In All My Wishes

by Ciara Knight

  In All My Wishes

  Book I

  Riverbend Series

  In All My Wishes

  Book I

  Riverbend Series

  By Ciara Knight

  Smashwords Edition

  Copyright ©2014 by Ciara Knight

  Smashwords Edition, License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Cover art ©2016 by Jeannie Ruesch

  Edited by Cora Artz

  Chapter One

  Swatches of white satin fabric, lace, and an abandoned pin cushion littered the tan carpet around Anna Baker’s feet. As she stared down at the mess, her phone buzzed for the quadrillionth time. She answered three texts from clients and two emails from fashion designers, and this was the slow season.

  Tucking her phone back into her pocket, she sighed and eyed the ceramic cat on the antique end table, next to a lace doily and an antique revolver. The contrast in decor spoke volumes about the homeowner. Cathy West was undoubtedly a country lady with edge.

  The warmth of the deep cherry finish on the surrounding woodwork heated Anna’s heart. It felt right, even if it had been over a decade since she’d been in Cathy’s home.

  “Ouch,” Cynthia cried from upstairs.

  Anna eyed the ceiling above her head and prayed Cathy wouldn’t mess up Cynthia’s wedding gown. It was too late to fly anything else in for her best friend, and Anna wasn’t going to allow Cynthia to wear an off-the-rack dress for her big day. Not after what happened at their first attempt at a wedding.

  Her nervous energy becoming too much, Anna paced the small parlor, eyeing family photos lining the walls and perched on tables throughout the beautiful Victorian home. The charm of all the quaint knickknacks and photos gave a warm feeling she hadn’t felt since…probably not since she’d left Riverbend at the age of fifteen.

  “Ow,” Cynthia yelped again.

  A foot stomped the floor overhead and Anna could hear Cathy huff. “Well, if you’d stop squirmin’ like a pig goin’ to slaughter I wouldn’t stick you. Now, stand still before you turn this bright white wedding gown into a crimson one and you wind up looking like a shotgun bride gone horribly wrong.”

  Anna chuckled, enjoying Cathy’s country colloquialisms. Still, she worried the woman wasn’t up to altering a dress shipped from a boutique in Milan, one that Anna had personally chosen for Cynthia.

  “Okay, I’m coming down.” The steps creaked slightly under Cynthia’s feet. She held the skirt up, her eyes fixed on the floor. “I know you’re a fancy clothing buyer to sheiks, princesses, and celebrities, but are you sure this isn’t too…young looking for me?”

  Cathy bounded into the parlor after Cynthia and fluffed the skirts. “She’s worried her little boobs are on display too much. Girl, if you’ve got it, flaunt it before they sag to your—”

  “You look beautiful,” Anna cut in. “I hope Mitchem’s son is strong enough to hold him up at the altar. He might just faint at the sight of you.” Anna hoped to avoid Cynthia spiraling into a world of self-doubt, or worse, into a white burka on her wedding day.

  “You ready to be a mama to that boy, Andrew?” Cathy asked.

  Cynthia nodded, her eyes lighting up with joy.

  Anna walked around Cynthia, assessing the alterations. The skirt grazed the floor, the waist fit to perfection, the neckline draped in the middle and the thin straps accentuated Cynthia’s tiny shoulders.

  Cathy stomped her foot, crossed her arms over her chest and eyed Anna. Another pin cushion, this one in the shape of a yellow bird, was fastened around Cathy’s wrist. “She’s like a dog circling a tree. You gonna mark the dress or approve it all ready?”

  Anna tapped her fingernail against her lips, deriving a hint of pleasure from making the high-and-mighty Cathy Mitchell West squirm a little. “I had my doubts that you were the right one for the job, but Cynthia’s right. You have more talent than those wanna-be seamstresses on the New York runway during fashion week.”

  “I didn’t use those exact words,” Cynthia chuckled.

  “I’m paraphrasing. Let’s just say she sang your praises.” Anna eyed the dress once more. “Cathy, you should be a seamstress to the stars. You’re brilliant. I was worried when Ms. Cynthia here decided to lose more weight.”

  “I didn’t mean to. It’s just been busy with the new job, and the wedding and all.” Cynthia eyed the window. “At least there doesn’t appear to be an ark-necessitating flood this time. Still, let’s keep this dress hung above water level.” Cynthia’s lips quirked in that nervous, lopsided way of hers.

  “Don’t worry. Nothing will interfere this time. And this dress, won’t be stored in a basement closet.” Anna said, hoping to calm Cynthia’s understandable concern.

  Cathy cleared her throat. “Well, when I saw the dress, I thought it was pretentious and too much for a Riverbend, Tennessee wedding.” Cathy held up one hand, stalling Cynthia’s protest. “But, you’re obviously gifted at your job. This dress looks like it was designed for Cynthia personally. I think she’s the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”

  “Thank you, Cathy.” Anna smiled. A compliment from Cathy West was a rare occurrence. For some reason, it held more weight for Anna than Princess Letizia’s compliment on her formal dress two years ago.

  “Still don’t know why people pay you so much to buy clothes for them,” Cathy grumbled.

  Cynthia snagged Anna’s hand. “Because she's the most gifted buyer in the world and everyone wants to be her. She has everything, including major talent.”

  Anna forced a smile. “Yep, everything.”

  Cynthia quirked her head to the side with that secretary-turned-professor gaze she’d perfected over the last few months. “I really appreciate you staying in town so long. I know you’re incredibly busy, and well…Liam and all.”

  Anna slid her hand free and rearranged the sleeve of her silk blouse so it rested at the right height above her wrist. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “She means that childhood sweetheart of yours that got away is always around, reminding you of the fact you ain’t the one getting married.”

  “Cathy,” Cynthia scolded.

  Cathy removed her pin cushion from her wrist and gathered the swatches of fabric on the floor into a pile. “All I’m saying is that neither of you are hitched yet. It’s never too late.”

  Anna pushed her shoulders back and retrieved her purse from the coffee table. “Some things are too late before they even begin. But today isn’t about me, it’s about Cynthia and her wedding.”

  “Oh, speaking of the wedding. I need to get dressed. I’m due at the club for the caterer tasting.” Cynthia whirled around, tripping on the layers of fabric.

  “Darling, this is a dress, not a romper. Please be careful.” Anna lifted the corner of Cynthia’s skirt and handed it to her.

  “Thanks. I don’t know if I could do this without you. I only hope I can return the favor someday,” Cynthia said, her words remaining heavy in the room long after she’d hurried upstairs to change.

  Anna checked her hair in the ornate gold mirror in the corner of the room and twirled a wayward auburn curl around her finger until it fell in line with the others next to her chin. If only she could avoid any more conversation about weddings, her future, and Liam Harrow.

  The sound of a car pulling into the driveway drew her to the front window. It
took a second glance before she realized it was Liam’s car. She took a long breath, adjusted her pashmina shawl, and opened the front door for him with a curt nod. “Good day.”

  Liam, in his tailor-made, olive suit that accentuated his brownish green eyes and broad shoulders, stepped over the threshold and into the foyer. “I need to speak to Cynthia.”

  The urgent tone in his voice made her freeze. She closed the door and step closer to him, close enough to inhale a deep, intriguing cedar aroma with a hint of Indiana Jones intrigue. She ignored the intoxicating scent and clutched her handbag to her side. “What’s going on?”

  “It’s Andrew. He was playing at the abandoned barn near town and it collapsed. Mitchem’s beside himself, and I thought Cynthia should meet him at the hospital.”

  Anna sucked in a fearful breath. “Is it serious?”

  “Don’t know. I think he was unconscious when they got him out from under the debris.” Liam’s strong lips pressed into a worried frown, an uncharacteristic look for the usually fun-filled Liam Harrow.

  “I'll get Cynthia.” Anna stepped around Liam to the stairs. “Cynthia, are you done changing?" she called up. "If so, come down please. Quickly.”

  “Be there in a sec!” Cynthia yelled.

  Liam closed the distance between them. “Let’s not make it sound too serious. I don’t want her to panic. Andrew’s probably fine and giving hell to the nurses,” he whispered.

  Anna nodded, but she knew anything they said would cause Cynthia to worry. Andrew was the one and only son Cynthia would ever be able to have, since that horrific car accident. In that one night, everything had been taken from Cynthia, including the ability to have children. Until now. Cynthia loved Andrew as her own, and the feeling was obviously mutual. “I hope she doesn’t take this as a sign about her marriage to Mitchem.”

  Liam touched her arm, sending a treacherous I-wanna-be-in-your-arms shot into her body. “What do you mean?”

  She steadied her breath and her trembling emotions. “You know, their last wedding and the floods? Now this?”

  Liam nodded his understanding.

  Cynthia glided down the steps, but stopped at the second from the bottom, her gaze fixed on Liam. “What is it?”

  Anna took Cynthia by the hand. “It’s probably nothing serious, but Andrew was injured and was taken to the hospital. Mitchem is there with him now.”

  “Why didn’t he call?” Cynthia snagged her oversized purse from the pale blue recliner and fished for her phone. At one glance, her eyes widened. “Twenty missed calls. I didn’t hear my phone at all. Is it serious? What happened?”

  “It’s okay. I told him I’d come tell you. He figured you were busy with the dress fitting. I’m sure Andrew’s already begging to go home. He just had an accident at the abandoned barn.” Liam stroked Cynthia’s arm and Anna noticed her visibly relax from his soothing nature. “Can you head over to the hospital now, or should I take you?”

  “Yes, of course.” She dropped her phone back in her purse and snagged her jacket from the back of the sofa, then turned to Anna. Before she could say anything, her phone buzzed. She anxiously dug for it again and answered in a rush. “Hello, Mitch?” Her eyes closed and she sighed. “I’m sorry, I’m not going to make the tasting. We have a family emergency.”

  Anna touched her friend's trembling hand. “I'll handle it. Tell them I’ll call them right back.”

  “My maid of honor will call you in a minute. Sorry, I have to go.” Cynthia hung up the phone and shook her head.

  “I’ll reschedule your tasting for tomorrow. Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything on this end,” Anna offered, wanting to do something to make things better for Cynthia. She knew her friend didn’t care about anything but Andrew, and the expression on her face told Anna she was processing the possibility of Andrew being seriously hurt.

  “Okay, thanks. And tell Cathy thanks when she comes down.” Cynthia bolted out the front door.

  “I should go with her,” Anna mumbled under her breath.

  Liam blocked her path with his six-foot-one of solid handsomeness. “You’ll help her more by handling the wedding. We both know this wedding needs to happen, or who knows how either of them will take the disappointment again. Andrew will be fine, and she’ll be with Mitchem. Pretty soon, it won’t be your job to take care of her anymore.”

  Anna wanted to disagree. Cynthia was her best friend and she would always be there for her, but she knew he was right. Cynthia would have a family soon and wouldn’t need Anna anymore. It was time for her to return to her own life. Perhaps she would sell the house she bought a few years ago in Riverbend. She’d only purchased the home to be around when Cynthia needed her most, and as respite from her hectic life.

  Cathy joined them at the bottom of the stairs. “Where’s Cynthia?”

  “She had something to take care of with Mitchem,” Liam said.

  Cathy nodded. “Can I make you two something to eat or drink?”

  “No, I need to get going. Oh, shoot. I rode here with Cynthia.” Anna sighed. “Cathy, can you give me a ride back home?”

  Cathy shook her head. “I’m afraid not, dear. My car’s in the shop and Devon is out at the Benjamin farm today helping with some work for the VA Center.”

  “I'll take you home,” Liam said, his voice returning to his normal playful tone. “You know, I always like to help a damsel in distress.”

  Anna yanked her phone from her purse. “I’m not the damsel-in-distress type. I’ll just call a cab.”

  “Oh, don’t I know it.”

  Anna placed one hand on her hip. “What does that mean?”

  He shrugged. “You remember the last time you were here visiting, and your water line burst in the middle of the night and you wouldn’t let me come fix it. Or maybe the visit before that when you couldn’t find Cynthia and you needed someone to bring you medicine after you had your wisdom teeth pulled. Or maybe—”

  “Okay, I get it. Fine, if you don’t mind giving me a ride, I’ll call the caterers on the way and see about rescheduling the tasting.”

  Liam lifted his chin high then tucked his arm to his waist and did a slight bow. “Your BMW awaits, madame.”

  “You two kids have fun and try not to kill each other on the way,” Cathy hollered, her southern drawl thickening th¬¬¬¬¬¬¬e way it did when she meant more than she said. Not wanting to invite her opinion into the subject, Anna reached for the door, but Liam beat her to it.

  “After you, my lady.”

  “Seriously, you can save that crap for your harem. I’m not fooled by your smooth moves in the least.

  Liam raised his eyebrows like a child hiding a treat behind his back. “I’m offended. Besides, you’ve already told me a thousand times that you’re too smart to fall for my charm.”

  Anna stepped through the doorway and down the front path.

  Liam jogged passed her and opened the passenger side door. “Of course, you’re too stubborn and snooty to realize when someone is sincere.” He slammed the door before she could respond.

  Anna steadied her hands and refused to let him get to her. She was past letting him rule her emotions. Years past. Before he could reach the driver’s side, Anna dialed the caterer.

  Liam glanced at her with a knowing smirk, but she refused to be baited into his theories of her behavior that he liked to spout about whenever he had the chance. She only had to make it through the car ride home and the day of the wedding then she was free of Liam Harrow for good.

  The phone rang once then a woman picked up. “Can I help you?”

  “Yes, I’m calling for Cynthia Gold and Mitchem Taylor.”

  The woman cleared her throat. “Yes, we have everything ready for their arrival.”

  “That’s why I’m calling. I’m afraid they’ve had a family emergency. Can we reschedule for tomorrow?”

  “No, I’m afraid not. This is the only time we have available before their wedding”

  Anna rubbed her forehead and huff
ed.

  Liam backed out of the driveway. “What’s the problem?”

  She tipped the phone away from her mouth. “They can’t reschedule.”

  Liam snagged the phone from her hand before she could stop him. “There's no other time available?”

  Anna threw her hands up. The man never believed anything she said.

  “Okay, we’ll be there in forty-five minutes.” Liam handed the phone back to her.

  “We’ll be what?” Anna screeched before she cleared her throat and gathered her composure.

  “We’re going to be the bridal couple today.”

  A jolt of energy zipped through her, making her heart go spastic. “Excuse me?”

  “Relax, sunshine. It’s just pretend.”

  “I don’t care if it’s a complete fantasy, I’m not going to—”

  Liam turned down Main Street and headed out of Creekside toward Riverbend. “Listen, Cynthia is your best friend and Mitchem is mine. They’ve already had one wedding fall apart, I’m not letting it be two. We knew that we’d have to work together on their wedding despite our feelings for each other, whatever they may be.”

  She didn’t like the way he said that, but again, she chose to keep her mouth shut, not willing to let him bait her.

  Liam shook his head with that disapproving flick of his hair.

  Anna squelched the urge to finger the dark blond strands into greater disorder. “What?”

  “I can’t believe you’re the same girl I once knew. The one who would do anything for a friend. Heck, even a stranger. You didn’t have a selfish bone in your body. Now, you’d rather let your best friend’s wedding fall apart than spend a few minutes alone with me.”

  “I…you…fine. I’ll do it. For Cynthia, but on one condition.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You remain professional and stop trying to play me like one of your university dolls.”

  Liam quirked an eyebrow. “University dolls?”

  “Yes, all those little…hussies you’re always spinning up, trying to get to fall all over you.”