Heart of Gold

by B. J Daniels

  “You never get over it—if it’s the real thing. For me, it was the real thing.” He let out a self-deprecating chuckle. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t for her. Maybe that’s why I keep making the same mistake, falling for the wrong women.”

  Oh boy, here it comes, she thought.

  He was standing directly in front of her now, having slowly crossed the room until he had her nearly pinned against the door. “I know about Amanda.”

  Charlie had nothing to say to that.

  “I know about her and Royce. Don’t look so surprised. I’m no fool. But that doesn’t change anything.” He shrugged. “She had to get it out of her system. I understand that.”

  She groaned inwardly, unsure where this was heading.

  “I also know that she’s the one who sent you the mouse. If she was still bothering you, you’d tell me, wouldn’t you?”

  “Of course.”

  He looked at her as if to say she was a terrible liar, which she was.

  “I don’t know what her problem is with you,” he said with a shake of his head. “I guess she senses that I have a connection to you.”

  Oh no, this isn’t going there.

  “I’m so sorry,” Greg was saying.

  “There isn’t a problem,” Charlie said quickly, her heart pounding as she reached for the door handle behind her. “I’m going to be her maid of honor. In fact, I really need to get downstairs to meet—”

  “You asked me at the bar if I’d hired a headhunter to get you.” He chuckled again, smiling as he looked at her in a way that made her even more nervous. “I lied about using a headhunter for the rest of my staff. I should have told you the truth. I wanted you and I was determined to get you.”

  She felt light-headed. This was not happening. Not with the wedding rehearsal this afternoon. Not with her alone in this room with him. She felt a sliver of fear work its way up her spine. Could she get out the door without him stopping her? How far did he plan to take this? “Greg—”

  “It’s all right.” He reached for her just as she heard a card being inserted in the locked door behind her.

  She let out a silent thank-you as the door opened only a few inches before it collided with her body.

  “Charlie?” Shep’s voice was the most wonderful sound she thought she’d ever heard.

  “Shep!” She quickly slipped past Greg and moved away from the door to allow Shep to enter.

  One look at her face and he said, “What’s wrong?” and took a step into the room, stopping short of her boss. “I didn’t realize you had company.”

  “Greg was just leaving,” she said. For a moment it was as if they were all frozen in place.

  “I’m sure we’ll get another chance to talk,” Greg said, nodding at her as he moved toward the open doorway.

  It wasn’t until he’d left, closing the door behind him, that Charlie threw herself into Shep’s arms.

  * * *

  “YOU’RE SHAKING LIKE A LEAF,” Shep said, holding her tightly against him. “What the hell was that about?”

  Charlie pulled back. She still looked pale and shaken. “I have no idea but from the way he was talking... I’m not sure there is going to be a wedding. I think he might have hired me for more than my design skills.”

  Shep held her by her shoulders so he could see her face. “What are you talking about?”

  “I don’t even know. For a moment, I thought he was going to profess his undying love.” She shook her head. “He was talking crazy... I didn’t know where he was headed, but it was the same stuff he was talking about when he followed me into the bar the other day.”

  Shep didn’t like it. He wanted to go after the guy and set him straight. Charlie was scared. Greg had unnerved her. “He sounded like he plans to try to talk to you again—before the wedding.”

  She looked as if she was having trouble believing this was happening.

  “Do you think he’s going to cancel the wedding?”

  “I have no idea. You heard him. He’s bound and determined to tell me something.” She shivered.

  He pulled her close again for a moment. “I’m glad we’re staying in the same room. I’ll try to stay at your side until this is over.”

  “You’ll get no argument from me.”

  “That might just be a first,” he joked as she stepped from his arms. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

  “Thanks to you showing up when you did.” She took a ragged breath and let it out. “I just know I don’t want to be alone with him.”

  “I’ll do my best to make sure that doesn’t happen.” He watched her take her bag over to the bed and set it down. He could tell that she was still scared, still worried.

  “He was such a good boss,” she said. “I’m afraid this will mean the end of my job.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I can find another one.” She tried to smile. “I just don’t understand any of it. He’s never acted like this before. Maybe it’s the wedding.”

  Shep hated to add to any of that but he wanted to be the one to tell her. “I have some rather shocking news.” She looked up expectantly. He quickly told her about what he’d seen on the news downstairs in the bar about Daniel’s roommate.

  “You don’t think it was an accident?” she asked as she sat down on the edge of the bed, looking even more shaken.

  “He was looking into Lindy’s murder and now he’s dead? No, I don’t think it was an accident.”

  Charlie hugged herself, looking chilled in the warm room.

  “I called Daniel at work,” he said.

  Her gaze shot up. “Why?”

  “I wanted to talk to him about why his roommate had been investigating your stepsister’s murder. You have to admit, it’s strange.”

  “And?”

  “He thought it had something to do with some girl Jason was dating. He said Jason described her as ‘freaky, freaky scary.’ Daniel said he never met her or knew her name, but that he saw her once waiting for Jason outside of work. A blonde.”

  “You think it was Lacey?” she demanded, eyes wide.

  “I think it’s more than possible given Jason’s hit-and-run. All I can imagine is that he was getting too close to the truth.”

  Her cell phone rang, startling them both. Charlie groaned as she checked the screen. “It’s Amanda.” She let it ring again. “I guess if we find out it’s over, we can leave.” She crossed her fingers of her left hand and picked up the phone with her right. “Hello?”

  “I need you down here. The rehearsal’s been moved up an hour. Greg is so anxious to make this happen he’s making everyone crazy. He says he wants us down here right now. He’s waiting and said to make sure you got word.” Amanda’s laugh indicated that she’d been through a few glasses of wine and that if anything, she was more nervous than before.

  Charlie shot a look at Shep. “I’ll be right down.”

  “We’ll be right down,” he said as she disconnected. “I’m no longer sure of who I have to keep you safe from.”

  She flashed him a smile an instant before tears filled her eyes. “Have I told you how glad I am that you’re here?”

  He nodded and pulled her into his arms. “There’s nowhere I’d rather be on this earth than with you,” he said against her hair. He felt a rush of emotion as he drew back to look at her. This love he felt was so strong, it made how he’d felt about her years ago pale in comparison.

  With it came fear for Charlie. Lacey was still out there and if he was right, she’d killed Jason. So far, Lacey had just been taunting Charlie. But it felt as if she was no longer fooling around. All his instincts told him she would be coming after Charlie next.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHARLIE DIDN’T KNOW what to expect as she and Shep went to meet Greg and Amanda. Tears and hysteria were definitely high on the possible li
st though. Greg had wanted both Amanda and her downstairs. Charlie really doubted it was because he’d moved up the rehearsal. She was hoping that by the time she and Shep reached the lower room, the fireworks would be over.

  But as she pushed open the door, Shep right behind her, she was shocked to find that Amanda had been right. Greg had moved up the rehearsal by an hour. The preacher was standing at one end of the room holding a large Bible. In front of him were Greg and Amanda. Greg had his arm around her. They were both smiling.

  “There you are!” Amanda said, a reprimand tinging her words. She disconnected herself from Greg to rush toward them. “Oh, you brought your...friend. He looks just as good in clothes. Are you ready?”

  “Ready as I will ever be,” Charlie said under her breath as she noticed how many chairs had been brought in on both sides of the aisle. Were that many guests really coming?

  She must have asked the question aloud.

  Mugging a face at her, Amanda grabbed her arm forcefully and said, “Greg has a lot of friends and associates and I have a few friends.”

  “Just not one you wanted to ask to be your maid of honor,” Charlie said under her breath as Amanda squeezed her too hard.

  They both turned toward where Greg was standing, waiting with the preacher. Charlie did her best not to meet Greg’s eyes as she let Amanda lead her toward the preacher. “Where’s the best man?” she whispered.

  “Late. As usual,” Amanda replied just as quietly. They reached Greg, and Amanda let go of her.

  “As soon as the best man arrives...” Greg said. “I don’t believe we’ve met,” he said as Shep started to take a seat in the front row. “Not formally, anyway.”

  “Shep, this is my boss, Greg Shafer,” Charlie said. “And this is Westly Shepherd, my—”

  “I’m the man who’s going to marry Charlie,” Shep said and smiled at her. “That is if she’ll have me.”

  She felt a little light-headed.

  “Really?” Greg said. “I didn’t realize it was that...serious.”

  “Oh, I’m very serious,” he said, not taking his eyes off her. Charlie felt her cheeks flare.

  “Of course she’ll have you!” Amanda cried. “Look at her, she’s practically glowing. I wish I’d known,” she said, hurrying to hug Charlie. “If I’d known, we could have had a double wedding.”

  Charlie couldn’t speak. Shep had practically asked her to marry him. And just the thought of a double wedding with Amanda... She mentally slapped herself. Shep was just doing this to keep Greg away from her. It wasn’t like he’d just asked her to marry him. Yet when she met his gaze again...

  She flushed as her heart hammered in her chest.

  “Well, it’s nice to meet you,” Greg said, shaking Shep’s hand. “You’re a very lucky man. I can’t tell you how much I admire Charlie. We love having her on our team. Don’t we, Amanda?”

  “Absolutely,” Amanda said, sounding bored.

  Charlie was relieved when the door swung open and a man hurried in.

  “Who the hell moved up the rehearsal?” Royce Braden demanded before laughing and grabbing Greg in a bear hug.

  The man was bigger than life, tall, broad-shouldered, jovial and handsome. He also looked younger than Greg and much more athletic. If Charlie had wondered what had possessed Amanda, she no longer did. She was still shocked at Greg’s attitude about the...affair.

  But then that brought up the question of why Royce would sleep with his best friend’s fiancée when he could probably have his pick of women.

  “You really are anxious to tie the knot, aren’t you?” Royce said as he looked past Greg’s shoulder. His expression sobered as he took in Charlie. “This must be Charlie Farmington, the amazing designer I’ve heard so much about.”

  Greg made the introductions while she wondered if it had been Amanda or Greg who’d been singing her praises. That ridiculous stray thought made her laugh to herself.

  “Glad I finally got to meet you,” Royce said as he looked past her to Amanda who hadn’t moved, who didn’t even seem to be breathing.

  The preacher cleared his throat and asked. “Wasn’t there more in the wedding party?”

  “Yes, a bridesmaid and another attendant,” Greg said. “But they couldn’t make the rehearsal. Don’t worry. They’ll be here tomorrow.”

  “I guess we’d better get to it then,” the preacher said. “I’m sorry to have moved up the rehearsal. I appreciate you all for being such good sports.”

  So it hadn’t been Greg who’d moved up the rehearsal, Charlie thought, and kept her eyes on the floor as the pastor began.

  Things went quickly until the end.

  “And,” the pastor said, joking, “we might as well see if anyone wants to object before the real thing tomorrow.”

  A tense few moments seemed to steal all the oxygen out of the air before the man continued to the part where he would pronounce Greg and Amanda husband and wife.

  * * *

  SHEP WAS RELIEVED. In the end, the wedding rehearsal was quick and relatively painless. He did notice one thing though, when the preacher asked if there was anyone who objected to this marriage...

  Greg had looked at Charlie and so did Amanda, then Amanda turned slightly and looked at Royce. A thick fog of tension seemed to fill the room before the pastor moved on and it was over.

  Greg suggested they all go to the bar where he’d ordered some champagne. Shep started to say that he and Charlie had other plans, but the man insisted.

  “You’re coming to the rehearsal dinner as Charlie’s plus-one, aren’t you?” Amanda asked him. “Or is there someone else she’s invited?” She looked around as if she thought another man might materialize. “With Charlie, I just never know.”

  Shep held his tongue as they all headed to the bar for one glass of champagne. Amanda scuttled off to make sure the staff had heard about dinner being early to accommodate night skiing. At least that was the excuse.

  Mostly, he worried about why Greg had come to Charlie’s room. What had he been about to tell her and why did all of this feel like it was being rushed? What was the hurry?

  Shep just hoped that Greg had gotten the message that Charlie wasn’t available. Had he really thought she might be interested in him? Why else would he want to tell her about his past love life? Maybe he’d planned to ask her advice about marrying Amanda.

  Whatever it had been, Shep planned to keep an eye on Greg and do his best to keep him away from Charlie—at least while he could. But what about after she returned to work at Greg’s company? Somehow he didn’t think that a marriage license was going to keep the man from pursuing Charlie.

  Shep’s cell phone rang. He slowed to let the others get a little ahead, but still in sight. Royce was walking beside Charlie, trying to engage her in conversation. From this distance, he appeared to be flirting with her. Shep knew he could be reading more into it than there was—until he saw Amanda’s expression when she rejoined them. She was livid and not doing a very good job of hiding it.

  “Hello?” Shep said into the phone.

  Paul Wagner’s thin, craggy voice came on. “I sent that photo. Let me know if you don’t get it and I’ll try again.”

  “Thanks,” Shep told him and checked. “It hasn’t come through yet.”

  “Well, I just sent it. Could take a little longer. I might try to send it again. You know, the more I think about, I’m sure it won’t be of any help. But you can call if you don’t see it.”

  Shep promised to do just that and caught up with the others.

  “Here’s my plus-one,” Royce announced as a young, shapely brunette came rushing down the hall toward them. “Meet Ruby Jo,” he said and looped an arm around the woman.

  “I just love weddings,” Ruby Jo announced, voice high and sweet as if she were talking to a baby. “They always make me cry.”

  �
��Me, too,” Amanda said, her gaze deadly and aimed at Royce.

  If Greg noticed, he didn’t show it. He seemed lost in his own thoughts. But as he poured the champagne, Shep saw him stealing glances in Charlie’s direction.

  It was clear he was still determined to talk to her.

  * * *

  TWO GLASSES OF champagne later, Charlie collapsed on their hotel bed laughing. When she saw Shep’s expression, she laughed even harder. Wiping her eyes, she sat up and faced him. “Why do you look so upset? That has to be the weirdest wedding rehearsal you’ve ever been to.”

  “There did seem to be a lot going on behind the scenes.”

  She laughed again. “Amanda was trying so hard not to look at Royce. And Royce! Clearly he was trying to make Amanda jealous. I mean feeding his date one nut at a time from the dish on the bar. I swear Amanda flinched every time Royce bent over to whisper in his date’s ear. I caught her rolling her eyes every time Ruby Jo laughed, which was often.”

  “That was the highest pitch laugh I think I’ve ever heard,” Shep agreed with a grin as he sat down on the end of the bed. “I think you enjoyed the intrigue more than I did though. I was busy watching Greg.”

  “Oh, I think he got the message. Didn’t you see how attentive he was to Amanda? I don’t think he’ll bother me again.” The few times Charlie had stolen looks at Greg, she’d seen him being sweet and loving to Amanda. “He probably just had a case of cold feet and was hoping I would tell him it was going to be fine.”

  “You know it was more than that or you wouldn’t have been scared.”

  She couldn’t deny it. “He was just so intense. But getting married is a big deal. Did I tell you that he knows about his best friend and Amanda? He doesn’t seem to be bothered by it. He said she was just getting it out of her system.”

  Shep shook his head. “How could he not be jealous?”

  She shrugged.

  “Charlie, you know what he wants to tell you. He doesn’t want to marry Amanda because he’s fallen for you.”

  “No,” she said, shaking her head.