Katherine did as her father requested and woke up her sisters, reminding them they needed to look in on their mother. She felt like Cinderella in the process, and it made her smile. Her sisters were all close in age. They were all petite, blond-haired, blue-eyed princesses, and not for the first time, Katherine wondered where she got her looks from.

Jessie was twenty-three, fresh out of college. Jillian was twenty-one and had just reached drinking age, and Jackie was nineteen and had just completed her freshman year at college. They were young and tan and thought they ruled the world with Daddy's money.

After waking the young girls and having pillows chucked at her head and a few choice words hurled at her, Katherine made her way to the rose bushes that lined the glass windows of the enclosed heated pool and solarium. It was almost time for lunch, and she needed to make sure that Abby didn't need her help, but first, she would cut some roses and take them to her mother.

She was halfway through cutting the roses while enjoying the warm room despite the chill outside and had moved around to the back of the bushes when she heard her sisters arrive in solarium.

"They're both so handsome! This is going to be fun!" Jillian said in a hushed tone, and it made Katherine smile. Katherine had been too shy to be boy-crazy. At least, she had been until she had met Alistair.

"I want the tall blond one. What was his name?" Jessie asked as she threw herself down on a lounger. She was wearing a daring bikini that was a bright pink and showed her young body off to its best advantage.

"Simon, I think," Jackie said as she settled down next to her sister. She was in a more conservative one-piece.

"I want the tall and dark one with the baby blue eyes," Jillian whispered in a rush as she looked over her shoulder. Then she smiled at someone Katherine couldn't see before she walked over to the pool and dramatically dropped her wrap, revealing a white two-piece.

Katherine would never have the guts to put on such a display as that.

Yes, she was used to modeling clothes, but it was always about the clothes, not about the body in them. With all three girls, it was about the body.

"Won't you join us?" Jillian asked, her voice dropping a few octaves as she tried to become a seductress.

"No, thank you, I'm enjoying the view for now," a man with a southern drawl responded.

Katherine waited for her sisters to offer the guest a drink or something to snack on, and when after a few minutes of stilted silence, it didn't happen. She felt obliged to take over, no matter what her father said.

Taking her courage in hand as she looked at her frayed jeans and old t-shirt, she stepped out from behind the bush with a pleasant smile, but her smile faded as she saw a familiar pair of blue eyes look over at her.

Tall, dark, and handsome definitely described Alistair Stevens.

Katherine took in Alistair's appearance as he took in hers. He looked relaxed in a pair of slacks and a dress shirt with the top button undone and the sleeves rolled up, but he was missing his usual smile. He looked serious and didn't look as if he was surprised to see her either.

He always had a smile for her, but not this time. He was acting the same way he did when his family was around, indifferent.

"Hello!" the tall, handsome blond man greeted. "Who are you, the gardener?"

Katherine smiled and opened her mouth to introduce herself, but a laughing Jillian cut her off before she could.

"That's our big sister, Katie," she introduced. "Katie, this is Simon Black and Alistair Stevens. They're here as father's guests."

"Hello," Katherine smiled at them, "can I get you something to drink or a snack? Lunch should be ready in about half an hour." She was proud that her voice came out sounding normal. It was better if she acted as if he had never met Alistair and kept her guard up. It would raise too many questions with her sisters. Then the mocking would begin. Plus, if the way he was treating her was anything to go by, that was the way he wanted to pay it too.

"Are you sure I don't know you from somewhere?" Simon asked.

"No, I don't think so," Katherine's smile grew tense as she let her gaze look over Alistair one more time, waiting to see if he would respond or join in on the conversation.

"I think we're fine, Katie," Alistair replied seriously, giving nothing away.

Katherine nodded, then turned and headed toward the door to the house. She was halfway across the patio with all eyes on her when she was passed by a beautiful brunette who dropped some papers when she bumped into Katherine.

"I'm sorry," the young woman laughed as they both bent down to pick them up, pausing when she looked at Katherine. The woman was lovely. Her hair was coiled at her neck, her white linen suit was fit to perfection, and her makeup was professional.

"There you are, Nadine." Alistair interrupted her as she was about to say something, kneeling to help them pick up the papers. "Do you have a moment to review a few things?"

Nadine turned her stunned gaze to Alistair and nodded.

"Is there somewhere we can talk in private, Katie?" Alistair asked as he reached for the papers in Katherine's hand, and she caught her breath as their eyes locked when they brushed hands.

"Sure, follow me." Katherine gave a tense smile as she watched Alistair hand Nadine the papers and then place his hand on the small of her back to direct her to follow Katherine.

They looked perfect together. Who was she?

*******

Alistair watched Katherine as he closed the door to the little sun room leading off the parlor as she left him and Nadine. She took the smell of fresh roses and something that was distinctively her when she left.

"Alistair!" Nadine hissed. "Is that who I think it is?"

Alistair looked at his excited assistant and suppressed a grin, keeping his usually serious countenance.

"Who do you think it is?" he asked, placing his hands in his pockets.

"That's Katherine Rhodes. Why is she here in Charleston?" Nadine put her hands to her hot cheeks.

Nadine was an interesting woman that Alistair had yet to figure out completely. She was lovely to look at and very sweet, but she was drawn to beautiful women like a moth to a flame. They had never discussed her sexuality because it wasn't a proper work conversation, but it wasn't hard to figure out.

Nadine also lived and breathed fashion. All her vacations and extra money were spent on attending fashion shows all over the world. If runway models had the equivalent of baseball cards, she would have the collection. Unbeknownst to Nadine, Alistair had kept up with Katherine's whereabouts via Nadine's chatter.

"She looked lovely, didn't she? I swear she doesn't even have to try." Nadine sighed as she sat on a chair and sorted through the pile of papers that were now a jumbled mess. "I swear, I don't know why Randolph can't use and computer like everyone else."

"Perhaps Ms. Rhodes is incognito. Did you think about that? Not everyone wants to be recognized." Alistair watched Nadine pause at the thought.

Alistair had no idea if that was what was going on or not, but he knew he didn't want Simon to recognize Katherine for selfish reasons. Simon was about climbing the social ladder, and a famous runway model would help his cause. He wouldn't let up, making Alistair's goal of learning more about Katherine during his brief visit difficult.

Alistair's reason for meeting with George Randolph was to learn more about Katherine. She had hinted that her problems stemmed from her father, so perhaps meeting the man would answer a few of his questions since Katherine wasn't inclined to do it.

George Randolph was hosting a party of investors to see which firm would get to take on his vast fortune. Alistair didn't care if they got the account one way or the other, but Simon was eager, which could make things tricky.

"Is that why you pulled me in here?" Nadine asked, her eyes growing wide. "But then you would know all about that kind of thing coming from such a famous family, wouldn't you?" Nadine nodded her head. "I got you!" She made a motion like she was zipping up her lips and throwing away the key. "Incognito."

Alistair nodded his agreement. "I'll see you at lunch. I have something to do," he said as he left Nadine sorting through papers with a smile on her face.