by Krista Lakes
Jace was the only thing on Ella's mind.
She didn't want him to be, but like a splinter that she couldn't quite remove, he was in her thoughts. All night, her imagination had revolved around him. She could smell the soft woodsy scent of his skin, the way the light reflected blue and green at the same time in his eyes, and the soft curve of his lips as he bent to kiss her.
Except he had never actually bent to kiss her. That was all in her mind. It had to be. The man was supposed to be getting married tomorrow. Yet, as much as she tried to push him out of her head, he just stayed firmly put.
With a determined breath, Ella focused on her day's work. The odds of running into him were low and if she just avoided the barn, she would get everything prepped for this wedding and life would go back to the way it was. Just, hopefully with more customers.
The lobby was full of people that Ella had never met, yet she recognized most of them. A-list actors, sports personas, and at least three musicians lounged on the over-sized couches around the bar. Teams of men in dark suits with enough firepower to take out a small country sat at every doorway protecting their famous employers.
Considering that Ella had been coordinating everything for the past two weeks with just about every security firm on the planet, she knew that this was probably the safest place on earth. The logistical nightmare of getting every firm on board with the overall security company hired by Connor Conglomerate had been massive, but the checks made it worthwhile.
She hurried past the glittering starlets and musicians, heading off to gather her cleaning supplies. With the importance of the wedding, Ella was the only person that Delores trusted enough to clean the bridal suites properly during their guests' stays. Considering that Ella was the person Delores loved chastising the most, the irony was not lost on Ella.
The door to Delores's office was cracked open. The inn had a tendency to be drafty at times, as old historical buildings often were, and Delores was always complaining that the door never closed right. It was one of the few things that Delores and Ella agreed needed to be fixed. Standing in front of the big desk was Allison, Delores's biological daughter, looking positively miserable.
Ella didn't hate Allison. If anything, she wished the two of them could be closer, but Delores had made sure the two of them never spent any time alone. As far as Delores was concerned, Allison was too good for Ella. Over the years, the two had simply stopped trying to be friends, finding it easier to simply live their separate lives and not upset Delores.
“I'm trying, Mother,” Allison's exasperated voice came through the open door. Ella knew she shouldn't listen, but for once, someone else was getting in trouble.
“You need to try harder!” Delores's hand slammed down on the desk, rattling the pictures and making a pen fall to the floor.
“Do you have any idea how many other girls are here trying to get his attention?” Allison crossed her arms. With her arms crossed, Allison's cleavage was about to explode out of the obviously new designer threads.
“Then work on the sister,” Delores advised, sitting in her high backed chair and glaring at her daughter. “Get in there somehow, Allison. You need to capture that billionaire's heart, or at least be in his pants long enough to get access to his wallet. Do you understand? This is our chance to be rich again. To be what we're supposed to be. Do not let me down.”
“What do you think I'm doing?” Allison indicated to her cleavage. “It's just not that easy.”
“The man is a known player.” Delores's voice was low and dangerous. “When I called the Miramont Hotel, the owner reported seeing at least three of his staff come out of that man's room at late hours. Throw yourself at him a little harder. The man's an easy target.”
“I'm not just sitting here twiddling my thumbs, Mother.”
“You think that's what I'm doing? Twiddling my thumbs?” Delores snapped back. “I'm working on the father. He's worth nearly as much as the son and just as big a player. You want to switch? While I doubt the young son would be interested in me, I'm sure the father would jump at having you.”
Allison's mouth opened and closed as her cheeks flushed. She shuffled her feet and stared at the floor as if she wished she could just disappear. “Fine, Mother. I'll try harder.”
Ella had heard enough. It was no surprise to her that Delores was scheming to get a billionaire. Given that it was Delores, Ella wouldn't have been surprised to find out the older woman was willing to sell her soul to get a billionaire, but to get Allison involved felt cheap. Even for Delores.
With a shake of her head, Ella hurried up the stairs to the cleaning storage area located next to the bridal suite. It took a moment for her to gather all the needed supplies: clean towels, clean linens, fresh soaps and lotions, and all the other miscellaneous items that Delores felt necessary to “improve” the bride's stay.
A knock on the main door yielded no answer, so Ella carefully unlocked the door and went in to reset the room from the previous night. As a maid, she had walked in on all sorts of things. People often forgot to put up the “Do not disturb” sign, and she had found herself in numerous, very awkward positions.
Luckily, today was not one of those days.
The bridal suite was technically two rooms. There was the large open sitting area and then the even larger attached bedroom and master bath. The door to the bedroom was shut, so Ella decided to ignore it for the time being. She would clean the sitting area first and then see if anyone was still sleeping in the bedroom after.
Ella paused for a moment to look out the big windows. They overlooked the lake with the main gazebo front and center and were slowly filling with morning sunshine. Ella smiled. She thought of the three photographs she had placed along with the brochure. She was sure the photographs were what had made the Connors chose to hold the wedding here.
The first photo was of a wedding ceremony held at the main gazebo she was currently looking at. The white of the bride's dress had stood out against the blue of the lake, the green trees, and perfect sky to such perfection that it looked painted and worthy of a magazine.
The second was of a reception. The bride and groom danced in the outdoor courtyard while the doors to the main reception hall stood open, allowing guests to wander in and out. It showcased nicely the 1920's style feel to the place, as well as the beautiful amenities.
But it was the third photograph that she was sure had sold Blue Lake Inn to the Connors. Brides who saw that photo always chose to hold their weddings here. It was always that photo, even if Delores refused to ever allow it in her sight.
The third photo was of Ella's parent's engagement. There was love in that photo and everyone who saw it fell in love with the inn that brought the two of them together.
Ella shook her head, clearing the thoughts of her parents. She needed to get work done in order to help prep for the wedding and reception tomorrow.
The room was still close to pristine. It was obvious someone had come in and had a glass of water during the night, but other than a stray glass and napkin, there was no sign of life. Ella pulled out the feather duster, determined to make sure that Delores, and more importantly the billionaire's sister, were completely happy with the room.
A small sniffle caught her attention. The small whimper came from behind the closed bedroom door. It wasn't much, but as someone who had spent more than enough nights crying silently into a pillow, Ella recognized the sound. It was a quiet, desperate noise, one that the crier hoped no one would hear.
Ella bit her bottom lip, the feather duster limp in her hands. She didn't want to pry as to why anyone would be crying, yet she couldn't let someone make that pitiful sound without checking. How many times had she cried into a pillow, wishing that someone would come and just listen to her and tell her it would be alright? How many nights had she made that same noise and just wished she wasn't quite so alone?
Ella knocked gently on the door. “It's just the maid. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay.”
/> The silence on the other side of the door was heavy and for a full breath, Ella was sure she had made a mistake. Then, slowly, the door opened. A petite young woman stood in the doorway. Her face was stained with tears and her shoulders slumped. Blue, tear-filled eyes peered out from long, mussed, dark hair.
“I didn't know anyone was out there.” The woman sniffled, but didn't close the door.
“Just me.” Ella said with a warm smile, fighting the urge to wrap her arms around the other woman and hug her. “What's wrong?”
The woman let out a shaky breath and stepped out of the door to reveal the bed behind her. It took Ella a moment to register that the ripped, tattered fabric laying out on the bed was supposed to be a dress. A white wedding dress.
“What happened?” Ella whispered, her hand going to her mouth as she stepped forward to inspect the rags. The dress was completely ruined. Even if it hadn't been ripped in over a dozen places, there were black stains that would never come out of the once cream-colored fabric.
“They lost my dress on the runway. The plane ran over it.” The woman's voice was surprisingly steady, as if she still didn't quite believe it herself. She let out a half-hearted chuckle.“So much for the billionaire service, right?”
Ella admired the woman's attempt at humor, even as the chuckle twisted into a sob.
“They tried to tell me that it wasn't a big deal, but...” She picked up a corner of the blackened dress and a piece of lace fluttered to the ground. Her hand shook and for a moment Ella was afraid that the woman was going to completely break down. Ella certainly knew that she would collapse in this situation.
Ella quickly put her hand on the woman's shoulder and turned her away from the dress. “We'll fix it,” she promised, not really sure how, but determined to anyway.
“What am I going to do?” The woman's shoulders shuddered as she attempted to keep her sobs inside her chest. “The wedding is tomorrow. I called the bridal shop that sold me this one, but it's an antique. They don't have another one.”
Ella didn't even hesitate. “I have one,” she said. It surprised her, but she couldn't let anyone, let alone her last hope at saving the inn, go without a wedding dress. Especially when she had one just sitting in a box down in the cellar.
“You have a wedding dress?” The woman wiped at her nose with a crumpled-up tissue, disbelief in her eyes.
“Let me get it. I think it's your size, or at least close enough that we can easily tailor it.” Ella took the woman's hands in hers, trying not to get excited. If this worked, not only would the wedding be saved, but the billionaire Connor family would have nothing but amazing things to say about the inn.
“Do you just keep extra wedding dresses just hanging around?” she asked with a puzzled look on her face.
“No.” Ella smiled and shook her head. “It was my grandmother's. And my mom's. So, it's an antique, just like yours.”
The woman frowned, her delicate brows coming together and darkening her face. “Then it's supposed to be yours. I couldn't...”
Ella squeezed her hands. “You need it more than I do right now.” She shrugged. “Let me get it and see if it will even work.”
The woman paused, clearly considering saying no again, but the spark of hope was starting to form in the woman's eyes. “Okay. It's at least a place to start. Thank you.”
Ella grinned and quickly ran out the door. The cellar wasn't far, but it was musty. The door was heavy and always getting stuck. They'd had one poor waitress stuck for two hours when she accidentally closed the door behind her. Ella made sure to push the door open as far as possible and position a brick in the door frame just in case.
The inn kept wines and miscellaneous bar items in the front portion of the cellar, but hidden in the back, far behind all the bottles, was a small storage area. No one ever went back there except Ella. She wasn't even sure Delores even knew half the things that were stored in the dry cool back room.
If she did, she'd probably sell them, Ella thought as she found the heavy wooden box holding the dress. She held it reverently for a moment, clutching it to her chest and closing her eyes. Ella's mother had died just after she was born, so she didn't have any real memories of her. Just the stories her father used to tell her.
This box, some photographs, and a few old letters tucked carefully under her mattress, were the only things she had left of her mother. Yet, the offer to let a stranger wear the dress didn't even phase her. Yes, the dress held special meaning to Ella, but somehow, this felt right. Like it was supposed to happen this way.
Like her mother would have wanted this.
With a grin on her face and hope in her heart, Ella raced back upstairs. Winded, but still smiling, she found the bride sitting on the bed with her hands folded in her lap staring at the ruined dress.
The woman looked up as Ella walked in, holding out the box like a present. The woman's hands shook as she reached for the box, her eyes filled with unexpected hope. She set the lid to the side and paused. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Ella said, taking the dress out herself. “I'm sure.”
The dress was just as beautiful as Ella remembered. A white, satin, sweetheart bodice flowed into a full skirt. Long lace sleeves, delicately feminine and beautiful, accented the dress and made it stunning, yet demure. It was the perfect dress
“It's beautiful...” whispered the bride, her eyes welling with tears as she gingerly touched a lace sleeve.
“Try it on,” Ella coached. The other woman grinned, carefully taking the dress in her arms and moving to the bathroom.
The sounds of satin and quiet movement were the only noises in the room and they echoed through Ella's mind. She thought of the pictures of her grandmother and mother in this dress, and the way they had smiled as they married their best friends. Thoughts of her future self putting on the dress for someone, someone like Jace, made her chest tight. She pushed the thoughts away. The inn was enough for now.
The bathroom door creaked open and the bride peeked out before emerging. Ella gasped.
It was a perfect fit.
“Will you help me with the laces and buttons?” she asked, blushing as she stepped out into the room. “I couldn't get them by myself.”
Ella went behind her, quickly finding the laces to cinch the waist tight and the buttons to finish closing the dress as the bride stood and stared into the mirror. The dress was even more stunning on a living person. A hint of jealousy flipped in Ella's stomach, but she pushed it away. This wasn't about her. Not today. Ella looked up to see a tear trickle down her new friend's face.
“It's so perfect,” the woman whispered, wiping at her cheek. “Thank you.”
“You're welcome,” Ella replied, grinning at their reflections in the mirror. The excitement and relief of the bride was palpable.
“I just realized, I never asked your name.” The woman turned and took Ella's hands in her own. Something about her blue eyes was incredibly familiar, but from where, Ella couldn't place.
“I'm Ella.”
“Thank you, Ella. I'm Madelyn.” The woman grinned as she turned back to the mirror. “And you're sure it's okay that I'm wearing your dress?”
“When you look this good in it, how can I say no?” Ella replied, a grin taking over her face.
“I really can't thank you enough. I was afraid I was going to have to get married in jeans and a white t-shirt.” Madelyn let out a sigh that sounded far heavier than just air as her fears over ruining the wedding disappeared. “I promise not to spill any red wine on it.”
“I might have to kill you if you did,” Ella teased, loving that Madelyn laughed without hesitation. The sound was genuine and refreshing.
Madelyn's hands skimmed the fabric, as if her eyes couldn't believe what her hands were feeling. “He's going to love it...”
Jace. She meant Jace was going to love it. The wonderful, handsome man that Ella had been trying not to think about all day was going to love it. Ella managed to keep the smile on he
r face without it cracking.
“Of course he will,” she agreed. Ella suddenly didn't want to be watching the bride wearing her dress, planning to marry the man she was dreaming of. “I need to finish my work. I'll have someone come up and clean the dress for you as soon as possible. If you need anything, just ask for me. I'm at your disposal for as long as you're here.”
Madelyn nodded absentmindedly, her eyes glued to the mirror as she took in the dress. “Of course. Thank you, Ella.”
Ella glanced back once before leaving the bridal suite. Madelyn looked so beautiful and happy that it made her heart ache. Ella would never have anything like that. She knew it deep in her bones. She wasn't made for that kind of simple joy.
Ella didn't pick up her cleaning supplies. She just left them tucked off to the side of the hall and hurried outside. She'd come back and finish her job later, but for now, she needed to clear her mind of the mix of emotions circling and tightening in her chest. Her mother's dress. Jace. Someone else's joy.
She needed some fresh air to refresh her heart and the gazebo by the lake was just the place she needed.
Chapter Five
Jace walked along the lake shore with quick, long strides. He was used to walking fast. In the business world, there was always someone to catch up to and someone to outrun. Life was a competition and only the strong and the fast survived.
He sighed. He needed to find a way to stop thinking like that. Madelyn was always telling him that he was becoming more and more like his father. He hated that. His father was a workaholic with no time for his wife or family. A brilliant businessman, but not a good parent and a terrible husband. Jace wanted to be better than his father. It was part of why he was going all out for Madelyn's wedding. The fact that he was putting in so much effort annoyed his father to no end.
He paused on the path, glancing around at the carefully manicured lawn and trees surrounding the lake. He hoped he hadn't missed it. He was looking for the small gazebo, the one Ella had mentioned last night. She had said the path was near the main gazebo, but so far he hadn't found it yet. To be honest, he wasn't really looking for the gazebo, he was hoping that he'd run into her again.