It Started at Christmas...

by Jo McNally

  “Amanda? Are you there?”

  Her iPad was propped up on the dresser, and Mel’s video call was just coming in. Before Amanda could say anything, another window popped open on the screen. “Amanda? It’s Bree, darling. Are you there?”

  She jumped in front of the tablet and grinned at her cousins.

  “I’m here, girls, and I’m ready for you to make me look fabulous!”

  They both applauded, Mel from Miami and Bree from Los Angeles.

  Bree responded first. “Oh, sweetie, you already look fabulous! Raquel’s been busy, hasn’t she?”

  Her cousins had pulled out all the stops for her tonight. Mel had called her couture designer friend and a jeweler who owed her a favor. Reality TV star Bree had sent the best hair and makeup artist in the entertainment industry, Raquel Dubois.

  Raquel had been hard at work for over an hour, and Amanda’s makeup was flawless. Her hair was piled high on her head. She was wearing a black bustier studded with crystals, and a black lace thong that left little to the imagination. Mel gave her a wolf whistle.

  “You look amazing. Go just like that.”

  They all laughed.

  “Girls, I love everything you’ve done, and I’ll owe you forever. But I need your help. I can’t decide on a dress, and I’m running out of time. I don’t know which one sends the right message.”

  Bree lifted a glass of wine to her lips. “Well, Mandy, show us the options.”

  Amanda picked up the tablet and aimed it at the wardrobe rack in her room. “I’ve narrowed it down to these three. The tight black strapless one, the dark red ball gown with the low, low neckline and no back, or the blue silk with all the draping and the side slit.”

  “The next question,” Mel said, “is what exactly are you trying to say? What’s your goal here? Make him jealous? Make him sorry? Make him want to jump your bones on the dinner table? What?”

  Amanda set the iPad on the dresser and stood in front of it.

  “I want to be the woman he loves.”

  Bree set her wineglass down quickly while Mel coughed.

  “Okay, then.” It was Bree. “Go with the blue. And, Raquel?”

  The beautician stepped into the picture. “Yes, Miss Mathews?”

  “Let her hair down. Glue some of those little crystals in it, but just a few. Enough to look dew kissed, but no more. Like you did for Carrie’s hair at last month’s awards show. And tone down the makeup for a more natural look.”

  They sorted out her jewelry from the pile of jewelry boxes, settling on a diamond choker, simple drop earrings and a wide gold bracelet studded with tiny diamonds. Mel asked about shoes.

  “Black, silver or gold?” Amanda held up one of each.

  “The black ones,” Bree said. “Bags?”

  “I’m carrying that antique bag I bought with Mel in Gallant Lake.”

  Mel laughed. “That will be perfect!” She had no idea how perfect. She had no idea that it was Madeleine Pendleton’s cocktail bag. Or that the key they’d all laughed about had unlocked secrets from a century ago.

  Amanda felt tears threatening as Raquel unpinned her hair, then pulled some narrow strands back from the side of her face to clip in the back. Large curls fell down over her shoulders. Raquel grabbed a tissue and handed it to her so she could carefully blot under her eyes.

  “Don’t you dare cry!” Bree called out. “Don’t cry until Tall, Dark and Handsome has a chance to see you...”

  Another video call rang in. It was Nora, the Atlanta socialite. “Hi, y’all! What did I miss? Oh, my God, Amanda! You look like a movie star! But you still look like you. Where’s the dress?”

  “Hang on and you’ll see...” Amanda stepped away from the webcam and into the cobalt blue dress, which hugged her figure in all the right places. When she stepped back in front of the camera, all three cousins squealed together.

  “That’s it!”

  “Oh, my God, you look like a water nymph!”

  “Gorgeous!”

  She spun in front of them, then caught her reflection in the mirror on the wall. She didn’t recognize the elegant woman staring back at her. She’d never worn a fifty-thousand-dollar dress before. And she’d certainly never worn a quarter million in borrowed diamonds. She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and forced her shoulders back. She could do this. She had to do this.

  Her phone chirped with a text. It was Caroline Patterson, Andy’s fiancée. Just arrived in the ballroom. We’re at table four. I’m in dark brown velvet. Blake isn’t here yet.

  Amanda typed a response. On my way. Wearing blue. She glanced back to the iPad and waved to her cousins.

  “This is it, girls. Wish me luck!” She blew them a kiss and pressed the button on the tablet as they all waved and shouted their love to her. Jamal was waiting outside her room, dressed in a tux, and his eyebrows shot to his hairline when he saw her.

  “You look stunning, Amanda.”

  “Thank you, Jamal. Let’s hope Blake thinks so.”

  The ballroom was a glittering wonderland. Table four was on the far side of the dance floor. A laughing brunette was standing there in a skintight brown dress, with auburn hair piled high on her head. Next to her was a tall man with reddish-blond hair and striking blue eyes. The brunette saw Amanda as she was walking across the dance floor and smiled warmly, nudging the good-looking man at her side.

  “You must be Amanda! I’m Caroline.” She had a soft Southern drawl. “Oh, my God, you look amazing.” Caroline gave her a quick squeeze. “This is my fiancé, Andy. He and Blake go way back, and he’s been sweating bullets all day about helping you with this little surprise. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  Amanda shook Andy’s hand. “I hope so, too.” She barely whispered the words. She was having serious second thoughts. This could go wrong in so many ways. Andy stepped away to speak with two gentlemen who’d called his name. Caroline leaned close, and her accent seemed to thicken.

  “If you’re trying to knock his socks off, that dress will do it for sure.”

  Amanda looked at the other woman. “I need him to know how much I love him.”

  Caroline whistled softly. “You haven’t told him how you feel? Well, honey, this is one hell of a place to do it. Andy says the crowd here can be pretty intense. The current and former mayors are here, and the governor is the guest speaker. You’ve got some balls, girl, if you know what I mean.”

  A sheen of sweat covered Amanda’s skin. If this plan backfired, it would be very public. And it would break her heart. She tried to shake off the clawing panic. “How long have you and Andy been engaged?”

  “Only about a month. We’re hoping to have the wedding at Blake’s Barbados resort next spring. Andy would be happy dashing to Vegas this weekend for a quickie I-do. But I’m my momma’s only child, and she wants a real wedding with all the trappings. How can I say no to her?”

  Amanda stopped listening somewhere around “dashing to Vegas.”

  That was the moment Blake walked into the ballroom.

  He was alone, which was an enormous relief. He looked tired. Or maybe worried? He shook some man’s hand, then turned and looked up. His eyes locked on hers. He froze, and so did she.

  “Holy beefcake, Amanda, is that him?” Caroline hissed into her ear.

  Amanda could only nod in response.

  “No wonder you want him to love you. And look at how he’s looking at you... I could melt just from the residual heat over here.”

  Amanda tried to read all the expressions that ran across Blake’s face. Shock. A quick smile. Confusion. Worry. His gaze drifted from her face down the length of her gown and back again. The corner of his mouth slid into a crooked grin. She knew that look. Caroline was right. It was pure molten desire. He started across the floor toward her. A smiling man reached for his hand, but Blake brushed him aside w
ithout slowing a beat. His eyes never left hers. Caroline stepped back with a gasp as Blake approached.

  Amanda braced herself, forgetting to breathe. Who needed oxygen when she had Blake? He stopped abruptly in front of her, his chest nearly touching her upturned chin. His hands clasped both sides of her face, his face so close that she could feel his breath coming hot and quick. His expression was so intense, so raw, that she almost couldn’t bear to look at him. She didn’t know how long they stood like that until she heard Andy’s voice.

  “Make your move, Randall, or walk away. You’re turning into the floor show.”

  People nearby were watching them with surprised curiosity. And still Amanda and Blake stared at each other. His voice was thick with emotion when he finally spoke.

  “You tell me you love me, Amanda Lowery.” His voice cracked. “Tell me you love me, damn it, because I sure as hell love you.”

  Relief washed over her.

  “I love you.” She barely had the words out before his mouth fell on hers, bruising her lips and forcing her teeth apart. His tongue pushed deep, and her hands moved up the front of his tuxedo until her fingers found the lapels and grabbed them.

  “Jesus, get a room...” It was Andy again. “Have some dignity, man.”

  Blake pulled away and Amanda groaned when his lips left hers. They were definitely the center of attention now. She stepped back, her face burning, but he didn’t let her go far, keeping his hand tightly on her hip. He held his other hand out to Andy.

  “I take it you had something to do with this?”

  Andy laughed. “You had me worried right up to that smokin’ kiss, my friend. I know you don’t like surprises, but Amanda can be very persuasive.” Andy pulled Caroline forward. “And this is the girl that made me lose all my common sense. Caroline, this is Blake Randall.”

  Blake released Amanda to put his arms around Caroline. “Great to meet you. He’s a lucky guy. Are you still looking at Barbados for the wedding?”

  She nodded, looking up at him with a bit of awe. Andy started to grumble.

  “Okay, okay, hands off my girl. You’ve got your own now.”

  “Yes, I do.” He smiled down at her as she moved back to his side. “I do, indeed. Champagne, baby?” He placed a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll be right back. You still have some explaining to do.”

  She grinned as he turned away with a nod to Jamal, who looked relieved. Andy was introducing Caroline to another couple, so she took the opportunity to glance around the ballroom. This was definitely a top-shelf crowd. Her borrowed diamonds had nothing on what some of the women were wearing.

  She was supremely grateful for the gown, which was on par with the rest of the expensive dresses in the room. There were plenty of familiar faces from the news and gossip pages among the guests. She spotted Blake standing in line for cocktails near the windows and breathed a sigh of relief. He loved her.

  The meal was a blur of rich food and loud laughter. Their table was easily the rowdiest in the ballroom, with Andy and Blake ragging on each other relentlessly. They were like a couple of frat boys, and Amanda loved hearing them tell stories about each other. She and Caroline became fast friends, and the conversation never waned. When the music started, they were the first two couples on the dance floor.

  After several songs, Andy offered to switch partners. It was a little odd to feel someone else’s hands on her, but she trusted this sun-tanned man with the deep blue eyes.

  “Are you okay, Amanda? You seem nervous.” His voice was lighter than Blake’s, but intense, as if he was ready to leap into battle at any moment.

  “I’m fine. I used to have issues about being touched by strangers, but I don’t think of you as a stranger. You and Blake are more like brothers than friends, which sort of makes you family.”

  “I’m an only child, and Blake may as well be, so yes, we are like brothers.” He grinned down at her. Blake was dancing nearby with Caroline, but only had eyes for Amanda.

  “Thanks for everything you did to make tonight happen.”

  He gave her a light squeeze, then spun her toward Blake. “You’re welcome.” He glanced at Blake. “You did good, my friend. She’s a keeper.”

  Blake released Caroline into Andy’s arms. “You too, man. We rock.”

  The two women rolled their eyes in unison as their men laughed.

  Jamal was on his phone when they returned to their table, and he didn’t look happy. He pulled Blake aside, and Amanda saw Blake’s face pale. She went to his side.

  “What is it?”

  He took her hand, his face grim. “Trouble at the resort. There was a fire at the old clubhouse.” The clubhouse was an older building that had been temporarily pulled back into action while the golf course was being expanded and renovated. Blake had shown her the plans for a brand-new structure that would be built on the edge of the lake.

  “Was anyone hurt?”

  “No, it was after dark when it started.” His frown deepened. “They think it was arson.”

  Amanda stared at him in dismay. The protesters had been a nuisance, but Julie told her things had taken a more aggressive turn recently. Julie had been confronted right on Main Street in town. Jamal said the number of threatening emails and phone calls coming to the resort had jumped sharply. That Russ guy said something about “stopping” Blake. But arson? What if they came to the house? She reached for Blake.

  “Zach...he and Julie are alone at Halcyon. If someone tries to go to the house...”

  Blake pulled her in close and kissed the top of her head.

  “We’re leaving for Halcyon now. Jamal went to get the car. Zach and Julie are fine. No one’s been near the house, and extra security is setting up as we speak.”

  She followed him out the door without another word.

  * * *

  Amanda was curled up under Blake’s arm in the limousine. He pulled her closer and buried his face in her hair. God, he loved the scent of her. He loved the feel of her in his arms. The way she’d laughed as they were dancing.

  “You know,” he said softly, “right up until the end, that was the best Builders Ball ever. I still can’t quite believe you’re here.”

  She chuckled against his chest. “Your reputation for hating surprises had everyone sweating. Andy was afraid it was going to backfire. And poor Jamal was sure he was losing his job.”

  “And yet you managed to convince them to do it. I definitely need to find a place for you in my company. You’re quite the negotiator.” He reached down and tipped her chin up so he could see her face. “What made you do all of this? Showing up here... What changed?”

  “I learned I was wrong. You were telling the truth about not building the casino. You bought the land to protect Gallant Lake.”

  He frowned and dropped his hand from her face. He didn’t want to renew their argument, but... “But I’d already told you I wasn’t building the casino.”

  She pushed herself upright and stared straight into his eyes. “I know. And I know it hurt you when I didn’t believe you. I’m so sorry about that. More sorry than you can imagine.” She dropped her head, and he had to listen closely to hear her next words. “You’re nothing like all the men who’ve betrayed me. I knew that in my heart, but I still...” She looked up, her face crestfallen. “But I still doubted. I was afraid to believe what we had was real. That it could last. That you could possibly feel the same way.”

  He placed a gentle kiss on her lips, then her nose, then her forehead as she rested her head on his shoulder again. They’d both made so many foolish mistakes. “I’m sorry, too. I lost my temper and stomped away like a spoiled kid. I’d just come off a confrontation with my father and brother, and I took it all out on you. Instead of fighting for us, I walked away. I promise never to do that again.”

  She lifted her head and stared at him for a long minute. Headlights moved past th
em outside, flickering across her face. She gave him a crooked grin.

  “A friend gave me some really good advice this week.”

  “Yeah? What advice was that?”

  “Well, first she made me understand that I shouldn’t expect your feelings to be any less than mine. If I would never betray you, then it was cruel to think that you could betray me. Then she told me that ‘after everything we mortals fill our lives with, the only thing that matters is love.’ After hearing that, I realized I had to make sure you knew how much I loved you.”

  He took a deep breath to slow his pounding heart. “Smart friend. Who was she?”

  “Hmm? Oh, I don’t think you’ve met her...”

  With a quick move, he scooped her up and set her across his lap. He needed her in his arms. Forever.

  “Careful!” she yelped as she adjusted her dress. “All of this stuff is borrowed, so don’t tear the dress. I turn into a pumpkin at midnight.”

  He ran his hands down the bodice of the dark blue gown. “I like this dress. I think we’ll buy it.” He held up her hand so the bracelet twinkled in the reflection of the headlights of cars around them. “I like this, too. Let’s keep it. The rest we can take care of tomorrow. And don’t worry, I won’t let anyone turn you into a pumpkin or anything else, Mandy.”

  “Mandy? I don’t think you’ve called me that before.” She tipped her head to the side and grinned at him.

  “Isn’t that what your family calls you?”

  “Sometimes. It’s a nickname Nora started. I like how it sounds on your lips.”

  “Okay, then. Mandy, snuggle into me and get some rest. We’ve got another hour or so before we’re home.”

  She obliged with a sigh. “Our home. It’s a dream come true, Blake.”

  “You’re the dream come true, sweetheart.” He kissed the top of her head and waited until her steady breathing told him she was asleep. Then he lowered the window dividing the back of the limousine from the front. Jamal was behind the wheel.