Orange Blossom Brides (13 page)

Fanciful thinking on her part. Even though she recognized a staged pose for a magazine spread, she couldn’t help but wonder what their story could be. What great love affair they might embody.

That was the idea she wanted to focus on for her love story. Well, not her story, of course, since she didn’t have one, but the theme threaded throughout the benefit. She couldn’t decide between using a fictional couple or a real-life couple. She didn’t know any real couples who fell into this category, but a fictional couple wouldn’t give the same feeling of intimacy.

She’d drawn several question marks on the sticky note when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned to look over her shoulder.

Max stopped beside the table. “Should you be working on the charity thing when you have the entire business community of Cypress Pointe inside?”

“My part in the forum is over. Besides, I can’t get my mind off all I still need to do.”

He took a seat beside her, looking very suave dressed in business attire. He cleaned up nicely, and while she should be impressed with his transformation, she realized his usual casual look had slowly grown on her.

She shook her head, thinking,
I’m in trouble here.
His very nearness stirred a blend of delight and apprehension. He said he only cared about getting his business off the ground, so why did he still hang around?

A gust of wind caught the edges of the pictures, and Max grabbed the glossy images before they fluttered to the ground. As he handed them back to her, their fingers brushed. Warmth spread up her arms and settled in her heart. She wondered what it would be like if they were a real couple, going on dates or hanging out with friends. Doing daily things couples did together.

Lilli shifted her thoughts to a safer topic. “So, Bart?”

A ghost of a smile curved Max’s lips. “On a trial basis. I’m trying to help him make better decisions.”

“As your intern?”

“Someone needs to give him a chance.”

With those words, Lilli’s admiration for Max grew even more. His piercing gaze captured her eyes. She couldn’t look away.

After several long, charged seconds, Max craned his neck to look at her pile of photos. “So, what are you up to?”

Jewel was clearly still busy, so why not get a male perspective? She needed a sounding board and he’d asked.

“The event date is getting close and I have some loose ends.”

“Like what you’re going to wear on our date?”

Why would he care? It’s not as though he really wanted to attend the event. “You mean our arrangement?”

“Whatever you want to call it.”

“Honestly, I haven’t gotten around to finding a dress. Between work and the fund-raiser, I’ve been busy.” And she’d scoured several stores and couldn’t find anything she liked.

He chuckled. “Right.”

“And what about a tux?”

“I’ll get one. When you tell me you have a dress.”

“I have too many other
important
things on my mind.”

“Like?”

Like, did her “real love story” idea point in the right direction or was it too hokey for words?

“I’ve been going over the info for this vintage wedding idea, but I feel like a piece is missing.” She pointed to the picture of the young couple decked out in wedding regalia, gazing into each other’s eyes. “I mean, it’s wonderful to showcase all these fabulous dresses and have couples model, but what ties it all together? I’ve been racking my brains and then it hit me— what about one personal love story to weave the wedding theme around? A strong thread to connect it all?”

“So you’re looking for a great love story?”

“Exactly.” She felt her cheeks heat. “Is that lame?”

He picked up the photo, regarding it for long moments before shooting her a cheeky grin. “I guess everyone enjoys a good love story.”

“Even you?”

He slanted her a glance. “If it’s the right one.”

She let out a shaky breath and turned away. “Well, um, I haven’t sketched out all the details yet. I guess I wanted to say it out loud and see where the idea goes.” She glanced at him slyly. “Any chance you’re a secret wedding planner on the side of your security business?”

He visibly cringed. “No way.”

“Then I’m out of luck.”

He shrugged. “I don’t get to many weddings, but what you’re trying to accomplish makes sense.”

“The only problem is I don’t know whose story to use.”

“Have you contacted any local people?”

She told him she hadn’t, because she couldn’t think of a couple who inspired her. And while the idea of featuring a romantic couple from fiction or cinema would work if all else failed, she hoped a real love story would elicit heartfelt emotion as well as drawing a few tears.

“What about your love life?” he asked.

“Mine?”

“Sure. Haven’t you had that one great love?”

Was that interest or sarcasm in his question? She scoffed, covering her insecurity with this man. “Hardly. That’s why I need someone else’s.” She paused for a moment. If he was fishing for information, why not return the favor? “Got a love story you want to share?”

“Personally, no.” He stared down at the photo once again, rubbing his chin. “But I think I know someone who might be able to help you.”

“That would be great.”

He glanced at her. “Are you free now?”

She nodded, her curiosity getting the better of her.

“I’d like you to meet someone.”

At his serious expression, she found herself growing even more curious about the man. As much as she tried to convince herself otherwise, she wanted to get to know Max. What better way than to go listen to this mystery person’s story, with the side benefit of maybe finding a solution to her problem? Nothing wrong with that, right? “Sure. Let’s go.”

Max stood, holding his hand out to help her up from the bench. “Besides, the sooner you wrap up loose ends, the sooner you can concentrate on finding a dress for our date.”

She shook her head even as her heart lifted. This man spelled trouble with a capital T.

CHAPTER NINE

“S
O
WHERE
ARE
we going?” Lilli asked after they’d settled into Max’s truck.

“My grandmother’s house.”

He drove them to an older section of town, away from the swanky, expensive homes to smaller, older, more down-home ranch-style houses.

“She’s your source?”

“I think your meeting each other will be mutually beneficial. You need an idea and she needs something to be involved in.”

“So you’re playing wedding broker, here?”

He chuckled. “Gram was sick for a while. She’s been getting better, but I think your project will really put her back on track.”

“So you’re doing it for your grandmother.”

“And I’m hoping if I help you, you won’t talk me into any more volunteer duties down the road.”

“Sneaky man.”

“We all have skills.”

He turned onto a quiet street, traveling about halfway down before pulling into the driveway of a small, tidy house. The front yard, overgrown with a profuse collection of mature tropical foliage, greeted her. Pink bougainvillea grew wildly along a trellis by the side of the house and soft white impatiens lined the walkway to the front door.

“Wow.”

“Yeah. She usually gets that reaction. You should see the backyard.”

She’d just started walking up the sidewalk when the front door opened and a big dog loped out, picking up speed as he saw his master. Lilli sidestepped as the Lab jumped up on Max.

“Hey, buddy.” Max scratched behind the dog’s ears, a genuine smile tilting his lips. Lilli found herself enjoying his relaxed, handsome features.

The dog savored the attention for a few minutes then set his sights on Lilli.

“Oh, no.” The dog beelined for her and before she knew it, his big paws rested on her. What was it about dogs jumping on her good clothes? She tried to redirect him but the dog had other ideas.

“Jake Riley. Down boy.”

Lilli scratched behind the Lab’s ears. “You’re just a big ol’ friendly one, aren’t you, boy?”

An older woman joined them on the walkway. She wore a pink velour jogging set and sneakers. “Max, get that dog off the poor girl.”

Max leaned over to the woman and kissed her cheek. “Hey, Gram. I brought you a visitor. This is Lilli Barclay. Lilli, Laverne Sanders.”

Lilli held out her hand and it was enveloped by Laverne’s smooth fingers. “I’m pleased to meet you.”

“And to what do I owe this visit?” Laverne asked, clearly pleased by the prospect of company.

“I’ll let her explain,” Max told his grandmother. “Why don’t we go inside.”

They were headed for the door when Max’s cell phone rang. He glanced at the screen. “Excuse me, ladies. I have to take this.”

“Come in.” Laverne led the way into the house while Jake Riley bounded off after some critter in the yard.

They entered a living room cluttered with books, knickknacks and pictures. A floral-patterned couch, flanked by two easy chairs, faced a television, which had to be Max’s contribution judging by the sleek flat screen and sheer size. It had male written all over it. In fact, it was the only male item in a room filled with pretty hand-embroidered pillows and other girly touches tastefully exhibited.

“Would you like some iced tea?”

“I don’t want to put you out.”

“Nonsense. I just made some. Besides, I love company. Don’t get anywhere near enough of it.” She motioned to the couch. “Please, sit down.”

Lilli took a seat, continuing to survey the room until Laverne returned with two tall glasses.

“Now, what can I help you with?”

Lilli explained the Tie the Knot benefit and the concept of featuring a beautiful love story.

A dreamy expression flitted over Laverne’s pretty face. “You’ve come to the right place.” She crossed the room to a curio cabinet, removing one of the many framed pictures inside. She handed it to Lilli before sitting down beside her. “My husband, Clifford. We were married nearly forty years before he passed away.”

Lilli glanced down at the distinguished gentleman smiling back at her. He wore a military uniform, the cap sitting at a jaunty angle on his head.

“He was quite a looker.” Laverne smiled with the same charm Max possessed. “So many of the girls had a crush on him, but he only had eyes for me.”

Lilli could see why. Laverne had retained her pretty features in her twilight years, but also the sweetness Lilli sensed would attract anyone. Especially a man used to the stringent world of the military. “How did you meet?”

“He relocated here with a friend after being discharged from the army. They had this great plan to open an auto repair garage. They needed a bookkeeper and I wanted to work to help my family financially.

“My parents didn’t think I should work, but at the time, women were moving into the work force out of necessity. Believe me, we had plenty of arguments over my decision.” Laverne chuckled. “I’ll never forget the first time I walked into his office. Clifford smiled and offered me the job right on the spot. It was love at first sight.

“My parents didn’t like that Clifford hired me and that caused some tense moments when we started dating. In the end, it all worked out.” She winked at Lilli. “Sanders men usually get what they want.”

Lilli lowered her face, hoping Laverne wouldn’t notice her heated cheeks.

“We got married six months later. We waited that long because my mother wanted a fancy church wedding. I was the first girl in the family to get married, you see, so my mother scraped together enough money for a big to-do.” She chuckled. “I had a grand gown and a fancy reception at the church. It made everyone happy.”

Laverne went to another cabinet along the wall and pulled a large book from one of the drawers. When she brought it back, Lilli recognized it as a wedding album. The older woman lovingly ran a wrinkled finger over the worn edges before handing it to Lilli.

Slowly, Lilli paged through the album, lingering on pictures featuring the couple. Had she ever seen anyone that much in love? Only in pictures. And these pictures spoke volumes.

In her mind’s eye, she imagined placing framed photos from the album around the event room. She’d start with a collection of wedding pictures beside a bouquet of fresh flowers displayed on a lace-covered table as the guests entered the room. Smaller photographs would be displayed on the silent auction and historical society information tables. Maybe even the actual gown Laverne had worn—Lilli was certain she’d still have it somewhere safe—either modeled in the fashion show or on a mannequin, displayed at a pivotal point in the room.

Now that she imagined the Sanderses’ love story, the next question to enter her mind had to be: would Laverne go for it?

“Laverne, I have a question for you.”

The older woman brought her loving gaze from the album. Tears shone in Laverne’s eyes. Lilli had to swallow hard not to tear up, as well.

“What is it, dear?”

“Would you let us use your wedding dress and pictures during the fund-raiser?”

Laverne leaned back against the cushion, her hand over her heart. “These pictures aren’t anything fancy.”

“They are to me. There’s a world of love encapsulated in this album.”

Laverne glanced back to the closed book, her fingers lightly tracing over the lace design of ringing bells adorning the cover.

“And the dress would be perfect. It’s exactly what I’m trying to capture. A love that transcends time. I promise anything you lend me will be treated like gold,” Lilli assured her.

Laverne glanced over at Lilli, her insightful gaze exactly like one Lilli had received from Max on occasion. “Only if I might make a suggestion.”

“Anything.”

“Will you allow me to write the love story as it progresses along with the pictures?”

“Are you kidding? I’d love it.” With a sense of rightness, Lilli knew the photos connected to the story would be a hit. “And the gown will be the finishing touch to the story.”

“All right. Let’s do it. The gown is in storage, but I’ll get it out.” Laverne beamed. “In the meantime, I can start working on the story and give you portions as I finish it.”

“Finish what?” Max asked as he sauntered back into the living room.

“Lilli wants to feature my love story with your grandfather at her event.”

Max grinned at Lilli as if to say
I told you so.

“This is wonderful,” Lilli told Laverne, pointedly ignoring Max’s gloating smile.

“I’ll have Max deliver the photos once I gather them all together.”

Yet another reason to get together with Max. Funny how that made her heart beat a little faster.

Max eyed Lilli, a glimmer of promise shadowed in the smoky depths. “This keeps getting better and better.”

Lilli visited with Laverne awhile longer before Max took her back to the church to pick up her sedan.

“I can’t thank you enough for taking me to meet your grandmother. She’s exactly the right person for my idea.”

He shrugged. “When you’re right, you’re right.”

“And modest, too?”

He didn’t hide the heat in the depths of his eyes. Her stomach dipped. Instead of growing immune to the man, her reaction was only growing stronger.

“I have a full schedule this week, so I’ll check my calendar and see when I can drop the pictures off.”

The calendar with a bunch of other women’s names penciled in on different days? Yeah, she remembered. Frowning, she wished she hadn’t noticed the names the first time she’d gone to his office. He claimed to always be working, but who knew? Not that it mattered to her. She was too busy to worry about his social life anyway.

“You’re okay with that, right?”

“Hmm. Oh, yes. Fine,” she muttered, torn between the displeasure at becoming another one of his calendar women and the dissatisfaction of being just another person he worked with. Why were things never easy with this man? And what did she really want from him, anyway?

* * ** * *

T
HE
NEXT
MORNING
,
Max walked into his office to find Blanche behind her desk, as usual, typing away.

“Heard you created quite a stir at the business forum.”

He paused beside her desk. “I got our name out.”

A smile quivered on Blanche’s lips. “People noticed, that’s for sure.”

“And since you weren’t there, who is your source of information?”

Her smiled blossomed into a wide grin. “You’d be surprised, but mostly I know from the calls I’ve already gotten this morning.” She pointed to her monitor screen. “Typing up your schedule now.”

Max took a look. He had appointments scattered throughout the week. “All that from one meeting?”

“I’d say it’s because you stood up for yourself. Folks around here like that.”

“Huh.”

He knew he’d taken a chance, but if he wanted to establish Sanders Security in this town, he had to do it right away. When Mrs. Lyons had given him the evil eye, he’d figured he was done for. Guess he’d figured wrong.

“The bulk of calls came from businesses on Main Street. A few homeowners. Also,” she said, glancing down at a memo pad, “a Mr. Rawlings’s office called to confirm.” She looked up at Max. “Is he the man you met at the country club?”

“Yes. He’s interested in using Sanders Security. I don’t have all the details yet, but I do know I’d have to travel.”

“But you just got to town.”

“I know, but this client could put us in the black.”

“If you travel, how will we run the office?”

“I’ve been in touch with a friend in Atlanta. I told him he has a job here if I get the Rawlings account.”

“Another man I have to train?”

Max chuckled. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. I haven’t even met with Rawlings yet.”

He didn’t miss her concerned frown. “Don’t worry, Blanche. Sanders Security will stay here in Cypress Pointe. Maybe with a different focus than I planned, but you’ll always have a job.”

“I’m going to hold you to that.”

“I wouldn’t expect it any other way.”

“Good. Oh, don’t forget, Dane Peterson said to come by anytime. He’s free all morning.”

Max glanced at his watch. Besides business, catching up with his old friend ranked as a top priority. “Great. I’ll head over there now.”

“You can’t.”

He raised an eyebrow. “And why is that?”

“You have someone in your office.”

Max frowned. “Were you going to tell me anytime soon?”

Blanche continued to smile.

Switching to his business face, Max entered his office. “Good morning.” He stopped short when he glimpsed Bart seated in front of his desk. “Bart?”

“Hi. I know we didn’t set up a time for me to get started, but I wanted to talk to you first thing this morning.”

Max moved to his chair, quickly glancing around the room to note everything in its place.

“I didn’t take anything.”

“I’m not taking any chances.” Max eyed his guest. “What’s up?”

“I heard you stuck up for me at the forum. No one’s ever done that for me. Thanks.”

Flashbacks of his teenage years filled his mind. When he’d been out of control and needed a mentor. Just like Bart, he’d made mistakes. Plenty of them, but for some reason, the night on the beach when he kissed Lilli flashed through his mind. Why did that take precedence?

“I thought about what you said, about making changes in my life,” Bart went on as Max brought his mind back to the present. “I’m a fast learner and I plan on taking criminal justice classes at the community college.”

“That’s a good start.”

“Look, I know we didn’t start out in the best way, what with you surveilling me, but since we’ve become friends—”

“Friends?”

“Okay, maybe not friends, but I heard you were kind of wild and you changed. I can, too.”

Is this how the chief had felt when he first took Max under his wing? The sense of responsibility? The pride in knowing he could help a young man who needed his advice?

“Since you’ll be tied up with groom duties for the benefit, why not let me help you? I’m going to be there anyway.” His face went red. “Jewel invited me. She’s working with Lilli on the decorations.”