“Come by Mom’s house tonight, and we’ll all have dinner together before the party. You can get to know Phoebe a little better, and we can brainstorm some ideas to help Mom.”
“I’ll come for your mom’s sake. But not to play into your shenanigans.” He smirked and rolled his eyes. “Do you ever think about the damage you do to these girls? It’s not right playing with their hearts the way you do.”
“Five o’clock?” Beau asked, ignoring his comment.
Rich looked down at his coffee and shook his head. “Fine. I’ll see you then.”
Chapter Twelve
Phoebe showered and dressed and was just about to sit down at her desk and get started on her jewelry but decided to get a cup of coffee first, and maybe even breakfast. Why not, all her meals were comped after all. She walked into the bar. “Hi, Rich, how are you doing this morning?”
“Contemplating this cup of coffee here. Want to join me?”
She hesitated for a moment. She needed to get to work before heading over to the conference. Her decision to spend the night with Beau instead of working on her jewelry would cost her. But the hopeful look on Rich’s face had her walking toward him. What would five minutes hurt? “Sure. What’s up?”
“I talked to Beau this morning.”
“Oh?”
“I’m worried about this charade you both are pulling. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Okay.” She cringed. What could she say? That’s sweet? Thank you for thinking of me? I’m a big girl; don’t worry?
“Beau acts like a bull sometimes, going full steam after what he wants without thinking of the consequences. I don’t want you to pay the price for his impetuousness.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that. I really do. Beau and I are having fun. I know where I stand. No one will get hurt.”
“And this fake engagement?”
She grinned. “You’re onto him, then?”
“Of course.”
“We’re just having fun and seeing where it goes. Don’t worry about me.” She stood. “I really have to get going. I’ll see you later?”
“Apparently tonight at dinner.”
“Sounds great.” She walked back to her room. That was sweet. She wasn’t used to having people worry about her. She liked it. She had just gotten settled down to work when she heard a knock on the door. She really couldn’t afford any more interruptions.
She pulled open the door and was surprised to find Candy standing there.
“Hi, Phoebe.” Candy burst through the door. “I was hoping you’d still be here.”
“I was just getting some work done. What’s up?”
“I talked to Karen this morning. I told her you were here, and she asked me to check on your progress for the Reagan jewelry.”
Phoebe bit her lip. Karen, president of Premiere Wedding Planners, contracted her to create the jewelry. “Was she angry I was here?”
“Not at all. She understands. Said you have a real gift for creating and would make a wonderful planner.”
Phoebe let out a relieved breath. “Oh, good.”
“She said your work is exquisite. Can I see it?”
“Sure.” Pleased by the compliment, Phoebe led her over to the desk. She saw Candy noticing the crumpled blankets on the bed, and it hit her. Candy might be more interested in whether Beau slept here last night than she was in the wedding pieces.
“These ones are finished,” Phoebe said, pointing to the cases on the desk. She opened one to show her the rhinestone and imitation gemstone necklaces and earrings.
“Wow, those are beautiful,” Candy said.
“Thank you. The job is just about done. I’ll be ready for our meeting on Wednesday.”
“I know the bride will love these.”
“I hope so.”
“Is that the last one you have to do?” She pointed to the necklace laid out on her velvet-lined workboard.
“It is.”
“Looks like you still have a lot to do.”
“I’ll get it done in time. Don’t worry.”
Candy looked at her. “That’s just it. Karen said the bride wants to move up our meeting to Monday morning. Something about a conflict with the original meeting. She wanted to know if you’ll be able to have the pieces done by then.”
Phoebe’s heart clenched. “By Monday morning?”
“At nine a.m.”
Oh, hell no. “I don’t know how. I’d have to miss today’s sessions and work all day, and probably most of tomorrow too before we have to leave.”
“I’m really sorry. I will take notes of the sessions for you.”
“Thanks, Candy. I appreciate that.”
“It’s the least I can do. I’ll see you at the party tonight?”
Phoebe nodded. “If I’m not brain-dead by then.”
Candy touched her arm and smiled, then headed out the door. Phoebe watched her leave, then sat down at her desk. She couldn’t believe this was happening. She would miss the entire conference and probably the bulk of the party tonight too. No use complaining about it. She sat down and spent the next four hours working on her jewelry. She made such good progress; she decided to take a break and drive up to the convention and have lunch with everyone. Networking and making contacts were the main reasons she wanted to come. She was missing today’s sessions, but she had to eat, so why not get some networking in?
She drove up the mountain to the chalet and parked. She couldn’t help wondering if Beau would be there as she walked into the building and took the stairs down to the main room where everyone would break for lunch. She searched for Beau’s tall form, his wide shoulders, and the nice way his jeans fit, then shook her head. She needed to get a grip. Beau wasn’t the one she needed to network with.
“Hi, Phoebe,” Paige said, walking toward her. “We missed you this morning.”
“I know. I wanted to be here, but I had a meeting for next week move up, and I have to prepare for it.”
“No worries. You want to sit at my table for lunch?”
“I’d love that. I want to hear more about this new job opportunity of yours.”
Paige’s smile deepened. “I’m really excited about it. I love planning these events, but the weddings are my favorite.”
“I completely get that.”
“I understand we’re all having dinner tonight at my mom’s to discuss the future of the chalet. I’m sorry Beau has dragged you into all our family drama.”
“I don’t mind. If I did, I’d find an excuse to beg off and with my shortened deadline, I might have to anyway.” As they walked into the dining room, Phoebe spotted Beau talking to Candy. They didn’t see her as they turned and walked out of the room together. Phoebe couldn’t help wondering where they were going and why they were together. She saw Candy’s friends watching them leave and whispering.
“Don’t worry about the two of them,” Paige said, catching Phoebe’s stare. “That woman drives my brother nuts.”
Phoebe couldn’t help the embarrassment flooding her cheeks. “I know. I don’t have any claim on Beau. We just met.”
“Yeah, but you’re soon to be my sister-in-law,” she said, wrapping her arm through Phoebe’s.
Phoebe laughed. “That’s true. I’ve always wanted a sister-in-law.”
“Me, too. And where Beau’s concerned, I wasn’t sure I’d ever get one.”
“I get that.” And she did. Beau was a player. She knew that, and yet she still spent the whole night in bed with him instead of working on her jewelry, and now she was missing her conference. She sighed. She’d enjoyed herself with him and started to imagine their little game could go on longer than one weekend. What was wrong with her, anyway? She put a man above her goals—again.
“Are you okay?” Paige asked, reading her expression.
“Sorry.” She gave her a big smile. “Guess I got a little distracted. Trust me, it won’t happen again.”
Chapter Thirteen
Beau reluctantly followed Ca
ndy into the back room. “What is it?”
“I’ve heard what you’re doing with Phoebe.”
He stiffened his back. “What do you mean?”
“Your fake engagement. I heard you talking with Rich this morning.”
“You were eavesdropping on me?” He looked but hadn’t seen her.
“I was coming to get a cup of coffee, and I overheard you. I should have made my presence known, especially after our conversation about Phoebe, but I didn’t. I’m sorry. But that changes nothing.”
He stared at her. Why was he surprised? Manipulation was Candy’s middle name. “Fine, what do you want?”
“I want to know why you didn’t choose me?”
“What?” Did he hear her right?
“To be your fake fiancé. We already have a relationship. I wanted to continue it this year. So why didn’t you choose me to be your fake fiancé?”
The slight whine to her voice surprised him. He hurt her. His stomach plummeted. Maybe Rich was right. Maybe he needed to stop playing with these women’s feelings. He just didn’t think Candy was the type of woman who wanted a relationship. “I’m sorry, Candy. I just thought that after last year, you were only interested in hookups.”
“Why would you think that?”
“I don’t know. Things got a little more intense than what I’m comfortable with. I didn’t want a repeat.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You’re a wuss, Beau.”
Okay, so sometimes honesty wasn’t the best policy. “I’m sorry.”
“Instead of talking to me about it, you blew me off and made me think you don’t like me when the truth is, I scared you. My sexuality scared you.”
“Yes, you’re right.”
“And you think Phoebe is more of a straight-arrow good girl. The ‘marrying’ kind,” she said, her fingers making quote signs in the air.
“I hadn’t really thought of it that way, but yes, I suppose that’s true.”
“You’re pathetic, and your game is up.” She turned and walked away.
He followed her back into the dining room, grabbing her arm. “What is that supposed to mean,” he said under his breath, aware that many eyes were on them.
Candy turned and kissed him full on the lips, then smiled and walked away. Everyone was looking at them. Including Phoebe. Confusion and hurt played across her face, and then embarrassment. He started to walk toward her to explain, but Paige held up her hand and shook her head.
What was he doing? Rich was right. His actions were hurting people. Not knowing what else to do, he turned and walked out of the room and drove back to the bar. This was where he felt in control, where he felt like he knew what he was doing. He went into the kitchen and talked to Sam about the Valentine’s party. Tonight was important. They had to have a successful party. Time to focus on that and make sure they were ready and everything would go off without a hitch.
His stomach tightened as Rich walked into the room. “Don’t bother continuing with the charade. I’ve talked to Phoebe. If you keep this up, you’ll only hurt the both of you, and it no longer matters anyway.”
He hated to admit the old man was right. But still what did he mean he ‘talked’ to Phoebe? Concern nipped at his insides. This day was not going well. It started out fantastic, but the moment he left Phoebe’s bed, it’d been downhill from there. “What exactly does that mean?”
“Clearwater Resorts has contacted me and your mom. They want to buy us out. The offer is good. Real good.”
Beau went cold. Clearwater had been buying up several of the old ski runs on the mountain. Some they shut down; others they were renovating and expanding. “You can’t. You wouldn’t.” His mouth went dry. “This mountain is our home. It has always been our home. They will come in and tear everything down. If they even keep it open.”
Rich shook his head. “Maybe that’s not such a bad thing. They’ve offered a lot of money. Enough that your mom and I won’t have to worry about anything ever again. I could even move to Florida to one of those retirement communities.”
“Why on earth would you want to move to Florida? It’s hotter than Hades down there.”
“Exactly. No snow. Lots of widows.” Rich grinned.
“Don’t do this to me. Give me a chance to make it work.”
“Your father sold me his share of this place when you went into the Marines. He said you were never coming back, and he didn’t want you to come back and spend your life on this mountain like he did. He wanted you to go out into the world and live.”
“I did. I went out into the world, and what I discovered was this is where I want to live. I’m happier here than out there. I love the calmness. The smell of the forest. Fishing in the lake and rivers. You can hear yourself think here. You can’t out there. At least, I can’t.”
“He didn’t want you to become a hermit and grow old up here all by yourself. Your mother left because she couldn’t handle living up here. He was damned lucky to have found Connie.”
“Yes, and he married her. She is my mother now, and they were happy. Weren’t they?”
“Yes. He cared for her a lot, even grew to love her, but he never loved her like he did your mom. She was his first love. His pride wouldn’t allow him to follow her to the city. He made me swear, Beau, that I wouldn’t do that to you or Paige. And I won’t go back on my word. I’ve made up my mind. I’m selling my share to Clearwater.”
Chapter Fourteen
Phoebe managed to swallow every bite of her lunch, but it didn’t go down easy. Candy was laughing loudly with her friends, and they could all hear the name Beau.
“That woman is nothing but trouble,” Paige muttered. “Ignore her. She’s just jealous.”
“It really doesn’t concern me,” Phoebe said. Though that’s not how it felt. It felt like a knife through the gut. How could she have let herself get so attached to the man after one night together? One fabulous night together. That’s how.
“I know my brother really likes you,” Paige said. “I could tell.”
“After one dinner?”
“Yep.” She grinned. “My brother rarely invites women home to meet Mom.”
“Oh, that’s just because of our fake engagement.”
“Which apparently everyone knows is fake, so what’s the point of bringing you home to meet Mom if it didn’t matter?”
“I suppose you have a point.”
“Of course, I do. When it comes to matters of the heart, I’m spot on.”
“So, is there a matter in your heart?” Phoebe asked, trying to change the subject. “Someone in Sacramento?”
Paige’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, hell no. I’m smarter than that.”
Phoebe laughed. “Me, too. Most of the time. Beau has a way of making me forget. Speaking of Beau, he has some great ideas to save the hotel and bar and bring people in. Why won’t Rich give him a chance? Making him get married first is crazy.”
“I agree.”
“Beau’s working on a business plan now. Talk to him about it. Maybe together you can come up with some ideas to make this work and change Rich’s mind.”
“I will. Especially now that I’m changing jobs. Rich can’t continue holding on, or he’ll lose it all.”
After lunch, Phoebe took in one panel, then went back to the hotel to finish working on her jewelry. She’d lost too much time already, though she had to admit she was having fun. She made a little more progress when she heard a knock on the door.
“Come in,” she called, and Beau opened the door with another bouquet of roses in his hand. She laughed. “What are those for?”
“They are an apology for Candy’s antics this afternoon. She was just trying to cause me trouble. I’m really sorry if we embarrassed you.”
“No worries. A cheating fiancé is the least of my concerns right now.”
“That’s good to hear. I think.” He walked into the room and placed the flowers on the dresser. “What’s going on?”
“Candy stopped by earlier. She
said they have moved the deadline for this jewelry up to Monday morning, which means I will have to miss the rest of the conference.”
“Even dinner tonight?”
“Sorry.”
“No worries. It’s not your fault. Candy has a way of messing up everything for everyone.”
“I’m sure she doesn’t do it on purpose.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure. I’ll have Sam make you a burger and bring it to your room so you don’t forget to eat.”
That was so sweet. “Are you sure it’s okay?”
He leaned down and kissed her. “Very sure.” He sat on the sofa next to the desk. “I got some bad news today too.”
She pushed away the magnifying glass and turned to him. “What is it?”
“Clearwater Resorts has offered to buy the chalet, the hotel, and the bar.”
“I take it that’s bad?”
“They’ll come in and destroy everything.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I only have one last hope.”
“What’s that?”
“No more pretending. I need you to marry me for real.”
She laughed.
He didn’t.
Her mouth fell open. “Seriously? That’s crazy.”
“We can get it annulled in a year.”
She stood up. “I don’t care if we get it annulled. I can’t marry you. I have a life in San Francisco. A business. A wedding next weekend I’m supposed to be creating jewelry for. A job as a planner I’m hoping to get. That’s why I’m here. I can’t put all that on hold to marry some man I just met.” No matter how attractive he is or how good in bed. “And let’s not forget it won’t work anyway. Rich is onto you.”
He ran his hand down his face. “I know you’re right. I’m sorry. This was a long shot to begin with. Rich isn’t biting at the bait, and I’m panicking.”
“Don’t panic. Act. Do you have a business plan?”
All Night Long: Kiss The Bride #2 Page 7