by Nora Roberts
“That’s rough. Serious?”
“Peritonitis.They’re worried about sepsis, and other complications. More, she was out there taking care of her mother, who just had a hip replacement, so it’s doubly difficult for everyone. Leah and Channing are worried about their friend, their friend’s mother, and are missing a best man. They’ll upgrade one of the groomsman for that, but that leaves them one short.”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“So, we’ll need a substitute, and one who’s about the same build as Justin, the best man, so the tux fits.”
“Right.”
“You’re about a thirty-eight long, right? Thirty-two waist? I’d say a thirty-five sleeve.”
“I guess. I haven’t . . . Whoa. Wait.” When he pushed at her shoulders, she just burrowed in.
“You’d be doing me a huge favor.You’ll like Channing. He’s a sweetheart. He and Leah actually grew up together, so to speak. They were an item for a while in high school, then lost touch for a bit during the college years until—”
“You’ve got to be kidding.”This time he put a little more into the shove and rolled her off.“You don’t seriously expect me to put on some guy’s tux and—”
“I really think it’ll fit. Del needs a forty, and Jack’s a regular. And they wouldn’t be able to wear their own, as the wedding party’s coordinated.”
“There’s no way I’m—”
“Consider it pinch hitting. That’s really all it is.” She rolled back, sliding over his chest. “You’ve been in a wedding before, haven’t you?”
“Yeah, but—”
“All you have to do is show guests to their seats, stand up there with the groomsmen, and then escort a very attractive attendant in the recession. It would really take a huge burden off Leah and Channing.”
“Maybe I’d care about that if I knew Leah and Channing.”
“You know me.You’d really be helping me out, Malcolm.” She brushed a kiss along his jaw. “And I’d really appreciate it.”
“I’ve got to work.”
“But you’ll be here in plenty of time. Really, if you’re back by five forty-five, I can make it work. I’ll take care of all the details. All you have to do is wear the tux—oh, and the shoes you wore for Sherry’s wedding would be fine—”
“Thank God.”
“Sarcasm noted, and ignored.You just show up, look gorgeous, and direct a few people to their seats. It’s going to be a beautiful wedding.The cake’s amazing. Chocolate marble with a marbleized fondant over buttercream. Laurel’s serving it in pools of caramel sauce.”
“You think I can be bribed with cake?”
“It’s exceptional cake.” Now she nipped, ever so lightly, at his jaw. “And I bet I can confiscate some extra caramel sauce for . . . later.”
“Now you’re bribing me with caramel-sauce sex?”
“I am.”
“You’re freaking diabolical, Legs.”
“Thanks.”
“And the wake-up call? That was to prime me for all this?”
“Absolutely.”
“It was good thinking.”
“You’ll do it?”
“I’d like to meet the man who can hold out against caramel sauce.”
“Thank you.” She planted a hard, noisy kiss on his mouth. “Seriously, thank you. I’ve got to call Leah, let her know.” She jumped out of bed, grabbed the phone. “Don’t worry about a thing.All you have to do is be here, and I’ll coach you through the rest.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
And as she called the bride, Malcolm pulled a pillow over his face.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
HE THOUGHT ABOUT INVENTING AN EMERGENCY, BUT THAT WOULD be cowardly. And it wouldn’t result in caramel sauce.
Plus, he had to admit she’d outmaneuvered him, and couldn’t help but admire her strategy. And he’d revved on the execution most of the day.
He finished the work on the Jeep, rebuilt a carburetor, ran a few diagnostics for routine service checks, and took a couple of road calls, as he’d be passing the night shift to Bill.
He skimmed through some paperwork—most of which he intended to dump on his mother—and completed a list of replacement parts he needed her to hunt up for a rehab on a ’67 Mustang.
He took a glance at his balance sheet. It always gave him an odd little jolt to realize he was flush.
Flush enough to pump some back into the business, give his mother and the rest of the crew decent raises, and maybe take a little winter vacation after the holidays.
A week somewhere with a beach and blue water. Things slowed down some at Vows in January, according to Parker. She could probably figure out how to skip out for a week,. Nobody figured like Parker.
He’d teach her to surf.
Maybe she knew how to surf. He should ask her.
And it occurred to him he was planning a vacation around Parker.When had that happened?
He sat for a moment listening to the sounds from the garage, let himself absorb the notion.When it didn’t give him the jitters, he let out a huh.
So it didn’t matter when or how it happened, it just was. And he was okay with it.
Better than okay, he admitted, because he could see her with him on that beach with blue water, drinking some local rum deal, and just letting work go for a few days.
Or . . . maybe a break at her place in the Hamptons. Something to be said for winter beaches—solitude, sex by the fire.
So, he’d toss the idea at her, see where it went.
He gathered up the files, moved through the garage and into the office.
“Got some stuff,” he began, and went over the lists and invoices while his mother peered at the paperwork through her green-framed glasses.
“You’re taking off now?”
“I was going to. I sort of have a thing I have to do. Whatever you don’t get to, I’ll finish up by Monday.”
“I didn’t say I couldn’t get it done. Come here.”
He leaned over the counter.And she cuffed the side of his head.
“Hey.”
“Why didn’t you tell me we were getting an invite to Thanksgiving dinner at the Brown Estate?”
“It just came up.” Aggrieved as only his mother could make him, he rubbed the side of his head. “And Parker said she’d call you about it, which I guess she did.What’s the problem?”
“If you’d told me, I wouldn’t have been taken by surprise. And if she hadn’t called, I’d’ve bought a damn turkey on my way home from work today.Then I’d have a turkey I don’t need.”
“Well, she did so you didn’t, and you don’t.”
“You’re lucky I didn’t.” She gave him that smirk that made him want to hunch his shoulders. “You’re wearing a suit.”
He knew it. “She said it didn’t matter.”
“I don’t care what she said. I’m saying you’re wearing a suit. You should buy a new suit.When’s the last time you bought a new suit?”
He nearly did hunch his shoulders, and thanked God all his men were out of earshot. “I don’t know. Jesus.”
“Don’t take that tone with me.” Her finger jabbed out at him like a switchblade. “You buy a new suit. And a tie. And some decent shoes.”
“Good God.”
“You’re seeing someone like Parker Brown, you have more need for a suit than for a wedding or when somebody drops dead. And you’re a successful businessman, don’t you forget it.A successful businessman has more than one suit in his closet. And you could use a haircut.”
“Anything else? Maybe I should learn French.”
She wagged a finger, but her lips twitched. “You could parlay voo if you wanted.You’re bright enough.You get that from my side of the family. You get your build from your daddy. That’s why you look so sharp in a suit. Go on and get out of here so I can deal with this work you’ve tossed at me.”
“If I’d known I was going to get bushwhacked, I’d have found more.” He walked to the door, glanced back—and felt the
smirk they shared move onto his face. “Since I have to spend all this dough on clothes, I guess I can’t give you the raise I was planning on.Too bad.”
It took some of the sting out of the idea of shopping when she scowled after him.
BY THE TIME HE GOT TO PARKER’S, THE PLACE WAS IN FULL-EVENT mode. Emma and her flower people had already decked out the entrance with a lot of big straw-colored things holding acres of flowers. She’d mixed in some pumpkins, and what might’ve been gourds.
He didn’t think he’d ever seen gourds at a wedding, but he had to admit they looked good.
Inside they’d draped the staircase with miles of that filmy white stuff they used, more flowers, little lights. Still more flowers stood in pots and baskets and vases.
It was like walking through a fall dreamscape. Which, he supposed, was the goal.
He could hear more work going on in the Parlor, and in what they called the Grand Hall, but resisted the urge to poke his head in. He might get volunteered.
He considered easing through, hitting Mrs. Grady up for a sandwich before he dealt with whatever he was going to have to deal with upstairs, but even as he turned in that direction, Parker moved into view at the top of the stairs.
The woman, he thought, had better radar than NASA.
“Perfect timing.” She shot out a killer smile as she came down. “The groom’s party is just getting started. I can’t tell you how much you’ve taken off their minds, and mine.” She locked on to him like a tractor beam and began to lead him up.
“Everything’s right on schedule.”
“I worried about that all day.”
She gave him a gentle elbow poke. “I know this is a lot to ask, but it does make you a hero. Justin’s mother came through the surgery very well, so we’re in complete celebration mode.”
“That’s good, about the mother.”
“It really is. I’ll introduce you to Channing and his men, help you get set up.Then I’ll come back in about an hour, just to give you a run-through since you weren’t at rehearsal.”
She gave the door of the Groom’s Suite a brisk knock. “It’s Parker,” she called out. “Is it safe to come in?”
The man who opened the door wore tuxedo pants and had a beer in his hand. “I can’t say we’re decent, but we’re covered.”
“Good enough. Malcolm, this is Darrin, recently promoted to best man.”
“I told Channing I’ve always been the best man. You’d be today’s pinch hitter. Nice to meet you.”
They shook hands before Parker nudged Malcolm inside where beer poked their frosty heads out of iced buckets, and a bottle of champagne stood in another. Platters held sandwiches and finger food, and men hung around half dressed. Five of them. Six counting the newly appointed best man.
One—tall, golden, gym-ripped—broke away. “Malcolm? I’m Channing, and I’ll be your groom today.”
“Good luck with that.”
“I really can’t begin to thank you for doing this. It probably seems bizarre, but . . . I know you from somewhere.”
“I’ve been somewhere, but you don’t look familiar.”
“I could swear—”
“Hey.” One of the men paused as he poured a glass of champagne. “It’s Kavanaugh, right?”
“Yeah.” Malcolm narrowed his eyes at champagne guy. “Mercedes SL600. Tire rotation and detailing.”
“That’s exactly right. Best detail job I’ve ever had.”
“That’s it.” Channing ticked the air with his finger.“I knew I’d seen you.You rehabbed my father’s T-Bird. I was there when you delivered it. I dried his tears of joy.”
“Hell of a car. So you’re Channing Colbert.”
“Yeah. I thought my father was crazy when he bought that car. Then I saw it after you’d finished with it and thought, why don’t I have one? Want some champagne, a beer?”
“Beer.”
“I’ll leave you in good hands.” Parker patted his arm.“Your tux is right over there. Our photographer will be here in about fifteen minutes.”
It wasn’t so bad, Malcolm decided. There was food, there was beer, and the other men were in such a damn good mood it was hard to feel put-upon.
At least he felt that way until Mac swung in and pointed her camera at him.
“Hey, I’m just subbing.”
“And they’ll want that documented. Don’t pay any attention to me.” She waved at him, and moved around the room like a redheaded snake—slithery and silent.
He felt a profound sense of relief when she cut Channing out of the herd for formal shots.
He changed into the tuxedo pants and shirt while she was gone. Parker had been dead-on, again.They fit, as did the dark red vest.
Half the guys had questions about cars, but he was used to that. A mechanic was a car doctor, and everybody wanted free medical advice. Since advice could lead to new customers, he didn’t mind handing it out.
When Parker came back, he was struggling with his tie.
“Here, let me do it.”
“When I rent a tux, you just hook this bastard on.”
She smiled up at him.“I think half the reason men wear ties is so women have to get in close to tie them. How’re you doing?”
“It’s okay.” He glanced over her shoulder to his fellow groomsmen. “They’re all pretty easy.”
“Your attendant’s name is Astoria.”
His gaze shifted back to hers. “Seriously?”
She cleared a chuckle out of her throat. “They call her Asti. She’s beautiful, a little bit shy—and married, so don’t get any ideas.”
“And here I was thinking about a quickie in the cloak room.”
“They all do. She works with special needs children in Chicago. She and Leah met in college. There.” She stepped back, angled her head.“You’re fulfilling your part of the deal.You’re having a good time and you look gorgeous.”
Mac stepped back in. “Okay, boys, let’s move out to the terrace for the formals. It’s a risk. I don’t know if my camera can handle this much handsome.”
Parker helped Malcolm into his jacket, brushed at the sleeve. “I’ll be back to do that run-through as soon as Mac’s done with you.”
“With me? I’m not doing the group shots. I’m not part of the group. I’m the sub.”
“Channing really wants you in them. It’ll only take a few minutes.”
“Listen, Parker—”
“Oh, sorry.” She tapped her headset. “I have to run.”
Sneaky, Malcolm thought as she slid away like butter on a griddle.
He was going to want a lot of caramel sauce.
He did his part, escorting people to seats in the shimmering lights of the Grand Hall. Candlelight and firelight added to the glow.
Laurel swung through for an on-scene check, sent him a wink. “How’s it going?”
“Is the cake as good as advertised?”
“Better.”
“Then it’s all worth it.”
“And there’s plenty of caramel sauce.”
He caught her smirk—they seemed to be going around—as she glided away.
Jesus, did those women tell each other everything?
Fine, he’d make sure they had plenty to talk about over breakfast. Maybe he’d just cop a bottle of the champagne to go with the—
“Well, well, moonlighting as an usher these days?”
His back went tight even before he turned to his uncle.
Not aging well, are you, Artie? Malcolm thought, and there was some satisfaction in that.The man still had all his hair—which had always been his pride and joy—but he’d put on weight, gone thick in the face, in the middle. His eyes, a deceptively mild blue, seemed shrunken in the wide plate of that face.
She’d fared better, he decided, glancing at his uncle’s wife. Kept her figure, maybe had a couple nips and tucks. But the look of distaste didn’t do anything attractive to her face.
“You can find your own seats.”
“Courteous as ever. I’d heard you were chasing after the Brown girl and her money.”
“You never knew your place.” Marge Frank sniffed. “Now it looks like Parker Brown’s forgotten hers. Her grandmother must be rolling over in her grave.”
“Sit down or leave.”
“It doesn’t look like her breeding’s rubbed off on you,” Artie commented.“It shouldn’t take long for Parker to see you for what you are. Just how do you know the bride and groom? Changed a few tires for them?”
Fuck it, he thought. Just fuck it. “That’s right.”
“You can scrub the grime from under your nails, Malcolm, but you’re still a grease monkey. And people like the Browns always end up with their own kind. Come on, Marge.”
He needed five minutes, Malcolm thought. Five minutes to get some air, to settle himself. But even as he backed out, started toward the foyer, Laurel came back.
“Less than a dozen guests left to seat.We’re going to want you and the rest of the boys to take positions in two minutes. Are you—Is something wrong?”
“No.”
“Okay. If you’d nudge the last stragglers into seats, then go around . . .Parker showed you how it works, right?”
“Yeah. I got it.”
“I’ll be there to cue you. Don’t worry. It’ll be painless.”
He didn’t feel pain. He felt a rage that wanted to claw out of his throat. He didn’t want to be there, wearing someone else’s tux, standing in front of a crowd of people in a room filled with flowers and candles watching people he didn’t even know get married.
And feeling—helpless not to feel—the utter contempt from his uncle, coiling its way across the room to clamp onto his throat and trap that rage.
Once he’d escaped it, had traveled three thousand miles to shed it. He’d come back a man, but there was still a piece inside him, he hated knowing it, that burned with that raw and bitter anger.
And struggled, even now struggled, with the echoes of humiliation.
He went along for photos after the ceremony, primarily as an escape route. He listened as Channing’s father rhapsodized about the T-Bird, and did his best to keep up his end.
Then he broke away to find a place in the side garden, to sit in the frosted night and breathe.
