His Band of Gold

by Melissa McClone

  He stared directly into her eyes, and Kelsey felt woozy. “My sister is Faith Starr.”

  Of all the nerve…Kelsey’s blood pressure soared off the chart and perspiration wet the back of her neck. “Faith Starr?”

  At least Kelsey now knew why Will Addison’s name sounded familiar—he was a blood relation, a brother no less, of the world’s worst client. It was all coming back to her. Will was the oldest of the siblings who traveled the globe running the family chain of Starr Properties—resorts, hotels and inns named for his mother—that catered to the rich, famous and not-so-famous. Just as Starr Addison’s husband, Bill, had used his wife’s name for the family’s real-estate venture, Faith had taken her mother’s name for her stage name. Not that it made a difference.

  Nothing made a difference where Faith Starr was concerned.

  Kelsey rose, barely able to contain the anger threatening to erupt worse than Mt. Vesuvius. She was an Armstrong and had been raised properly to follow etiquette and protocol, but one could only be polite for so long. “Get out of my office, Mr. Addison. Now.”

  He stood. “I understand why you’re upset. Faith hasn’t been the most reliable—”

  “Your sister is nothing more than a spoiled starlet, who strings fiancés along as if they were her personal puppets.” Faith Starr, actress extraordinaire and the world’s most famous runaway bride, had almost given Kelsey an ulcer—four times in the past three years. Faith was a perfectionist both in her craft and in planning her weddings. Never had Kelsey worked so hard with so little payoff in her life.

  “I’ve already planned four weddings for her. Count them—four.” Kelsey raised four fingers. That was three too many. More business was one thing, but this… “I won’t be involved in number five.”

  “Can’t we talk about this? Work something—”

  “Out. I have nothing more to say on this matter so please leave.”

  “If you only understood the circumstances—”

  “Look,” Kelsey said, trying to keep her tone polite, yet firm. “I appreciate you came on behalf of your family. That’s very…noble of you considering my past with your sister. But nothing you say will change my mind.”

  His assessing gaze made her self-conscious. It was all she could do not to smooth her skirt and check to see if a piece of spinach was caught between her teeth. “Are you always so stubborn?” he asked, his eyes twinkling.

  “Out. Now.” At least the band of gold wasn’t the only negative thing about Will Addison. “Get out of my office before I call security and have you thrown out.”

  Waiting for Kelsey to step out into the hallway was far from Will’s idea of a good time, but he wasn’t leaving until he had a chance to speak with her again.

  The seconds turned into minutes; the minutes into an hour. How much longer before she left for the airport? He stared at the door to Kelsey’s office. No catchy name for her business, simply Kelsey Armstrong Waters, Wedding Consultant, in a script font. Too bad there was nothing simple about the woman herself.

  He should have handled it better, but Kelsey had caught him off guard, and he wasn’t a man used to being caught off guard. He didn’t like the feeling one bit.

  Damn Faith.

  Will was going to kill her. He shouldn’t have promised to oversee her wedding planning while she finished filming her latest movie. Faith had said this would be easy. As easy as pushing an elephant into an elevator. And the wedding was the least of it.

  Will was used to being around beautiful, wealthy, accomplished women and having them flirt, even pursue him. He was used to tolerating such women; he was an expert at fending off their advances unless he wanted a little company. But it never went further than that. No one intrigued him enough to make him want more.

  Until today.

  Something had happened when he’d seen Kelsey’s reflection in the mirror. He’d stood transfixed as if watching a piece of living art. Unguarded expressions had played on her face, and emotion clogged his throat. He’d felt as if he were trespassing, but he hadn’t been able to stop staring at her. Tall and willowy, with long chestnut hair that shone and sparkled as if each strand had been individually cleaned and polished, she looked so young, so soft, so sweet. The wistful smile on her face had touched his heart and he’d wanted to capture the moment. For the first time in a long while, he’d felt the racing of his pulse, the pounding of his heart. And he’d liked the way it felt. Liked it a lot.

  When Kelsey had realized she wasn’t alone, the glowing bride-to-be had metamorphosed into the cool, distant professional. No flirting, no fawning. She’d even called him “Mr. Addison” and kept it strictly business.

  Yet when she’d realized he was Faith Starr’s brother…Talk about passion boiling under a cool facade. Will couldn’t believe the change in the woman. Flames had danced within the violet depths of her eyes, raising his temperature enough to melt the ice in his veins. She’d shown restraint, yet her anger had been clear. No amount of charm would ever change her mind. Forget the sweet talk, even his never-fail smile hadn’t worked.

  Will didn’t get it. He always got what he wanted from women. Even with Sara.

  Sara.

  Will’s gut tightened.

  What the hell was he doing? Being attracted to Kelsey was one thing. He hadn’t spent the past eight years as a total hermit, but he had no right to be intrigued by her. She wasn’t simply a guest at one of his resorts; she was the woman he had to convince to plan his sister’s wedding. His family, most especially his mother, was counting on him to bring Kelsey to Lake Tahoe. He wouldn’t let his mother down. He couldn’t let her down.

  The door to Kelsey’s office finally opened. She stepped out, locked the door and turned. The moment she saw him, her lips tightened. “What are you still doing here?”

  Her above-the-knee gray tailored suit hugged each and every curve. Will forced his gaze to focus off her body and on her face. There was both a delicacy and a strength to her features. Her classic beauty would only improve over the years, and she didn’t need all that makeup. High cheekbones dusted with blush, full lips painted the color of a mouthwatering plum and eyelids outlined with black liner. At least she hadn’t tried to hide the small mole near the left side of her mouth. “You seemed upset. I wanted to apologize.”

  She stared down her perfectly shaped nose as if he were a mere peon. Fine by him. Will knew how to deal with women like that. He made a living catering to customers, to the whims of the wealthy guests staying at his family’s resorts. He hadn’t thought Kelsey fit that cold and shallow mold. She’d seemed more the warm and passionate type, but it would be easier this way. Much easier. “I also wanted to apologize for Faith. She’s very sorry for what she put you through.”

  “Which time?”

  “All four of them,” he admitted.

  Unblinking, Kelsey studied him. “You’ve said your apologies, now leave.”

  “I don’t blame you for being upset at Faith, but I wish you would hear me out. You didn’t lose money on any of her weddings.”

  “No, your mother saw to that, but I lost something far more valuable—my time.” Kelsey flipped her hair behind her shoulder, and Will felt a twinge in his groin. Ignore it; ignore her. She continued, “And it hurt my reputation. In a business like this, reputation is everything.”

  “Granted, but Faith has changed. She loves her new fiancé and is serious about getting married this time.”

  “Which of her latest co-stars is she engaged to?”

  “He isn’t an actor.”

  The news seemed to surprise Kelsey, but she continued to stare at the gilt-framed botanical print on the wall. “A director, then?”

  “No. His name is Trent Jeffreys. He runs a nonprofit agency.”

  “Nonprofit?”

  “Low-cost housing, affordable living alternatives. He’s even got Faith volunteering on a few of his projects.”

  “So he’s not in the business.” From the prim tone of her voice, Will could tell Kels
ey still wasn’t swayed. “I don’t think having a two-week engagement shows any growth on Faith’s part.”

  He saw her point. “She’s been engaged since Halloween.”

  “So why are you only coming to me now?”

  Here’s where it got tricky, Will realized. Once Kelsey agreed to come with him, she’d learn the truth, but for now that was family business and private. Will wished he could keep it that way, too. Thinking about what had happened to his mother was hard enough. He didn’t want to talk about it. Might as well dangle the big carrot instead to see if Kelsey bit.

  “As I said, it’s the real deal this time. No more Hollywood extravaganzas like the weddings Faith asked you to plan for her. She and Trent want a small wedding with only close friends and family in attendance.”

  “Doesn’t matter. At this late date every place is booked for Valentine’s Day.”

  “Not the Starr Lake Inn at Tahoe.”

  Kelsey’s sharp gaze met his. “Weddings aren’t allowed at Starr Properties.”

  “True. They are intrusive on our other guests, but rules are made to be broken. Especially for family.” Will saw he’d piqued her interest. “Unfortunately, the plans for Faith’s wedding have gotten—how should I put it?—a little out of hand. We aren’t known for putting on weddings, and we need a professional like yourself to help us with the finishing touches and the final arrangements.”

  Kelsey said nothing. The seconds ticked by. Time to seal the deal. America knew how wealthy the Armstrong family was, so money wouldn’t be a good motivator. But according to his mother, Kelsey’s business meant the world to her. “If you agree to work on Faith’s wedding, we’ll allow you to use a Starr property for a future wedding. Any wedding.”

  Kelsey’s eyes widened. Yes, her interest was genuinely piqued. Leave it to his mother…

  “I’d want an exclusive contract to use any Starr property.”

  Will was used to negotiating with cutthroat Realtors, city planners, you name it. Sharks, all of them. Kelsey was as sharp and smart. And something told him he would enjoy the challenge. Will smiled. “Only one?”

  “At least one at each of your properties.”

  Ouch. The shark bit off one of his limbs and spit it back at him. She reminded him of his mother. Starr was the reason the resorts were such a success. She had taught him everything she knew about business and negotiating. His mother had also taught him when to cut bait. “Fine. You may put on one wedding at each property provided you work with my office and use our chefs and staff.”

  Kelsey got a faraway look in her eyes and it softened the features on her face, reminding him of how she’d looked when he’d first stepped inside her office and saw her in the veil. “Let me get this straight. All I have to do to get this wonderful opportunity is cancel my vacation, go with you to Lake Tahoe for the next two weeks and work on Faith’s wedding?”

  “Yes.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  He did a double take. “What did you say?”

  “I said no.” She adjusted the leather bag on her shoulder. “Not even the exclusive use of Starr properties could make me want to work with your sister again. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a plane to catch.” Kelsey pushed past him.

  Her strength of will impressed him. At least she had principles. But everyone had a price. He only had to find hers. “What would change your mind?”

  She pursed her lips. “Do you have another sister who wants to get married?”

  “Hope’s already married.”

  “Sorry.”

  But he could tell she wasn’t. Damn. He’d never expected her to turn down his offer…Now he was in a real bind, which left him only one other option.

  To tell her the truth. “Wait.”

  She turned. “What is it now?”

  “There’s something I haven’t told you about why we need you to plan Faith’s wedding.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me.”

  This was hard. Much harder than he thought it would be. Will tugged on his now-too-tight collar. “My mother was the one coordinating and making all the plans.”

  “Then you don’t need me. Starr’s amazing. She could plan any event with her eyes closed.”

  Kelsey was right on the mark about his mother. Starr Addison could do anything she put her mind to, except the one thing that had become her all-consuming goal—marry off her youngest daughter. “That was before,” he forced the words out.

  “Before what?”

  “My mother had a stroke, and she…” Swallowing hard, he pulled himself together. “She said the only one she trusted to pull off the wedding she’d planned for Faith is you.”

  Chapter Two

  Starr? A stroke?

  It wasn’t possible. But the seriousness in Will’s gaze told Kelsey it was true. Tears stung her eyes and she blinked them away. “How is she doing?”

  He shrugged, his features tight. “Things are progressing…slowly.”

  A stroke. Kelsey didn’t know what to say. She remembered the helpless feeling that had engulfed her and her entire family when her grandmother Waters had suffered a stroke. The long days and endless nights until Grandmother had had another stroke and died. Kelsey fought the urge to offer comfort. He had a wife to do that. “I’m so sorry. I truly am.”

  “Thanks.” His voice was deeper than she’d heard before, and he glanced at the ceiling. “It’s been a…difficult time for all of us. Faith wanted to postpone the wedding, but my mother insists it goes on as planned. Mom wanted to continue doing all the work herself, but it was too much for her.”

  Too much for Starr Addison? Kelsey tried to imagine Starr as anything other than her vibrant and energetic self, a woman who’d even tried snowboarding last year just to see what it was like. A strong, confident woman who still had an Achilles’ heel—her daughter, Faith.

  Each time Faith decided at the eleventh hour to cancel her wedding, Starr would break the news to Kelsey and hand her a generous check for the work she’d done as if money would wipe the slate clean. Starr apologized for the inconvenience, but not once had she apologized for her daughter’s actions. Neither had Faith, for that matter. Kelsey chalked it up to family loyalty. Still, a simple “I’m sorry” would have made such a difference, but none had come.

  She’d kept waiting and hoping. Of course, she’d only contributed to the situation by continuing to plan Faith’s weddings, because Kelsey enjoyed working with Starr, but she wasn’t going to give in and do it again.

  Kelsey really wanted—no, she needed to take a vacation. Just her reaction to Will told her she needed to get away from her daily routine. Designing wedding after wedding without time for herself or a little male diversion had taken a toll. A couple of weeks on the island paradise of San Montico with her cousin, Christina, was exactly what Kelsey needed. A little rest and relaxation. Maybe Prince Richard’s royal advisor, Didier Alois, had forgiven her for turning down his marriage proposal and they could spend some time together. If he hadn’t, making up would be a nice challenge. She did enjoy his company even if he’d gone a bit far by proposing after only knowing her for one week. And a casual flirtation might be fun. Yes, this vacation was what she needed, craved, deserved. “I’m really sorry, Will, but I have a plane to catch.”

  “My mother’s only wish is to see Faith married. It’s more important to her than her own recovery.” He gazed straight at Kelsey, making her feel as if she needed to take a step—make that ten steps—back. “And you’re the only one she wants to help her.”

  An invisible noose tightened around Kelsey’s neck, and she tried to resist caving in. The last thing in the world she wanted to do was to plan a fifth wedding for Faith. Kelsey had promised herself not to allow Starr to sweet-talk her into doing another wedding for her daughter. Now it wasn’t only Starr asking, but Will, too.

  “What do you say?” He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Will you help my mother make her dream come true?”

  A grapefr
uit-size lump of guilt lodged in Kelsey’s throat. Closing her eyes, she thought about her grandmother and how important dreams had been to her. Dreams she’d had for and shared with each of her grandchildren. But the stroke had taken away those dreams, taken away everything. There had been little time to do anything but say goodbye. Kelsey had wanted to do more, so much more. And now Will was giving her the chance she hadn’t had before.

  The ding of a bell announced the arrival of the elevator, and the doors opened.

  “I know your staff is gone, but I’ll help you.” Will smiled. “Tell me what you need done and it’ll be done. I don’t know much about weddings, but I’m a fast learner.”

  Her eyes sprang open and her heart leaped with pleasure at the thought of being near Will. It was totally illogical, downright ridiculous. Forget about not wanting to work on Faith’s wedding. The last thing in the world Kelsey wanted to do was to spend two weeks working with Will Addison. “Faith will want to work on her own wedding.”

  “She’s on location and won’t be flying in until the day before the wedding. She made me promise to oversee things until she arrived.”

  This didn’t sound like the Faith that Kelsey knew. The starlet wanted to be involved with everything. She’d even overseen the flower arrangements for the last wedding. Starr was always a big help, but even she demurred to her daughter’s wishes. “Faith trusts you to oversee her wedding preparations?”

  “Yes.” A wry grin graced his lips. “Do you have a problem with this?”

  Kelsey’s stomach twisted and turned and tumbled. She should have eaten more than a croissant for breakfast. “Of course not. I’ve worked with grooms—men—before.”

  “Does this mean you’ll do it?”

  “I…” Glancing at the closing elevator doors ahead of her, she watched her vacation disappear. And with it, her stress level inched upward.

  “You can’t imagine what it would mean to my mother and my entire family.”

  Damn him. Damn all the Addisons. She did not want to work on another wedding for Faith. Kelsey had promised herself she wouldn’t, yet for her grandmother and Starr… “Okay.”