“Danielle?” Andrea looked thoughtful. “She seems nice enough, but I can’t help feeling sorry for her.”

“Why?”

“Because Boyd is such a control freak. I’ve seen them at parties and he doesn’t like to let her out of his sight. It must be stifling. I bet Danielle has to ask his permission before she can even go to the ladies’ room.”

Hannah remembered how Danielle had whispered in her husband’s ear right before she’d left him at the mayor’s fundraiser. “I think you’re right.”

“I know I am. Thank God Bill’s not like that!”

“Would it work if he were?”

“No way!” Andrea laughed and then she gestured toward a corner of the huge ballroom. “There’s Danielle over there. I guess Boyd doesn’t mind how much she spends on her clothes. She’s wearing the peach dress that I saw at the mall, and I know it cost over five hundred dollars.”

“Where?” Hannah’s eyes searched the crowd.

“Right by that flowering hibiscus tree. She’s standing there with a perfectly polite little smile on her face, waiting for Boyd to finish talking to Queen Judith.”

Hannah grinned. Her sister had started to call Judith Woodley “Queen Judith” right after she’d begun to date Benton. “I see her.”

“I really don’t understand women like Danielle. She’s got a great figure and she always covers it up. Either Boyd’s the jealous type, or she’s really shy about her body.”

Hannah realized that her sister was right. She’d never seen Danielle wear anything even close to revealing. Tonight was no exception. The peach dress had long sleeves and a high mandarin collar. “Can you and Bill keep Norman amused for a couple of minutes? I really need to talk to Danielle.”

“All right. Just don’t take too long. If Norman starts telling me that I need to have my teeth cleaned, I’m going to run for the hills.”

“He won’t. Norman’s not like that at all. He’s got a great sense of humor. If you just get to know him, you’ll like him.”

“If you say so.”

Andrea shrugged and headed back to the table while Hannah made her way through the crowd toward Danielle. As Hannah moved closer, she saw that Coach Watson was deep in conversation with Judith Woodley, and judging from the intense look on his face, Hannah figured that he was trying to drum up a donation for new team uniforms.

“I have to talk to you, Danielle.” Hannah moved in to claim her before the coach could. “Let’s go to the ladies’ powder room.”

“But I’m waiting for Boyd. He told me to stay right here and he’ll be angry if I go off without—”

“It’s important, Danielle,” Hannah interrupted her. “Just tell him you need to fix your face or something.”

“Is there something wrong with my face?”

“No, it’s fine. I just need to talk to you about a mutual friend.”

Danielle stared at her for a moment and then the light dawned. “All right, Hannah. Just let me tell Boyd and I’ll be right with you.”