Page 15 of Kiss the Bride

Tonight, while the rest of Heart’s Landing slumbered, the cleaning crew would scour the building—mopping floors, cleaning sinks, and polishing tall glass windows—until the Boat Works shone like a brand-new copper penny from stem to stern. And he hadn’t stopped there. After the meeting in Alicia’s office yesterday, he’d stopped by Forget Me Knot, where Mildred had kindly agreed to lend him a few floral arrangements for the showing. He’d bartered future repairs at Favors Galore to have Ashley and Alexis work their magic in the reception area, too. By the time the Wedding-in-a-Week contingent walked through the doors bright and early tomorrow morning, boxes of handmade chocolates would dot long tables adorned with what the girls had assured him was the trendiest in wedding decor.

He splayed his fingers along his lower spine, massaging an uncommon stiffness. He shook his head. His back could complain all it wanted about the effort he’d expended over the last twenty-four hours, but if the Wedding-in-a-Week couple chose the Boat Works as their venue, it’d be worth every twinge.

As important as that was, he hadn’t pulled an all-nighter to impress a couple of strangers. No. Unable to sleep, he’d worked through the night to keep his mind from dwelling on a certain redhead with an elfin face and a wide slash of a smile. He’d been in a state of shock from the moment he’d walked into Alicia Thorn’s office and seen Evelyn seated in the guest chair. He’d been too focused on her long legs, the spiky heels that cupped her feet like gloves, and the expressions that flitted across her face like lightning to pay attention to a word the event planner had said. Thank goodness JeanMarie had taken the middle chair when she had. Otherwise, he might’ve done something incredibly stupid, like reaching out to wrap Evelyn’s fingers in his or tuck that one loose strand of hair behind her ear.

He hadn’t been able to believe his luck when she’d offered to fill him in on the details of the contest. But sitting in the dining room with her afterward, he’d felt as tongue-tied as a thirteen-year-old boy coming face-to-face with his favorite movie star. Which had led to him stumbling around, groping for words until he’d made that foolish bet. Why, why had he done that?

He groaned. He knew the answer to the question as well as he knew every callus and scar on his hands. He’d been hoping she’d have dinner with him. In one of the most romantic settings in all of Heart’s Landing, he and Evelyn would laugh and talk and share a great meal. By the time they finished their second glasses of wine, she’d realize they were made for one another. And that, as they said, would be that.

Yeah, right. Not. Gonna. Happen.

He should have his head examined. Evelyn hadn’t been waiting around for him any more than he’d been pining after her. Hadn’t he convinced himself that she meant nothing more to him than any of the dozens of other friends he had in Heart’s Landing? While he lived in Maine, she’d so rarely crossed his mind, he felt certain he’d have no problem returning to the town he’d grown up in and going about his life without her in it. Why not? He and Evelyn moved in different social circles. They had different interests. The odds that he’d even cross paths with her more than once or twice a year were so slim, he hadn’t even given the matter much thought.

He should have. Because now that he was here, now that he’d spent his life savings restoring the Boat Works, he was a goner. Just being in the same town together had stirred nearly forgotten feelings for the impish redhead. He’d been as surprised as anyone when they’d sprung to life again. Yet he’d kept them at bay by avoiding Evelyn whenever possible and, when it wasn’t, he’d kept his focus tightly on the job at hand.

But now …

Now, the Wedding-in-a-Week competition had thrown them together. Worse, he had a sneaking suspicion Evelyn wanted to renew their long-dormant friendship. While that might seem like a good idea, he was pretty sure just being friends with her would be the death of him. He hadn’t been able to think of anything but her all night.

He shook his head. He’d been right to keep his distance the past couple of years. He needed to stick to that plan. At the same time, he’d have to do everything in his power to have his venue chosen for Wedding-in-a-Week. If he failed at either task, he’d soon find himself standing in the unemployment line nursing a broken heart. Something he simply could not allow to happen.

He dusted his hands and bent to gather up the last of his tools, satisfied that both he and the Boat Works were as ready as they’d ever be for the competition. The clock had been ticking while he’d stood here woolgathering. If he didn’t hurry, he wouldn’t make it to the train station on time to greet the Wedding-in-a-Week couple. The last thing in the world he wanted right now was to lose out on the contest—or his bet with Evelyn—before things even got started.

Striding up to the train station a scant hour later, Ryan did a doubletake at the sea of white balloons bobbing in the breeze like foam dancing atop ocean waves. Streamers and bunting decorated the railing that led from the sidewalk to the tidy brick building just off Union Street. To say nothing of the crowd. He’d expected a good turnout. Heart’s Landing was nothing if not eager to give a hearty welcome to every guest. But this … He hadn’t expected this. So many people crowded the platform there wasn’t room for them all. He peered through the windows of the tidy train station and spotted even more figures milling about inside.

A mild relief washed through him. It should be easy enough to avoid Evelyn in this crowd. Loosening the sleeve of the polo that had bunched slightly at his biceps, he scanned the area. He was supposed to meet the mayor under the Welcome to Heart’s Landing banner but didn’t see him. However, Walter Headly stood on the outskirts of the crowd. The former owner of the Honeymoon Hotel looked rather out of place with his shirttail flapping over baggy beach shorts. Ryan cut across the grass toward one of Heart’s Landing’s most-loved citizens.

“How you doing, Walter?” The older gentleman had propped his arms on the end of a metal detector. “Find anything interesting lately?”

“Aye-yup. The storm night afore last stirred up a bit of sand. Found a chain with the prettiest locket.” Walter dug in his pocket and drew out a thin necklace. “Pure gold, I’m thinkin’. Hurts my heart that someone let it get away from ’um. You’d think folks would take better care of the things they value.”

Despite having been born and raised in Heart’s Landing, Ryan needed a second to sift through the muted Rs of the old-timer’s thick accent. “Maybe you’ll get lucky and Georgia will know who lost it.” The clerk at the train station ran the town’s Lost and Found department.

“Aye-yup. That’s what brought me he-ah. Didn’t expect all this, though.” Walter swept one age-spotted hand at the crowd that had spilled out onto the lawn. “Quite the pah-ty.”

“Important guests and reporters from Weddings Today.” He checked the double-sided clock that hung from a cast-iron mount decorated with the town’s standard hearts-and-flowers motif. “They’re on the 4:30 train. It’s due in any minute. I have to get on up there.” Ryan gestured toward the far end of the platform. “You should stay. It’ll be fun.”

“Don’t have much time.” Walter stepped back, sand sifting down from the metal detector he’d hefted over one shoulder. “Walter Junior’s bringing the grands over for dinner. I’d best be getting home. I’ll come back when things are quiet-ah.”

Watching the portly widower shamble off at a surprisingly quick pace, he couldn’t help but wonder if he was catching a glimpse of his own future. Forty years from now, would he spend his days scouring the beach for things people had lost and dispensing advice about holding on to what was precious? He gave his head a slow shake. Walter was one of a kind, a Heart’s Landing institution.

An overhead speaker broke into his reverie with a burst of loud static. His attention shifted as, in her most official voice, Georgia addressed the crowd.

“Attention. Attention. Amtrak Train 165 is due to arrive in ten minutes. All passengers planning to board the train, report to the platform.” After a slight pause, she continued in a far less formal tone. “Here she comes, folks. Let’s give our Wedding-in-a-Week couple a hearty Heart’s Landing welcome.”

Time to get moving.

Exchanging greetings with friends and acquaintances, Ryan made his slow way toward the mayor, who faced the opposite direction while he spoke with someone Ryan couldn’t see. As he moved closer and the group milled and shifted around the man, he caught flashes of a bright spring dress, but it wasn’t until he was nearly upon the couple that he spotted cinnamon-colored hair and knew he was about to come face-to-face with the one person he’d sworn to avoid.

He had to say hello. It’d be rude to do any less.

“Mr. Mayor. Evelyn,” he said, extending his hand as he cut through the last of the crowd.

“Ryan Court. Always a pleasure.” Greg Thomas ignored Ryan’s outstretched hand. Instead, the man who divided his time between running the town and the largest tux shop for miles around administered a hearty backslap. “I was happy to hear your Boat Works had been chosen for this year’s Wedding-in-a-Week competition. Always good to have new businesses in Heart’s Landing.” The mayor leaned close enough to whisper in Ryan’s ear. “You have your permits, don’t you?”

“Yes, sir.” He grinned. “Passed all the final inspections. I’m good to go.”

“Well, now. That’s great. I have a couple of people I need to speak with, but I’ll look forward to seeing what you’ve done with the place. Rumor has it, it’s a beauty.”

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