Page 7 of Save the Dance

“Well, I wouldn’t turn down a day at the spa when all this is over.” Evelyn’s gaze softened. She sank onto one of the office chairs and slung denim-clad legs over one arm. “Honestly, though, there’s no need. We’re family. We help each other out. It’s what we do. Besides, we can’t afford to mess up this thing with Weddings Today. It’s too important for Heart’s Landing. I’ll go over everything online, but what’s first on the agenda?”

He’d tinkered with the schedule enough that it was etched in his brain. “Regina Charm is due to arrive late Friday, but I’ve been warned that she likes her little surprises, so we’ll start watching for her first thing. We have the big reception that evening—the mayor and business owners from town will be here. You’ll want to dress for the occasion.” Evelyn’s usual jeans and a T-shirt weren’t going to pass muster. “Then, there’s the Smith wedding on Wednesday night and the pageant next Saturday.”

“Okay. We’re doing the whole Mary-and-the-Captain routine for those?”

“Yeah.” The two of them often received standing ovations when, dressed to the nines as Captain Thaddeus and Mary Heart, they performed at weddings. Jason snapped his fingers. In preparation for Clarissa’s arrival, he’d had a replica of Mary’s gown cleaned and pressed and hung in the closet of the guest suite in the family wing. He waited a beat, half expecting the searing heartache he’d heard others talk about after their love lives shipwrecked. When the only thing that hurt was his pride, he winced. He and Clarissa hadn’t had the kind of love that would last a lifetime. He could see that now. He probably ought to be thanking his lucky stars that he hadn’t proposed to her, but he couldn’t help wondering when—or if—he’d ever fall in love.

“You were saying?”

Evelyn’s voice reminded him that life went on. “Would you mind grabbing the dress from the Opal Room?”

“Sure. No problem.” Evelyn swung her feet to the floor. “Why don’t I get my notebook, and we can go over everything in detail, just to make sure I’m up to speed. We can work over lunch. I’ll order in. Do you want anything special?”

“Nah. Whatever you get is fine. As long as it’s not a Craigen sub.” He paused to mentally cross an item off his list of favorites. He’d never eat another one of those as long as he lived.

Chapter Four

“Next stop, Heart’s Landing. Heart’s Landing, next stop.”

In a black suit and vest, a short-billed hat clamped on his head, the train conductor rocked from side-to-side, making his way down the aisle of the coach car.

Eager for her first glimpse of the town, Tara looked up from her laptop. Her back ached from sitting hunched over for so long, but she hadn’t wanted to disturb her sleeping seat mate so, other than a quick foray to the dining car, she’d worked the entire seven-hour trip.

Too bad corporate credit cards were off-limits to junior reporters—even ones on important, secret missions. Otherwise, she could have rented a car and gotten here in half the time. She rolled her shoulders and flexed her toes. It was just as well. Relying on public transportation would allow her to take a closer look at the services Heart’s Landing provided.

She powered down the laptop that had put itself to sleep again and slipped it into the carrying case at her feet. Beyond the window, fields and low stone fences gave way to Cathedral Heights, a neighborhood of tidy houses that boasted more than the usual amount of gingerbread trim. In the distance, a church spire soared above slate-roofed buildings. Slowing, the train rolled through a street crossing at Boutonniere Drive. They crawled past Procession and Honeymoon Avenues. At last, with a screech of brakes, the car rocked to a stop at the Champagne Avenue Station. Tara grabbed her backpack, computer case and purse, slung her camera bag over one shoulder, and edged past the woman who snored softly in the next seat.

On the loading platform, she snapped a couple of quick pictures while she drank in warm, fresh air that carried the faintest trace of the ocean and brought back a flood of memories. Her parents had packed up the SUV and driven from their Savannah home to Tybee Island nearly every weekend through the summer and, most years, well into the fall. But it had been too long since she’d been close enough to the beach to get her feet wet. The smell of Heart’s Landing reminded her of the long walks she used to take along the shore. She could use one of those right now to work out the kinks after spending the trip researching everything she could find online about Captain Thaddeus Heart. She made her way to the luggage rack, where she traded a baggage claim ticket for her suitcase. Lugging her bags, she headed for the small train station.

She remained on the lookout for anything that might lower Heart’s Landing’s score in the competition, but she couldn’t find fault with the cute hearts and flowers that adorned the door handle. Nor with the string of hearts that lined a cheery wallpaper border above freshly painted mint-colored walls.

“Excuse me,” she said, stepping to the window where a lone clerk sat behind a glassed-in counter. “Where can I get a cab?” This wasn’t New York City, after all, where hailing a taxi was as simple as raising her arm.

“You headed to the Union Street Bed-and-Breakfast, are ya? Marybeth and Matt will send a van to get you.” Inquisitive brown eyes took her measure as the clerk waited a beat. “Or there’s a shuttle that’ll take you to the hotels on the north side of town. It runs every hour on the hour.” With a glance at the clock, she added, “The next one will be here in ten minutes.”

Tara smiled, soothed by the rounded vowels and softened R’s of the clerk’s accent. It was nice to get a real answer to her question, too. She’d grown used to abrupt replies in bustling New York, when people deigned to answer at all. “I appreciate that, but I’m not going to either of those places. I’m headed to the Captain’s Cottage.”

The clerk aimed a quizzical look at her ringless finger. “Newly engaged, are ya? If you’re planning to hold your wedding there, you couldn’t find a more beautiful setting. Is Alicia expecting you? She and her assistant, Jennifer, schedule all the events at the Cottage. You just tell them Georgia sent you.” The clerk brushed a finger under her name tag. “They’ll give you the VIP treatment.” Georgia smothered a laugh with one hand. “That’s a little joke. All our brides receive the VIP treatment. Do you need someplace to store your bags during your appointment? I’d be happy to keep them here if you’d like.” Still talking a mile a minute, Georgia half rose from her chair.

“Thanks for the offer, but it won’t be necessary.” Tara waved the clerk back into her seat. “I’m staying there while I’m in town.”

“Hmmm. Are you sure? They don’t normally have overnight guests. Unless…” Georgia canted her head. Her expressive brown eyes grew even warmer. “You’re Clarissa, aren’t you? Oh, my! The whole town’s been dying to meet you.”

“Um, no. I’m afraid you have me confused with someone else.”

“You aren’t Jason’s sweetheart?” Disappointment pooled in the woman’s eyes.

“Jason Heart?” The owner of the Captain’s Cottage. Tara had found several references to Thaddeus’s great-great-great-grandson during her research. “I’m afraid not, but I am meeting with him.”

“That’s too bad. For a minute there, I thought I’d be the first one to welcome her to Heart’s Landing. But I guess not. Now, where were we?”

“About that cab?” Tara brushed a hand through her hair. The conversation with Georgia had taken so many turns, she’d almost forgotten what brought her to the clerk’s window.

“Oh, yes. Sorry about that. Let’s see. With all the hotels and the bed-and-breakfast providing transportation for their guests, taxi drivers don’t normally meet the trains. But I’d be happy to call one for you.”

“That’d be great. I appreciate it.” Tara adjusted her purse strap at her shoulder. She hadn’t planned on having to play twenty questions in order to get a simple cab ride across town, but she had to admit, it’d been nice to talk to someone who delivered customer service with interest and a smile.

“There’s a bench outside the station. If you want to wait there, someone will be along in just a few minutes. Meantime, can I get you anything? Water? Coffee?”

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