Janet Evanovich - Full Bloom

Annie suddenly remembered the injured man in the kitchen; she needed to get down to business. "Let's concentrate on one thing at a time," she said. "You're marrying a great guy who's madly in love with you. The fact that he's drop-dead gorgeous and filthy rich is only the icing on the cake. And speaking of cakes—" Annie pulled out a picture of the wedding cake Jamie had selected, a French pound cake with Grand Marnier buttercream frosting. It was simple yet exquisite. "I've been thinking," she said. "Since you're planning on white tea roses for the wedding, how about I tint the frosting on the cake off-white and place some of the rosebuds on top for decoration? That sort of thing is real popular now."

"Sounds beautiful."

"Great." Annie hurried on. "As for the menu, I typed up everything we agreed on so you and Max can look it over in case you want to make any changes."

Jamie reached into her oversize handbag and pulled out several envelopes. "I've received the last of the responses to the wedding invitations, so we're looking at about fifty guests. I hope you know that Max and I cut the list to the bone," she added.

"I can easily accommodate that number of people," Annie said, having hired someone to knock down the wall separating the den and oversize study when she needed the space for various businesses that held monthly meetings there. It also served well for small weddings. "I'll situate the tables near the walls in the ballroom so there will be room for dancing," she added. Annie hoped she could do something about the water damage before the wedding. "Okay, what's next?"

"Oh, wait; I forgot to mention that Max's parents can't make it. His mother had a mild heart attack several days ago. She's getting out of the hospital tomorrow, but her doctor wants her to stay close to home. So you can scratch their names from the list."

Annie made a note to herself. "I know Max will be disappointed."

"He is. But he wasn't that close to them while growing up. His cousin Nick and his wife, Billie, practically raised him."

"Moving right along," Annie said, hoping they could wrap things up, "the minister will be here early in case you or Max would like a private moment with him. The photographer is all taken care of, and the flutist and harpist will play before, during, and after the ceremony, at least until the band starts. Well, it's not really a band, just a three-piece ensemble."

"I have no idea what I'm supposed to do when I get here," Jamie said anxiously.

"That's what the rehearsal is for. No change in number of people for that?"

"Nope."

"The florist will arrive a couple of hours early, so we'll have plenty of time to decorate."

"I just hope I fit into my dress," Jamie said grimly.

"You will. Any questions?"

"I think that covers it."

Annie checked her wristwatch. "Oh, look at the time!" She stood, hoping she didn't appear rude but knowing she needed to check on Wes Bridges, who was probably on the telephone with his lawyer that very moment.

Jamie stood as well. "I need to get back to the office anyway. By the way, how is Destiny settling in?"

"Theenie and I really like her. She's hilarious. Perhaps outrageous is a better word."

Jamie laughed. "Most of what she says is in fun, so don't take her too seriously." They had turned for the living room when the swinging door leading to the kitchen was suddenly thrown open and a frantic-looking Theenie poked her head through. "Trouble in the kitchen," she said. "Big trouble."

Annie darted a look at Jamie. "Gotta run." She raced into the next room, where she found Wes slumped at the table. "Oh no!" she cried. "What happened?"

"He passed out," Destiny said.

A frowning Jamie stood in the doorway, trying to make sense of what was going on. "Who is that?"

Annie glanced her way. Damn. She hadn't even heard Jamie follow her. "Long story."

"You wouldn't believe it anyway," Destiny told Jamie.

Annie tried to shake the man awake. There was no movement. He began to snore lightly. "Oh, great!" she muttered. "Wes, you have to wake up!" she said loudly. She shook him harder, so hard he slipped from the chair and hit the floor with a resounding thud. His head bounced once, and he groaned.

Theenie cried out in alarm and then covered her mouth, but her eyes slid side-to-side, clearly panicked. "We're going to kill the poor man yet."

"Would somebody puh-leese tell me what's going on!" Jamie insisted.

"We should try to sit him up," Annie said as Theenie gave Jamie a rapid-fire rundown of events. "Maybe that'll wake him."

Jamie blinked several times as though trying to digest the explanation. "I'll help."

Working together, Annie, Jamie, and Destiny managed to get Wes into a sitting position, but his head lolled to one side. Annie stood over him, bracing her feet on either side as she slipped her arms beneath his and pulled. He was too heavy, despite Destiny and Jamie trying to pull him up from behind. Annie paused to catch her breath and Wes fell back once more, dragging her with him. Fortunately, Jamie prevented his head from hitting the floor again.

Annie suddenly found herself lying flat against the man, chest-to-chest, thigh-to-thigh. Before she could make a move, Wes smiled in his sleep and enveloped her in his arms. Her jaw dropped. Whoa, mama! She couldn't remember when she'd last been this close to the opposite sex, but danged it if didn't feel good. Too good, she thought, his tight muscles pressed against all her body parts.

Her stomach fluttered.

Her nipples hardened.

Her gizzard quivered.

"Oh my," Theenie said, one hand at her breast as though she feared her heart would fly right out. "This won't do. This simply won't do."

Annie sighed.

Destiny and Jamie gawked.

Theenie stepped closer. "Annie, this is not proper behavior. You must get up this instant!"

Destiny laughed out loud. "You really do need to get off of him, honey. The man needs medical attention. You can lie on top of him once he's better."

Jamie grinned openly.

Annie tried to pull free, but it was useless. "He has me in a death grip." She craned her head so that she could see Theenie. "You might want to call Doc."

Theenie hurried to the telephone and dialed while Destiny and Jamie looked on in amusement.

"This is not funny, you guys," Annie told them. "He could be badly hurt. Not only that; he has already threatened to sue me."

"Doc's on his way," Theenie said, hanging up the phone. She gave Annie a funny look. "What's wrong? Why are you squirming?"

"She's copping a feel," Destiny said. She bit her fist.

"I am not!" Annie said. "I'm just, um, trying to get comfortable."

Jamie looked at Destiny. "I'm sure it's not as easy as it looks, just lying on him like that."

"I should not be listening to this," Theenie said, eyeballing each of them. "I know three young ladies who are going to feel terribly guilty if something happens to that poor man."

The back door swung open a few minutes later and Doc stepped in, once again carrying his black bag. "Now what?" He came to a dead halt when he spied Annie lying across Wes. "Oh boy," he mumbled. "I'm almost afraid to ask."

"He's out cold," Annie said, "and he won't let go of me."

Doc suddenly looked sheepish. "I was afraid of this."

"Afraid of what?" Theenie said.

Doc sighed. "I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure I gave him the wrong medication."

"What did you give him?" Annie almost shrieked.

"I, well, accidentally gave him a tranquilizer. It's mostly used for large animals." He swallowed, and his Adam's apple bobbed. "Livestock."

"Oh, shit!" Annie cried. "He's going to be mad as hell when he wakes up. Wait! Maybe we shouldn't let him wake up. How many more of those pills do you have?"