Only You

by Denise Grover Swank

  “I don’t want to work at Dad’s firm. Besides, Josh has taken charge and he’s doing a great job.”

  “Josh is your father’s son-in-law. You are his son and heir. If you want the company, it’s yours.”

  He didn’t try to hide his shock. “You’d have Dad fire the father of your grandchild?”

  She shuddered. “Of course not. Don’t be ridiculous. He would merely be…reassigned.”

  Kevin shook his head. “From what Dad has said, Josh has worked his ass off to turn the company around. He’s earned his place there. I would never dream of screwing him out of it.”

  She frowned. “Kevin. Language.”

  “My language is far less insulting than your suggestion.”

  “I would never suggest moving Josh out, but surely you two could share responsibilities. He works long hours—maybe he’d like someone to take part of the load so he can spend more time with Megan and the baby.”

  When she put it that way, he could see her point. Perhaps his mother’s biggest problem was her delivery, not her intent. “It’s a moot point. I don’t want to work for Dad. I never did.”

  “So you’d rather work for Matt’s father’s company?”

  “You know Matt’s father died less than a year ago, so it’s Matt’s company now. He asked for my help and I like the challenge. It’s a fresh start and I’m helping a friend.”

  “But are you making very much money?”

  He shouldn’t have been surprised she asked, but he was still offended. “Enough.”

  “Well…” She smoothed her skirt as she planned her next attack. She looked up with a forced smile. “I suppose this is an opportunity for you to explore your options”—she used air quotes—“or whatever you kids call it these days. I have high hopes that you’ll realize it’s time to take on your other responsibilities.”

  “What does that mean?”

  She stared at her cup for a moment. “If you’re ready to have your own home, then you’re ready to consider settling down.”

  He laughed. “You think I’m going to the Power and Light District to get drunk every Friday and Saturday night?”

  “No.” She scowled again. “I mean marriage. Children.”

  He’d hoped Megan’s pregnancy would curb her “I need a grandchild” mantra, but he should have known better. “I think I’ll take it one step at a time.”

  “You’re thirty-four years old, Kevin. You’re not getting any younger. All your things”—she pointed her finger in the air and made a squiggly motion—“are going to die and leave you childless.”

  Kevin choked on a mouthful of coffee, sputtering it down his shirt. “You mean my sperm?”

  She cringed. “Such coarse talk, Kevin.”

  And things with a hand motion was any better? “Mom, I’m not sure where you’re getting your biology facts, but my sperm are good for decades to come.”

  “Kevin!”

  He shrugged. “You brought it up.”

  “It’s time to consider starting a family.”

  He fought the urge to groan. Definitely time to change the subject. “The Royals had a five-game winning streak. I’m thinking about taking Dad to a game next week.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “So you refuse to have this discussion?”

  “I’m focusing on other things, Mother. My job. My new house. My new niece or nephew. Maybe when I feel settled with everything else, I’ll be ready to consider marriage.” But he didn’t see that happening for a very long time, not that he wasn’t open to it. He just didn’t want to settle for the wrong kind of woman—the women he typically dated.

  She pushed out a breath and gave him a tight smile. “Of course you know best.”

  He steeled his back. “But? What aren’t you saying?”

  Instead she patted his hand. “Always so suspicious. Since I can’t bring dinner to your house, then I insist you meet your father and me for dinner tomorrow night.”

  “Sure.”

  The smile she bestowed on him made him nervous

  “Oh, look at the time.” She grabbed her purse and stood. “I’ll text you the details about dinner tomorrow.” She started to leave, then turned back to him. “Oh, I hope you don’t have plans for Saturday afternoon. I need you to come to Megan’s baby shower.”

  “What?” he asked in dismay. “Is it a couples shower?”

  “No, but you’re playing bartender. I’ll let you know when to show up.” Then she walked out the door with a tiny wave.

  He already regretted agreeing to dinner. But expecting him to come to a baby shower? He’d seen that look on his mother’s face before.

  She was definitely up to something.

  Chapter Seven

  Holly was glad when Nicole left early for the day, even though Nicole hadn’t said another word about losing the Johansen wedding. In fact, she’d been in an exceptionally good mood after she’d come back from her appointment with Bethany this morning, and Holly figured she was in the clear. Then she said she was leaving early to meet her son and she’d see Holly in the morning.

  Holly had spent another hour working on a menu proposal for a client’s wedding when her phone rang.

  “Distinctive Events, Holly speaking.”

  “Holly, this is Miranda Johansen.”

  Her breath stuck in her chest and she sounded slightly wheezy when she said, “Miranda. How was your meeting with Tender Moments?”

  “It was wonderful. The two planners catered to Coraline’s every whim.”

  Was she calling to jab the knife of losing the job in deeper? “How wonderful for you.”

  “No, it’s not wonderful at all. In fact, it’s far from wonderful.”

  Holly blinked in confusion. “I’m sorry?”

  “Catering to Coraline’s every whim is exactly why we’re in our current situation—three and a half weeks away from a wedding that has nothing but a venue, the photographer, and a dress.”

  “I’m not sure—”

  “I want you to plan the wedding.”

  Holly leaned back in her chair. “What?”

  “I need someone to stand up to my daughter and tell her no.”

  “With all due respect, Miranda, isn’t that your job?” The words were out before Holly could reel them back in. “I’m sorry. That was inappropriate.”

  “No,” the woman said quietly. “You’re right. But you have to understand, I’ve spent too much time neglecting my daughter for my career and now that we’re close again, I don’t want to destroy that. Our reconciliation is too fragile.”

  “So you need someone to be the bad guy.”

  “Yes.”

  Holly released a short laugh as she rubbed her forehead. “I’m not sure why you think I can perform that role. I assure you that I make a terrible bad guy.”

  “No, you set Coraline straight this morning and you were absolutely right. Then you stated your opinion moments ago.”

  “Moments ago, I spoke without thinking. It was incredibly rude.”

  “Yet it was absolutely correct.”

  “Miranda, your daughter made it clear she didn’t want me. And if Tender Moments wowed her, there’s not a chance this will work.”

  “It’s my money paying for the wedding. It’s my decision.”

  “But my job is to wow the bride, even when the mother is paying for it. I need to know that Coraline is happy with me.”

  “She will be once you present your plans to her. She loved every wedding photo she saw in your portfolio.”

  “What if she fires me?”

  “She can’t. I’ll draw up a contract that states once I sign on the dotted line, termination is impossible.”

  Holly paused, actually considering it. Maybe her grandmother’s dementia was contagious.

  “But termination will be impossible on both sides.”

  So there was a catch. She was stuck with them until the end. “I understand how this could benefit you, but how would this be in my best interest?”

  “
I’m willing to pay more than Nicole had mentioned when we first spoke.”

  “Miranda, I’m going to be honest, which is probably incredibly stupid in this situation, but I have no idea what figure Nicole mentioned. She’s been very guarded about everything regarding your meeting.”

  “But you said you knew about her ideas.”

  “I had no idea what she had planned, but I knew she’d walk in prepared. She wants your wedding. She’ll be furious if you offer it to me. So if I accept, I’ll be dealing with an angry boss, an ungrateful, demanding bride, and ulcer-inducing time constraints to pull off a three-hundred-guest wedding that is worthy of the New York Times. What could possibly entice me to say yes?”

  “A ten-page spread in Modern Bride magazine.”

  That could do it.

  Miranda lowered her voice. “Between you and me, I fired the last planner. She’d catered to every one of Coraline’s crazy ideas. I found out about the spread last week and I knew her Victorian cowboy theme would sink my career. I need someone who can not only pull this off, but make it the wedding of the year.”

  A spread in Modern Bride? The talk shows often pulled planners who had been featured in the magazine to host segments. The more exposure Distinctive Events got, the better chance they had to get higher-profile clients. Nicole would be thrilled.

  Who was she kidding? Nicole would be furious, but she wouldn’t dare fire her over this. She couldn’t afford to, but that still wouldn’t stop her from making Holly miserable. “What kind of budget am I looking at? I’ll need to pay extra to make things happen this close to the wedding.”

  “An obscene amount. I need this spread for my own business. They’ll be featuring Coraline’s dress as well as the bridesmaids’ gowns.”

  “I thought the bridal party didn’t have dresses.”

  “They don’t, but once we lock down a theme, I’ll make the dresses accordingly. So what do you say?”

  She was insane to consider it. This was going to be a three-week-long nightmare. Still, it was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. “I’ll do it. I’m up for a good challenge.”

  “Perfect. I’ll have my attorney draw up a contract and e-mail it to you tomorrow morning. You can bring it with you to my home tomorrow afternoon to discuss ideas with Coraline.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  Miranda laughed. “You might think so now, but you’ll earn every penny I’m paying, and even then you’ll probably wonder if it’s worth it.”

  Holly sighed as she hung up the phone. Had just made a deal with the devil?

  ###

  By five thirty, Holly had finished working up her proposal. She locked up the office and headed to the retirement center, her stomach twisting into knots. Seeing her grandmother agitated and confused the day before had upset Holly more than she’d cared to admit. The doctors and nurses had warned her the day was coming when her grandmother wouldn’t know her at all, but last night had been the first time Holly had seen it for herself. And it was only the beginning. But she had high hopes that today would be a good day, and she had brought her leatherbound scrapbook.

  “Good evening, Holly,” one of the nurses greeted her, squatting next to an elderly man in a wheelchair.

  “Hey, Betty. How’s Grandma today?”

  The silver-haired nurse offered her a warm smile. “Better today. She’s been asking for you. You can find her in the dining room.”

  “Thanks.”

  “How’s that that wedding coming?” Betty stood, moving behind the chair and grabbing the handles. “The one with the bride who’d been sick.”

  “Oh. The Murphy wedding.” One of Holly’s brides had had a cancer scare, but everything had worked out in the end. The couple had turned the ceremony and reception into a celebration of life as well as the beginning of their new life together. “The wedding is next weekend. Everything’s coming along perfectly. She picked the strawberry cake.”

  “Ooh! I want to see photos!”

  Holly smiled. “I’ll make sure to bring them.”

  She found her grandmother at her usual table, sitting next to several of her friends. Grandma Barb looked up and smiled, her eyes lighting up with happiness. “There’s my Sunshine!”

  This was the woman who had mothered her. Who had been the rock she’d clung to almost her entire life. Tears filled Holly’s eyes as it fully hit her all that she’d be losing when Grandma Barb would no longer recognize her.

  But she blinked them back, offering her grandmother a bright smile as she sat in an empty chair at the six-person table. “Hey, Grandma. How’s the Jell-O today?”

  “They put oranges in it today. Delilah hates oranges, don’t you, dear?” she asked the woman next to her.

  The woman wrinkled her nose. “Can’t stand them.” She patted Grandma Barb’s arm. “Is this your granddaughter? She’s lovely.”

  Delilah must be new. The ever-changing resident roster was more depressing than usual today. Holly forced a smile. “Thank you. I’ve been told I look just like my grandma when she was young.”

  Her grandmother laughed. “I had hair just as blonde and eyes just as bright green. But you should she her cousin, Melanie. She’s the spitting image of her mother with her coal-black hair. No one ever mistook these two for sisters. They were as different as night and day in both looks and spirit.”

  “I can’t wait to meet her,” Delilah said. “When will she be by?”

  Grandma looked down at her plate, so Holly jumped in. “Melanie has a new boyfriend and she had a date tonight.”

  “You don’t say,” her grandmother responded. “You hadn’t told me that.”

  Holly forced herself to stay calm. She’d told her grandmother several days ago.

  “Maybe she’ll bring him by,” Delilah volunteered. “Do you have a boyfriend…what was your name?”

  “I’m Holly, and no, no boyfriend.” She set her leather binder on the table. “But I get to plan weddings, so I’m perfectly content living vicariously though other people’s love lives.” She laughed. “Even if it makes me sound a bit like a stalker.”

  “You brought your notebook,” her grandmother said.

  Holly smiled. “You’d been asking and I hadn’t brought it in in ages. There’s quite a few more weddings in it now.”

  Grandma Barb turned to Delilah. “She’s been planning weddings since she was a little girl. She used to cut photos out of magazines and paste them into notebooks.” Her grandmother stroked the leather cover. “She’s got a nicer cover now, but they’re still just as lovingly planned.”

  Holly’s face flushed. “I have photos, too, but Grandma prefers the cutouts. I like to start out with them as I’m trying to put it all together.” Nicole wasn’t a fan of Holly’s pages of cutouts. She was surprisingly digitally advanced and preferred for Holly to show her clients digital images, saying Holly’s scrapbook pages were too elementary-school looking. But the scrapbook pages were still Holly’s favorite part of planning the wedding. And at least her grandmother appreciated them.

  The women spent the next ten minutes flipping the pages of Holly’s binder. When they finished, Delilah begged Holly to bring in her photos next time.

  “You should see the photos of the glass chapel,” her grandmother gushed. “With the snow and the red flowers. She even had sleighs.”

  “Oh!” Delilah exclaimed. “It sounds lovely.”

  An aide took the women’s trays and Holly walked her grandmother back to her room.

  Grandma Barb sat in a wingback chair and leaned over and patted the chair next to hers. “Sunshine, have a seat.”

  Holly sat down, her stomach twisting into a pretzel again. Her grandmother sounded serious, and she rarely sounded so grave.

  Her grandmother grabbed her hand and held on. “I don’t remember what happened yesterday when you came to see me.”

  Holly shrugged, forcing a smile. “I don’t remember what I had for lunch today. It’s not that big of a deal.”

  “Yes,
Holly. It is.”

  Her grandmother sounded so earnest that a lump clogged Holly’s throat. She nodded.

  “I worry about you,” she said. “You lose yourself in everyone else’s love. When are you going to have your own?”

  Holly forced out a sigh. “Grandma, I’m happy. Other than my sometimes difficult boss, I love what I do. I give couples the weddings of their dreams. Why can’t that be enough? Why do I need a man?”

  “I never said it can’t be enough. I spent the last twenty-five years without a man.”

  “Because of me and Melanie?” Why had that never occurred to her?

  “No!” her grandmother protested. “Because the love I had with your grandfather ran so deep it was enough to fill me, even after he passed. Besides, I had you girls and I would have never given up a single moment of my time with you for something that would have paled in comparison to what I had with your grandfather.”

  “But I have you. And I have Melanie. I’m full up on love, Gran.”

  Her grandmother slowly shook her head. “No, Holly. You’re afraid of love.”

  If Holly hadn’t known better, she would have suggested her grandmother had been talking to Melanie. “I’m not afraid of love. Look how much I love you.”

  “But you’ve never been in love.”

  Holly stared at her in surprise. “I’ve had boyfriends.”

  “It’s not the same thing.” She squeezed Holly’s hand. “I’ve watched you your entire life, Holly. I know you, girl. You keep your heart locked up in a tower like Rapunzel. If you want your fairy tale, maybe you should come down from the tower instead of waiting for your prince to find you.”

  Either scenario was ridiculous. She wasn’t looking for love, and she saw no reason why she should. She had enough on her plate with her job and trying to keep her boss happy. But she wanted to appease her grandmother, so she said, “Okay, Gran. I’ll think about what you said.”

  Now if she could only ignore the image of her sexy next-door neighbor that had suddenly popped into her head.

  Chapter Eight

  Kevin was more than ready for a beer when he arrived the bar and grill in downtown Kansas City. He’d spent the last hour at the hardware store making a list of all the things his kitchen was going to need.