Destination Wedding (Crimson Romance)

by Robyn Neeley

  A young woman in a black flight attendant suit waited on the curb. Her red hair was pulled back in a tight bun.

  Luke got out and met the taxi driver at the trunk. Pulling his and Kate’s luggage out, he set them on the curb.

  “I can take that.” Kate reached for her handle.

  “You must be Ms. Ashby,” the flight attendant said with a warm smile. “I’m, Jackie, your flight attendant. I will be accompanying you on your flight to Maui.” She turned to Luke. “I didn’t realize you would be joining us, too, Mr. Cannon?”

  Since he had never met the flight attendant, Luke suspected that she thought he was his brother. He was done pretending he was Drew in the company of Kate. “Hi, I’m actually Drew’s twin brother, Luke. Yes, I’ll be joining Ms. Ashby.”

  “I’m so sorry.” She studied Luke. “Wow, you two are identical.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  “Well, it’s nice to meet you both. Follow me.” They followed the woman onto the airport tarmac to the Kincaid Learjet. It was one of ten parked in the private jet area. The pilot and co-pilot were already in their seats. “You can set your bags down. We’ll take them for you.”

  Luke waved to the pilots. “Looks like this bird’s ready to fly. Here, after you.” He nodded for Kate to go ahead of him up the stairs.

  She took three steps and turned around. Luke felt her hands press hard on his chest, nearly knocking him off balance. If there had been a bed underneath him, he wouldn’t have minded and would have gladly taken her along with him. “Everything okay?”

  “I’m sorry. I can’t do this.” Her wide eyes showed full on panic.

  “Can’t do what, Kate?” He already knew the answer.

  She hesitated. “Fly.”

  “Why don’t we let the pilots do that then? From what I’ve experienced, they’re pretty good at it.”

  She nodded but didn’t take her hands off of him. Any lower and she might feel the pounding that was going on in his chest. “I’ve never been on a plane this small. I don’t think I can do it.”

  “Sure you can.” Luke put his hands over hers and brought them down. “I’ll help you.” Still holding on to one hand, he went ahead and guided her up the stairs and into the aircraft. Inside, he brought her over to a beige leather sofa, deciding that might be more comfortable than the two chairs across from it. “Here, why don’t you get comfortable, while I help the flight attendant with our bags.”

  Luke rushed back to assist the flight attendant. “She’s a little nervous.”

  “I’ve got it covered. I’ll open some wine.”

  “That would be great, thanks.” He helped the flight attendant stow their luggage.

  “Red or white?”

  Luke thought for a minute. Given Kate’s tendency to wear whatever she was drinking, he chose white. It might be easier to get out in the likely event she had an accident. He took a seat on the sofa next to her.

  Her face was pressed to the window. “Luke, how long until we land?”

  “Well, first we need to take off.”

  “I know that.” Kate turned her head. “You don’t understand. I have an intense fear of flying.”

  Oh, he understood perfectly. He reached over and pulled down the window screen. “Why don’t we keep this shut?”

  “That’s probably a good idea.” She reached over and pulled the seatbelt buckle around her lap and fastened it.

  “You know, I completely understand how you feel? I’ve never been a big fan of flying.”

  The plane started to back up. She clutched her seatbelt. “I do. I do,” she muttered.

  “Do what?” Luke stared at her wondering if this panic attack would be worse than the last. Could her eyes shut any tighter?

  “Nothing. Ignore me.” She continued to chant.

  “I promise you, this is a quick thirty-minute trip. We’ll be up and down before you know it.”

  Once airborne, the flight attendant emerged from a curtain and brought in two wine glasses. “Would you like some wine?”

  Kate opened her eyes and took her glass. “Thank you.”

  The flight attendant gave Luke a quick wink before disappearing behind the curtain. Kate had stopped chanting but was still looking down at her seatbelt. They sat for a few minutes in silence, and he pretended to check his phone.

  How could he help Kate relax until the wine kicked in? Kissing her was out of the question. Or was it? He could lean in and caress her soft lips …

  He stirred in his seat. Not yet. He needed to be patient. The time would come to kiss her soon enough. At least he hoped. With any luck, he’d be doing it several times over the next twenty-four hours.

  “So, Kate.” He leaned back and draped his arm over the couch, nearly touching her shoulder. “How long have you been a wedding planner?”

  “Nine years.” She took a sip of her wine and followed it with a much longer one. “And four months.”

  “Wow, that long. You must have started right out of college?”

  She nodded. “I did. I was an apprentice and then a junior planner and now a senior planner. I’ve been with Tie Your Knot all this time.”

  “That’s awesome.” He’d only been with one company, too. They had that in common. “Did you always want to plan weddings?”

  She crossed her legs and leaned back. He could tell she was starting to relax, or at least she was no longer gripping her seatbelt for dear life.

  “Well, when I was a little girl, what I really wanted to be … ” she paused. “Oh, never mind.”

  “What?”

  “It’s silly.”

  “I love silly. It’s the only way to be. Let me guess. Circus clown?”

  “No.” She chuckled. “Although, I’m so clumsy, I’d make a funny one.”

  He couldn’t argue with her there. Her knack for spilling drinks was quite impressive, although so far, so good with her current glass. “Tell me what you wanted to be. I promise I won’t laugh.”

  “Okay.” She paused. “Detective. I wanted to be a detective.”

  “No way! Like Sherlock Holmes? One of Charlie’s Angels?”

  She shook her head. “No. More like Nancy Drew. My mother loved reading those novels when she was a little girl. She bought me all the books. I guess they had been rereleased.” She paused, “Actually, she got the first one from your toy store in Manhattan. We were vacationing there one Christmas when I was eight. She read it to me every single night.”

  He brightened at the thought of her in his toy store, even if she had only been eight. “So you gave up your dream of solving the old clock mystery with Ned to plan weddings?”

  And there it was. His Nancy Drew reference got a big smile. Finally.

  “She doesn’t meet Ned until later in the series.”

  “I stand corrected. I was more into Choose Your Own Adventure books.” His thoughts drifted. The toy store had a large area on the second floor devoted to children’s and young adult books. It had always been his favorite section, that is, before his mother died. She would often take Drew and him for Saturday hot chocolate excursions that always ended with the three of them snuggled on a sofa in that area of the store reading books. The section was now dedicated to her. To this day, it was hard for Luke to walk by the place that held so many memories of his mom. He always took the long way to his office to avoid it. The pain of losing her still hurt.

  “Did I say something wrong?”

  Luke shook his head. “No, I’m sorry.” He smiled. “I loved reading as a kid, too. Go on.”

  “When I was in college, I had a part-time catering gig on weekends. The first wedding that I worked was absolutely amazing.”

  “How so?”

  “Oh my gosh. It was this beautiful mansion in Los Angeles.” She paused, and brought up her fingers and made quotes. “Not ‘Hollywood mansion’. No this was a beautiful Victorian treasure to be inside. It looked like a setting from a Jane Austen novel. The interior was just exquisite with rich burgundy tapestry and t
hese gorgeous gold and crystal chandeliers.”

  “Sounds beautiful.” And a little like the chandeliers hanging in the penthouse he grew up in.

  “It was. The bride wore the most stunning wedding dress I had ever seen and the groom seemed so head over heels in love. He even serenaded her at the reception.”

  “Let me guess. Marvin Gaye or Barry White?”

  “No. Bon Jovi, actually.” She giggled. “They were big fans. Everyone was so happy. I knew then and there that I wanted to have a job that would bring so much joy.” She finished her wine. “At least for one day.”

  “That’s awesome. It’s great that you discovered your passion so early on. You know, some people never do.”

  “I know. I’m lucky.” She shifted her body toward him, loosening her grip on her seatbelt.

  “Would you like another glass?” he asked.

  She put her hand up. “No. I’m good. So did you always know you’d go into the toy business?”

  Luke nodded. “I think so. I grew up among toys.” He chuckled. “Lots of them. I guess it’s in my blood.”

  “I would imagine that it’s an exciting business, especially around the holidays?”

  “It sure is. There’s nothing like launching a new toy that you know every child is going to want. We’re working on something big right now that is going to revolutionize Black Friday. It’s never going to be the same.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? Do tell?”

  “Why, Kate. I could, but then I’d have to toss you off this plane.”

  She clutched her seatbelt with her free hand, and he realized immediately what an awful thing that was to say. Nice going, Luke. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that.”

  “It’s fine.”

  “Are you sure?”

  She nodded. “Go on. What’s it like working with Drew?”

  “It’s a blast. We learned the business together. When he left to head up Far West operations two years ago, it was hard to see him go. Until then, we always lived near each other. Even in college, we were only two hours apart.”

  “You two are close, aren’t you?”

  “Very. He’s my best friend. Although we look alike, we’re complete opposites, as you probably gathered.” He waited for a reaction showing that she agreed with that statement. He didn’t get it.

  “Drew told me a little bit about your father.”

  “He did?” Luke was taken aback. Why on earth would Drew talk to Kate about their dad? “What did he tell you?”

  “Only that your dad threw himself into the business after your mother — ” She stopped. “I’m sorry. He shared with me that your mother had passed away when you were younger and that it was tough on your family.”

  Luke looked down at his glass. It still hurt to talk about the loss of his mom and the impact it had on his dad. So painful, he rarely did. “It was a rough time.” He glanced up. “We’re both very close with our father now.”

  “That’s what Drew said.”

  The flight attendant moved the front curtain, interrupting their conversation. “The captain asked me to prepare the cabin for landing.” She approached and took the glasses from them. “I hope you enjoyed your flight.”

  “Thanks, we did,” Luke said, taking Kate’s glass. He touched her arm. “See, up and down.”

  “It was pretty quick. I’ll give you that.” She turned and flipped open the tiny screen. He watched as she gazed out the window. “Wow. The view is beautiful from up here.”

  Luke stared at the back of her blue dress, his gaze sliding down her long, smooth legs. It certainly was.

  Chapter Ten

  “Wow.” Kate rubbed her eyes. They couldn’t seriously be staying here, could they?

  After arriving safely in Maui, Luke had driven them in their rental car to the hotel they would be staying at, the Grande Apolima Resort. In front of them, a tropical splendor of wild orchid and coconut trees led up to a three-story golden palace shaped as a circle. Inside the circle, Kate could make out an extravagant foundation and courtyard. She couldn’t wait to explore.

  Luke approached with their luggage in both hands. “Everything okay?”

  “Can you pinch me?”

  He laughed. “If you insist.” He set his suitcase down and gently tugged the skin on her arm.

  She smiled widely. “It is real. I wonder what Apolima stands for?”

  “It means bracelet.”

  “Oh, that makes total sense. It’s shaped in a circle. It’s so incredibly beautiful.” She smirked. “Luke, how did you know what it meant?”

  “Why, Kate. I am a man of many talents. Speaking Hawaiian is only one of them.”

  “You know Hawaiian?”

  He smiled. “Nah, my brother and I have stayed here before.”

  “That’s right. He mentioned that. Well, apparently they have a private cove about two miles from here that we’ll be checking out tomorrow for the ceremony.”

  “Can’t wait.”

  Kate smiled. Was she imagining it or was there a hint of flirtation in Luke’s words. She cocked her head and watched him as he carried their bags into the hotel lobby. The view of his backside was as nice as the front. She straightened. Of course it was. He looked like Drew.

  He turned. “So I was thinking … why don’t we check in and have some dinner? We can eat at the bar if you’d like. I know it’s been a long day for you.”

  He was so incredibly attentive. Luke was just like Drew. She corrected herself. Just like the Drew she met on the plane. Island Drew was kind of self-absorbed.

  She bit her lip. Was it a good idea to have dinner with Luke? Maybe she should retire early. Then again, she did need to eat, and at the moment, she was starving.

  Luke must have picked up on her hesitation. “Unless, you’d like to have dinner in your room.”

  “Yes, I mean no. I’d love to have you.” Her cheeks warmed. “I … um … mean have dinner … with you … of course.” Just shut up, Kate.

  “Great.” He smiled. She could see his eyes dancing with amusement. No doubt he found her stammering funny. “We can meet in the bar.” He pointed towards the beach. “It’s outside on the other side of the courtyard. Let’s meet there in an hour.”

  They checked in and Kate headed to her room. Thankfully their rooms were on different floors. She needed a break from Cannon testosterone.

  Arriving at her room, she opened the door to her suite. The room was furnished with beautiful contemporary furniture, including the plushest blue sofa she’d ever laid eyes on. The marble desk would be perfect for working.

  Her queen-size bed, with its beautifully inviting gold duvet, called her name. The hotel staff had laid a beautiful red orchid on her pillow. She picked it up and lay down.

  Closing her eyes, she smiled. She was relieved that the last two hours with Drew’s brother hadn’t been awkward at all. Far from it, and he was nice, to boot. The way he went out of his way during the flight to make her feel at ease this afternoon. She knew the only reason he asked her all those questions about herself was to get her mind off being twenty thousand feet in the air.

  He probably wasn’t really interested in hearing why she became a wedding planner or that she read Nancy Drew novels as a kid. Honestly, what guy did? Still, his questions had worked. She couldn’t remember ever being so relaxed on a plane. “I can’t believe I admitted to him I wanted to be a detective.” She laughed.

  Speaking of being a detective … She sat up, remembering there was still some sleuthing she needed to do as far as her mom’s mysterious lover was concerned. Reaching in her purse for her phone, she checked the clock on the nightstand. It was nearly seven P.M. That would make it after midnight in New York City. Probably too late to call her. She’d wait till morning.

  She walked over to a desk next to the TV and scribbled: Call Mom in AM. Perhaps her mom would change her mind once she learned the wedding would now be in Maui. Her mom had always said she’d like to explore this island.

  It w
ould be great to have her mom here. She was fun and vibrant, always the life of the party. Plus, her mother loved Miles. Maybe Kate could put her on the payroll for the next two weeks to keep Miles and Lauren in line. “Yeah, right.” She laughed. Her mom would have been right there joining them this afternoon if given the chance.

  Kate was the more reserved of the two. She’d been there for her mom through a series of failed attempts at finding love. Maybe her mother would get her happily-ever-after with this Jack character. She hoped so — that is if he isn’t in the mafia or an ax murder. The verdict was still out.

  She powered on her laptop and checked her e-mails. Janet had indeed come through. A close friend of Janet’s, Annie Lawson, would be meeting Kate tomorrow and accompanying her to check out the private cove two miles from the hotel. She had sent directions with instructions for Kate to meet her at the cove in the morning.

  Kate spent the next several minutes opening links Janet had sent of past wedding photos that had taken place in the cove. With each breathtaking ocean snapshot, she grew more and more excited. No high-rise hotel chains in these photos. She had a good feeling about this. Lauren would no doubt be happy with this secluded piece of paradise. Once this wedding went off without a hitch, how could Janet not make her full partner?

  One last urgent reply confirming Lauren’s final fitting for a week from today, and she was ready to call it a night. She glanced down at the time at the bottom of her computer screen. “Shoot.” It was after eight P.M. Luke had been waiting for her for almost an hour. She sprung up and reached for her phone, but realized he’d never given her his number. “Damn it.” How could she have gotten so caught up in e-mails? He was going to think she was completely rude.

  She pulled her lip gloss out of her purse and reapplied, using the closet mirror. There was no time to change out of her dress and heels for something a little more comfortable. Giving her hair a quick tousle, she grabbed her phone and purse and headed out the door.

  She punched in Miles’ number while walking down the hallway. The call immediately went to his voicemail. “Hey, Miles. It’s Kate. Just wanted to check in and see how you’re feeling. No need to call me back. I’ll call you in the morning.”