In her simple black dress and white dewy skin, she seemed the opposite of everyone here from Miami. The woman wore no makeup and stood tall. Her hands were clenched at her side, and there was something differentabouther.
He licked his lips. No one else here looked like her. Vicki hit her fiancé's stomach and said, "Belle. She'sperfect."
Peternodded.
John then returned to their group with the woman in question. "Colt, Vicki, your friend Belle Jordanishere."
The air around him smelled likeapples.
John pointed to Belle and Coltnodded.
Vicki hugged the womanlike they were old friends. Belle's grimace read like she didn't agree. Peter's shoulders tensed. Whoever this Belle was, she was new. He had never met her, though she knew Colt. And something inside him burst as he stared at herprofile.
She pushed a piece of hair behind her ear and stepped out of the hug. Her shoulder had a thin, old scar like she'd been cut, and she didn't try to hideit. He fingered his chin. Every other woman in the party would have demanded plastic surgery to remove somethinglikethat.
Peter then couldn't stop himself and he asked, "What happened to yourshoulder?"
Belle fiddled with her hair again. "I pulled Colt here out of a mine field he found himself in. The razor fencegotme."
Colt nodded. "I'd not be alive if notforyou."
Vicki then smiled brighter. "I’m forever in your debt. Belle, we're so happyyoucame."
Peter watched the exchange and understood. Belle was Colt's old fiancée. As he saw Belle's grimace, and how she held herself stiff and unmoving, she confirmed whoshewas.
How she held her arms around her waist, but still gave off a sense of strength took hisbreathaway.
John pokedhis side. "We all agree. Belle isthebet."
His stomach clenched as he stared at this tall, thin woman. He'd never be able to give any woman the man his sister married tomorrow. Now, more than ever, he'd have to win. He turned away from gawking. All women had their price. He'd figure outhers.Fast.
