore dark glasses that did nothing to mar his incredible good looks. Instead, they gave him a Clark Kent mystique that made him utterly good-looking.
There were quite a few people in attendance, and obviously some that Gray knew, because he stopped to shake hands or smile and wave as they walked by. When they made their way to a gorgeous woman with chin-length brown hair who looked to be about six months pregnant, she turned and presented them with a glowing smile.
She leaned into Gray and hugged him, then kissed his cheek. “Gray. It’s been too long.”
“Not since my last race here, I’m afraid. And I’m sorry about that, because you look even more beautiful now than you looked last year.”
She wrinkled her nose. “My ankles are swelling and I’m enjoying M&M’s far too much.” She turned to Evelyn. “And who is this gorgeous woman you’ve brought with you?”
“I’m Evelyn Hill. It’s very nice to meet you.”
Miranda gave her a hug. “I’m Miranda Reynolds. It’s nice to meet you, too, Evelyn.
Thank you for being here tonight.”
Miranda had one of those soft, welcoming voices that made you feel you were her very best friend from the moment you met her. She had warm brown eyes and the most perfect smile that you just knew was genuine. And considering the line of work Evelyn was in, she could spot a phony from an entire room away. Both Miranda and Craig were the real deal. She had never felt instantly comfortable with people before, but with this couple, she was. They offered her and Gray a drink, and they settled out on the patio, which was breathtaking, with an Olympic-sized pool, a hot tub, and a magnificent garden area beyond that Evelyn would love to see in the daylight.
“Your home is lovely, Miranda,” Evelyn said while Gray and Craig talked racing and caught up on each other’s lives.
“Thank you so much. I’m so very fortunate to be living the life I have.” She rubbed her belly. “I hope this child and any others we’re blessed with realize how lucky they are, when so many others don’t have half the advantages we do.”
“I have a feeling you’re going to do your best to enlighten them?”
She smiled. “Yes. As soon as the children are old enough we’ll involve them in our charitable works. It’s a huge passion of mine.”
“Gray told me about some of that on our way over, but not in detail. I’d love to know more.”
Miranda explained how she sat on the foundation of several charities, locally, nationally, and globally, and was an ambassador for a fund-raising effort to bring clean water to impoverished nations. As soon as she was able, she would continue her efforts to bring needed medicines to Africa.
“I work for Gray’s father, Senator Mitchell Preston. He sits on several committees I think could be beneficial to some of your causes. If you’d like, I’d be happy to speak to him to see what he could do to assist you with your efforts.”
Miranda’s eyes widened. “Oh, would you mind? That would be so helpful. We try hard to enlist the aid of as many politicians as we can. It’s so hard to gain an audience, as you can imagine.”
“I’ll make a call first thing in the morning. If you give me your number, I’ll have someone from the senator’s office contact you directly.”
Miranda grabbed Evelyn’s hand and squeezed it. “I can’t tell you how much that would mean to me. To the foundation.”
“I’m happy to help. And I know the senator would be, too.”
Not wanting to monopolize too much of Miranda’s time, she excused herself and wound her way into the gardens. Well lit, it wasn’t as magnificent a view as it would be in the daytime, but it was, nevertheless, stunning, with fountains, butterfly and hummingbird gardens, and a lighted statuary amidst the foliage. She followed the statues, stopping at each one to marvel at their construction. These weren’t replicas of other famous statues. They appeared to have been sculpted just for Craig and Miranda. In fact, there was one of a couple entwined, staring at each other, that were mirror images of them. How romantic.
She wondered if Craig and Miranda would notice if she hid out here all night until sunrise.