Tara Randel - Orange Blossom Brides

Now, all these years later, he was about to find out why. “Now, tell me, Miss... Miss...”

She rolled her eyes. “Barclay.”

“Right. You’re related to Celeste Barclay? The woman who keeps calling?”

“That would be my mother,” she said, her business tone ratcheting up a notch. “I’m here on behalf of the Cypress Pointe Historical Society.”

“I’ve already installed the new security system at the office. Your mother made sure I had it completed before the loaner gowns arrived.”

“That’s not why I’m here. You haven’t returned her follow-up calls.”

He inwardly groaned. “For the charity thing, right?”

“Yes. She’d like an answer.”

“The chief said your mother wouldn’t stop calling until I talked to her.”

“Then you know just how persistent she is. That’s why she sent me here.”

“Not to cause me more trouble?”

“Of course not.” She lifted her chin.

“Miss Barclay... It is Miss?” he couldn’t help asking. And thinking, why was her marital status important? In light of their history, he shouldn’t care, but found that he did. And wanted to kick himself for it.

“Yes.”

Even though she owed him, she didn’t seem inclined to elaborate. One glance at her set mouth and he decided to bide his time. He picked up a pen and tapped it on a notepad. “Your mother mentioned that she wanted me to volunteer for the benefit. What did she have in mind?”

She looked at the pen in his hand, then back at him. “You already know the Cypress Pointe Historical Society is holding their annual fund-raiser in three weeks.” She handed him a white invitation. “Tie the Knot charity wedding fashion show. At the Cypress Pointe Country Club. My mother has requested that you act as one of her volunteer grooms for the night. She felt that in your capacity as security for the event, this role as a groom would work out well. She’d be sure to have someone watching over the expensive donations during the event, but not calling attention to your undercover status. She doesn’t want to upset the guests. ”

He stared at her, trying not to flinch. No way. No possible way. “Are you kidding?”

She tilted her head. “I’m sorry, I was under the impression your answer is a formality.”

“I agreed to upgrade security at the historical society office and for the jewelry collection. Nothing else.”

“And the night of the benefit? At the club?”

“We hadn’t exactly nailed down the details for the night of the event. Your mother and I keep playing phone tag.”

“She had to go out of town and she asked me to handle it.”

He narrowed his eyes.

“You know the history of the Wingate jewelry?”

“Yes.” He nodded at his computer. “I read the file.”

“Then you know the collection is worth a lot of money.”

Oh, yeah. He’d noticed.

“We can go into the particulars at a later date, but I need to know that you’re on board and you’ll have things under control the night of the benefit.”

A fresh rush of anger swept over him. “First you show up at my office, now you question the quality of my work?”

Her eyes went wide. “No. Of course not.” She ran a hand over her skirt. “I’m sorry. My mother recently put the responsibility of the benefit in my hands and I’m playing catch-up.” She tried for a smile. “And it would really help us out if you volunteered.”

Hmm... Well, he supposed it would be a good way to keep an eye on things. But still... “Volunteer groom, huh?”

“It is a town tradition, after all.”

He snorted. “I don’t think I could pass as a groom, volunteer or not. I’m not a settling down kinda guy.”

She shifted, giving him the once-over. If he read her right, she silently agreed with him. “You do realize it’s just for one night. And afterwards, your P.I. business will get publicity.”

“Private security consultant.”

She pulled some papers from her bag. “My notes read P.I.” She looked at him, confused. “Isn’t that the same thing?”

“My major focus is security, but I do some investigating on the side.”

He did P.I. work while waiting for the security end of the business to build up, so he could focus on that full time. He’d piled all of his own savings into this venture so he needed these short-term cases to generate revenue. Once he landed one large account, the word would get out and he’d be on his way to making Sanders Security a high-end firm.

“That’s all well and good, but I need a commitment from you. The money raised will go toward deserving organizations. Did I mention this year the funds will help the local animal shelter as well as the historical society?”

He groaned. Animal shelter? He’d found Jake there, half-starved and in desperate need of a home. His home. He’d never forget those beautiful pleading eyes staring up at him. Just like the pair staring at him now.

Okay, he had to take time to consider this. Volunteer groom aside, was his pride more important than his empty bank account? More important than proving his services were needed in this town? Right now, he needed to capitalize on being the sole security consultant in town. But would the exposure bring in business, or would his professional image take a hit with the whole cheesy-groom thing? He might not be taken seriously after that.

Considering all that, he studied her. Did she think she had him? With her composed smile, he couldn’t tell.

“I’m sure you wouldn’t want to let those poor defenseless animals down. We’re only asking for a few hours of your time.”

The alluring female had grabbed hold of his attention and wouldn’t let go. Just as she had that night twelve years ago. Their gazes clashed, but she gave nothing away. All business, not trying to flatter him or outwardly flirt with him, not trying to use her womanly wiles to get him to say yes. Wait. Why wasn’t she flattering or flirting? He didn’t want the answer to that particular question.

“The animal shelter?” he asked, dragging out the minutes.

“Yes,” she replied, cool victory evident in her voice. He detected a small curve of her lips, ready to smile in triumph the moment he acquiesced. If he acquiesced. “It’s a very good organization, I can assure you, since I work with them.”

He hadn’t gotten a hard-nosed reputation for nothing. And she looked as though she could use a little shaking up, if her buttoned-up-tight persona gave any indication. What had happened to the fun girl he’d met on the beach that night long ago?

Lost in the staccato beat of the tapping pen, Max pretended to mull over her request.

“Must you keep doing that?”

The pen stopped midair.

“Doing what?”

She nodded toward the pen.

“Sorry.” The tapping may be bothering her, but her starchy condescension peeved him. Instead of saying yes, so he could get back to work, he decided to go another way. One that would give him long overdue satisfaction. “And you’ll be attending? As a bride?”

“Not as a bride.” Her eyes widened for a second before that less-than-confident smile slipped back into place. She tucked her hair behind her ear again. Great. Even her earlobes were cute. “As I said, I’m coordinating the event.”

“So, you’re not going?”

“I didn’t say that. It depends if my mother is back in town by then.”

He pondered his decision, purposely dragging out the minutes, before saying, “My answer is still no.”

“But what about security for the jewelry?”

“That I can do, but not as a groom.”

“My mother really wants you to do this. Think of it as a plug for your business. I can certainly do some publicity work for you that won’t give away your status during the event.”