Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Also by Leighann Dobbs
About the Author
~
What goes around comes around.
Turning over a new leaf isn’t easy. Especially when your first task is to plan the wedding of your biggest enemy.
Veronica St. James is determined to set aside her conniving ways and make the wedding a success. Her new boss, Gertie O’Rourke, has put her faith in her, and Veronica won’t let her down. Too bad the wedding planning gets complicated when it turns out she’ll have to work closely with TJ Flannery, the skinny dishwasher she used to boss around in her last job. Except TJ isn’t a skinny dishwasher anymore. He’s filled out into a handsome executive, and now he’s the one calling the shots.
TJ Flannery has been given a unique opportunity to turn himself around. He’s cleaned up his act and is determined that Gertie won’t regret the risk she took in hiring him. Keeping the wedding budget on track should be easy for an experienced finance guy like him. What might not be so easy is working with the same feisty blonde that used to bust his chops in his last job.
But when it turns out that someone is trying to sabotage the wedding, Veronica and TJ must work together to soothe the ranting bridezilla and unmask the culprit in order to save Gertie’s business as well as their jobs.
What Comes Around Goes Around
Leighann Dobbs
Lisa Fenwick
This is a work of fiction. None of it is real. All names, places, and events are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real names, places, or events are purely coincidental, and should not be construed as being real.
WHAT COMES AROUND GOES AROUND
Copyright © 2017
Leighann Dobbs Publishing
http://www.leighanndobbs.com
All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be used or reproduced in any manner, except as allowable under “fair use,” without the express written permission of the author.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Also by Leighann Dobbs
About the Author
1
There was no way in hell that Veronica St. James was going to plan a wedding for the woman sitting across from her.
Never mind that she was trying to turn over that leaf everyone talks about or that her new boss, Gertie O’Rourke, was counting on her to make their first event a success. Veronica and Marly West had a contentious past that didn’t bode well for happy wedding plans.
“Absolutely not. No. Not her. Anyone but her,” Marly said, echoing Veronica’s thoughts as she glared at her across the sparkling glass conference table.
Good. That should settle it. Marly would refuse, and they would go on their way. Veronica wouldn’t have to be the one to disappoint Gertie.
She settled back into the plush white leather chair and forced a smile. Looking down at her notepad she caught a glimpse of the chic beige pumps on her feet through the glass tabletop. She’d bought them to go with the off-white Dolce & Gabbana suit she’d splurged on to impress their first client. Of course that was before she knew that client was Marly West. Had she known, she might have worn something different. Like a sweat suit and dirty running shoes.
“Now dear, you know we don’t have much of a choice, and Gertie is doing us a big favor.” The frail woman beside Marly, who had been introduced as her mother, Olivia, put her hand on Marly’s arm. Marly turned to her, her face softening.
Veronica glanced at Gertie, who was looking patiently at Olivia. Did the two women know each other? Veronica wouldn’t have been surprised if Gertie had taken the woman under her wing as she did with so many people, including Veronica herself. If Veronica wasn’t mistaken, the aqua-and-green silk scarf Olivia had wrapped around her head was one of Gertie’s.
“So you girls are already acquainted?” Gertie asked innocently as she pulled her shawl closer together across her chest and eyed Veronica and Marly cautiously. “What a coincidence! It’s such a small world, isn’t it?”
Neither Veronica nor Marly said a word. The room fell silent except for the squeaking wheels of Gertie’s wheelchair as she expertly maneuvered herself across the newly refinished wood floor, slowly moving farther down the table to get closer to Olivia.
“Olivia, that’s certainly a strong-minded young lady you have raised!” Gertie patted the back of one of Olivia’s hands as she said it, and the two women exchanged a friendly smile.
“How do you two know each other?” Veronica could see by the steely glint in Gertie’s eyes that she was not going to give up this job easily. Nor should she. This job could make or break her new business. Veronica felt a pang of guilt. Gertie had gone out on a limb by giving her this job. She owed her.
“From the hospital. I volunteer there every now and then. Olivia and I both love to watch old movies. In fact, we spent many a night watching them together in her hospital room. Isn’t it wonderful how everything worked out so well with Olivia’s treatment and that she is in remission? And to think, now we are here with Marly.” Gertie removed her hand from Olivia’s and placed it on Marly’s. “Your mother will get to see you married. I guess not at this venue, given the reaction you just had, but that’s okay. The important thing is that she’s here to see her baby girl get married. I was just hoping that I could help with this special day.”
Veronica vaguely remembered that Marly’s mother had almost died of cancer, but a lifesaving treatment had worked on her at the last minute, and she had beaten the cancer. Veronica had even heard a rumor that her old boss, Jasper Kenney, Marly’s fiancé, had paid for the treatment. But who knew if that was true?
“Marly, you loved everything about this venue for the reception when we took the tour with Gertie a few days ago. What is the issue here? You know we don’t have much time to get this finalized. Not many other venues are available on short notice.” Olivia sounded tired, disappointed, and a bit angry with her daughter.
“It’s not the building. It’s lovely.” Marly glanced out the window at the impressive harbor view.
To say that the old mill was lovely was an understatement. Gertie had spent a fortune restoring most of the building, partitioning it into the offices upstairs and several rooms for events at the ground level. The rooms varied in size and offered both indoor and outdoor areas with gorgeous water views. Every room was stunning, with refinished wide-board hardwood floors, original antique brick and twenty-foot-high ceilings. The largest room, where Marly’s wedding would likely be held, was an indoor-outdoor ballroom complete wi
th its own wall fountain and retractable glass wall.
Marly sighed and turned back to the table, her eyes drilling into Veronica’s. “It’s her. She’s trouble. I lost my job at Draconia because of her. I mean, I didn’t end up losing it, but … well … I mean, I got my job back, but that’s not the point. She causes trouble. She did it to me and then to Sarah when she was on that cooking show a few months ago. I just don’t want my wedding ruined! What does she know about planning a wedding anyway? Last I knew she was a secretary!”
More guilt. Marly was right. She had done some terrible things in the past. But that was the old Veronica. The new Veronica didn’t do terrible things to people. The new Veronica was confident, capable, and nice. And the new Veronica didn’t shy away from a challenge just because it made her feel uncomfortable. Perhaps she should look at this wedding as an opportunity to make things up to Marly. An opportunity for redemption.
Olivia exchanged a raised brow with Gertie. “Honey, are you sure you aren’t blowing this out of proportion. I don’t remember you telling me anything about losing your job. You might have a case of prewedding jitters. I think you need to reconsider this. The past is water under the bridge. You don’t exactly have much time to get this wedding reception planned now, do you? Besides, I trust Gertie. And what she’s done to this old mill, well, it’s breathtaking! I’m sure Veronica will do her very best to make sure your reception is amazing. I know Gertie would not have given her the position if she wasn’t qualified.”
“Of course,” Gertie chimed in. “Veronica has excellent coordinating skills. And, that is really what wedding receptions are all about—ensuring all of the moving parts flow together seamlessly. It’s all about communication and coordination.”
Gertie’s confidence in her deepened Veronica’s guilt. This job was a big step, and this event might be her only chance to prove herself. It might be Gertie’s only chance too. Gertie had poured everything into renovating the mill and pulling off a high-society wedding like that of billionaire chief executive officer Jasper Kenney would be a coup that would guarantee a steady stream of future business.
Marly and Jasper’s previously chosen venue had been gutted by fire. They chose O’Rourke’s as the replacement venue. Another high-profile event would not come as quickly. Not to mention that if Gertie didn’t succeed, Veronica would have precious few job prospects.
Her old “partner” in misdeeds, Tanner Durcotte, had blackballed her when she refused to ruin the cooking contest Marly had mentioned. Before Gertie had called, the only job she could get was as a Walmart greeter.
Veronica held her breath. Like it or not, she needed Marly to have her wedding here.
The conference room was silent, the sun glaring in through the window splashed golden light on the glass table and heated the room to an uncomfortable level. Veronica squirmed in her chair as Marly whispered to her mother on the other side of the table.
“This is my job. I wouldn’t let personal feelings or past events get in the way,” Veronica said finally. Her voice sounded small, but she was sincere, even though she knew Marly wouldn’t believe her.
“Oh please. You let your feelings get in the way when we worked together at Draconia, so why not here? What’s different now?” Marly challenged.
Veronica sat up straighter. “I’m not the same person I was back then. You can choose to believe me or not, but what other choices do you have at this point? Unless you want to have your wedding at a Jucy’s Burgers or something?”
Oops… she probably shouldn’t have let that burger comment slip out, but old habits die hard. She was working on being more… considerate. When they’d worked together, Marly had been a bit overweight, and Veronica had gotten in some mean jabs at her. The funny thing was, she actually thought Marly looked really good. She was a curvy girl, and her outfit complemented her figure. Veronica couldn’t bring herself to say it, though. She might be turning a new leaf, but that didn’t mean she needed to turn it fast and actually compliment Marly. Baby steps.
She glanced at Gertie. Her lips were pursed, and her eyes narrowed in Veronica’s direction. Darn, she’d probably get in trouble for that remark.
Marly also had her eyes narrowed in Veronica’s direction. She gestured toward Veronica. “Like you should talk. You look like you’ve taken more than a few trips to Jucy’s since I last saw you.”
Veronica bit the inside of her cheek to keep from flinging an insult back at Marly. It was true. Veronica had been stick thin when they’d worked together. She’d made fun of Marly for her larger size. And now Veronica was that same size. But what did size matter? Veronica had come to realize there were more important things. And anyway, it wouldn’t do to get into a catfight with Marly. She was above all that now.
“Cat got your tongue?” Marly asked. She opened her mouth to speak again, but Olivia cut her off.
“Marly, you really need to make a decision. Jasper’s father was kind enough to place the deposit on the ballroom you originally decided on, and he won’t be getting that money back any time soon because of the insurance investigation into the fire.”
“There might be another place. Anyplace that doesn’t have her.” Marly’s voice wavered uncertainly.
“Every place is booked months in advance, and you only have nine days,” Olivia pointed out. “It is only by sheer luck that Gertie has this available. Besides, the room with the water wall and outdoor space is just breathtaking, and I know Edward would love how elegant it is.”
Olivia’s voice was soft, tired. Veronica saw Marly shoot a concerned glance at her mother. Hopefully she would stop arguing with her and give in. There was no way she’d find a better venue for her wedding at this late date.
Marly stood and started to pace. “This isn’t what I had planned on at all. I wanted a small wedding. Elegant, yes. But also simple. Now Edward wants to invite half the city and put on a big show. It’s so not what I wanted.”
“I think you are being overly dramatic. This isn’t just your wedding, you know,” Olivia said matter-of-factly. “You need to learn to compromise with Edward. It will be good practice. Marriage is all about compromise.”
“Veronica can work wonders,” Gertie assured. “She’ll make certain both you and Edward get what you want.”
Marly shot Veronica a skeptical glance.
“I’m just glad I’ll be around to witness it,” Olivia said. “There was a time when I didn’t think I’d see my baby married.”
Marly turned from the window and looked at her mother with glistening eyes. She put her hand gently on Olivia’s shoulder.
Veronica’s heart pinched at the obvious love between mother and daughter. Too bad her own mother didn’t give a crap about her. She hoped Marly realized how lucky she was to have a good relationship with her mother and to be planning a nice wedding. Veronica was a little envious—she doubted there would be a wedding in her future. Her mother had been right about one thing: men didn’t seem to be interested in her for any kind of relationship.
“Okay, Mom. You’re right.” She said the words softly then turned steely eyes in Veronica’s direction, her voice turning hard. “But let me make this clear: this is my wedding, and I want my instructions to be followed. And no shenanigans. I mean it! If this wedding reception gets messed up because someone screwed around and used Peeps and M&Ms instead of a wedding cake, I will make sure everyone knows how incompetent this business is.”
Marly jerked her purse off the chair and stomped out of the room. Olivia raised her brows and mouthed “Peeps and M&Ms?” before saying a quick goodbye to Gertie and heading off behind Marly.
Veronica watched the empty doorway in silence, half expecting Marly to pop back in with more comments. When she didn’t, her eyes moved to Gertie, her apology for the Jucy’s comment already forming in her head.
But Gertie didn’t reprimand her. Instead she cleared her throat and started to push herself away from the table, pausing to look at Veronica as she did so.
�
��Well dear, it looks as if we might have ourselves a bridezilla.”
2
Veronica practically had to jog to keep up with Gertie. The older woman might be in a wheelchair, but she sure didn’t let that slow her down. Good thing she’d started that weight loss and exercise routine, otherwise she’d be out of breath and sweating all over her fancy new suit.
“Good job in the meeting. Sorry that I couldn’t bring you up to speed before Marly and Olivia showed up. Things are crazy here, as you know,” Gertie said.
“Thanks.” Veronica was more relieved than anything that Gertie thought she’d done a good job.
“So you know her and the rest of the people involved?” Gertie glanced up at Veronica quizzically.
“Um… yeah… well, we might not have gotten along so well in the past.” Veronica didn’t want to think about when she’d worked with Jasper and Marly at Draconia. Of all people, why did her first clients have to bring up such bad memories? Maybe this was a test. She was determined to pass it even if it meant working with her former boss. Would she have to work with Jasper’s father, Edward, too? She hadn’t exactly been besties with him either.
“Not getting along seems to be a problem with you. But that’s not going to stop you from doing a good job, right?”
“Of course not.” Another person might have been insulted at Gertie’s blunt remark, but after working with her on a televised cooking contest, Veronica knew Gertie’s gruff exterior was just that—a facade. Veronica suspected the old woman simply acted mean to hide the fact that she had a heart as big as New England.
What Goes Around Comes Around Page 1