No One Like You

by Heather McGovern

  She swallowed hard. The truth had to come out. Anything less made her appear neurotic. Which…maybe she was.

  “I want to give these kids the best prom ever,” she mumbled into her hands.

  “I know, so do I.”

  “But I don’t want Honeywilde hogging all the credit.”

  He put his hand under hers and gently tugged it away from her face. “What?”

  With a heavy sigh, she sat up. Might as well face her shameful envy head-on. “I want to do all I can for these kids, not only because they deserve it—and they do—but also because I need for Jolie to be the hero for once. I don’t want—jeez, this sounds awful and I can’t believe I’m telling you—I don’t want Honeywilde to get all the glory this time.”

  He blinked, probably trying to comprehend the incomprehensible.

  “You guys always swoop in and save the day. For crying out loud, you’re known for saving the day. That’s great, for you. But Jolie could really use this opportunity to show we’re committed to Windamere too.” She leaned forward, locking her gaze with his, praying he’d understand without making her say it. “Chateau Jolie needs this chance.”

  Trevor remained still, intent.

  “I’m afraid if you and Roark and the rest of the Bradleys do something like spend thousands while we can’t, then we’re completely overshadowed, and I know this sounds awful, but I don’t want to be overshadowed. I’ll work my ass off to make sure that doesn’t happen. I can’t throw a bunch of money at the problem, but I’ll make up for it in sweat equity.” She paused to catch her breath.

  If Trevor laughed in her face or gave her a look of disgust, she’d completely understand. But spilling the truth to him was like two hundred pounds falling off her shoulders. Letting him in on her motivations made her want to throw up, but at least it was a less guilty nausea.

  Instead of laughing, Trevor nodded thoughtfully. “I understand.”

  Brooke blinked. “You do?”

  He chuckled. “Of course I do. Listen, no one gets how overwhelming and all-consuming my family can be more than me. They’re great, I love them, Honeywilde is awesome, but when my family gets involved in something, it’s like trying to work with the sun. I have felt exactly how you feel.”

  With a long sigh, she smiled. Being open was exhausting, his understanding baffling. But a little optimism bloomed somewhere way back in her mind. “Your family is great, but…you aren’t wrong. You guys had that great rock-star wedding and so many weddings after that. We didn’t even have a chance at getting the Chamber party last year. You pulled some Hallmark-movie-level heroics, saving the town with the Blueberry Festival, and I hear you’re doing it again this year. I’m happy for all of you, but…” You’re playing a big part in cutting into Jolie’s business. “The Sargent sisters would like a chance to shine too.”

  “And it’s hard to shine when you’re up against the sun.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Is that why you didn’t want my help to start with?”

  “Yes.” Also because when he looked at her, her limbs went all tingly and her head spun like she’d twirled around the ballroom, but she’d shared enough for one day.

  With a quick shake of his head, Trevor angled himself toward her. “Brooke, I can help without stealing the spotlight. I don’t like the spotlight. That’s my brothers and sister. Jolie can be the hero of the day. Roark will want Honeywilde mentioned as a sponsor, but I’m the one he put in charge of this project. I’ll remind him we’re taking the passenger seat on this, even while we’re shelling out a few grand.”

  “You’d do that?”

  “He won’t like it, and he’s going to give me the cold shoulder for a few weeks, but that’s nothing new. For those kids? I’ll deal with his aggravation. All that matters is a great prom for the school. You give what you can, and what you can’t give, you make up for in legwork. We’ll have to come up with ways to stretch three grand ’til it screams, but if we put our heads together, I know we can. How’s that for a solution?”

  “I can do legwork. I won’t rest until this prom is over and is a certified roaring success.”

  “Good. And if you want to shine a light on your hotel, you might consider contacting the local papers. Maybe some regional ones. Roark’s girlfriend taught us all about that. Get the word out about this awesome thing that’s happening at Jolie. Spread the word.”

  “Even before we pull it off?”

  “After is too late. If word gets around, you might even end up with a TV spot.”

  He made an excellent point. If this prom was going to stand a chance of being good promo for Jolie, she needed to get the word out there. In addition to the actual planning. “I’ll make some calls this afternoon.”

  “See?” Trevor sat back, tossing his arm across the back of the bench. “I’ll talk to Brenda. See if she can meet us over here tomorrow and find out what kind of deal she can give us on flowers.”

  “I’ll work on the food, try to find something quality at low cost. Talk with our distributor for the small plates we serve at tastings.”

  “I’ll figure out the music.”

  “And I’ll sort out any other miscellaneous items we’re forgetting.”

  “We’ve got this. You’re not in this alone anymore. We’re partners. I’m here to deal with all this crap right along with you.”

  In her experience, when there was too much crap to deal with, guys didn’t deal. They fell apart and blamed her.

  “Everything is going to work out. You’ll see.”

  And for the first time, she kind of believed it.

  Chapter 11

  “Trevor Bradley, get over here and give me a hug.” Miss Brenda—early bird that she was—beat him to the chateau the next morning. She and Brooke were already midtour of the ballroom when he arrived.

  Brenda crossed the floor and embraced him with both arms.

  He’d called her as soon as he left Jolie yesterday and, like the loyal family friend she was, she hadn’t hesitated to help.

  Brooke joined them, a vision in snug white jeans and flowing top to match, but her gaze still carried the same weight from yesterday. Shoulders ratcheted up tight, she radiated stress. “We were discussing arrangement options and placement, and our budget.”

  That was his cue. He’d promised Brooke he could work out some kind of deal on flowers. Now to somehow deliver.

  “Have you shown Brenda the garden?”

  “Not yet.” Brooke’s shoulders lowered two notches.

  “Allow me.” Trevor offered Brenda his arm to escort her outside, to what would likely be her favorite part of the whole place.

  “Why, aren’t you a little charmer?” Brenda smiled. “Have you been taking notes from Devlin?”

  “Maybe. And speaking of Dev, you know, you’ve worked with my family for years.”

  “I have.”

  “And we all try to look out for one another, help each other’s businesses as we can. And the town. We all like to help the town.”

  “Mmm-hmm. Cut to the chase, charmer.”

  “I’m wondering, with this prom, if maybe you could give Jolie the same Bradley discount you give us.”

  “Maybe I could, but that all depends on—My goodness, would you look at this garden!” She squeezed Trevor’s arm before basically shoving him away to flit toward the flowers.

  “Look at this trellis. Is this a variation of clematis? This looks like purple clematis. And this right here—mmm, I wouldn’t mind having some of this in the store for arrangements—this is Dusty Miller. Looks absolutely beautiful with pale roses. Hard to get. I haven’t used any in ages. I need to order some.” Brenda rambled on, talking more to herself and the flowers than to Trevor. Hands over her mouth in awe, then over her heart in adoration, she oohed and cooed as she toured the garden.

  “Look at this Brunia!” B
renda knelt down to pet a silvery, textured plant.

  “I thought you’d probably love it out here.”

  “This is a showpiece. Is this your work?” Brenda pushed herself up and hurried to Brooke’s side as soon as she joined them.

  “No, ma’am. My sister Laurel is the gardener. This is her baby.”

  “Well, honey, she deserves an award. This garden is beautiful. I wouldn’t mind buying a few bundles from her sometime, for the shop.”

  “Really?”

  Brenda dug into the side pocket of her cargo pants. “Yes, really. This is my card. Tell your sister to call me. I wouldn’t hog a bunch. A few things here and there for unique pieces. I’d like to take a look at the roses when the blooms come in a bit more too. That is, if you aren’t going to use them all here at the hotel. Wouldn’t blame you if you did.”

  “That’s…” Brooke closed and opened her mouth a couple of times. “I will tell her. She’ll be thrilled. Thank you.”

  “No, thank you for showing me. Now, Trevor, honey, you were trying to sweet-talk me into something when we came out here. About the discount?”

  “Yes, ma’am. The flowers are for the school’s prom and, as you probably know, the kids lost all their money to a business that went under.”

  “That is some awful carrying on, isn’t it?”

  He shared a quick glance with Brooke. “Our thoughts exactly. Which is why we’re doing all we can to help. But we’re on a tight budget, and this whole prom is a good deed that Jolie and Honeywilde are partnering on. The ballroom needs to look great, but we don’t have a bank to break on the event. If you know what I mean.”

  Brenda crossed her arms and tapped a finger against her lips. “I know exactly what you mean. You want the place to look like you dropped a load of cash, even though you didn’t.”

  He tapped his nose and pointed at her.

  “Hmmm.” Brenda walked back inside, her voice low as she talked to herself again. More names of flowers and a bunch of florist-ese he didn’t understand. “If we incorporated some of the flowers from outside, we could go with a more natural, vintage feel that would actually suit the chateau perfectly.”

  Brooke joined her. “Trevor offered up these rustic lanterns to use too. What if we did one on each table, maybe some of them in the garden and lobby, then a few flowers or greenery on the tables?”

  “More accents than arrangements.” Brenda nodded. “It would keep the price down, and I could cut you a really good deal on a couple of larger pieces. Do at least one spray of roses, and have them so the prom queen candidates could each get a rose to take home.”

  Brooke beamed, looking a bit like Dorian had yesterday. “That would be wonderful.”

  “That’d be about all you’d need with this place as pretty as it is. Keep the doors open and light the garden. I have some greenery for inside. I could loan it you at no cost. Voila. You’ve got a prom.”

  Brooke clasped her hands together. “Thank you. You’re like a fairy godmother right now. You have no idea.”

  Brenda chuckled and patted her with a mothering touch. “Yes, honey, I do. I make things happen. Don’t you worry, we’ll have this room ready for prom royalty.”

  Thank you, Trevor mouthed.

  “If you have one of those lamps, I’ll take it with me and figure out a nice way to stage the tables.”

  “That would be lovely. I have the one here that Trevor gave me.” Brooke left in a blur of white.

  As soon as she was gone, Brenda peered up at Trevor. “That girl is a very nice, very pretty ball of stress.”

  “Not everyone can be cool cucumbers like us.”

  “Stop.” She flapped her hand at him. “She’s a hard worker though. I can tell. You sure you can keep up?”

  “Hey.” He did his best to look offended, but this was Brenda. “I’m a hard worker.”

  “I know. But not that hard.” She pointed to the door Brooke had just exited.

  He couldn’t argue with her there.

  “Seems like an intense personality, that’s all I’m saying.”

  He shrugged. “You’ve met my family, right?”

  “Too true, honey. Too true.”

  “Plus, I don’t mind. Intensity has its perks.”

  “I bet.” She swatted at his arm. “I know she’s pretty, but you better behave.”

  “Don’t I always?”

  Brenda approached him and took his hands in hers. Small, with decades more mileage, her hands could barely hold his. “I adore you, but no. You rarely do. I’m only teasing about the hard work though. I know you work as hard as anyone. Even harder nowadays. Just be sure to keep it up. I think that girl needs you.”

  “That’s why I’m here.”

  Apparently satisfied, she patted his hands. “Good. And I’m more than happy to help those Windamere High kids, and you and Brooke. I’m flattered you asked.”

  “I knew you’d come through.” He wrapped his arms around her, swallowing her whole in a hug.

  “Here’s the lamp.” Brooke returned in another rush.

  Brenda gave him a wink and took the lamp. “I’ll see what I can come up with and I’ll be in touch. Y’all behave now.”

  As soon as Brenda cleared the doorway and was out of sight, Brooke latched onto his arm, a blinding smile on her face. “Did you hear her? She’s going to cut us a deal!”

  “I heard.”

  “That is the best news ever!”

  “I know.”

  She shook the arm that she was holding. “How are you not more excited?”

  Finally seeing excitement was more enjoyable.

  While he had the chance, he looped her hand under that same arm and tugged her back toward the garden. “I knew she’d help us out. I knew she’d be impressed with you and this place. I wasn’t worried. I told you not to be.”

  “I know, but all absence of my worry isn’t realistic.”

  Brooke didn’t pull away or remove her hand from his arm as they followed the stone path around the garden.

  A week ago, he never would’ve guessed the put-together, take-charge woman who’d captivated him at Dev’s wedding had just as many doubts and insecurities as anyone. The realization made her human. Projecting that kind of confidence in the face of uncertainty shone a different light on her. A softer light, but somehow even more brilliant.

  Trevor stopped near the same trellis where they’d found Dorian and Lance yesterday. “Brenda is right about this garden. I bet the roses in full bloom are a guest pleaser.”

  Brooke tilted her head. “You’d think.”

  “You should talk up the garden aspect of the chateau in your advertising, if you don’t already. That rose is already my favorite.” He pointed to a peach-colored bloom, barely open.

  Brooke walked toward the rose, but didn’t let go of his arm. “Makes sense. The full bloom is a beautiful creamy peach. A lot like Honeywilde’s signature shade. I can check with Laurel, she’d probably let you have a clipping if you want. She loves to share. You could take some back to the inn with you.”

  “Brooke Sargent, are you giving me flowers? I didn’t think we were that serious yet.”

  Her mouth fell open, followed immediately by a grin. “I don’t know how you do it, but I think we might actually pull this thing off.”

  “Because I’m awesome?”

  “And so humble.” She smiled, bumping the back of her hand against his chest.

  He took her hand, clasping it in place.

  She’d held his arm and she didn’t resist him now. She was guarded, but she was human. Flesh and blood, with desires and a look of longing that matched his.

  “I wanted to kiss you yesterday,” he confessed. “Right inside that ballroom, before the prom committee rolled in on us.”

  “I know.”

  He moved in even closer
, and he wasn’t letting go. “I still want to kiss you.”

  Brooke swallowed hard, close enough he could almost see the fluttering of her pulse on the side of her neck. “I know. Me too.”

  Rather than discussing their desire any further, he did something about it.

  Instead of saying more, Trevor kissed her.

  A small gasp escaped Brooke’s lips, spilling into the kiss.

  He brushed over hers, gentle, without expectation, though all he needed was the green light.

  She curled her fingers into his t-shirt, her lips pliant against his. Then the softest bit of suction to his bottom lip.

  Green light, granted.

  Trevor pressed his lips fully against hers.

  Yesterday, pressed against him as they danced, she’d finally softened, even allowing a little flirtation. To have her in his arms now was a boon.

  Her kiss wasn’t what he imagined. It was even better.

  Without hesitation, Brooke kissed him back, parting her lips, allowing the brush of his tongue against the seam. Her breath hitched, pouring fuel on his need.

  He wanted to do more than kiss her. He wanted to run his lips down her neck. Up the slender, sculpted arms revealed by her sleeveless top. Anywhere on the miles of leg hidden by the clingy denim.

  He wanted to take her somewhere private. Away from the rush of planning and the pressure of business, and away from the stress that kept drawing clouds over her beautiful face.

  All he needed was a stolen moment, one chance to get her away from it all, the two of them. Where she could let go of whatever troubled her and he would bring her such pleasure.

  He could strip away all of these burdens, along with their clothes, and make her forget all about the mountains of responsibility waiting on her.

  But he’d wait. He was nothing if not patient, and when they were together, everything would be perfect. Because nothing would matter in that moment, except the two of them, and the things he made her feel.

  Brooke eased back, still in his arms and leaving his senses buzzing.

  “Where are you going?” he asked, blinking his way back into reality.

  “Nowhere.” She did the same, her breathing still quick. “You go around kissing people in gardens like that?”