Snow Ch. 03

Though she'd been uncertain even while she was making it, Kailash had to admit that the dress had come out well. She could even look at herself in the mirror and think that it looked good on her. The empire waist was suited to her body type and the watercolor purple, blue, and green looked good against her skin and brought out her eyes. Before the show had begun Lilith, the best make-up artist they had working for them, had forced Kailash to sit down and get her make-up done. Lilith had done an amazing job, making her skin look flawless and her eyelashes dark and thick.

Jean, their best hairstylest, had decided to get in on the act shortly after that. She'd been thrilled to have so much hair to play with. It hadn't taken Jean long and by the time she was done, Kailash had a braid wrapped like a crown atop her head, with the rest of her hair still flowing free. She'd added the locket that Austin had given her as a finishing touch and she kind of liked the full effect. Austin, who had been just as busy as the other models getting ready, had still taken a long moment to appreciate the way she looked.

Now that the show was underway, Kailash only had time to worry about making sure the models got the right clothing and got out on the runway. She could hear Jenny out in the auditorium, announcing the collections, and she could hear the audience's response as well. The whole thing was hectic and crazy, made worse by the fact that far more people had showed up than they could have anticipated. Between people who just wanted to see the show and press, Kailash had had to get campus security to keep people out of the hall where everything was set up.

"Goodness, it's nuts out there!" came a soft, raspy voice from Kailash's right.

"It is," Kailash agreed. "It's kind of wonderful, too. Thanks for all the help."

When all the people had begun flooding in, Kailash had started panicking. Then Austin had made a phone call and ten minutes later, Marta had shown up. Somewhere in her mid-forties, Marta was vibrant and loud—when she wanted to be—and a lot of help. After years of dealing with reporters she'd been able to shout them into toeing the line, at least long enough for Kailash to get some organization going again. Not only that, but she was helping to keep order behind the scenes as well, as much as anyone could. Yet again, Kailash thought, Austin comes to my rescue.

"Hey, don't worry about it," Marta said. "Besides, hard to say no when Austin asks. He's such a sweetie."

Kailash smiled. "Yeah..."

"Are you two talking about me behind my back?"

Kailash whirled. Austin stood behind them, his arms folded over his chest, watching the two of them. He wore the t-shirt and coat that Kailash had designed with his own jeans and boots, and he'd added a cowboy hat, which she had to admit looked good on him. That coat really is well-suited to him, she thought. She was hoping that she might do all right on that piece when it came to actually selling the items. With the amount of people who'd showed up she might just have a chance at that. Though they wouldn't all get to see the clothes on the runway, Kailash was working to make sure that models would be wearing many of the designs at the reception afterwards.

"Of course we are, darling," Marta responded brightly. "You look good enough to eat. Get your cute ass up on that runway and work it."

Austin stared at her briefly, then shook his head. "You've always had a way with words, Marta," he said. His gaze shifted to Kailash. "Wish me luck."

"Like you need it," she replied.

He smiled at them both and tipped his hat before heading through the doors, passing another model just coming down off the runway. Though there were a couple of other male models in the show, none were drawing attention quite like Austin.

"I know it's unprofessional and inappropriate of me," Marta commented, "but whenever I see him looking like that, all I can think is 'save a horse, ride a cowboy'."

Kailash's eyes widened and she clapped a hand over her mouth, stifling a sound that was just as unprofessional and inappropriate.

"I've noticed the way you look at him, you know," Marta said. "I've known the boy for years and seen a lot of girls lust after him, but you look like you really care. Be good to him." Marta patted her on the shoulder encouragingly. Which didn't do much to blunt the edge of her honesty. "If you're not, I'll hurt you."

Kailash didn't really get a chance to reply. Someone calling her name drew her attention. She looked around and saw Kerry near some of the clothing racks, waving wildly at her. Oh now what? she wondered, groaning inwardly. She left Marta to handle the models going on and coming off the runway and dashed to the back of the makeshift room—not easy to do in the heels she'd borrowed. Thank god they were wedges.

When she reached Kerry she saw the problem immediately. One of the gowns that Kerry and Rose had made together had a train. It was a gorgeous piece, fairly simple and elegant, in a stunning amethyst color. The train was an array of purple, cream, and dove gray that started high on the back and gave an edge to the otherwise plain garment. The fabrics were all delicate though and could tear easily, and that appeared to be what had happened. Rose and—to Kailash's surprise—Karen were both busy working to sew the train back in place while the model stood there, looking upset.

"We could use your talent with a needle," Kerry explained. "Rose and I just aren't that fast without sewing machines. Karen's covered a lot of ground but it isn't going quite fast enough."

"I'm so sorry," the model piped in. "I'm so, so sorry. I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing..."

"Don't worry about it," Kailash said, taking the needle Rose handed over. "We were prepared for this sort of thing."

Well, kind of, anyway. They'd kept needles and thread handy just in case. Karen, who was usually very good at disappearing during such events, had been there every step of the way, working hard and helping far more than Kailash would have expected. And thank goodness, Kailash thought, because she is fast with a needle. It was a really good thing that, after all her years working with Sunrise, she was getting quite adept at cleaning up messes.

*****

Fortunately the reception was being held in the college's cafeteria, which was bigger than the auditorium by a fair margin. Even Austin was surprised by the turnout. It was more than just press and curious fans that had shown up, as well. There were people who were genuinely interested in the cause, in Sunrise, and they were making an effort to find out more about the organization. That was far more than Austin could have hoped for. He'd been watching when they'd approached Kailash and seeing how happy it made her filled him with warmth. Marta was right, he thought, sighing. I've fallen for her. Hard. Something Marta had taken time to point out when he'd been coming off the runway.

At the moment he wasn't sure where Kailash was, since she was so busy running around and talking to as many people as she could. Austin kept hoping for glimpses of her; she was looking absolutely gorgeous tonight. Aside from the dress, which looked perfect on her, someone had gotten to her and done her hair and make-up. And he'd been right about the locket matching the dress. A good thing, too, he thought. Austin hadn't been kidding when he'd told her that it had taken a lot of effort to figure out what she might like, and he'd been relieved to see how much she'd loved it.

So for the time being Austin sat at one of the tables at the side of the cafeteria, listening to Rose and Kerry talking at a table next to him. He wasn't alone though; sitting in the chair next to him, completely oblivious to the rest of the world, was Wren. The book she was holding looked to be different from the one she'd had earlier. What was it about the world that made her want to spend so much time hiding in another one? Austin would have to make it a point to ask Kailash a bit more about Wren at some point.

"You know," he said, "perhaps I've gotten spoiled over the years, but I'm not used to sitting with a woman who won't talk to me."

Wren looked up from her book and blinked at him. There was definitely a birdlike quality to her. "Are you talking to me?"

"Do you see anyone else sitting at this table with me?"

"Why would you want to talk to me?" Wren demanded. She did, he noticed, close her book and he managed to refrain from asking her how she'd remember her place without a marker.

"Why not?" Austin reached for the glass of water he'd gotten earlier. "I figure, if nothing else, I can always pry for information about Kailash."

That seemed to actually catch Wren's attention. She sat up a bit straighter and eyed him warily. For the first time Austin noticed that her eyes were purple. Not grayish or bluish but honestly purple. She was just a little pudgy and round-faced, as though she hadn't quite grown out of it yet. Whoa, he thought. In a few years she is going to be really stunning. He hadn't been close enough to her before to see it, but now that he got a good look at her, he saw that Wren could be quite the heartbreaker someday. Austin wondered if she'd ever realize it herself.

"Kailash is my friend," Wren said. There was something defensive and protective in her tone.

"I know," Austin told her. "I was thinking of...maybe doing something for her, for Christmas."

"Kailash likes snow," Wren murmured. She turned her head to stare at the crowd. "She hasn't seen it in years. And I've never seen it. She promised to take me snowboarding someday." Her voice was soft and dreamy as she spoke. Wren definitely wasn't the type that anyone would think would like to go snowboarding. "You...you're just going to hurt her."

Now that took Austin by surprise. What had given Wren that impression? As far as he knew, none of the kids from Sunrise had any idea about what was going on between him and Kailash. Maybe some of it was just obvious, but still...

A flash of movement in the crowd caught his eye and he looked up to see Kailash standing still for a moment. When she saw Austin and Wren she smiled brightly and waved. Then someone called her name and she was off again. He stared after her, wishing that she would come and talk to him. Uh oh, Austin thought, frowning. This was even worse than Marta thought it was. He realized that he was more than falling for Kailash. It was rapidly becoming more than lust, more than like, it was...No way, he thought. It's barely been three weeks since we met...

He took a deep breath. There was nothing he could do about it right at that moment anyway, so he might as well not think about it too hard.

"I won't hurt her," Austin assured Wren. "If anything, I think she might hurt me."

Wren turned on him suddenly. "She wouldn't do that," she said sharply.

"Not on purpose," Austin agreed. He leaned back in his chair. "Tell me...did you see anything in the show that you liked?"

"Why does that matter? None of it would fit me." Wren snorted. She hardly seemed bothered by the abrupt change of subject. "Nor would I have the money for it if I did. So, why are you talking to me again?"

"Because I think someone should," he said. He tried a smile, hoping it would be reassuring. "So? Anything?"

Wren's purple eyes were unnerving in long doses but she seemed to be softening just a little, at least. Austin was reminded of something that Kailash had said in her letter; children needed love the most when they were being their most unlovable. Maybe it was because he hadn't given up on her right away, but Wren didn't seem to be shutting him out completely. He could see the slight purse of her lips and the thoughtful expression in her eyes, and he realized that she was actually considering his question. Maybe she was only wondering if he was serious, but it was something. Austin wouldn't mind wringing the neck of the person—or people—who had made her so distrustful.

"Well...I liked the stuff by those two girls," Wren said at last. "The duo. Kailash was telling me about them. Their stuff is cool."

Austin nodded. "True. You know, I really like your honesty. Someone else might have said Kailash's work, just because you're friends."

"Oh." Wren shrugged. "I like her work, but it wasn't my favorite. Is that a bad thing?"

"Not at all. Do you think you could do me a favor?" Austin tilted his head at the crowd. "Could you find Kailash for me and ask her when she intends on calling it a night? There's something I want to show her."

Wren made sure to claim her book before leaving the table. Austin watched her go, amused. Her honesty would probably get on a lot of people's nerves but there would be someone, somewhere, who could appreciate it very much. He leaned back further, letting the front legs of the chair come up off the floor. Rose and Kerry turned their own chairs to face him. Austin had noticed them going silent when Wren was speaking. It was quite some luck that they'd been sitting right there.

"We could probably make something for her," Kerry suggested, before Austin even got the chance to ask the question.

"We did want to do a little more for the foundation," Rose added. "These kids...they're not so bad."

"And Kailash told us a bit about Wren," Kerry continued. Her expression changed to a thoughtful frown. "It's kind of creepy, actually. You'd never guess it by looking at her. Maybe a little pampering and stuff would do her good."

Austin wanted badly to ask them what they knew but he didn't dare pry. Also, he wasn't sure he could keep himself from saying something about the way the two of them spoke. At least they weren't finishing each other's sentences...yet.

Wren returned, clutching her book and looking a bit unnerved. Perhaps she'd finally realized how big the crowd was. As she stopped in front of the table, both Kerry and Rose stood up from their chairs. Once again Austin was reminded of a bird as Wren looked back and forth between the two of them. He saw a flash of panic in her eyes as the two women approached her. Yet neither one of them got too close to her or touched her and after a moment she relaxed. Her purple eyes were intent as she turned them on Austin.

"Kailash said she's getting tired," Wren reported. "She said she'll probably be done in about an hour."

"Thanks." Austin smiled at her, then nodded to Rose and Kerry.

This time the two women grabbed Wren by the arms and started pulling her backwards. She let out a sharp yelp of protest and then Kerry leaned down and whispered something in her ear. Wren's big purple eyes focused on Austin for a moment. Then she flashed him a wry smile, rolled her eyes, and turned to follow Kerry and Rose. It hadn't even been his idea exactly, but maybe it wouldn't hurt for her to think that a few people had had a hand in it. His mother had always said that all it took was for a handful of people to care enough.

And now he had an hour. He wanted to speak to Marta briefly, but then he had something else he needed to do. Something Wren had said had given him an idea. It would probably take a bit of bribery to accomplish but Austin had a plan.

*****

The limo was a small one, quite cozy and not tasteless as some of them tended to be. Kailash relaxed on the seat next to Austin, feeling a little tired but mostly exhilarated. The show had been a bigger success than she could have imagined. And during the reception afterwards she'd spoken to so many people who had wanted to lend aid to Sunrise. She had been worried that she wouldn't be able to explain to others why the kids at Sunrise deserved to be helped. But the kids had surprised her. With Rita and Erik leading the way, most of them had made quite an impression on the guests. And yeah, they'd hammed it up a little, perhaps, but Kailash was glad to see them making an effort for Sunrise regardless.

A warm breeze came down through the open sunroof. Kailash stretched, enjoying the feel of it on her skin. Her belly was full of Chinese food and she wasn't quite sure how Austin was able to eat more. He sat there next to her, picking through a carton with a pair of chopsticks, his eyes watching her. After seeing him on the runway, looking—for the most part—like a bad boy or a rough, scruffy cowboy, it was amusing to see him holding his chopsticks so primly. Kailash bit her lip against a giggle that bubbled up inside her, but it must have shown on her face because Austin paused in his eating to give her a questioning look.

"Keep that up," Austin said, managing to remain completely deadpan, "and I'll have the driver turn this limo around and take you home. No surprise for you."

"You won't," Kailash said. She sounded so confident to her ears that it shocked her. "You have too much fun doing these sorts of things for that."

She stretched out across the seat and rested her head on Austin's thigh. Kailash had been feeling mighty friendly towards him all night, what with the help he'd given her and everyone else involved. When she'd been about to leave for the night Rose had pulled her aside to talk to her. She'd explained what she and Kerry were doing for Wren, and told Kailash about the effort Austin had made to talk to the girl. That left Kailash in a rather affectionate mood. Wren needed to see that those working at and for Sunrise cared about her.

As she snuggled up to him, letting her cheek press against his stomach, Kailash watched Austin's face. Those lovely jewel-like blue-green eyes of his were bright with a smile. He set the carton aside and reached down to gently stroke her cheek. His hands were warm and his fingertips a bit work-roughened. Kailash let her eyes drift partway shut as he idly traced the contours of her face, the feeling soothing. The tip of his finger passed along the bridge of her nose, before giving it a little tweak.

"You're right," he said at last. "You know, you've got a good handle on me for someone who's only known me for three weeks."

"Three weeks," Kailash murmured, staring up at the mostly dark sky passing above them. "It feels like I've known you for years..."

Something about Austin's presence just felt right to her. Laying there as she was, Kailash didn't feel like she was overstepping boundaries or anything like that. Never in my life have I been so bold, she thought, as I am when I'm with him. What was she going to do when he had to leave? Because eventually he would have to be gone, for a longer period of time than he had before, and she might not hear from him at all. Well, Kailash supposed she would just have to worry about that when the time came.

The limo came to a stop at last and Kailash straightened. It was a bit weird having someone open car doors for her. As she stepped out of the limo she realized that they were in a district that didn't exactly cater to the poor. A building towered over them, a hotel by the looks of things; she could see the lobby through the doors and there was a bellhop, pushing a cart loaded with luggage, across it. Whoa, Kailash thought, staring up at the huge chandeliers as Austin led her inside. So this is where he's staying. She imagined he'd probably rather stay with his mother, but this was likely a good way to keep reporters away from the farm.

Kailash stood in the middle of the lobby, trying to take it all in, while Austin spoke to the man behind the front desk. A lot of times hotels were decorated too gaudily or they were so plain that they came across as sterile. She loved the seascape feel to the place and how wide open everything was. Oh, the fashion show she could plan in a place like this...

"Done gaping?" Austin teased, as he came back to her. He rested a hand on the small of her back. "I'd like to go up to my room. Unless you want to see more?"

"Your room, huh?" Kailash let him steer her towards the elevators. If she really wanted to see more of the hotel later she could always ask him to show her. "Isn't that a bit presumptuous of you?"