He didn’t want her to only be attracted to him physically—he wanted more. And if he had to wait…he’d have to wait. Unfortunately, they were working on borrowed time.
Five weeks and counting.
Then she’d be gone. And he’d lose his opportunity.
“Let me ring the bell,” Madeleine said.
“Please.” He reminded her automatically while stepping aside so she could stretch up on tiptoes to press the doorbell.
Her eyes widened and she gasped when chimes sounded, and he couldn’t stop himself from running a palm over her silky hair. She saw beauty in even the smallest things, and for so long, viewing the world through Madeleine’s perspective had been his lifeline.
The door opened and Lily Susan was there, looking as lovely as she always did, a bit breathless as if she’d rushed to answer. Today she’d swept her hair back, giving him a better look at her finely boned face, her jaw perfectly curved to invite his fingers to cup that smooth skin…
“Bienvenue, mes amies.” She spread her arms wide in welcome then she and Madeleine exchanged pleasantries that even Max could understand with his own limitations.
Lily Susan motioned them in. “I’ve got another very excited young lady—and her not-so-thrilled brother—upstairs in the workroom.”
Madeleine scooted around Lily Susan, but Max was forced to wait until she moved to get inside, feeling somewhat at a loss as his French wasn’t as up to snuff.
“Bonjour.” He knew that one.
Lily laughed, a sound as lyrical and lovely as she was. He liked the sound of her laughter. Hadn’t thought to enjoy something so simple, or so beautiful, again.
“I appreciate your effort, Lily Susan. Madeleine doesn’t have many people to practice with.”
“Neither do I.” That smile again. “Did you understand?”
“A little. You’re well. She’s excited. Beyond that…”
Lily Susan inclined her head approvingly. He moved to pass her, and there it was again, that rush he felt the instant they stood close, the awareness of every inch of her as if his own body had been wired to react.
The reaction was so physical, he instinctively glanced at her, sure that she felt it, too. Giving her head a slight shake, she seemed to be pushing aside the feeling. Her chest rose and fell on a fluttering breath.
No question she felt it, too.
But Lily Susan was so skilled at suppressing her feelings. Would she ever be ready to act?
“Thanks so much for bringing Madeleine by, Max,” she said as if the moment had been nothing more than a figment of his imagination. “Outfitting the kids all at once will save some time.”
“Not a problem.”
“Riley had to run back to the Herald. She didn’t think she’d be long. There was breaking news that required some decisions and some dummies to work on. At least I think that’s what she said. Does that sound right?” He nodded.
“Good. She told me to tell you everything is under control. You don’t need to make an appearance.”
“Okay, then. Thanks.”
They both sounded so casual, so in control. But the distance between them made all the difference in the world. His chest eased up its death grip around each breath.
Lily Susan called out in a singsong voice, “We’ve got guests.”
Taking Madeleine’s hand, she climbed the stairs, leaving him to follow behind, his gaze clinging to her shapely bottom as she made her way up with light steps. The pants she wore were tailored, not tight or clingy, but those pants didn’t leave a curve to his imagination.
Fortunately, distraction came in the form of Riley’s kids and a seamstress.
“Hey, Mr. Max.” Jake extended a hand and Max shook, stifling a smile. This kid took being the man of the family seriously and had ever since Mike died. Max wondered how he’d make peace with Scott moving onto his turf.
“How’s the fitting going?” he asked.
“They’re killing me. I don’t know why I can’t wear my baseball uniform. Pop Scott is wearing his uniform.”
“I heard that, Jakie, and I’m telling Mom what you said.” Camille didn’t miss a beat.
“I’m pretty sure Mom already knows how Jake feels.” Lily Susan diffused that exchange with laughter and redirected impressively fast. “Wait until you see Madeleine’s dress. N’est-il pas belle?”
“Oui, madame!”
Jake shook his head and looked mournfully down at the shiny dress shoes that apparently went with his suit. “I don’t know how they expect me to ride in the hay wagon in those.”
“I feel your pain, buddy,” Max whispered.
That got a smile, at least.
“But what’s this about a hay wagon?” Max asked. “Last I heard you were planning a wedding.”
“It is a wedding, Mr. Max,” Camille explained. “It’s a Halloween wedding in the barn.”
Jake nodded. “Hay, stinky horses and everything. For real.”
“Wow,” Max said. “Guess that’s what you get when you hire a fancy wedding planner.”
“We’re not having stinky horses at Uncle Raymond’s wedding, are we, Daddy?” Madeleine asked.
“I don’t think so. Let’s ask. Sommes-nous, Lily Susan?” He knew that one, too.
“Not one stinky horse,” Lily Susan confirmed to his daughter’s obvious relief. “Now come tell me what you think of Camille’s dress. Doesn’t she look gorgeous? She picked it out herself. Que pensez-vous?” she asked Madeleine.
“Elle est belle.”
Camille shifted her gaze between them. “What does that mean?”
“It means, little twinnie, that you look beautiful.”
Camille nodded, but glanced between them again, clearly unsure if she liked that someone so much younger could do something she couldn’t. Or maybe it was that Madeleine shared something with Aunt Lily Susan that excluded Camille.
The seamstress had been pinning a hem and abandoned the task good-naturedly so Camille could bask in some appreciation. Everyone oohed and aahed appropriately over the green dress that he guessed was casual enough for a barn wedding.
“How’s she going to climb into the hay wagon in that?” Max asked Jake, who spread his arms in entreaty.
“I hope you’re wearing shorts under that dress, Camille.”
“Shut up, Jake.”
“What color nail polish, do you think, Madeleine?” Lily Susan narrowed her gaze at him, a silent reprimand for egging on her nephew.
Madeleine cocked her head to the side, considering. “Orange, or maybe yellow.”
“I said orange, too.” Camille beamed. “My bouquet has orange and yellow flowers in it.”
Madeleine seemed pleased that Camille approved and stood her ground alongside when the seamstress moved in to finish pinning. Max took a seat on a bench where he could view the proceedings from a distance.
The seamstress’s name was Frances. She didn’t seem much older than he was himself, but appeared quite skilled at what she did. She made quick work of pinning and tucking with Lily Susan’s help.
“So you’ve decided to have the wedding in the barn?” Max asked. “That’s an interesting choice.”
“Atmosphere,” Lily Susan said. “We’re calling it the Halloween event. We didn’t want anything as passé as costumes, but we still want the theme. Right, guys?”
Both kids nodded.
“We’re decorating the barn with all kinds of autumn stuff. Pumpkins and leaves and cold apple cider.”
“And we’re having a soda-pop bar,” Camille informed them. “A candy bar, too.”
“And stinky horses,” Jake added.
Lily Susan winked at him. “But no stinky horses inside the barn. They’re only for the hayrides. Wouldn’t be a Halloween event without hayrides, would it?”
“Nope.”
“Tell them about the cookies, Aunt Lily Susan,” Camille urged.
“We’re going to have the best party favors ever. Sugar cookies in the shapes of letters. We�
��re going to spell messages and put them in pretty boxes with ribbons. After the guests figure out the message, they can eat the cookies.”
“And I get to eat all the broken ones,” Jake said, and that look on his face pretty much guaranteed there would be broken cookies. Lots of them, if Max guessed right.
“You know, Madeleine, we could use your help with those cookies, if your dad will let you come.”
Madeleine spun toward him, positively frantic for permission. “I can help. Can’t I, Daddy?”
“That sounds like fun. You should probably find out when and where they’ll be baking,” he suggested, then kept his mouth shut and let his daughter get the details.
Lily Susan explained how they were going to take over Rosie’s kitchen—with her assistance, of course—to bake letter cookies for fifty guests.
There was no doubt in Max’s mind that Lily Susan could have hired a bakery for the job, but he liked how she involved the kids. He hadn’t expected that from her, but there was no denying she not only seemed to enjoy the twins, but was also good with them. And her caring extended to his daughter.
“Can Madeleine help us with the pinecones, too?” Camille asked.
“Of course, if she’d like,” Lily Susan said. “We’re decorating with them. The barn. The centerpieces—”
“We’re going to tie little tiny ones on name cards and on the toasting glasses.” Camille could barely stand still and Frances steadied her with a hand before she fell off the dais.
Lily Susan smiled. “Memo to self—remember the pinecones. I don’t have them yet, and I know Mara doesn’t.”
“We have pinecones, Madame Lily Susan,” Madeleine said. “You can pick them near the river in our yard. We have baskets to carry them. And we even put peanut butter and birdseed on them for the squirrels and birds.”
“Cool,” Jake said.
Max wanted to intervene to let Lily Susan off the hook with his overly eager daughter. He wasn’t thrilled about the idea of another personal visit to Overlook with the memory of their walk-through still fresh. The memory of how he almost pulled her into his arms. He knew Lily Susan didn’t have the time for a personal visit. Not with two weddings and cookie baking.
“That’s so generous of you, Madeleine. And we do need lots of pinecones. Think the squirrels will mind sharing?”
Or maybe she did have time.
“Oh, no,” Madeleine responded earnestly.
“Then thank you so much for the lovely invitation. Don’t you think we should probably check with your dad?”
Madeleine ran to him, imploring. “Can we, Daddy? Can we?”
Max stared into his daughter’s beautiful green eyes, struck, as he always was, by the disconnect between being an adult and a good parent. All too often the two didn’t line up. Like right now when he hated to be the bad guy, hated disappointing Madeleine with even the tiniest heartbreak. Especially when the reason was nothing more than he didn’t want to test his restraint around Lily Susan.
Then again, how was he to convince Lily Susan to let down her guard if they didn’t spend more time together?
“If Madame Lily Susan can squeeze us in, then she’s welcome to come.” He tossed the situation back, a challenge. “She’s supposed to be relaxing on her vacation.”
“Yay!” Madeleine spun around. “Will you come, please?”
There was no way for Lily Susan to refuse such a polite invitation, even if she’d been able to resist his challenge. “Oui.” She narrowed her gaze over the kids’ heads before getting back to business. “Feels good, little twinnie?”
Camille hopped from the dais then twirled to make the dress fan around her. “Perfect.”
“Great. You couldn’t possibly look more beautiful. Start thinking about how you’d like to wear your hair. We’ll have the stylist in for a dry run next week, okay?”
Camille nodded, and Lily Susan stepped away from her niece and crossed the room with quick steps. “Your turn, Madeleine.”
Max heard his daughter’s quick intake of breath as she squeezed her eyes shut tight. Lily Susan made a great show of extracting the garment bag from a wardrobe.
She unzipped the bag to reveal a white formal dress. There was reverent silence. Even from Jake.
“Okay, ready?” Lily Susan asked with a smile.
“Oui, madame!”
“Then take a look.”
His daughter gasped, and to say she was thrilled would have been a dramatic understatement. “It’s mine?” she breathed on an exaggerated sigh.
“Oui.” Lily Susan held it up in front of her. “You have to try it on so Madame Frances can make it fit properly. Do you want your daddy to help you? We have a dressing room.”
Madeleine didn’t even glance his way. “No—you.”
Lily Susan smiled and they disappeared together.
“So when are you going to try on the girl’s dress,” Jake asked.
“You wish, dude.”
He snickered. “Yeah.”
“Sorry to break it to you, Jake, but it’s bad luck for any man to try on the bride’s dress before the wedding. Can’t have bad luck now, can we?”
“Why not?” The roguish look on Jake’s face gave Max a new appreciation for Riley. This one had to be tough to keep a lid on. Max hoped Lily Susan was right and this was a boy thing or else he was in trouble himself. Madeleine already had him wrapped around her finger without trying. God forbid she figured out how to try.
“Ta da.” Lily Susan emerged from the dressing room, arms spread as she introduced the flower girl.
Madeleine appeared, in all her white-satin glory, her glossy dark curls swinging as she twirled for her appreciative audience. After the oohs and ahs died down, she explained, “It’s just like Aunt Jamilyn’s dress.”
“A perfect miniversion for the perfect flower girl.” Lily Susan got Madeleine up on the dais for Frances to size.
“Is it bad luck for a guy to try on a wedding dress before the wedding?” Jake asked.
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you, little rodent?” Lily Susan grinned and Max suspected she’d heard the entire exchange. “Tell you what we can do. Since we don’t want bad luck, but even I think Mr. Max deserves to try on a wedding gown, we’ll go for the next best thing.”
Max wasn’t sure what to make of that, but it didn’t sound good. She went into the wardrobe and pulled on a top hat and some sort of lacy veil.
He knew what she planned to do before she got to him and would have protested on principle alone, but Lily Susan was suddenly in his personal space, and the only thing he was aware of was the slight warmth of her body as she stretched forward to fit the tiara on his head, the brush of her fingertips against his hair as she arranged the veil. Her full smile was so close that all he’d have to do was shift his balance for their mouths to meet.
Their gazes met for an instant, and Max knew right then and there that he wasn’t the only one in danger here.
Then she straightened and plunked the top hat on her head. “Grab my cell phone, twinnies. I’ve got to have something to tweet today. Might as well lighten up the mood with a laugh at my expense.”
His expense, too, it looked like. But Max didn’t mind one bit as the kids vied to get the perfect shot, and he posed with a goofy smile on his face.
But as Jake and Camille discussed which was the best photo for their aunt to tweet, the phone rang.
“Jake, just look at the ID and see who it is,” Lily Susan said, not bothering to get up from where she was handing Frances pins again.
“Just a number.”
“How many numbers? A lot?”
Max knew what she was asking—if there was a country code.
“Yeah.”
“Dang.” She cast an apologetic look at Frances and started stabbing pins into the big pincushion. “I have an event in Brussels today. I can’t ignore it. Pick up, Jake, please. Tell them I’ll be right there.”
She was on her feet when Jake pressed the phone against his
shirt and whispered, “It’s Lucas. He wants to talk to you.”
If Max hadn’t been watching, he’d have missed Lily Susan’s reaction completely. She blanched at the name.
The ex-fiancé, and soon-to-be father if media reports were correct.
But the reaction was gone as quickly, and Lily Susan was smiling at her nephew. “Thanks, I’ll take this call out here.”
She sailed through the door, and Max could hear her light tread on the steps, knew she didn’t want to be overheard.
She wasn’t gone long, but the smile didn’t return with her.
“Important?” he asked in a low voice.
“No, not anymore.”
Max guessed what she meant. So did Jake, too, apparently. His eyes widened. “Was that the deadbeat, no-good ex-fiancé?” he asked, excited.
“Jake!” Camille nailed him with a blow on the arm that made him jump away. “You’re not supposed to repeat that. Uncle Joey said.” She scowled at her brother and went to stand with Madeleine. “Boys can be so stupid.”
Madeleine nodded in a show of solidarity.
Lily Susan ruffled Jake’s spiky blond head. He rubbed his arm where Camille had punched him, and Max credited Riley with the fact Jake hadn’t swung back. “It’s okay, kiddo. Your Uncle Joey’s right on this one.”
“Then why were you going to marry him, Aunt Lily Susan?” Camille asked.
Lily Susan sighed. “Because we worked well together, and I thought that was enough.”
Her answer obviously satisfied Camille’s curiosity, but left Max considering what she said.
We worked well together.
Had she meant as a couple or literally? They had worked in the same business, and for some reason, Max suddenly couldn’t see the woman who had put a veiled tiara on his head to amuse her nephew, or who would make time to pick pinecones to please a little girl, being part of a couple with a man who’d betray her.
Max didn’t know. But to his surprise he did recognize something familiar—grief. The signs were all there. The way she drowned herself in work, the breakneck pace she kept, the constant running from family and avoiding any discussion of her broken engagement. True, Lily Susan worked nonstop on a good day, but she hadn’t come home in forever. Max wasn’t wrong about this. He knew the symptoms intimately.
No Groom Like Him Page 12
