Chapter 2

            Two months later . . .

            The Ladybird’s Summer Charity Gala at the New York Country Club was the first social event Catherine has attended since Bruce canceled their wedding. She had stayed in her room at her parents’ mansion for a week, not leaving her room at all because she was so distraught. She couldn’t go back to her condo even if she wanted to. The news of her canceled wedding had hit the society pages the day after the wedding was supposed to take place. Photographers had taken over the entrance to her condo building. Gossip reporters had been harassing the doormen at the building along with the condo building manager and HOA board. Even Catherine’s maid hadn’t been safe. They had found out who she was and who one of her employers were. They were all over her every time she had tried to enter the building through the service entrance.

            And if that wasn’t bad enough, three days later Bruce’s and Beverly’s marriage was announced in the newspapers. Catherine had been gobsmacked when she had learned the news – and that Beverly Balsom was the other woman. Beverly was an immature twenty-six-year-old. Bruce was thirty and very staunch and stoic. Catherine couldn’t believe Bruce had fallen for her especially when Catherine had learned about Beverly’s background. For one thing, she was only two steps above a gossip reporter at The N.Y. Second, her father had been a factory worker and just gotten released from prison after doing twenty-two years for killing a man who was in bed with his wife.

            “Apparently, that Balsom girl’s mother had been a slut, too,” her mother had said with disgust laced with simmering anger as she held the newspaper.

            “What does it say about me that I can’t keep a man like Bruce Hudson from leaving me for a loose, scantily dressed, hack reporter? How humiliating,” Catherine had whined. She knew Beverly was more physically attractive than her but still.

            “You have nothing to be humiliated about,” Caitlin, her sister, said with conviction. “Those two are the ones who should be embarrassed.”

            “Hear, hear,” Constance, her eldest sister, had cheered.

            Catherine had just turned her head away from them. Despite their best efforts, she still felt humiliated – and devastated.  Bruce had been the only man she had ever truly loved. That was because she felt like he was the only man in the world who understood her. She thought they had understood each other. But it was now obvious she had been wrong about who he was and what he liked. Bruce was so in love with Beverly that he had taken her to Las Vegas to get married just two days after he had broken it off with Catherine. They couldn’t even wait to have a proper wedding where Bruce’s family could attend.

            After that first week, she realized she couldn’t hide in her old bedroom at her parents’ forever. At the very least, she had to get back to work. Catherine owned a law firm, Van Dyke & Associates, and she had a double homicide case on her plate. She had thought getting back to work would take her mind off of her personal life. It had taken a few days since no one at the firm knew what to say to her, but then the awkwardness faded at the office and things got back to normal. In return, it made Catherine feel a little normal – a tad bit better. Yet, she hadn’t really been anywhere for the exception of the office.

            “Catherine, you have to show your face in New York society sometime,” her mother had said gently.

            “Yes, you need to keep up appearances for the sake of your business and this family,” her father had said. “Plus, you’re a Van Dyke. You’re no coward. I did not raise a coward.”

            “And it’s getting a little uncomfortable making excuses for you at events, darling,” her mother had said.

            Catherine hadn’t been ready to show her face at fundraisers, galas, and garden parties – until tonight. To her shame, she remembered the Hudson family wasn’t fond of events The Ladybirds Club hosted because they found them boring. So, Catherine picked the last summer Ladybirds event to emerge from her social cocoon, thinking the Hudsons wouldn’t show up.

            For the first hour, everything was fine. People seemed to be genuinely happy to see Catherine out and about. And then the bottom fell out. Catherine looked over to the doorway to see all three Hudson brothers along with their wives.

            Catherine literally stopped breathing when she saw Bruce. He could always wear the hell out of a tux. It was tailored made to accentuate his perfect V-shape and bulking muscled physique. His thick brown hair was slicked back on the sides and flipped over at the top. If it wasn’t, his bangs would hang down over his forehead, hovering over his eyes. Then her eyes glanced over at the long-haired brunette who was hugging his arm like a girlish, teenage cheerleader. She wore a strapless royal blue dress that showed way too much cleavage for – anywhere.

            She began to fight the instinct to bolt – and immediately felt like she was losing. All of a sudden, she felt someone slowly grabbing her hand. She turned to see one of her younger sisters, Chastity, by her side.

            “Breathe,” Chastity whispered through a smile.  “Stay calm and get that deer in the headlights look off your face.”

            Her sister’s words made Catherine remember herself. She slowly turned from the doorway. “For the first time in years I don’t know what to do,” she whispered.

            “Just smile like nothing is amiss. Carry on like you have been for an hour. In a few minutes dinner will be served.”

            “Let’s hope the Hudson table is across the room,” Catherine said nervously.

            Chastity nodded.  “Yes. So, come on. I’m with you.”

            Thank God for that. Thank God for my family. Without them, Catherine would have fallen into a deep depression during the last two months.

                                                                           ****

            The heavens above must have heard Catherine’s hope concerning the Hudson table being far from the Van Dyke table. The only problem was the Van Dyke table was in the middle of the room. Dinner was barely survivable. Catherine felt like half the people in the room were constantly glancing her way during dinner with looks of pity on their faces like they were waiting for her to break out in hysterics. When she had said what she was thinking at the table, her mother had said she was being paranoid, but didn’t blame her for being so.

            After the six-course dinner, people slowly started mingling again. Catherine took that as an opportune moment to dash to the ladies’ room. She really needed a break from acting like she was fine like she didn’t have a care in the world.

            Catherine swiftly walked through the ladies’ room lounge to the sink and stall area.  She turned to look in the mirror and took a deep breath. After blowing out, she stared at herself. Granted, she wasn’t a raving beauty – never was. She was thirty-six, but not bad looking for her age. Her breasts were small – barely a B-cup, but firm. Not the huge honking front runners like Beverly’s breasts. Catherine’s form was slender, very little fat on her.  Not like Beverly’s side of beef backside and thick waist. Yes, her hair was thick, short - framed around her face, but easy to take care off. Not like Beverly’s long bushel of curls - if that was all her real hair.

            I just don’t get it. No, I’m not a supermodel but I’m not that bad.  Not so bad that a man would call off our wedding the night before. Am I? I got a successful career. I’m from a good family with a good reputation. I’m an heiress to an estate worth over three billion dollars. Well respected in society and in the courtroom. I’m even a natural blonde.

            Catherine sighed with confusion as she slowly shook her head. She turned and went inside a stall.  For comfort, she wrapped her slim arms around herself.

            I should have asked Chastity or Chelsea to come to the restroom with me.

            Chelsea was Catherine’s other younger sister and Chastity’s twin – not identical.

            Before Catherine could think about letting a tear flow, the sound of the door opening got her attention.

            “I just need to wash my hands, Joanna, and then we can go back out,” Beverly said.

            Ugh, great, Catherine moaned and rolled her eyes. I’ll just stay in here and wait for them to leave.

            Joanna was Bruce’s sister-in-law. She was married to his brother, Trevor.

            “All right. Trevor told me you and Bruce are going to Aruba soon,” Joanna said.

            “Oh, yes. Our second honeymoon,” Beverly swooned.

             Catherine frowned.

            “You two just came back from honeymooning in the Poconos. And you’ve only been married for two months.”

            “I know,” Beverly said whimsically. “Isn’t that wonderful?”

            Joanna giggled a little. “I remember there was a time Bruce had said Trevor and I made him sick because we were so lovey-dovey and now look at him with you. “

            “I know. It’s absolutely revolting,” Beverly said with amusement in her tone.

            They both laughed.

            The sound of the commode flushing in the next stall pulled Catherine’s attention. She hadn’t realized there was anyone else in there when she had entered.

            Then the door opened. “Well, well, well. It’s two-thirds of the Hudson wives. Good evening, ladies,” Ava Bartholomew said in a tone that lacked in friendliness.

            “Ava,” Joanna said coolly.

            Catherine strained to peak through the sliver of space between the stall door and the door jam.

            “I didn’t know you were here tonight, Ava,” Beverly said.

            Catherine heard water running in the sink.

            “I came late. Had a prior engagement.”

            “I haven’t seen you much this summer at events,” Joanna commented.

            “I had caught a terrible cold. Was sick most of the summer,” Ava said and then the water cut off.

            “Summer colds are the worse,” Beverly said in a slightly high-tone. It sounded like she was trying to bring some levity to the situation.

            Ava Bartholomew used to be Trevor Hudson’s favorite girl – according to the society pages and blogs. Then he had noticed Joanna Yoder. Joanna was under Trevor’s nose the whole time – as the upstairs maid at the Hudson mansion. Yet, Trevor didn’t give her a second glance until she put on a fabulous ball gown and crashed a Hudson charity event. He had been smitten for all time that night. He didn’t care if she was the female version of Jack the Ripper. Infamous New York playboy, Trevor Hudson, had fallen in love and fallen hard. So hard he cut off all his girls – including his number one favorite, Ava Bartholomew. Ava had been incensed. Her mother had hatched a scheme to make Joanna think Trevor was furious with her and never wanted to see her again. At the time, no one knew Joanna was pregnant. The Hudson butler, meaning to help the distraught maid, had sent her to Maine to a couple of his family members.

            Once Trevor discovered this, he, along with the rest of the Hudson family, flew to Maine, straightened out the misunderstanding, and had an impromptu wedding in Maine with Joanna and Trevor exchanging nuptials.

            When they had returned to New York, they had a surprise reception. The guests being the ones surprised including Ava and her mother, Whitney.

            “Yes. My doctor was concerned it was going to turn into pneumonia,” Ava said nonchalantly. “But gratefully it didn’t.”

            “Well, that’s good,” Beverly said, trying to sound nice.

            “Yes,” Ava said. “If I don’t see you again after tonight, Beverly, I hope you and Bruce enjoy your second honeymoon to Aruba.”

            “Thank you,” Beverly said.

            What was she doing? Catherine was eavesdropping like a silly teenage girl. She was a Van Dyke, damn it! Van Dykes don’t hide. If Ava could face Joanna, then Catherine could face Beverly. And considering Ava and her mother’s scheming to keep Trevor and Joanna apart, Ava probably should avoid Joanna – but she didn’t. Besides, it was inevitable she would run into Beverly sometime.

            Catherine stood upright, set her shoulders back, and turned the knob. “Good evening, ladies.”

            Joanna’s and Beverly’s eyebrows shot up. Joanna was wearing a pink dress that hugged her frame. She had the baby back in April and it appeared she had lost all the weight and then some.

            “Catherine,” Ava chirped with a big smile. “Nice to see you. And you look fantastic.”

            I do?

            “Oh. Thank you.”

            “Beige is definitely your color,” Ava said. She was wearing a rose-colored dress and her thick, brown hair cascaded over her shoulders and down her back.

            Catherine was wearing a dark beige evening gown. The neck line was V-shaped. “Thank you,” Catherine said with as much dignity as she could muster. She walked to a sink. She turned on the faucet.

            “Yes, you do look lovely,” Joanna added sincerely.

            “Thank you, Joanna. How is little James?” Catherine asked.

            “Oh, he’s terrific. A little cutie like his father,” Joanna bragged proudly.

            Ava’s mouth went a little croaked.

            “I wasn’t aware you were here tonight, Catherine” Beverly said stoically.

            Maybe you were too busy making eyes at the man that was supposed to be my husband, not yours, to see me in the dining hall much less anyone else. Catherine dried her hands.

            Instead of saying what was on her mind, Catherine just gave Beverly a slight nod.

            Beverly cleared her throat. “Can you two give Catherine and I a minute?”

            “A minute for what?” Catherine blurted out.

            Ava’s brows went up at that.

            “Um, to talk,” Beverly said like what are you stupid.

            “I have nothing to say to you, Beverly,” Catherine said. In reality she wanted to smack the little skank as she ranted and raved with everything she had.

            “Well, maybe I have something to say to you,” Beverly said politely.

            Don’t push it, missy. I am in no mood to hear you brag about how everything worked out for the best and then console me by saying I’ll find someone else one day.

            “Catherine,” Ava said as she came to her side. “Let’s go back to the dining room. We’ll get some champagne.”

            Catherine couldn’t believe it. Ava Bartholomew actually looked concerned for her. She was actually thinking of someone other than herself.

            Catherine thought a moment. “I’ll catch up to you later, Ava. I want to her what Beverly has to say.” She figured whatever it was it was best to hear what she had to say from the horse’s mouth than any other way.

            Ava nodded and walked out without saying another word.

            Joanna followed.

            “All right. What is it?” Catherine asked.

            “Actually, I was going to ask you the same thing,”

            “I beg your pardon?”

            “Catherine, if the situation was turned around, I would have immediately pounced on you as soon as you came out of that stall,” Beverly stated, honestly. She folded her arms across her chest.  A defensive posture.  “It would have been the first catfight at the New York Country Club.”

            The night is still young.

            “I see. Is that what you want? To fight me?” Catherine asked evenly.

            “No. I was wondering if that was what you wanted.”

            Yes. that’s what I want!

            “No. Couldn’t even if I wanted to. I’m an officer of the court. I could get into a lot of trouble if I got into a physical altercation. Besides, it is what it is as my sister, Chelsea, would say.”

            “So, you don’t even want to say anything to me? Cuss me out?”  Beverly asked with slight surprise.

            “Would it change anything?”

            “No, but it would probably make you feel better.”

            “What does it matter to you how I feel?” Catherine asked.

            It didn’t matter before. After all, I was in love with Bruce and engaged to him and you went after him anyway.

            Beverly shrugged.

            “Unless . . . oh. I see now.”

            “See what?”

            “Guilty conscious, my dear?” Catherine asked with intrigue.

            “No,” she answered quickly – too quickly.

            Catherine couldn’t help the slow curl of her lips. This was way better than striking Beverly or telling her off. Since Beverly was too proud and arrogant to apologize for ruining Catherine’s future as a wife, she wanted Catherine to unload on her, easing her conscious.

            Good. Let the guilt eat her alive.

            Catherine’s smile got bigger, showing her straight teeth.

            “What is it? What are you smiling about?” Beverly asked defensively.

            Catherine turned and walked out – with a little spring in her step.

            When she got back to the dining room she felt like she was walking on air. She hadn’t felt this good in two months. She quickly lifted a flute off of a tray of a passing waiter.

            Ava quickly approached her. “Hey. Are you . . . okay?” She was holding a champagne glass.

            Catherine chuckled. “I’m great.” Catherine can live off this little victory for a while. Yes, Beverly got the man, the Hudson name, and one day have Bruce’s children, but Catherine had this moment. And she was going to savor it.

            “If you don’t mind me asking, what . . . happened?” Ava asked tentatively.

            Catherine gave her the quick gist. She didn’t care if anyone knew.

            Ava smiled. “Yes. I see where you are coming from. You’re a class act – as one of my ex-boyfriends would say.”

            “Thank you,” Catherine said with a nod.

            Ava raised her glass to her. “My compliments. A girl can learn a lot from you.”

            Catching the idea, Catherine lifted her glass.

            The ladies clinked their glasses together.