by Cindy Kirk
“Not realizing I was stepping into a family feud.” For some reason, Ethan’s coolness didn’t bother Kyle. Perhaps because the guy reminded him so much of Eliza, he couldn’t help liking him.
Eliza surprised her brother by stepping to Kyle’s side.
“It’s not his fault,” she told Ethan, sounding as fierce as a mother lion defending her cub. “All this is Dad’s doing.”
And her grandmother’s, Kyle thought but didn’t say.
Ethan gave a curt nod. “When Dad called me to handle some business for him in Sturgeon Bay, I reminded him that Gram wanted the house to go to you.”
“I’m sure he didn’t care—” Eliza began.
“Wait,” Kyle interrupted. “You came to Door County to do business for your father?”
“That’s right.” Ethan’s gaze shifted, but Kyle was looking at Eliza.
“He didn’t ask you because he knows you’re angry about the house.”
“Even if we weren’t at odds, he wouldn’t have asked.” Eliza’s lips lifted in a tight smile. “I’m a woman, remember?”
Kyle’s gaze shot to Ethan. “You’re okay with this?”
Ethan’s hesitation told Kyle that he’d never given the matter much thought. Dark brows pulled together.
“No,” her brother said finally, rocking back on his Italian loafers. “I’m not okay with it.”
Ethan’s gaze settled on his sister. Despite the dirt, he reached out and took her hand, his voice gentle. “I never realized that by handling his interests in Door County, I was complicit.”
Eliza shook her head. “You weren’t. I—”
“I was,” Ethan insisted, then glanced at Kyle. “That stops today.”
Ethan stayed for several days before heading back to Chicago. The next two weeks passed quickly with Eliza finalizing details for tomorrow’s Ready, Set, Wed showcase. Lindsay and Dan had hung in there and they were now in the home stretch. Though not an event on par with the June wedding—which would be held in the winning community—the events of this weekend still provided entertainment.
A mannequin dressed in Lindsay’s wedding gown and wearing a wig with the beautiful vintage hairstyle had stood in Swoon’s window all week. The Chanel cake had held the position of honor in Blooms Bake Shop.
But it was the film crew that had drawn the most interest. The filming that had taken place in January of director Xander Tillman’s new movie had whetted the appetite of Good Hope citizens. Everyone loved watching film crews in action.
Eliza strolled the business district feeling like a celebrity. She couldn’t go two steps without someone stopping to wish her—and Good Hope—well in the competition.
She ran into Ami outside Muddy Boots, where the eldest Bloom sister stood in front of the plate-glass window surveying the crowd inside. “Even if we don’t win, this week has been amazing. The café and bakery has done more business this week than the rest of the month.”
Eliza glanced inside Muddy Boots. Locals and tourists filled the tables and mingled with the Wedding Channel crew.
“There was quite a crowd when they filmed my interview at the bakery yesterday.” Ami’s eyes twinkled. “The sidewalk outside was packed.”
“Did you feel prepared?” As the day was sunny, it felt good to linger on the sidewalk.
“Thanks to you.”
“I’m glad our strategy session helped.” Earlier in the week, Eliza had met with Ami, Piper, Fin and Marigold. When her contact mentioned the crew “might” want to interview the vendors, Eliza made certain everyone was prepared. “This is Good Hope’s big opportunity. I want as much press as possible for our businesses.”
Ami’s gaze turned curious. “I heard you arranged for them to meet with Anita.”
“The woman may be a pain in the ass, but she is Lindsay’s mother. And Crumb and Cake is a prominent Good Hope business.” It had pained her to set up the interview, but Eliza had seen little choice. “I hope she played nice.”
Eliza watched a group of tourists enter Blooms Bake Shop. “Who’s manning the counter?”
“Hadley.” Ami frowned. “She’s so pretty and personable. I thought she’d want in on the interview yesterday but she made herself scarce.”
“I have no doubt you handled it quite well on your own.”
“Thanks, that’s nice of you to say.” Ami hesitated, then took a moment to brush a piece of lint from her suede jacket. “I know we’ve had our troubles in the past, and I don’t want to beat this into the ground.”
Eliza stiffened.
“I’m glad we’re friends again.” Ami reached over and squeezed Eliza’s hand. “I’m especially happy you and my sisters are friends. It’ll make get-togethers and kids’ playdates more comfortable for all of us.”
Kids’ playdates? Eliza wanted to dismiss the thought, but it kept circling. What did it say that she could so easily picture a little girl—or boy—with Kyle’s blue eyes and her straight, dark hair?
“And Kyle, well, he fits right in.”
Kyle.
Where did he fit into her life? Eliza wondered. Did he fit at all? She set that aside for now. She had other, more time-sensitive worries on her plate.
“Have you seen Lindsay today?” Eliza took note of the time. Her friend worked Fridays at the Enchanted Florist and usually took her lunch at eleven. “She hasn’t returned my calls or texts.”
“I haven’t seen her since Monday.” Ami caught her bottom lip between her teeth. “When I stopped over at the Greasy Wrench with some homemade bread for Owen, she was there.”
The tightness in Eliza’s chest became a stranglehold. Still, when she spoke, her voice was calm. “Do you know if she met with the crew yesterday? I assumed they’d call if she canceled the initial interview.”
Ami inclined her head. “Why would she cancel?”
Eliza’s gaze remained fixed on Ami’s face.
“Yeah, okay, she has been acting strange.” Ami blew out a breath. “But I happen to know she did meet with them. The person who interviewed me mentioned that she’d just left Lindsay.”
The tight band around Eliza’s chest loosened, finally allowing her to take a deep breath.
“Are you worried she’ll back out?” Ami kept her voice low, as if concerned someone walking by might overhear.
“Should I be?”
“I don’t know, Eliza.” Ami’s gaze grew troubled. “I really don’t know.”
Chapter 24
Eliza’s trip to the floral shop was a big waste of time. The owner informed her she’d given Lindsay the day off to prepare for tomorrow. It figured the single time Shirley decided to be considerate, it’d bite Eliza in the butt.
She stopped at Lindsay’s apartment and—no surprise—didn’t find her there, either. As she stepped out of the complex, Eliza briefly considered stopping by the Greasy Wrench. Only the realization that she wouldn’t have a clue what to say if she found Lindsay there made her hesitate.
She texted Lindsay again on the way home. When she started up the porch steps at home, Eliza still hadn’t received a reply.
“I didn’t believe it when Ethan told me you were still living here. Yet, here you are.”
Eliza stilled. Lost in thought, she hadn’t noticed her father looming at the top of the steps. The man made an imposing figure in his dark, hand-tailored suit and burgundy tie. His hair, once as sleek and black as hers, was peppered with gray, a fact that only made him more striking.
He was tall—nearly six feet, two inches—with broad shoulders and a firm, take-no-prisoners jaw. Instead of gray, his eyes were a steely blue. Donald Shaw might be Ivy League-educated, but he had a way of looking at his adversaries as if he were a back-street brawler capable of pinning them to the floor.
“Dad.” Even as her heart clenched, Eliza forced her lips into a cool smile. “I wasn’t sure you were still coming. Where’s Mom?”
“She and Katherine are off somewhere.” Donald waved a dismissive hand. His shark eyes followed her as sh
e reached the porch and moved to the railing.
Though strung as tight as a piano wire, Eliza rested her back against the rail in what she hoped was a pose conveying casual disregard.
His lips tightened and his eyes were so cold she felt the chill. “You’re still living here despite not owning this house anymore.”
“Only because you sold it out from under me.” Her own tone dropped a good twenty degrees. “Blatantly ignoring the solemn vow you made to your mother.”
“We can discuss that later.”
“I prefer to discuss it now.”
“There’s no reason.” Satisfaction blanketed his handsome features. “It’s done. All that’s left is for you to get on with your life.”
“I’m buying the house back.” She spoke calmly and with the authority of a woman prepared to go to the mat to achieve her goal. “You’ll never be able to take it from me again.”
Donald offered up a laugh. “You don’t have the resources to buy a home this expensive.”
“Don’t worry about me.” Her tone was more confident than she felt. The loan broker she’d spoken with had indicated that if Eliza put more in savings, she might be able to find a lender willing to take a chance. Eliza hoped her additional Ready, Set, Wed income would bolster her bottom line enough to qualify for a loan. If not, Ethan might come through. “I’ve got it covered.”
Donald gave a derisive snort. “By sleeping with the new owner?”
Knowing it would propel his temper into the stratosphere, Eliza let a slow smile lift her lips. “Whatever gets the job done. Oh, wait, that’s your motto.”
He gave a hiss of protest. “We raised you better, Eliza Jane. You’re a Shaw. It’s time you started acting like one.”
“If you’re suggesting I start cheating my family out of what was meant for them, no, thanks. Not interested.”
“So we’re back to this old relic.” He slapped a hand against the hardboard siding. “I did you a favor.”
“How do you figure?” She knew she shouldn’t ask, but the way his mind worked had always been a puzzle.
“You’re thirty-one years old with no marriage prospects. You manage a general store that sells fishing lures.” He gave a mirthless laugh. “It’s a pathetic life.”
Eliza absorbed the impact and reminded herself it wasn’t anything she hadn’t heard before. Gazing at her father with the cool indifference of a stranger, she spoke without emotion. “Good thing what I do and how I live my life is none of your concern.”
“If only that were true.” Donald shook his head in disgust. “As a Shaw, everything you do reflects on all who carry the name.”
Eliza’s entire body churned with raw emotion. Though she and her dad had never been close, they’d usually been civil. She wondered when exactly this man—whom she should love—had become someone she didn’t even like.
“And I don’t appreciate you turning Ethan against me.”
“You did that all on your own.” Eliza let her gaze drop. One flick of her wrist told her she was nearly out of time.
“I have a meeting with the film crew in twenty minutes.” Her tone was as dismissive as his had been moments earlier. “I stopped home to freshen my makeup. Excuse me.”
Brushing past him, she unlocked the door and stepped inside.
She heard him repeat something about this not being her house.
Eliza turned. “Well, since this isn’t my home, I can’t invite you inside.”
She shut the door and flipped the deadbolt before heading upstairs to her bedroom.
By the time Eliza stepped out of the house again, her father was gone. On the short walk to the gazebo in the town square, Eliza absorbed the energy of Good Hope. Though early May was still considered the off-season, the streets and sidewalks teemed with locals and tourists.
In anticipation of the crew’s arrival, Izzie Deshler had designed a banner for the Cherries with the Ready, Set, Wed logo. Eye-catching in moss green and cherry red, the banner stretched between two white-lacquered posts on the gazebo.
The warm weather enjoyed earlier in the week was projected to last through the weekend. This had allowed the gardeners in the community to add some special touches.
Flowers had been placed in the planters lining the business district sidewalks as well as in the beds around the gazebo.
Like Eliza, the citizens of Good Hope were determined to put their best foot forward. For her interview this afternoon, Eliza had chosen a classic sheath in cobalt blue. All her research indicated solid blue was a good color for television.
Despite being irritated over the incident with her father, Eliza nailed the interview. As she stepped from the gazebo and gave a jaunty wave to the crew and onlookers, satisfaction swept through her.
Everything was proceeding as planned. If all continued on course, by tomorrow night Good Hope would be chosen as the site for the televised June wedding extravaganza. Eliza smiled thinking of all the positive publicity that event would bring to the community.
She was still smiling when her phone buzzed. When Lindsay’s name popped on the screen, she answered immediately.
“I’ve been trying to reach you.” Eliza kept her tone cheery. Despite being irritated by Lindsay being MIA recently, she sympathized with the stress her friend was under. “We need to run through a couple—”
“You and I need to talk.” Lindsay interrupted without apology. “Somewhere private. How about your house?”
“I’m afraid that won’t work.” Eliza picked up her pace, putting distance between her and the crowd and crew. “Katherine is probably home by now. Lolo should be there any minute.”
“We could meet at my apartment, but K.T. and Braxton are spending the night. The baby has the stomach flu, and Cassie didn’t want them to catch it.”
Eliza sincerely hoped Lindsay had been smart enough to steer clear of the sickness. “Is everything okay?”
“No. Yes. No. Oh, I don’t know anymore. Mom and I had a big talk, and I’m really confused. I need to see you, Eliza.”
Eliza rolled her eyes. She should have figured Anita was at the bottom of Lindsay’s recent mood swings. The woman never knew when to shut her mouth. Worse, like Eliza’s dad, she was convinced she had all the answers.
“What did she say?”
After a couple beats of silence, Lindsay answered, “I’ll tell you everything when I see you.”
Eliza nearly groaned aloud. What was Anita up to now? Still, she was happy Lindsay valued her opinion.
She doubted Cassie provided much guidance. For the past fifteen years, Lindsay’s older sister had made what everyone would agree were remarkably poor choices.
With her mind firing on all circuits, Eliza considered and discarded several possible locations. Any other time, most of the places that sprang to mind would be deserted, but the town was bustling.
Eliza tapped a finger against her lips. Whatever was troubling Lindsay was best dealt with in private. Lindsay was the bride-to-be. For the next forty-eight hours, all eyes—and ears—were on her. “Let’s meet at Hill House. I’m not far from there. Will that work for you?”
“Yes.” Lindsay’s sigh of relief was audible. “Thanks.”
Eliza had known Lindsay all her life and considered her to be her best friend. From the instant Lindsay had uttered her first word, Eliza had known something was wrong. Normally, even in times of stress, Lindsay was positive and upbeat. Then again, Anita Fishback could bring anyone down.
“Whatever is bothering you, we’ll work it out,” Eliza reassured her friend. “Trust me. All will be fine.”
“Thanks.” Emotion thickened Lindsay’s voice. “You’re a real friend.”
A warmth coupled with a protectiveness washed over Eliza. If Anita was pressuring Lindsay, she would not only have her daughter to deal with, she’d have Eliza. And she wouldn’t be as nice.
“I’ll see you in fifteen.” Eliza dropped her phone into her bag and continued down the sidewalk.
After le
aving the front door of Hill House unlocked, Eliza retrieved two bottles of water from the fridge and brought them to the back parlor.
The front parlor was used for Cherries meetings and hosting civic events. While a tan folding chair would work in a pinch, the soft cushiony chairs in the back parlor would be more comfortable for conversation.
“Lindsay?” Eliza called out when she heard the door creak open.
“It’s me.”
“I’m in the back.”
The second Eliza saw her friend’s face, she realized the argument with her mother must have been a doozy. Lindsay’s eyes were red-rimmed, and her face pale and blotchy.
Eliza crossed the room and gave her friend a hug.
From Lindsay’s startled reaction, the action surprised her nearly as much as it did Eliza. Still, it felt right. Thanks to Kyle, she was finding it easier to be spontaneous and show affection.
Lindsay clung to her for several seconds, then stepped back, sniffling. Pulling a wadded-up tissue from her pocket, she dabbed at her runny nose.
Eliza motioned to a chair. When Lindsay sat, she took a seat across from her.
“You look nice.” Obviously stalling, Lindsay gestured with the hand holding the tissue to Eliza’s dress. “I don’t know that I’ve ever seen you in that color before. It’s very flattering.”
“Thank you. Blue is known to be a good color for television.” Eliza uncapped the bottle of water, took a sip and tried not to let her worry show.
“You’ve invested a lot of time and effort into Ready, Set, Wed.” Lindsay uncapped her own water but set it down without drinking. The blue eyes firmly focused on Eliza’s face were unreadable.
“I don’t mind.” Eliza gestured expansively with her own water bottle. “I love Good Hope. When we win, all the hours spent will be worth it.”
“That’s what I want to discuss.” Lindsay took a breath and clasped her hands tightly in her lap.
“If we don’t win, I don’t want you feeling badly.” Eliza leaned forward, words rushing out in her haste to reassure. “You’ve done everything I’ve asked. That said, I think we’ve got a good shot.”