Ronald picked out a pale blue dress for Ste that evening-the same shade as his own tie. He liked the idea of them matching, subtle but sweet.


    As they stepped out of the lounge, they heard raised voices down the hall.


    Xander and Yvonne, arguing. Again.


    Just a moment ago, it seemed like they''d finally settled their squabble about money. But here they were, at it again.


    Ronald and Ste paused to listen. It sounded like Xander had used Yvonne of being fake? Which was ridiculous-Yvonne had been quietly volunteering and giving to charity for years.


    But now, with Xander''s words out in the open, things escted fast. Not just yelling-Yvonne actually lunged at him.


    "You''re such an ass, Xander! Can''t you use your brain before you speak? I ought to just knock some sense into you."


    She made a grab for him, but Xander was quick. He grabbed her by the waist, which clearly crossed a line.


    "Hey! Hands off, you jerk!" Yvonne spat, twisting out of his grip and swinging at him.


    Most women, Xander thought darkly, would melt if he touched them like that. But Yvonne? She turned into a tornado.


    He caught her wrist mid-p. "Rx. Like I even want to touch you. You couldn''t pay me."


    "Oh, really? Then don''t touch me! You absolute pig-"


    She raised her free hand to smack him again. Xander felt a headacheing on.


    "I wouldn''t want you if you were thest woman on earth. Good luck finding anyone who does-you''ll die alone at this rate."


    Harsh. Maybe too harsh.


    For a woman, being told she''d end up alone for life? That stung. And Yvonne? No way was she letting that slide.


    "You son of a "


    He sneered, "You''re loud, angry, and you''ve got the charm of a wet cardboard box. Go ask around-see who likes your type."


    Yvonne was so mad she could barely speak. If she didn''t w his eyes out tonight, she''d never forgive herself.


    Ste and Ronald exchanged a look. Ste was itching to intervene, but Ronald gently steered her away.


    Upstairs, Ste finally pulled away from his grasp. "Why''d you drag me off? I could''ve helped-"


    "She doesn''t need help," Ronald said matter-of-factly.


    He was right. Yvonne could handle herself with Xander-she was a force of nature.


    But Ste was frustrated. She still held a grudge against Xander for keeping her and Ronald apart all those years. So, to her, anything Xander did was automatically wrong.


    "You''re really just going to leave my sister down there with the Schultzes?" she grumbled. "That family is a handful-especially Xander''s stepmom. She yed nice at first, but she''s been scheming ever since she moved in. Alt for her own kids, of course."


    Ronald smirked. "No matter what the Schultzes try, your sister''s not falling for it."


    Ste thought about it. Yeah, Yvonne wouldn''t let anyone walk all over her.


    No matter what plots the Schultzes had for Xander and Yvonne, Yvonne wouldn''t be easy prey. Whatever tricks they had up their sleeve, she''d see right through them.


    ...


    Later, at the party, Ste found herself bored and more importantly-hungry. Pregnant or not, she was never a fan of tiny hors d''oeuvres and dry canapés.


    Her mom, Lottie, had been outside but called in: "Make sure the kitchen prepares something for Ste. She needs to eat."


    "Of course, ma''am," answered the butler.


    Not that she needed to worry-Ronald had already arranged everything.


    But Ste was also sleepy. Ronald led her gently back to their room, nning for


    her to nap for an hour beforeing back for food and festivities.


    As soon as they got in, Ronald''s phone rang. Whatever the caller said made him frown. He covered the speaker and turned to Ste.


    "Get some rest, okay? You and Yvonne can join the party in a bit. No rush, alright?"


    Ste sighed. "Busy again?"


    Since they''d returned to Ferrond, Ronald always seemed to have a million


    things on his te.