His Band Of Gold
Melissa McClone
She didn't believe in love or marriage–for herself at least. For others, wedding consultant Kelsey Armstrong Waters planned the most perfect weddings–and hoped for the best. But her much-married parents made her vow never to step down the aisle. Until she met Will Addison.He'd come to beg Kelsey's help in planning his flighty sister's wedding, and against her instincts she'd agreed. He was handsome, sexy, a romantic who believed in love–and a man who stirred dreams she'd thought long gone. Now Kelsey was even forgetting the most basic rule: Remember–you're not the bride!Or would she be?
A perfect match.
Kelsey Armstrong Waters stared at her reflection in the three-way mirror and grinned. The vintage lace veil looked as if it had been woven specifically for the porcelain flower wreath she’d found in Paris. Any one of Kelsey’s brides would consider herself fortunate to wear the exquisite pieces.
She adjusted the veil slightly. Oh, my. Kelsey blinked. Once. Twice.
The unbelievable happened. She looked like a bride. An unexpected rush of emotion overtook her. But not even catching her cousin’s wedding bouquet or wearing this breathtaking headpiece would change what she already knew in her heart to be true. Marriage wasn’t for her. Not now, not ever.
The sound of a male voice sent a shiver down her spine. Standing in the doorway was a man dressed in khakis, a white shirt and a brown leather jacket.
This is the man I’m going to marry.
Dear Reader,
I’m dreaming of summer vacations—of sitting by the beach, dangling my feet in a lake, walking on a mountain or curling up in a hammock. And in each vision, I have a Silhouette Romance novel, and I’m happy. Why don’t you grab a couple and join me? And in each book take a look at our Silhouette Makes You a Star contest!
We’ve got some terrific titles in store for you this month. Longtime favorite author Cathie Linz has developed some delightful stories with U.S. Marine heroes and Stranded with the Sergeant is appealing and fun. Cara Colter has the second of her THE WEDDING LEGACY titles for you. The Heiress Takes a Husband features a rich young woman who’s struggling to prove herself—and the handsome attorney who lends a hand.
Arlene James has written over fifty titles for Silhouette Books, and her expertise shows. So Dear to My Heart is a tender, original story of a woman finding happiness again. And Karen Rose Smith—another popular veteran—brings us Doctor in Demand, about a wounded man who’s healed by the love of a woman and her child.
And two newer authors round out the list! Melissa McClone’s His Band of Gold is an emotional realization of the power of love, and Sue Swift debuts in Silhouette Romance with His Baby, Her Heart, in which a woman agrees to fulfill her late sister’s dream of children. It’s an unusual and powerful story that is part of our THE BABY’s SECRET series.
Enjoy these stories, and make time to appreciate yourselves in your hectic lives! Have a wonderful summer.
Happy reading!
Mary-Theresa Hussey
Senior Editor
His Band of Gold
Melissa McClone
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
To Louise Vernon and her Wednesday night group: Barbara, Jenny, Laurie, Linda and Shirley.
Books by Melissa McClone
Silhouette Romance
If the Ring Fits… #1431
The Wedding Lullaby #1485
His Band of Gold #1537
Yours Truly
Fiancé for the Night
MELISSA MCCLONE
With a degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, the last thing Melissa McClone ever thought she would be doing is writing romance novels, but analyzing engines for a major U.S. airline just couldn’t compete with her “happily-ever-afters.”
When she isn’t writing, caring for her two young children or doing laundry, Melissa loves to curl up on the couch with a cup of tea, her cats and a good book. She is also a big fan of The X-Files and enjoys watching home decorating shows to get ideas for her house—a 1939 cottage that is slowly being renovated.
Melissa lives in Lake Oswego, Oregon, with her own real-life hero husband, daughter, son, two lovable but oh-so-spoiled indoor cats and a no-longer-stray outdoor kitty who decided to call the garage home. Melissa loves to hear from readers. You can write to her at P.O. Box 63, Lake Oswego, OR 97034.
Contents
Prologue (#u1d3d2b4d-d41c-5e0f-94f8-69d9b115080d)
Chapter One (#uba26b70d-1cb2-54ac-8991-dc333ebdadb2)
Chapter Two (#u0b5464d8-a8d5-5c17-940e-f4653dfbfda1)
Chapter Three (#u13526069-fce9-5306-98ca-a74e83cf772f)
Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Prologue
“You know what this means, don’t you?” The beaming princess bride, Her Serene Highness Christina Armstrong de Thierry of San Montico, didn’t give Kelsey time to answer. “You’ll be the next one to get married.”
“No.” Kelsey Armstrong Waters stared at the breathtaking all-white royal bridal bouquet in her hands. The sweet scent of the roses tickled her nostrils as if the flowers got the joke. The last thing she’d intended to do was to catch the damn bouquet, but before she knew what was happening she had. Her first thought had been to let it fall to the ground, but as maid of honor—not to mention a wedding consultant herself—she couldn’t allow that to happen. Nor would she allow herself to buy into that silly myth. Not even for her favorite cousin. “I won’t be getting married.”
“You say that now.” Christina gazed longingly at her handsome husband, Prince Richard de Thierry, and her smile widened. “Just wait until you meet Mr. Right. Trust me, you’ll change your mind. Fast.”
Kelsey didn’t want to spoil her cousin’s perfect wedding day so she held her tongue. The institution of marriage might be perfect for Christina and many others, but it would never be for Kelsey. “Why don’t you toss it again so someone else can catch it and not ruin any…traditions?”
“You won’t be able to stop this tradition from coming true.” Christina was practically floating three feet off the ground in the crowded ballroom. Given her fairy-tale romance and royal wedding, no one could blame her, including Kelsey. It was hard for even the most cynical not to get caught up in the magical atmosphere. No doubt this was one couple who would live happily ever after. Christina sighed. “There’s something about the magical power of love…”
Magic was one thing, but love? Forget it. Kelsey knew firsthand that the majority of marriages failed. Her parents and many of her clients were nothing more than statistics. Marriage was as easy as saying “I do,” but divorce was even easier. All it took was an “I don’t.” A sad but true fact of life. And one she never wanted to be a part of. Ever. “I only caught the bouquet. I didn’t get the royal engagement ring stuck on my finger like you did.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
As Christina waved her left hand in the air, the enchanted ring that had brought her and her prince together acted as a prism, sending a colorful spectrum of light flashing. The sparkles landed on wedding guests as if the ring were spreading its magic on all it touched. Kelsey took a step back to avoid being hit, but the light still managed to flash on the bouquet in her hands. Better the flowers than her.
“You won’t have any choice,” Christina continued. “One day your own Prince Charming will enter your life and the next thing you know you’ll be married.”
That only happened in fairy tales. And for Christina. Kelsey couldn’t help but smile at her favorite cousin’s good fortune. But she was another story.
Kelsey might want a boyfriend, but a husband?
Forget it.
Too much hassle.
Too much trouble.
Too much heartache.
She tightened her grip on the bouquet. “Don’t forget, I’m never getting married.”
“Never say never.” Christina grinned. “Trust me on this one, okay?”
Chapter One
January 31
A perfect match.
Kelsey Armstrong Waters stared at her reflection in the three-way mirror and grinned. The vintage lace veil she’d purchased in London looked as if it had been woven specifically for the pearl, diamond and porcelain flower wreath she’d found in Paris. A satisfied feeling settled in the center of her chest. Any one of Kelsey’s brides would consider herself fortunate to wear the exquisite pieces.
She adjusted the veil slightly. Oh, my. Kelsey blinked. Once. Twice.
The unbelievable happened. She looked like a bride and felt like one, too. Glowing, radiant, you name it. Love, happily-ever-after, even magic seemed to fill the room. An unexpected rush of emotion overtook her. Kelsey sighed.
Was this how all those brides felt when they found “the” gown to wear? Was this what caused the tears to spike their lashes and their smiles to widen? Was this it?
She took a deep breath and smelled the sweet scent of roses, but that wasn’t possible. The only roses in her office were the dried blossoms from the royal wedding bouquet she’d caught, preserved and put on display for her clients to see. It was her one perk for catching the flowers—the pop culture value of having a piece of history from the royal wedding.
Thinking about the bouquet made her think of her cousin. No doubt Christina would have a good laugh if she saw Kelsey right now. On second thought, Christina would probably be thrilled and tell Kelsey what a lovely bride she’ll be when she finally walked down the aisle herself.
But that wasn’t about to happen. Not even catching the wedding bouquet or wearing this breathtaking headpiece would change what she already knew in her heart to be true. Marriage wasn’t for her. Not now, not ever.
Frowning, she stared at her reflection once again. Trying on the veil and wreath had been a stupid idea. “Why didn’t I just eat a two pound bag of peanut M&M’s instead?”
“I prefer plain myself.” The one-hundred-percent male voice sent a shiver down her spine.
Even though she was alone, she didn’t feel threatened. Having a suite of offices in one of the most exclusive buildings in Beverly Hills afforded her some security. Kelsey turned.
Standing in the doorway of the reception area was a man dressed in a pair of khakis, a white oxford shirt and a brown leather jacket. Casual yet classic. A man’s man kind of outfit. And that hair…His deep brown—almost-black—hair fell just above his jacket collar and was brushed back off his forehead as if it were a careless afterthought.
He was, in a word—spectacular. Considering her aptly earned title, “Wedding Consultant to the Stars,” that was saying something. He could have been a model except for the slightly crooked nose that gave his face personality. Lots of personality. Kelsey smiled. His chiseled cheekbones could have only been sculpted by a great artist. His full lips hinted of hot, slow kisses. And his eyes made her feel as if she were the most important woman in the world.
This is the man I’m going to marry.
The thought came from out of nowhere, and she tried to understand the motivating factor behind it. She’d been surrounded by gorgeous men most of her life and knew better than to be taken in by a pretty face. Still, his relaxed stance and easy smile appealed to her on a gut level.
He’d hardly said five words, but his charm reached across the expanse of her office. Too bad she hadn’t heard bells when she first saw him, then she’d know…
Know what? That she was acting like a teenager with her first crush? “May I help you?”
“I’m looking for Kelsey Waters.” He smiled, a charming smile that showed off straight white teeth, and her legs turned to linguini. Okay, she was a sucker for a great smile.
“I—I…” Hoping to quell the butterflies churning up her stomach, she breathed deeply and exhaled. Slowly. She couldn’t remember the last time a man—any man—had her so tongue-tied, and she didn’t like it. She was twenty-six years old, not thirteen. Time to get control. “I’m Kelsey Armstrong Waters.”
“So you’re the one I’ve been looking for.”
Her breath caught in her throat. Breathe, she ordered herself. Just breathe. “How can I help you?”
“I need help planning a wedding.”
Reality hit Kelsey, low and hard. The handsome stranger was a potential client—someone else’s groom.
Disappointment shot through her. Not that she personally wanted a groom. Maybe she could borrow him for a date or two. What was she thinking? Oh, boy, she needed a vacation more than she realized. Time away from nervous brides and jittery grooms and treasury-breaking weddings…Only a few more hours until her flight.
She forced a smile. “And you are…?”
“Will.” As he walked toward her, he grinned. The smile crinkled the corners of his green eyes and made him even more appealing. “Will Addison.”
Addison. The name sounded familiar, but she hadn’t met him before. She knew that for certain.
“Nice to meet you.” She forced the words from her drier-than-dry mouth and extended her right arm. As his hand touched hers, tingles shot up her arm and straight down to the tips of her leather pumps.
Ignore the tingles, Kelsey told herself. Concentrate on something else, anything else. Like his handshake. His handshake was solid, firm, as was the man in front of her. She was nearly five-nine, but she felt almost petite standing in front of his six-foot-plus frame. Realizing she’d allowed the handshake to last longer than was appropriate, she pulled her hand away.
“Nice veil,” Will said in that deep, warm voice of his. “You’ll make a lovely bride.”
A bride? Kelsey touched the top of her head. Great, she still had the headpiece on. She could only imagine how ridiculous she looked in the getup. The least he could have done was mention it earlier so she didn’t look like such a fool. Kelsey removed the wreath and veil and set them on a nearby table. “I’m not getting married. Just trying them on. I like to keep certain one-of-a-kind items in stock for my clients.”
“Whatever bride wears that veil will be one lucky lady.”
The compliment warmed her cheeks. What was happening to her? She wasn’t the blushing type.
“What can I do for you?” The words came out sounding husky, a way she hadn’t meant them to sound.
“My sister’s getting married and wants you to coordinate her wedding.”
His sister. Kelsey’s pulse picked up speed, racing faster than a car chase on the 101. The knowledge that Will Addison wasn’t the groom-to-be made her feel as though one of her weddings had been featured on “Weddings of a Lifetime.” She really did need a vacation if this was what a handsome stranger could do to her. Kelsey motioned him to the area where she consulted with clients. “Why don’t you have a seat?”
“Thanks.” Will sat in one of the overstuffed chintz-covered down chairs. “Nice place.”
“Thanks.” He should have looked out of place among all the feminine decor and bridal accessories, but he didn’t. Not one bit. And it annoyed Kelsey. This was her turf, her home field advantage, so to speak. Yet he didn’t seem uncomfortable among all the ruffles, ribbons and frills. “So when…”
As he picked up one of the bride magazines from the table and set it back down, Kelsey caught a flash of gold. She glanced at his left hand. At the ring finger of his left hand. At the gold wedding band on his ring finger.
Married. The man of her dreams was somebody else’s husband. No doubt another woman had realized he was a keeper. Yet he had flirted—well, maybe not flirted, but he’d—
Stop it.
This wasn’t like her. Not one bit. Will Addison was not the man of her dreams. Such a man didn’t exist. Kelsey of all people knew better than to engage in any sort of romantic fantasy. Not even for the briefest of moments. And definitely not with a married man. She straightened. “When is your sister’s big day, Mr. Addison?”
“Friends call me Will.”
“I’m sure they do.” Business demeanor back in place, Kelsey pulled out the five-year calendar planner from a nearby shelf and flipped it open. “So when does your sister want to get married?”
“February fourteenth.”
“I’m already booked for next year.”
“Not next year.” As he leaned toward her, she caught a whiff of him. Soap and water and something woodsy. Whatever cologne he wore, he smelled good, too good. Kelsey inched back in her chair until she could go no farther. She didn’t need a Ph.D. to know Will Addison was trouble. Big trouble. “This year.”
“But today’s the thirty-first of January. That’s only…”
“Two weeks away. It’s short notice, but—”
“Sorry, not possible.” With little regret, she closed the planner. It would be much better this way. Much better for her, that was.
“You have another wedding scheduled?”
Kelsey hesitated. This wasn’t her problem, her fault. Yet the intense look on his face… “I did, but it was canceled after the bride met someone else.”
The edges of his mouth turned up slightly. “So you can coordinate my sister’s wedding.”
She noticed he wasn’t asking her a question. “I can’t. Several clients offered to move their weddings up to Valentine’s Day, but I decided to take advantage of the cancellation and give my staff a well-deserved vacation. Everyone’s gone.”
Hope brightened his eyes, making them sparkle like emeralds. Not jewels, Kelsey told herself, but broccoli or AstroTurf or anything else that would be green and unromantic. Remember he’s married. And even if he wasn’t… “You’re here,” he said.
“Not for long. My flight leaves in three hours.” Kelsey reached for a nearby pad of paper and a pen. “I can give you some names of other wedding designers, but at this late date—”
“You don’t understand.” He brushed his hand through his hair, giving it an even more careless look than before. “It has to be you.”
“May I ask why?”
“Both my mother and my sister want it to be you.”
The desperation in Will’s voice almost made her believe it was true. He was a good actor, real good. “If it’s so important to them, why didn’t they come?”
His lips tightened, and he glanced at the pile of magazines. “It’s…complicated.”
It always was. “Mr. Addison, I’m about to leave the country for a much-needed vacation. I don’t have time for complications.”
He stared directly into her eyes, and Kelsey felt woozy. “My sister is Faith Starr.”
Of all the nerve…Kelsey’s blood pressure soared off the chart and perspiration wet the back of her neck. “Faith Starr?”
At least Kelsey now knew why Will Addison’s name sounded familiar—he was a blood relation, a brother no less, of the world’s worst client. It was all coming back to her. Will was the oldest of the siblings who traveled the globe running the family chain of Starr Properties—resorts, hotels and inns named for his mother—that catered to the rich, famous and not-so-famous. Just as Starr Addison’s husband, Bill, had used his wife’s name for the family’s real-estate venture, Faith had taken her mother’s name for her stage name. Not that it made a difference.
Nothing made a difference where Faith Starr was concerned.
Kelsey rose, barely able to contain the anger threatening to erupt worse than Mt. Vesuvius. She was an Armstrong and had been raised properly to follow etiquette and protocol, but one could only be polite for so long. “Get out of my office, Mr. Addison. Now.”
He stood. “I understand why you’re upset. Faith hasn’t been the most reliable—”
“Your sister is nothing more than a spoiled starlet, who strings fiancés along as if they were her personal puppets.” Faith Starr, actress extraordinaire and the world’s most famous runaway bride, had almost given Kelsey an ulcer—four times in the past three years. Faith was a perfectionist both in her craft and in planning her weddings. Never had Kelsey worked so hard with so little payoff in her life.
“I’ve already planned four weddings for her. Count them—four.” Kelsey raised four fingers. That was three too many. More business was one thing, but this… “I won’t be involved in number five.”
“Can’t we talk about this? Work something—”
“Out. I have nothing more to say on this matter so please leave.”
“If you only understood the circumstances—”
“Look,” Kelsey said, trying to keep her tone polite, yet firm. “I appreciate you came on behalf of your family. That’s very…noble of you considering my past with your sister. But nothing you say will change my mind.”
His assessing gaze made her self-conscious. It was all she could do not to smooth her skirt and check to see if a piece of spinach was caught between her teeth. “Are you always so stubborn?” he asked, his eyes twinkling.
“Out. Now.” At least the band of gold wasn’t the only negative thing about Will Addison. “Get out of my office before I call security and have you thrown out.”
Waiting for Kelsey to step out into the hallway was far from Will’s idea of a good time, but he wasn’t leaving until he had a chance to speak with her again.
The seconds turned into minutes; the minutes into an hour. How much longer before she left for the airport? He stared at the door to Kelsey’s office. No catchy name for her business, simply Kelsey Armstrong Waters, Wedding Consultant, in a script font. Too bad there was nothing simple about the woman herself.
He should have handled it better, but Kelsey had caught him off guard, and he wasn’t a man used to being caught off guard. He didn’t like the feeling one bit.
Damn Faith.
Will was going to kill her. He shouldn’t have promised to oversee her wedding planning while she finished filming her latest movie. Faith had said this would be easy. As easy as pushing an elephant into an elevator. And the wedding was the least of it.
Will was used to being around beautiful, wealthy, accomplished women and having them flirt, even pursue him. He was used to tolerating such women; he was an expert at fending off their advances unless he wanted a little company. But it never went further than that. No one intrigued him enough to make him want more.
Until today.
Something had happened when he’d seen Kelsey’s reflection in the mirror. He’d stood transfixed as if watching a piece of living art. Unguarded expressions had played on her face, and emotion clogged his throat. He’d felt as if he were trespassing, but he hadn’t been able to stop staring at her. Tall and willowy, with long chestnut hair that shone and sparkled as if each strand had been individually cleaned and polished, she looked so young, so soft, so sweet. The wistful smile on her face had touched his heart and he’d wanted to capture the moment. For the first time in a long while, he’d felt the racing of his pulse, the pounding of his heart. And he’d liked the way it felt. Liked it a lot.
When Kelsey had realized she wasn’t alone, the glowing bride-to-be had metamorphosed into the cool, distant professional. No flirting, no fawning. She’d even called him “Mr. Addison” and kept it strictly business.
Yet when she’d realized he was Faith Starr’s brother…Talk about passion boiling under a cool facade. Will couldn’t believe the change in the woman. Flames had danced within the violet depths of her eyes, raising his temperature enough to melt the ice in his veins. She’d shown restraint, yet her anger had been clear. No amount of charm would ever change her mind. Forget the sweet talk, even his never-fail smile hadn’t worked.
Will didn’t get it. He always got what he wanted from women. Even with Sara.
Sara.
Will’s gut tightened.
What the hell was he doing? Being attracted to Kelsey was one thing. He hadn’t spent the past eight years as a total hermit, but he had no right to be intrigued by her. She wasn’t simply a guest at one of his resorts; she was the woman he had to convince to plan his sister’s wedding. His family, most especially his mother, was counting on him to bring Kelsey to Lake Tahoe. He wouldn’t let his mother down. He couldn’t let her down.
The door to Kelsey’s office finally opened. She stepped out, locked the door and turned. The moment she saw him, her lips tightened. “What are you still doing here?”
Her above-the-knee gray tailored suit hugged each and every curve. Will forced his gaze to focus off her body and on her face. There was both a delicacy and a strength to her features. Her classic beauty would only improve over the years, and she didn’t need all that makeup. High cheekbones dusted with blush, full lips painted the color of a mouthwatering plum and eyelids outlined with black liner. At least she hadn’t tried to hide the small mole near the left side of her mouth. “You seemed upset. I wanted to apologize.”
She stared down her perfectly shaped nose as if he were a mere peon. Fine by him. Will knew how to deal with women like that. He made a living catering to customers, to the whims of the wealthy guests staying at his family’s resorts. He hadn’t thought Kelsey fit that cold and shallow mold. She’d seemed more the warm and passionate type, but it would be easier this way. Much easier. “I also wanted to apologize for Faith. She’s very sorry for what she put you through.”
“Which time?”
“All four of them,” he admitted.
Unblinking, Kelsey studied him. “You’ve said your apologies, now leave.”
“I don’t blame you for being upset at Faith, but I wish you would hear me out. You didn’t lose money on any of her weddings.”
“No, your mother saw to that, but I lost something far more valuable—my time.” Kelsey flipped her hair behind her shoulder, and Will felt a twinge in his groin. Ignore it; ignore her. She continued, “And it hurt my reputation. In a business like this, reputation is everything.”
“Granted, but Faith has changed. She loves her new fiancé and is serious about getting married this time.”
“Which of her latest co-stars is she engaged to?”
“He isn’t an actor.”
The news seemed to surprise Kelsey, but she continued to stare at the gilt-framed botanical print on the wall. “A director, then?”
“No. His name is Trent Jeffreys. He runs a nonprofit agency.”
“Nonprofit?”
“Low-cost housing, affordable living alternatives. He’s even got Faith volunteering on a few of his projects.”
“So he’s not in the business.” From the prim tone of her voice, Will could tell Kelsey still wasn’t swayed. “I don’t think having a two-week engagement shows any growth on Faith’s part.”
He saw her point. “She’s been engaged since Halloween.”
“So why are you only coming to me now?”
Here’s where it got tricky, Will realized. Once Kelsey agreed to come with him, she’d learn the truth, but for now that was family business and private. Will wished he could keep it that way, too. Thinking about what had happened to his mother was hard enough. He didn’t want to talk about it. Might as well dangle the big carrot instead to see if Kelsey bit.
“As I said, it’s the real deal this time. No more Hollywood extravaganzas like the weddings Faith asked you to plan for her. She and Trent want a small wedding with only close friends and family in attendance.”
“Doesn’t matter. At this late date every place is booked for Valentine’s Day.”
“Not the Starr Lake Inn at Tahoe.”
Kelsey’s sharp gaze met his. “Weddings aren’t allowed at Starr Properties.”
“True. They are intrusive on our other guests, but rules are made to be broken. Especially for family.” Will saw he’d piqued her interest. “Unfortunately, the plans for Faith’s wedding have gotten—how should I put it?—a little out of hand. We aren’t known for putting on weddings, and we need a professional like yourself to help us with the finishing touches and the final arrangements.”
Kelsey said nothing. The seconds ticked by. Time to seal the deal. America knew how wealthy the Armstrong family was, so money wouldn’t be a good motivator. But according to his mother, Kelsey’s business meant the world to her. “If you agree to work on Faith’s wedding, we’ll allow you to use a Starr property for a future wedding. Any wedding.”
Kelsey’s eyes widened. Yes, her interest was genuinely piqued. Leave it to his mother…
“I’d want an exclusive contract to use any Starr property.”
Will was used to negotiating with cutthroat Realtors, city planners, you name it. Sharks, all of them. Kelsey was as sharp and smart. And something told him he would enjoy the challenge. Will smiled. “Only one?”
“At least one at each of your properties.”
Ouch. The shark bit off one of his limbs and spit it back at him. She reminded him of his mother. Starr was the reason the resorts were such a success. She had taught him everything she knew about business and negotiating. His mother had also taught him when to cut bait. “Fine. You may put on one wedding at each property provided you work with my office and use our chefs and staff.”
Kelsey got a faraway look in her eyes and it softened the features on her face, reminding him of how she’d looked when he’d first stepped inside her office and saw her in the veil. “Let me get this straight. All I have to do to get this wonderful opportunity is cancel my vacation, go with you to Lake Tahoe for the next two weeks and work on Faith’s wedding?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t think so.”
He did a double take. “What did you say?”
“I said no.” She adjusted the leather bag on her shoulder. “Not even the exclusive use of Starr properties could make me want to work with your sister again. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a plane to catch.” Kelsey pushed past him.
Her strength of will impressed him. At least she had principles. But everyone had a price. He only had to find hers. “What would change your mind?”
She pursed her lips. “Do you have another sister who wants to get married?”
“Hope’s already married.”
“Sorry.”
But he could tell she wasn’t. Damn. He’d never expected her to turn down his offer…Now he was in a real bind, which left him only one other option.
To tell her the truth. “Wait.”
She turned. “What is it now?”
“There’s something I haven’t told you about why we need you to plan Faith’s wedding.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.”
This was hard. Much harder than he thought it would be. Will tugged on his now-too-tight collar. “My mother was the one coordinating and making all the plans.”
“Then you don’t need me. Starr’s amazing. She could plan any event with her eyes closed.”
Kelsey was right on the mark about his mother. Starr Addison could do anything she put her mind to, except the one thing that had become her all-consuming goal—marry off her youngest daughter. “That was before,” he forced the words out.
“Before what?”
“My mother had a stroke, and she…” Swallowing hard, he pulled himself together. “She said the only one she trusted to pull off the wedding she’d planned for Faith is you.”
Chapter Two
Starr? A stroke?
It wasn’t possible. But the seriousness in Will’s gaze told Kelsey it was true. Tears stung her eyes and she blinked them away. “How is she doing?”
He shrugged, his features tight. “Things are progressing…slowly.”
A stroke. Kelsey didn’t know what to say. She remembered the helpless feeling that had engulfed her and her entire family when her grandmother Waters had suffered a stroke. The long days and endless nights until Grandmother had had another stroke and died. Kelsey fought the urge to offer comfort. He had a wife to do that. “I’m so sorry. I truly am.”
“Thanks.” His voice was deeper than she’d heard before, and he glanced at the ceiling. “It’s been a…difficult time for all of us. Faith wanted to postpone the wedding, but my mother insists it goes on as planned. Mom wanted to continue doing all the work herself, but it was too much for her.”
Too much for Starr Addison? Kelsey tried to imagine Starr as anything other than her vibrant and energetic self, a woman who’d even tried snowboarding last year just to see what it was like. A strong, confident woman who still had an Achilles’ heel—her daughter, Faith.
Each time Faith decided at the eleventh hour to cancel her wedding, Starr would break the news to Kelsey and hand her a generous check for the work she’d done as if money would wipe the slate clean. Starr apologized for the inconvenience, but not once had she apologized for her daughter’s actions. Neither had Faith, for that matter. Kelsey chalked it up to family loyalty. Still, a simple “I’m sorry” would have made such a difference, but none had come.
She’d kept waiting and hoping. Of course, she’d only contributed to the situation by continuing to plan Faith’s weddings, because Kelsey enjoyed working with Starr, but she wasn’t going to give in and do it again.
Kelsey really wanted—no, she needed to take a vacation. Just her reaction to Will told her she needed to get away from her daily routine. Designing wedding after wedding without time for herself or a little male diversion had taken a toll. A couple of weeks on the island paradise of San Montico with her cousin, Christina, was exactly what Kelsey needed. A little rest and relaxation. Maybe Prince Richard’s royal advisor, Didier Alois, had forgiven her for turning down his marriage proposal and they could spend some time together. If he hadn’t, making up would be a nice challenge. She did enjoy his company even if he’d gone a bit far by proposing after only knowing her for one week. And a casual flirtation might be fun. Yes, this vacation was what she needed, craved, deserved. “I’m really sorry, Will, but I have a plane to catch.”
“My mother’s only wish is to see Faith married. It’s more important to her than her own recovery.” He gazed straight at Kelsey, making her feel as if she needed to take a step—make that ten steps—back. “And you’re the only one she wants to help her.”
An invisible noose tightened around Kelsey’s neck, and she tried to resist caving in. The last thing in the world she wanted to do was to plan a fifth wedding for Faith. Kelsey had promised herself not to allow Starr to sweet-talk her into doing another wedding for her daughter. Now it wasn’t only Starr asking, but Will, too.
“What do you say?” He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Will you help my mother make her dream come true?”
A grapefruit-size lump of guilt lodged in Kelsey’s throat. Closing her eyes, she thought about her grandmother and how important dreams had been to her. Dreams she’d had for and shared with each of her grandchildren. But the stroke had taken away those dreams, taken away everything. There had been little time to do anything but say goodbye. Kelsey had wanted to do more, so much more. And now Will was giving her the chance she hadn’t had before.
The ding of a bell announced the arrival of the elevator, and the doors opened.
“I know your staff is gone, but I’ll help you.” Will smiled. “Tell me what you need done and it’ll be done. I don’t know much about weddings, but I’m a fast learner.”
Her eyes sprang open and her heart leaped with pleasure at the thought of being near Will. It was totally illogical, downright ridiculous. Forget about not wanting to work on Faith’s wedding. The last thing in the world Kelsey wanted to do was to spend two weeks working with Will Addison. “Faith will want to work on her own wedding.”
“She’s on location and won’t be flying in until the day before the wedding. She made me promise to oversee things until she arrived.”
This didn’t sound like the Faith that Kelsey knew. The starlet wanted to be involved with everything. She’d even overseen the flower arrangements for the last wedding. Starr was always a big help, but even she demurred to her daughter’s wishes. “Faith trusts you to oversee her wedding preparations?”
“Yes.” A wry grin graced his lips. “Do you have a problem with this?”
Kelsey’s stomach twisted and turned and tumbled. She should have eaten more than a croissant for breakfast. “Of course not. I’ve worked with grooms—men—before.”
“Does this mean you’ll do it?”
“I…” Glancing at the closing elevator doors ahead of her, she watched her vacation disappear. And with it, her stress level inched upward.
“You can’t imagine what it would mean to my mother and my entire family.”
Damn him. Damn all the Addisons. She did not want to work on another wedding for Faith. Kelsey had promised herself she wouldn’t, yet for her grandmother and Starr… “Okay.”
“Okay what?”
“I’ll coordinate Faith’s wedding.” The gruffness of Kelsey’s voice should have bothered her, but it didn’t. She was doing this under duress. “I’m not saying it again.”
“I’m not asking you to.” Will grinned. He was practically dancing like a bride-to-be registering at Tiffany & Co.
At least one of them was getting some enjoyment out of this. She knew it wouldn’t be her. She wouldn’t be happy until February fifteenth—when Faith’s wedding was over and done with, and Kelsey was back home. “I want an exclusive contract to plan weddings at Starr Properties. As many weddings as I want.”
“Fine.”
“And my normal fee went up.” Money didn’t mean much to her, but she wanted to make them pay. This seemed as good a way as any. Unlocking the door to her office, Kelsey stepped inside. “Way up.”
He followed her in. “Okay.”
“I need to pack a few things here. I’ll also have to stop by my condo, repack my suitcase and make a few phone calls.” She paused, wondering if she could make him change his mind about taking her with him. Not the fairest way to play, but she was desperate. “It’ll take a little while. I understand if you don’t want to wait.”
“I’m happy to wait.”
Anything to make her happy, Kelsey realized. She was tempted to ask him to jump to see if he would. She set her bag on the reception desk instead. With no warning, Will touched her shoulder, sending shivery sensations shooting up and down the length of her arm. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”
“Let’s get one thing clear.” She moved away from him, from his much-too-pleasurable touch. She’d brushed off advances from a few of the most handsome actors and musicians in the business—some even grooms-to-be. That had been bad enough, but this was much worse. Will was already married. M-a-r-r-i-e-d. “I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing it for your mother.”
And my grandmother.
“I understand.”
Kelsey shook her finger at him. “And I swear if Faith doesn’t get married this time…”
“I know my sister.” He smiled. “She’s getting married on February fourteenth.”
Kelsey flashed him one of her give-me-a-break looks. “Care to make a wager on it?”
His eyes gleamed as if amused by the idea. “It’s a sucker’s bet.”
“I happen to like suckers.” She grinned. “Lime’s my favorite.”
“Cherry happens to be mine.”
“So I’m tart and you’re sweet.” She laughed. “This could make for an interesting wager.”
He smiled. “Seriously, there’s no need for us to bet. Faith will go through with it this time. Trent’s different than her other fiancés. What you see is what you get. No games, no ego trips. Faith’s found the one.”
“The one?” Kelsey tried not to sound too incredulous.
“Her soul mate, heart mate, love of a lifetime.”
Surely he couldn’t be serious. Yet the wistful look in his eyes was hard to ignore. Of course, it must be the lighting. Men weren’t wistful about such things. Especially married men. Yet a part of her wondered if Will had married what he believed to be his “one.” Kelsey tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Don’t tell me you believe in those things?”
“Of course I do.” His eyes narrowed. “Just because I’m a guy doesn’t mean I’m not…”
“A romantic at heart?” she offered.
He nodded. “There’s nothing wrong with being romantic. Women like that in a man.”
Kelsey shrugged. “Some women might, others…”
“I feel sorry for those who don’t.”
Oh, boy, they came in all shapes and sizes, those romantic idealists who believed in love at first sight and happily-ever-after, but she’d never met one in a more perfect package than Will Addison. Too bad she didn’t share any of his beliefs. No, it wasn’t too bad. After everything she’d been through growing up, Kelsey knew better. That should kill whatever attraction she felt for Mr. Romance.
She headed toward the storage room. “Would you give me a hand?”
Together they carried the leather trunk she took with her on out-of-town weddings into the office. From Telluride to Turkey, the contents of the trunk had saved the day more than once.
Will tapped the top of the trunk. “What’s this for?”
“Anything I might need to keep me from having to run around a town I’m not familiar with and waste time I don’t have to spare. You’d be amazed at what can happen the morning of a wedding.”
She opened the trunk, rummaged through it and made a mental list of what needed to be packed. “Does Faith have a wedding dress to wear?”
“Yes.”
“That’s right. I forgot,” Kelsey said. “She’s got four of them. Let’s hope she hasn’t had any alterations done yet, in case she’s a no-show again.”
Will laughed. At least he had a sense of humor. Not that it mattered, she reminded herself.
“Does she have a headpiece and veil?”
The smile faded from his face. “My mother planned to make one herself a` la Martha Stewart. She got hooked on crafting last summer, but the stroke…”
“I’ve got plenty to choose from.” Kelsey stared at her selection. “Do you know what style of gown Faith’s chosen?”
“No,” Will admitted. “That’s been the most highly guarded secret, next to her engagement itself.”
“Not a problem.” Kelsey packed a variety of head-pieces—halos, silk flower wreaths, beaded tiaras and different-length veils—in the trunk. If worse came to worst, she’d call in a few favors owed her. “We’ll bring several with us.”
“What about the one you were wearing?”
It would kill her to let Faith wear the vintage ensemble, but even Kelsey had to admit it would look lovely with the movie star’s long wavy locks. “I’ll pack it.”
“Do you need anything else in here?”
She gathered up a couple of garters and guest books in case Starr hadn’t gotten around to that, either. “Would you grab the lavender toolbox in the storage room?”
“A toolbox?”
“Tricks of the trade.” And right now she needed every trick she had up her sleeve to get through packing her gear with Will’s help. If it felt strange here in her own office, she didn’t want to think about what it would be like working with him in Lake Tahoe.
“What tricks would those be?”
“Sewing needles, thread, safety pins, first-aid kit, clear nail polish, hair spray, things like that.”
“You’re very prepared.”
“I have to be,” she admitted. “My clients expect nothing less. I do my best to make sure their wedding day is the most perfect, the happiest day of their lives.”
He stared at her with an odd look on his face. “A person’s wedding day is only the first of many happy days.”
Using all of her willpower, she managed not to roll her eyes. “Wasn’t your wedding day your happiest day ever?”
Her question seemed to catch him off guard, but only for a moment. The sweet smile on his face made Kelsey swallow hard and remind herself he was already taken. “Yes, it was the best day of my life.”
The dreamy tone of his voice touched a place deep within her heart. His wife was a lucky woman. Or would be until the marriage started unraveling and falling apart…No doubt they hadn’t been married long or faced any bumps in the matrimony road. “Told you so. Every bride and groom deserve a perfect wedding day, even your sister.”
Will stared at Kelsey. “You take what you do very seriously.”
“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be doing it.”
“So you’re a romantic at heart, too?”
“I wouldn’t go that far.” She smiled at the ridiculous notion. No one she knew would ever call her romantic. “I’m more of a…realist.”
A realist, she thought, who knew the truth—there was no such thing as “happily ever after.”
Sitting in the living room of Kelsey’s condo in Brentwood, Will tried to make sense of the woman who’d agreed to coordinate Faith’s wedding. Kelsey hadn’t said yes out of the goodness of her heart. She would be well paid and receive an exclusive contract to put on weddings at Starr Properties. But he’d seen her genuine concern over his mother’s condition. The tears in Kelsey ’s eyes, the slight quiver of her lower lip, the cracking of her voice.
From the doorway of what Will assumed was Kelsey’s bedroom, she leaned out, a toiletry bag in one hand, a cordless phone in the other. “I’m going to be a few more minutes. Would you like something to drink?”
“I’m fine, thanks.”
Watching her pack a trunk of wedding paraphernalia in her office had been like watching Tiger Woods play golf. Not one motion wasted, not one hit bunker. Here, she was no different and made multitasking look as effortless as a stroll through the park on a spring morning. “Do you need any help?”
“No, thanks.”
This didn’t surprise him. He’d never seen a more self-sufficient, organized woman before. No wonder his mother had been so adamant about his bringing her back with him. “Let me know if you do.”
“Okay.” With that she was gone.
Strictly business. Minimal exchanges. Polite manners. That’s how Kelsey had been for the past hour. He should be pleased. Yet, Will couldn’t forget the look of pure joy on her face when she’d tried on the veil or the flirtatious smile and the way she’d batted her eyelashes when she’d first seen him. She was a contradiction. That much he’d discovered in the short time they’d known each other.
Will settled back on the couch. Obviously there was more to Kelsey than met the eye. Professional and smooth on the outside, he could only wonder what was going on in the inside.
He was very good at reading people. Over the years he’d learned to anticipate the needs and wants of his guests as his mother had when she’d convinced his father to buy the Lake Inn so many years ago. That’s what made Starr Properties so successful. But Will was having trouble figuring out Kelsey. Dressed in her designer clothes with perfectly applied makeup and just the right amount of jewelry and accessories, she might look like one of his clients, she may have even been one. But she wasn’t the norm.
Not by a long shot.
And that’s what bothered him. He wanted her to be like the norm. He wanted her to look ordinary, not stand out. He didn’t want to notice her. He didn’t want her to be different or unique. He couldn’t afford the distraction or any entanglements. Regardless of his attraction, or whatever it was, to Kelsey, Will had to concentrate on Faith’s wedding. That’s what really mattered.
In two weeks his sister would be married, his mother would be happy and the intriguing wedding consultant would be out of his life. Two weeks. Only fourteen days. He’d make it. He’d survive as he always did.
Will stared at the pictures covering the walls and on the fireplace mantel. Most were photographs of the Armstrong family. Politicians, lawyers, doctors and corporate elite. Darlings of the paparazzi and one of the closest things to royalty America had. The most recent photo—resembling a family reunion with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins—had been taken in front of the San Montico royal palace. Last summer’s royal wedding had been the social event of the year and broadcast live all over the globe. His mother had gushed over the fairy-tale romance and asked Will to watch the wedding with her. He’d passed. Much to her regret then, and his now.
Losing Sara had made him realize how important his family was, but he still had taken his parents’ and sisters’ love for granted. No longer, which was one reason he was here.
Kelsey reappeared in the doorway. “If you’re bored, there are magazines in the ottoman. I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”
Before he could say anything, she disappeared. Will opened the ottoman that doubled as a coffee table. Inside were stacks of magazines ranging from Bride to Vanity Fair, a few of the latest bestselling novels and a couple of photo albums.
Curious, Will removed one of the albums. Opening the cover, he saw it was more a scrapbook than a photo album. It contained everything from actual wedding pictures to newspaper and magazine clippings about various weddings.
As Will flipped through the pages, he recognized the extent of her clientele. But something else happened, too. A soothing warmth filled him. Kelsey had surprised him yet again. Realist or not, someone who put this much time and effort into preserving the memory of each wedding she coordinated had to be sentimental.
Each two-page spread contained photographs of the bride and groom and the reception and keepsakes from the wedding such as a ribbon or ceremony program. Everything was neatly matted on coordinating paper and she’d written captions under each item.
He continued paging through the book. Each wedding was different. From movie stars to political figures, Kelsey had managed to pull off spectacular and unique weddings for each of them. Some were enormous affairs with media coverage and security, but others appeared to be more intimate gatherings. That made him happy since that’s what his family was hoping for.
After he reached the end and put the album back in the ottoman, a satisfied smile formed on his lips. Taking Kelsey home was the right move. Someone so warm and fuzzy was what they all needed—correction, what his mother needed. And Faith, too.
Opening the next scrapbook, he expected to see more wedding memorabilia. He didn’t. Will turned one page, then another, and another. This book didn’t celebrate her clients’ marriages, but their divorces.
Will frowned. He couldn’t believe what he was reading. Page upon page of clippings. Ugly accusations, tearful confessions, angry photographs. Her clientele was the kind to get as much press coverage with their divorces as with their weddings. In the upper corner of each page Kelsey had noted the years, sometimes only days, the marriage lasted. Will tried to reconcile the first book with the second. He couldn’t.
The first book showed how much she loved her job and the photographs and clippings reaffirmed her talent for designing weddings, but the second scrapbook was the exact opposite. He didn’t get it. Something didn’t add up. He placed the book in the ottoman and closed the lid.
Kelsey entered the room with one suitcase in her hand, another rolling behind her, and a bag on her shoulder. “I’m ready now.”
Will hesitated. Should he mention the scrapbooks? He was supposed to bring her home with him, but was it in his family’s best interest to put her in charge of Faith’s wedding? Now he wondered, after what he’d just seen. The divorce album rubbed him the wrong way, made him wonder if Kelsey had a hidden agenda or something. He felt as if he’d opened the cupboard of a health fanatic only to find a stash of junk food.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
A perfect segue, but something held him back. Was he reading too much into this? Maybe the divorce album was some kind of joke. Maybe he was too embarrassed to admit he’d peeked at her scrapbooks. Maybe he was looking for any excuse not to take her home with him and spend the next two weeks by her side.
“No.” His goal had been to get Kelsey to coordinate the wedding. It’s what his mother wanted. It’s what Faith had asked him to do. No sense changing course now despite his own reservations. Will rose from the couch. “Let’s go. Our plane is waiting for us.”
Talk about a bumpy flight. Another wave of turbulence shook the Learjet. Kelsey checked her seat belt for the zillionth time. Habit, she realized. Turbulence, she could handle. But Will Addison?
No matter which way she turned, she could see him, smell him, sense him. Talk about feeling claustrophobic. If only she had a parachute…
Kelsey didn’t understand what was going on. Okay, that wasn’t the entire truth. But the truth bothered her, made her feel lower than low. Not even worthy of being on the bottom of the food chain. Will might be Faith’s brother; he might even be married. But Kelsey was attracted to him, attracted to his looks and his smile and his easygoing manner.
And she hated herself for the way she felt.
She sunk into the luxurious leather seat and leaned her head back. Married might as well mean leprosy because in her book Will was untouchable, off limits, you name it. She would not be a catalyst to the breakup of a marriage. Kelsey would sooner gouge out her eyes than get involved with a married man. Which meant she had to ignore her attraction for Will Addison, had to ignore he was even a man.
She knew exactly what infidelity could do to a marriage, to a family. Her father had been the first to stray, but her mother had followed in his footsteps until all hell had broken loose. The accusations, the fighting, the tears. She and her brother, Cade, had been the ones to lose, the ones turned into pawns in a vicious winner-take-all custody battle.
Will shifted in his seat and stretched his long legs out in front of him. His calf brushed hers and a burst of heat emanated from the point of contact.
Ignore it, she ordered herself. Something told her she would be having to ignore many things over the next two weeks.
“So how did you become a wedding consultant?” he asked.
Thank goodness. A safe topic. Business related even. Kelsey counted her lucky stars. “My parents divorced when I was nine. When it came time for them to marry others, they both asked for my brother’s and my input. I think it was their way of trying to make things easier on us. My brother couldn’t have cared less, but I got into it. Each time they remarried—”
“Each time?”
“My father’s been married eight times, my mother six, though she’s currently engaged to number seven,” Kelsey admitted. It wasn’t a big secret to anyone who knew anything about the Armstrongs. Many followed the happenings of America’s second most famous family. “Needless to say, I had lots of practice planning weddings.”
“How did you pick Beverly Hills to open your business?”
“When I was thirteen, my mother married a producer, who moved us from Chicago to Beverly Hills and introduced me to the entertainment industry. He’s husband number three and five.”
Will’s eyes widened. “She married him twice?”
Kelsey nodded. “And divorced him twice, too.”
Will frowned. “Your family sounds a lot different than mine.”
“I know. Your parents have been together forever. Starr was very proud about that.”
Will smiled. “Divorce is a four-letter word in our house. No Addison has ever been divorced.”
“None of them?”
“No grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins or siblings.”
“That’s…unbelievable.”
“But true.” Pride rang out in his voice, and Kelsey felt a stab of envy. “We’ve all been fortunate to find the right person.”
“Not Faith.”
“She hasn’t married yet.”
“You don’t have to remind me.” Kelsey stared at him. “So, do Addisons stay in miserable marriages to avoid divorce?”
“We don’t have miserable marriages.”
And there was a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow. “Seems to me most marriages end up that way eventually, unless you are lucky.”
He raised a brow. “This from a wedding consultant?”
She nodded. “That’s why I take my job so seriously. Every bride deserves to feel like a princess and every groom a prince. The least I can do is give a couple a day to remember, a day to hold close to their hearts after things sour.”
“Is that why you keep a scrapbook of your clients’ divorces? Not one showing the successful marriages, the pictures of babies and children that come from the ones that work?”
A mixture of embarrassment and anger washed over her, yet she contained her temper. Like it or not, Will was a client. And as she’d learned from her parents, blowing up over something that couldn’t be changed never solved anything. She shrugged, but the last thing she felt was indifference. No one had ever seen her scrapbooks. Until that moment she’d forgotten she’d put them in the ottoman instead of their usual hiding place. “Not many of the marriages I coordinate last.”
“No doubt because of your Wedding Consultant to the Stars moniker.” Sarcasm laced his voice. “You haven’t seen what real marriages are all about, how good, how strong they can be.”
“Is that how you feel about your marriage?”
“Yes.”
She’d seen too many failed marriages to believe the Addisons had the market cornered on happy ones. “You think you found your soul mate?”
“I have no doubt.”
Kelsey heard the conviction in his voice. Such a romantic. She couldn’t ignore her curiosity about his wife, the woman who’d captured Will Addison’s heart. “How did you know she was the ‘one’?”
He got a faraway look in his eyes. “It happened the day I met her.”
Love at first sight? Talk about a fairy tale. This she had to hear. “How did you meet?”
Will glanced out the window to the red-streaked sky. The sun was setting slowly. “It was Sadie Hawkin’s day. I was in sixth grade. All the boys tied their names on their belt loops and the girls got to chase us. If a girl managed to get your name, you were hers for the day.”
He and his wife had been childhood sweethearts and still together after all this time. Kelsey found that hard to believe in this day and age. “Sounds…fun.”
“For the girls maybe,” he admitted. “Sara, my wife, was new to the school. I’d never really paid much attention to her before because she was so shy and quiet…” His voice trailed off.
“Go on.”
He hesitated. “Sometime during the chase, one of the girls pushed her. Sara fell. Her knee was bloody and she was crying. I went over to help her up.”
“Don’t tell me she grabbed your name tag?”
He nodded.
“And that’s how you knew?”
He moistened his lips. “Sara was holding on to my name and she smiled, a wide grin with a mouthful of braces, and I knew.”
“Knew what?”
“That one day I would marry her.” He glanced away. “And I did. Two days after I graduated from college. That was ten years ago.”
“You were young.”
“I wish I’d married her sooner.”
“That’s sweet.” Saccharine sweet, Kelsey thought. How could he feel that way after ten years? Longer if one counted how long they’d been together. Maybe he’d gotten lucky, like his parents and grandparents.
His eyes glimmered. Tears? Kelsey found that almost as hard to believe as being married forever. Maybe he wore contacts and had a piece of grit in one of his eyes. That would explain it.
“I’m looking forward to meeting her,” Kelsey said to break the silence.
“You can’t meet her.” The green of Will’s eyes darkened and his lips tightened. “Sara…is dead. She was killed in a car crash eight years ago.”
Chapter Three
The air whooshed from Kelsey’s lungs. Talk about open-foot-insert-mouth. She struggled for a breath and the right—appropriate—words to say. Even though she was able to handle even the most awkward situations, this one left her speechless. Not wanting the uncomfortable silence to stretch any further, she settled for the most obvious yet overused sentiment. “I’m so sorry, Will.”
“Thanks.”
No pain in his voice; no anguish on his face, but that didn’t make her feel any better. Okay, his wife had died eight years ago not eight days, but Kelsey still felt about a quarter of an inch tall. It was obvious from everything he’d said about love and marriage that his heart still belonged to one woman and one woman only—his late wife, Sara. “I hope I didn’t—”
“You didn’t.”
“I thought since you wore a wedding band…”
“It’s okay, Kelsey. Really.”
She nodded, wanting to believe him and not wanting to say another word. Her brother would have a good laugh. Cade always called her Ms. Manners and teased her about writing an etiquette book when she tired of designing weddings. So much for handling any situation with aplomb and ease.
The muted whine of the plane’s engine filled the cabin, kept the silence from becoming unbearable. Kelsey straightened in her seat and dug the toes of her black boots into the carpet. It couldn’t be too much longer until they arrived at the airport. Yet each passing minute felt like an hour. She’d never heard Starr or Faith mention Will being a widower. They’d never even mentioned he’d been married. Questions about him filled Kelsey’s mind. She wanted to know the answers, but she didn’t dare ask.
Will looked to be in his early thirties. If Sara was his soul mate and one true love, did that mean he planned to spend the rest of his days alone? Kelsey wasn’t sure whether his answer would make him the world’s biggest romantic or the biggest fool. Surely he must have loved Sara—still loved her—if her memory was enough for him. Kelsey found it hard to believe anyone could love another that much.
Will cleared his throat. “Once we arrive, we’ll head to the Lake Inn. You’ll have the use of one of our suites.”
“Thank you.” The edges of Kelsey’s mouth turned up slightly. “You were confident I’d come if you saved a room.”
“Let’s say I was hopeful,” he admitted. “Tonight you can unpack and get settled in. We’ll have breakfast at my parents’ house and start work tomorrow.”
She hesitated. This required the right amount of tact. “I appreciate your offer to help, but I’m sure it would be a huge inconvenience to both you and Starr Properties to spend the next two weeks working with me.”
He chuckled. “I appreciate your concern, but Starr Properties has been doing quite well these past few months without me working eighty hours a week. My staff knows how to find me if they need anything. And you know Faith. She’d kill me if I didn’t keep her informed about everything you were doing. Trust me, it will be easier if I’m completely involved.”
Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.
Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».
Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию (https://www.litres.ru/melissa-mcclone/his-band-of-gold/) на ЛитРес.
Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.