“I told you I would pay for the gown.”
“And then there’s shoes, and—and undergarments, and a bag, and the list goes on. I can’t let you pay for everything.”
“Think of it as a uniform. I’ll pick you up tomorrow after the lunch rush. We’ll have you back before the dinner rush.” He was learning how her schedule worked.
“But you need to work.”
“I’m the boss. I can take off if I want.” Of course, he’d have to reschedule a telephone conference with people in New York. And work late tonight. to get everything done.
“Are you sure—I can take the money out of my budget.”
He knew her offer was generous by the disheartened tones of her voice. “I’ll be here at two. Be ready.” He gave her one more quick kiss before she could protest, then he hurried back to his car.
Before he dragged her to that little bed in the room behind the kitchen.
Kate didn’t know what Will was thinking. She’d understood his reasoning behind their agreement. But he was going against what she’d thought he’d do.
In fact, she couldn’t even see a reason for the engagement party. It would only demand more time from his work.
But in spite of her confusion, she was ready when he picked her up the next day. “Are you sure you want to do this? I’ll understand if you’ve changed your mind,” she assured him.
“I haven’t changed my mind. I have a list of places to shop from Mother.” He smiled at her. “Much to my surprise, she was disappointed not to be included in the shopping trip.”
Kate, too, was surprised. “I thought she wanted nothing to do with me. The engagement party was a surprise, too.”
“It’s the proper thing to do,” he told her in mock hauteur.
“I think you’re too hard on your mother.”
“That’s because she hasn’t been trying to marry you off for the past ten years.”
He snagged a parking place near an exclusive store on the Plaza. “She says this shop is the best, so we’ll start here. And, Kate, no looking at the price tag. This is my treat.”
Will expected to spend the rest of the afternoon, dragging after Kate from one store to another. However, after selecting four dresses in the first shop, she showed him only one, a dress that clung lovingly to her curves before flaring out slightly at the hipline.
Its royal blue color, with sparkling highlights like a night sky filled with stars, flattered her red hair and made her eyes look turquoise.
It was a simple style that suited her.
“Do you like this one?” she asked.
“What’s not to like? You look beautiful.”
The saleslady fluttered around them. “I think you should show him the pink one. It’s more detailed. And made by a famous designer.”
Will could translate those phrases to read a higher price tag. And more commission. He looked at Kate to discover her reaction.
“No, thank you. Since my fiancé likes this one, I believe this gown is the one we want.”
“Very well,” the woman agreed stiffly. “Will you need the accessories I brought you?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“But Kate,” Will began, “did she have everything you need? That was a long list you mentioned.”
She shook her head. “She brought in everything I need.” She raised the hem of the dress to show him blue shoes.
After he nodded, she slipped back into the dressing room, and he stepped up to the cash register, surreptitiously checking his watch. Half an hour. He’d never known his mother to select a pair of shoes in anything under three hours. Much less everything for an important party.
When they arrived back at the diner, he was reluctant to let her go. “We should’ve looked at rings.”
“Rings?”
“Your engagement ring. We’ll need to find one before the party.”
“I don’t think we should get one,” she said as she gathered her purchases.
“What are you talking about? Of course you’ll have an engagement ring.”
“Will, I don’t think you planned well. This agreement is costing you a lot more than you thought. Surely we can cut down on the extras.”
He stared at her. “You consider an engagement ring an extra?”
“We’re not having a real marriage so why—that’s it. You can buy a cubic zirconia. No one will ever know.”
Will stared at her in surprise. He already knew she wasn’t exactly like the other women he’d known, including his mother, but he was surprised by her words. It blew his theory that every woman was out for what she could get.
“I’ll, uh, see what I can find.” She couldn’t really believe he would give her a cubic zirconia, could she? But she nodded, pleased that he’d agreed.
She gave him her ring size, thanked him for the dress and accessories and hurried back into the diner.
Leaving him time to return to the office. Why not? He had nothing else to do with himself. Of course, he could go home and play with Duke. The little dog was worming his way into Will’s heart, in spite of his intentions to keep him at a distance.
Pretty sad when a man’s best companion was a dog.
The next morning Will returned to the Plaza. He’d decided he should find an engagement ring himself, without consulting Kate. The way she was going, she might suggest buying a box of Cracker Jacks in the hope of finding a suitable ring as the prize. Several hours later, he came to the diner, feeling smug about the diamond in his pocket.
Paula, the morning waitress, was behind the counter, pouring cups of coffee. Will slid onto a stool and she automatically filled a cup for him.
“Hi. You looking for Kate?”
“Yeah, but I don’t mind the coffee first. She’s here, isn’t she?” He picked up his cup and took a sip. Mmm, good coffee.
“Yeah, she’s out back, working.”
“Out back?” Will asked, still thinking about the excellent coffee. His coffee at home didn’t taste this good. He’d have to ask Kate to show his housekeeper how to make it.
“Yeah, the workers came to tear out the back of the diner. I think we’re going to have to shut down a few days.”
“So she’s directing them?”
Paula gave him a careful smile and a nod.
He took one more sip and stood. “Save that for me. I’ll find her and be back.”
He went through the kitchen to the back, hearing a lot of noise as he reached the door. He stepped outside and saw several men with sledgehammers. Along an area where they had obviously earlier plied their trade, he found Kate.
She was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, wearing leather gloves, and pulling away a layer of metal from the side of the diner.
“Kate! What the hell are you doing?”
She gasped and stepped back. “Working. What do you think?” She grabbed hold of the metal and began pulling again.
“You’ll hurt yourself. Stop that!” he ordered, striding to her side
Glaring at him, she continued to tug, her muscles straining. “Don’t bother me,” she said, panting slightly.
Another man strode around from the back of the diner and Will called him over. “You, come take this from her.”
The man nodded and came over, but Kate wasn’t as willing to accept Will’s order. As the man took hold of the metal, shifting her away, she turned to Will, anger radiating from her.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Trying to keep you from hurting yourself. You’re too delicate to do this kind of work.”
“I am not. It will save money if I help them. We’ll finish faster.” She turned back to work again, as if her explanation made everything all right.
“Kate, you have enough money to do the renovation without working out here yourself. Come inside.”
“Yes, but we need to make this transition quickly. My bedroom and the storeroom will be open and I don’t want—”
“Your bedroom? Then you can’t stay there.”
> She put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Thank you, but I’m not an idiot! I’m going to stay at my sister’s for a couple of days.”
“I didn’t even know you had a sister. Where does she live?”
“She has an apartment in North Kansas City. And I actually have two sisters.” Again she reached for the metal.
He caught her arm. “Why didn’t you stay there to start with?”
Sighing, she turned back. “Because it’s forty-five minutes away and tiny. But I’ll manage for a couple of days.”
Will felt as if he’d been run over. Kate seemed too busy to realize she was throwing a lot at him at once. In particular, he didn’t want her forty-five minutes away.
Only because it would take more time to carry out his plan, of course. It had nothing to do with wanting to see her a lot more often than she seemed interested in.
“I think you should rent an apartment near here. There’s some—”
She’d already returned to work. “Don’t be silly, Will. That would be a wasted expense.” She yanked the metal siding and then gasped as it gave way and she almost lost her balance.
“Kate, stop that before you get hurt. Hire another worker, if you must, but don’t—”
She stepped back to face him. “Do I tell you how to do your job?”
He blinked. What was she talking about? Of course she didn’t tell him how to do his job. “No.”
“Then don’t tell me how to do mine.”
Will caught the grins of the men nearby. One of the men said, “That little lady is a pistol, ain’t she?”
He could only agree.
“What is going on out here?”
Everyone turned to stare at Will’s mother as she trudged around the back of the diner. She was dressed in a suit and heels, her fingers covered with rings.
Kate urged the men back to work, barely acknowledging Miriam’s arrival.
“What is that child doing? It looks like she’s working with these men. Explain, William.”
Will looked from his mother to Kate and back again. “I can’t explain it, Mother. Kate said something about needing to hurry the work along. I’ve been trying to get her to explain to me, but she’s not much interested in conversation this morning.”
He crossed his arms over his chest and waited.
“Kate!” Miriam shrieked.
“In a moment, Mrs. Hardison. I have to help carry this sheet of siding over to the other side.” She continued on her way, leaving Miriam to stare in surprise.
“William, you cannot marry this woman. She ignores all polite behavior. She’s working like a common laborer. And she’s dressed like them, too!”
“I don’t think she’d get a lot done dressed like you, Mother. I don’t like her doing this kind of work, but you’ll have to admit it’s enterprising of her.” He found a grudging admiration filling him. She was willing to work for her dreams.
“Make her stop,” Miriam ordered.
Kate came striding back around the building.
“Kate,” Will called, “Mother would like to speak with you.”
With an exasperated look, Kate came over. “Yes?”
“Young lady, this is totally unacceptable.”
Kate looked around her and then faced Miriam again. “What is unacceptable?”
“Your acting as a common laborer.”
Kate rolled her eyes and looked at Will. “Tell her politely to mind her own business.”
“It is my business. I’m here to take you shopping for a wedding gown,” Miriam insisted before Will could speak.
Kate shook her head. “You should’ve called. I don’t have time to shop for a wedding dress. I’ll just wear a suit.”
Miriam shrieked. “What? You can’t! It’s going to be a formal wedding! You must wear a long gown.”
“Okay, I’ll wear what we bought yesterday,” Kate offered, already turning around to rejoin the workers.
“Is it white?”
Kate gave an exasperated sigh and faced them again. “No, it’s blue. Now, could you both leave so I can get some work done? I don’t want to impose on my sister any longer than I have to.”
Will decided it was time to take charge. “You’re not going to impose on her at all.”
“Are you making all my decisions for me now?” Her hands went to her hips as she challenged him.
“I believe so. You see, you’re going to move in with me, instead of your sister. It’s a lot closer and it’s where you’re going to live anyway. We’ll just be anticipating our vows by four weeks.”
He smiled as both ladies stared at him in shock.
Chapter Eight
“What are you thinking?” Miriam shouted, stopping the workers in their tracks. “Do you want to be shunned by everyone who’s important?”
Kate’s gaze flashed to her pseudofiancé, seeing the spark of laughter that filled him, rendering him incredibly sexy. He turned to her and she had to strain to keep a straight face. Laughter ran through her as he invited her to enjoy his moment of success.
“Of course not, Mother,” Will lied smoothly, “but I can’t abandon Kate. After all, she’s the love of my life.”
In two strides he reached Kate and pulled her against him, whispering, “You can’t refuse me now.”
“William, you’re being unreasonable,” his mother protested. “I’ll find room for Miss O’Connor in my house. That will keep everything proper.”
“Kate would prefer to live with me. Wouldn’t you, Kate?” Will asked, a determined glint in his eyes.
Kate shared the amusement with Will before saying politely, “I believe I would, Mrs. Hardison, but I appreciate the offer. Will’s house is—is closer to the diner.” Her breath caught at the thought of moving into that lovely home, that much closer to Will. But it was part of her agreement. Wasn’t it?
“Then it’s settled. Let’s go pack your things.” He started pulling her toward the diner.
“But, Will, it will only be for a couple of days. So I won’t have to pack much,” she protested, resisting him.
“Nope. There’s no point in your moving back here, only to move again in a few weeks. You might as well settle in for the duration.” His charming smile almost erased the reminder that their agreement wasn’t permanent.
Not that his mother realized his meaning, but Kate did.
“William, please, you’re going to ruin our reputation,” Mrs. Hardison pleaded.
“Mother, surely you don’t believe every bride who wears a white gown is a virgin? Many people, even in the upper crust, cohabit before marriage these days.”
“But they don’t thumb their noses at society rules. They sneak around,” Mrs. Hardison said with an approving nod.
“And you think that’s good?” Will demanded. “This is not Victorian England, Mother. I choose not to be so hypocritical. Come on, Kate.” Again he tugged on her arm.
“Will, I’m working, remember?”
“No, you must come choose a wedding gown,” Miriam insisted.
“Pack first, then the wedding gown,” Will amended.
“No, I—”
“Lady,” the foreman roared. “I don’t care what you do, but make a decision. We’re wasting time.”
Kate looked around and realized for the first time that all the workers were watching the show going on before them rather than working.
Will leaned toward her. “They’ll get more done with you out of here.”
She was afraid he was right.
“All right,” she agreed with a sigh.
“Good,” Miriam agreed. “We’ll start at Hall’s. I’ve heard they have a good selection of off-the-rack gowns. That’s probably the only way we’ll find one in time for the wedding.”
“I can’t go like this,” Kate protested.
“Absolutely not!” Miriam agreed, a horrified look on her face.
Will chuckled, and Kate feared he wanted her to embarrass his mother. Instead he said, “How about if Kate meets y
ou at Hall’s at three o’clock. She can shower, have lunch with me and do some packing and still make that, can’t you, Kate?”
“So nice of you to ask me, since you’re arranging my life,” she said pointedly, her frustration showing.
“They close at six. That would only give us three hours,” Miriam complained.
Before Kate could assure his mother she wouldn’t need more time than that, Will spoke again. “Having gone shopping with my fiancée, Mother, I can assure you three hours will be more than enough time. In fact, I’ll predict that you’ll have time left over.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, William. Shopping is hard work. We will have only begun at six o’clock,” Miriam asserted.
Kate didn’t want the woman’s feelings hurt, even if Will was right. “But at least we will have started. I’m sorry I can’t go right away, but I promise to be there at three o’clock.”
“Oh, very well. But I wish you would reconsider coming to stay with me until the wedding.”
“Absolutely not, Mother,” Will answered for her. “I’m keeping her close to me. Society can snub us, if they want.”
With a sigh, his mother left.
“You shouldn’t have looked so gleeful at the prospect of being snubbed. Your mother is going to get suspicious,” Kate warned.
“Then we’d better convince her.” He pulled her against him and lowered his lips to hers.
Kate’s assumption that his mother was watching made it easy to justify her behavior. She slid her arms up his chest and around his neck, her fingers sliding through his silky black hair, her body pressed against his. The rush of excitement that flooded her transported her from the work site to a heavenly place.
When his hands slid beneath her T-shirt, however, she gasped and pulled back, remembering just in time that they had an audience.
“Will!”
“Sorry, I got carried away. Let’s go inside,” he murmured.
But Kate knew better than to be alone with him. With nothing and no one to interrupt them, to remind her of reality. “Um, I have to shower You go have a cup of coffee and...and a piece of pie or something.”
“If I’m going to substitute pastry for sex for the next year, I’m going to blow up like a balloon,” he protested softly, so no one else could hear his words.
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