The MacGregor Grooms Read Online Free

She stepped between them, sliding an arm around each and making them a unit. “I know you have to mingle, and of course you’ll want to dance. Glorious music tonight. But I’m entitled to be selfish with you for a few minutes.”
    With the skill and style of long practice, Myra steered them through the crowd, around groups that had gathered to chat, winding among tables spread with white cloths and decked with bouquets of sunny spring flowers.
    She was dying for a chance to watch them together, to study the little details of body language, to see how they behaved. In her head she was already working on the guest list for the wedding.
    “Look who I brought us,” Myra announced.
    “D.C.” Shelby Campbell MacGregor sprang to her feet. Her gown of citrine silk rustled as she opened her arms to her son. The russet curls piled on top of her head brushed his cheek. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
    “Neither did I.” He held her close a moment, then turned to catch his father in a bear hug.
    Alan MacGregor’s silver hair glinted under the lights. A grin spread over his strong face as he looked at his son. “God, you look more like your grandfather every day.”
    Even an oaf could love his family, Layna supposed. But a part of her had softened because the love between them, and their enjoyment of it, was so obvious.
    If she’d met her parents under similar circumstances, there would have been impersonal air kisses and a polite “how are you?”
    Then Shelby turned, her gray eyes warm, the slim brows over them lifting curiously. “Hello.”
    “Shelby MacGregor, my goddaughter,” Myra said with a lilt of pride. “Layna Drake.”
    “It’s wonderful to meet you, Mrs. MacGregor.”
    Shelby accepted the hand, pleased that it felt strong and capable. “You’d be Donna and Matthew’s daughter?”
    “Yes. They’re in Miami now.”
    “Give them my best when you speak to them again. Alan, this is Layna Drake, Donna and Matthew’s daughter—and Myra’s goddaughter.”
    “Myra’s told us a great deal about you.” Alan took her hand, held it warmly. “You’ve moved back to Washington?”
    “Yes, sir. It’s good to be back. It’s an honor to meet you again. I was introduced to you when I was a child. I was terrified.”
    He grinned as he pulled out a chair for her. “Was I frightening?”
    “No, sir. You were presidential. I’d just lost my two front teeth and was feeling miserably gawky. You talked to me about the tooth fairy.” She smiled. “I fell in love with you.”
    “Really?” Alan winked at his wife when Shelby chuckled.
    “You were my first crush. It took at least two years before you were replaced by Dennis Riley—and that was only because he looked so very stalwart in his Boy Scout uniform.”
    Fascinating, D.C. thought, as he watched Layna chat with his parents. Suddenly, all this warmth and animation. Oh, the coolness was still there, a light sheen on the surface, but the charm and vivacity bloomed under it, like the blush on a new rose.
    When she laughed it was like a murmur through fog. Sexy but discreet. He had to admit it was a pleasure to watch her—those smooth, economical gestures; the sleek sweep of gilded hair; the slow curve of soft, shapely lips.
    It was entertaining to listen to her—that low, cultured voice. Especially if he didn’t have to actually talk to her.
    “D.C, for heaven’s sake.” Myra gave him a subtle elbow jab and kept her voice in a whisper. “You haven’t even asked her to dance.”
    “What?”
    “Ask Layna to dance,” she hissed, fighting impatience. “Where are your manners?”
    “Oh, sorry.” Hell, he thought, but obligingly touched a hand to Layna’s shoulder.
    She nearly jolted, and her head whipped around, her eyes meeting his. She’d all but forgotten hewas there. Ignoring her duties, she realized with an inward wince. She fixed a smile on her face and prepared to shift her attention from the delightful parents to the oafish