Melissa McClone - His Band Of Gold

The door to Kelsey’s office finally opened. She stepped out, locked the door and turned. The moment she saw him, her lips tightened. “What are you still doing here?”

Her above-the-knee gray tailored suit hugged each and every curve. Will forced his gaze to focus off her body and on her face. There was both a delicacy and a strength to her features. Her classic beauty would only improve over the years, and she didn’t need all that makeup. High cheekbones dusted with blush, full lips painted the color of a mouthwatering plum and eyelids outlined with black liner. At least she hadn’t tried to hide the small mole near the left side of her mouth. “You seemed upset. I wanted to apologize.”

She stared down her perfectly shaped nose as if he were a mere peon. Fine by him. Will knew how to deal with women like that. He made a living catering to customers, to the whims of the wealthy guests staying at his family’s resorts. He hadn’t thought Kelsey fit that cold and shallow mold. She’d seemed more the warm and passionate type, but it would be easier this way. Much easier. “I also wanted to apologize for Faith. She’s very sorry for what she put you through.”

“Which time?”

“All four of them,” he admitted.

Unblinking, Kelsey studied him. “You’ve said your apologies, now leave.”

“I don’t blame you for being upset at Faith, but I wish you would hear me out. You didn’t lose money on any of her weddings.”

“No, your mother saw to that, but I lost something far more valuable—my time.” Kelsey flipped her hair behind her shoulder, and Will felt a twinge in his groin. Ignore it; ignore her. She continued, “And it hurt my reputation. In a business like this, reputation is everything.”

“Granted, but Faith has changed. She loves her new fiancé and is serious about getting married this time.”

“Which of her latest co-stars is she engaged to?”

“He isn’t an actor.”

The news seemed to surprise Kelsey, but she continued to stare at the gilt-framed botanical print on the wall. “A director, then?”

“No. His name is Trent Jeffreys. He runs a nonprofit agency.”

“Nonprofit?”

“Low-cost housing, affordable living alternatives. He’s even got Faith volunteering on a few of his projects.”

“So he’s not in the business.” From the prim tone of her voice, Will could tell Kelsey still wasn’t swayed. “I don’t think having a two-week engagement shows any growth on Faith’s part.”

He saw her point. “She’s been engaged since Halloween.”

“So why are you only coming to me now?”

Here’s where it got tricky, Will realized. Once Kelsey agreed to come with him, she’d learn the truth, but for now that was family business and private. Will wished he could keep it that way, too. Thinking about what had happened to his mother was hard enough. He didn’t want to talk about it. Might as well dangle the big carrot instead to see if Kelsey bit.

“As I said, it’s the real deal this time. No more Hollywood extravaganzas like the weddings Faith asked you to plan for her. She and Trent want a small wedding with only close friends and family in attendance.”

“Doesn’t matter. At this late date every place is booked for Valentine’s Day.”

“Not the Starr Lake Inn at Tahoe.”

Kelsey’s sharp gaze met his. “Weddings aren’t allowed at Starr Properties.”

“True. They are intrusive on our other guests, but rules are made to be broken. Especially for family.” Will saw he’d piqued her interest. “Unfortunately, the plans for Faith’s wedding have gotten—how should I put it?—a little out of hand. We aren’t known for putting on weddings, and we need a professional like yourself to help us with the finishing touches and the final arrangements.”

Kelsey said nothing. The seconds ticked by. Time to seal the deal. America knew how wealthy the Armstrong family was, so money wouldn’t be a good motivator. But according to his mother, Kelsey’s business meant the world to her. “If you agree to work on Faith’s wedding, we’ll allow you to use a Starr property for a future wedding. Any wedding.”

Kelsey’s eyes widened. Yes, her interest was genuinely piqued. Leave it to his mother…

“I’d want an exclusive contract to use any Starr property.”

Will was used to negotiating with cutthroat Realtors, city planners, you name it. Sharks, all of them. Kelsey was as sharp and smart. And something told him he would enjoy the challenge. Will smiled. “Only one?”

“At least one at each of your properties.”

Ouch. The shark bit off one of his limbs and spit it back at him. She reminded him of his mother. Starr was the reason the resorts were such a success. She had taught him everything she knew about business and negotiating. His mother had also taught him when to cut bait. “Fine. You may put on one wedding at each property provided you work with my office and use our chefs and staff.”

Kelsey got a faraway look in her eyes and it softened the features on her face, reminding him of how she’d looked when he’d first stepped inside her office and saw her in the veil. “Let me get this straight. All I have to do to get this wonderful opportunity is cancel my vacation, go with you to Lake Tahoe for the next two weeks and work on Faith’s wedding?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t think so.”

He did a double take. “What did you say?”

“I said no.” She adjusted the leather bag on her shoulder. “Not even the exclusive use of Starr properties could make me want to work with your sister again. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a plane to catch.” Kelsey pushed past him.

Her strength of will impressed him. At least she had principles. But everyone had a price. He only had to find hers. “What would change your mind?”

She pursed her lips. “Do you have another sister who wants to get married?”

“Hope’s already married.”

“Sorry.”

But he could tell she wasn’t. Damn. He’d never expected her to turn down his offer…Now he was in a real bind, which left him only one other option.

To tell her the truth. “Wait.”

She turned. “What is it now?”

“There’s something I haven’t told you about why we need you to plan Faith’s wedding.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.”

This was hard. Much harder than he thought it would be. Will tugged on his now-too-tight collar. “My mother was the one coordinating and making all the plans.”

“Then you don’t need me. Starr’s amazing. She could plan any event with her eyes closed.”

Kelsey was right on the mark about his mother. Starr Addison could do anything she put her mind to, except the one thing that had become her all-consuming goal—marry off her youngest daughter. “That was before,” he forced the words out.

“Before what?”

“My mother had a stroke, and she…” Swallowing hard, he pulled himself together. “She said the only one she trusted to pull off the wedding she’d planned for Faith is you.”

Starr? A stroke?

It wasn’t possible. But the seriousness in Will’s gaze told Kelsey it was true. Tears stung her eyes and she blinked them away. “How is she doing?”

He shrugged, his features tight. “Things are progressing…slowly.”

A stroke. Kelsey didn’t know what to say. She remembered the helpless feeling that had engulfed her and her entire family when her grandmother Waters had suffered a stroke. The long days and endless nights until Grandmother had had another stroke and died. Kelsey fought the urge to offer comfort. He had a wife to do that. “I’m so sorry. I truly am.”

“Thanks.” His voice was deeper than she’d heard before, and he glanced at the ceiling. “It’s been a…difficult time for all of us. Faith wanted to postpone the wedding, but my mother insists it goes on as planned. Mom wanted to continue doing all the work herself, but it was too much for her.”