The Wedding Reject Table (Choc Lit) (Nashville Connections Book 2)

by Angela Britnell

  ‘Right,’ he dragged out the single word and fought against smirking.

  ‘Back to the subject in hand.’ Maggie pulled up the sheet to cover herself, giving him a stern glare. ‘I’ll answer as honestly as I can. I have a sneaking suspicion I love you as well but as you say it’s too soon. I’m probably equally crazy and all I’m saying for now is that I might consider your “suggestion” at some point.’

  ‘Okay.’ Chad thought he’d just been sort-of accepted. Maybe. ‘You want to leave it there for now?’

  ‘Well I’m hardly going to suggest going to the nearest jewellery shop, am I?’ Maggie’s sharp sense of humour re-emerged and he relaxed again. ‘You’d better get dressed and clear out of here before my dear sister puts in an appearance. I am not ready to explain any of this to her.’ She gestured at them both and the bed. ‘You can return at half past two showered, well-dressed and ready for us to brave Great Aunt Audrey in her lair.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am.’ Chad popped a quick kiss on her lush, tempting lips. ‘Will I need a bulletproof vest?’

  Maggie’s eyebrows raised. ‘Hardly, although you might consider a bunch of flowers. She’ll say they’re a waste of money but if you don’t take any you’ll be marked down as cheap.’

  ‘She already thinks I’m a crass, mouthy Yank so it’d only be one more black mark against me.’

  ‘Great Aunt Audrey is one smart woman,’ she joked and poked his arm. ‘I need to hurry into the kitchen and bake a coffee and walnut sponge. It’s her favourite although she’ll complain about that too – it won’t be the right size, it’ll be too sweet and have either too much or not enough icing. But that’s alright. It’s her way and I know she loves me really.’

  Chad cupped his hand behind her neck and eased her towards him for a last kiss. ‘That’s all that matters.’ It took all his self-control to stop and pull away. ‘I’d better go.’

  ‘Mm. I suppose you had,’ Maggie sighed.

  Reluctantly he got back up from the bed and dressed, not daring to look at her again until he was ready. ‘You gonna come down and kiss me goodbye?’ Chad said hopefully.

  ‘If you’re good.’

  ‘You mean I wasn’t good enough already?’ he teased, pretending to be offended. ‘Maybe I’ll have to come back tonight and try harder.’

  ‘You are so wicked.’ Maggie wagged her finger playfully in his face. ‘Anyway that depends on Emily.’

  ‘Fair enough.’

  They headed downstairs and Chad managed to sneak in several more kisses before she made him leave. Now it was time to get prepared to win over the old lady. If he could get her firmly on his side Maggie would be next.

  Chapter Seventeen

  ‘This is it?’ Chad’s voice rose and Maggie stifled a giggle.

  Holland House always surprised people the first time they saw the magnificent white rendered Art Deco era building. No doubt Chad imagined Audrey lived in a sprawling, gloomy old mansion run by a couple of ancient family retainers. ‘It isn’t what you expected?’

  ‘You know it’s not,’ Chad retorted. ‘You could’ve warned me.’

  ‘And what fun would that have been?’ She laughed as he mumbled complaints about weird English women under his breath. ‘Park anywhere along the front. Audrey owns the whole house but only lives on the top floor since she was widowed and rents out the downstairs.’

  Chad stopped the car and quickly walked around to open Maggie’s door. He took the cake box from her hands while she got out before passing it back to her. Reaching into the car he took out a stunning bouquet of cream lilies. He locked up the car and stood still for a moment, scrutinising her godmother’s home.

  ‘A lot of people believe this house inspired the designer of the Tate Gallery here in St. Ives,’ Maggie explained, pointing to the sprawling town spread out beneath their view. Clinging to the edge of the water it shimmered in the afternoon sunshine making it obvious why so many artists had been drawn here over the years. ‘I’d tell you more but that would spoil Audrey’s moment of glory.’ She remembered being brought here as a small child by her mother and warned to be on her best behaviour. But Audrey had let her touch anything she wanted as long as she was careful and told her the fascinating stories behind every piece of furniture and the myriad of paintings and sculptures.

  ‘We wouldn’t want that. She’s going to enjoy crowing over me. I mentioned my interest in early twentieth century English design but she didn’t say anything about owning this little gem.’ Chad chuckled. ‘I may, or may not mention my own family’s pre-Civil War mansion. Depends how much she gloats.’

  Maggie laughed along with him, but a sliver of uneasiness ran through her.

  ‘Hey, honey, it’s just a house. It’s nothing to do with us.’ He slid his arm around her shoulder.

  She wanted to be reassured but knew it had everything to do with them. This wasn’t real life for either of them. It didn’t matter whether it happened in three days or three weeks, at some point the fantasy would blow up and they’d be faced with the truth.

  Gently he turned her to face him. ‘Don’t create obstacles. Be open to new possibilities.’

  ‘You sound like a fortune cookie,’ she jibed.

  ‘If you weren’t guarding that cake with your life I’d kiss you senseless to stop the nonsense you’re spouting. But sadly it’d only give Audrey looking down on us from her vantage point more ammunition.’

  ‘Do you think she’s watching?’

  ‘Yep, I’d bet anything on it and if we’re even thirty seconds late I’ll get the blame.’ He grinned and brandished the flowers like a weapon. ‘Come on. Let’s go and have tea.’

  ‘Right.’ With a resigned sigh Maggie led the way. She opened the front door and stepped into the massive rectangular entrance hall.

  ‘Very dramatic. The architect knew how to make a stunning first impression.’ Chad’s dry comment made her smile.

  Maggie loved the dark green and white geometric tiles, stained glass windows and sweeping wrought-iron staircase, always imagining herself arriving here ready for a glamorous cocktail party. ‘We could take the lift but I’m sure Audrey would prefer us to walk. You’ll get an amazing view over the beach and the town plus appreciate the design of the house far better.’

  I also get to spend longer with you, always a bonus. Chad let Maggie walk on up first and followed slowly behind her. On the way he made mental notes of everything he saw, determined to come back and take pictures another day. His father wouldn’t believe it unless he had proof.

  ‘Here we are.’ She gestured towards a set of stainless steel and glass doors. Chad sensed her nervousness increase and her fingers tightened around the square white cake box.

  Before Maggie could touch the doorbell a young woman popped her head out around and beckoned them inside. ‘Mrs Trembarth is waiting for you. I’m Louise Giles, her assistant.’

  Out of the corner of his eye Chad spotted an intriguing sculpture sitting in the middle of a small oval table and couldn’t resist taking a closer look.

  ‘Do you recognise that?’ Audrey’s challenge rang out from the far end of the room.

  ‘Of course. Eric Gill’s Divine Lovers. 1923. Excellent copy.’

  Maggie stifled a laugh and he winked to tell her they were in this together.

  ‘Hmm. Come over where I can see you both.’ Audrey beckoned to them, her silhouette framed by the distinctive radius bay windows behind her; one aspect of Art Deco style he particularly admired.

  ‘These are for you.’ Chad proffered the flowers and caught the older woman’s quick flash of surprise before she gave him a slight nod. ‘Louise will take them away to arrange later. Do sit down so we can have our tea and talk.’

  You mean you’ll talk and we’ll listen.

  ‘I made one of your favourite coffee and walnut cakes this morning,’ Maggie ventured, holding out the box. She received a slight half-smile in return which he guessed indicated extreme happiness in Audrey’s book.

  ‘T
hank you, dear. Louise will cut it up for us,’ Audrey decreed, passing the box over.

  A tea tray loaded with striking brightly coloured china was set down on the glass coffee table in front of them and Chad stared in amazement at the distinctive triangular pattern. It was probably bad manners but he picked up the nearest cup and upturned it to read the words on the bottom. He let out a low whistle. ‘Hand painted Bizarre by Clarice Cliff, Newport Pottery England.’

  ‘Do you like it, Mr Robertson?’ Audrey’s sharp tone was belied by the shine lighting up her pale blue eyes.

  ‘I sure do, ma’am.’ He didn’t attempt to hide his admiration. ‘My father has been an avid collector for years and I’m a particular admirer of Clarice Cliff’s early works. This is nineteen twenty-seven or eight I’d say. The on-glaze enamel colours are what make it so bright. I’ve never seen a complete set outside of a museum.’

  Maggie scrutinised them both as though they’d come from another planet. He’d forgotten she knew very little about him outside of his non-existent cooking abilities and his talents in … other areas that he didn’t dare think about right now.

  ‘They were a wedding gift from my late husband in homage to my Clarice Cliff obsession. We’d recently inherited this house from my parents and the china was a perfect fit,’ Audrey explained and turned to Maggie. ‘I’m afraid your new boyfriend would prefer to drool over my Art Deco collection rather than discuss what I really brought you here to talk about.’

  ‘Not at all. I’ll come back another day to … drool, as you so delicately phrased it, if I’m invited of course,’ Chad said, hoping he’d succeeded in convincing her that he wasn’t an ignorant lout.

  Audrey nodded. ‘You’ll be welcome at any time. I always enjoy sharing my love of the era with other connoisseurs.’

  If it wouldn’t have horrified her Chad could’ve kissed the old lady.

  A charming smile crept over Maggie’s face as she realised they’d had some quasi-royal blessing bestowed on them. Suddenly her good humour faded away and she frowned.

  ‘What did you want to discuss?’

  ‘Firstly, Emily. I heard very disturbing rumours at the wedding on Saturday. Of course they were spread by Tonya, but unfortunately she’s often right where gossip is concerned.’

  Chad reached over and squeezed Maggie’s hand, wanting to remind her that he was on her side, in every way she wanted him to be.

  She tilted her head defiantly. ‘I expect you heard that Jonathan broke off their engagement. It was true at the time but they’ve since reconciled and Emily is behaving in a very mature, responsible way.’ For a change. Chad was sure Audrey heard Maggie’s unsaid words too. ‘They’re expecting a baby together and will be married on the fifth of August.’ As the words tumbled out the old lady’s features hardened.

  Maggie tightened her hold on Chad’s large, warm hand and fixed her gaze firmly on Audrey. She waited for the lecture to begin.

  ‘It’s not an ideal way to start, but maybe this will be the making of Emily. With a child to look after she won’t have the time to be as self-absorbed. Hopefully her fiancé has a stern backbone or it won’t last long,’ Audrey expounded, giving Chad a stern sideways glance that he interpreted as meaning he’d better have one too. ‘I assume you won’t keep the business going? I know she talked you into starting it in the first place.’

  Maggie shifted in her seat. She hadn’t made her mind up yet what to do and wasn’t ready to be pinned down.

  ‘You might say it’s none of my business … yet,’ Chad intervened, ‘but Maggie’s had a lot to process this last couple of days. She doesn’t need to be pushed into anything by anybody before she’s ready.’

  ‘A lot to process? How very American. In a minute you’ll tell me she needs to get “closure”. I consider Maggie to be as much a part of my family as Fiona and I frequently offer family members my opinions and advice. Whether or not they take it is completely up to them. But I will not be silent, Mr Robertson, when someone I … care for needs help and guidance.’

  Maggie knew she’d better jump in before this disintegrated into a full-scale row. Chad wouldn’t hold back out of some outdated notion of deference and he’d staunchly defend her even if it meant giving Audrey a heart attack. ‘Stop, please, both of you.’ They stared at her as though she was the crazy one. ‘I appreciate you’re trying to help but you’re only making things worse. I’m going to help Emily plan her wedding and once that’s over and she and Jonathan are settled I’ll make some decisions about my own life.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Chad hurried to apologise. ‘I didn’t mean you weren’t capable of …’

  She kissed him directly on the mouth, ignoring Audrey’s disapproving scowl. ‘I know. We’ll talk later. Promise.’ Maggie turned back to her elderly almost-relative. ‘I know you want the best for me and if I need help I won’t hesitate to ask.’ She couldn’t resist smiling. ‘Of course you might give me another lecture, but I know it’s done from the kindness of your heart so I don’t mind.’ Not much anyway. She leaned over and kissed Audrey’s papery skin, causing two round red splotches of heat to colour her godmother’s sunken cheeks. ‘I love you.’ Audrey murmured something and Maggie didn’t ask her to repeat it. They didn’t do overt displays of affection, and she’d already embarrassed the older woman enough.

  ‘Drink your tea or it will get cold,’ Audrey ordered. ‘Of course as I understand it you Americans prefer it that way,’ she scoffed.

  ‘We sure do, ma’am,’ Chad’s usually soft drawl thickened and it was all Maggie could do not to laugh out loud. ‘We’re partial to tossing your tea in our harbours too on occasion,’ he retorted. Maggie was shocked when Audrey suddenly burst out laughing; a rich, warm sound she didn’t remember ever hearing before.

  ‘You’re a very outspoken young man.’

  ‘Thank you. My parents raised me that way.’

  ‘When you return to Cornwall to marry Maggie you will bring them to stay here. I would enjoy picking your father’s brains,’ Audrey declared.

  Maggie’s jaw gaped open and she was speechless.

  ‘You’re very kind and you’ll be the first to know if we’ll be able to take you up on your generous offer,’ Chad said softly.

  ‘If young Emily can come to her senses I have far higher hopes for this one,’ Audrey declared, gesturing at Maggie.

  She almost asked if anyone had remembered she was there but Chad immediately wrapped his arm around her shoulders making her aware of his calm, reassuring strength all over again.

  ‘So do I,’ he murmured. ‘Would you consider us rude if we left you now? I’d really enjoy seeing something of St. Ives.’

  Maggie was pleased he’d had the courage to ask because she really wanted to show him around. They wouldn’t have time to do justice to the Tate Gallery today but he’d get a sense of why the area had drawn thousands of artists over the last hundred and fifty years. She knew in her heart that Chad would join the ranks of its admirers.

  ‘Yes, I would, but you can go anyway. Don’t ever waste a moment of the short amount of time you’ve been given in life. Too many people do,’ Audrey said sharply.

  Maggie held onto the words, tucking them away to think about later.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chad munched on a hot greasy chip, doused in salt and vinegar by Maggie who’d insisted it was the only way to eat them. He dangled his long legs down over the sea wall and stared out across the inky black sea twinkling with shimmering jewel-bright reflections from the lights strung around the harbour.

  They’d walked all around St. Ives, vying with the crowds of tourists packing the narrow streets. Maggie insisted they avoided the gift shops full of Cornish knick-knacks and steered them instead towards the wide array of unique local arts and crafts. He’d bought her a fascinating driftwood figure she’d admired as a memento of the day. Created by a St. Ives artist its flowing hair and enigmatic expression reminded him of Maggie herself. Eventually the aroma drifting out from the nume
rous pasty shops stirred his appetite back to life but she’d made him wait until the streets began to empty for a fish and chip supper.

  ‘I’d miss this,’ Maggie murmured. ‘It’s not easy, is it?’

  He shook his head and broke off a piece of battered fish, popping it into his mouth and chewing to give himself more thinking time before he replied.

  ‘What’s Tennessee like?’

  ‘We have four seasons same as you do except the summers are hotter and more humid. Fall’s probably my favourite time of year, the colours are incredible especially up in the Smoky Mountains. We’ve no coastline of course but there are a ton of beautiful lakes for swimming, boating and fishing.’ There was so much more he could say but Chad didn’t want Maggie to think he was trying to hard sell her on his home state.

  Maggie pinched another of his chips. When they’d placed their order at the shop she’d insisted she didn’t want any but had promptly proceeded to eat at least half of his. ‘I’ve never had the opportunity to travel apart from a couple of cheap weekend trips to France.’

  ‘I’ve been lucky. My folks took us all over the States, plus we did several trips to the Caribbean and two summers we roamed all over Europe. I’ve done more on my own too. I love seeing how other people live, the differences and the similarities binding us together.’ I want to show you the world, Maggie. He shoved another chip in his mouth to keep from speaking his undisciplined thoughts out loud.

  ‘Are you close to your family?’

  ‘Yes and no.’ Chad shrugged. ‘My folks get on at me sometimes for having too active a social life. The way I look at it is I’m single, I’m not in debt and I don’t have any addictions beyond the occasional shot of Jack Daniels plus an unhealthy fondness for good fried chicken. Don’t get me wrong. I admire their long marriage and that of all my grandparents.’ He hesitated over how to express his reservations. ‘I don’t want to be the one to break the Robertson track record. I guess I’m scared of screwing up.’ Maggie frowned and he was afraid he’d been too honest. ‘You’ve made me see it’s a cowardly way to live.’