20
The ballroom of the luxury hotel was filled with a couple hundred members of the highest echelons of Poughkeepsie society. There was an open bar, a large dance area with a small orchestra playing classical music, and waiters flitting in and around groups like determined hummingbirds. One entire wall, facing the back of the hotel, consisted of half a dozen French doors that were probably kept open in the warmer seasons. Stanton had his hand on Sammi’s lower back most of the time they were at the gala. It had been more than half an hour, but he was clearly reluctant to leave her alone.
She’d spotted a few of her clients, who were generous in acknowledging her, although registering shock on their faces upon seeing who was by her side. And by her side Stanton stayed, with one hand on her
