The Wedding Toast: Marriage of convenience, sweet clean billionaire romance. (Colorado Billionaires Book 6)

by Regina Duke

  Axel frowned. “I don’t think my dad wants his biography to be a laundry list of his mistakes in life.”

  Taylor thought fast. “Of course not,” she replied. “I was just trying to think of a way to get your muse started. After all, you’re the writer. I’m just here to help.” She sighed heavily and closed her laptop. “But as your typist, it’s very frustrating when we’re supposed to be building a written document, and I can’t lay it all out on the table and look at it.”

  For the first time that day, Axel seemed interested in what was going on. “Oh, I understand completely. I have to print my own stuff out every night. I need to look at it in order to edit and reorganize it. Okay here’s what we’re going to do. We’ll stop at an office supply store and buy you a printer. There’s one in the old part of town, just around the block from Mina’s boutique. We’ll pick up printer paper, cartridges, everything. That way, when you have time in the evening, you can print out your notes and we can each have a copy to work on. How does that sound?”

  Truth be told, Taylor thought it sounded like a whole lot more work for her. And she was getting pretty darn tired of this job. However, it was the first time he had shown any real interest in making progress on the biography. So she agreed.

  On the way into town, Axel grew chatty. He seemed to want to say something but wasn’t sure how to say it. Or at least, that was the impression that Taylor got. He began, “You know, Taylor, I was really impressed with what you did with Thunder yesterday morning. You really know something about horses. And you’re so fearless. I’ve seen Krystal Fineman and her daughter working with their horses over at their indoor arena, and I swear, they don’t do any better than you do, and they’re using saddles and bridles.”

  Taylor perked up. “There’s a riding arena near here?” she asked.

  Axle grew animated. “Yes! The Fineman Wakes have a huge indoor riding arena, and Karla and her friend Mindy are always practicing. They have jumps, and they do dressage and pleasure riding, too. Sometimes Lucy Baxter from the Lazy B arranges to take her guests over to use the arena for riding lessons. Say, I’ve got an idea. This weekend is the first big outdoor picnic for the Lazy B guests. It’s a huge fundraiser. I’m sure they’d love to have us come. After all, we’d be helping them raise money. What do you say?”

  Taylor’s heart pounded with excitement. An indoor riding arena with horses available for guests and girls who did dressage? She could hardly contain herself. “That’s a wonderful idea. I’d love to meet other horse people in the area. Especially if this project is going to take us weeks instead of days.” And she would have access to dozens of people who knew the Garrisons. She’d be sure to learn some juicy gossip there.

  “Fantastic,” said Axel. For the first time since they started working together, he seemed truly happy.

  Taylor said, “I just have one question.”

  “Okay,” said Axel. “What is it?”

  “Do they have any alpacas?”

  Axel burst out laughing. “No, they do not.”

  “Fantastic,” said Taylor. “In that case, let’s go buy me a printer so I can get more work done tonight, and we will have a beautiful day playing in the arena tomorrow.”

  “That sounds perfect. Thank you for wanting to go. I was really worried at first that you would hate the outdoor life from the way you were dressed and all. Plus, I thought you were a guy.”

  “I know,” said Taylor. “You told me that when I arrived.”

  “But I don’t care anymore. In fact, I couldn’t be happier that my father sent a girl who’s so cute and smart and actually enjoys my animals as much as I do.”

  Taylor was surprised. She turned and looked at him in time to see a hot blush creep up his cheekbones. Axel kept his eyes on the road for the rest of the drive into town. Taylor smiled to herself because she could tell that he hadn’t meant to say any of those personal things to her. Maybe he was having trouble maintaining his hostility as well.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Sunday, April 10

  Stuck in the wilds of Colorado, Taylor did not expect the large-scale organization that greeted them as they drove towards the Victorian home of Krystal Fineman’s family. Young people in bright orange vests directed the arriving vehicles toward a parking lot. Two large buses were already parked at the far end of the graveled area. The big white house was decorated with balloons and colorful swags of fabric. It reminded Taylor of a political campaign, but no candidate’s name was in evidence. Somewhere behind the house, a live band was playing bluegrass. Once they got out of the SUV, it was easy to follow the line of arrivals and find the huge indoor arena. It stood like a horse lover’s Coliseum, rising behind the older, smaller barn. The house itself was surrounded by lawn. The front garden was fenced, and everywhere you looked, there were signs that children lived and played here.

  Taylor inhaled deeply of the fresh April morning. “This is my idea of heaven. You can smell the horses in the air.”

  Axel laughed softly. “Yes, I guess you could say that. Horses, and a few other things related to horses.”

  Taylor gave him a look.

  Axel held up both hands. “I meant the alfalfa,” he said defensively.

  “You’d better mean alfalfa,” she teased. “No man who shelters alpaca bile has a right to complain about manure.”

  Axel gave a short bark of a laugh. “Ha!” Then he sniffed the air again. “My favorite aroma is the hotdogs on the broiler and….” He paused to sniff again. “What is that enticing aroma? Something from my childhood.”

  It was Taylor’s turn to laugh. “You have sophisticated tastes,” she said sarcastically. “You’re smelling cotton candy. They must have one of those machines. Oh, look over there.” She pointed to an area west of the arena where several white tents had been set up to accommodate fundraising booths. One of them was indeed selling cotton candy, made on the spot. And for an extra nickel, the children were allowed to collect the delectable treat on their own paper cone.

  Taylor’s eyes shone with excitement. “This is terrific,” she said. “This setup would make my mother jealous. What are they raising money for?”

  Axel nodded toward a banner strung across the arena’s front opening. “Zachary King’s favorite charity,” he said. The banner portrayed a cherubic face cheek to cheek with a horse’s muzzle, along with the words, “Special Riders, Special Horses.” Beneath that, in smaller print, was a statement that all the proceeds of the weekend’s activities would go to support special needs children who came to the ranch to learn to ride. Axel added, “Zachary’s the foreman here.”

  Taylor didn’t want to admit it, but she was delighted by the arena, the horses, and the fundraising booths. The attendees were a mixed bag, from the looks of the vehicles in the parking lot,. A third appeared to be working ranch vehicles. Another third were high-end luxury rides, the kind she was used to seeing at her mother’s fanciest affairs. And the rest were somewhere in between.

  “Come on over here,” said Axel. “Let’s buy some tickets.”

  Behind a red-and-white checkered tablecloth sat two girls dressed in their finest riding apparel. Axel introduced them. “Hi, Karla. Hi, Mindy. This is my friend, Taylor. She came out from New York to help me write a biography about my father. Taylor, this is Karla Fineman Wake, the young equestrienne I was telling you about. And her friend Mindy. Gosh, you girls must be getting ready to graduate this year, right?”

  His question elicited giggles from Mindy. Quiet Karla’s darker hair, hazel eyes, and somber expression gave her more presence even though Mindy was taller by six inches.

  “That's right,” said Karla, her gaze flicking to Taylor and then back to Axel. “We’ll be graduating in June. It’s kind of sad, really. Mindy and I never wanted high school to end.”

  Taylor was puzzled. “Gee, most young people can't wait to go on to college. Surely you'll be doing that.”

  Karla nodded. “Yes, I guess you’re right.”

  Mindy bounced up
and down as she spoke. “OMG, it’s so exciting! My parents finally agreed to let me go to the same school as Karla, and we’ll be on the equestrian team, and we’ll be competing at the national level! And we get to take our horses to campus, and—”

  A tall, dark-haired man stepped up behind Mindy and laid a hand gently on her shoulder. “Easy, Mindy. No need to blindside our guests with your life story.” He reached across the table and offered Axel his hand. “Good to see you, Axel. Great of you to come.” He glanced around. “I don’t see your cousins yet.”

  Axel shook hands. “I’m sure they’ll show up, Kevin.” Axel smiled. “They aren’t totally despicable. And Zach’s Special Horses charity is so important. Oh, forgive me. Let me introduce Taylor…” He hesitated.

  Taylor supplied, “Hazen.”

  Axel continued. “She’s helping me write a biography of my father.”

  When Kevin shifted his gaze to Taylor, she could feel the power of his personality behind it. “I’m Kevin Fineman Wake,” he said. “You’ve already met my sister, Karla, and our friend, Mindy. You’ll get to see them ride later.”

  Taylor shook his hand. “I’m looking forward to it. I’m having a huge case of arena envy.”

  “You ride?”

  Mindy broke in, “Did you bring your horse?”

  Kevin calmed her again. “Mindy, why don’t you go help Megan with Kissie. Would you mind?”

  “Not at all.” Mindy seemed oblivious to Kevin’s subtle manipulation. She wiggled her fingers at Taylor and Axel. “Can’t wait to talk later.” And she was off.

  Karla continued selling tickets. A ten-year-old boy delivered a six-pack of Diet Coke to the table. As he trotted off, Karla muttered, “Thanks, Keegan.”

  Kevin motioned Axel and Taylor around behind the table, but it was clear to Taylor that he wanted to speak to Axel. She listened politely as the men began discussing local zoning matters and possible code violations pertaining to the Garrisons’ building plans. After a few minutes, she lowered herself onto the chair vacated by Mindy and smiled politely at Karla, who pulled a can free from the six-pack and passed it to Taylor.

  “Thanks. I’m so thirsty.” She popped the top and took a sip. “Forgive me for asking, Karla, but have we met? You look so familiar.”

  Karla took a hundred-dollar bill from a middle-aged couple and handed them a pre-counted roll of green tickets. As they wandered away, she glanced sideways at Taylor and opened her own can of soda. “Depends,” she said. “We may have met. Are you the same blue-haired Taylor Hazen who edged me out of first place in Hunter Jumper last August in Massachusetts?”

  Taylor’s jaw dropped, and her can of soda slipped through her fingers, bounced off her jeans, and fell to the ground.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Axel felt the soda splash the calf of his jeans. A moment later, he was using a paper napkin to daub liquid off Taylor’s anatomy.

  “Are you planning to make a habit of this?” he asked softly. “Because maybe I should start packing a change of clothes when we go places.”

  Taylor laughed self-consciously, but Axel could hear the tension behind it.

  Karla turned away to sell more tickets.

  “What happened?” asked Kevin.

  Taylor’s discomfort rolled off her like heat from an oven.

  Karla glanced up at her brother. “I startled her accidentally,” she said. “It was my fault. Taylor, may I offer you a change of clothes?”

  Taylor’s chagrin evaporated. “Oh, that won’t be necessary.” Her gratitude was evident in her relieved expression. “So kind of you to offer. And hey, another great reason to drink Diet Coke, right? No sugary stickiness.” She smiled up at Axel.

  He knew something had just transpired, but he had no idea what it was. He’d ask her later.

  Karla nodded in tacit agreement. “Offer stands if you need something later. Sorry I scared you.”

  Taylor patted Karla’s shoulder. “Thanks.” Then to Axel, “Gosh, let’s go spend some of those tickets, shall we?”

  Axel let Taylor lead the way, and soon they were ambling among the crowd, looking at brightly hued stuffed animals, giant striped suckers on sticks as thick as baseball bats, and dozens of other prizes that could be won with a lucky toss of a bean bag or by fooling someone at “Let Me Guess Your Weight.” The booths were for charity, so once you bought your tickets, you were virtually guaranteed to win at least one prize. And of course, there was enough junk food to put a grown man in a coma.

  Axel paused at one of the game booths. “Let’s see how many bottles we can knock down.” He passed a dozen tickets to the attendant, who handed him three baseballs in return.

  “These things are rigged,” said Taylor.

  “Maybe at a carnival, but not here,” said Axel. “This is a local fundraiser. No one wants to cheat you out of anything here. They’ve already got your money at the door.” He was having fun, and he couldn’t help it if it showed. But he could see that Taylor was still rattled. “So, what did Karla say to you back there?”

  “Hmm? Er, nothing, not a thing. Really.”

  Axel took aim and let his first baseball fly. A tower of partially filled plastic bottles tumbled to the ground.

  “I didn’t see her make any sudden moves. What did she do, kick you under the table?” He let fly with the second ball, and another tower of bottles met their doom.

  Taylor looked horrified. “She didn’t kick me. She was very nice.”

  “She said she startled you.” He threw the third baseball, and another six bottles fell to the ground.

  The attendant looked sixteen, a skinny kid with a big voice. “We have a winner! Pick your prize!”

  Axel waved an arm at the wall of prizes. “What would you like?”

  Taylor looked flustered. “I don’t care. Whatever you want.”

  Axel’s forehead creased, but he let it go. “I picked this game because I had my eye on that magnificent pink and purple ostrich.”

  “There you go, sir. Congratulations!”

  Axel took the puppet and struggled to manipulate the strings to make it walk. “That three-year-old over there makes it look so easy.”

  Taylor laughed, and Axel smiled. The tension was finally gone from her voice. “So, you think you can do better?” he asked.

  Taylor slung her purse over one shoulder and took the puppet. “I daresay I can.” She tilted the left wand, turning the ostrich’s head to stare up at Axel with an accusing plastic eye the size of a billiard ball. The toy was so tall, she had to hold her arms out straight to use the controls. She moved her hands in a graceful pattern that soon had the ostrich striding through the crowd.

  Axel said, “I’m impressed! You’re really good at that.”

  Taylor gave him a teasing look. “I’ll have you know I spent many wonderful hours at an arcade in my youth. Every chance I got, I would go pump quarters into machines or throw darts at strange boards, and I collected stuffed animals like they were stock options. I truly had a misspent youth. And then puberty hit and my parents insisted that I actually go to high school and college, and you know, all that stuff.”

  Axel laughed. “I cannot imagine my father ever letting me spend an hour or two at a games arcade pushing quarters into the machines. My dad thinks about money all the time. He’s constantly worried about how I’m going to make my share. And I just want to write novels and take care of animals. Do you think that’s wrong?”

  Taylor’s expression softened. “No. I think it’s rather romantic actually. And if you can afford it, why not take the time to perfect your art? I have a brother studying painting in Paris right now.”

  Axel raised a brow. “Really? What does your father have to say about that?”

  Taylor rolled her eyes at him. “You already know the answer to that. Our fathers seem to be a matched set.”

  Axel nodded but said nothing. That was exactly what he was worried about. His previous concerns returned full force. What if the toast Lester had made at the wed
ding in November had been another contest with Rudy? What were his father’s motives? Why did he really send Taylor to help write his biography? Lost in thought, Axel realized suddenly that he couldn’t see Taylor. There were so many people milling about the booths that he’d lost sight of her. “Taylor? Taylor, where did you go? Don’t run away with my ostrich, girl.”

  From somewhere ahead of him he could hear the tinkle of a laugh, and it made him smile. There it was, the real little girl inside Taylor. Whatever else was going on with her taking a job that was far beneath her, whatever Karla had managed to say to throw her into a tizzy, all of that fell away when he heard her laugh. He would save the heavy questions for later. For now, it was enough that the sun was shining and he was spending a beautiful spring day with an equally beautiful young woman.

  * * *

  Taylor congratulated herself on steering Axel clear of the Karla conversation. How could she have failed to remember the competitive young rider who nearly beat her at the Massachusetts horse show? And what a fool she’d been to think she could attend an event at a major horse facility like the Rocking Eagle and not run into at least one other national competitor? But Karla was so young.

  That’s why she hadn’t recognized her. She’d assumed her competition at that event was her own age.

  Now she wondered if Karla would say something to Axel about who she was. That was what had rattled her so badly. Her cover could have been blown in an instant. But lucky for her, Karla seemed more than decent about it. She even came up with an excuse for her. If it weren’t for needing to spy on Axel, Taylor would drop the whole facade and give herself a chance to get to know the Fineman Wakes. They were obviously a family of substance. And the Fineman money was deeply rooted in Colorado. Of course! The hospital bore their name. She was certain now that everywhere she looked, she’d see the Fineman name. Her father had sent her out here to spy on a friend of the local jet set. What on Earth was he thinking? How could she keep her mission a secret in this environment?