Married by Monday (Weekday Brides)

by Catherine Bybee

  “With your rich guy?”

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t know,” Karen said. “She’s happy with her bingo on Wednesdays and Bunco on Fridays.”

  Eliza leaned forward. “How about this. I set you up to meet Stanly, and you can talk to him. If you don’t agree that he needs the firm hand of an older woman then I’ll continue to find him a young one such as yourself.”

  “I hate to sound greedy, but what’s in it for me?”

  “If your Aunt Edie and Stanly Sedgwick hook up, I’ll ask Sedgwick to donate funds to the boys and girls club. You volunteer there, right?”

  Eliza could see Karen contemplating her options. Although Karen might seem shallow for wanting to snag a rich man for his money, deep inside she wanted to help many of the broken systems set up for the youth of the country.

  “Would you set this guy up with your aunt?”

  “I don’t have an aunt, but I would if I did.”

  “Okay…I’ll meet him.”

  For the first time Eliza felt the part of cupid. She liked the thought of finding Stanly the right wife and not a stand-in young one he could flaunt around his kids and grandkids.

  ****

  Eliza handed Gwen a set of earmuffs to mute out the sound of gunfire.

  “Is this truly necessary?” Gwen asked as she gingerly placed the ear protection on over her perfectly coiffed hair.

  “I have guns, Gwen. They’re more dangerous to you if you don’t know how to use them.”

  “That’s absurd. If I don’t handle them, how can they harm me?” Gwen glanced at the two handguns Eliza owned sitting on the bench and scowled.

  “Outside of someone pointing them at you and squeezing the trigger, I guess they can’t. However, you’re the one who insisted on moving in.” Eliza lowered her voice and glanced around to see if anyone had entered the indoor shooting range behind them. They were early and had the place to themselves. “So you’re going to have to have a couple of lessons on firearm safety.”

  Gwen looked like she was about to argue so Eliza fired her final manipulating blow. “I’d be devastated if something happened to you because of my past. The least I can do is show you how to defend yourself with a gun.”

  Gwen tilted her head to the side. “I insisted on moving in.” Her voice was too loud due to the earmuffs.

  “And I insist on this.”

  “Oh, all right.” She twisted toward the counter and placed one small hand on the larger 357 revolver.

  Eliza moved beside her and began her lesson. “My guns are always loaded. You should assume any gun you pick up is.”

  Gwen pulled her hand back as if burned.

  “It won’t jump out and bite.” Eliza picked up the weapon and opened the chamber. After a brief explanations of how to check to see if the gun was loaded and how to hold it, she fired off a couple of rounds. Even with the ear protection, the sound vibrated through her skull. The paper target hung less than ten yards away, and Eliza’s aim was spot on. As it should have been, she’d been shooting since she was ten.

  When it came time for Gwen to try, Eliza stood behind her. “Brace yourself with one foot behind the other. The force of the bullet leaving the chamber will feel like someone is pushing you back. Don’t let go.”

  Gwen nodded and followed Eliza’s example of aiming at her target. As she concentrated, the tip of her tongue snuck out between her lips much like a child. A brief perplexed expression passed over Gwen’s eyes before the squeezed the trigger and the bullet flew. She didn’t drop the gun, thank God, but her arms did fly up. Eliza gazed down the room, but didn’t see a hole in the target. When she looked over to her friend, Gwen was smiling ear to ear.

  “That wasn’t bad at all,” Eliza said.

  “I didn’t hit the target.”

  Eliza pushed a button and summoned the target to move closer. “Try again.”

  Gwen did, this time blasting a hole through the paper, but not the outline of the person on it. Still, she was thrilled. All apprehension and nerves dissipated. After a case of forty rounds, they moved on to the smaller weapon.

  Gwen was a natural. By the time they left the range, she was talking about when they could return.

  “Many men would argue with me, but I believe women have better aim than men.”

  They were driving home and stopped at a light. Eliza scanned the cars behind them and waited for her turn through the intersection.

  “Have you always owned a gun?”

  “Yes.”

  Gwen settled into her seat. “Our security has guns at home, but we’ve not ever been allowed to touch them. I suppose if I had insisted someone might have shown me, but I never saw a need.”

  “And probably never will.”

  “It’s quite empowering to hold something so dangerous,” Gwen said with a lift in her voice.

  Traffic stared moving as they talked. Eliza scanned the cars behind her.

  “Always remember that when you shoot, you shoot to kill.” Eliza had shown Gwen every tip Dean and Jim had given her.

  “I don’t think I could hurt anyone.”

  “You could if they were bent on harming you.”

  “I don’t know.”

  A car swerved out of the turn lane and tucked behind them as they drove. All the talk about guns and protection was making her paranoid. The newer model Mercedes was popular in L.A. and probably not the same one she’d seen outside the range when they left.

  “I’m sure if faced with death we can do all kinds of things.”

  Gwen waved a hand in the air. “It won’t come to that.”

  “Let’s hope not.”

  Gwen made a noise before changing the subject. “When will you see Carter again?”

  Hearing his name brought a smile to her lips. “He’s in Sacramento until tomorrow.”

  “The flowers he sent were lovely.”

  They were. Instead of falling back on a dozen roses, Carter decided on orchids and white lilies. As much as Eliza hated being so damn girlie about his attention, she couldn’t help but sigh every time she walked into the living room and saw them. There was nothing casual about her feelings. Carter had effectively wiggled his way into her thoughts a dozen times a day. She didn’t even want to consider her inappropriate thoughts at night.

  Eliza caught Gwen staring at her from the corner of her eye. “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  Yeah right. The word nothing from a woman always meant something.

  She turned off the busy street and checked her mirror for the Mercedes. Sure enough, it turned down a different street and didn’t follow them home.

  Paranoid.

  Zod barked from behind the door and darted out as they walked in. Eliza watched him sniff around the yard before reliving himself. She slipped out of her shoes at the door but instead of tucking them off to the side, she tucked them inside the coat closet. There was no use tempting the dog into misbehaving.

  Gwen played the messages while Eliza set the guns on kitchen counter so she could clean them.

  There was one hang up, a message from Sam inviting them for lunch on Saturday, and a message from Karen asking for a call back.

  Gwen decided to shower and remove the gunpowder from her skin, and Eliza called Karen back.

  “Stanly was more nervous than a teenage boy on his first date.”

  “He’s sweet.”

  “I understand why you’d want him to find the right woman and not the woman for now.”

  “So you agree he needs to have a real wife and not a temporary one?”

  “I do. If he were twenty years younger I’d take him for me,” Karen said.

  “Twenty?”

  “Okay, thirty. Aunt Edie might be too much for him, but it’s worth a shot.”

  Eliza couldn’t be happier. “Did you meet the kids?”

  “No. We met at a coffee shop. I think his driver was on the phone with someone while he waited, so my guess is the kids know he met with a younger woman.”


  She hoped Stanly’s kids were sweating. “Should I ask Stanly if he wants to meet your aunt, or are you going to do that?”

  “I asked if he would have dinner with Aunt Edie and I on Thursday.”

  “Does he know it’s a set up?”

  “I don’t think so. But I noticed the relief in his eyes when I told him I couldn’t see him romantically and suggested we have a nice dinner with my aunt.”

  “Which is for the best. His Viagra prescription is probably expired.”

  “Ewehh,” Karen said laughing. “He’s so focused on teaching his kids a lesson that we agreed to get together Thursday to keep them guessing. When I told him about Aunt Edie’s Risotto, he couldn’t resist.”

  “What will you tell your aunt?”

  “Only that I’m bringing a friend for dinner. She’s used to that.”

  “I want a report first thing Friday morning.”

  “Sure thing.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “This is becoming a habit, detectives,” Carter leaned against the doorframe of Dean and Jim’s office and crossed his arms over his chest. “And I’m not taking another shoe-chewing dog home to Eliza.”

  Jim stood and thrust out a hand for Carter to shake. Dean followed.

  “Thank you for coming.”

  Like before, they ducked into a conference room for privacy.

  “How’s Zod working out?”

  “Other than the shoe thing, he’s fine. Eliza won’t make him go places with her, but he is at the house.”

  Dean and Jim exchanged a look.

  “What is it?”

  “We assume Eliza told you why she needs the dog.”

  “She told me.”

  “Did she tell her friend, Mrs. Harrison?”

  “Samantha is Eliza’s best friend. What do you think?”

  Again, the two cops looked at each other.

  “Do you know if Mrs. Harrison has any connection to her father?” Jim asked.

  “The one in prison?” Carter hadn’t seen the question coming.

  “Yes.”

  “They’ve been estranged since his conviction according to Blake. Why?”

  When Jim glanced over to his partner again, Carter waved a hand between the two of them. “Why?” he demanded.

  “Mrs. Harrison’s father is jailed in the same place as the man responsible for Eliza’s parents’ death.”

  “Sam has nothing to do with her dad. I don’t see how this is a problem.”

  “Just because Samantha doesn’t want anything to do with her father, doesn’t mean her father isn’t interested in what is happening with his daughter. We know for a fact that wedding photos have made their way into Mr. Elliot’s cell. Can you see where this is going, counselor?”

  Carter’s pulse leapt and he felt an uncharacteristic urge to scratch his palms. “Eliza was a child when her parents were murdered.” Even as Carter voiced the words, he knew these men would shatter any hope he had of their fears being for nothing.

  Dean opened a folder he’d brought into the room and handed Carter a photograph. In it was a woman who looked exactly like Eliza snuggled next to a robust man in his forties. Beside them was a young girl with her dark hair in a ponytail and a missing tooth within her silly smile.

  “Not only does Eliza look like her late mother, she sounds like her too.”

  Carter ran his finger over the photograph. Eliza was a beautiful girl, even then.

  “If Eliza insists on staying in her current life, she has to be better protected.”

  Carter’s mind was twirling. He hardly registered the noise beyond the door of their conference room until it opened and a familiar furry face walked in.

  “This had better be good,” Eliza walked beside Zod and stopped talking when she noticed Carter sitting in the room. “What are you doing here?”

  “We asked him to come,” Dean said, closing the door behind her. He gave the dog a pet and pulled out a chair.

  Carter stood and gravitated closer to Eliza. Her dark hair slid over one shoulder and looked like silk. He reached for her hand and linked his fingers with hers. The itchy palms faded with her touch.

  “What’s going on?” Eliza’s cocky smile faded as she looked at the expressions in the room. “What happened?”

  “Nothing…not yet,” Jim said.

  Dean tucked his hands in his pockets. “You need tighter security.”

  “Why? Cujo here is doing a great job.”

  “Only if he’s with you. I’m told you leave home without him.”

  Eliza glared at Carter, and he knew what a snitch felt like after getting caught by his friends.

  “Big scary dogs with huge teeth and biting tendencies aren’t welcome in many places.”

  “Which is why you need a bodyguard.”

  “I have a killer security system and a roommate with good aim. I think I’m good.” In all her tough talk, Carter felt her damp palm squeeze his.

  “It’s not enough.”

  Eliza was shaking her head, and Carter felt her denial before she could say the words. “I’m not going to have someone tagging around behind me, Dean.”

  “What about me?” Carter asked.

  “Don’t you have an office to get into? You can’t be my personal bodyguard.”

  The hell I can’t.

  “It’s a bodyguard or you have to disappear,” Dean’s tone shifted from informative to direct. “This isn’t a joke.”

  Eliza shook her head.

  “Dammit, Eliza!” Dean yelled. Everyone jumped, even the dog.

  Carter let her hand go and stood in front of the other two men. “I need a minute alone with her.”

  Jim stood and made to exit the room.

  Dean glared. “Fine, but think about this before you say no again.” He pointed a finger at her. “Your picture was found in Ricardo’s cell.”

  Dean slammed out of the room with Jim in tow.

  When Carter turned around, Eliza’s face had grown white. Her eyes glossed over, and she didn’t look at him when he knelt beside her. He grasped both her hands in his and held tight.

  “Is he lying?” she asked.

  Carter couldn’t be sure, but Dean’s words were floating around in her head and making her think. “Why would he?”

  “To get his way.”

  “Dean seems to care about what happens to you. I don’t think he’d lie to make you bend to his will.”

  She blew out a long-suffering sigh and squeezed her eyes shut. “Damn,” she whispered under her breath.

  To Carter, the key to fixing the problem was simple. All he had to do was convince Eliza.

  “I have the perfect solution.”

  “An underground bunker in New Mexico?”

  He was already on his knee so he took a chance. “Marry me.”

  Her eyes sprung open. “Haven’t we been over this before?”

  It wasn’t a no.

  “Sure, but that was to help me get into office. Now it’s to protect you from a crazy man who is responsible for your parent’s deaths. We can take care of both our problems with one signature.”

  Eliza’s eyes took on a softer edge. “Getting married will screw up your love life with other women.”

  She still hadn’t said no. Carter’s palms went damp.

  “The lady I’m currently dating won’t think I’m cheating on her.”

  Eliza gave a painful smile. “You’re out of town all the time. How can you be my bodyguard?”

  “As my wife, I can arrange security fit for the president.”

  “I don’t know…”

  “Is it me? I thought we were doing rather well. Didn’t you like the flowers?”

  “I loved the flowers.”

  “My skills with the crab fork turned you off?”

  She was laughing now…and not saying no.

  “We’re talking marriage.”

  “Your best friend and mine married for more trite reasons, and it turned out okay. I don’t want to have y
ou disappear in that New Mexico bunker. I’m still owed the lobster dinner…remember?”

  She was considering his offer and not saying no.

  “If the threat disappears, we can both back out,” she said.

  His heart squeezed in his chest. He wasn’t sure if the squeeze was pain at the thought of her leaving or joy in the fact she was considering his offer.

  “This is America.”

  Slowly, she started to nod. “There should be a wedding. Nothing too big, but something to convince the press we’re not getting married for your campaign.”

  “We can’t delay. The sooner you’re my wife the better.” His heart skipped in his chest.

  “Gwen and I are experts at planning weddings. We can be married by Monday.” Eliza was looking at his chest as she spoke.

  Carter placed a finger under her chin and gazed into her eyes. “Is that a yes?”

  “I think…yeah. That’s a yes.”

  Something inside of him bloomed. Eliza was going to be Mrs. Carter Billings. Instead of worrying about what could go wrong, he only saw bright lights and happy endings.

  She returned his smile, and he leaned forward to seal their deal with a kiss.

  ****

  Nothing could have prepared Eliza for the next week of her life. Nearly as soon as she said yes to Carter’s proposal, there were around the clock guards on her like glue. They approached her when they changed shift so she knew who they were on sight, but kept out of her way the rest of the time. They were like ghosts in suits. Well, some of them wore plain clothes and didn’t look like bodyguards at all, but Eliza knew they all carried guns and could kick some serious ass if needed. Joe, who had worked as a personal bodyguard at times for Carter, worked closely with Neil to manage the new detail of surveillance.

  Samantha and Gwen didn’t seem surprised at all with the announcement that she and Carter were getting married. In fact, they congratulated her as if they both expected it. Sam’s explanation for her reaction was simple. You’re a logical woman, and Carter is a logical choice. Part of Eliza wondered what happened to love before a woman walked the aisle? Who was she kidding? Marriage to Carter was a logical decision and emotion wasn’t involved enough to carry any weight in her decision to say yes.

  Even when he’d leaned down on one knee to propose…which she thought was sweet, he hadn’t professed love. No, he offered a solution to their problems.