Orange Blossom Brides (7 page)

Suddenly Lilli heard a muffled voice on the other end of the phone, sounding suspiciously like a PA system announcing some sort of activity. “Mom, are you still there?”

“Lillian, I must run now.”

“Run where? Aren’t you supposed to be resting?”

“Mud wrap. It’s good for the spirit and the body. And my arm, of course.”

“Mom, what’s really going on?”

She talked to dead air. Dropping her shoulders, Lilli looked up at the ceiling and took cleansing breaths.

“Celeste?” Jewel asked, plopping down into a vacant chair beside her.

“How could you tell?”

“Your face is red.”

“This is crazy.” She flipped her cell phone closed. “If she needed time away, why didn’t she just say so? I would have understood. But to make it sound like an emergency and leave me with all this responsibility? As usual, she just assumed I would help her. And I fell for it. What does that say about me?”

“That you’re gullible when it comes to your mom?”

An understatement if there ever was one.

“And from what I heard from your end of the conversation, she still wants you to convince Max to be a groom.”

“Yes.” Lilli rubbed her eyes.

“After this afternoon? Good luck with that.”

“You do realize how complicated this is, right?”

Jewel shot her a sympathetic shrug.

“Some help you are.”

* * ** * *

A
T
SEVEN
O
’
CLOCK
Lilli turned in her project, much to her boss’s relief. Jim stayed at the office so she wouldn’t be alone, although he usually worked late anyway. He depended on her way too much, not only for her ability to make account holders happy with her ideas, but because of her organizational skills, as well. Yeah, because she nearly ran the place. That’s why getting this promotion had to happen.

She always finished her projects on time. At least, she had until tonight, when visions of lace, tulle, seed pearls and white, white,
white
had invaded her mind. Throw in a tall, dark and scruffy security consultant and she’d had enough for one day.

The fluorescent light hummed over her as she straightened up her desk for the night. She stared at the accordion file from Mrs. Rumpold. She’d asked Jewel to leave it on her desk until tomorrow so Lilli could look through it first. Almost reluctantly, she reached for it and then hesitated. If she started looking at the material her mother had collected, she would be totally committed to the event, though realistically she knew there was already no going back.

Wouldn’t it be nice if her mother showed up tomorrow, good as new and ready to take the job back? She suspected there was more to her mother’s story than Celeste was letting on. But Lilli couldn’t force her to reveal whatever she was hiding. Why couldn’t her family be normal? Just when she’d finally managed to move beyond her mother’s drama, she got sucked back in again. When would she have her own life?

Her mother had only been gone a few days, and already Lilli been had thrust into working on a historical society function, reluctantly dredging up the past and reconnecting with a man who definitely caught her attention. What next?

Lilli refocused on the file filled with every bride’s hopes and dreams. She didn’t want to decorate for a wedding with all the glamour and bells and whistles that went with the event. A designer gown and lavish reception? Not for her. She’d almost had it once. She didn’t need it now.

“Great job,” Jim told her as he locked up his office. “I only glanced over the proposal, but it looks solid. Natural Puppy should like it.”

“Thanks. I know I’m usually finished by five, but since I came in late this morning, it couldn’t be avoided—”

“It was due Thursday. Today’s Thursday. We’re good.”

“Today’s been rather...eventful.”

Jim narrowed his eyes. “This thing your mother roped you into isn’t going to infringe on any more of my time, is it?”

Just the thing Lilli had been worried about, her mother’s request causing problems with her actual job. “Don’t worry about me taking too much time to work on the benefit. Everything’s in order.”
I hope.

“Not a problem as long as you get your work done here. The Danielson account is a big deal.”

Robert Danielson owned three of the biggest car dealerships in the area. He’d recently started shopping for a new marketing firm and set KLC high on his list. “I need to see how you handle it.”

A test. Okay. She would pass because, first, she’d grown up with Cindy Danielson so she had an in with the family. Second, she’d already been to the dealerships and spoken with the owner numerous times. And third, if she wanted the promotion she’d have to bring in new accounts. She’d do whatever it took.

“I appreciate it, Jim. I will get the account and I won’t let the fund-raiser get in the way.”

“Good. Good.” He shifted his stance, staying on the far side of her desk. Not good. Jim liked to stir things up before making a quick escape and leaving her to take care of the fallout. That’s probably what made him a skilled motivator. “I asked about the benefit for a reason.”

“And that would be?”

“Hear me out. You’re my best producer and I wasn’t too thrilled about you splitting your time between KLC projects and your mother’s fancy party. But after some thought I realized maybe this charity event can be used to KLC’s advantage.”

Warning bells clanged in her mind. “How, exactly?”

“Since you’re making the decisions, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of your coordinator capacity to advertise our company. You could make company literature available to the people attending the benefit. You’re clever enough to find ways to showcase our name without knocking people over the head with it. Just think of all those rich...I mean, generous... businesspeople who might want to use our services.”

Lilli gaped at her boss. Who knew Jim could be so devious?

“Look, I would never
tell
you that you had to advertise, but as a loyal employee...”

“And, of course, KLC will make a generous donation to the cause?” Lilli asked, playing his game.

“I’d hoped we could let that slide.”

“Not if you want exposure at the charity event and around town.”

“Around town?”

“Sure, at the historical society offices, small businesses downtown... You know, all the places I advertise the event.”

Admiration glimmered in his eyes. “You’re good.”

“So you’re going to make a donation, right?” she asked sweetly.

He went quiet for a drawn-out moment before his calculating expression gave him away. He held out his hand. “We have a deal.”

She shook his hand. “So you won’t hassle me if I have to attend to historical society business?”

“Not as long as you get your work done here.”

“Thanks.”

“Work it hard. If we land new clients, we’ll all have more job security.”

So much for Jim’s philanthropy.

“And, of course, I’ll want free tickets to Tie the Knot.”

Free? Good old Jim and his frugality.

“It’s the hottest ticket in town right now. And my wife wants to go.”

Ah. The real reason.

“I’ll see what I can do,” she said, hiding a smile as she gathered her belongings and walked with Jim to the door.

“By the way,” he said as he shut off the lights before they stepped outside into the clear, fragrant spring night. “Have you finished the business forum program? We’re only a few days away.”

Four, to be exact.

Twice a year the Cypress Pointe Merchants Association held a business forum in St. Luke’s gymnasium. In the spring, the focus stayed mainly on the businesses themselves, with workshops on how to run more efficiently, how to attract customers, anything business related. Later, in the fall, the forum opened to the public, focusing on what the community wanted as the tourist town grew larger and busier.

This year, Jim had decided KLC needed to be more visible, so he’d volunteered company resources and time to get exposure. Translated: Lilli’s time and ideas. She hadn’t minded because she looked at the extra work as an opportunity to show her commitment to the company.

“Pretty much. I have a few changes to make, but every business has confirmed with room for last-minute attendees.” Including a call from Sanders Security a few days earlier, before she knew Sanders was Max. “All the speakers are lined up. We’re good to go.”

“Great. We don’t need any hiccups. You know how important this is.”

“I do.” She said as they reached their vehicles. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

As Lilli settled into her vintage Mustang, her cell phone rang. “Lilli speaking.”

“Hey, Lilli, it’s Donna at the shelter. Did you forget you’re scheduled for tonight?”

Oh, great. With everything going on, she had indeed forgotten. She turned the key in the ignition. “Be right there.”

Ten minutes later, Lilli stopped in a parking space outside the Creature Comfort animal shelter. The sun had almost set, leaving a warm evening in its wake. A perfect night to let the dogs out for a run. She locked her car and hurried inside.

“I’m here,” she announced as she stepped through the door.

“Good timing,” Donna told her, as she came around the corner. “I was about to take the dogs out myself.”

Lilli noticed Donna wearing a dress instead of her usual shelter T-shirt and shorts. “That’s right, your son has the spelling bee tonight.”

“If I leave now, I’ll get there in time to see him wow everyone with his mad spelling skills.”

“I’m so sorry. I got caught up at work.”

Donna handed Lilli the keys to the kennel. “You’re here now. Lock up when you’re finished.” She grabbed her purse from her desk. “And Doc’s office is still open, but they’ll be leaving soon. A client called in late to pick up a boarded pet.”

“Gotcha. Now go,” Lilli shooed Donna out the door. She took a minute to acclimate herself then got busy with the task at hand. She headed to the kennel, where she was greeted by a dozen barking canines.

“Hey, guys. Get ready to work off all your stored-up energy.” She retrieved the leashes from a nearby closet and went about hooking up the first four dogs. She’d learned not to take out more than that after her first ambitious walk with six energetic animals pulling at the leash. Needless to say, not pretty.

Once set, she followed the excited animals to a side door that led to a large fenced yard where the dogs could run freely. A latched door at the far end led to a pathway winding to a park. At the opposite end of the yard was Doc Williams’s office. The vet’s office and the shelter shared an open area of grass. The two entities worked together to board and make appointments for the animals, and to educate the public about animal health and safety. Normally Doc’s office closed by six, but Lilli could still see the inside lights as she led the dogs out.

The beginning shadows of dusk enveloped the grounds, so Lilli elected to keep the dogs on the property. Normally she arrived earlier and would walk to the park, but not tonight. As it was, she’d be here for a while yet, making sure all the dogs got exercise.

She’d removed the leashes and had just headed back to collect another group of dogs when, from the direction of the vet’s office, a large canine ran toward Lilli, jumping up and nearly knocking her over. She steadied herself and rubbed the friendly dog’s head. “Hey, where did you come from?”

“He’s mine.”

She jerked her head up to see Max’s strong silhouette in the light mounted by the shelter door. Surprise, and a pleasurable jolt of anticipation, raced through her blood.

“Spying on me, Mr. P.I.?”

CHAPTER FIVE

“P
RIVATE
SECURITY
CONSULTANT
.” Max stared into Lilli’s pretty green eyes, which were made soft by the muted light. “More like wondering what you’re doing here.”

“Why? You haven’t seen enough of me for one day?”

“Obviously not.” The fact that he had been thinking about her had nothing to do with their paths crossing again. Although he couldn’t say he was disappointed.

“Well, to answer your question, I’m volunteering. Hint. Hint.”

He grimaced. “Touché.”

“I told you the animal shelter is a good cause. I’ve worked here since high school.” She straightened the leashes in her hands. “You’re here because...?”

“My Lab has been at the vet’s office all day. Came by to pick him up.”

She tilted her head toward the Lab obediently sitting at Max’s side. “Ah. The jumper.”

“I like to think of Jake Riley as friendly.”

“Good quality in a pet.”

“I’ve always thought so.” His gaze caught hers and he couldn’t break the connection. Didn’t want to.

She blinked, then said, “And since I’m working, you’ll have to excuse me. I have a few more dogs waiting to get exercise.”

He followed her. “You’ve volunteered since high school?”

“Except when I went to college. My parents wouldn’t let me have a pet when I was a kid, so coming here was the next best thing.”

“Pretty loyal.”

“What can I say? I stick with what’s important.”

She corralled the next group of dogs and ushered them outside.

“Is your dog okay?”

“Now. Close call with a poisonous frog.”

“Poor baby. You probably want to get him home.”

“Looks like Jake Riley has other ideas.” His dog scampered off to join the others. Jake would be getting a treat when they got home, because honestly, Max didn’t want to take off just yet.

“Are you here alone?” he asked.

“Yep.”

Now he definitely couldn’t leave her.

“I think I’ll stick around and help you out.”

“Um, thanks.” With a nod, she hurried back inside. He watched her disappear, a slight smile tugging at his lips. A bark snagged his attention and he looked out over the yard, finding Jake. The Lab loved to be in the middle of things, and he hoped there wouldn’t be any unnecessary mischief. A few minutes later Lilli returned, holding a squirming puppy in her arms. The pup took one look at the action in the yard and jumped from her arms.

“Sampson, be good,” she called after the frisky pup. Puffing her hair from her eyes, she sighed as she brushed multicolored dog hair off her skirt.

Max looked at her outfit. “Haven’t been home yet?”

“Long work day. Starting with you.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, you mentioned you were new to the charity-event coordinating job.”

“My first day.”

“Busy first day.”

She raised a perfectly arched eyebrow. “If you would agree to volunteer, the day could end on a better note.”

“Sorry. You’ll have to find another groom.”

“That’s what I figured.” She sent him a sideways glance. “Any suggestions?”

“Doesn’t your mom have other names on the list to choose from?”

“No. You’re it.”

“I don’t know whether to be flattered or terrified.”

“What can I say?” She peered over his shoulder. “Sampson. No.” Never close to teetering off her high heels, Lilli jogged over to the puppy busy digging and making a mess near the fence. Impressed that she didn’t turn her ankle, Max followed.

She clapped her hands. “Sampson. Stop.”

The puppy ignored her, his tail wagging with happiness as he dug to freedom.

“Please,” she reasoned with the pup.

“I think he’s got plans.”

“I swear, that dog acts like a convict trying to break out of prison.” Lilli pursed her lips before rolling up her sleeves and moving to the puppy. “Okay, buddy. You asked for it.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

As his words trailed off, Lilli tried to get close enough to the busy animal to grab his collar. Instead, the puppy jumped, his paw throwing up clumps of earth. Lilli tried to sidestep but ended up with a face full of dirt. She froze, gasped, then lifted her hands to gingerly remove good old Mother Earth from her face.

Max couldn’t control a chuckle. “Told you that wasn’t a good idea.”

“You’d think I’d know better. This isn’t the first time Sampson and I have gotten into it.”

Max walked to the puppy, snapped his fingers and pointed to the ground next to him. “Okay, buddy. Let’s give the lady a break.” At his strong, firm voice, the pup looked up, wagged his tail and strolled over to sniff Max.

Lilli closed her gaping mouth. “What? How?”

Max shrugged. “It’s my cop tone. Works every time.”

Sampson grew bored and moved on to another adventure while Lilli walked to an outdoor spigot to clean off her hands and face. Max went inside, found a clean towel and brought it out to her. She accepted it, a slight grin on her lips.

“And I thought helping my mother was messy.”

“The fund-raiser?”

She patted her face dry. “I have a day job, but I promised to help my mother.”

“Sometimes that can be inconvenient.”

“Especially with all the things she’s scheduled for the benefit. Between the loaner gowns and the jewelry, this has become bigger than I expected.”

Working full time, helping her mother with the fund-raiser and still making the effort to volunteer at the animal shelter? Did she have to be so likeable? “Since, you brought it up, I should tell you I’m still waiting on the delivery time of the jewelry. Once I have confirmation, I’ll let you know where we go from there.”

She sighed. “This is going to be a logistical nightmare. You know, it would be a lot easier for both of us if you’d work undercover at the benefit.”

Add pushy to the list.

“And I’ll be the one to decide my role. It’s what I’m good at. I don’t let anything get in the way of doing my job.”

“I never questioned that, Max,” she said quietly.

True, she hadn’t. But in one day she’d managed to turn his life upside down. One day? It seemed like he’d been picturing the ocean green of her eyes forever. And he couldn’t help but notice again—okay for maybe the fiftieth time today—how she’d grown up to become quite a looker. Her quiet, classic beauty drew him in, against his better judgment.

Despite their clashes, he found himself intrigued by her. Just as he had been that night on the beach.

She stared at him for a long moment. The skin under his collar grew warm. He cleared his throat. “It’s nice that you do this.”

“My mother always volunteered when I was growing up. Guess it’s in my blood.”

That, or she had a generous heart.

Max noticed that while they’d been talking, the sky had turned a deep blue with a few stars popping out. Lilli looked up and rolled her shoulders.

“I think the dogs have had enough fun time. I’m going to start rounding them up.”

“Let me help.”

She hesitated a moment. “Thanks.”

Thirty minutes later the dogs were back in the kennel, the food bowls filled, and Lilli was turning out the lights in the office. Jake Riley sniffed around Max’s truck and they stood by their cars, ready to head out.

“Thanks again,” Lilli told him.

“I’ll be in touch. About the jewelry.”

Lilli nodded and unlocked the door, ready to climb into her sedan.

“Wait,” he said.

She raised a brow.

“What happened that night?”

“On the beach?”

“Yeah.”

After a long pause, she said, “Things got out of control.” She tilted her head. “You know. You were there.”

Yeah. He remembered as if it was yesterday.

He’d noticed her at the bonfire, the new girl off to the side, alone, looking out of place around the regular troublemakers. He’d caught her gaze and she’d sent him a timid smile. Before he could talk himself out of it, he walked her way. His stomach jittered with nerves, unusual for him.

“I haven’t seen you around here before,” he’d said when he stopped at her side.

She’d shrugged. “Maybe you never looked.”

“So you’re saying I’m blind?”

“Could be.”

He’d laughed. “If you’d been here before, I’d have never missed you.”

She’d glanced up at him, her expression saying she didn’t buy that line. “So what are you doing here?”

He’d jammed his hands in his shorts pockets. “Hanging out.”

“Lucky for me.”

His chest had hitched. “Yeah. Lucky you.”

She’d looked away, then back again. “I’m Lilli.”

“Max.”

After the stilted introduction, they’d talked and laughed with ease, as if they’d known each other for years. It had all seemed a blur, until he led her away from the crowd to the edges of the firelight. She’d raised a brow, silently questioning his actions.

Not able to help himself, he’d leaned in to brush his lips over hers. A shock wave had hit him. This kiss, unlike any other he’d ever stolen, stirred his rebel soul.

She’d wrapped her arms around his neck. He’d circled her waist with his hands, dragging her closer as the kiss grew deeper. Lost in her arms, he’d barely noticed when everyone around them starting yelling. Lilli had broken the kiss, eyes wide in alarm. “What’s going on?”

Only then had he heard the sirens.

“C’mon.” He’d grabbed her hand, heading away from the beach. After a few feet Lilli had stumbled, breaking their connection. He’d tried to grab hold again but lost her in the crowd. Frantically searching, he couldn’t find her, so he doubled back just in time to see her take a miscalculated turn straight into the police chief.

Max’s memories faded out. He saw the question in Lilli’s eyes. “We were a bunch of teenage boys out to impress cute girls by blowing stuff up at a prohibited bonfire.”

“Which you had to know would alert the police.” Her eyes narrowed. “You left me behind when everyone ran.”

“Not on purpose. We got separated.”

“You could have come back.”

He ran a hand through his hair. “I was already in lots of hot water. One more mistake and I’d have been on the first bus to juvenile detention.” He continued, “I did double back, but by that time the chief already had you.”

“You came back for me?”

He nodded.

Her pert features softened a degree. “Still didn’t help.”

“Is that why you turned me in? Because I left you?”

She fiddled with her car keys. “After we were separated, I ended up with some of the other kids from the bonfire. I overheard them talking about how hanging around with you would get them all in trouble. So I decided to follow the group, but suddenly they took off and left me standing there, with the chief’s flashlight shining on me. I couldn’t run at that point.”

“So why drop my name?”

“He started talking about calling my parents and having them pick me up from jail. I panicked. Max, I was sixteen. I’d never done anything like that before. Going to jail scared me, so I blurted out your name.” She looked him straight in the eyes. “I didn’t do it maliciously.”

“Maybe. But you went home. I had a longer stay.”

Yeah. She’d been a kid, just like him, making decisions without thinking them through. Except that night, her turning him in almost ruined his life.

“Look, Max, it’s the past. I can’t change anything.” She glanced at her watch. “I haven’t had dinner yet. Why don’t we finish walking down memory lane when my stomach isn’t growling?”

What could he say? He was spoiling for a fight and she didn’t want to participate. Which made him even more aggravated. He didn’t know what he wanted. An apology? Answers? Whatever it was, Lilli didn’t seem inclined to oblige him.

When he didn’t answer, she said, “See you around, Max.”

He stood by the truck, watching her car ease down the road before the red lights turned out of sight. Edgy, tired from being cooped up in the office working on reports all afternoon, he didn’t want to head home. A walk on the beach might settle him down.

He whistled for Jake Riley and headed the few blocks to the shore.

When it came to Lilli, he’d be crazy not to be wary. Women with lists, especially ones who took copious notes, always scared him. She’d be talking him into running around town in a tutu if he wasn’t careful. You’d think after all their run-ins today, the way she’d expertly put him in his place, he’d be immune to this woman’s charms. Nope. Just when he figured he’d inched under her skin, she turned it around on him. A phenomenon he didn’t want to analyze, because if he did, he might do something idiotic like change his mind and volunteer for her fund-raiser. Silently, he called himself all kinds of crazy.

He strode from the concrete sidewalk into the softly shifting sand, his bootheels sinking deep. Salty air cooled his flushed skin. As he neared the shoreline, the foamy tide lapped over the sand in small waves. The bright moon shone on the undulating water.

He’d known coming back to Cypress Pointe wouldn’t be easy. Hadn’t wanted to dwell on it, not exactly proud of the wild teen he used to be. He hadn’t been using his head back then, driven by pure emotion. Which hadn’t worked out too well, especially when school officials or the local authorities called him on his truancy and mischief making.

He kicked sand into the calm water, intending to churn it up like the unwelcome feelings swirling inside him. As much as he tried to squelch them, memories bombarded him one after another.

His father had died when Max turned ten. Max had adored the man, shadowing his footsteps endlessly. Once he’d realized his father was never coming back, Max had taken on the role of family protector.

Single parenthood took too much out of his mother, and a couple of years later she’d up and left him. At twelve years old, Max had been in danger of going into foster care until his grandmother took him in. Max, hiding the hurt of his mother’s abandonment, had generally made life unpleasant for his grandmother, much to his regret now. He’d wanted to take care of his mother, but she’d walked out on him. Expecting the same treatment from his grandmother, Laverne, he’d cut loose and done his own thing, waiting for the day she’d turn her back on him just as his mother had.