“Oh, gosh, we’re so sorry,” Andie took the baby from Cade, who reached for his wallet.
“Is there any way I can pay for this?” Cade asked.
“Say, aren’t you that football player?” The man’s eyes brightened. “I’ve a friend at city hall who clues me into upcoming weddings. Weren’t you just there getting a license?”
Wasn’t there anything private in a small town? Guess not.
The man held out his hand to shake. “I’m Heath Rose, certified floriculturist.”
“Nice to meet you. She’s planning the wedding,” Cade passed the buck. “Whatever she wants, she’ll get.”
Andie shot daggers at him, then smiled sweetly at the man, who appeared to eye her greedily from behind his designer eyeglasses. “Actually I’ll be planning my wedding and a couple of plays by the lake.”
Plays by the lake? This was news to Cade.
“Are you with the Silver-Spooned Players?” The man brightened visibly. “
“Why, yes, that would be correct.” Andie’s voice adopted a more patrician accent. “My associates and I are putting on a production of the Marriage of Figaro. I’m sure we will require large, showy bouquets and centerpieces.”
“Of course. Here’s my card,” Heath purred, his eyes taking in the creamy curves of Andie’s cleavage, partially covered by a drooling Bret.
Why, oh why had the weather warmed enough for her to wear sundresses? It was going to be tough keeping marauding men’s paws from his wife—if he ever got her to the altar.
“Awesome,” Andie said, as she passed Bret off to Cade so she could take the card. “I’ll be in touch.”
“Can’t wait.” Heath plucked a huge orchid from the center of his display and handed it to Andie. “Your wish is my command.”
The overdressed dork then gave a courtly half-bow and winked at Andie right in front of Cade, who was struggling to hold Bret from wiggling out of his arms.
“All part of my job.” Andie shook hands with the odious man. “We’re in the planning stages right now, so perhaps we can go over your portfolio next week.”
Since when had Andie been roped into working for Silver-Spooned Players? Cade would have to have a word with Ronaldo. Andie would have her hands full with two babies in diapers. His buddy couldn’t just hire her without consulting him. What scheme was he up to this time?
# # #
Andie kissed and cuddled Bret as she sat at a bistro table and waited for Cade to buy their lunch from a booth set up by Tall Duck Winery, a local winery named after a band of tall, thin greenish-black ducks who don’t waddle, but run while standing tall and erect.
A folk band played Bob Dylan tunes, and the pervasive fragrance of the multitudes of flowers festooning the stage and surrounding tables made Andie’s heart blossom with hope and new possibilities, like it did every spring time.
“We almost got your daddy in trouble back there,” Andie said to Bret. “But look what Mommy got, a bright, orange orchid to match my hair.”
Brett giggled and squealed, drool collecting on his chin. He rubbed his knuckles over his gums. His eyes opened in shock and he yowled.
“Oh look, your little tooth has sprouted. Look at those jagged edges.” Andie kissed Bret’s knuckle. Fortunately the skin wasn’t broken. “There, owie’s gone.”
Several matronly looking women sitting near her cooed and ahhed at Bret, who gave them a gurgling laugh. Even the young mother who’d been scolding her whiny toddler looked over and smiled.
“Gee, ohhg-lah,” Bret sang, grabbing Andie’s hair, as a man approached the table.
“Mind if I join you?” It was Leroy Chan, the scriptwriter. Once, long ago, he’d taken Andie to a bar, as a coworker, not a date, and had gotten Cade jealous. But he’d never made a pass at her, and had always stayed friendly, even after The Love Lives of King David show was cancelled.
“Of course not, grab a chair.” Andie juggled Bret, wishing Cade could get the stroller. It hadn’t been allowed inside the greenhouse because of the cramped aisles.
Leroy moved a chair from the neighboring table where a lone woman sat reading a paperback with a man and a woman splashed out on a beach on the cover. Her eyes were hidden by a dark visor, and she seemed oblivious to Leroy stealing the chair. Oh well, she was too engrossed in Knowing Vera to pay attention.
Leroy pointed to Andie’s cup of apple cider with the Tall Duck logo. “I love all these quaint wineries up here. They’re not as commercialized as Napa Valley.”
“Me, too. The Finger Lakes region is pretty special. We still have family farms, family owned wineries and craft breweries, and regular people doing artwork from their barns. Of course, it means we’re dependent on tourism and the university, since heavy industry moved out long ago.”
“True.” Leroy unfolded a napkin and wrapped it around his sandwich. “That’s why Ronaldo’s revitalizing the summer theater. His aunt’s looking at purchasing a swath of land along the lakefront.”
“Really? Doesn’t running the football team keep her busy?”
“Dinah Silver’s a legend, just like her mom, Amanda Silver, the doyen of Hollywood.” Leroy took a huge bite from his grilled Reuben sandwich.
Andie’s mouth watered, and she glanced over at the line in front of Tall Duck’s booth. Cade was near the front, almost ready to order. He caught her eye and gave her a tiny wave.
Awww … whatever he did still sent a tingle and made her heart flutter. He was one of the good guys, despite the trouble his mother caused. But still, Andie didn’t want to be entirely dependent on Cade, which was why Ronaldo’s offer for her to help with set design for the plays was so interesting. She could use her historical background to come up with the appropriate fixtures and flowers, while earning some income of her own. Maybe she could think of a winter business that leveraged those sets during the off-season, too.
Leroy set his sandwich on the plate and crunched on a pickle. “Are you excited about the plans Ronaldo has for the summer?”
“Definitely.” Andie adjusted Bret over her shoulder and dug for a burp cloth in her large purse which doubled as a diaper bag. “There are so many plays we could put on. Are we doing existing ones, like The Marriage of Figaro and The Midsummer Night’s Dream, or will you add a few originals? After all, you’re a screenwriter.”
“But not a playwright.” Leroy took a sip from his wineglass. “Ronaldo has another idea, and this is directly related to you.”
“Me? Sylvia mentioned something the other day.”
“He thinks you’re perfect for it.” Leroy’s eyes crinkled as he smiled. “He wants to you come up with a business plan on how to use the facilities, the theater, the props and the settings, for a commercial venture other than plays. Didn’t you use to do historical reenactments with your father?”
“Oh, gosh, yes. We mostly did Ancient Israel, but we have friends who are into the Civil War, and others all gung-ho over Scotland and the Jacobean revolts.”
“See? Something you can think about. The land Dinah Silver is going to buy has fields, streams, forests, and of course, part of it is lakefront. It’s going to be adjacent to the Tall Duck Winery, but right now, the owners of the winery are trying to block development.”
“I can understand that.” Andie glanced over at Cade’s direction. He was paying for the food. Yay. Her stomach rumbled, encouraged that food was near, and baby Bonnie jumped, probably woken by the rumbling.
“Ronaldo’s not too worried. The winery is in need of a cash infusion, and I’m sure once Silver Enterprises develops the adjacent land, their value will shoot up.”
“Yeah, but it’ll change the small town atmosphere. I hope Dinah’s not planning big resorts.” Andie made room as Cade set down their tray. A duck breast, cherry, and blue cheese pressed sandwich for her, and a smoked ham, red grape and cheddar pressed sandwich for him.
“Sorry, the line was so long,” Cade said, then nodded at Leroy. “Hey, nice to see you again.”
“Same here.
” Leroy reached over and shook hands with Cade.
Andie shifted Bret from one shoulder to the other. The baby had fallen asleep and was getting heavier by the minute, slumping over her like a sack of potatoes.
“Let me take him from you,” Cade said, his voice stiff. “I’ll be right back with the stroller.”
He walked off quickly.
“Should I be leaving you two alone?” Leroy wiped his hands with a napkin. “I’m sure you want to enjoy lunch with your fiancé.”
“No, it’s fine. We’ll have plenty of time together later.” Andie patted his hand. “Stay and tell me what you’ll be working on. You didn’t say if you’re writing any new plays.”
“Oh, that.” A grin split Leroy’s smooth-shaven face. “I’m working on a theatrical version of Michal and David’s story. It’s a play, of course, so no special effects or any grand pageantry, but it’ll deal with the shepherd boy, the king, and the princess. The title is David Betrayed.”
“David betrayed?” Andie took a knife and cut off a wedge of her sandwich: a crunchy baguette stuffed with smoked duck, arugula, blue cheese, and cherries, smashed by heavy iron plates before grilling. “Michal didn’t betray David, she saved his life.”
“True, that.” Leroy licked his lips and stuffed more corned beef and pastrami in his mouth. He chewed on it a few seconds and swallowed. “But David was betrayed by the younger sons of Saul, who stirred up their father against him. They were also jealous of Jonathan, their eldest brother, who’d pledged his loyalty to David. Don’t you remember when Saul threw his javelin at Jonathan, too?”
“Of course I do. I wonder who finked on Jonathan, and figured it wasn’t Michal or her sister, since they both had crushes on David.” Andie chewed on a piece of her sandwich. The tart cherries burst against the peppery greens and cheesy smoked flavor of the duck. “Mmmm … This is so good. So, is the script ready?”
“The wedding scene is,” Leroy said, wiggling his eyebrows. “We’ll need you to go through all of the props and approve them.”
Andie dropped the sandwich, her jaw wide open. “We’re going to have a wedding scene between Michal and David?”
“Of course we are, and it gets even better. Your wedding with Cade will be the dry run for the scene.”
“Oh my! That’s wonderful. I can’t believe it.”
Cade walked up, wheeling the stroller with a sleeping Bret inside. “Can’t believe what?”
“Our wedding, it’s going to be a production.” Andie clasped her hands. “Leroy’s written a scene for his new play, David Betrayed.”
“The wedding will be at the end of Act 3, right before the conspirators force King Saul’s hand,” Leroy explained. His cheeks were pink with pride, and he swiped his hair from his forehead. “It’s going to be a grand, royal wedding. The princess of Israel weds the young upstart.”
Cade’s brows lowered, and his gaze honed in on Andie. “Is this what you want?”
“Sure, but how about you?”
“I’m fine with it,” he said. “On one condition.”
“What’s that?” Andie’s stomach squeezed, and an ache pressed against her side. Why did she have the feeling Cade was less than pleased about the King David wedding?
“No announcement anywhere. No leaks to reporters, social media, nothing. Every guest is on a need-to-know basis.”
“Oh, but that would defeat the purpose of using the wedding as a trial run for my play,” Leroy said, before clamping his hand over his mouth. “Of course, it’s your wedding. Except …”
“I’ll foot the bill to keep it private.” The muscles on Cade’s forearms tightened. “I’m not shooting the messenger, but tell your boss to keep a lid on it. We’ll do it as your proof of concept or the dress rehearsal, whatever you need, but no publicity.”
“Sure.” Leroy swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “I’m sure Mr. Silver will do whatever you ask.”
“Good. Glad we understand. No funny business.” Cade’s voice was firm.
“No funny business,” Leroy repeated, sounding less than sure.
Chapter 7
Cade ate his sandwich in silence while Andie and Leroy discussed his new play, David Betrayed. She was so animated and excited that if she were a hot air balloon, she’d zoom straight into the stratosphere. As for Leroy, the man was positively drooling over the prospect of having a very pregnant Andie star as the virginal Michal on her wedding night with David, complete with the pretend consummation in a historically accurate wedding tent, and actors for the parents of both parties standing by, or were they planning on having Andie’s parents play the king and queen?
Wasn’t going to happen. Cade crushed the empty paper cup in his fist and tossed it in the trash. She could have her royal wedding, but once the rice was thrown or the pottery broken, he would abscond with his bride back to the twenty-first century. Besides, the detailed set up of the wedding tent would cost time and push the wedding too close to Andie’s due date for comfort.
Bret woke up, bawling with hunger. Andie didn’t bat an eyelash, so absorbed was she at looking over Leroy’s shoulder at his website where he’d put up a draft of the scene. In fact, she was trying to memorize lines already.
Sighing, Cade dug through Andie’s purse for the cold pack containing the baby food and a bottle of formula. A spear of guilt pricked his conscience. He’d foisted so much on Andie this past year, his son for her to adopt, and of course getting her pregnant. It wasn’t as if she didn’t have another life before he came around. He should accept that she had interests and activities besides family. It wouldn’t take away from her being a good wife and mother. Not one bit.
Cade hefted Bret from the stroller and laid him in the crook of his arm. “Hold still, buddy. Food’s coming.”
With a single hand, he snapped on the baby’s bib and ladled food in his son’s gaping mouth. The boy sure could eat, except food still ended up splattered everywhere.
“Having trouble there?” Andie giggled and wiped Bret’s chin. “Here, let me.”
“I can feed my son.” Cade didn’t mean to sound so strained, but the thought that he’d trapped Andie with the babies drilled deep in his gut. Andie was a vibrant and creative woman—a bird who should fly free wherever the wind took her.
“Of course you can, sweetie.” Andie’s dimple deepened, and she winked. “Do you think he can be the ringbearer at our wedding?”
“He’d be liable to lose the ring. Throw it somewhere.” Cade kissed the top of Bret’s head. “Maybe in a few years, not that I want our wedding to be delayed. Have you set a date?”
“Yes, but it’s secret. Remember? You didn’t want anyone to know.”
Well, duh, that shouldn’t include the groom. He’d get her alone and find out later. She seemed awfully excited about this, but it wasn’t as if she had infinite time with the baby coming.
“As long as it’s before Bonnie is born,” Cade said, hoping he didn’t sound like a nag.
“I’ll try,” Andie said. “Don’t you want her to be the flower girl?”
“No,” he grunted. “This isn’t a dog and pony show.”
“Oh, the dogs!” Andie seemed to get a bright idea, but quickly calmed her face. “Okay, we’ll make sure it’s secret and soon. Leroy, what plans do we have to keep people from knowing?”
“Decoys,” Leroy answered. “We’ll do the mock-up wedding several times that week with drama students auditioning for the role. That way, no one knows for sure which event is the real wedding.”
“Sounds okay then.” Cade said, managing to cap the empty baby food jar and shake the bottle of formula before sticking the nipple into Bret’s mouth. All with one hand. Ha. He was becoming a pro dad.
“Nothing to worry about,” Leroy said. “We’ll even have the wedding doubles on hand before your wedding, so if we see paparazzi, we sneak you two out the back.”
Sheesh. All this work just to get his precious marriage license signed. Why were women so into the entire weddi
ng hoopla? Guess someone had to keep the wedding industry in business.
Cade hooked a glance at Andie. She seemed to be on cloud nine, with a slight blush coloring her cheeks and a faint smile.
“Whatever makes you happy, darling,” he said to reassure her.
Yeah, and once he found out the details, he was hiring his own security team to keep the press as well as any bad guys and his mother at bay.
# # #
“I’ve finally set a date two weeks from now,” Andie said to Cade later that night, after they had gone to bed. It was easier to talk to him in the dark while cuddled in the waterbed. She knew he wasn’t entirely happy with the plan, but hey, she compromised, didn’t she? If he didn’t want his mother to be present, who was she to force it? Besides, she was the one who was going to be married while nine months pregnant.
Cade swept her hair over her face and tucked it behind her ear. His white teeth gleamed in the darkened room. “Whatever makes you happy.”
Grrr … Andie had heard him say this line way too often the past few days. What it really meant was that he wasn’t happy.
“Cade? Earlier, when you wanted to talk, what was it about?” A knot tied in her throat. “Are you having cold feet?”
“No, I’m sure I want to marry you, but it seems you’re upset about my schedule.” He backed away from her and propped his head on his elbow. The moonlight streaming through the window highlighted the chiseled angles of his masculine face. “You know you’re welcome to come to the city with me, too. In fact, I’d rather you stayed with me the entire year, except it’d be hard to travel with the two babies.”
“I know, and the two dogs, too.” Andie sighed. “I feel like I missed out on just being with you alone, just the two of us. I mean, I want Bret and Bonnie, but sometimes, I wish I could have been with you without all of these responsibilities.”
“Oh, Andie.” He touched her cheek. “I foisted all this on you, didn’t I? Bret, at least, and then the condom failure.”
“We both forgot. And you know, life is life, and life happens.”
“Yes, but I understand how you feel.” Cade’s voice deepened. “It would have been nice to be just the two of us. You could travel to all my games and meet me outside the locker room. We could stay out late and hop on a plane whenever we felt like it. But we’ll work something out. I’ll hire someone to help you with Bret and Bonnie, and all of us can travel together, at least to some of the games.”
Boxed Set: Intercepted by Love (The Complete Collection): Books One - Book Six Page 64