Orange Blossom Brides (18 page)

Lilli blew out a sigh of relief. Although the poor woman appeared frazzled, she seemed otherwise fine.

Max joined them, sporting a frown. “The alarm went off because of the Vandermeres. The doors and windows are untouched. I’m going to walk around the building, but I don’t expect to find anything out of the norm. I’ll also let the chief know what’s going on.” He smiled at Mrs. R. and Lilli swore the woman almost swooned. “Good job remembering to set the alarm.”

“After all the fuss the other day, I make sure I set it every time I leave.”

“About that, I’m sorry I came down so hard on you.”

Mrs. R. patted his arm. “You did the right thing.”

Lilli watched them, fighting back a grin. Big bad Max, apologizing.

He nodded at Lilli. “I’ll be back.” He turned on his heel and headed outside. Mrs. R. started muttering. Lilli glanced at her, then followed Mrs. R.’s pointing finger. Marisa and her mother Sissy fussed over what looked like a wedding gown.

“That’s not one of the loaners,” Lilli said. The trendy gown the women surrounded did not look vintage in the least.

“No. It’s worse.” Mrs. R. replied, her eyes round. “Marisa’s first gown. From the first wedding. You know, one of the two that never took place.”

Oh, boy. This is going to get tricky.

Lilli dropped her purse on the desk and tentatively made her way to the mother-daughter tag team. “Good afternoon, ladies. What’s going on?”

Marisa turned on her expensive heel, her mother peering over her shoulder.

“Just my little contribution to the cause.”

Lilli stepped around the women, her eyes on the wedding gown. Exquisite, of course. Marisa wouldn’t own anything but an expensive designer original. The fitted bodice, covered with little seed pearls, stopped at the waist and flared out in layer over layer of lovely silk. Talk about a Cinderella fantasy.

“Why, exactly, are you contributing?”

Marisa placed her hands on her hips and sighed, regarding Lilli like she was a child. “We both know I won’t use this dress. That wedding never took place, but it is beautiful and should be seen.”

Lilli couldn’t argue its beauty, but it didn’t add to the vintage theme of the benefit, unlike the gown Marisa was scheduled to model. How many unused wedding dresses could one woman own? Lilli was standing there, contemplating what to do, when Sissy piped up.

“We think you should move those older outfits off to the side, and put Marisa’s dress front and center.”

Mrs. Rumpold gasped. “Those gowns are works of art.”

“They’re in the way.” That said, Sissy curled her arm around the dress form with the Princess Diana-style gown, lifting it from the floor. As she did, the heavy bottom bumped the dress form holding the Chanel, toppling it to the ground.

Wincing, Lilli ran over, hoping to catch the dress and prevent any damage. She managed to grab the Chanel just as it hit the ground but her stomach sank when she noticed seed pearls scattered on the carpet from the Diana style dress.

“Look what you’ve done,” Mrs. R. scolded, her voice steely as she gently removed the dress from Sissy’s grasp. “You shouldn’t have touched anything.”

“I only wanted Marisa’s dress to be seen.”

Heart racing, Lilli pulled her hair back from her face as she tried to calm down. “I think it would be best if you took Marisa’s dress home.”

“Home?” Sissy glared at her. “But we just got here.”

Lilli barely held on to her temper. “I think you ladies should leave.”

Marisa had the sense to realize the gravity of the situation even if her mother did not. They argued between themselves as Marisa stuffed the gown back into the garment back and ushered her mother out the door. Once they left, Lilli and Mrs. R. inspected the damaged dress.

“It’s not too bad,” Mrs. R. commented. “Only one section of pearls came loose.”

“I’m going to have to call Gabrielle.”

Mrs. R. held up the pearls she’d rescued from the floor in her hand. “Do you think the gown can be repaired?”

“Gab would know. This is her area of expertise.”

Lilli went quiet for a moment, the ramifications of Sissy’s actions running through her mind. “You know, once I call Gab, the display might be cancelled.”

“Sissy would love that, making your mother look bad.”

While Lilli hated that her mother might look bad, her friend, not Celeste’s, had arranged the loaners.

Not one to procrastinate, Lilli called Gabrielle and explained the situation. Gab went mute at first, probably stunned, but rallied to the moment. “Lilli, we expect some wear and tear on the garments as they age.”

“This is a little more than normal aging.”

“Are there many pearls missing?”

“None. We collected them all.”

“Tell you what. I’ll come by tomorrow and evaluate the damage. If possible, I may be able to sew the pearls back on.”

“Gab, I don’t want you to do anything that’ll get you in trouble.”

“I’m not making any promises, but Renata is out of town, so as curator, this is my call.”

“If you’re sure,” Lilli said.

“I am. Try not to worry. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Gab.”

Max walked in the door just as Lilli hung up. “Took care of the police. I saw Marisa and her mother leaving. Problem?”

Lilli exchanged a glance with Mrs. R. “You could say that.”

Concern eclipsed Max’s expression. “What happened?”

Lilli told him what Sissy had done. He walked to the row of dresses. “It’s just the one?”

“One is enough,” she said, trying to keep the despair from her voice.

He turned back to Lilli. “Need me to call the owner of the collection?”

“I already called the curator.” She relayed their conversation.

“Nothing like this has ever happened before.” Mrs. R. dropped the seed pearls into an envelope. “Are you sure there’s nothing we can do?”

“Not until tomorrow.”

“Let’s close up the office,” Max suggested. “No point in worrying about something you can’t fix.”

Lilli collected her purse and followed Max to the door. She and Mrs. R. waited on the sidewalk while Max activated the alarm. When he joined them, Mrs. R. locked the door and walked to her car.

Lilli stood there, not sure what to do. Her stomach still churned. She’d only pace and worry if she went home.

“How about a walk on the beach,” Max suggested. “I go there when I have a lot on my mind.”

“Does it help?”

“Sometimes.”

She shrugged. “Why not.”

“Oh, before I forget, Gram sent over the first draft of the wedding thing. Want to read it?”

“Wedding thing?”

“You know what I mean.”

Yeah, she did. “Sure.”

“Let me get the envelope out of the truck, then we’ll go down to the beach.”

Before long, they’d walked the block to the beach. Lilli removed her flip-flops when they got there, sinking her feet in the cool sand. “My life is a disaster.”

“You’ve got some problems, but hardly dire.”

“Why on earth did those women have to go to the office? Couldn’t they leave well enough alone?”

“From what I’ve seen, probably not.”

“I hope my friend Gab doesn’t get in trouble over this.”

“What about you?”

“I’m in charge, Max. I’ll take what’s coming.”

“Yeah, I know you will.”

His acknowledgement of her willingness to take responsibility should make her feel better, but didn’t change a thing unless Gab could repair the dress. Someone’s head would roll and it most likely would be hers.

“Not the best way to spend a Sunday,” Max ventured as they neared the shoreline.

“I had planned on making a list of volunteer groom’s duties just for you. Mostly because you didn’t want my help.”

“That’s because we seem to rub each other the wrong way.”

“Funny how that happens.”

“Hilarious.”

Max intently stared at her for a brief moment. “I’ve never met a woman who knocks me off balance the way you do.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“Oh, yeah.”

To be honest, he did the same thing to her. From the day she’d arrived in his office, asking him to volunteer and getting his unexpected “No.” Who thought she’d look at him now and see so much more than his stubbornness and drive? The man could be hard at times and focused on the job, traits she didn’t actually mind, but when his gentle side showed up, well, that’s when she knew she’d lost her heart.

“You make me crazy” he said. “But at the same time, I look forward to seeing you. I never know what to expect.”

“Makes life interesting.”

He grinned. “I never took you for a dog lover, but there you were, working at the animal shelter and not one bit upset about getting muddy.”

“I’m really not that superficial.”

“I know that now. You’re still bossy, but I understand you like things done a certain way. Nothing wrong with that.”

“I could say the same about you. Thanks for being gentle with Mrs. R. today.”

He shrugged. “There was nothing to get riled up about. She set the alarm. The other women created the problem.”

“Don’t remind me.” She appreciated his getting her mind off the Vandermeres. The walk had worked—she’d calmed down some. To keep that calm, they needed to stay on less stressful topics. “Mrs. R. has a crush on you, you know.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“It’s cute that you didn’t notice.”

“I don’t even know how to respond to that.”

Despite her gloomy mood, Lilli laughed.

“Or you, sometimes.”

“And if I admitted to having a crush on you?”

He grinned, slow and wolfish. “Now, that I wouldn’t mind seeing.”

Max’s eyes went dark and she hoped he’d kiss her again. Long, drawn-out seconds passed. She waited, sure nothing would happen, until he finally brushed his lips over hers, light and easy.

“Nope, I wouldn’t mind at all,” he whispered against her lips.

She sighed softly when he kissed her again, but was disappointed when he broke the kiss and put some space between them.

“Listen, Lilli, whatever happens, I’ll be there for you. If you need me to talk to the curator, whatever, call me. I’ll be available until after the benefit.”

“You’re going somewhere?”

“If I sign on this new client, I’ll be working out of town.”

Out of town? Great. First the Vandermeres ruin a beautiful dress and then she finds out Max might be leaving.

“I’m still working for the historical society,” he said.

He might be, but once the benefit was over she wouldn’t be involved with the society any further. “Thanks.”

“Even though today was a false alarm, I was glad to see you on top of things. You arrived quickly.”

“After the alarm company called, I hurried over. I hated to think that someone successfully broke in this time.” She shook her head. “Imagine. My worst nightmare taking place without the help of a thief.”

“Don’t go there. Your friend said she may be able to fix the dress.”

“I know, I know. I shouldn’t tempt fate.” She kicked a clump of seaweed. “How about I take a look at what your grandmother put together? After today, Laverne’s involvement may be the only hope of keeping the benefit afloat.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

L
IFTING
THE
FLAP
of the envelope Max handed her, Lilli slid the folded papers out. In neat handwriting, Laverne recounted the story of her engagement, the days prior to the wedding and the wedding itself. One passage in particular caught her attention:

Not a man of many words, Clifford’s love for me was always strong, always sure. After the ceremony, as the guests walked to the fellowship hall for the reception, he pulled me aside. “I have loved you since the moment I first laid eyes on you,” he said. “I made a vow right then and there that if you agreed to marry me, I would be the best husband I could be. It’s so much more than promising to love in sickness and health like the vows state. Those things are important. But in order to be a good husband I have to be a man of my word. And I promise you, Laverne, I will be a husband who puts you first. That’s the vow I make to you. You can trust me on that.

Vows. Trust. A man who put his love first. The folks attending the benefit would adore it. Lilli finished reading and replaced the pages inside the envelope.

“So?” Max asked.

“Better than I could have hoped,” she answered in a husky voice. He’d never know the letter made her heart squeeze with longing. She wanted those things, too.

“Hey, you okay?”

“Yeah, don’t mind me.” She brushed her hair out of her eyes. “I’m touched.”

“Then she did a good job.”

Lilli studied his profile. Max Sanders. Confident. Kind. Handsome. Could he be the type of man his grandfather had been? Trustworthy? There were men like Clifford in the world, and if he’d just stop fighting it, Lilli believed Max could be the same kind of man. The marrying kind.

“Maybe I should read what Gram wrote,” he said in a quiet tone after a few moments.

“I think you should.” She handed him the envelope. “I’ll go down by the water.”

He lowered himself to the sand to read. Lilli wandered into the surf, gentle waves caressing her ankles, her busy mind coming up with damage control. She hoped Gabrielle would be able to repair the garment. If Renata decided they could no longer display the collection, the benefit would still go on, even if folks wondered what happened. She was thankful she had recruited Laverne.

Max finally joined her, squinting as he looked out over the water. She shuffled to his side.

“I never knew my grandfather but heard plenty of stories about him. I remember thinking I’d never measure up to a guy like him. Or my dad.” He paused. “Losing both of them was a blow to our family.”

“I can’t imagine.”

“Before my mom left, she said some pretty cruel things. I get that she was hurting after my dad died, so she lashed out at me. I understand she wasn’t cut out to be a single mom so she bolted, but it doesn’t change the fact that she left me behind.”

“She was wrong.”

He shrugged.

“Do you ever hear from her?”

“From time to time. She talks to Gram mostly. At first, I refused to talk to her. She left me, so I had nothing to say. Now I try to make small talk if she calls. I still don’t feel like I measure up.”

“Max, look what you’ve done with your life. How you took a troubled childhood and turned it around. You’re going to make Sanders Security a success, I’m sure of it.”

“I’m trying my best.”

“That’s all anyone can do.”

“That’s what my grandfather did. Loved my grandmother and made a good life for them.” He paused. “So did my dad. That’s why Mom left. She missed him too much. And I was hurting, too, so I didn’t understand.”

Lilli placed her hand on his arm. “The good thing about life is it’s never static. You can continue the family line of upstanding men if you want to. It’s your decision.”

“And if I screw up?”

“It’s not a question of if. It’s a matter of when. Nobody’s perfect, Max.”

“What if I can’t be the Sanders man Gram expects me to be?”

“Then be who you want to be. On your terms.”

He looked at her with troubled eyes. “Speaking from experience?”

“Some. It was hard growing up with parents who didn’t get along and eventually divorced. Growing up with kids who only put up with me because of who my parents were. I never fit in anywhere. So I focused all my energy on my education, then my career.” She grinned. “I’m a little task-oriented.”

“No kidding.”

“But it works for me. I’m trying to earn a promotion, so KLC keeps me busy.”

“How’s that going since you’ve been busy with the fund-raiser?”

“I’ve had to manage my time to get all my work done, but so far, so good. I have pretty stiff competition, but I’ve been after the client, making sure he doesn’t forget I want his business.”

“You’re nothing if not tenacious.”

“Is that good or bad?”

“You got me to volunteer to be a groom, right? What more can I say?”

They stood a little longer in silence. The shadows began to deepen as the sun dipped into the horizon. The water turned chilly.

“It’s late,” Lilli said. “We should head home.”

When they reached the sidewalk, Max took hold of her hand. “I meant what I said, Lilli. Let me know what I can do.”

“I will.” She assured him as she slipped her flip-flops on. “I only have a week left, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. After this weekend, no more wedding talk.”

Walking to their vehicles, Max asked, “So, women really go for mushy displays of affection, huh?”

“We live for it,” she drawled.

He chuckled. “Was your fiancé like that?”

Had Rob been romantic? “At first. He’d have flowers delivered to the office or take me for a romantic dinner. After we got engaged, I began to plan and make my lists. Rob kept busy moving up the ladder at the law firm.” She gazed at the horizon. “It’s sad to say, but I guess I figured I landed the guy, so I could plan a memorable wedding by myself.”

“If he cared that much about you, he’d have made sure to stay connected.”

“Maybe. I guess I didn’t expect his help.”

“You should have.”

She glanced sideways at Max. “But that’s who I am. A list maker. A planner. That’s what I do.”

“And he should have known that.”

Dusk had fallen by the time they returned to the city parking lot where she’d left her car. Max lingered beside the driver’s door.

“I enjoyed spending time with you,” he said. “Look, not one argument. That’s a record for us.”

“True, but there’s always tomorrow.”

A lazy smile tugged his lips. “We should try to get along since we’re working together.”

“Think that’s possible?”

“If we work on it.”

Cars drove by. A dog barked in the distance. Finally Lilli said, “Well, I guess I should get going.”

Max stepped away, but before she could unlock the door, he took her hand, lifting it to his lips. She couldn’t ignore the jolt, somewhere between pleasure and surprise.

“You should expect more,” he repeated.

“Excuse me?”

“From a guy in your life. You’re special, Lilli. You deserve to be courted. With all the bells and whistles.”

“Thanks. I haven’t given up hope he’s out there somewhere.”
Maybe standing right in front of me.

Long electric moments passed. He lowered his head and brushed his lips over hers. This could be habit-forming, she thought. She leaned into him, to his heat, inhaling his fresh, tangy scent. As the kiss went deeper, her heart pounded. Because this was not just any guy. This was Max, the guy she couldn’t stop falling for.

The guy she shouldn’t
be
falling for. The timing couldn’t be worse, with the fund-raiser, her promotion and a new client that might take Max out of town. The list went on. She may not know what the future held, but right now, she wouldn’t worry about it. She wanted this.

He broke the kiss and ran a hand through his hair. “You get to me, Lilli.”

“Same here.” She ran shaky hands over her shorts. “So what happens now?”

He shrugged. By the look in his eyes she readied herself for another toe-curling kiss. Before Max had a chance to make his move, a bright light caught them in its beam. A disembodied voice sounded over a speaker. “Step away from the car.”

“Can’t a guy catch a break around here?” Max muttered under his breath.

He held up his hand to keep the blinding light from Lilli’s eyes. Seconds later, darkness returned. Bright circles danced before her eyes and she heard an engine stop. Squinting, she made out a burly shape exiting the car.

“The chief.”

“What is he doing here?” Lilli sputtered.

The older man approached them. “Is this man giving you any problems, Miss Barclay?”

“Um, no.”

“Cause he’s a wily one.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Max groused.

The chief burst out laughing. “Sorry. I saw you kids out here and couldn’t resist.”

“Yeah, you’re a real comedian.” Disgusted, Max glanced at Lilli, concerned she might be embarrassed. He’d gotten used to the chief over the years, but Lilli might not appreciate the man’s sense of humor. “I was making sure Lilli got into her car without any problems.”

“Didn’t look that way to me.”

Max ground his teeth together.

The chief pointed the flashlight he still held in his hand toward her car and back to them.

“Okay, well, thanks,” she told Max before climbing into her sedan.

Max watched her drive off before turning on the chief. “You’re kidding me, right?”

“I take it you don’t think I’m funny.”

“Not hardly.”

“Max, you were kissing the young lady right out here in public. What did you expect me to do?”

“Drive by. Like any normal person would do.”

“It’s my job to keep the streets of Cypress Pointe safe for citizens,” the chief joked, laughing again.

“Yeah, yeah.”

The chief headed back to his car. “Say hey to your grandmother for me.”

“Sure.”

Max stood there long after the lawman left, thinking about the night, the kiss. What did he want out of this relationship with Lilli? He hadn’t come to town to get involved with a woman. Building his business and taking care of Gram were supposed to fill his life. How had he let himself get in so deep? How had Lilli managed to sneak into his heart and stay there until he couldn’t think about much else?

Too keyed up to head home, Max considered calling his buddy Dane, but decided against it. He didn’t need any more advice. Not on women and certainly not on their expectations. Talking about his mother had brought back old regrets. Usually he kept that information to himself, but he didn’t mind sharing with Lilli. It felt good to have someone who listened and didn’t judge. Instead, she encouraged him. Their relationship may have started out rough, but he realized that he had a friend in Lilli. Probably more if he pursued it.

Of all the things they’d talked about, Lilli had one thing right. The troubled kid who needed excitement to fill the emptiness inside had become a man. A Sanders man. He needed to start acting like one.

* * ** * *

B
Y
THE
TIME
Max arrived at his office Monday morning, he’d almost completely put the unlikely romance out of his head. The lengthy run he’d taken this morning with Jake Riley at his side had gone a long way to getting him back to business.

Blanche already sat at her desk, holding out a sheet of paper to him.

“What’s this?”

“Volunteer-groom duties.”

“Huh?”

“Read it and weep.”

He took the paper and started to read.

Couldn’t sleep last night so I made a list of your duties. Enjoy!

1. Groom should arrive an hour before ceremonies begin, even if he has a business to run.

2. Dress code to include formal tuxedo and dress shoes. (No boots. No T-shirts. Definitely no denim of any kind.)

3. Smile as you escort your “bride” down the runway.

4. Please remain with “bride” until the finale.

5. Repeat number three—the groom must smile at all times. (Even if you want to run.)

She’d added the last in her precise handwriting. A reluctant grin pulled at his lips.

“Figured you’d be ticked,” Blanche said.

“You’d think.”

He imagined Lilli’s flushed cheeks as she sent the list. He had to admit, he did get a kick out of her sense of humor. He loved when she got all flustered, especially when he caused the reaction. She couldn’t hide her emotions if she wanted to, but he wouldn’t reveal that piece of news. More fun this way.

“So you’re going along with this?” Blanche asked.

“It’s for a good cause.” He heard a snicker, but when he looked at his secretary, she stared at the monitor, straight-faced.

“You’re loving this, aren’t you?”

She finally raised her head. Her eyes crinkled in amusement. “I really am.”

He sighed. “How did I get myself into this?”

“Maybe you want a certain benefit coordinator to notice you?”

“Oh, Lilli notices me, all right. Every time I make a boneheaded move.”

“It’s endearing.”

“It’s embarrassing.”

Blanche chuckled again. “Yeah, that move with the wallet was classic.”

“And so good for Sanders Security’s image,” came his wry reply.

“I think you’d make a cute couple.”

“She’s so out of my league.”

“Don’t put yourself down.”

He ran a hand through his hair.

“Falling in love is never easy,” Blanche went on.

“Okay, but what has that got to do with—”

“Once you get there, it’s heaven.”

“That’s nice, Blanche.”

“Look, my point is, if you and Lilli do fall in love, she would never look down on you and you won’t ever have to look up. Loving each other puts you on even ground.”

If
they fell in love. The more time he spent with her, the more he found himself wondering what it would be like to have a permanent relationship. He’d convinced himself that he never wanted one. Until he’d found Lilli again, a woman who exasperated him and totally captured his attention at the same time.

“Thanks for the insight.”

“That’s what I’m here for.”

“And all this time I thought you were here to work. For me.”