Sweet on You (The Bridesmaids Club Book 4)

by Leeanna Morgan

  “His house had a good layout. It just needed a little color and some accessories.”

  Jacob looked as though he was beginning to understand what he’d let himself in for. “I wouldn’t go to too much bother. This is only temporary and plan B.”

  Doug wheeled his chair over to Marsha. “I know how much you enjoy making things look good, but Jacob’s right. We may not even be inside.”

  Marsha’s enthusiasm wasn’t dimmed. “Angela and I can make a list of what we need. If the weather isn’t looking great the day before our wedding, we’ll go shopping.”

  Doug glanced at Jacob.

  “I’ve got a question,” Jacob said. “What were you going to do after the wedding ceremony?”

  “Doug’s parents offered to take us to a restaurant for lunch.” Marsha smiled at her fiancé. “We still can’t agree on where we’re going.”

  Jacob crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Unless you don’t want the hassle of bringing food out to my ranch, why don’t you have your wedding reception here? If you do manage to have the ceremony by the lake, it’s not far for your guests to go.”

  Marsha’s eyes widened. “Really?”

  Jacob nodded. “You’ll just have to make sure everything is clean and tidy before you leave. If anyone wants to view my property, I’ll make the appointment for the next day.”

  Marsha launched herself across the room and threw her arms around Jacob’s neck. He stumbled back a step before finding his balance.

  “Thank you. This will be so much better than traveling back into town.”

  Doug looked at Marsha and Jacob. “Are you sure? There’ll be more than twenty people in here?”

  Jacob shrugged. “I’ll leave you to work out if everyone will fit. If it turns out that my house is too small, then it doesn’t matter. The offer is there if you want to take it.”

  “I think it could work,” Marsha said excitedly. “Do you have a measuring tape we could use?”

  Doug laughed at the worried look on Jacob’s face. “Don’t worry. She won’t demolish any walls. By the end of the day, Marsha will have a scale-model of your living room finished.”

  Steve rolled his eyes.

  Angela sent a withering look Steve’s way. “It’s the best way to make sure there’s enough room for everyone.”

  Molly admired the way Angela stuck up for her sister. It reminded her of Becky’s stubborn streak when anyone tried to say that Molly was wasting her time in Bozeman. She glanced at Jacob and watched the unreadable expression on his face soften. He knew what Angela had done and he admired her for it.

  Jacob might have more money than anyone Molly knew, but there were a lot of things his money couldn’t buy. The first one was the way families looked after each other through thick and thin. The second, was kindness.

  Offering Marsha and Doug the use of his home had been one of the kindest things she’d seen him do. He must have guessed that it would make Doug’s life a whole lot easier. She knew how important selling his property was, but he’d put that aside and offered his home to more than twenty strangers.

  Jacob walked over to his kitchen and opened one of his drawers. “One measuring tape. Do you need more paper?”

  Angela shook her head. “Not at the moment.” She took the measuring tape out of Jacob’s hands and smiled at him. “Thank you.”

  Either Jacob hadn’t heard the husky tone in her voice, or he was ignoring it. Either way, Molly was glad when Jacob walked across to the kitchen and turned his coffeepot on. “Who wants a cup of tea or coffee while Marsha and Angela are drawing up their plans?”

  Angela walked over to Steve and handed him the measuring tape. “Seen as you’re an expert in construction, you can hold one end of the tape.”

  “What about my coffee?”

  “It can wait.” Angela held the metal clip and started walking across the room. “The tape’s not long enough to measure the room in one go. Stand there and we’ll take the next measurement from that point.”

  Mike slapped his brother on the shoulder. “That’s what you get for opening your big mouth.” He sniffed the air. “Coffee smells great, Jacob.”

  Molly didn’t want to know what was going through Steve’s head. All she knew was that he didn’t look too happy with his brother.

  While the coffeepot did its thing, Marsha and Angela organized Doug and his brothers. Doug was put on camera duty, taking photos of Jacob’s living room for future reference. Steve kept moaning while Angela bossed him around with the measuring tape, and Mike checked out the electrics to see if there was enough power for more lighting.

  While everyone was busy inside, Molly got her camera out of her car. She’d use the time to take more photos of Jacob’s property.

  She sat on the front porch, randomly aiming her camera at the pretty view of Emerald Lake.

  “I wondered where you’d gone.” Jacob handed her a mug of tea and sat beside her.

  She took the hot drink and smiled. “Marsha and Angela are on a mission. I was only getting in their way. ‘Twas a nice thing you did for them.”

  “You would have done the same thing.”

  “But I’m not in a mind to sell this property. You’ll be wanting to show people what could be theirs.”

  “It was important to Doug and Marsha, so I can work around their wedding. Doug told me about his accident and the therapy he’s been through. It made me realize that I’ve got a lot to be thankful for.”

  “We all need to be reminded of that every now and then.” She took a sip of tea, then left the mug on the porch. Jacob drank his coffee while Molly took more photos. They shared a comfortable silence while plans were being made inside.

  “Tell me, Jacob Green, what would you have done with this property if you’d kept it?”

  He was quiet for a few minutes. Molly waited. She was learning not to rush him. He had a considering mind and the sense not to blurt out the first thing that popped into his head.

  “I had some house plans drawn up by an architect. We would have started building next April, once the snow disappeared.”

  Molly’s heart rate kicked up a notch. “You were planning on living here? Permanently?”

  Jacob shrugged. “It made sense. The profit on the other three parcels of land would have paid for most of the construction costs on my place.”

  “You had it all figured out?”

  “I thought I did.”

  Molly put her camera on her lap and glanced at Jacob. “What changed your mind?”

  He looked toward the lake. “I made an offer on another building.”

  “The one that’s going to make you lots of money?”

  “If I’m careful, yes.”

  Molly watched Jacob’s face. There was no sense of excitement or anticipation, nothing to show that what he was about to do meant more to him than where he was. “Do you always choose the path you take based on how much profit you’ll make?”

  Jacob turned toward her. “That makes me sound heartless.”

  Molly sighed. “I didn’t mean it too. You’re a fine man, Jacob. Your heart is in the right place.” She glanced over her shoulder and watched Marsha and Angela through one of the windows overlooking the lake. Marsha was pointing at Jacob’s light fittings and Angela was nodding her head and taking notes. Their wedding would be a sight to behold.

  Given the circumstances, sharing his home with Marsha and Doug was not only kind, but sweet. A man who valued money over what life could hold wouldn’t have shared his home. “Tell me about the home you designed for this property.”

  Jacob pointed toward where they’d walked earlier. He still looked worried about the state of his heart, and maybe that was a good thing.

  “My home would have been built over there, closer to the lake. Five bedrooms, high-end kitchen, two sunrooms, and enough space for my entire family to come over for dinner.”

  Molly smiled. “Were you planning on having a large family to fill all of those bedrooms?”

  �
�At one time I was, but it didn’t work out.”

  “Is that why you want to go to New York?”

  The corners of Jacob’s eyes crinkled. “I’m not going so that I can fill a house with children. I’m going to work on my next project. The building will take months to remodel.”

  “I thought you bought properties, then leased them to tenants?”

  “I do. I also spend time remodeling them so that everyone’s happy. When dad was recovering from his heart attack, I subcontracted that side of my business to someone else. It’s time I got involved again.”

  “If you hadn’t found your New York property, would you have built your home yourself?”

  Jacob smiled. “Your eyes are glowing, Molly O’Donaghue. If I’d known you liked construction so much I would have worn my tool belt on our first date.”

  Molly’s face grew hot. “A man who knows how to use his hands is worth more than his weight in gold. And as for the date you’d be referring to, it had hardly begun before it ended. But I wouldn’t have changed it for the world.” She thought about Emily and her new baby. “Did I tell you that I saw Emily yesterday?”

  Jacob shook his head. “How was she?”

  “Happy. I took photographs of her baby boy. When do you think they’ll be naming him?”

  “Alex said they’ve got four names, but they can’t decide which one they like the best.”

  “Could they use all four?”

  Jacob nodded. “They could.”

  “But you don’t think they will?”

  “Not with the names they’ve got in mind.”

  Molly waited for him to tell her the names they’d chosen. When he smiled at her, she sighed. “You’re not going to tell me, are you?”

  “I promised not to say anything.”

  Molly leaned in close. “You can trust me. I’m your friend. I almost went on a normal date with you.” When that didn’t work, she made the sign of the cross on her chest and put her hand in the air. “I promise on my gran’s grave to never say a word to anyone.”

  “Your gran? That’s a big promise.”

  “And one I take seriously,” Molly said. “Whisper the names in my ear and I won’t tell a soul.”

  Jacob put his mug of coffee on the porch. “You promise?”

  “On my gran’s grave.”

  A slow smile lit Jacob’s face. It was the smile of a man who’d been offered his second helping of dessert without eating his greens. “How can I say no?”

  Molly wondered the same thing as he made the most of whispering in her ear. Her hand dropped to his shoulder as he took his time repeating the words. By the time he’d finished, goose bumps and tingles covered more than her neck.

  He leaned back and stared into her eyes. “What do you think?”

  “I think you’re a wicked man, Jacob Green.”

  The corners of his mouth lifted into a grin. “What about the names?”

  Molly sighed. “They’re all fine and will sit well on his shoulders. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to kiss you.”

  Jacob swallowed. “Okay.”

  “Are you sure?” Molly teased as she brushed her mouth against his.

  Jacob didn’t say anything. His lips landed against her mouth in a rush of longing. His kiss was soft and sexy, gentle and loving, and so very sweet that it made Molly’s heart sing.

  She’d found a man who made her smile, a man who could have been a keeper.

  A man who was heading to New York and never coming back.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Molly looked inside her suitcase for the third time, determined not to leave anything behind. She usually traveled with a carry-on and nothing more, but this flight was different. Very soon, she’d be heading toward Los Angeles for her exhibition.

  “Have you got everything?” her sister asked from the doorway of Molly’s bedroom.

  “I’ve got most of my wardrobe packed into this case. Do you think I’m mad?”

  Becky smiled. “There’s that, to be sure. But a girl needs a dress for every occasion.” She looked closely at Molly. “You aren’t talking about your clothes, are you?”

  Molly sat on the edge of her bed. “What if no one likes my photographs?”

  Becky sat beside her and wrapped her arm around Molly’s shoulders. “Your photos are amazing, and I wouldn’t be saying that because you’re my sister.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Now cheer up. This is the big break you’ve been waiting for. In three days, you’ll show the fancy Californian art critics what true talent is. They’re going to love you.”

  Molly gave Becky a hug, then looked around her room. “I’m going to miss this place.”

  “If it’s the town you’d be missing, you’ve got nothing to worry about. Everything will be here when you get back. And if it’s the people, some of us will be seeing you in Los Angeles in two days’ time. I saw Jacob Green the other day.”

  Molly looked closely at her sister.

  “He told me he’s going to Los Angeles, too.”

  A soft blush lit Molly’s cheeks. “He’s seen some of the photographs and he wants to see the rest.”

  “And be there for the woman he has feelings for.”

  “Don’t be daft. Jacob has plans that don’t involve me. He won’t be living in Montana forever.”

  Becky smiled. “He’s the first man that’s made you blush since you left Ireland. Enjoy his company.”

  Molly walked over to her closet and added another pair of shoes to her suitcase. Jacob had been filling too many of her thoughts, lately. He was a fine man, and she was looking forward to showing him her exhibition. “This trip could change my life, Becky.”

  “Are you ready for what it could mean?”

  “I’ve never been more ready. It’s the unknown that’s causing me stress. If the show is a disaster I don’t know what I’ll do.”

  “You’ll keep taking amazing photographs and put your energy into your business. You might even like to charge people once and a while for the work you do.”

  Molly grinned at her sister. “I made lots of money while I was working in Europe. I charge people what they can afford.”

  “Be that as it may, it’s a business you’d be running. And a business needs to make a profit.”

  “You worry too much. Now lean your weight on my suitcase while I try and get it closed.”

  Becky pushed the lid of the case down, forcing the edges together. “I hope there’s nothing more to go in here?”

  “So do I.” Molly gave the zip a final push. “There, all done.”

  Becky let go of the suitcase and dragged it off the bed. “Are you taking bricks and mortar to California?”

  “It was the extra pair of shoes that did it.” Molly picked up her carry-on. “Would you like me to wheel my case to the car?”

  “Don’t be daft. Have you remembered your tickets?”

  Molly checked her carry-on and nodded. “All here.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to wait at the airport with you? Opening half an hour later won’t be the end of the world.”

  “You’ve got a busy day ahead of you. I’m a big girl, I can look after myself.”

  Becky pulled Molly’s suitcase across their driveway. “Big girl or not, I’d be expecting a call when you arrive in Los Angeles. And don’t go walking on your own at night. It’s a huge city and one you need to be careful around.”

  Molly lifted her suitcase into the trunk of her car. It wasn’t the streets of Los Angeles that worried her the most, it was the check-in counter at the airport. “I think I’m going to be overweight.”

  “It wouldn’t surprise me,” Becky said with a grin. “You’ve been eating far too many sweet cakes at Tess’ Café.”

  Molly had been so busy over the last few weeks that she’d barely had time to eat three good meals a day. Cake had been the last thing on her mind. But just to be sure, she pulled her tummy tighter.

  Becky wrapped her in a hug
. “I love you, Molly. Gran would be proud of what you’ve achieved.”

  Molly smiled. “Of what we’ve both achieved. Now go inside before I start crying. I’ll call you when I get to my hotel.”

  “You do that. Be safe. If you need anything, I’m only a phone call away.”

  Molly took her keys out of her pocket and got into her car. “I’ll see you in two days. Don’t miss your flight.”

  As she drove down the driveway and onto the street, Molly thought about all of the things she’d planned to do before she left this morning. Most had been done, some she’d left, and others were plain silly.

  She’d been worrying about this exhibition for weeks, and now that it was about to happen, she was terrified. Los Angeles could take her career to another level. Or smother it completely.

  ***

  “You can’t be serious?” Jacob paced backward and forward while his lawyer kept talking. Another buyer had made an offer on the building he wanted. It was cash, unconditional, and too good for the owners to turn down.

  Jacob had arrived at Alex’s place earlier in the day. With Emily due home tomorrow, there were still a few things they needed to do in the nursery. Just small things like wallpapering, assembling the crib, and putting the curtain rods in place. He guessed that’s what you got when a baby arrived early.

  Everything had been going well, until he’d answered the call from his lawyer. “How long have they given me to come up with the money?” The response he got wasn’t what he wanted. “I can’t find twenty million dollars in seven days.” His lawyer’s words were short and to the point. So were Jacob’s. “I’ll call you back.”

  He left his phone on the dresser and stared at the teddy bear wallpaper.

  Alex ran a roller along the seams of the paper he’d just hung, then stepped back, admiring his work. “Not bad. Is everything okay?”

  “There’s been another offer on the building in New York. I’ve got seven days to come up with the money or I’ll lose it.”

  “And you need twenty million dollars? Are you crazy?”

  “That’s my portion. Another investor is partnering with me. He’s putting in eighteen million.”