Higher Than Eagles (Donovans of the Delta) by Peggy Webb Page B

He’d taken her under his wing when she and Bob had moved to Biloxi, and had sensed that singing was more than a talent for her, more than a job. Louie’s own heart was so big, he instinctively seemed to understand the hearts of others. With Rachel, he’d always known that singing was survival to her, a way of compensating for a bland marriage, a safe way of channeling her passion.
    “I guess it’s too soon after Bob’s death for a party of this kind, even if the proceeds do go to your favorite charity.”
    “Hmmmm.” Louie chomped down on the end of his cigar and gazed into space.
    Rachel, knowing she hadn’t told him the truth and afraid of offending him, hastened to rectify her mistake.
    “Not that I’m sorry I agreed to throw this party, you understand. I’m always happy to do what I can for your animals.” She was referring to the Louie Vincetti Animal Adoption Home, a program Louie had set up three years ago to get stray animals off the street and into the homes of people who would love them.
    Louie loved hearing the animals referred to as his. He took great pride in turning everything he touched into a success, and it pleased him that every stray animal in Biloxi was now referred to as Louie’s cat or Louie’s dog. Volunteers flocked to help him get the strays into his adoption home.
    He turned and smiled at one of his all-time favorite people. “At two hundred dollars a head, and with twenty-five couples here, that’s an easy ten thousand dollars raised for the home in one night.” He shifted the cigar in his mouth and moved his hand down to pat Rachel’s arm. “That’s not counting the large donation I got this afternoon.”
    “That’s wonderful, Louie. Do I know the donor?”
    “Could be. He just walked through the door.”
    Jacob Donovan stood in the doorway, tight jeans encasing his legs, white shirt open at the throat, leather bomber jacket worn with as much panache as any movie hero Rachel had ever seen. His casual clothes were as out of place among the tuxedos and glittering ball gowns as sin at a tent revival, but he was easily the most commanding presence in the room. There was a fierce wild charm about him, as if he had found secrets in the skies that ordinary people only dared dream of, as if those mysteries were stored, shining and bright, in his soul.
    He scanned the crowd. When he saw Rachel, he smiled. It was a smile that could topple kingdoms. Her mouth was suddenly dry as she tasted fear and excitement.
    He crossed the crowded room with an ease that had always been his trademark. Everything came easy for Jacob Donovan, she thought, everything except giving up.
    “Hello, Rachel. Mr. Vincetti.” Although he acknowledged Louie’s presence, he had eyes only for Rachel.
    “Jacob.” She made herself smile, forced herself to extend a cool hand. She wanted to rant and rave. She wanted to pull a pot of gardenias down on his head. “Thank you for your generous contribution. Louie told me about it.”
    “I’m an animal lover myself.” As he spoke, he undressed Rachel with his eyes. Bit by sizzling bit, he peeled away the diamond, sapphire, and pearl clip earrings, tossed aside the matching necklace, raked her bare shoulders, then ripped away the black evening gown.
      Lord , she was easily the most stunning creature he’d ever seen. Some women got more beautiful with maturity, and she was one of them. The dress was classic and simple, strapless to show off her shoulders, the bodice tightly fitted to enhance her small breasts, and the skirt flowing to billow against her incredible legs and tease a man to distraction. Not that she needed a fancy dress to make her lovely. Her face alone was enough to make his knees weak.
    He began talking, more to distract himself than anything else. “When I read in the afternoon paper that your benefit was sold out, I contacted Mr. Vincetti. He agreed to let me come, for a price.”
    “Five thousand,” Louie said.
    “Five thousand?”
    The