Magnolia Bride

by Tara Randel

  “What do you know about being married?”

  Nothing. He didn’t plan on finding out anytime soon, either.

  “I need to get to work.” He rounded his father to unlock the car door.

  “That’s it?”

  “I’m sorry, Dad.”

  Red fury covered his father’s face. “No son of mine would turn on me like this,” he spat and stomped away.

  That was a new twist. Most of the time, his father couldn’t keep from fawning all over Dane until he got what he wanted. First time Dane says no and he’s the bad guy? Dane had no idea how long his father’s tantrum would last, but he knew one thing for sure. He couldn’t continue to play into his father’s manipulations, even if it meant not having the man in his life.

  Sad, but necessary.

  He drove to the hotel. The day was warm and sunny, not a good match for his dark mood.

  Once at the hotel, he circumvented his staff and headed straight to his office. When he opened the door, he stepped in to find his uncle seated in one of the matching armchairs situated in the corner of Dane’s office, reading papers from a file spread open on the coffee table.

  “Uncle Hank.” He crossed the room as Hank rose from the chair. “Good to see you,” he said as they shook hands.

  “Likewise. The Sarasota property took longer to get up and running than we projected.”

  “I heard you were gone so long because Aunt Sonia likes it down there.”

  Hank grinned. “That, too.”

  Dane placed his briefcase on his desk and took a seat in the vacant armchair. “What brings you by this afternoon?”

  “Checking in with my favorite partner.”

  “Your only partner.”

  Hank nodded at the briefcase. “New business I don’t know about?”

  “I’m making a change in security for the hotel. Omega wasn’t working out.”

  “I’m surprised. They came highly recommended.”

  “But didn’t deliver. I found a new firm. We’ll be working with Max Sanders.”

  “Max Sanders? Are you sure his small firm can take care of our needs?”

  “I like his ideas and implementation for a new system. The more high-end clients come to the hotel, the greater our need for top-flight security.”

  “Are you sure you can trust him?”

  “Yes. He’s been in the navy and spent time as a cop in Atlanta. I did enough research to find out he knows what he’s doing.”

  “I’ll have to take your word.” Hank stood and walked to the window, staring out over the gulf vista.

  The man had a razor-sharp mind, always processing information. Dane waited until his uncle gathered his thoughts to get to the gist of his visit.

  “Seems like old home week for you. Sanders. Nealy.”

  “Tends to happen when you come back to your old hometown. The past catches up.”

  “So long as you keep it at a distance.”

  “I’m afraid that’s not possible. I’ll be working with both of my old buddies.”

  Hank turned. “I get Sanders. But Nealy?”

  “Since Angela quit unexpectedly. I talked to Nealy about an exchange of services. I’ll do some fixing for her at the coffee shop. She’ll look after planned events here, until I can hire a replacement.”

  “Can Nealy handle the events here?”

  “She’s very professional. Even though Juliet and Brandon’s engagement ended, the parties were quite a hit.”

  “You know you’re playing with fire, son.”

  Impatience flashed through Dane. He didn’t need his uncle reminding him this might not be the best idea he’d ever had, but Hank showed the stubborn glint Dane remembered from the summer he’d dated Nealy. He hadn’t approved then; he clearly didn’t now.

  “I get it, Dane. The past is the past and you’re an adult.”

  “I think I’ve proven I can handle myself.”

  “I’d say you have.”

  The result of Dane’s hard work included fifteen properties with two more projected for the future. Together they had enlarged Peterson Holdings at a rate Dane hadn’t imagined possible.

  “Have you gone over the report for the Pensacola property?” his uncle asked.

  “I’m glad you brought up the subject.” Dane rose to cross the room, pulled open a desk drawer to remove a thick file. “I went over the numbers.”

  “What do you think?” his uncle asked as he took a seat again. “Pretty solid?”

  “I have to disagree.”

  Hank didn’t hide his surprise. “On what grounds?”

  Dane joined his uncle. “First of all, with all the properties we’ve acquired in such a short length of time, I’m afraid we’ll overextend ourselves. The projections are not as stable as you first assumed.”

  “The property has potential.”

  “Yes and no. We shouldn’t jump yet, since we already have two new projects starting soon.”

  Hank rubbed his thumb and forefinger over his chin. “Have you been up there to see the property?”

  “No. These conclusions are from the preliminary information you gave me.”

  “It can’t be all bad. Why don’t you go up there and see for yourself.”

  “I can’t go out of town right now. I have too much going on here.”

  “Because of your events with Nealy?” Hank aimed a keen glance at Dane. “You have staff for a reason.”

  “Yes, the staff is excellent, but I’m hoping to work with Nealy.”

  Hank stared him down.

  “There are two interviews for event coordinator set up for next week, but in the meantime I need to be here to make sure the schedule runs smoothly.”

  “How many weddings have we booked?”

  “Two, as of today. Mary in marketing has been calling wedding planners and is getting the news about our wide range of services to the local market, as well as national bridal magazines.”

  “Good. I have to admit, I was leery when you came up with the idea, but now I see the potential. We should profit quite well.”

  “Also, the restaurants are making money.” Dane passed a spreadsheet to Hank. “As you can see, we’ve appealed to the locals and the wider region since there are few options for an upscale restaurant in the area. The café is doing well, too.”

  “Fine, fine, but getting back to Nealy. If she’s as good as everyone says, you don’t need to be here.”

  “I want to be here.”

  Hank went quiet for a moment. “Do you think that’s wise?”

  Dane met his direct gaze. “Look, Uncle Hank, it’s not all about Nealy being in town. I’ve grown...attached to this property. Like I have more at stake here. I like being in Cypress Pointe. It feels good to reconnect with old friends and stay put in one place for a while.

  “Peterson Holdings is strong right now. I don’t want to see us rush to expand at the expense of being cash poor. Let’s work with what we have because we’re making money.”

  “It’s not like you to be so conservative.”

  “And it’s not like you to take unnecessary risks.”

  The two men stared at each other, at an impasse.

  “I’m not giving up on the Pensacola property,” his uncle announced, “but we’ll put the idea on the back burner for now. In the meantime, hire an event coordinator. Your time is too valuable to hang out at parties. I need your mind focused on the future of Peterson Holdings.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “And, Dane?”

  Dane raised an eyebrow.

  “You have two weeks to find a suitable replacement. If you have no success, I’ll take the hiring duties out of your hands.”

  Dane’s first reaction was to argue with his uncle, un
til he realized the man expected a knee-jerk reaction from Dane to prove his point. “Yes, sir.”

  “Now, on to family matters. Spoken to Alex?”

  “He’s undercover, so, no.”

  “Your folks?”

  Dane’s mood plummeted even more. “I ran into Dad before I came here. Seems he’s short on money.”

  Hank winced. “Sorry.”

  “Same old. I don’t want to talk about him.” If he did, Dane would have to revisit the mistakes he’d made in the relationship with his father.

  “Okay, then. Get on with your work. Your aunt and I expect you to stop by for dinner soon. She misses you.”

  Dane stood and showed him to the door. “I’ll be there whenever she sets a time.”

  Hank turned to look at Dane. “You know we love you, son. Want the best for you.”

  Dane’s taut expression eased. “You have been out of town too long. You’re getting maudlin on me.”

  “It’s my age. Don’t pay me any mind.” He paused. “I know you’ve sworn off marriage. Can’t say I blame you. Your parents soured you to the idea, but, Dane, the right woman is out there.”

  Dane opened the door. “Time to go.”

  Hank slapped him on the back, recognizing the subject as closed, and strode away.

  Once his uncle left, Dane walked back to his desk and pulled the schematics Max had given him from his briefcase. Despite his relationship with his folks, Dane knew Uncle Hank wanted him settled and happy. He could be unmarried and happy; after all, he’d been single for twelve years and counting. What were a few more?

  Still, his uncle’s push to get him to Pensacola couldn’t have been more obvious than if he’d just come right out and told Dane to leave town because of Nealy.

  Dane knew his uncle meant well, but as a grown man, he’d make his own decisions and accept the consequences. Especially with Nealy here. He didn’t need any posturing from his uncle, since his personal life had never before affected business decisions.

  Unrolling the plans, Dane spread them over the desktop, knocking a baseball cap from the corner of his desk. His old high school cap. A wry smile curved his lips. He retrieved it from the carpet and replaced it on the credenza behind him with the rest of his collection.

  After his dreams to play college baseball fell apart, a new door opened. His uncle showed him the possibilities of life after baseball. Taught him about hard work and dedication. Since he’d let Nealy down, he’d needed a new passion. A career to immerse himself in. Dane knew he’d never have gotten this far in business without his uncle’s help and confidence that Dane would indeed make something of himself.

  He returned his attention to the security system proposal. Max had delivered on the ideas they’d discussed. He pored over the details until his mind wandered off. Wandered to Nealy, to be exact.

  What was it about her? She’d captured his heart when they were kids and he’d never been able to shake it. He thought he’d never see her again, until fate intervened. He’d been so mired in regrets and what-ifs, he’d never taken romantic chances. Then Nealy appeared again in his life.

  Sure, he was curious about her. Curious about his reaction to her.

  But did her coming exit from Cypress Pointe make anything between them seem safe? Certainly she’d have a say in the matter of them revisiting their relationship and so far he figured her response would be a big, fat, resounding no. So why complicate things?

  Shaking his head, he thought about seeing her at the coffee shop earlier. Even dressed in more casual attire, she didn’t lose her take-charge attitude. Her cheeks may have become a shade of appealing pink when he teased her about her unsuccessful attempt at repairs, but she’d stood up to him. When she did, his blood pumped with excitement. All he knew for sure was he wanted more face-to-face time with her.

  He had to admire her. She might be over her head with repairs, but when Nealy was in, she was all in. And improving Cuppa Joe had her full attention.

  On a whim, he pulled out a blank sheet of paper to start recording ideas for the Cuppa Joe storefront. The Merchants’ Association had developed a small beach-town flavor for Main Street. Lots of beaded board, neat trim and crisp eye-catching colors dominated the style. Dorinda’s shop still sported a dingy stucco exterior, old tarnished light fixtures and a faded, worn-out sign.

  As he sketched, something Dorinda mentioned about a vacation in New England came to mind. Using distressed clapboard shingles on the outer walls and brightening the look by framing out the window with fresh, clean white trim, Cuppa Joe would have a brand-new storefront. He envisioned white shutters and a beveled glass door. He sketched a logo for the new sign, perhaps to hang over the door if Dorinda agreed.

  Satisfied, he set down the pencil and stretched out the kinks in his shoulders. He couldn’t wait to see if Nealy would go for his design. She definitely didn’t want to work with him, but he hoped she’d agree with his vision.

  Lilting laughter floated through the window as Dane slipped the papers into his briefcase. He peered outside. A young, pretty, blonde girl ran backward across the grass as a tall, dark-haired boy her age chased after her. He recognized her from the coffee shop. Sierra? Yes, that was her name. He also recognized Bobby, one of his employees in ground maintenance.

  Sierra slowed down. Bobby caught her hand, pulling her into his embrace. As they began to kiss, Dane moved from the window, giving the young couple privacy.

  He remembered how he’d chased Nealy around this property. He’d been crazy about her. He’d went along with every goofy reason she gave their bosses so that they could work, or rather, be together. He’d recognized that time spent with her on the job might take his attention away from serving customers, but it was something he was willing to risk.

  He’d loved running around town with her, loved her free spirit. Loved her.

  Had he been too hasty in ending their marriage all those years ago? Never one to second-guess his decisions, Dane didn’t like the direction his thoughts took.

  Problem was, he could be crazy about Nealy again if he allowed himself. Not wedding crazy, but close enough. Even if he decided to give in to the feelings simmering close to the surface, she was still angry with him. A lot of pain had passed, but he knew he’d done the right thing by getting an annulment. While the grown-up Nealy piqued his interest, he was glad to see a bit of the old spirit in her. Maybe what they’d had was the closest he’d ever have to getting married. So why the hitch in his heart whenever she was around?

  He hoped, for the sake of Cuppa Joe at least, that she’d let her guard down a bit. Didn’t mean she’d ever want to trust her heart with him again. Smart, since he didn’t do serious. But still, he could not deny the strong attraction, the pure longing he could recall at a second’s notice.

  He ran a hand over his face. “Pull yourself together.”

  He might be foolish for contemplating spending time with her while she was home, but each time he met up with her, their spark burned brighter. More meaningful.

  Anything between them was a long shot for sure.

  She was home for two more weeks. How hard could maintaining control be?

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  “I STILL CAN’T believe Great-Gram said you could update the shop. Are you sure you heard her right?”

  Nealy glanced up at her nephew, who had plopped down in the chair across from her. She laughed at the confusion on Davey’s boyish features. “Yes, she gave me permission.”

  He picked through the brochures and papers scattered atop the table. She’d made copious notes on a yellow legal pad in between waiting on the morning coffee crowd. If she went along with Dane’s proposal, she’d be able to complete her entire to-do list.

  “And you’re seriously going ahead with the idea?”

  “Yes. Before Grandmother changes her mind
.”

  He picked up a glossy brochure featuring a shiny, new espresso maker, along with the manufacturing specs. He wrinkled his nose. “Looks complicated to me.”

  “These new models practically run themselves. Just push a button and you get an espresso, cappuccino or latte. It’s pretty cool.”

  “What about plain old coffee?”

  “We’ll keep the original brewers.” She laid down her pen. “I know Grandmother has mixed feelings about changing the shop. But if we want to stay competitive with other coffee places, we have to get with the times, otherwise people will go elsewhere. Or a savvy entrepreneur will visit Cypress Pointe and realize what a great opportunity it would be to open a competing coffee shop, one offering a variety of coffee drinks and stays open late. If that happens, Cuppa Joe is sunk for sure.”

  He looked dubious. “You keep saying we. This is your third day here and you’ll be leaving in a couple of weeks.”

  Nealy ran her hands over her jeans. How did she explain her actions to Davey without sounding hypocritical? “You know I’ve always had a soft spot for this place. I want to see it successful, keep the shop in the family. Updating makes the most sense to ensure the future.”

  “But who will run it? Great-Gram can’t do it forever. She wants to retire.”

  “I hear she’s been talking to you.”

  He shrugged. “We talk about a lot of stuff. She’s tired of running the shop and wants a break.”

  “I’m sure she wants a break, but Cuppa Joe holds a lot of memories for her. She deserves to slow down, but I don’t think selling the shop is the right move.”

  So far, Nealy hadn’t come up with an alternative everyone could work with. She noticed the time on the clock on the wall. “Don’t you need to get to school?”

  “Yeah.” He rose, shuffled across the shop and tugged his backpack, covered with stickers of all colors and shapes, over his arms.

  “What’s with the stickers?” Nealy pointed to a large orange circle on the front of the pack.

  “Different stuff from school. Clubs. Sports. You know, for support.” He stared at Nealy, so serious for someone so young. “I don’t want Great-Gram to be disappointed.”