Reckless Moon by Doreen Owens Malek Page A

her sister’s voice. Marion was not one for tossing bouquets; she really seemed to think Beth was equal to the task of handling Bram Curtis.
    Sis, I hope you’re right, Beth thought. She glanced at the pile of garments decorating her bed and set about putting them away.
    * * *
    The next night was cool and clear, and Beth was ready when Jason came to get her in his dark blue Volvo. He looked neat and attractive in his evening clothes, and complimented Beth lavishly on her appearance. The party was being held in one of the ballrooms of the Sonesta Hotel in downtown Hartford, and the affair was already under way as they entered.
    The first person Beth saw was Bram. He was dressed in a black tuxedo with a gray cummerbund and gray bow tie, accented by a silk shirt that flashed polished buttons when he moved. On his arm was a tall, dazzling redhead in a low cut green dress. He turned as Beth walked through the door with Jason, and his eyes met hers. He stared at her for several seconds, and then bent to make a comment to the woman with him. She laughed, and Beth looked away.
    “You okay?” Jason asked.
    “Of course,” Beth said quickly. “Where’s our table?”
    Jason led the way to their seats, and then went to the bar to get them both a drink. Beth found herself talking to one of her tablemates, the wife of a prominent surgeon who was an officer in the local United Way chapter. The conversation diverted Beth until the woman said, “Oh, there’s Dr. Reynolds. Who’s that dark man with her?”
    She was talking about Bram’s date. “She’s a doctor?” Beth asked, her heart sinking.
    “Yes,” her companion said. “Couldn’t you just kill yourself? She’s on staff at Johnson Memorial with my husband. Can you imagine looking like that and having brains, too? No wonder she can snare such a handsome date.”
    The sprained-ankle specialist, Beth thought glumly. This was the woman Mindy had mentioned. Beth watched as Dr. Reynolds whispered something in Bram’s ear, and his dazzling grin flashed from across the room. Beth sighed. It was beginning to look like a long night.
    Jason returned, and once dinner was served Beth began to feel better. Bram and his friend were seated on the far side of the dance floor, and her view of them was obscured by several potted palms, so Beth was spared the sight of their mealtime conviviality. But during the interlude before dessert the band started to play and Jason asked her to dance. She didn’t see how she could gracefully refuse, so she walked with him onto the floor. Jason was a correct if spiritless dancer, and Beth was able to follow him effortlessly until the conclusion of the set. As they applauded with the rest of the group, she realized that Jason was standing next to Bram.
    Beth tugged on his arm to capture his attention, but it was too late. Jason had noticed the man at his side.
    “Here’s one of your clients, Bethie,” he announced in a delighted tone that made Beth want to hit him with a rock. “It’s Curtis, isn’t it?” Jason said to Bram. “I seem to remember selling a summerhouse to your father.”
    Bram turned, favoring Jason with a cool, dark glance. “Yes, my father is fond of buying things. You may also recall that when we were all in high school I put your brother in the hospital.”
    Beth closed her eyes as the men shook hands.
    Jason chuckled. “Yeah, Ronnie always was a hothead. Well, it looks like I’m here with your lawyer, Curtis.”
    Bram looked at Beth. “So it appears,” he said evenly. Only Beth detected the edge in his tone. “Hello, counselor.”
    Beth nodded, wishing that she were home watching reruns on television.
    “May I introduce Althea Reynolds?” Bram was saying. He took the redhead’s hand and brought her forward. “Thea, this is my lawyer, Bethany Forsyth. Beth, my doctor, Althea Reynolds.”
    The two women eyed each other as Jason beamed.
    “How do you do?” Beth murmured.
    Dr. Reynolds smiled, displaying perfect