Page 75 of Trouble Walked In

“I’ll keep an eye out. Just in case.”

“Doubt he tries anything once people start to show,” Mark said. “Can’t believe he threatened Lizzie like that. I’ve seen her take down men a lot bigger than him with just a glare.”

Renic nodded appreciatively. “I thought Della was going to kick his ass. She takes self-defense classes for exercise. She’s getting pretty good.”

Mark raised an eyebrow at that bit of information. “Really.”

They watched the van pull out of the driveway and take off down the road. Renic suppressed the urge to follow the guy to whatever hole he crawled out of and convince him to never leave it again. “Well.”

“Yeah.” Mark nodded.

They returned to the ballroom, which was now filled with a troop of eight college students in uniforms. Lizzie paced from one side of the room to the other with binder in hand, dodging people and tables and chairs while issuing orders with a voice that carried over the noise. “Della, can you put the lattice panel back in place? Stevie, that table needs to shift to the left. No, your other left. Girls, get started on the place settings. Carter, can you check the water in the vases? No more than half full, okay? Everybody, listen up! Stay away from the cake corner!”

Renic finally managed to intercept her near the newly replaced lattice panel.

Lizzie’s eyes lit up when she saw him. “Renic, do you think Jacob is available for a last-minute gig?”

He saw exactly where she was going with this request. He nodded. “I’m sure he can spare some time for a wedding reception. Do you need equipment too?”

Stress lines wrinkled her forehead. “I only have one small speaker for karaoke parties. I can move the piano in here, but we’d still need mics and speakers.”

He pulled out his phone. “I’m on it.”

It took two texts to Jacob and one call to the Still & Grill to get it all arranged. When he hung up, he found Lizzie standing with her feet planted and arms spread out in front of the cake while Mark and Carter moved a large potted plant toward the window.

“Lizzie,” he called out, and waved the phone at her for emphasis. “He’ll be here in an hour.”

The smile on her face was a tangible thing that made him want to sweep her up in his arms and have his way with her. Since the room was now filled with people, he settled for a salute.

“Great!” After a few more instructions to Mark and Carter, she started walking toward him.

He met her halfway. “This is like watching an ant colony.”

She glanced around like a proud parent. “They’re going above and beyond today.”

“So are you,” he told her. “I can see why you like this. It suits you.”

“It’s everything I loved about being a manager for my sisters, without the stuff I hated.”

He hadn’t known there was anything she disliked about her life back then. Whatever it was, she hid it well. “What did you hate about it?”

Lizzie grimaced. “The sleazy backstage leeches. The crowds constantly swarming my sisters like they were treasure they got to take home at the end of the day. Sometimes it felt like all I did was fight them off.”

“It’s different here, though. Right?” He wished he could take away whatever memory had just cast a shadow over her face.

“Here, I go from one happy moment to the next. It’s nice. A lot less stress.”

“You don’t miss the excitement? Not even a little?”

Lizzie watched Carter and Mark navigate the placement of the big potted plant. “I miss my sisters. The music. And I missed…never mind. I should get back to work.”

“Wait.” He put a hand on her arm to stop her from running away. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

“I was going to say I missed you, too. We had some goodtimes, backstage.” She looked at him, then glanced away. “It was a long time ago.”

He leaned closer to brush his lips across hers. “We’ve had some good times this week, too. I wouldn’t mind revisiting Lookout Point. Maybe tonight, after the wedding?”

Her cheeks turned a beautiful shade of red, and a sly smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “I can’t help but wonder how many other people will have the same idea. Everyone feels romantic after a wedding.”

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