Orange Blossom Brides (20 page)

“That explains Bart wanting to stay out front.” Max scanned the room. “She’s got her work cut out for her.”

“She’s very good.”

“So are you.”

She shrugged, but enjoyed his praise. She had worked hard and looked forward to the results. “This coordinating gig is a onetime deal. Then I can concentrate on my real job, which my boss will be happy about.”

“C’mon, you can’t tell me you aren’t having fun.”

He grinned and stepped closer. Her heart squeezed tight and she had to admit, “Maybe a little. It’s been a definite learning experience. But I’m glad to do this for my mother.”

His eyes turned from teasing to serious. Even in this huge room, the walls closed in around them. If he stood any closer she might stand on tiptoes and give him a much-needed kiss. Needed by her.

“I’ve got to get to my appointment.”

The appointment that could take him away from her. “Good luck. Thanks for stopping by.” She nodded toward the door where Jewel and Bart came in. “And bringing reinforcements.” She glanced back at him, not wanting to say goodbye, not wanting to seem needy.

His eyes grew dark. “Sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine. Go meet your client.”

“Gram wants to help with the decorating, so I’ll bring her tomorrow night.”

“I look forward to it.”

For all his talk about a meeting, he didn’t move. Could she be as important to him as the new job? Edgy now, she pushed her hair behind her ear. Max’s hand joined hers and she froze at his touch. The longing in his eyes mirrored hers.

Her face flamed hot. Could he read her expression? She hoped not. This wasn’t the time or place to reveal how she felt. Just as he started to say something, Jewel breezed over to them.

“Okay, the real boss is here.” She noticed Lilli’s flushed face. “Oops. I can come back.”

Max held up his hand. “You have a busy night ahead of you. I’ll get out of your way.”

Watching Max walk out the door with a final wave, Lilli heard her cell phone ring. Rushing to her tote bag, she pulled it out, barely saying hello before Celeste cried in her overly dramatic tone. “Dreadful news, Lillian! I can’t get a flight home in time for the fund-raiser.”

“Oh, Mom, this benefit was all your idea. We need you here.”

“And I want to be there, but I might have waited a tad too long to book the return flight.”

“Can’t Dad do anything?”

Celeste’s voice sounded funny. “He’s renting a car as we speak.”

“Dad is still with you?”

Her mother paused. “I have some things to tell you, Lilli. About your father and me.”

Celeste sighed, quiet for a moment.

“Mom?”

“I should have reasoned this out better.”

“What?”

“Nothing, dear. I just hope I’m not too late.”

There was more to what her mother was saying, but Lilli decided not to pressure her. “Is there anything I can do from here?”

“No, dear. You’ve done a wonderful job. I appreciate you stepping in for me. In the meantime, tell me how things are progressing.”

She spent the next ten minutes bringing Celeste up to speed.

“Sounds wonderful. You’ve made me proud.”

Lilli’s chest tightened at her mother’s words of praise. “Call me when you get into town, Mom.”

“Yes, dear.”

Lilli closed her cell, wondering what was up with her parents. Celeste had always schemed to get her ex-husband’s attention, but this time she sounded different.

“Stop staring into space and get busy,” Jewel called out, shaking her reverie.

With Bart’s help they dragged the tables and chairs into place. Lillie was thankful the wood flooring for the runway had been laid down so she didn’t have to wrestle with it.

Before long, Jewel dug into the big box with all the decorations, pulling out yards of tulle and fabric.

“Now it’s time to get serious.”

They worked steadily, getting the room set up. The hours passed and the majority of the decorating had been completed. The chairs were draped with tulle and ivory table linens set in place. Candles in Wedgwood blue and pure white adorned each table with the printed schedule of events placed at each setting.

A table was set up to hold the three-tiered wedding cake Celeste had ordered months ago. On the opposite side of the room, tables lined the long wall for all the various silent auction donations and sign-up sheets. The display of designer gowns would be strategically placed nearby. Inside the main door a special table provided information about the Cypress Pointe Historical Society, and another table showcased Laverne’s special wedding mementos for the night. Lilli couldn’t wait to see what Max’s grandmother had in store for them.

The florist would deliver the fresh arrangements of white peonies and blue hydrangea on Saturday morning while the volunteer brides and grooms had the final run-through for the fashion show, all culminating with Tie the Knot festivities Saturday night. Come Sunday morning, Lilli planned on hitting the beach to relax, letting the warm rays of the sun work the kinks out of her body. After that, back to the new accounts and promotion. Her work plans were coming together, even if a relationship with Max was not.

Lilli and Jewel gathered their belongings and, with Bart in tow, headed to the door. She switched off the lights before leaving and walked with her friends to the club exit.

“You need to rest up,” Lilli told Jewel. “Starting tomorrow, things will officially become crazy.”

“Are you nervous?” Jewel asked.

“No. Not with all your help.” Lilli hugged her friend. She nodded to Bart. “You, too.”

He grinned. “Thanks.”

As Lilli drove home, Max never left her mind. Who knew where things would go with them after this weekend? Would they run into each other in town, politely greeting each other before hurrying off in different directions? Would he even be in town? Or would they pursue their mutual attraction? And if they didn’t? She refused to think that far ahead.

* * ** * *

F
RIDAY
WAS
A
BLUR
of activity and Lilli found herself back at the country club that evening. She placed her purse and tote bag in the corner of the room with the rest of the volunteers’ belongings, ready to dive into the final preparations. The committee women were all accounted for, setting out the items for the silent auction.

Excited chatter filled the room and Lilli found herself getting into the spirit. The Vandermere women behaved, but Lilli figured that had more to do with Marisa’s fiancé hanging around. The lone male in the room, Chandler stood off to the side, watching the women work. Before long, Lilli lost sight of him.

She hadn’t heard from Max all day and her nerves were ragged. How had his appointment gone last night?

At seven, Laverne Sanders walked into the room followed by Max, who carried a large box. All eyes went to him. Mrs. Rumpold dropped what she was doing to scurry over.

“Do you need help?”

Max looked over the shorter woman’s head, his amused gaze meeting Lilli’s. “No. I’m good.”

Mrs. R. sighed. Loudly.

Lilli wanted to run over and grill him about his appointment, but if his good mood was any indicator, he’d landed the job. “Laverne. Max.” Lilli waved him to a table covered in cream satin. “Bring that over here.”

“Gram’s things,” he told her, setting the box on the floor.

“Figured.” Lilli took Laverne’s hand in hers. “I’m so glad you came by tonight. I’d like your input.”

Laverne took in the activity in the room. “Seems like you have everything under control.”

“I can always use extra ideas.”

“Gram’s dress is out in the truck,” Max told them. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

Could the suspense make her any crazier?

While he went outside, Lilli and Laverne unpacked the framed photos. Each photo still tugged at her heart. Next she pulled out the letters and the story Laverne had written, already framed.

“You didn’t have to go to all this trouble,” Lilli told her.

“I found myself enjoying the process. I want to keep all the letters framed like this as my special keepsake.”

Max walked in carrying a dress form draped with a beautiful white lace dress.

“Just set it down there,” Lilli instructed. “I’m not sure where that will go, but we’ll move it when we’re ready.”

He nodded and pulled Lilli aside. “I have to meet Klaus for a final walk-through.”

She couldn’t take it any longer. “So? How did your meeting go?”

“You’re looking at the new security firm for Rawlings National. Right after the fashion show, I’m headed to L.A. to get up to speed.”

“Wow. After the fashion show.”

“Flying out Sunday. Don’t worry, I talked to the chief about security for the gowns and jewelry until my friend from Atlanta gets here. I won’t leave you stranded.”

Oh, but he already had.

“Gotta run.”

While her heart sank, he grinned at her before striding out the door.

“Did he have to leave already?” Mrs. Rumpold asked.

“Hmm. What?”

“Is Max leaving?” Mrs. R. repeated.

“I’m afraid so.”

“Now?”

“Not tonight. He’ll finish up with Tie the Knot first.”

Mrs. R. sent her a funny look.

“It’s a long story.”

Lilli went back to helping Laverne, keeping herself busy so as not to think about Max’s good fortune and her loss.

Soon they had the frames displayed at various positions. Once finished, she walked the room, coming to stand before the display case that would house the Wingate collection. She jumped when she felt a strong hand on her shoulder.

“Lilli, I need to talk to you.”

She swung around to face Max, noting the serious expression on his face. “Now? We’re still decorating.”

He clasped her upper arm and led her out of the room. “It’s important.”

“What is it? And why are you manhandling me?”

He stopped a few feet away from the main door, his gaze dark and troubled. Her stomach dropped.

“Oh, no. Don’t tell me something happened to the dresses after I promised Gabrielle I’d keep a better eye on them.”

“It’s not the dresses, Lilli. It’s the jewelry collection. Some of the pieces are missing.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“M
ISSING
?” L
ILLI
SPUTTERED
, her heart skipping a beat. But they were in the safe....

He ran a hand through his already disheveled hair. “When I got to Klaus’s office he was in a panic. He’d taken the collection from the club safe to temporarily place it in the display case tonight, so we could finalize the security detail. An hour ago he got a call about a club member with a medical emergency. He left the box with Tom to lock in the safe until he came back. Later, when he went to bring the box here, he noticed the ring and bracelet were gone.”

Suddenly her world got dark and stars flickered before her eyes. Taking a couple of deep breaths, she tried to pull herself together. “But how could that happen?”

“C’mere.” Max led her to an upholstered bench along the wall. She dropped down, just as her knees gave way beneath her.

“Why didn’t he call you to look after the collection instead of Tom?”

Max’s expression grew dark. “My question exactly.”

“Did you call the chief?”

“Not until I’ve determined the pieces are not on the premises. If I hit a dead end, I’ll call him.”

The serious expression on Max’s face made her realize that as much as the jewelry going missing was a huge scandal for her, it meant a logistical headache for Max.

“Now what?”

“I find Tom and get an explanation.”

Lilli jumped up. “Let me go with you.”

Using his body, Max blocked her response from the loose-lipped ladies who had come out to the hallway to see why Max had dragged her away. “You can’t. I’m hoping to straighten this out as quickly as possible. For now, act normal.”

“Normal?”

“Just go back and keep everyone busy.”

He strode away, his expression taut. Lilli couldn’t help but think he vibrated like a volcano ready to blow. How could this have happened? Trying to cover her concern, Lilli went back to the event room. She encouraged the ladies to keep going and watched them chatting, laughing and working together. What would they think when they heard the news?

She spent the next hour watching the door, praying that Max would come back with good news. The committee had finished now. Jewel placed odds and ends in her box, preparing to leave. Lilli still hadn’t heard from Max.

Okay, don’t panic.
She closed her eyes. She couldn’t crumble, although she’d lost any calm she possessed the minute Max had revealed the distressing news. Unless Max returned and told her the whole thing was a mistake, that the entire collection was together, safely locked away once again, she wasn’t sure what she’d do.

A mistake. It had to be. Why else would Max be taking so long? When he finally returned, his brows angled over stormy eyes as he shook his head. Her stomach sank.

She closed her eyes. Now what?

She opened her eyes to find Max standing in front of her, his voice low. “We’ll figure this out together.”

If it hadn’t been for this ridiculous situation, she’d have been thrilled to hear him say that they’d do something important together. Anything together. But not now. Part of the collection. Gone. Under her leadership and on Max’s watch.

“I’ve put this place on lockdown. No one leaves until we find the jewelry.”

Lilli placed a hand over her sick stomach. How on earth would she explain this to her mother? She’d trusted Lilli to run this event smoothly.

Max clapped his hands. “Can I get everyone’s attention, please?”

The noise in the room lowered as all eyes moved to Max.

“I’m afraid we have a problem. Two pieces of the Wingate collection have gone missing and we’d like everyone to stay put until the police arrive. ”

The startled reaction of the women began slowly and quickly picked up speed. Voices grew louder and heads turned toward her.

“Is it true?” Mary Gibbons asked as she hurried to Lilli. “Is there a problem with the Wingate collection?”

So much for holding off panic.

“I’m afraid so.”

“Ladies.” Max held up his hands to calm the group down, but it was too late.

“I told you this would happen. Didn’t I say if I wasn’t in charge something bad would happen?” Sissy Vandermere went into full agitator mode. “If I’d been coordinator, I never would have put Lilli in charge or hired Max. He was a delinquent in his youth, you know.”

Rapid-fire questions zinged Lilli’s way. “I don’t have any answers, except to tell you that there is an ongoing search. Let’s hope this is all a misunderstanding.”

Lilli tried to assure the ladies that things would be fine while Max answered questions. Some of the women brought their purses to Max to show that they didn’t have the jewelry. The noise level grew louder as the minutes went by, much like a thumping bass from a teenager’s car, giving Lilli a steady headache that grew worse each second.

Trying to appease the women, Lilli and Mrs. R. made the rounds, assuring them that they weren’t suspects. Once the police arrived, the situation would be settled and they could all go home.

The women rallied round, making the best of it, but still no sign of the jewelry. Klaus returned. He’d had his trusted employees search the club and still, nothing. Max ran his hand through his hair when the chief strode into the room.

“Got a call about a robbery.”

“Part of the Wingate collection.” Max explained what had transpired leading up to the current moment.

“I’ll get my men on it.” He eyed Max. “You, too. Use all your resources.”

As the men went to work, Jewel came up beside Lilli. “You and Max make a great team.”

Lilli sighed. “Yeah, we managed to lose part of a priceless collection.”

“The point is, you’re working together.”

“I wish,” Lilli muttered. Why couldn’t she and Max have a normal relationship? From the way things had gone the night they first met and she ended up in a police car until tonight, she couldn’t say things between them had gotten much better. She headed for her belongings, knowing she wouldn’t get any sleep tonight. On the way, Marisa intercepted her with Chandler, in tow. “Here’s the silent auction list.”

Lilli took the paper. “Thanks.”

“Sorry. I know I should have gotten it to you sooner.”

Marisa being nice only made the night even stranger.

Frustrated, she grabbed her tote, stuffing the paper Marisa gave her inside when the canvas strap slipped from her trembling hand. The contents spilled onto the floor beside her. Marisa, still hovering, went down on her knees, along with Chandler, to gather the spilled belongings. When she did, Chandler bumped against Marisa and her purse slipped down her arm to fall beside Lilli’s, her belongings now mixed in with Lilli’s.

“Really, Chandler,” Marisa groused. “Be careful. You nearly knocked me over.”

“Sorry, babe.” He leaned over the purse contents, taking up all the room as he began to scoop it all together.

“It’s okay,” Lilli told him. “We can get this.”

“Sure. Sorry.”

Chandler rested back on his heels to let the ladies straighten out the mess. As Lilli gathered up her paperwork, a shiny object rolled toward her. Marisa gasped and Lilli just stared.

“Oh, my gosh,” Marisa exclaimed. “That looks just like the picture of the ring from the Wingate collection.”

Lilli stared at the ring. It looked exactly like the ring from the collection. How on earth had it gotten here? And why did it look as if it had fallen from her bag? As the realization hit her, she suddenly felt sucked into a time-warp vacuum worthy of the
Twilight Zone
. Everyone would think she took it. Numb and speechless, she looked up to find accusing eyes directed at her.

As Marisa reached toward the ring, Max stopped her. “Don’t touch it.”

Marisa backed away. Max kept his eyes focused on the ring. His shoulders grew rigid. She couldn’t tell what he might be thinking.

“I have no idea where that came from,” Lilli told him, her stomach roiling. The truth, but even she knew it seemed lame in light of the evidence sitting there on the floor. Max still didn’t respond one way or the other. Did he believe she’d taken it? Just like that summer night, she was in a fix with one common denominator. Max. This was all a mix-up, but would anyone believe her? Except for that one night with Max, she’d never done anything remotely scandalous in her life.

This couldn’t be happening, she assured herself. She hoped she was being held hostage in a horrible dream and in a few minutes she’d wake up, safe in her apartment, away from this drama, ready to face a new day without a priceless ring lying on the floor in front of her. With all the women circling her. This was worse than the night before her doomed wedding. Then, people gawked at her in pity. Now, suspicion loomed in everyone’s eyes.

“Lilli, where did the ring come from?” Mrs. R. asked.

“I don’t know.”

“I’ll tell you where,” Marisa said loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. “It fell out of your bag.”

A chorus of gasps sounded.

“No, it didn’t,” Lilli said.

Chandler helped Marisa up, patting her arm and soothing her. “Yes,” Marisa told the room. “You dropped your tote and it fell out.”

Oh, Marisa would just love Lilli to get in trouble. “Your purse spilled, too. It could have been in your possession.”

Marisa’s eyes went wide. “Why would I have it?”

“Why would I?” Lilli grabbed the tote handle and stood. “There’s no reason either of us should.”

“I don’t have access to the collection. You do.”

“I haven’t seen it since Klaus put it in the safe. I don’t have any keys, or passwords or way to get the collection.”

Max addressed Marisa. “Did you see the ring in Lilli’s bag?”

“Well, no, not exactly.”

Lilli lifted her chin and said, “I don’t know how it got here.”

Max stood beside her, all business and intimidating. When he finally glanced her way, she saw a flash of uncertainty before he covered it.

“Don’t worry,” he said, but Lilli had no choice but to worry. She looked guilty.

* * ** * *

L
YING
IN
BED
the next morning, her mind hashing out scenario after scenario, Lilli exhausted every possibility of the theft. She’d spent hours in the police station the night before. Obviously someone had framed her. She didn’t have to be a P.I.—oh, wait, security consultant—to figure out that someone had set her up. But why?

Finally, the police had let her go since they couldn’t definitively say the ring had been in her bag. She wondered how anyone could think she’d had the time or opportunity to steal the ring, anyway, considering she’d been in plain view of the historical society ladies all evening.

She wished Max would get in touch with her. As much as this all looked bad for her, the jewelry had gone missing on his watch. That had to be killing him. He took his responsibilities seriously. And now not only his business reputation, but his personal integrity, which he’d worked so hard to establish, would be called into question.

Glancing at her alarm clock, she jumped out of the temporary sanctuary of her bed. Max and Bart, along with Gabrielle, were bringing the gowns from the historical society office to the event room. Plus, the first run-through with the volunteer brides was scheduled for this morning and she had to be there. Grabbing a pair of black slacks from the closet, she added a white blouse and slipped into black pumps. After fixing her hair and makeup, she took the garment bag with her gown and shoes in it and left for the country club, trying to ignore the knots tying up her stomach as she made mental lists about what awaited her.

She parked and headed inside, preoccupied with the state of things. She hurried into the event room, flipping on the lights and thinking she’d gotten there first until she noticed a figure standing in front of the empty display case.

“Max?”

He slowly turned, his face expressionless.

She swallowed. “Any word on the bracelet?”

He walked toward her, his fingers jammed into his front pants pockets. His eyes never left hers. “Nothing. Klaus is a wreck. His assistant is nowhere to be found. And the only piece of evidence came from your bag.”

She kept her voice calm. “You can’t possibly think I took the jewelry.”

“No, I don’t think you took it. But someone put it in your bag, and I want to know why.”

“You and me both.”

“Trust me, Lilli. We’ll figure this out.”

“I hope so.” But she wasn’t counting on it. Max might offer her comfort now, but what about the fallout after the event? He’d be gone and she’d have to deal with the consequences alone.

She turned on her heel, walking away from the man she’d made the mistake of falling in love with.

* * ** * *

A
NYONE
WHO
KNEW
Lilli knew she wasn’t a thief. His gut clenched when he saw the hurt in her eyes and it had taken all his strength not to grab her and wrap her in his arms. Assure her that things would be all right. Yes, he knew she hadn’t taken the ring, would never take a piece from the collection. But he had an investigation going on, with the outcome affecting both their reputations. The evidence against Lilli was circumstantial, but there just the same. In order to help, he had to find out the real culprit.

The local police were searching for Tom, Klaus’s missing assistant—the only other person with access to the club safe. The emergency Klaus had been called to was an obvious ruse. Tom had been at the club last night, but after they’d learned about the theft he was nowhere to be found. Neither the police nor Max had been successful in locating him just yet, but at least they were doing something. Klaus had been devastated last night and not much help. Maybe in the light of day he’d remember something.

Max glanced back at the display case. Of all things, to find the stolen ring in Lilli’s bag, in this room, in front of all those people, where her fiancé had humiliated her. She’d be humiliated again if they didn’t find the bracelet. The least he could do before leaving was prove her innocence and clear her name.

* * ** * *