“Any other words of advice?” Hope asked. Although Mayhew could be a stick in the mud, they all respected his work ethic and wise counsel.
“One word. Pray. I’d hate to see all of this taken away from you gals, especially since I know how hard you’ve all worked and how much Hattie wanted you ladies to own her beloved Savannah House.”
Charlotte, moved by Mr. Mayhew’s words, stood up and wrapped her arms around him as he walked by. He stiffened his posture and untangled himself from her enthusiastic hug. He raised his eyebrow at her. “Good day, Miss Duvall.”
Charlotte nodded, suppressing a grin. Clearly, she’d made Mr. Mayhew a tad uncomfortable. As soon as he strode out of the room, a fit of giggles erupted. Charlotte raised her hands to her cheeks. She knew she was blushing.
“Now that was funny,” Callie said, chuckling. “He looked like he might burst into tears.”
“And now I’m crying,” Fancy said, laughing so hard it was causing her face to turn crimson.
“We desperately needed that laugh,” Hope said, wiping away tears of laughter from her eyes.
“What possessed you to hug him like that? He’s not exactly a teddy bear,” Olivia said, clutching her stomach as she continued to roar with laughter.
Charlotte shrugged, feeling slightly embarrassed. She wasn’t the impulsive type, nor was she very demonstrative. The impulse to hug him had come out of nowhere. She’d felt grateful to Mr. Mayhew for his guidance, and a tad emotional about the possibility of someone
“I think we should contact an attorney immediately. I can call Case to get a recommendation,” Fancy offered.
“Great,” Charlotte said. “Callie, can you find out about Parker so we have all areas handled?”
“I’m on it,” Callie said, getting up from her chair and making her way out of the room.
Fancy followed right behind her, ostensibly to call her fiancé about obtaining legal representation.
“I’m going to have to figure out how to deal with this from a publicity angle. If the papers get wind of this it could really blow up and become a nightmare for us,” Charlotte said, chewing her lip. So far her job as publicist for Savannah House had been a breeze. It had taken her a while to figure out what her role was in the bed and breakfast. Although Olivia had initially planned to do publicity, it had been apparent that being liaison for guests and handling all guest-related issues was more than enough for one person.
Charlotte had stepped up to handle publicity and the public image of Savannah House. It suited her temperament and it made her feel invigorated. She loved being one of the owners of this historic resort and handling publicity allowed her to promote the resort in a way that led to more guests and a more visible profile.
“I better head off to the kitchen.” She glanced at her watch. “Breakfast is in a half hour.”
Callie came walking back into the room followed by Fancy.
“Parker can’t help us out due to other work commitments.” She made a face. “He did refer me to someone local. He says he’s one of the best security experts in the country.”
“That sounds amazing,” Hope said.
Fancy and Callie exchanged a loaded glance.
“What’s going on?” Charlotte asked. She knew both women well enough to know that there was a hitch somewhere.
“Who is it?” Hope asked.
“Marc Cabron.” Callie tossed the name out like a live grenade.
All eyes swung toward Fancy. She shifted from one foot to the other.
“No way!” Charlotte said in a raised voice. “I object to working with that guy.”
Callie held up her hands. “Just hold on. Parker is tied up for months on projects. He says Marc is the best in this area. His company is really up and coming. For the last few years he’s been working overseas for major corporations and high-profile clients.”
“I have no problem working with Marc,” Fancy said. “He’s not a villain.”
“But will my brother have an issue with it?” Charlotte asked, referring to Case, Fancy’s fiancé.
Two years ago Fancy and Case’s engagement had been blown to smithereens after a friendship had blossomed between Fancy and Marc, an old high school friend. Although no lines had been crossed, Marc had fallen in love with Fancy. Case—proud and jealous—had broken off his engagement to Fancy after discovering that Fancy had been spending alone time with Marc while he was away on business. Thankfully, Case and Fancy had worked through their issues and gotten engaged again. Their holiday wedding was three weeks away.
“He shouldn’t. I honestly don’t think he will. Case has evolved in the last two years. Listen, guys. I know it may sound strange, but Marc is a really good guy. I don’t want him to be vilified because of the past. It isn’t right. People make mistakes. They shouldn’t have to suffer forever because of it.”
“I agree. He’s a really nice person.” Olivia chimed in. Charlotte glared at her. Olivia shrugged. “I’m just saying.”
“But it could get messy,” Hope interjected. “What if he still has feelings for Fancy.”
“I don’t believe that to be the case. I really don’t want to dredge up the past, but Marc was grieving for his fiancée, Gretchen, when he developed feelings for me. Truthfully, I don’t think his feelings for me had much substance.”
“It may not be wise though to wake sleeping dragons,” Charlotte said. “It might just stir everything up again if he’s working on our behalf.”
“We need the best available. We don’t even know if he can take us on yet, but I say we should hire him.” Olivia’s calm voice resonated in the room.
“Let’s take a vote,” Fancy suggested.
“All in favor raise your hand,” Callie said.
Charlotte looked around at the girls. She was the only one who hadn’t raised her hand.
“I guess we’re going to contact Marc about working for us. I think it’s best if someone else deals with Marc,” Fancy said, her voice sounding calm and reasonable.
“I’ll do it,” Olivia said, volunteering her services. “If he’s agreeable to meeting us, I’ll invite him over for afternoon tea.”
Charlotte shook her head with disbelief. What in the world had gotten into her best friends? Marc Cabron was not a good guy. He’d deliberately set out to break up Fancy and Case. And he’d succeeded for a time. She couldn’t believe everyone had such short memories.
Charlotte didn’t trust Marc Cabron as much as she could throw him!
**
Charlotte peeped out the front window, wanting to make sure that she was the one to head their visitor off at the pass. Perhaps if she could talk some sense into Marc Cabron he would take the high road and refuse the assignment.
She watched him as he emerged from his dark, compact car. He was tall and compact, with a figure that seemed athletic and slightly muscular. He was wearing a dark pair of jeans paired with a oatmeal-colored sweater. He walked with a bit of a swagger, which immediately got on Charlotte’s nerves.
“Full of himself,” Charlotte muttered. Who did he think he was?
Just as he approached the front door, Charlotte sprung into action and wrenched it open, right before he could press the bell and alert the others to his presence at Savannah House.
Surprise registered in his eyes at the sight of her. “Good afternoon. Charlotte? Am I right?”
“Yes,” she said in a cool voice. “I’m Charlotte Duvall. Please come in.”
“Thank you,” he said, walking over the threshold and into the resort. Once inside, his masculine presence seemed to take over. His energy filled up the space.
“Why don’t you come into the parlor and sit down while we wait for the others.”
“Sure thing,” Marc said with a nod as he looked around him. He let out a low whistle of approval. “This place looks fantastic.”
“Thank you. We wanted Savannah House to have a make-over but still retain the same charm and elegance of yesteryear.”
“You achiev
ed your goal then,” Marc said. “My family stayed here once when I was a child. Wonderful memories.”
Charlotte closed the parlor door behind them.
“I’m going to completely honest with you, Marc. I think perhaps this assignment is ill-advised. Maybe you should just say no,” Charlotte said in a sharp voice.
“And why is that?” Marc asked, his dark brows knitted together.
He was standing so close to her. For the first time she noticed his chiseled features and his espresso colored eyes. There was a quiet intensity about him that radiated in the parlor. Energy bounced off him in waves.
“Because Fancy and my brother are getting married in a few weeks.” She tilted her chin up in a defiant stance.
“I’m not a threat to that. Truth is, I never was.”
Charlotte let out a harsh laugh. “Really? From what I remember they called off an engagement because of you.”
“I don’t think anyone benefits from dredging up the past, Charlotte. It’s best forgotten.”
“That’s easy for you to say,” she said angrily. “You did your dirt and then left town without having to face any of the fallout.”
He took a step toward her, quickly swallowing up the distance between them. “Charlotte, I want to stay respectful, but you’re making it extremely hard. I didn’t come over here to discuss the past or justify my actions. Frankly, it’s none of your business.”
“Case is my brother, so it was very much my business when his life was torn apart.” Her cheeks felt flushed with anger.
“Fancy forgave me a long time ago,” he said.
Charlotte let out a snicker. “Forgiving is one thing, but forgetting is another. Just be aware that I’m going to be watching you,” Charlotte warned.
A wide grin broke out on his face. “Well, I’m giving you fair warning, Charlotte. I’m going to have my eyes on you as well.” He slowly looked her up and down, causing a wave of embarrassment to flow over her.
She turned on her heel and left the room in order to assemble the other ladies in the parlor. Just as she’d expected, Marc Cabron was not the choir boy that everyone believed him to be.
For Love Alone (Secrets of Savannah Book 4) Page 16