Birdie stood up. ‘Graciela, I am so pleased you came home,’ she said, her eyes misting over.
Grace hugged her mother. ‘Mom, this is Frank.’
‘My son-in-law.’ She smiled at Frank and kissed his cheek.
‘Lovely to meet you, Birdie.’
‘I believe I know your mother,’ said Birdie, as she held onto his hand.
‘Really?’ asked Frank and Grace in unison.
‘Oh yes, we have met a few times at charity dinners and lunches. Lovely woman,’ said Birdie to Grace.
The dinner was an uproarious affair, with yelling and laughter and tears during the toasts that Spencer made to Birdie and to his daughters.
Presents were exchanged and Violetta took enormous joy in watching Alexia open her gifts. Actually everyone showered Alexia with gifts; having a child, even though a teenager, for Christmas meant Alexia’s gifts ranged from new saddlery from Carlotta, clothes galore from Violetta, and a series of Mark Ryden prints from Grace along with a stunning sketch of a horse that looked very similar to Cookie.
‘It’s never too soon to start your art collection,’ said Grace to Alexia.
And Alexia nodded, awed at Grace and her elegance.
As the evening went on Birdie became tired and went up to bed, Spencer following her to ensure she was safely tucked up. Violetta watched them leave as Carlotta and Chris got Alexia ready for the trip back to the city.
‘It was lovely,’ said Carlotta to Violetta, and hugged her close.
‘It was, wasn’t it?’ said Violetta proudly.
She kissed Chris and Alexia goodbye and he squeezed her hand. ‘Thanks,’ he said in her ear.
‘Look after her,’ whispered Violetta in his ear. ‘She’s not as tough as she makes out.’
Frank and Jeff were chatting amiably, nursing a brandy each, when Violetta walked back into the room.
‘You staying?’ she asked Grace.
‘No, we came straight from the airport. We’re heading back to the city tonight,’ said Grace, looking at Frank. ‘Frank’s showing me his apartment.’
‘You haven’t seen it yet?’ asked Violetta.
‘Not yet,’ said Grace, looking at Frank and raising her eyebrows at him.’
After Frank and Grace left, Violetta and Jeff sat on the sofa in front of the open fire.
‘Happy?’ he asked.
‘Contented,’ she answered, and put her head against his shoulder.
And she was. Now Christmas was over, she just had to get through the fundraiser dinner and then she would be free to date Jeff in the open. She was sick of the running around and hiding. She wanted to be on his arm in public and the sooner she finished the TV show the better. She had stopped looking at herself online, was happy at Pajaro, and thrilled with the ways things were working out with Jeff.
Jeff reached into his pocket. ‘Want your Christmas present?’ he asked.
Violetta sat up as he handed her a box. Her heart skipped a beat and she felt tears welling in her eyes. Now, she wondered. Was he going to ask now?
She opened the box slowly and gasped. Inside were two perfect studs of amethysts in the shape of tiny violets, set in rose gold.
‘They are beautiful,’ she said sincerely.
‘Not too tacky?’ he asked. ‘As you know I am not really the fashionista.’
