I Don't Want Your Love Out of Pity novel · Chapter 6 of 32

Chapter 6: Mrs. Draper

The after-party was in the venue's glass atrium, with champagne and a lot of people who wanted to touch my sleeve.

I had a smile on my face, and I had my cane in my right hand.

I had checked my purse three times.

The certificate was still in the zip pocket, where I had carried it every day for four and a half years.

I had never asked myself why.

"Leandra Linwood," said a woman from a fashion magazine. "Is it true you taught yourself to sew in a ranch kitchen?"

"Yes. My mother's machine."

"And this is your first show?"

"It is."

"Lovely. Do you mind if my photographer-"

"She'll answer that in a minute," said a warm voice at my elbow. "Leandra and I are old friends."

Priscilla slid her arm through mine.

She wore the cream suit and her pearls, and a smile that reached the back row.

She was holding a glass of champagne.

"I just have to tell everyone," she said, to the reporter and the small crowd that gathered. "I'm so proud of her. Conal and I took care of Leandra for years."

"Took care of her?" the reporter said.

"Oh, it was nothing." Priscilla laughed lightly. "Her father was the foreman at Conal's ranch. When she was hurt, Conal made sure she had a roof over her head, and meals, and a wheelchair. He's always been generous with the people who work for him."

My hand tightened on the cane.

"Then one day she left," Priscilla went on, with a small, sad shake of her head. "And she took a check from the ranch account with her. Conal never wanted to press charges. He's too kind."

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