Until we finish, we decided to open the grounds to events like wedding ceremonies under the old white oak tree, receptions and larger gatherings in the renovated stables. Intimate outdoor gatherings can be held on the three-tier antique brick patio behind the house. There had been plenty of blood equity involved in that project. I can’t wait to have the three firepits blazing on a cool, crisp fall afternoon with guests mingling among the different seating areas while enjoying the spectacular view of the mountains.
“Can we walk through the stables again?” Belinda asks sweetly.
“Of course.” I lead the way over the brick pathway. “As I said, we can seat two hundred comfortably, and if we need to, we can pull tables out onto the paddock area. That will leave plenty of room for dancing near the stage.” I’m proud of how we converted the old timber frame barn into a venue. It had been a wreck. I can see it so clearly, decorated for a wedding reception. Right down to the twinkle lights wrapped around the posts and beams. Rustic elegance.
Belinda spins around in the center of the barn with her arms outstretched and a dreamy look on her face. She comes to a stop and hugs her body. “April, this is perfect. I’m so lucky the desk clerk at my hotel gave me your flyer. I can see myself standing beside Wes under the old oak tree as we become man and wife, with all our family and friends celebrating with us. This is it. It’s everything I’ve been hoping for.”
Yes! I give a virtual fist pump in my mind. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect bride to be our first customer. “I think you’ll be very pleased with what we can offer. Just ask your wedding planner to contact me, and we’ll work together to give you the perfect wedding of your dreams.”
The smile slides from Belinda’s face. “I don’t have a wedding planner.”
The smile on my face feels suddenly staged. Belinda is a young bride, but surely, she knows you can’t have a wedding with over two hundred guests without someone making plans. Even if it’s an Aunt Sue or Cousin Doris. Maybe I just misunderstood. “Oh, is a friend or family member stepping up to take the lead?”
Belinda looks down and stubs the toe of her designer leather boot on the refinished wood floor. “No, it’s just me. And Wes, my fiancé.” Her pleading gaze meets mine. “I was kind of hoping you’d do it.”
My mouth drops open. Suddenly the bright, shiny hope disappears behind a cloud of doom. “Me?” I ask, hoping she’s going to laugh right along with me for misunderstanding.
Belinda plants herself in front of me and takes my hands in hers. How can I turn down the sweet girl looking at me like I’m her last chance at happiness? “Please, April. The vision I have in my head is everything you’ve suggested. I wouldn’t have the first clue how to plan a wedding. I want you to be my wedding planner.”
My soaring spirits plummet. As much as I wish we could, we just aren’t equipped to do so. “Belinda, while we do hope to grow into offering that service…I have to be honest with you. I’ve never planned a wedding.” That wasn’t exactly true. I’ve helped with plenty of weddings, but I’ve never taken the point position.
Belinda’s eyes grow bright and glossy. “But I bet you could. Please! I don’t want anyone else but you.”
Those eyes…I’m caught. I’d felt an instant connection with Belinda, and I don’t want to let her down. But can I do this, and do it well? I take a few steps away and rub my forehead, trying to come up with a solution. I shouldn’t have had that last drink last night. The pain relievers I’d popped this morning are wearing off. “When is your wedding? Maybe I could do some research and…”
“Two weeks,” Belinda mumbles, and nervously pushes her hair behind her ear.
I jerk my head around and catch the rise of guilt on Belinda’s face. No. Not even a young bride could think that was even possible. “Excuse me? What did you say?”
Belinda clears her throat. “I said my wedding is in two weeks. I know that’s really short notice. We thought we’d have longer, but Wes just found out today that he’s being deployed, and we want to get married before he ships out.”
“Honey, there’s just no way anyone could pull a wedding off in that short of a time. With over two hundred guests… I mean, the cost alone would be astronomical. And a band. I’m not sure we could find anyone this late.”
Belinda’s face transforms into giddy anticipation. “That’s no problem. My brother is paying for everything. Cost isn’t an issue for him. He just wants me to be happy. And don’t worry about the band. I’ve got that covered. Some friends have offered to play for us. You and this magical place will make me very happy. Please April, say you’ll do it.”
Cost is no object? That’s a foreign concept. But still…two weeks? I’ll have to call in a few favors. Rachael will do the catering. Mom and Grammy will come in to help with the flowers. Wait. Am I saying yes? It’s not like I don’t feel qualified for the job. “Belinda, I have to be honest here. Your wedding will be the first one we’ve ever held here. We’ve only been partially open a few weeks. We’re still months away from finishing the inside of the house. Are you sure you want to trust me to do this?”
Her head bobs and her lips transform into a wide smile. “We’ll only be using the house for dressing. You said there were rooms finished for that, and the wedding will take place outside, under the white oak tree. The reception will be at the stables. You are the only one I want. Please, April. Please say you’ll do it.”
I look back up the hill at the manor sitting regally at the top. At one time, the White family home had been a showplace. I’ve been in love with the house for as long as I can remember. Even though the house was abandoned and in decline, I’d ride my bike over and sit for hours on the wide front porch, dreaming about the days when the house was in its prime. Imagining women from long ago in their frilly, puffed blouses and tiny waists with ‘hobble’ skirts strolling along the grounds.
Rachael and I both feel a connection to White’s Manor. That’s why we bought it with the intentions of renovating and starting a venture of our own. I’ve been running my family’s florist business since I graduated from college. Rachael has worked at the local bakery for over ten years, basically running it by herself for half that time.
When the house went up for sale, we had no choice. We both felt it in our bones. White’s Manor belonged to us. So, we took a huge leap and made a ridiculously low bid. We were shocked when the offer was accepted. Then the reality of what we’d done set in. The first time we’d taken a contractor through the house for an estimate had been our first major stumbling boulder. But we were determined, and that didn’t discourage us. Instead, we came up with a plan—we’d do the renovation work ourselves. Well, most of it, anyway.
Every spare minute and dollar we’ve had for the past two years has gone into our project. YouTube has become our go-to for learning how to do everything from tiling to refinishing floors. The big things like plumbing and electrical we hired out, but most everything else, we learned through trial and error…lots of errors. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished.
Belinda would be our first client. I can see it going both ways. If we take the wedding on and it’s a success, it will certainly be great advertising. On the other hand, it could end up being a disaster. But what are the odds of that happening? Becoming a five-star event center is why we bought the house in the first place. So, we’ll just move our timeline up. By at least a year. But I know we can do it.
I take one more look at our future, White’s Manor, and take another leap of faith. “Belinda, I will do my best to give you the wedding of your dreams. But we have a lot of work to do. Can you come back tomorrow? We really need to get started as soon as possible.”
“Yay!” Belinda squeals, before running to throw her arms around me. “Thank you, April. I know you’ll make it perfect. I can’t wait to tell my brother. He was supposed to be here with me today, but he had to fly back to California for business last night. He’ll be back tomorrow. Can I bring him by? I know he’s going to love White’s M
anor as much as I do.”
I laughed—Belinda’s excitement is contagious. “Of course. I’ll be working in the house, so just come on in and find me.”
“Umm, April.” Belinda’s brow wrinkles as she twists a lock of her blond hair nervously. “About my brother…”
I give an understanding nod. “Overprotective?”
Belinda let out a huge laugh. “You could say that. It’s just the two of us, and well, he can be a bit controlling.”
An overprotective brother could work to our advantage. Besides, I know all about domineering brothers—I have three. “I don’t see that as a problem. We both want you to have a beautiful wedding, so I’m sure we will get along just fine.”
Elias
“Well, hello,” I say to the woman from the bar as she steps on the elevator. She smiles up at me through her lashes and turns to face the doors, giving me her backside. My gaze moves downward, taking in every lush curve of her ass before looking at our reflection in the mirror walls. Our eyes meet, I can tell by her smug smile that she caught me admiring her many assets, I give her a sly grin. She takes a step back and brushes against my hardening cock. She wants me.
I swipe her long golden-brown hair over one shoulder and lean in to rub my cheek along her soft skin. She smells of raspberries, and I wonder if her nipples are similar in color. Her head falls backward as I lick her exposed neck, then suck the delicate skin to leave my mark. She grinds her ass against my cock, moaning with pleasure. My hands slide under her shirt, and I yank her bra beneath her breasts. They spring free from the sudden movement, but my hands cover them, squeezing, massaging. She makes the sexiest sound when I pinch the rigid buttons. Her breathing quickens as I slowly slide one hand down her stomach and inch my way under the waistband of her low-rise jeans. She sucks in and presses against me harder as I bypass her panties and find her wet, swollen clit. This time the groan bouncing off the walls is mine.
I make lazy circles around the sensitive bud, taking my time and enjoying her pleasure with the wild ride she’s taking on my fingers. I dip my middle finger inside and feel her muscles pulse and tremor. She whimpers as I return all that liquid gold to her clit and feel her body preparing to come. I pinch her nipple harder…
I startle when the elevator rings. I don’t care if the door opens or who sees us. She’s too far gone. Just a little more…
The ringing is louder. Annoying.
I swear and squint my bloodshot eyes at the clock on the bedside table as I fumble for the ringing phone. I groan and flop back in bed knowing I’m going to answer. If it were any ring but that one, I’d let it go to voicemail and finished my epic dream.
I frown when I run my hand through my hair and come away with flakes of sawdust. Without a bit of guilt, I sprinkle them on the floor for the high-dollar cleaning service to deal with since I’m never home to get the place dirty and connect the call.
“Did I wake you?” a soft, familiar voice asks.
I grin into my phone and throw my legs over the side of the bed. I might as well make a pot of coffee. I know my sister, and I won’t be returning to bed anytime soon. “Yeah, we were working late.” I’d flown back from North Carolina on the red-eye, gone straight to the studio, and filmed until midnight. Which means I’d only gotten—my weary eyes check the clock again—three hours of sleep in the last twenty-four hours. I rub the back of my neck and sigh.
“I’m sorry, E. I forgot it’s three in the morning there,” Belinda says with too much happiness for my partially unawake brain.
“No problem. I’m up now,” I say as I drag my ass out of bed and head to the kitchen to fix a pot of coffee. I have to be on set by five anyway to finish the re-shoots. One of those little pod things will not be enough.
“Did you get the segment re-taped?” she asks.
I grab the glass pot from under the coffeemaker. “We’re working on it. I have one more to do, then I’ll be flying back to you by noon today. I’m really sorry I had to leave. I promised you I’d help you look for a venue, and we will.” Yawning, I blink to keep myself alert as I fill the pot with water and dump it into the machine. A few more hours of sleep would have been wonderful. I’ll sleep on the plane.
“Oh, Elias. I found it. I found the perfect place to get married. It’s in Treemont. The estate’s being renovated, but E, it’s just perfect for the wedding. The town is small, but it’s only about an hour away from Asheville, so there will be plenty of hotels for our guests. We can bring them to the venue by limousine. I can’t wait for you to see it.”
I grab the coffee grounds—Folgers, my favorite—and don’t even bother with the scoop. I just dump some in and push the button to start the brewing. My brotherly senses suddenly go on alert. While I love my sister, she can see roses where weeds grow. Plus, I only left her yesterday. That’s much too quickly to find the perfect place, isn’t it? “What do you mean, it’s being renovated?” The smell of the freshly-brewed coffee is beginning to work its magic.
“Well, the inside of the house is still under remodel, but the wedding will take place outside beneath this giant white oak tree. It’s so beautiful, E. You can see the mountains in the distance, and it’s simply breathtaking.”
She sounds so excited that I hate to bring her down, but logistically, I can’t see it happening. I wait till I take a fortifying sip of the delicious brew before answering. “Belinda, honey…I don’t think that’s going to work. I mean, the guest list is already over two hundred. A little town like that just won’t be equipped to handle such a large gathering.”
“Please, E,” she begs. I hate it when she gets that tone. “Just meet with the event planner. She’s taking care of everything.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. She knows I can’t handle it when she goes all impossibly sweet. I buckle every time. “Honey, I just want you to have the most perfect day.”
“I know, and I thank you so much for everything. But please, Elias. Just meet with her. This is what I want. This is what Wes and I really want.”
I inhale the calming aroma before taking another sip. I’m going anyway, so I might as well check the place out. “I’ll see you in the early afternoon and you can show me what you’ve found.”
“You’re the best brother ever!” Belinda squeals.
I wince, holding the phone away from my ear.
Late that afternoon I’m back in North Carolina, and we’re walking through town, I have to admit that Belinda is right. The town is straight out of a nineteen-fifties movie. Old brick storefronts line both sides of Main Street. What once was had been renovated and repurposed into current businesses. I pull my ball cap lower. So far nobody has recognized me, and I want it to stay that way. I tune back in to Belinda’s running monologue about everything April.
“April said she’ll cover the fold-up chairs in white cotton and tie bows of burlap around them and decorate the bows with a hydrangea arrangement. Doesn’t that sound simply divine?”
I don’t see how that would make a cheap fold-up chair any better. But I smile and appear to be onboard. Making Belinda happy has been my sole focus for many years. “That sounds lovely. But why fold-up chairs? They sound very uncomfortable.”
Her cute little turned-up nose and hopeful eyes swing toward me. “Well, our guests won’t be sitting in them long. Does it really matter?”
“No, I guess not.” The more Belinda talks about the absolutely divine wedding location, the more I find to dislike. After she picked me up from the airport, we drove straight into Treemont and had lunch at a local café. I took my chances on the daily special: chicken fried steak with gravy, green beans, mashed potatoes, and banana pudding for dessert. I couldn’t fault the food; in fact, it reminded me of our mother’s cooking. Or at least what I can remember. I’m just glad Todd, my trainer the studio insists I work with, didn’t see the high-calorie, artery-clogging meal I ingested. He’d have me running circuits until I drop.
I glance across the street at an antique store now occupying a buil
ding that had once been a movie theater. The old marquee holds posters from movies long past their premieres. What used to be a large department store now houses a coffee shop, a bakery, and a dance studio. An ice cream shop done in turquoise, pink, and black had a neon cone flashing above the plate glass window. I turn toward a high-pitched noise. “Is that a train?”
Belinda laughs and tugs on my hand just like she used to do when she was little and couldn’t wait to get somewhere. “Yes! Come look.”
She leads me to the center of town, where a half-acre plot of land has a four-foot-high chain link fence surrounding miniature towns with a toy train track. The little towns are complete with bridges and a coal station where the train could pull in and refuel. The sight is every big and small child’s dreams come true.
“April says at Christmas time they decorate the towns with little lit trees and garlands. Isn’t it great?”
Her eyes shine brightly with an innocence I hope she never loses. Taking a step closer to the fence, I can’t believe they even have recirculating rivers under those bridges. Remarkable. “It is. I can see why you fell in love with this town, but I’m still not sure about the venue.”
“You will be, Elias. I just know you will,” she looks up and answers with a confident smile.
I’ll keep my opinion to myself. “Come on, let’s go. I’m anxious to see the perfect place for my sister to get married.” Belinda is everything good in my life. Everything I’ve done since I was eighteen years old has been for my sister.
The drive to White’s Manor takes only fifteen minutes. We pull off the paved country road onto a bumpy dirt road. “Is this the driveway?” My voice fluctuates from the jarring ride.
Belinda slows the car to go over an especially deep rut. “Yes, but April said she’s having it regraded next week.”
Weeds and brush line the poor excuse for a road. I bet they sold it to Belinda as a natural area, but all that unkept madness looks horrible. I don’t want our guests to think they’re going to a hoedown. We go around a sharp curve, and in the distance, I see a large white house on a hill. I bend lower to see better out of the now dusty windshield. “Is that it?”
Heartbreaker: Billionaires of White Oaks Page 2
