Free Running Wilde (The Winnie Wilde Series Book 1) by Sue Ann Jaffarian, Meg Chambers

to her, Winnie. Maybe coming from another woman, it will sink in. At this point, she thinks anything I say is just to keep the peace.” He winked at Winnie. “Which is partially true.”
    Winnie smiled with understanding. “I’ve had two children and feeling big and ugly is quite normal, especially near the end.”
    Gordon maneuvered them through the crowd to a cluster of tables and chairs where guests were seated chatting. At one sat a lovely young African-American woman in the advance stages of pregnancy. “Look who I found, Evie,” Gordon said to her.
    When Evie saw Ben, she squealed with delight and started to get up, but Ben immediately went to her and insisted she stay put. He bent his tall frame down and embraced her with the same affection he had her husband. When the hug ended, Ben went to a dark pudgy woman seated next to Evie and hugged her. When the hugs ended, Gordon introduced Winnie to his wife Evie and his mother Alice Thompson. Both women shook her hand politely, Evie with more warmth than Alice, who looked Winnie up and down with such naked disapproval that Winnie back up a step.
    Gordon held out a hand to his wife. “Come on, girl, let’s dance. They just started a slow song. I think you can handle that.”
    After a brief hesitation, Evie started to hoist her swollen body from the chair with Gordon’s assistance. “Might as well,” Evie said. “This might be my last chance for a long time.”
    When they left, Ben asked Winnie what she wanted to drink and if Alice wanted anything. The women gave him their orders and he went in search of the nearest bar.
    “Sit yourself down,” Alice told Winnie. “I won’t bite.”
    Winnie sat in the chair Evie had vacated and smiled at Alice. Alice did not smile back. She was about to say something when a slight man with white hair and a trimmed white beard stopped by the table. Winnie recognized him as Hunter McDermott. “Alice,” he said, “where did your son go? There’s someone I want him to meet.”
    “He’s on the dance floor with his wife, Hunter,” Alice answered. “But let them have this time together before you go dragging him off on business.”
    He chuckled at the order. “I promise, Alice. No rush.”
    Hunter McDermott turned his smile on Winnie, his gaze lingering as he studied her face. “I’m sorry, my dear,” he said to her, “but your name escapes me, even though you look so familiar. Have we met before?”
    “Yes, Mr. McDermott,” Winnie told him. “I attended a dinner you gave here once for Geoffrey Evans. I was married to Edward Crenshaw at the time.”
    “Edward, of course.” Hunter continued to study her as he delved into his memory. “You’re Eleanor Crenshaw, aren’t you?”
    Impressed with his memory, Winnie held out her right hand to him. “I took back my maiden name of Winfred Wilde when we divorced. Please call me Winnie.”
    “And you must call me Hunter.” Hunter held onto her hand after shaking it and said, “Edward’s obvious loss, I’m sure.” When he let go, he said to both women, “I have to run, but both of you ladies must save me a dance, especially you, Alice.”
    “Get out of here, you old fool,” Alice said with a laugh as he melted into the crowd. She turned to Winnie when they were alone again. “Good catch, that one,” she said, “and he likes you. I understand Hunter is a widower.”
    Winnie gave Alice’s words careful thought before answering. “You really mean a more appropriate catch than Ben Church, don’t you?” She looked Alice directly in the eye as she spoke.
    Without taking her eyes from Winnie’s, Alice answered, “Yes, I do.”
    Winnie settled back in her chair and again gave careful thought before commenting. “Alice, I can tell that you and your family think highly of Ben, and while he and I have only known each other a short time, I can assure you that I only have his best interests at heart.”
    Alice uttered a deep and throaty chuckle. “I thought sure you