Orange Blossom Brides (8 page)

During his senior year in high school, which he’d rarely attended, he’d met Denise, a spoiled-rotten rich daddy’s girl who went slumming with the bad boys just to make a point to dear old Dad. Max never could resist a challenge and had started dating her. They’d stayed together a lot longer than he’d expected. For a while, she’d made him forget the anger that had built up inside him after his mother left, the anger that had continually gotten him into trouble.

It had been good, until she’d started getting all clingy and whiny. When he’d wanted to slow things down, she’d ignored him. Sure, she’d achieved her goal of making Daddy mad, but she didn’t want to let go of Max. He’d known her game all along, but realized too late that, deep down, he greatly resented being used.

So he’d broken up with her. She didn’t take it well.

“I’ve put a lot of time into our relationship,” Denise informed him when the crowd went to hang out at the beach.

“By using me? Not a great relationship.”

“According to you, we have no longer
have
a relationship.”

He clamped his mouth shut.

“I’m warning you, Max. You’d better change your mind.”

“Not gonna happen.”

“Fine.” With a furious stomp of her foot, she glared at him one final time and sashayed off to her friends.

He’d intended to head home, tired of the drama. He went to tell his buddy, Dane, goodbye, and when he turned around he’d seen Lilli in the firelight. Of course, he didn’t know her, but that didn’t stop him from hanging on her every word. They talked as if only the two of them existed. And before he knew it, he’d taken her face in his hands and kissed her. He’d kissed other girls, but it had never felt like that.

He shook his head, burying the memory. He didn’t want to examine how much that kiss still affected him.

Things had gone downhill after that night. The chief had him thrown in juvenile detention to make a point. The vandalism, boosting of cars and petty theft were about to catch up with him. Close to getting a permanent record, he’d decided he needed to make a change.

A few days later, the final straw came when the chief found him in the parking lot of Winn Dixie, standing next to his grandmother’s car, observing a cracked windshield and slashed tires. The damage was courtesy of Denise and her crowd, who didn’t appreciate him dumping one of their own.

“Is there a problem here?”

“Yes, sir.”

There’d been a few times when the chief had to question him about some mischief complaints. Standing beside a car with slashed tires probably matched up with his mischievous activities in the chief’s eyes. He might be wild, but he wasn’t an idiot. This was Laverne’s car.

“You do this, son?”

“No, sir.”

He’d excluded Max as a suspect. Why the chief believed his story, Max was never sure. Maybe because the chief knew Max lived with his grandmother. She, on the other hand, had had enough and gave Max a tough-love ultimatum: straighten up or you’re out.

Just as he’d expected. His grandmother didn’t want him, either.

So he’d packed his things, only to find the chief waiting for him in the driveway when he tore out of the house. The older man had talked him into giving his grandmother another try. Where else was he going to go? From then on, the police chief had taken him under his wing. Probably a good thing, or he’d have ended up in jail. Later he found out Laverne had never wanted him to leave, but had believed Max needed to make a change.

So Max had turned himself around. He’d made a better life for himself. He didn’t see a wife and family on the horizon—he wasn’t cut out to be a family man—but he would continue to help people, as he had in the navy and on the police force. He wouldn’t let little Miss Lilli Barclay or the past make him question his decisions. He’d come to Cypress Pointe to help his grandmother and build a successful business, and he didn’t plan on reverting back to being that troubled kid again.

* * ** * *

L
ILLI
DROVE
DOWN
Main Street, passing the gift store where she’d bumped into Max just that afternoon. Had it only been a few hours ago? His face flashed in her mind and she didn’t bother holding back a smile. Then she groaned. What was wrong with her? After their most recent conversation, how could she possibly feel the old attraction surfacing again?

A horn blared, bringing her attention back to traffic. As she eased along, she noticed all types of people lining the sidewalks, filling the trendy restaurants that had popped up since tourism increased. She cruised past Pointe Café and on impulse circled the block and turned into the parking lot adjacent to the restaurant.

Clutching her purse, she hurried inside to read the menu and order dinner when she noticed the yummy-looking desserts featured in the glass display case. On impulse, she placed an order for baklava. Sticky and sweet. Her weakness. Sighing, she sucked in her tummy to loosen the waistband of her skirt. She’d worry about her muffin top tomorrow.

She stepped outside, and had just reached a bistro-style table when she heard, “Lilli Barclay? What are you doing here?”

She set her food down before forcing a smile and turning to the woman who’d spoken. “Marisa. Imagine running into you here.” And how she wished she hadn’t.

“Chandler and I decided to take a break from the wedding planning and grab a cup of coffee. He’s parking the Corvette.” Marisa dropped her purse on the table. “It’s a good thing I ran into you. We need to discuss society business before our meeting at the country club.”

Lilli didn’t need any more complications tonight. Especially from her lifelong nemesis.

Before Marisa had a chance to dive in with her complaints, Chandler joined them. Handsome, rich and a successful financial investor, he was Marisa’s perfect fiancé.

“Hey, babe.” Chandler leaned down to brush a kiss over Marisa’s high cheekbone. “Ready to get that coffee?”

Marisa smiled up at her fiancé. Boy, she could go from cranky to lovey-dovey in thirty seconds flat.

“I need to talk to Lilli first. Would you mind ordering for me?”

“Sure. No problem.” He nodded at Lilli and strode away.

“So, is your mother coming home anytime soon?” Marisa asked. Snarky personified. Snarky, but beautiful. Tonight she wore a pink silk T-shirt, ridiculously expensive designer jeans and killer heels. While Lilli still wore her work clothes covered in dog hair.

She sighed. “I’m not sure.”

“It’s so ironic your mother’s emergency occurred right before the benefit.”

Okay, dig taken. “My mother is away on family business.”

A waitress approached Marisa with a mug of coffee. “Your fiancé found a table and will meet you inside when you’re finished.”

Preening, Marisa took the cup into her hand. “How sweet of Chandler. He’s always doting on me.” Marisa raised the cup to her lips to blow on the hot beverage. “So, what’s this about family business?” she asked in a tone that said she didn’t believe it.

How had Lilli ended up here, at this moment, talking to her worst enemy?

“Marisa, it’s late and I—”

Just as Lilli spoke, Marissa choked and cried out, “This isn’t what I ordered.” A thundercloud formed in Marisa’s eyes. “I’ll be right back,” she said and stomped into the café.

First Celeste and the historical society. Now Marisa. Soon enough, the club. Lilli shuddered. After practicing careful avoidance for a year, all paths were converging together into her complete and total nightmare.

She bit into the sweet dessert and sighed as it melted on her tongue, taking with it the stress of the day.

Marisa soon returned with a new coffee. “Are you looking forward to working at the club? We shared so many good times there.”

Good? Miserable, more like it. Lilli had always felt out of place and dorky with the other kids at the club, strong-armed into activities that forced her to pal around with polished Marisa Vandermere. How many behind-her-back snickers had Lilli endured from a clique she didn’t belong to? Too many to count.

When they were teens, Marisa had gone out with a new boyfriend every week, usually one she stole from another unsuspecting girl. Marisa had always loved a challenge. Even now, Marisa caught the eye of a young man a few tables away sitting with a date. Some things never changed.

“So, what do you want to discuss?” Lilli kept her tone light but firm. Not that she wanted to engage in this conversation, but she knew Marisa well enough to suspect the woman wouldn’t leave until she’d had her say.

“I’ll reschedule our committee meeting for sometime next week,” Marisa blithely continued, as if her announcement was a foregone conclusion. “With your mother gone, I’ll get the itinerary from Mrs. Rumpold and check the ongoing progress to find out where we are with the planning. I can take over from—”

“No.”

Marisa blinked. “Excuse me?”

“There’s no need. The meeting is scheduled for Saturday morning. I’ve been brought up to speed on the progress so far. I’ll handle it.”

“But...” Marisa stammered, uncharacteristically at a loss. “You aren’t technically a member.”

“Sure, I am.”
Thanks, Celeste, for signing me up.
Lilli smiled brightly. “I’ve been on the roster for years.”

Marisa’s eyes narrowed. She clearly hadn’t expected trouble from Lilli.

“My mother is in charge and she passed the job on to me. I appreciate your help, but I’ll be fine.”

“And you expect the ladies to follow?”

Time to draw the line in the sand. “Yes, if they want to continue being part of the fund-raiser.”

Marisa stared her down. Waiting for Lilli to back down? Oh, no, Lilli would not give her the satisfaction.

“We’ll see about that.” Marisa rose and waved at the restaurant window. Shortly after, Chandler exited the building. Marisa took his hand to lead him away, but he paused.

“Have a nice night,” he told Lilli.

“Thanks.”

At least one half of the duo had manners.

With a slight smile, Lilli watched her nemesis storm away. Marisa may have had the last word, but after this run-in, Lilli decided to take the fund-raiser more seriously. What could Marisa do about that?

CHAPTER SIX

“M
OM
,
YOU
TOLD
ME
fifteen times. I can handle it.”

“Remember, don’t let the Vandemere women give you a hard time. They’re waiting for an excuse to throw you under the bus.”

“Nice visual.”

“I’m just saying, watch those two. Don’t let Marisa take over. She’s not the coordinator, but she’ll still try to run the show. Along with her mother.”

“She’s already tried that tactic.”

“You can’t let her.”

“Don’t worry, I have it under control.”

“Those two have been trying to take over for years. Last time Marisa headed a committee she dumped all the work on everyone else. I don’t want to see that happen to you.”

“If she runs true to course, she’ll lose interest soon. I’m not worried.” Lilli paused. “Or you could come home.”

Celeste went uncharacteristically quiet for a moment. “Not right now, dear.”

So, something was wrong. Lilli had suspected it all along. Let’s face it, her mother had never run out on a fund-raising benefit before. Why would she now?

“Mom, what’s going on?”

“I need time, Lillian. Just time.”

“But—”

“Let’s focus on the task at hand. If you have any logistical problems, ask for Klaus, the club manager, or his assistant, Tom.”

“Got it.”

“Then that’s everything for today. What do you think?”

“You’re asking me what I think?” That never happened.

“Why, yes. You’re handling things during my absence. I know it’s a lot of last-minute work, but you’re more than capable.”

Wow. She’d never heard that, either. “It’s all under control. No worries, Mom.”

“Good. Show them the Barclay backbone.”

“I’m getting ready to walk into the club, so I have to run. I’ll let you know how it goes.”

The bright Saturday morning sun blinded Lilli as she slipped out of her parked car in the Cypress Pointe Country Club parking lot. She donned her sunglasses before grabbing her overflowing tote bag. She had a million things to juggle, as well as a stomach full of butterflies.

She hadn’t slept well last night, having visions of the gruff adult Max melding with the rebellious teen from that night on the beach. The same man, yet so different now.

No matter how much she wanted to deny it, she had Max Sanders on the brain. With his alluring five-o’clock shadow and smoky eyes, he’d taken up residence in her mind ever since she’d walked into his messy office with the piles of boxes, names of women on his calendar and his emphatic refusal to volunteer for the benefit.

The benefit. Right. She could do this while juggling her real job. Prepared and competent. The fearless leader of the ladies waiting inside.

This morning she’d taken more than a few minutes to throw an outfit together. She’d chosen a hot-pink pullover, white cropped pants and low-heeled sparkly sandals. Applying her makeup hadn’t been a five-minute job. She’d taken her time with the cosmetics and styled her hair in a breezy, flowing style. Image was everything with these women. She’d opted for the country club look, and from what she’d seen reflected in the mirror, she’d succeeded.

Until her ruined wedding rehearsal flashed through her mind and her heart started racing. She hesitated on the brick walkway to catch her breath, staring out over the golf course. The morning haze was burning off as the day grew warm. Lingering humidity dampened her skin and the hum of a golf cart zooming by roused her from her sinking mood. Straightening her shoulders, she marched through the etched glass front door, right into the location of her wedding nightmare.

Instead of going directly to the meeting room, she made a detour to the restroom for a last-minute check on her makeup. She’d looked fine when she left the apartment, but she couldn’t chance any visible flaw or these women would pounce.

Effectively procrastinating with her side trip, she found her makeup in the same shape as when she’d left her apartment. No more excuses.
Bite the bullet and get to the meeting.
Glancing at her watch she saw she had about five minutes to spare.

Enough. Just do this.

On her way to the meeting room she passed the main event room where the benefit would be held. The same room as the rehearsal dinner. As if pushed by an invisible force, Lilli found herself entering the dim room. Scattered tables and a few chairs littered the space. The back wall of floor-to-ceiling windows was flanked by thick drapes, showcasing a beautiful view of the golf course.

A chill ran over her as she drifted back to that night....

Lilli had beamed in delight as the dreamy, romantic images of the slideshow flashed on the overhead screen. Images of her with Rob appeared in a collage set to the theme song from the movie
Titanic
. Overlapping photos featured their childhood then moved into the year they dated. Teary-eyed with happiness, Lilli had taken Rob’s hand in hers, resting her head on his shoulder. The most perfect ending to their rehearsal dinner, to be followed by the most perfect fairy-tale wedding the next day.

“Lilli, we have to talk,” Rob had whispered urgently in her ear.

She’d squeezed his hand with excitement. “Just another minute. Mom went to so much trouble to put this beautiful tribute together. We have a lifetime to talk after all the celebrating.”

“But, Lilli, I’ve been trying to talk to you all night, please—” Rob had begun until Lilli hugged herself closer to him. She’d breathed in the scent of his musky cologne. The fine fabric of his suit brushed against her cheek. The months spent planning this wedding were finally proving worthwhile as the inevitable drama receded into relief, then celebration. After tomorrow, she and Rob would enjoy their new lives together without bickering over every little life decision.

“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” Celeste had recited Shakespeare’s famous sonnet after the music stopped. The words to the romantic poem appeared on the screen while her mother spoke into the microphone she’d been holding.

Rob had stirred beside her. “Lilli, please.”

She pulled back, frowning. “Can’t it wait?”

Rob had responded with a sigh and sat, rigid. He’d been preoccupied and moody all week, blaming his behavior on wedding stress. What with the year-long planning and his recent job promotion at the law firm, she couldn’t blame him. She’d been caught up in the whirlwind herself. In fact, they hadn’t talked in weeks. Wasn’t that to be expected when emotions ran high as the big day drew closer?

“Okay, Lilli. I’ll let you have your moment,” he’d muttered.

He’d let go of her hand to sip his iced tea just as the opening strains of “Spring” from Vivaldi’s
Four Seasons
began. Lilli turned her attention back to the screen. Her heart swelled at the picture—the two of them at the beach, arm in arm, silhouetted against a dramatic apricot-hued sunset.

Images of wedding gowns, roses and chocolates had appeared on the screen, leading to the grand finale of the presentation. Lilli turned back to Rob, startled that he’d disappeared. She looked over her shoulder. Scanning the room, she’d finally spied him beside her mother, deep in heated conversation.

“Well, why didn’t you say so?” Celeste admonished, not realizing she still held the live microphone close by. “Of course, go right ahead.”

Rob shook his head.

“Everyone,” Celeste said. “The groom-to-be would like to say something to the bride-to-be. Apparently, they haven’t had a moment alone for him to say what’s in his heart.”

The room had filled with hushed excitement as Lilli leaned back in her linen-covered chair, waiting to see what kind of romantic surprise Rob had in store for her.

Rob’s gaze had met hers and he paled. Letting out a groan of frustration, he sidled past his future mother-in-law to the keyboard used to run the presentation.

The screen went blank.

Rob typed furiously.

Lilli, along with everyone in the large ballroom, waited in anticipation for the heartfelt words that would appear on the screen.

Lilli, you are a wonderful girl,
the words began, making everyone in the room sigh simultaneously. Lilli had felt a lump of emotion rise in her throat.

But,
came the next word.

Followed by,
I have to beak up with you.

“Beak?” her mother asked directly into the microphone. She exchanged a confused glance between the screen and Lilli, who sat frozen in her seat. “What does
beak
mean?”

Lilli frowned.
Beak?
Did he mean...?

“Break,” Rob belted out. “Lilli, I have to break up with you,” he said from across the room. “Before our family and friends, I have to break up with you.”

Lilli stared at him in horror as excited murmurs rose throughout the room. Her mind went blank until Rob had managed to pull Lilli to a corner of the room.

“Why?” Lilli had asked, her chest tight, her eyes hot with unshed tears.

“I can’t do this.”

“But we have the church reserved. The reception hall booked. Our whole future ahead of us.”

“That’s just it, a future with you working.”

“What are you talking about?” she’d asked, truly confused.

“I thought I wanted a wife. A family. But instead I just feel pressured.”

“Is this about me working? I can cut back for a while, until we get used to—”

“That’s just it. I don’t know what I want right now. The pressure of this wedding is just too much.”

She’d glanced around the room full of rapt faces hanging on the engaged couple’s every word. “And you’ve decided that right now is the time to discuss this?”

“What better time? After we say our vows? You’ve been putting me off, what with all the wedding lists and plans. Everything has to be just so, according to your timetable. What about what I want?”

She’d blinked and looked at him. Really looked at him. Is this how married life would be? Rob changing his mind about their lives when the pressure became too much for him?

“So this is your decision?” She refused to go back to a life where other people dictated her every move. Her parents had done that most of her life. Her husband would not.

Rob straightened his shoulders. “I’m sorry, Lilli.”

“I know, Rob.” She hadn’t understood, but knew he meant those words.

Rob had turned on his heel and walked out of her life, leaving her with a room full of people who wanted answers, a wedding to undo and facing the realization that she’d almost made a huge mistake.

Now, a year later, Lilli slowly backed out of the room, her palms damp, disturbed by her memories. Rob may have taken off after embarrassing her, but she’d learned one thing for sure. Never, ever again would she allow herself to be that thoroughly humiliated.

She shook her head, removing the lingering visuals and pulling herself together. When she finally entered the room to conduct the meeting, the chatter faded. Lilli faced the women before her, suddenly at a loss for words. Each face held a different emotion. Curiosity. Doubt. Disdain. Now that she had to actually run this meeting, she couldn’t think of a thing to say.

It only took one condescending look from Marisa to get her mind in gear.

She took a deep breath and said, “Thank you so much for meeting with me this morning. I have reviewed my mother’s initial lists, which Mrs. Rumpold kindly put together.” She paused as the ladies gave the older woman much-deserved applause. “I wanted to touch base with you all and review some items.”

She pulled out the master list she’d made last night with all the information Celeste left her along with some ideas of her own.

“From what I can tell, the committees are full and we still have a lot of work ahead of us to make Tie the Knot a success.”

“The committees were filled long before you came on the scene,” Sissy Vandermere, Marisa’s mother, informed Lilli before she could say another word. Just as Celeste had warned her.

Unruffled, Lilli said, “Yes, I see that, so I’d like to get a status report today.”

“Status reports? Really, Lilli, I’ve been involved with this project from the start. I know more than you do about the lists and committees.” Sissy crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. Lilli half expected the woman to stand up and stomp her feet in a childish tantrum, screaming, “My way or the highway!”

Lilli cleared her throat, trying to ignore the interruption. “Humor me.” She scanned the list. “I have decorations, donations, club liaison and publicity.”

“I can take care of the details as well as you.” Sissy straightened, fussed with her hair and took her bossy attitude up a notch. “I’m club liaison, since everyone knows we’re members here.”

No one needed the reminder.

Lilli continued. “The club has posted the date and time of Tie the Knot.” She glanced at her notes then asked Sissy, “When can we have access to the event room?”

Sissy looked around the room, then at Lilli. “Excuse me?”

“When will they let us in to get the room ready for the benefit?”

Sissy nearly sniffed her answer. “I didn’t ask. I assumed we’d have it whenever we wanted.”

“We need to know so we can plan accordingly, especially if there is another event scheduled close to ours. We need to have the tables in place in order to set the stage, decorate and position the silent auction table—”

“Your mother takes care of that,” Sissy said, a red bloom to her cheeks.

“My mother isn’t here—I am. And your job is to coordinate with the club, unless you can’t handle that.”

Silence filled the room as the tension ratcheted higher. The ladies looked from Lilli to Sissy and back again.

Sissy’s back went up and her eyes narrowed. “I’ll get back to you with those details.”

“Thank you. Now, let’s move on to decorations.”

A petite woman raised her hand. “I’m Mary Gibbons. That’s my committee, but I’d like to talk to you later, if possible.”

Lilli glanced at the worried frown on the woman’s face. “No problem. We’ll get together after the meeting.” She gave Mary a reassuring smile before looking at her list. After checking her notes, she said, “Silent auction?”