“You’re not the only one who uses Google,” she teased, reminding him of how he’d found the restaurant the night they went to the movies.
Lee ran a finger down the length of her nose. “You may not want to hear this, but don’t get involved trying to play matchmaker with Vivi and Noah Wainwright. Unfortunately for him he’ll soon find out the hard way that she’s not impressed by his money or surfer-dude image.”
“It sounds as if you don’t want your sister to find somebody.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, babe. I want more than anything for her to be as happy as we are.”
“If that’s the case, then don’t interfere if something happens between her and Noah.”
Lee gave her an incredulous look. “What’s up with you and this dude?”
Angela’s jaw dropped. “There’s nothing going on with me and this dude, except I can see what you refuse to see. When I was modeling I saw a lot of wealthy men transfixed by some of the girls and I knew they weren’t going to stop until they had them.”
“What happened?”
“They wound up as their wives or their mistresses.”
Lee pressed his fist to his mouth and Angela knew he was conflicted when it came to his sister because she’d dated several men who had used her. She’d just met Noah, but there was something about the man she liked. He projected an air of inner strength and quiet confidence.
“Having another Wainwright around will definitely benefit The Falls.”
“What are you talking about?” Lee questioned.
“If Noah decides to buy the land and build homes, then he will have to spend time here overseeing the project. The Wainwrights are known for their philanthropy. Thanks to the generosity of Giles and Sawyer Middleton we were able to open a drug treatment program with full-time and part-time substance abuse counselors. Seth’s wife, Dr. Natalia Hawkins, volunteers her services as medical director, and now all first responders are required to carry naloxone to reverse the effects of a drug overdose.”
“Hypothetically, if he does decide to build, there’s no guarantee he’d want to live here permanently. Wickham Falls is culture shock to someone who grew up in New York City. And what makes you so certain he’d be willing to relocate?”
Leaning closer, Angela brushed her mouth over Lee’s. “Call it woman’s intuition.”
Lee deepened the kiss. “Are you willing to bet on your so-called woman’s intuition?”
She stared into the orbs that were more blue than gray. “Sure. What’s the prize?”
“The winner gets to select where we go on our honeymoon.”
Angela and Lee had talked about delaying taking a honeymoon until after the New Year. Joyce had volunteered to look after Malcolm and Zoe until they returned.
“Bet. Where do you want to go?” she asked Lee. “And remember we’re only taking off a week”
“Bahia.”
“Are you talking Bahia, Brazil?”
“Have you ever been to Brazil?” he asked.
Angela nodded as she recalled visiting the South American country. “I went there for a magazine swimsuit layout and stayed for Carnival. I came home run-down and dehydrated and took two months off before working again.”
“How old were you?”
“Just say I wasn’t old enough to drink in the States. You have to remember I began doing print ads at thirteen, and when I quit the business at twenty-five I’d had more than a decade of parading in front of people.”
“Would you discourage Zoe if she decides she wants to model?”
“Of course I would. It’s not as glamorous as it looks. Most of the girls starve themselves and compromise their health because they fear putting on a few pounds. Anorexia and bulimia were the norm rather than the exception.”
Lee nibbled on her lower lip. “I’ll back you up on whatever you decide for our kids. Back to the wager. Where do you want to go, princess?”
“I was thinking of Key West.” It was one of Angela’s favorite places to visit in the States. The other was San Antonio, Texas.
“I love Key West.”
“I guess that does it,” she said with a smug grin. “We’ll honeymoon in Key West.”
“Whoa, baby! What happened to the wager?”
“It’s null and void because you said you love Key West. Did you hear me say I love Bahia?”
“No, but—”
“No buts, darling,” she interrupted softly. “I promise to make it so memorable that you’ll want to go back year after year.”
Lee anchored his hands under her shoulders and shifted her until she straddled his lap. Angela’s arms circled his neck and she pressed a kiss below his ear. Oh, how she missed him. The unleashed power in his arms when he lifted her easily, the firmness of his masterful mouth able to bring her to heights of passion she’d never experienced, and the hypnotic smell of his cologne that complemented his natural masculine scent. And she didn’t want to think how much she’d missed his lovemaking, a lovemaking in which he made certain she climaxed before he did, or the rare times when it occurred simultaneously.
He laughed and nuzzled her ear. “Will I have to use a safe word?”
Angela moved sensuously, simulating a lap dance as she combed her fingers through his thick, black wavy hair. It was her turn to laugh when a groan slipped from his parted lips. “It all depends.” Throwing back his head, Lee continued to groan as he closed his eyes. She kissed his throat. “Let me get up before someone walks in on us.”
“You hump me, get me aroused, and now you want me to let you go.”
“Please, Lee.”
He released her and she slipped off his lap and began the task of clearing the table. Lee followed and stood behind her. “Don’t move.”
Angela closed her eyes when she felt the bulge against her hips. She and Lee hadn’t made love in more than two weeks. Her children were back, and repairs to the proposed bed-and-breakfast had begun in earnest to restore the exterior to it former splendor. Improvement to the interior included updating plumbing and electrical, scraping and refinishing parquet flooring, and removing and replacing wall coverings.
“That was close,” Lee breathed in her ear. “The next time you decide to give me a lap dance I’d appreciate it if you’d do it where we can have complete privacy.”
She smiled at him over her shoulder. “Okay.” Angela had just removed the tablecloth when Viviana and Noah returned. Her future sister-in-law’s face was flushed with high color as she laughed at something he’d said to her.
Holding the cloth to her chest, Angela smiled at them. “How was the walk?”
“Good,” Viviana said.
“Good and quite interesting,” Noah added. He glanced around the solarium. “Where’s Giles?”
Lee entered the room. “He said he was going for a walk. Why don’t you wait on the porch?” he suggested. “He couldn’t have gone that far.”
“I’d like to talk to my cousin before setting up another meeting with you. I know tomorrow’s Sunday, and I have reservations to fly back to New York early Monday morning, but can you set aside some time so we can talk before I leave?”
Lee met Angela’s eyes. “I’ve committed to attend church services with my family, and then have dinner with Angela’s mother-in-law. Maybe we can get together afterward.”
“Do you go to church, Noah?” Angela asked him.
He flashed a sheepish smile. “Not as often as I used to, much to my mother’s disappointment.”
Giles walked into the solarium in time to overhear Noah. “I told my cousin that once he becomes a family man he’ll give up partying and set a good example for his kids by taking them to church. Mya and I usually attend the early service so we can have the rest of the day to relax.”
“I asked you, Noah,” Angela continued, “because maybe you can come to churc
h with us, and then you and Lee can talk business while my mother-in-law and I prepare dinner.”
Giles gave Noah a pointed look. “Try and wiggle out of that invitation, little cuz.”
Angela saw Lee give her a barely perceptible nod of approval. Angela knew how important it was for him to sell off the land to cover cost overruns, future unforeseen emergencies and have enough cash on hand for the off-season.
“Giles, why don’t you come with Mya and Lily so it can be a family affair?”
“Are you certain your mother-in-law won’t mind?” Giles asked.
“Her passion is cooking for other people. I’ll call her later to set out a few more plates.”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve gone to church,” Noah mumbled. “I just hope the roof stays on.”
Angela laughed along with the others. “Don’t worry about the roof, Noah. It’s less than a year old.”
“We’ll see you in church tomorrow,” Viviana crooned in a singsong. She looped her arm through Angela’s and pulled her in the direction of the kitchen. “You were amazing!”
Her brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”
“You got Noah to agree to attend services. Did you see his face when you invited him to come to church with us? I thought he was going to pass out.”
“He could’ve refused.”
Viviana shook her head. “I doubt that. Once you mentioned he could build homes I could see the wheels turning in his head. And when he saw the undeveloped acreage he closed his eyes and didn’t move for about two minutes. I thought he’d gone into a trance. But then he opened his eyes and said, ‘I want it, and how much are you asking?’ I told him he’d have to talk to my brother. When Lee and I set up the new corporation we agreed I would be president and secretary and he vice-president and treasurer. I’m going to have my hands full running the B and B and supervising staff. And Lee was always better at handling money than I.”
Angela was glad Viviana knew her financial limitations where it concerned running a business. She, on the other hand, used the same investment management company as her parents, and was always consulted before recommending an investment. She smiled at her future sister-in-law. “It sounds like a win-win for the both of you.”
“No, Angela. It’s a win-win-win for the three of us, because all of our wishes are about to come true. Lee’s going to marry the woman he’s always loved. And I may sound biased because he’s my brother, but you’re going to get a husband who will put your happiness and those of your children first, and I’ll get a second chance to become a successful innkeeper.”
An expression of satisfaction shimmered in Angela’s eyes. Leland Remington’s return to Wickham Falls had been totally unexpected, and she had reconnected with him as if the four years since their last encounter was four seconds. The uncomplicated camaraderie she’d shared with Lee in high school was still evident. And the friends-for-life pledge she, Justin and Lee had made would result in her marrying her late husband’s best friend.
“Speaking of marriages, I’m going to need your help pulling off a miracle.”
“Don’t sweat it, Angela. You have the venue, so that’s one thing you can cross off your list. I still have contacts with several local caterers, floral designers and DJs from my days as assistant banquet manager at the hotel in town that was bought out by a larger chain. Once you and Lee set a date and send out invitations I’ll contact my sources.”
“Miss Joyce offered to make the wedding cake.”
“There you go,” Viviana drawled. “You’re all set.”
Angela went through a mental list of what she needed for her special day. “I still have to select a gown. I want it very simple,” she said quickly. “No beading or ruffles.”
“Do you have a theme?”
She wanted to tell Viviana that she hadn’t had to concern herself with a theme or any of the accoutrements that went along with planning a wedding when she and Justin had a courthouse ceremony. Angela knew she’d disappointed her parents, particularly her father, who wasn’t given the privilege of walking his daughter down the aisle and giving her away.
“We’ll probably marry early October, and I think a fall harvest theme would be in keeping with the season.”
Viviana nodded, reminding Angela of a bobblehead doll. “Give me a few days to create something spectacular.”
Angela didn’t want spectacular, she wanted simple, but didn’t have the heart to stifle Viviana’s enthusiasm. She had been through enough with her lowlife ex, and it was time for her to smile and start over again, this time with the support of her loved ones.
Chapter Twelve
“I think it’s time you sat down and put your feet up,” Angela said to Joyce. “When Viviana and Mya get through putting the kids down for a nap they’ll help me clean up the kitchen.”
Joyce tried unsuccessfully to stifle a yawn. “I’m good.”
“No, you’re not good. I know you’re exhausted because you were dozing off during the pastor’s sermon.”
“I was just resting my eyes.”
“You were resting your eyes for more than five minutes? You went to bed late and woke up early this morning. And you outdid yourself today. Everything was delicious.”
When Angela called Joyce to tell her she’d invited four more guests to dinner the normally unflappable woman had panicked. She claimed the roasting chicken wasn’t big enough to feed seven adults and three children. Angela had offered to make molasses-braised beef short ribs from her mother’s recipe, which assuaged Joyce’s anxiety.
Joyce flashed a weak smile. “I guess I am a little tired. Before I go I just want to say that Leland grew up to be a fine young man. I guess he got that from his mama.”
Angela groaned inwardly. “Please don’t go there. You promised me you weren’t going to judge him.”
“I’m not judging him. I like him and your friends.” Joyce took off her bibbed apron and placed it over the back of a chair. “After I get up we’ll have coffee and cake.”
* * *
Viviana walked into the kitchen. “Mya’s still trying to get Lily to fall asleep.”
Angela smiled. “My kids are like Rip Van Winkle. They fall asleep quickly and stay asleep until you wake them up.”
“Your kids are adorable. I passed the family room and the guys look as if they’re having a serious conversation.”
Angela filled the sink with hot soapy water as Viviana stacked plates and set them in the water. “Buying and selling land takes a lot of negotiating.”
“I know. That’s why Lee is involved and not me.”
“What did I miss?” Mya asked, as she joined Angela and Viviana.
Angela smiled at Giles’s wife. She’d given up her career as a college English instructor to become a stay-at-home mother. Loose brown curls with reddish highlights framed a tawny face with large hazel eyes.
“Noah’s negotiating with my brother to buy some land we don’t use.”
Mya picked up several glasses. “If it’s real estate, then you’re singing the Wainwrights’ song. They eat, sleep, walk and talk land deals. Noah is sort of the odd man out in the family because not only is he a developer, but he’s also an architect.”
“Giles isn’t an architect?” Viviana questioned.
“No. He’s an engineer. The Wainwright Developers Group happens to be the second largest real estate company in the northeast and their goal is to make it number one.”
Viviana whistled under her breath. “How is it being married to a Wainwright?”
“It can be overwhelming and intoxicating at the same time. Are you thinking about joining the family, Viviana? I did notice Noah staring at you.”
A flush suffused Viviana’s face. “No. I just got out of a very toxic relationship and right now I’m done with men.”
“Even if you were looking,
I wouldn’t set you up with Noah because he’s quite the party animal who has a reputation of breaking up with his girlfriends the moment they mention the M-word.”
Viviana waved her hand. “I wouldn’t date him anyway because he’s not my type. I’m not attracted to blond men.”
Angela shared a questioning look with Mya. She had never had a type when it came to a man. She had only dated two men and both were very different in appearance and personality.
* * *
Lee had established the habit of going to Miss Joyce’s house to read to Malcolm and Zoe before they went to bed. Angela had given him a collection of children’s books and didn’t take long for him to discover their favorites.
He folded his body down to a beanbag chair in their bedroom and waited for them to emerge from the bathroom.
Zoe and Malcolm raced into the bedroom and joined Lee on the beanbag. He smiled. They smelled of soap and clean laundry. “Which one do you want me to read?”
“Morris the Moose,” they said in unison.
Lee rolled his eyes upward. He had lost count of the number of times they’d asked him to read about the moose. The book was one of their favorites because they had memorized most of the words. Zoe rested her head against his arm as he opened to the first page. “Today Morris—”
“It’s not ‘today,’ Daddy,” Zoe said. “It’s ‘one day.’”
“Yes. One day,” Malcolm repeated, agreeing with his sister.
Lee still had to get used to the kids calling him Daddy. When Angela had introduced them she told her son and daughter that Lee was going to become their new daddy. Malcolm cheered but it was different with Zoe. She’d given him what Lee thought was a suspicious look. It was another two days before she finally called him Daddy because she wanted him to help her tie her tennis shoes.
He occasionally would change a word but found that he couldn’t fool the three-year-olds. “Oops! I meant one day.” He dropped a kiss on their heads. “You guys are so smart.” Lee read slowly, mimicking the voices of the various animals and finishing the book when Angela walked into the bedroom. He winked at her as she sat on the window seat. “I’m going to read them one more story before you put them to bed.” The children clapped their hands when he opened another one of their favorite books: “Dogs Don’t Wear Sneakers.”
Twins for the Soldier Page 16
