“Hi, Patty, I was going to ask how you were feeling, but it doesn’t sound like it’s going all that well.”
“I’m in the hospital with pneumonia, and I’m not sure how long I will be in here. I won’t be back to work for a few weeks.”
Evan’s mind started spinning, thinking of all the things that were already planned for that time. “No worries. I’ll take care of it so you can get better. Is everything on your calendar up-to-date?”
“Yes. It has the names of the parties and should have numbers listed so you can contact them to confirm. I’m sorry, Mr. Pearson.”
“Don’t be sorry. Just take whatever time you need to get well. And let me know if you need anything from me. I’ll make sure to send it over as soon as you request it.” He smiled as she thanked him and hung up.
How was he going to get everything done that he needed to? It wouldn’t be worth it to hire someone to take over Patty’s place for now. Evan had trained her on the system, and it would take just as long to train someone as it would be for him to do it. With all of the subcontractors lined up, he would just need to check in every once in a while as he fielded calls for events.
Evan stepped into the hall and spoke with his secretary, Janice. “Patty is out for the next few weeks. Will you have all the calls for events run through my phone? I’ll be taking charge of it during that time.”
The lady with gray streaks in her hair raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure you’ll be able to sleep if you take that on? With the schedule you already have, it’s a wonder you’re getting any beauty rest as it is.”
Laughing, Evan nodded. “This is true. But I have a bunch of things already set up for the remodel, and I’m hoping it will just be maintenance. I’ll just have to be fluid.”
“I’m booking you a vacation the minute she comes back. It’s not healthy for a young man to only be working.”
Some time off sounded perfect right then. But he’d have to push forward, hoping he’d make it through at least the wedding and holidays before that could happen.
With one more call to make, he dialed Sadie’s number as he walked to Patty’s office. When she answered, he said, “It looks like we’ll be working together. I’m the events coordinator for now.”
Chapter 7
Sadie still couldn’t believe she’d told Evan all of that. But then again, knowing his mother, he probably knew most of it already. She could imagine he hadn’t deemed it important information in the first place and had just gone about his merry way.
And now she had to work with him. She’d been feeling good about keeping him at arm’s length, knowing he’d be in the hotel but she wouldn’t have to see him on a daily basis. Now, that seemed like a pipe dream.
She made it back to the small conference room on the first floor where she’d set up a temporary office. As nice as the suite was where she was staying, it seemed like she got more done in the simpler space and could see more with the samples spread over the table.
Taryn would be done with her conference in the next hour or two and would come by and approve several of the decorations Sadie had picked out for her, allowing enough time for the orders to come in. She had hoped to have some preliminary activities set up, but she wasn’t sure Evan could come up with sensible ideas.
The door opened, and Sadie looked up to see Taryn walking into the room. She looked as amazing as ever, dressed in workout clothes and looking as though she’d just applied her makeup. If Sadie looked like that after even thirty minutes of working out, let alone the whole day, she might work out more often.
Taryn held out her arms and pulled Sadie in for a hug. After several seconds, she pulled back and said, “Sadie! It’s been forever. It’s so good to see you, and thank you again for doing my wedding on such short notice. It’s such a relief to have someone I can depend on.”
“I’m excited to share what I’ve come up with so far,” Sadie said, waving her hand over the table of samples and ideas as Taryn took a seat next to the conference table. “Since we have about five weeks until the big day, we need to get some of the bigger decisions hammered out today so I can get things ordered.”
“Great idea. I have a couple of hours until my flight, so I’m all ears.” She reached forward and touched a sample of lace. “I like this. What were you thinking of using it for?”
This was Sadie’s favorite part, mapping out the vision for the wedding and then tweaking it based on what the bride wanted.
“I know you said you wanted to keep things more low-key now that your wedding will be here, so I started thinking of—”
The door opened again, and Evan walked in, dressed in a maroon polo shirt and dark gray slacks. Sadie ducked her head so he wouldn’t see her cheeks redden at the sight of his toned arms and the short scruff on his face.
“What’s up, Evan? How’d you know we were in here?” Taryn asked, swiveling her chair to the side. She leaned her chin on her hand, narrowing her eyes at her younger brother. Sadie wished she could muster that much intimidation.
“A guy can’t come and see his sister?” Evan asked, raising his hands in the air. When she didn’t respond, he said, “Brent told me you’d arrived. I’m acting as events coordinator for the hotel for a few weeks and figured it might be a good time to go over things so we can get them scheduled out.”
Sadie looked for mocking in his expression but found he was actually serious. He placed a folder on the table in front of him and opened it, flipping through several pages until he got to the page he needed.
Irritation bubbled up inside her. Trying to keep her tone even, Sadie said, “I appreciate you trying to put all of this together right now, but there are a lot of details I need to discuss with Taryn before she leaves. Can you arrange this over the phone?”
Evan’s gaze turned to Sadie, an arrogant smile playing on his lips. What she ever saw in him, she didn’t know.
“I guess we can. I’m just trying to get things figured out so I don’t screw it up.”
The self-deprecation in his voice hit Sadie in the chest, thawing some of the frustration she’d felt at him trying to take over their meeting. A bit of insecurity flashed across his face before a polite smile took over.
Looking at her phone for the time, Sadie said, “Okay, I will make sure to leave at least thirty minutes to discuss activities for the wedding. Do you want us to call you when we’re done discussing lace and ribbon?” She raised an eyebrow and waited for his response.
“It might be good for me to listen in so I can gain some experience in wedding planning, just in case Patty is ever sick again.” His smile was close-lipped, and Sadie wondered if he had an ulterior motive or if he was sincere.
“I’d say you had plenty of experience from your own wedding, but I think Stacey did most of that for you.”
Taryn’s words sounded harsh to Sadie’s ears, and as she watched Evan, sympathy formed inside her. His jaw worked back and forth, and his Adam’s apple bobbed a few times. His eyes narrowed as he pulled out a chair next to Taryn, sitting down without breaking his gaze away from his sister.
Taryn didn’t seem to notice the play of emotions as she’d already turned back to the table. “Actually, it might be good to have you here, just to get a male perspective. You and Travis have similar tastes, so it will help me focus a little more.”
Over the next hour and a half, they worked to refine the design of the wedding and get the materials figured out, and Sadie had a good list of Taryn’s thoughts as they talked about the items. They would ask Evan his thoughts every so often, and he would give them, looking like he’d resigned himself to an hour of misery. Was he just reliving his own failed wedding?
“I want some kind of dancing space for the reception. I’d like to have all the traditional father-daughter and mother-son dances but then invite others to join us at the end.
Biting her bottom lip, Sadie nodded, trying to figure out how to make that work. She’d have to sneak back into the event room and measure a few things. Aft
er writing it down on her to-do list, she looked up and said, “I’ll call around to see if someone has one that would work for this space.” She gave Taryn a reassuring smile, the one that kept the feelings of not-sure-she-could-deliver deep down and giving the bride the confidence that it would get done. “Okay, as far as the wedding gown goes, have you already been shopping for one?”
Taryn nodded. “Does it count if it was for fun five years ago?”
Sadie groaned and rolled her eyes. “No. We should plan to shop for one in the next week or so. Would you like me to arrange for your mother to come here and go with you?”
“I’d like that. I’m flying back to California for a couple of days, but I’m thinking about going back to Aspen Hollow for the festival this next weekend. Maybe we could go look at some places there or in St. George after it’s all over.”
Shrugging, Sadie said, “I could meet you in St. George. I really want to get things taken care of, and if I take time off to head back to Aspen Hollow, it will derail the momentum we have going right now.”
“I think it would be best for Sadie to refresh her memory on some of the rustic stuff,” Evan said with a mischievous grin.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Sadie shot back, heat rising up her neck.
“Just that it might do you some good to see Silver Ridge Ranch again. Mom told me she’s been baking for days, and she’s already finished a bunch of the crafts she makes. You can’t tell me you haven’t missed our mom’s cooking.” His eyebrows raised, and the one corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly, making her insides feel like they were taking off for a hundred-meter dash.
“Really? You’re over there in designer clothes with your fingers manicured, and you’re saying I need to see the ranch? I was there so often growing up that it was burned into my memory.”
Taryn and Evan started laughing at the same time, leaving Sadie to look between them, wondering what she’d said that was so funny.
“What?” she finally asked, annoyed more than usual.
“Girl, I get why you are best friends with Aubrey,” Taryn said, trying to catch her breath. “I mean, I always knew you were two peas in a pod, but the way you put Evan in his place right then was spectacular. I give it a high nine.”
Evan’s laugh eased into a wide smile. “Manicured hands. That would require me to touch lotion. Gross.”
It was Sadie’s turn to join in on the laughter as his look of disgust and tone of his voice surprised her.
“Maybe we should all go see the ranch. I’m sure Mom and Dad would love having a mini-reunion. Aubrey will be heading that way soon.” Taryn pulled out her phone and tapped the calendar app, scrolling through a long list of things to do. “I’ll rearrange some of this so we can attend. Evan, get Aiden to come into town. It will be a nice surprise to have us all home before the wedding.”
A pit formed in Sadie’s stomach, and she knew what it was from. Why were the Pearsons so insistent on making her go back to the place that fueled her nightmares? She wanted to scream, wanted to run upstairs and lock the door and come out only after the festival was over.
“Sounds like a good plan. We can drive over on Thursday afternoon.” Evan was looking at her, and as much as a part of her was curious what a two-and-a-half-hour drive with Evan would be like, she couldn’t do it.
Shaking her head, she said, “Not this time. I’ve got to make sure everything is all taken care of, and the days are ticking by faster and faster. But you can always bring me back a piece of your mom’s pie.” She wiggled her eyebrows and gave them a thumbs up, hoping to steer things in another direction with her joke.
“No can do,” Evan said. “Mom’s apple pie must be eaten warm, and that’s a long drive to get it back to you.”
“It’s called a microwave, Goose.” She paused a few seconds before she turned back to the samples, noting the last few Taryn had selected.
“Is it my turn to talk about events?” Evan asked, his loud sigh causing Sadie to smile.
She waved her hand in his direction. “Plan away. I’m interested to see what you come up with.”
Chapter 8
After saying goodbye to Aubrey on Monday morning, it seemed as if Evan’s phone was ringing all week. Most of the calls were for the events coordinator, either from current guests asking what they could participate in during their stay or future customers inquiring about scheduling activities. When Patty returned, she deserved a raise for all she had to put up with.
The painters he’d hired had shown up on Tuesday morning, allowing him to breathe a bit easier as progress was happening. He didn’t want to let his sister down and knew that if the large room wasn’t finished, his mother wouldn’t let him forget it.
He’d seen Sadie a few times, usually in the conference room as she laid out different materials or typed while on the phone. As much as he felt drawn to her, he kept fighting the urge, hoping the small attraction would stay just that. There was no way he could get involved with another woman. If Stacey hadn’t wanted him, who was to say anyone else would be interested, let alone in for the long haul?
They’d been together on and off throughout high school and had reconnected soon after he’d graduated Hawthorne. It was as if everything clicked into place, and they’d gotten engaged quickly. Preparations for their wedding took about six months, and he’d been so ready to start his life with her. But it had been too good to last, and in some ways, he was grateful it hadn’t worked out. It had been a long process, getting over her, but after hearing that she was already divorced, he felt vindicated. It was for the best.
From what Evan had learned about Sadie’s parents, it sounded like marriage was tainted for her as well. He was grateful his parents had a strong marriage, giving and taking when they needed in order to make it work. If only he could find someone and know for a surety that she wouldn’t break his heart.
Maybe Sadie was that person, but from her sentiments about weddings, she did it for the love of planning and designing rather than because she was ready to settle down. He had no idea what it would be like to suffer through his parents’ divorce, and the fact that her family didn’t see each other much now baffled him. As much as he worked at the hotel and the other businesses he owned, it still seemed like his family got together enough to keep that bond strong.
Sadie had asked for a list of the activities he’d decided on with Taryn the other day. She’d left to check on some boxes that had come in at the front desk and missed the discussion. He walked into the conference room on Tuesday afternoon and laid it down in front of her. She was on the phone and held up her finger, so he sat down. He glanced over the layers of lace and color swatches lying on the table while he waited.
When she got off the phone, she lifted the paper and looked at it for several seconds before turning to him. “Are these the activities Taryn wanted?” The three of them had spent so much time on Sunday with the details and then the debate about heading to Aspen Hollow that he’d only had about fifteen minutes to go over a list of options they had at the hotel before Taryn had to leave to catch her flight.
Nodding, Evan said, “Yeah. I was surprised with some of them myself, but if that’s what she wants to do, I’ll just schedule it.”
Sadie rolled her lips in and shook her head. “No, there’s no way your family is going to want to go to all of those shows beforehand. What day is everyone coming into town?”
“They’re coming in four days before the ceremony, so Sunday? Taryn said that’s what she wants everyone to participate in.”
Shaking her head, Sadie said, “Sometimes brides have tunnel vision. They’re so excited about the big day that they don’t really think about the people around them. Not that doing that will make them into bridezilla, but a little persuasion by a third party can make it even better.”
Folding his arms across his chest, Evan tilted his head and looked at her for a few seconds. “So what do you suggest?”
“Do you have a complete list of events your
hotel provides?”
Evan slid another sheet over to her, and she lifted it up, glancing through the different activities and the business they were connected to.
“Okay, your parents and grandparents are not going to want to go skydiving, nor will they want to watch the teeny-bopper singer you’ve got during those dates. Think about them. What would they enjoy?” She slid the paper back over to him, and he could feel her eyes on him as he concentrated. She had a point, but he definitely wasn’t skilled in events enough to have a better plan. He’d have to spend more of his precious time going through it.
* * *
Sadie couldn’t pull her eyes away from Evan, feeling a small collection of butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Breaking her stare, she pulled out a few other papers and waited for his response.
There was no reason to be attracted to him again. He had a bazillion dollars and was just as arrogant as ever. With Sadie’s stubbornness, they would never survive as a couple. Not that it would even be an option. She’d always been Aubrey’s best friend, and at that moment, she had to remember the reason she’d promised herself not to marry years ago. Even then, she’d known it would all end in disaster.
But there was that sincerity she’d seen several times already, something he hadn’t shown in college. Even now, as he looked over the paper, she wondered if his broken relationship had really changed him that much.
“My grandparents would love some kind of luau or something to get the whole family together. My parents would enjoy that as well, although excursions for the guys and girls might be a good option.” He looked up at her, studying her face.
Sadie smiled and pointed to him. “Bingo! So for the dinner rehearsal, we’ll do something like a luau or just a big dinner. Will the event room be open during that time?”
It took a moment for Evan to answer, and when he did, it was as if his mind had been somewhere else. “The night before? Yeah, it should be, barring no delays in finishing the remodel.”
The Vegas Billionaire: An International Billionaire Club Series Page 4
