The Bridal Bouquet

by Tara Randel

  She groaned out loud.

  They walked into her cool, dim apartment. The cloud cover remained, causing shadows inside and out. She went to the kitchen, fumbling in a cabinet to find ointment and bandages.

  Dylan watched her from the half counter that separated the living room and kitchen. “I know you’re independent, but do you mind if I help?”

  She stared at the angry red scrapes on her palms. “I’m gonna have to take you up on the offer.”

  He strode into the kitchen, started assessing her palms. “I need to clean the skin first.” He looked around. “Washcloth?”

  She nodded to a drawer. He opened it and removed a fresh cloth, then ran it under the tap. Adding a little soap, he gently dabbed around the red skin. Kady hissed once, then ground her teeth so she didn’t sound like a baby.

  He lightly applied ointment and pulled the backing off a large bandage. Before long, he’d finished the job without too much fuss.

  “Let me guess. You’re a doctor in your spare time?”

  “No. But I have three brothers. Been down this road before.”

  She wiggled her fingers to make sure they were working properly, then smiled at him. “Thanks. I could have cleaned myself up, but it was nice to have help.”

  He grabbed a bottle of pain reliever and shook out two tablets. “You’re going to need these.”

  She swallowed them with a tall glass of water. “Let me get changed. Then we can head back to the convention.”

  Dylan stopped her, his gaze piercing hers. “You’re sure?”

  She tried not to blink, astounded by the gentleness in Dylan’s eyes. She’d never been with a man who took the time to care. Whose presence made her heart beat a little faster. Who had actually been there when she needed him, unlike her ex, who took off on her to further his own interests. Dylan fit the bill, and she’d known him for only a few days. Did that matter? She needed to be sure.

  She’d always felt a disconnect with her parents and brother. Tried way too hard to please them, only to mess up. She’d wanted their love but received disapproval. Yet she’d had more calamities around Dylan than she cared to remember and he never once made her cringe under his censure, never said a negative word about her. Never once made her question herself. Hadn’t even asked what was wrong with her for stepping into the street without looking first. No, he was only kind to her, protective, attentive. So was she falling for him because he’d been there when she needed him? Or was there something more?

  Wait. Falling for him? She must have hit the ground harder than she thought to come up with that conclusion.

  When Dylan’s eyes grew dark, heat rushed over her. Fighting the attraction between them suddenly seemed foolish. Without worrying about the consequences, she told herself, Might as well go all in. Recognizing what she wanted, Dylan didn’t hesitate to brush his lips over hers.

  The kiss started softly, just a gentle touch, much like the way Dylan had handled her scrapes. Before long, the tentative sweetness turned passionate as she tightened her arms around him and his hands spanned her waist. In the silent room, their breathing sounded loud in her ears. The scent of the freshly cut flowers she always kept on hand flitted around them as the kiss grew deeper and more meaningful.

  Taking a hasty step back, she breathed in his scent, met his steady gaze. Oh, yeah, she was falling. More than she’d ever admit.

  Why couldn’t this attraction be delayed stress? Leftover shock? Right now she was too overwhelmed to scrutinize her feelings.

  “I, um, need to get changed,” she told him. “I’ll be right back.”

  Not waiting for his response, she hurried to her room, her emotions a jumbled mess. She traded her slacks for a pair of dark jeans that went well with her white sweater. She took a moment to run a brush through her unruly hair. She ignored her pink cheeks. Yes, she’d have to come to terms with her growing feelings for Dylan. But that conversation had to be back burnered for now.

  Coming out of her bedroom, she found him at her bookshelf. He turned and smiled.

  “Better?”

  “Much. Thanks again, Dylan.”

  He nodded. “We should go.”

  As they drove downtown, Kady stared out the window. The clouds were thinning and faint sunshine lightened the sky.

  “You know,” she said, wanting to address some of the questions circling her mind, “it occurred to me that you’re a handy man to have in a crisis. What gives?”

  His fingers tightened on the steering wheel. When he didn’t answer right away, Kady wondered if she’d asked an upsetting question. Still, she was curious. How would he explain his innate authority, especially on the night of the break-in?

  “Growing up with a bunch of guys, you learn to either take care of matters or get into trouble.”

  “Let me guess. You fall into the first category.”

  “Yes. Seems I’ve always handled the messy situations.” He paused. “When my dad died, I helped my mother navigate all the necessary steps—you know, visiting the funeral home, planning the service, looking after everything that follows. She’s tough, but losing my dad nearly took the spirit out of her.”

  Kady held back a shiver. She couldn’t imagine loving someone so much and dealing with the reality after losing them. Another check for Dylan in the keeper box. “You’re a good son.”

  He grinned. “Who else would let their mother talk them into carrying a life-size Cupid in public?”

  “You know you’ll never live it down.”

  “That’s okay. I’d do anything my mom asked.” He turned to her briefly, then focused on the road. “You, too.”

  Her heart stilled in her chest. Why would he say that? Was this attraction more than that?

  “Not that I expect you to ask for help. You seem to take everything in stride.”

  And her expectations went back to zero. She was definitely reading too much into their relationship.

  He pulled into the hotel parking lot in the nick of time. She needed distance. A few minutes away from Dylan and her tumultuous emotions. When they entered the lobby, she immediately went toward the lecture rooms.

  “I’ll see you later,” she said, ignoring his puzzled look. She scurried away, hoping to get her mind off Dylan and onto other matters. Like flowers. Beautiful designs. Weddings. No, not weddings. Future brides-to-be.

  “Coward,” she muttered under her breath, knowing at some point she’d have to fess up to seriously enjoying the way Dylan made her feel.

  CHAPTER TEN

  DYLAN DUCKED OUT of the banquet room as the luncheon speaker started. From what he could tell, the president of the floral association enjoyed doling out accolades to certain members. Not his cup of tea. Especially when Max texted him, informing him he had new intel. Now, that piqued his interest.

  After making sure Kady was surrounded by friends, he strode down over to Main Street. The sun had finally broken free from the cloud cover, but a heavy humidity still hung in the air. If only the day had cleared earlier, instead of the drizzle that had made the ground slippery enough for someone to fall.

  His heart had twisted when he’d witnessed Kady barely escaping the speeding car. He’d been in plenty of dicey situations over the years, but he wouldn’t forget this one very soon. When he’d finally had Kady in his arms, safe and in one piece, his worry eased. Her face, so pale and anxious, and her hands, so cold to the touch, had him barely restraining his anger. What was wrong with that driver? Hadn’t he been paying attention? At least she was okay. A little scraped up, but alive.

  He didn’t want to leave her side, but after last night and the misadventure this morning, he suspected these were not coincidences. Better he find out what was going on now, while Kady was busy, than to leave her alone later.

  On the way to meet Max, he called the Tampa DE
A office to check in on the Esposa case. Special Agent Turner told him they were still looking into family members around the bay and hoped to find someone or something linking Esposa to the area soon. After the break-in at The Lavish Lily and other establishments in town, soon couldn’t come fast enough for Dylan.

  There may be no concrete proof of Esposa hiding out here, but Dylan’s gut said otherwise. He’d been after the guy for too long, spent too many hours combing over details of his life, not to know there was a link here. He just had to connect the dots.

  He climbed the stairs to Sanders Security, opening the door to find Max standing before a large computer screen.

  Max greeted him. “Hey, glad you could take a break from the convention.”

  “I’m happy for a few hours away. I can only handle so many conversations about flowers.”

  Max clicked on an icon and closed a file. “Heard about what happened at The Lavish Lily. The chief said you were there?”

  “I was escorting Kady. The convention had closed for the night. Her car was at the shop. We walked in to find the place tossed.”

  “The chief mentioned other stores were affected.” He waved his hand. “Let’s sit down.”

  They moved into Max’s office, both taking a seat.

  “Think this has anything to do with Esposa?” Max asked, getting right to the heart of the matter.

  “I thought about it, but why target a floral shop? Besides, I don’t have confirmation that he’s been seen in or around Cypress Pointe.”

  Max opened a folder on his desk. “I’m still researching that angle, but here’s what I have so far.” He handed him a sheet of paper.

  As Dylan read the report, his stomach dropped. Apparently Will Lawrence and The Lavish Lily were on the verge of bankruptcy.

  He looked up. “How accurate is this?”

  The leather chair squeaked as Max leaned back. “Very. My computer whiz managed to follow Will’s money trail. Large amounts have been removed from the Lawrence business and funneled elsewhere. As the accountant for The Lavish Lily, Will knows where every cent goes.”

  “Into his pocket?”

  “That’s what I thought at first. But the investments he made don’t have any sort of pattern. Also, if you check the bottom of the report, he’s slowly putting money back into the business account.”

  “So what’s he up to?”

  “Can’t answer that question. Bad investments? Owes someone we don’t know about? Embezzling? Take your pick.”

  Dylan didn’t want to. He could already visualize Kady’s devastated face if she learned her brother had stolen from the family business.

  “Any connection to the guys you’re watching? The ones we suspect are distributing the synthetic drugs?”

  “No. So far it looks like the only reason Will goes to the marina is for legitimate business. Unless the marina management is involved, which so far hasn’t been proven, Will is strictly doing tax prep for a client.”

  “So we aren’t sure what’s going on with Will and haven’t gotten any further on the drug distribution.”

  “That about sums it up.” Max’s steely gaze pierced his. “Will may not be mixed up with the drug situation, but he’s definitely up to no good.”

  Dylan’s thoughts exactly. He tossed the report back on the desk. “And Esposa isn’t flashy or dumb. He wouldn’t risk involving an established businessman who would stand out in surveillance.”

  “Agreed. Your agents find anything new?” Max folded his arms across his chest.

  “Nothing. It’s like Esposa’s gone with the wind.”

  “The chief and I are still investigating the kids who hang around the marina. Maybe something will pan out.”

  “Hope so.” Dylan took a few minutes to digest the facts. He didn’t like the scenarios he came up with. “I should get back. I don’t want to leave Kady alone for long.”

  “And why would that be?”

  Dylan explained the almost hit-and-run from earlier.

  “You were there?”

  “Nearly had to scoop her up from the ground after it happened.”

  Max regarded him with a serious expression. “Something going on with you two I should know about?”

  “I happened to be there and saw the entire incident.” Dylan pushed back his annoyance at the curious look in Max’s eyes. “I know Kady and your fiancée are friends, so enough with the big-brother concern.”

  Max raised a brow.

  “Heard talk of it at Cuppa Joe.”

  “What can I say? Lilli, my fiancée, wouldn’t be happy with me if I didn’t at least ask.”

  “With the investigation going on, hanging out with Kady gives my cover credence. That’s it.”

  “Is it?”

  Dylan stood. “This meeting is over.”

  “Hey,” Max said, as he walked Dylan out of the office. “It’s nothing personal. Just looking out for a friend.”

  “I appreciate the gesture.”

  Max chuckled. “Somehow I don’t think so.”

  Dylan smiled reluctantly. “Let me do my job.”

  “Got it. I’ll be in touch.”

  Dylan nodded and hurried down the stairs, glad to be leaving. His feelings for Kady were...unsure right now. She made him laugh, and he admired her backbone when things got dicey. She was intelligent and focused on her goal to grow the business. Most of all, he liked her. He couldn’t say that about most people. Sure, the drug trade made him cynical, but Kady seemed to have slipped past his stony outer wall to breathe life into the guy he used to be.

  And aside from wanting to kiss her pretty much every time they were together, his intentions were still a bit hazy. Until the Esposa case got resolved, he expected his relationship with Kady would remain the same—exciting and nerve-racking, with no indication of how it would end between them.

  “Get a grip,” he warned, as he got to the sidewalk. If they could see him now, his brothers would love this. Thankfully, they were far, far away and he had to deal with only his mother. Still, given her eagle eyes, he’d better keep things casual with Kady or she’d be on him to settle down and give her grandkids. Like he could even think that far ahead at the moment.

  Before returning to the hotel, he detoured to the beach. Walking always helped him sort out his problems.

  Normally when he thought about marriage and a family, he broke into a cold sweat. How could he promise to love a woman then put himself in danger every day? True, not all cases were life-threatening, but the night Eddie was killed had marked his memory forever. His wife had lost the man she loved. Would that painful hole in her heart ever heal?

  And his son? He’d grow up without a father. All because of some jerk afraid to stand up and pay for his crimes.

  As Dylan worked on this case, he found the guilt from his part in Eddie’s death wavered. Most times he could take one step in front of the other without the remorse swallowing him whole. It was like the cop part of him had resurfaced and he could deal with his emotions. Other times? He thought about Eddie’s family and he could barely breathe. Would he carry this heavy burden around his entire life?

  A young guy jogged by, feet pounding on the surf. Dylan jerked. So entrenched in reflecting on his life, he’d lost track of his surroundings. Disconcerting, especially after the outcome of his last meeting with Esposa.

  He hoped with time he could manage the jumble of emotions overwhelming him. In the short while he’d spent with Kady, some of the weight had lifted. She didn’t even know his situation, yet her sweet disposition helped put him on a path of accepting his role in Eddie’s death. His future would get better, but what if she wasn’t there to remind him?

  He thought again of what it would cost a woman to love a man who went after bad guys for a living. Being an agent was his entire life.
He couldn’t imagine doing anything else. But since meeting Kady, he didn’t get all tied up in knots at the idea of his career not being his future. And that scared him more than anything.

  So he’d do what he always did with a topic he wanted to ignore. He’d bury it. Deep. Besides, Kady didn’t know his true intentions about his being at the convention. What would she think when she found out? She was no dummy. She’d be hurt and angry. But he couldn’t stop until this case was settled once and for all.

  He stopped and he trudged all the way back to the hotel, readying himself for more fun with the floral crowd.

  As soon as he reached the main entrance to the hotel, hot and tired from the exertion of pushing his still healing leg, he realized the tension in the lobby was high. A group of women hurried by, their voices high-pitched as they spoke over each other. The clerk behind the counter spoke rapidly into the phone while pointing the women in the direction to the right. Shouts carried from the banquet room just down the hall.

  Out of habit, he reached for his firearm, then muttered a curse when he came up empty. Since he was only meeting with Max this morning, he’d left his weapon in his room. Feeling naked without protection, he decided he should check out the commotion and ascertain the situation.

  Before he had a chance to move, Kady came from the opposite hallway to join him, thrusting one of the two large flower arrangements she carried into his arms.

  “Good. You’re back. We can use your help.”

  “With what, exactly?”

  “Impromptu wedding.”

  “Excuse me?”

  She seized his arm and dragged him along. “Sissy Thompson’s longtime, I mean, super-longtime boyfriend proposed to her on the beach. She isn’t taking any chances, so we’re throwing together a wedding ceremony.”

  “That’s what all the commotion is about?”

  She stared at him. “Yes. What else would it be?”

  He could come up with a list of options. “A wedding at a convention? Doesn’t she want a church ceremony and all the usual stuff?”

  “No. She wants Ned to be her husband.”