Intercepted by Love: Part Six: A Football Romance (The Quarterback's Heart Book 6) (4 page)

“You okay?” Ronaldo gave her a hand.

She nodded and turned to read a poster tacked to a store window.

“All I want is for Andie to be happy,” Cade continued. “She loves Bret already, and I don’t want any flies in the soup.”

“Understood.” Ronaldo flexed and unflexed his fingers. His eyelid twitched, and he pursed his lips.

Whatever was going on, he was up to something. Cade could always read Ronaldo’s tells, no matter how cool he seemed to be.

“So, tell me, why are you and your crew really here in New York?” Cade unlocked his car and transferred a snoozing Bret from the stroller to the car seat. “I can’t imagine you taking your aunt’s orders to revive theater by the lake.”

“Told you already. I owe her for not telling her about you. She would have kicked Dick to the curb long ago had she known he’d screwed around on her.” Ronaldo put his hands in his pockets and shrugged. “By the way, are you getting a pre-nup?”

“A pre-nup? Why would I need one of those?” Cade realized he’d raised his voice when the confused patient from the pediatrics office stopped near them and proceeded to count the change in her purse while staring at a parking meter that took credit cards.

Ronaldo’s strident voice caught his attention. “As your mentor and buddy, I have to counsel you to get one. You never know what a woman’s really thinking.”

“I don’t need one. Not with Andie.”

“You sure?” Ronaldo raised an eyebrow. “This entire ‘we aren’t getting hitched until your mother shows up’ thing sounds as phony as Kobe beef bologna. Why do you think she’s so eager to get your mom to walk you down the aisle?”

“She wants closure for me.”

“There’d be a lot of people who’d want closure from your mom.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Cade slid into the driver’s seat while Ronaldo got into the passenger seat. He still had time on his meter if that woman wanted to move her car. Hopefully she drove better than she walked.

“Your mom hasn’t been an angel,” Ronaldo said, lowering the electric windows. “It’s freaking hot for April.”

A dark cloud descended over Cade’s head and shoulders, weighing his spirit down, as he switched on the air conditioning to push the hot air out the window.

“That’s exactly why I don’t want to have anything to do with her. She put Andie in danger. Andie could have been killed, and the baby …” Cade palmed his face with both hands and wiped it, sighing. “I want Andie to think well of Barbara. She did befriend her when she was new in town. I’d like to think my mom was watching over Andie at the sting, but now that she’s gone for more than half a year, I’m thinking she was in it for her own skin, as usual.”

“So, you’d rather she didn’t show up at your wedding?”

“I don’t want her to ruin my life any further.” Cade turned toward his friend. “I wish she’d stay away from us and never come back. So no, I don’t want her at the wedding. I don’t want to hear from her, see her, or pretend we care about each other. She’s probably using again, and once she goes through the money, she’ll be back trying to scam for more.”

Ronaldo slapped a hand on Cade’s shoulder. “Sure, dude. Let’s do the wedding in secret and not let her know.”

“Then we can’t let Andie know either,” Cade said. “She’ll announce it on social media, and if my mother happens to think there’s an advantage in her showing up, she might walk straight into a trap.”

“We’ll just have to set up a double blind wedding. Let Andie plan and announce a date in public, then marry her when she least expects it.”

“How would I do that?” Cade switched on the ignition.

“I’ve a plan, but I can’t tell you or you’ll give it away. In the meantime, I’ll have my lawyer draw up a pre-nup for her to sign.”

“She won’t sign, trust me.”

“She will if she thinks it’s part of the plan to bring Barb back.”

“I have no idea how you’re going to pull that off, but no pre-nup. Never.” Cade glared at his friend as he pulled from the curb, swerving last minute to avoid hitting the confused woman with the dark glasses jaywalking across the street.

S
pring arrived
in the New York Finger Lakes region in fits and starts. The day broke sunny and nippy, but pleasant. Cade balanced Bret in one arm while holding Andie’s hand as they strolled through a giant greenhouse at the university.

Springtime meant flowers, and Itasca University was known for its agriculture and horticulture programs. Every year, the students put on a flower show with contests for the most stunning arrangements as well as displays of art combining floriculture exhibits against backdrops featuring street painting and graffiti art.

“Are you getting any ideas for your bridal bouquet?” Cade guided Andie to the section full of orchids. “What types of flowers do you like?”

“This is all so beautiful, I have no clue.” Andie lingered in front of a cascading display of white orchids. “I thought Ronaldo and Sylvia were planning the wedding.”

“I wouldn’t count on them,” Cade said. “I think you should get the wedding you want, and I don’t believe you should wait for my mother to appear.”

An older hippie woman decked out in a dashiki print over bellbottoms dashed across Andie’s path, forcing her to step to the side.

“Why don’t you want her at the wedding?” Andie said, as her protruding abdomen bumped into an intricate multi-colored glass vase.

Cade’s quick reflexes kept the vase from toppling onto the tile floor. “She’s wanted by the law. You heard what Ronaldo said. The FBI want to speak to her. She can’t just waltz in as if nothing happened.”

“True.” Andie turned toward a giant sunburst of fiery colored blossoms. Her large purse caught the side of a pedestal arrangement.

Cade dove forward, taking two big steps, while holding onto Bret, and caught the column. Andie seemed oblivious of the near disasters as she studied the pop art painted on the side of a faux-boxcar panel.

A little out of breath, Cade eased to her side. “Besides that, my mom could be in danger. Those crooks might want to silence her.”

Andie’s mouth dropped into an elongated oval. “Oh, that’s right. Did we ever figure out who kidnapped her?”

“No, and that bothers me.” Cade yanked Bret back when he swiped at a jeweled butterfly dangling from a flower stem.

The same middle-aged hippie waved at Bret in a childish manner, opening and closing her fingers. Why was she wearing a dark plastic UV protecting face shield, the kind Asian women in California wore to keep from getting freckles and age spots?

Cade shifted Bret to his opposite hip. One couldn’t be too careful with strangers, especially suspicious baby-snatching ones.

“You have a point there.” Andie’s brows creased, seemingly considering. “It seems awfully convenient that Ronaldo would pop up and offer to get your mother into the witness protection program.”

“Exactly. In my gut, I feel there’s a cat and mouse game being played, and I don’t want our wedding to be the bait.”

“What are you saying?” Andie put her nose to a spray of bell-shaped lilies of the valley.

“That we elope, along with your mom, dad, and Bret. You can have your Aunt Helen, too, if you wish. Let’s ditch all the reporters and take a trip together.”

Andie did that little head shake and frowned. “I feel you’re rushing things.”

“Rushing?” Cade couldn’t help staring at her pregnant belly. “Once Bonnie’s here, we won’t have time. You’ll be busy taking care of her and Bret, and I’ll be going back to the city for conditioning camp.”

“Without me?” Andie’s eyes narrowed. “To that million dollar condo the team got you? Right in the center of nightlife and glamour?”

“You’re welcome to come, but I thought we agreed you’d stay in Itasca close to your parents. That was what you wanted.”

“Sure, it feels too convenient for you. Marry me in April. Bonnie’s born in May. Conditioning camp in June. Then training camp July and August, and the season runs from September all the way to next February if you get to the Super Bowl again.”

Cade took a step back as chills raised goosebumps on his skin. Andie wasn’t entire on board with getting married? Hadn’t she said “yes” in front of the entire world? She loved him too, unless he was misreading her.

But then, how was she going to say “no” in front of the world at his moment of glory? Cade felt eyes burning into the back of his head. A reporter could be snooping nearby, and the next thing he knew, their color pictures would be splashed on the tabloids at the check-out line.

Cade turned three-sixty, but the only person in the vicinity was the aging hippie who seemed to be praying with her love beads, fingering each one in her gnarly hand while hiding behind the face shield.

He reached for Andie’s hand. “Are we okay? Do we need to talk?”

“Watch out.” Andie lunged for a centerpiece set on a cream and silver veined marble table.

Bret had his fist closed around the stem of a rare saffron-colored orchid.

“Goo, gah,” he gurgled and squealed with laughter.

“Oh, no, do you know how much that’s worth?” Andie swiped the flower from Bret and tried to stick it back into the golden vase.

The proprietor, a rather large, owlish man wearing a pinstriped suit sauntered toward them. “What’s going on here?”

“Uh, the baby, sorry,” Andie said. “I’m putting it back.”

“This was my entry into the Herbert Van Roekens flower arranging competition.” He took the stem from Andie and frowned. “Your baby bent this. It’s ruined.”

“Oh, gosh, we’re so sorry,” Andie took the baby from Cade, who reached for his wallet.

“Is there any way I can pay for this?” Cade asked.

“Say, aren’t you that football player?” The man’s eyes brightened. “I’ve a friend at city hall who clues me into upcoming weddings. Weren’t you just there getting a license?”

Wasn’t there anything private in a small town? Guess not.

The man held out his hand to shake. “I’m Heath Rose, certified floriculturist.”

“Nice to meet you. She’s planning the wedding,” Cade passed the buck. “Whatever she wants, she’ll get.”

Andie shot daggers at him, then smiled sweetly at the man, who appeared to eye her greedily from behind his designer eyeglasses. “Actually I’ll be planning my wedding and a couple of plays by the lake.”

Plays by the lake? This was news to Cade.

“Are you with the Silver-Spooned Players?” The man brightened visibly. “

“Why, yes, that would be correct.” Andie’s voice adopted a more patrician accent. “My associates and I are putting on a production of the
Marriage of Figaro
. I’m sure we will require large, showy bouquets and centerpieces.”

“Of course. Here’s my card,” Heath purred, his eyes taking in the creamy curves of Andie’s cleavage, partially covered by a drooling Bret.

Why, oh why had the weather warmed enough for her to wear sundresses? It was going to be tough keeping marauding men’s paws from his wife—if he ever got her to the altar.

“Awesome,” Andie said, as she passed Bret off to Cade so she could take the card. “I’ll be in touch.”

“Can’t wait.” Heath plucked a huge orchid from the center of his display and handed it to Andie. “Your wish is my command.”

The overdressed dork then gave a courtly half-bow and winked at Andie right in front of Cade, who was struggling to hold Bret from wiggling out of his arms.

“All part of my job.” Andie shook hands with the odious man. “We’re in the planning stages right now, so perhaps we can go over your portfolio next week.”

Since when had Andie been roped into working for Silver-Spooned Players? Cade would have to have a word with Ronaldo. Andie would have her hands full with two babies in diapers. His buddy couldn’t just hire her without consulting him. What scheme was he up to this time?

A
ndie kissed
and cuddled Bret as she sat at a bistro table and waited for Cade to buy their lunch from a booth set up by Tall Duck Winery, a local winery named after a band of tall, thin greenish-black ducks who don’t waddle, but run while standing tall and erect.

A folk band played Bob Dylan tunes, and the pervasive fragrance of the multitudes of flowers festooning the stage and surrounding tables made Andie’s heart blossom with hope and new possibilities, like it did every spring time.

“We almost got your daddy in trouble back there,” Andie said to Bret. “But look what Mommy got, a bright, orange orchid to match my hair.”

Brett giggled and squealed, drool collecting on his chin. He rubbed his knuckles over his gums. His eyes opened in shock and he yowled.

“Oh look, your little tooth has sprouted. Look at those jagged edges.” Andie kissed Bret’s knuckle. Fortunately the skin wasn’t broken. “There, owie’s gone.”

Several matronly looking women sitting near her cooed and ahhed at Bret, who gave them a gurgling laugh. Even the young mother who’d been scolding her whiny toddler looked over and smiled.

“Gee, ohhg-lah,” Bret sang, grabbing Andie’s hair, as a man approached the table.

“Mind if I join you?” It was Leroy Chan, the scriptwriter. Once, long ago, he’d taken Andie to a bar, as a coworker, not a date, and had gotten Cade jealous. But he’d never made a pass at her, and had always stayed friendly, even after
The
Love Lives of King David
show was cancelled.

“Of course not, grab a chair.” Andie juggled Bret, wishing Cade could get the stroller. It hadn’t been allowed inside the greenhouse because of the cramped aisles.

Leroy moved a chair from the neighboring table where a lone woman sat reading a paperback with a man and a woman splashed out on a beach on the cover. Her eyes were hidden by a dark visor, and she seemed oblivious to Leroy stealing the chair. Oh well, she was too engrossed in
Knowing Vera
to pay attention.

Leroy pointed to Andie’s cup of apple cider with the Tall Duck logo. “I love all these quaint wineries up here. They’re not as commercialized as Napa Valley.”

“Me, too. The Finger Lakes region is pretty special. We still have family farms, family owned wineries and craft breweries, and regular people doing artwork from their barns. Of course, it means we’re dependent on tourism and the university, since heavy industry moved out long ago.”

“True.” Leroy unfolded a napkin and wrapped it around his sandwich. “That’s why Ronaldo’s revitalizing the summer theater. His aunt’s looking at purchasing a swath of land along the lakefront.”

“Really? Doesn’t running the football team keep her busy?”

“Dinah Silver’s a legend, just like her mom, Amanda Silver, the doyen of Hollywood.” Leroy took a huge bite from his grilled Reuben sandwich.

Andie’s mouth watered, and she glanced over at the line in front of Tall Duck’s booth. Cade was near the front, almost ready to order. He caught her eye and gave her a tiny wave.

Awww … whatever he did still sent a tingle and made her heart flutter. He was one of the good guys, despite the trouble his mother caused. But still, Andie didn’t want to be entirely dependent on Cade, which was why Ronaldo’s offer for her to help with set design for the plays was so interesting. She could use her historical background to come up with the appropriate fixtures and flowers, while earning some income of her own. Maybe she could think of a winter business that leveraged those sets during the off-season, too.

Leroy set his sandwich on the plate and crunched on a pickle. “Are you excited about the plans Ronaldo has for the summer?”

“Definitely.” Andie adjusted Bret over her shoulder and dug for a burp cloth in her large purse which doubled as a diaper bag. “There are so many plays we could put on. Are we doing existing ones, like
The Marriage of Figaro
and
The Midsummer Night’s Dream
, or will you add a few originals? After all, you’re a screenwriter.”

“But not a playwright.” Leroy took a sip from his wineglass. “Ronaldo has another idea, and this is directly related to you.”

“Me? Sylvia mentioned something the other day.”

“He thinks you’re perfect for it.” Leroy’s eyes crinkled as he smiled. “He wants to you come up with a business plan on how to use the facilities, the theater, the props and the settings, for a commercial venture other than plays. Didn’t you use to do historical reenactments with your father?”

“Oh, gosh, yes. We mostly did Ancient Israel, but we have friends who are into the Civil War, and others all gung-ho over Scotland and the Jacobean revolts.”

“See? Something you can think about. The land Dinah Silver is going to buy has fields, streams, forests, and of course, part of it is lakefront. It’s going to be adjacent to the Tall Duck Winery, but right now, the owners of the winery are trying to block development.”

“I can understand that.” Andie glanced over at Cade’s direction. He was paying for the food. Yay. Her stomach rumbled, encouraged that food was near, and baby Bonnie jumped, probably woken by the rumbling.

“Ronaldo’s not too worried. The winery is in need of a cash infusion, and I’m sure once Silver Enterprises develops the adjacent land, their value will shoot up.”

“Yeah, but it’ll change the small town atmosphere. I hope Dinah’s not planning big resorts.” Andie made room as Cade set down their tray. A duck breast, cherry, and blue cheese pressed sandwich for her, and a smoked ham, red grape and cheddar pressed sandwich for him.

“Sorry, the line was so long,” Cade said, then nodded at Leroy. “Hey, nice to see you again.”

“Same here.” Leroy reached over and shook hands with Cade.

Andie shifted Bret from one shoulder to the other. The baby had fallen asleep and was getting heavier by the minute, slumping over her like a sack of potatoes.

“Let me take him from you,” Cade said, his voice stiff. “I’ll be right back with the stroller.”

He walked off quickly.

“Should I be leaving you two alone?” Leroy wiped his hands with a napkin. “I’m sure you want to enjoy lunch with your fiancé.”

“No, it’s fine. We’ll have plenty of time together later.” Andie patted his hand. “Stay and tell me what you’ll be working on. You didn’t say if you’re writing any new plays.”

“Oh, that.” A grin split Leroy’s smooth-shaven face. “I’m working on a theatrical version of Michal and David’s story. It’s a play, of course, so no special effects or any grand pageantry, but it’ll deal with the shepherd boy, the king, and the princess. The title is
David Betrayed
.”