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came face-to-face with the woman who’d dominated his thoughts since he told her he didn’t want to see her. But there she was with her six stunning sisters. In bridesmaid apparel, each a shade of pink, three graced one side of the bride—Caterina—and three on the other. His gaze focused on the third woman to the left. She wore a strapless, form-fitting deep rose dress. He had noidea she had those kinds of curves. Her hair was chin length then, but as thick and luscious as the rest of her sisters’. “I…I’m speechless. This is a spectacular photograph. Did the groom take it?”
    “He insisted on shooting some photos himself.”
    “It must be valuable.”
    “Apparently, which is why we donated this one to the Youth Arts Center.” She shook her head. “We all think it’s sillythat someone outside of the family would buy one of our wedding photos. But I guess all of Aidan’s work is coveted.”
    “This one is beautiful.”
    Caterina regaled him with a few stories about her sisters, which he absorbed intently. He particularly liked the one about Paulina and Antonia playing pranks on their sisters. “But Paulie was the instigator. Though Nia’s shy, she did whatever hertwin told her to.”
    “I met her.”
    “She works at the business, too.”
    Right then the last bids before dinner were called
.
    “My cue to leave,” Caterina said. “I promised my in-laws I’d be back by eight. They have Katie and Donnie.”
    Adam’s brows rose. “You named your son after Paulina’s husband?”
    “Yes. My sister-in-law Sophie named her child after Peter.”
    “How sweet. You andyour family must be close.”
    “Very. It was nice meeting you, Adam.”
    “More so for me, meeting you. I hope I see you again.”
    “Perhaps, because of the music hall.”
    As she walked away, Adam shook his head, his mind filled with the beautiful Ludzecky women. He had a feeling they’d stay in his mind all night.
    He walked the exhibit and made sure he bid on a few pieces. Dinner was called,so he headed to a table up front that had been reserved for Elyssa. Several people had already been seated, and he ended up next to someone who again seemed vaguely familiar
.
    Elyssa touched the man’s arm. “Rafael Castle, this is my friend, Adam Armstrong.” The man had blue eyes the color of sapphires and curly brown hair. His smile was broad when he said, “The architect? I admire your work.”

    “Thank you. I’m familiar with yours, too.”
    “I’m always surprised to hear that.”
    “Don’t be so modest, Rafe.” To Adam, Elyssa explained, “He was recently featured as one of New York’s up-and-coming artists at the Guggenheim.”
    “Now there’s a beautiful building.” Rafe took the emphasis off his own work. Adam did the same thing sometimes.
    “The title of your exhibits is clever, Rafe,”Elyssa added.
“Castle in the Sky.”
He laughed with ease. “You’d think I decided to paint the skyscapes just to use that line, wouldn’t you?”
    Shaking his head, Adam said, “Somehow, you seem too down-to-earth for that.”
    Elyssa cocked her head. “I’m sorry Jonas Crane couldn’t attend with you.”
    “He’s under the weather.”
    “Jonas Crane?” Adam said. “I tried to buy one of his pieces oncebut didn’t get it. You know him?”
    “He was my mentor, and much more.”
    The woman on the other side of Rafe touched his arm. “Mr. Castle, I’d like to talk to you about
Lavender Loneliness
, the painting you donated.”
    Dinner was served, and Adam settled in and ate his filet mignon. He listened to officials ask for support for the center. He overheard Elyssa courting the banker next to her,trying to get him to furnish his new building with artwork from the auction. Some of the donors had been asked to say a few words, and when Rafe Castle was called up, he spoke with charm, enthusiasm and confidence. Adam liked him
.
    Back at the table, Rafe didn’t sit down. “Want to see the painting Jonas Crane