Boxed Set: Intercepted by Love (The Complete Collection): Books One - Book Six

by Rachelle Ayala

  “Oh, I don’t regret them at all. I only regret the way I was—distrustful and closed—my heart was so hard and resentful.”

  “But it’s not that way anymore. Look at you.” Andie ran her fingers through his hair. “You’re so generous and loving, sometimes I don’t think you’re real.”

  “That means so much to me. But believe me, I’m real and have my faults.”

  “None of it matters. We’re both starting new.” Bubbles of excitement welling from her heart made her bounce on her toes.

  “I appreciate that. So, you’re holding nothing against me?”

  “Nothing at all, except—” Andie couldn’t help the grin from sneaking over her mock frown.

  “Except what?” Cade’s face was suddenly alert and worried.

  “Except for that stupid interception you threw at the Super Bowl last year. I mean, what am I going to tell the kids?”

  Cade’s eyes screwed in confusion, momentarily, then he leaned his head back and laughed. “Sure, tell them I went from Super Bowl dog to Super Bowl MVP after meeting you.”

  Woof. Woof.

  Gollie and Red scampered up the hill and ran circles around them, then Red sat down and lifted his head, howling to the rising moon.

  Andie bent over and hugged Gollie. “If it hadn’t been for you two being stuck together, Cade and I wouldn’t be stuck together now.”

  “You can say that again.” Cade chuckled. “I’m glad I didn’t get Red fixed last year.”

  “And I’m glad Fran gypped us with the spaying for Gollie.”

  Gollie jumped up, her muddy paws on Andie and licked her face, while Cade squatted in front of Red and hugged him tight. “I’m going to name this overlook, Red Dog Vista Point.”

  “Next to the Tall Duck Winery, that’ll fit.” Andie chuckled. “What will Gollie get?”

  “Why, the café, of course. Gollie’s Goodies.” Cade hung an arm around the golden retriever collie mix. “Perfect.”

  Chapter 12

  Cade grinned in satisfaction at the hangdog look of his buddy, Ronaldo. If he wanted to be Cade’s best man, he’d better shape up. Which was how Cade talked Ronaldo into a power lifting session. Besides, he wanted to run Ronaldo out of town before he turned the lakeside into a resort.

  “Looks like you’re getting flabby.” Cade poked his friend’s gut. “Too many business dinners?”

  “Hey, look who’s talking, Mr. Bigshot Celebrity.” Ronaldo dragged a towel over his flushed, beet red face. “Have you gotten Andie to sign the pre-nup yet? It’s not too late.”

  “I threw it in the trash,” Cade said. “I don’t know why you drew it up.”

  Ronaldo hooked his feet on the sit-up ramp and hung his arms down, stretching. “The business proposal is contingent on her signing the pre-nup. Haven’t you learned from your mom, Roxanne and any number of celebrity ex-wives and girlfriends that you have to protect yourself?”

  “Whoa, wait.” Cade pressed a hand on Ronaldo’s shoulder to keep him from sitting up. “If you’re tying the business opportunity to her signing the pre-nup, forget about it. We don’t need your investment.”

  “Getting too big for your britches, aren’t you?” Ronaldo smirked. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  “Duly noted. As for the business plans, does it have anything to do with the revitalization of this area?”

  “You’re darn tooting right it does,” Ronaldo said, unhooking himself from the sit up board. “You should be glad I’m going to bring your football team here.”

  “I’m not sure this is commercially viable. Where would the fans come from? Itasca already has a football team that can’t even fill the university stadium.”

  “That’s because they’re only an Ivy League college team full of geeks, not the Super Bowl winning champs.”

  “Doesn’t matter, anyone can see this makes no business sense. The project will be held up with permits and environmental impact reports.”

  “We have connections.” Ronaldo shrugged, digging his smartphone from his gym bag.

  Wait a sec. Hadn’t it been Ronaldo who’d spoken about payoffs to the city council and suspicious characters planning on leveling Chinatown back in Los Angeles?

  “What’s really going on?” Cade tapped the smaller man’s shoulder. “You better not be playing some kind of dangerous game.”

  “Everything will be entirely legal and above board.” Ronaldo sniffed, his eyes still locked to the screen. “Listen, I’ve a meeting, so I’ll catch you later.”

  After Ronaldo left the locker room, Cade unhooked his weight belt and took off his gloves. He stretched his shoulder muscles and opened his locker.

  Something very strange was going on here. Why would Herbert Van Roekens move his championship team from the big city to a small country town? What was the point?

  He’d spoken to the mayor, and none of them believed Ronaldo’s grandiose plans would ever come into fruition. His friend wasn’t an idiot, so why was he going around spreading rumors about a pro football team and a huge stadium project?

  He checked his cell phone, deleting the endless streams of naked selfies and appeals for money, appearances and charity. A text from Danny, his former agent’s personal assistant, appeared on the screen.

  Hey, what’s up? Heard you’re going to be a groom. Can I be your best man, bud?

  Oh no! How had word leaked out? True, Danny was one of his oldest friends from college, and now that Rob, his former agent, was in jail, he was probably out of a job.

  Cade called Danny on the phone. He had to squash this rumor fast.

  “Hel-lo,” Danny’s hearty voice said. “Do I get the job?”

  “Job? Danny, what did you hear?”

  “Just rumors. You’re getting married soon, aren’t you? Need a best man?”

  “Actually, I haven’t thought about it,” Cade mumbled, glancing around the locker room. Fortunately, the few college jocks hanging out had learned long ago to give him his space. “What do you know?”

  “Nothing, man, just rumors.”

  “Nothing’s happening,” Cade said. “I mean it. We’re just engaged and someday, it’ll happen.”

  “When it does, remember me.”

  “Sure, dude. Nice talking to you.” Cade breathed a sigh of relief. It was just idle gossip.

  “Actually, I was wondering if you needed a personal assistant, now that you’re Mr. Bigshot.”

  It figured Danny would want something too. Lately, Cade had been inundated with pitches. But this was Danny Dimicco, his best buddy from college, or at least part of the group that had included Rob Cash, the slimeball ex-agent of his who had masterminded the gambling scandal.

  “Danny, the thing is, I already have assistants up my wazoo. Lawyers, handlers, media relations.”

  “Bet you don’t have a cook,” Danny said. “Heard your lady’s on bedrest for the pregnancy. I took great care of Roxanne, I can do the same for Andie.”

  “Actually, she’s off bedrest now that she passed her eight month mark, and everything’s going great.”

  “But you still need a cook or someone to run errands for her,” Danny insisted. “Truth is, I’m kind of hard up right now. Jobs are hard to find, and I’m camping out at my sister’s house. Brother-in-law’s getting antsy. You know …”

  The price of fame and fortune. Cade rubbed his jaw. Danny was a never-do-well who’d majored in psychology and preferred to spend his days playing video games and reading thrillers. Cade hated to turn him down, but these days, everyone wanted a piece of him.

  “If I know of any job openings, I’ll definitely let you in on it,” Cade said. He could picture Danny working at the park, either at the visitor’s center or as a docent for a natural walk.

  “Coolio, thanks. You’re a pal,” Danny said.

  Cade said goodbye. He was just about to put his phone back in his locker and grab a towel for a shower when a message popped up from Danny.

  Did you see the news? Rob and Devon escaped San
Quentin.

  Ice drilled up his spine and chilled his scalp. Hands shaking, Cade browsed to the news. Sure enough, authorities were on the hunt for the two men, deemed armed and dangerous. Apparently, they had help from the prison staff and had been smuggled out in a delivery van.

  Shit. Shit. Shit. If Cade knew anything, it was that Rob and Devon both hated him, and they were headed to Itasca.

  He had to get Andie and her family out of town, and fast.

  # # #

  “How do you like this?” Sylvia adjusted the white linen gown over Andie’s body. “Are you excited?”

  Andie stared at herself in the mirror. The gown was exquisite with a golden brocade trim, and the folds draped over her pregnant belly in a manner to hide her condition as best as it could. Not that it wasn’t obvious, but it was at least flattering.

  “It’s beautiful.” Andie turned sideways and frowned. “Oh well, at least from the front it camouflages this huge baby bump. That’s talent, girl.”

  “The baby bump’s something you should be proud of.” Sylvia clasped her hands and sighed. “The real princess Michal had no child. She’d give her eyeteeth to be in your position.”

  “Maybe, but I can’t imagine Cade dressed as David. He’s way too big and tall. More like Goliath.”

  “You’re not marrying Goliath.” Sylvia laughed. “Your parents are pleased as punch with their costumes, and we even have something for Bret.”

  “You’re amazing, pulling all this together on such short notice.”

  “Hey, I love costume designing,” Sylvia said. “Let’s try on the headpiece and veil.”

  “Veil? Oh, that’s right, it’s a big deal in ancient Israel.”

  “Since that old rascal Jacob was tricked, every groom after him reserved the right to peek under the veil before the ceremony. Have to make sure Cade gets you and not someone like Roxanne.”

  “Ugh.” Andie shuddered. “I’ll be glad never to hear her name again.”

  “I agree.” Sylvia pinned the beaded headdress on Andie’s head. “You really do look like a princess of Israel.”

  “If any had flaming red hair.”

  “You never know,” Sylvia said. “Only three more days. How are you feeling?”

  Andie pressed her belly and it stiffened, slightly. “I’m getting those Braxton-Hicks contractions, the warmups, but nothing hurts, so I’m good.”

  “Let’s hope you hold out until Saturday.”

  “Ha, yes,” Andie said. “Cade really wants us to be married before Bonnie’s born. I know I’m cutting it close, but I’m sure it’ll all be okay as long as I get plenty of rest.”

  “So, how’s it look?” Andie’s mother peeked into the room. “Turn around.”

  Andie turned and attempted a curtsy, displaying the fullness of the gown. “She did wonders. You like it?”

  “Definitely, you’re gorgeous.” Her mother beamed at her, blinking back tears. “Sylvia, you work is exquisite.”

  “Thanks. Want to see the sandals?” Sylvia rummaged through her tote bag. “Here, look, carnelians to match your hair and turquoise for Cade’s bright blue eyes.”

  “It’s lovely.” Andie eased onto the loveseat while Sylvia fastened the sandals.

  “Of course I made them more comfortable than what Michal would have had. Even princesses back then had to suffer with blisters and bunions.”

  “Ha, ha, Sylvia, it’s just like you to mention that,” Andie said. “You’re so right. King Solomon didn’t have air conditioning, other than donkey trains bringing ice back from Mt. Hermon.”

  “Someone mention King Solomon?” Andie’s father hobbled to the sitting room, thumping his walker. “The man who had everything the ancient world could offer, but found at the end of his life that all was vanity and vexation.”

  “Dad!” Andie flounced toward him and twirled around. “Do you like my gown?”

  “It’s befitting the Queen of Sheba. Now, watch me walk.” He threw the walker aside.

  “James, the therapist said you’re not ready,” Andie’s mother reminded.

  “Then he’s not James Wales, otherwise known as Indiana James.” Her father grabbed a brown fedora from the bookshelf and slung it over his head, tilted to cover one eye. “Hand me my bullwhip, and let me march my girl down the aisle.”

  Andie hooked her arm around the crook of his elbow. He took one step, then another, his body jerky and unsteady, but along they lurched, step by step from the living room to the kitchen.

  “Yay!” Sylvia clapped and cheered. “Long live King Saul!”

  “Long live the queen, and the royal doggies,” Andie’s mother shouted as the two dogs streamed from the kitchen and ran circles around them.

  James leaned on Andie as he reached to pet the dogs. “They didn’t have dogs for pets in Israel, but the Palestinians did.”

  “That’s too bad, because Gollie’s going to be the flower girl and Red is the ring bearer,” Andie said, rubbing her golden retriever and collie mix behind the ears. Meanwhile, Cade’s Irish Setter stood regally, wagging his tail and accepting pats from Andie’s father.

  “Here’s the ring bearer’s pillow attached by Velcro to a harness,” Sylvia said, taking a satin pillow from her satchel. “I can’t wait to string flowers all over Gollie.”

  “This is going to be the best wedding ever.” Andie clapped, then hugged her father and mother. “I only wish Cade’s mother could be part of it.”

  “Well, there is that story about King Saul consulting the Witch of Endor,” Andie’s father drawled.

  Andie giggled. “Dad. That’s not funny, but I can totally see her playing the Witch of Endor.”

  “Who’s going to be Samuel come back from the dead?” Andie’s father stretched his arms to the front and hobbled a few steps.

  “Dick Davis!” Sylvia held her stomach and rolled onto the sofa. “Hey, do you guys want to visit the set? We shipped the wedding tent in from Los Angeles.”

  “You did?” Andie clasped her hands together. “I can’t wait to see it again.”

  “Leroy was in charge of putting everything back the way it was in LA. And since The Love Lives of King David was cancelled, Ronaldo figured we could use it here for all of the marriage scenes.”

  “Mine is going to be the first.” Andie turned to her parents. “Do you want to come? Dad? How about you?”

  “I can wait until the rehearsal on Friday,” her father said, his eyes twinkling. “Besides, I’m sure you’ll want to rearrange things in there.”

  “It’s getting late,” her mother said. “I have to cook and feed Bret.”

  “Oh, would you?” Andie smoothed her hands over the brocade edges. “Sylvia and I won’t be long.”

  “Take your time,” her mother said. “I know you girls have lots to giggle about.”

  “Have fun.” Her father waved, as Andie and Sylvia headed for the door.

  Red and Gollie got up from where they were relaxing, thinking Andie was taking them on a walk.

  Andie petted the dogs and rubbed their necks. “Sorry, next time. You puppies might mess up our set.”

  “Yep, no dogs allowed until the day of the wedding,” Sylvia said. “You think Gollie will wear the flower garland or chew it up?”

  “There’s no telling with you, is there?” Andie kissed her dog.

  After a short drive, Andie and Sylvia stepped into the Lakeside Theater. Sylvia led the way, turning on the lights. The wedding tent sat at the center of the stage. Fake palm trees lined the back of the stage, and the backdrop was painted with the brilliant colors of a desert sunset.

  Sparkly stars hung from above and the entire atmosphere was magical and fanciful, like a scene from Aladdin.

  “Ready?” Sylvia unlashed the tent flap.

  Andie covered her mouth at the opulence displayed in the wedding tent. Leroy had truly outdone himself. The furniture was made of an exquisite dark wood, and brass shields were lashed to the tent poles. A precious rug lay on the floor, with a tree of life
design in the center and crimson borders of pomegranates and partridges. Every detail was in place, including the groom’s fringed shawl, the one he’d put over her shoulder after the wedding as a symbol of his protection.

  “I’m beyond amazed,” Andie said. “I can’t wait for Cade to see this. Where’s his robe?”

  “I’m still working on it. Need to get him in for a fitting tomorrow,” Sylvia said. “Let me go upstairs and get it.”

  “Okay, I’ll wait for you. I’m avoiding stairs so I can keep this little Bonnie inside until the wedding.” She woke up her cell phone to take pictures, as Sylvia exited the stage.

  The entire panoply was so beautiful and detailed, she couldn’t decide where to start. She put her camera in panoramic mode and swiveled to her left. She heard footsteps when she was almost finished matching the circles. It was probably Sylvia back with Cade’s robe, but she couldn’t turn around. Not until she’d gotten the last portion.

  A large hand yanked her arm and someone covered mouth. What the heck? Who was playing a prank on her?

  Andie turned and glared at the intruder and gasped, fear spiking through her veins. The man looked familiar, but she couldn’t place him. It wasn’t Devon, the guy who killed Cade’s father. That much she knew. But could this be the other guy, Cade’s former agent? Her heart jackhammered, and a shot of pain seized her womb. Even little Bonnie froze inside.

  “Let me go.” Andie’s voice was muffled by the hand. She raised her hands to fend off the attacker, but he shoved her against the wall and held her still with his hard body as he gagged her with a cloth smelling like stale wine.

  “It’ll go easier for you if you cooperate,” her attacker hissed before slipping a hood over her face. “Let’s go.”

  She resisted, using her weight and sitting down, but the man was too strong. She was dragged and partially lifted from the theater and pushed into a waiting car.

  Chapter 13

  Cade showered and dressed quickly. If Devon and Rob were on their way to Itasca, he’d better alert Andie’s parents. He started to call them, but hung up before it connected. It’d be better if he told them in person rather than panic them on the phone. He needed to persuade them to go into hiding until the two convicts were captured. Since he and Andie had helped put them behind bars, they would be eager for revenge.