Chapter 3
The Party
The night was perfect for a party. The stars were sparkling overhead as Cinnamon
drove through the
Cinnamon had been back in the States for two weeks. Two days after her return she had received the invitation and that evening she had gotten a telephone call from an acquaintance who was hosting the party. Sophia Terrell’s husband was a doctor at the Children’s Hospital. Cinnamon had met her the year before when she had attended a banquet with the publisher of one of the magazines she modeled for. Sophia described the gala to her and insisted she come. She also said there was a young man that she wanted Cinnamon to meet. Cinnamon had not wasted much time protesting.
She drove through the gates and up the drive to the mansion where the party was being held. The grounds were brightly lit and a valet was quickly at her side. Upon surrendering her keys she made her way up the steps to the door. A butler let her in and led her through the foyer to the rear of the house. French doors were opened onto a large terrace. Steps led down to the lanai and pool area. A large tent was set up on the grounds behind the pool with a dance floor. A band was playing the Frank Sinatra song “Night and Day” and a few people were already dancing. She stood on the terrace and looked around, using her ‘model’ face. If she spotted Rollin she certainly didn’t want to give away what she was feeling.
“Cinnamon!” Sophia Terrell called from her left. A wet bar was set up at the corner of the terrace, and there was quite a crowd next to it. Sohpia hurried up to her, formal blue gown rustling, diamonds sparkling.
“Hello Sophia. You have such a lovely home.”
“It’s a monster, darling. Trey and I escape to a tiny cabin in the mountains just about every weekend,” the matron confided. She looked out over the garden. “But it does throw a nice party,” she added with satisfaction.
She tucked Cinnamon’s arm under hers. “Come, dear. There’s someone I want you to meet. He’s an actor, and dreamily handsome. Incredible eyes, and those lips of his!”
“Sophia,” Cinnamon laughed. “You sound like a matchmaker.”
“Oh, but I am, darling. I absolutely love introducing the right people to each other. And I’ve tried to fix him up with several eligible young women, but he’s always shied away. When he saw your picture on the cover of Vogue last month, he actually called me and asked me to arrange to meet you!”
“He reads Vogue?” Cinnamon asked doubtfully. She doubted that Rollin had ever seen the magazine. She had a moment of extreme doubt. What if Sophia was setting her up with someone else?
“He saw it in a newsstand, I think. Brought the magazine over here and asked me about you. He’s such a dear.”
“How do you know him?”
“Oh, he’s quite legit, darling.” Sophia led her down the steps and toward the tent and dance floor. “He was entertaining some of the children in the cancer ward last December, doing magic tricks for them. But he does a lot of theatre work, real acting.”
Cinnamon smiled at Sophia’s enthusiasm. Rollin had certainly found the right matchmaker.
“There he is, just over there, by the band.”
A thousand small light bulbs lit the inside of the tent, like white Christmas lights. Rollin stood in black tie and tails, cigarette in hand, enjoying the music and watching the couples on the dance floor. He looked wonderful, and Cinnamon’s heart beat faster. Sophia waived gaily to him and he looked toward them. He smiled that lopsided smile that always made Cinnamon’s heart beat faster, flicked his cigarette stub away and moved through the crowd toward them.
“Miss Cinnamon Carter, may I present Mr. Rollin Hand. Rollin, Miss Carter.” Sophia made the formal introductions and Rollin took her hand, his eyes meeting Cinnamon’s.
“My pleasure, Miss Carter.”
“Mr. Hand.”
“Now, you two have a wonderful time, I have other guests to greet!” Sophia beat a fast retreat and Cinnamon and Rollin stood looking at each other, as if they had just met.
For a moment, it felt like that as well. They were on the outside of the caution and danger that generally surrounded their work together. Everything seemed brand new. A new song started up. It was “Too Young”, a song made famous by Nat King Cole.
“Would you like to dance, Miss Carter?” Rollin asked, with just the right tone for a first dance with a stranger, not too eager, but not too diffidently either.
“I’d love to, Mr. Hand,” Cinnamon replied.
Rollin took her hand and led her to the dance floor. She flowed into his arms as if she belonged there. “Please, call me Rollin.”
“And I’m Cinnamon,” she replied with a smile.
He steered her through the dance with ease. She loved dancing with him. They stayed on the floor for two more sets, one a faster number and the next a tango. They smiled at each other as they finished the tango, Cinnamon draped over Rollin’s arm, relaxed and poised.
“Thank you, Rollin. I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed dancing so much.” Her hair was swept up off her neck and brow, but a stray curl had fallen to the corner of her forehead and it was damp with sweat.
“You’re a terrific dancer, Cinnamon. It was my pleasure. Would you like a drink?”
“Yes please, that would be nice.”
It was cooler outside the tent and away from the lights. Rollin put his arm around her back. “Did you see the woman in the ugly green dress in the back of the tent?”
“I wasn’t watching,” Cinnamon said, almost startled to admit it. For the last three songs nothing had existed for her but Rollin and their movement together. Usually she made a quick check of the room and could give descriptions of everyone, their hair color, clothing choices, everything. It had become habit, but not something she normally shared with her dates.
“Gossip columnist. She was keeping a close eye on the two of us. I chatted her up just before you got there.”
“Why Mr. Hand, you’re a very thorough and smooth operator.”
“We danced so well together, you can still call me Rollin,” he said with that charming smile as they climbed the steps to the terrace.
“All right, Rollin, a white wine, please.”
“Whatever milady wants,” he responded with a small bow. He disappeared into the crowd.
She couldn’t help but smile after him.
“Well? Isn’t he just delicious?” Sophia was at her elbow again.
Cinnamon smiled. “He’s certainly a good dancer,” she admitted cautiously.
Sophia laughed and whirled away.
They sipped wine by the pool and watched the other party goers, then returned
to the dance floor. They both enjoyed dancing together, flirting with each
other, and sparred verbally with each other, something they had perfected on
missions together. The evening passed quickly and at nearly
Rollin walked with her to say good night to her hostess. Sophia accompanied them both to the front hall and waited while the valet went to retrieve her car. They chatted together easily until the valet returned without the car.
“I’m sorry miss,” the young man said, his ears going red. “I can’t get the car to start.”
“It won’t start?” Cinnamon said, surprised. “I just had it tuned up!”
“I’m really sorry. It just won’t turn over.”
Cinnamon sighed and turned to Sophia. “Can I leave it here and send a mechanic out to look at it tomorrow? I suppose I’ll have to get a cab to take me home.”
Rollin handed his ticket to the embarrassed young man. “Get my car please,” he requested softly.
“Miss Carter, allow me to drive you home.”
“Oh, but you weren’t ready to leave the party yet,” Cinnamon protested, suddenly realizing that this had been carefully planned.
“I’d be happy to do it. And Sophia here can vouch for my character.”
Sophia laughed. “Yes, Rollin, you’re quite a character. Really, Cinnamon, I’m certain he’ll be a perfect gentleman, and it will take at least a half hour to get a cab out here.”
Cinnamon acquiesced slowly. “In that case, I’ll accept. I do need to get my sleep before the shoot tomorrow.”
A black
“Excellent performance, Miss Carter.”
“And for you, Mr. Hand,” she said lacing the fingers of her right hand with his and enjoying the scent of him.
“Do you really have a shoot in the morning?”
“Yes, I do. And what did you do to my car?”
“The battery cables may have disappeared. I’ll have a mechanic out first thing in the morning to check it out.”
“Some magic act, you were with me the entire evening.”
They pulled up to a stop light. He turned to her. “Yes, I was,” he leaned closer. “And I don’t know when I’ve had a better time.”
“Me either.” She moved closer and he kissed her deeply.
All too soon the light changed and Rollin had to concentrate on the road again.
“How am I supposed to get to work in the morning?” Cinnamon asked. “Are you planning to spend the night?”
“It wouldn’t look good if I took you to work. How about calling a cab to get to work? Let me know when and where I can pick you up and take you back to your car.”
“It’s a morning shoot. We should be finished by
“That’s great, I’ll make reservations for lunch.”
“You didn’t answer my question. Are you staying the night?”
The pulled up to another stop light. He turned and looked into her eyes. “Are you inviting me?”
She smiled flirtatiously. “If you’d like.”
He reached over and caressed her cheek. “I’d like very much.” He kissed her softly.
A car pulled up behind them and honked its horn. The light had changed again. “But our courtship isn’t over yet.” He pulled away form her and concentrated on driving again.
End part 3