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There was little opportunity for further talk with Charlotte and Midge. Both women were in high demand, and it wasn't long before other guests steered them away from Travis and Emma.
"So do we split up to mingle to collect as much information from other people's conversations?" Travis smiled as he spoke, knowing his words were going to make Emma uncomfortable. "Or do we do this in tandem, like a couple?"
But she took him by surprise and returned his smile with a saucy grin. "I think it's going to be easier if we do this as a couple. We can use each other to untangle ourselves from well-meaning talkers. Besides, I may need you to help me navigate your family's friends and associates. I haven't been back in Citrus Beach long enough to know who's who."
"Well, my night just got a lot better." Travis grabbed her hand, not giving her the chance to change her mind. "Let's start with Oswald. I'm not familiar with that couple he's talking with. Let's go introduce ourselves."
As Emma allowed Travis to lead her across the room, she searched the crowd until she found her key suspects. Wendy was the first person she noticed, and it surprised her to see her alone. The young girl looked beautiful and elegant, fitting in with people around her with the natural ease of someone who'd grown up in this atmosphere.
"Wendy looks content tonight, and it's nice to see her not hanging on Joe," Emma said, pointing Travis toward his cousin.
"I agree. But if she's not hanging on Joe, then I wonder where he is and what he is up to?"
As if in answer to Travis's question, they heard a loud laugh from the corner of the room and turned their heads in that direction. There was Joe, dressed elegantly in a tuxedo but still not fitting in. He was charming to the people he was with, but he didn't seem comfortable. Emma watched as he shifted from one foot to the other, his voice a little louder than necessary for a party and his laugh was inappropriately brash.
"That answers one question for tonight. Let's hope he stays entertained away from my cousin."
"I have plans for your cousin. Don't worry about her and Joe." Emma and Travis turned to find Kim and Jake standing next to them. Emma stared at them for a moment as it dawned on her that they were together.
"I thought you two were taking turns staying with Nancy. If you're together, in here now, where is she?"
"Nancy had a good suggestion. She thought it would seem odd if Kim's plus one guest kept disappearing on her. We have her set up in a little room off the kitchen. It's being watched alternately by an undercover cop and a large woman named Cook."
"That's perfect. I should have thought of that myself," Travis answered Kim and Jake.
"And Dixie can help keep her entertained," Emma said, smiled.
"We just wanted to let you know where Nancy is. Right now, I am taking your cousin under my wing. It's time she met more of the eligible and appropriate men of Citrus Beach."
"I'm sure my mom has tried that avenue, Kim."
"I think Wendy will be more responsive to my introductions. I'm closer to her age and we've become friends over the last couple of days. She's really not that bad, Travis."
"Have at it, Kim. Anything to keep her away from Joe."
Kim gave a nod and then hooked her arm with Jake's, leading him toward Wendy.
Travis and Emma watched Kim talk to Wendy for a few moments and then lead her toward a group of locals her own age. Kim's position of old money and connections made her perfect for introducing Wendy to more desirable people than Joe.
As they watched the introductions being made, Emma noticed Marianne for the first time. Her long hair hung down the middle of her back, and she was dressed in a beautiful, tight-fitting red party dress. Emma almost didn't recognize her. The woman was smiling and without her clipboard, as she talked. Without her usual stern look of disapproval, Marianne looked quite pretty. She was busy talking to a group of women that Emma recognized from the club. But before she could say a word, Travis gave a tug on her hand.
He leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Oswald is motioning for us to join him." Emma gave a nod, and they continued their path toward the older man.
"Well, you two look fetching tonight," Oswald greeted them and then lowered his voice for Emma to hear, "Emma, I noticed you watching the guests. That's good. Keep your eyes and ears open."
"Travis, I'd like you to meet the Yongers. They have a great interest in your father's collection." Oswald raised his voice to include Travis. He gave a slight nod, confirming Emma's guess that these were some buyers that he brought in to purchase the newly discovered ornament.
"It's wonderful to meet you. Oswald has told us there's another piece that's been discovered and we're eager to see it. I hope you will consider selling it, Travis." The woman's sweet voice confirmed Emma's thoughts, and she narrowed her eyes as she watched the woman openly flirting and put her hand on Travis's arm. The man next to her agreed, added, "I can see we're not the only ones here in the room that would have the same interest. Oswald has done his job bringing buyers together."
Emma followed the man's gaze and saw him looking at the two men Joe was talking with.
If Joe is so interested in these two men, does he know something about the missing pieces? Emma thought to herself.
"Have you seen how beautiful the outside is decorated? You really should go out and enjoy the band." Oswald's voice penetrated Emma's thoughts, and she turned to find the older man looking at her pointedly. There was something outside he wanted her to see, but he didn't want to say it out loud.
"That sounds lovely. Travis, do you feel like dancing?"
"With you? I'd love to." Travis's words were flirty, but Emma saw he had also picked up on Oswald's hint. Making their excuses, they left Oswald and the Yongers, heading toward the large double doors on either side of the tree to enter the pool terrace.
The band was set up behind the pool area on a wooden floor that had been temporarily installed. Couples danced to the band's lively rendition of Christmas carols. Emma barely registered the music as she searched the faces of those on the dance floor, wondering who or what Oswald had wanted them to find. But she found nothing out of the ordinary.
"I think Oswald wanted us out here. Not so much to see who was out here, but in anticipation of events that might happen." Travis said, reading her mind. Then he grinned down at her, grabbed her hand, and pulled her toward the dance floor. "I believe you asked me out here to dance."
Emma laughed and found she rather enjoyed being pulled into his arms as the tempo of the music slowed to more of a slow dance. But she could not allow herself to become fully immersed in the music. Oswald wanted them out here for a reason. Something was going to happen.