First Love - [Bridesmaid's Chronicles 04] Read online

  The driver rolled down his window. "Yes, ma'am?"

  "Um, hi. Are you I mean, is my father going out again tonight?"

  "Don't know, ma'am. My instructions are to be available."

  "Available? So you're not heading back to Austin? To the airport?"

  "No, ma'am. I've been retained for a full week."

  "Great," she said, her voice chipper, but Roman could see the strain on her face. He stifled a grin, knowing her well enough to be certain that she wouldn't be nearly as frustrated if a traditional black limo were parked in front of her hotel.

  "What's your name?" Roman asked.

  "Earle, sir."

  "Well, Earle, you might as well come inside and get a room."

  "But"

  "Don't worry," Julia added. "I'll tell my father. Just be available if he needs you and no one will get yelled at."

  "Yes, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am."

  They got Earle inside and Roman watched as Julia moved him efficiently through the registration process. As the chauffeur headed off toward his room, Carter reappeared. Julia gave him an update, asked the boy to leave a message for Marv about Earle, then turned back to Roman.

  "Not going to tell your dad yourself?"

  "I'm avoiding him."

  "Good plan."

  "Blatant cowardice," she said.

  "Good sense," he retorted. Then, before she could say anything else, he went on. "You know, the limo wasn't the only odd thing I saw when I drove up to the motel."

  "With a pink limo blocking your view," she muttered, "how could you notice anything else?"

  "I realize we're in Texas, sweetheart, but last I recall, there were no hitching posts in the back parking lot."

  "What are you talking about?"

  "Horses, darling. There are three horses tied up back there."

  For a moment, her expression was so baffled that he wondered if she'd been unaware of the equine visitors. Then her expression cleared, and she broke into a broad grin. "They're here? Oh, that's so fabulous! I didn't expect them until tomorrow. This is wonderful!"

  "What's wonderful?"

  "That, my darling Roman, is my latest surprise." She cocked her head, and when she smiled he saw that all of her earlier worry and frustration had evaporated, leaving only a delighted gleam. "Can you spare an hour or two for your wife-to-be?"

  He thought briefly of the stacks of work on his desk and the upcoming meetings he had scheduled in Austin. He'd planned to drive in tonight, knowing that Julia had Syd and her wedding details to keep her occupied. Now, though

  "Roman?"

  "Sorry. Just thinking."

  "You don't have time." There wasn't any judgment in her voice, and when she laid a hand on his wrist, she smiled. "Don't feel guilty. It's okay. You just took a good chunk out of your workday to rescue me from my dad. I totally understand if you need to get back to work."

  "I do," he said. Then he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers. "But it'll wait. I believe you said something about a surprise ?"

  "You're sure?"

  "I love you."

  Her face lit, as if he'd turned a switch on inside her, and the joy he felt, knowing he could make her look like that, was something he wasn't sure he'd ever get used to.

  "In that case," she said with a laugh, "come outside and let me introduce you to Shadow and her friends."

  * * *

  Chapter Four

  From: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Subject: Vera??

  Kiki ! My darling new sister-to-be! I'm taking two seconds to e-mail you before your big brother and I escape the madness that is my father, but I just HAD to find time to ask: Do you think Vera could pull together a dress for me after all? I know I said I'd already found the perfect gown, but it turns out that perfection is bankrupt. Which I guess could be some sort of sociological statement if I were so inclined. But I'm not. I just want a dress! Would you? Could you? I'd be ever so grateful. I'd need it to arrive here no later than Thursday, just in case it needs alterations

  Your darling, loving, DESPERATE sister-to-be,

  Jules

  Shadow clop-clopped down Main Street, Roman at the reins, as Julia snuggled comfortably against him. Behind them, the buggy was empty. But if everything went according to plan, in the future it would be filled with flirting couples and laughing families. A red Mustang convertible pulled to a stop beside them, waiting, like they did, for the light to change. "Hey, Roman! Nice horse!"

  "It's Julia's," Roman said. "For the Inn."

  At her name, Julia waved at Dennis Paulson, the high school's band director. With any luck, he'd mention the new endeavor to the students, and her rented carriages would become all the rage with the high school seniors. Come to think of it, she really should advertise in the school's tiny newspaper

  Dennis laughed. "Isn't it a little early for a starlight carriage ride? I thought that was an after-dark activity."

  "We're giving it a test run," Julia explained.

  "Well, good deal, then. I'll have to take my wife for a ride once you get going good." The light changed, and he waved a goodbye, then accelerated, leaving Shadow walking at a leisurely clip behind.

  Julia turned to give Roman a smile. "He liked the idea. I think he really liked it."

  "Of course. It's a great idea."

  "I guess. I wasn't really sure. But it seemed fun, and I was trying to be creative" She trailed off, suddenly feeling over her head. Before Marv had arrived, she'd been feeling clever and in control. Now, thoughshe shuddered. Weren't parents supposed to make you feel better ?

  Roman put an arm around her and pulled her close. "It's absolutely perfect. How'd you come up with the idea, anyway? For that matter, how'd you pull it off?"

  She heard real delight mixed with appreciation in his voice, and the relief that flowed through her left her breathless. Forget about Marv. She was here with Roman, and he appreciated her, and the carriage rides were a good idea.

  "At first, I thought maybe it was silly," she said. "But I've always loved the horses in Central Park, and so I decided to go with my instincts." She glanced up at him, and from the look on Roman's face, she'd made a good choice.

  Excited about sharing her little bit of marketing genius, she leaned forward. "You know how much I've been trying to put the Inn on the map, right?"

  "Sure. You've been brilliant." He kissed the tip of her nose, and she sighed, thinking for just an instant that maybe she could talk later, snuggle now. "You started with a simple turndown service and now look where you are," he added, with a small wave toward the horse.

  She laughed, then snuggled closer. He was right about the turndown. That was the first thing she'd done for the motel, just a week after she'd arrived.

  As she'd settled into town and met Roman and his friends, she'd stopped wanting to make the Inn a success in order to show up her father. Instead, she wanted to make it a success for her . She'd grown to love the town and she wanted the Inn to be a part of ita real part of it.

  "Have you started with the community rooms yet?" he asked. "How's that going?"

  "So far so good," she said. "We have a local read-er's group booked for Wednesday evening, and a Bible study class for the week after."

  "Will your father approve?"

  "Of the groups?"

  "Of converting the only suite into a meeting area."

  She shrugged, hoping she looked more casual than she felt. "Not at first, since we're losing money right now. But as word spreads and the room gets more use we'll make even more, since we can charge an hourly rate. Plus, when we arrange for refreshments, we get a cut from the local vendors."

  He bent over and kissed the tip of her nose again, a goofy grin on his face.

  "What's that for?" she asked, absurdly pleased.

  "Because your dad's an idiot. You're doing fabulous with the motel."

  "Thanks." She waved her hand to encompass the horse and carriage. "My plan with this is to
promote the Inn, but also to give us more of a presence in the community. Twenty-minute rides starting at dusk every Wednesday through Saturday night. Minimal fee. Just enough to cover costs plus a tiny markup."

  "You can put the Inn's logo on the side of the carriage."

  "Exactly," she agreed. She turned around on the bench and leaned over into the main area of the buggy. She tossed aside the blanket she'd put there earlier and revealed the picnic basket. "Ta-da! The piece de resistance."

  She hauled it up onto the bench, sliding over so she could put it between them. Then she flipped open the top of the basket, revealing the tiny sandwiches, fancy cheeses and, of course, the chilled bottle of Sonntag Reserve Riesling.

  "My darling, you have the most discerning taste in wine."

  "Don't I, though? But seriously, I was thinking that we should make that part of the service. Wine and cheese in a carriage. Maybe full picnic service to the park. It could be great, don't you think?"

  "I think you're bubbling over with ideas."

  "Good ideas?"

  "Very good."

  She almost exhaled in relief, and the only thing marring her pleasure at Roman's complete support of her plan was the absolute knowledge that her father would be entirely less enthusiastic.

  "Julia?" His finger brushed under her chin, tilted her head up to meet his eyes. "What's wrong?"

  "I was just thinking about my dad."

  He grimaced. "Yes. I can see where that would put a sour look in your eye."

  Out of familial obligation, she whacked him with the back of her hand. But not hard. Her heart wasn't in it. "It's just so frustrating. I mean, I worked my butt off planning this. In fact, I had to cancel a meeting with a potential videographer in order to talk to the guy who sold me the horses. Do you know how important it is to have the perfect videographer at your wedding?"

  "I'm sure you'll tell me."

  " Very ," she said. "At any rate, it wasn't as hard as if I were doing it in Jersey or New York. There it would have taken months of fighting through red tape. Here, I just walked down to the courthouse, explained to Amelia what I wanted to do, and I had a permit in three days." She smiled. "I think I'm turning into a regular small-town girl."

  "Good. I want you to."

  "So what do you think?" She snugged the bottle of wine between her thighs and went after it with the corkscrew. "Think the owner of the Sonntag Winery will make me a deal on a few cases of wine?"

  "I think that can probably be arranged. In fact, your timing couldn't be more perfect."

  Something in his tone made her search his face, and she saw the hint of stress and worry behind his cool blue eyes. "Roman? What is it?"

  "Nothing you need to worry about, babe." He tugged at the reins, getting Shadow to turn as they began to circle the block. Even as she watched, his mood seemed to lighten, as if he was putting every ounce of effort into it. "Besides," he continued, "you've already made it better bywhat? Five cases?"

  "At least. Roman. What is it?"

  "One of our accounts fell through this morning, that's all."

  "A big account?"

  "Big enough. Several hundred cases. But I'll fill the gap. I've already got meetings set up in Austin with specialty markets, restaurants. And I have a few other big deals brewing. It'll work out fine."

  She had no doubt it would. Roman knew his stuff. "But"

  "But nothing," he said firmly. He lifted his glass, waited until she lifted hers. "To my brilliant fiancee. And to what she's accomplished."

  They clinked glasses, and she drank, pleased and a little humbled that he would so easily set aside his problems to celebrate her small victories. And the truth was, she was proud. She'd been working her tail off, harder than she'd ever worked before, and watching things come together was a thrill. Almost as thrilling as kissing Roman. But not quite.

  "Since you've already got a local winery lined up, you might want to talk to some of the local vendors. Chocolates, salsas, even some of the wursts could go well in a picnic basket."

  "I'm way ahead of you," she said. "I've already made arrangements with Rustlin' Rob's for salsas and crackers and stuff. And I have a meeting set with Auslander to talk about hot lunches."

  To her surprise, he pressed the palms of both hands to her cheeks, turned her toward him, and kissed her hard. "You amaze me."

  "I do?" She felt her cheeks heat from a potent combination of embarrassment and lust. Mostly, though, she felt relief.

  And then, to her utter and complete embarrassment, she burst into tears.

  He stared at her for a minute, his perplexed expression almost enough to dry her tears, but not quite. She closed her eyes, buried her face in his shoulder and sobbed.

  Roman shifted beneath her; she felt the carriage veer off the road and then stop. Roman turned to her then, fully cradling her as she let loose all the frustration that had been pent up since her father had arrived on the scene.

  "Can you tell me what this is about?" he asked when her sobs had slowed down somewhat. "Or should I guess?"

  "I'll give you one guess," she said.

  "Your father."

  She nodded against his shoulder, then forced herself to sit up. He'd been dressed in a crisp white shirt, and now she saw the smear of her Clinique Stay Neutral powder on his shoulder, along with a burgundy slash of her MAC Studio lip color. "Sorry."

  "About your dad?"

  "About your shirt. But him, too." She pulled in a deep breath. She hadn't even realized what she'd been doinggiving him her whole resume, as if he'd missed some of the things she'd been doing since she'd arrived at the Inn. But somehow it was so important for him to see her accomplishments, and not see the daughter of Marv Spinelli. Because now that he'd met her fatherseen the kind of family she'd crawled from, all new money and no class she was desperately afraid that he'd see her like that, too. Like some pretty-faced bimbo with no brain, no ambition, and no class. If he saw her like that, she might just have to curl up and die.

  She couldn't tell him that, though. It sounded too insecure, too needy. And that wasn't the woman she wanted to be with him. So instead she just told him another part of the truth. "He makes me crazy. I guess I just let it all get to me."

  "Understandable," he said. "Believe me. I met the man. I have every sympathy." He took her hand and squeezed. "I also have an idea."

  "Yeah?"

  "Come with me to Austin."

  "I'd go with you anywhere," she said. "When?"

  "How's tonight? I had a meeting scheduled with the head buyer for CenTex Spirits." He glanced at his watch, frowned. "I doubt I'll make it in time now, but you and I can have a late bite, and I'll reschedule with Charles for tomorrow."

  "Tonight?" she said. "I can't go tonight." She glanced to her right, saw that he'd stopped the carriage right in front of the Inn. "Mom and Pop just got in, and as much as they drive me nuts, I can't leave. I can just hear what Marv would say if I ducked out and went to Austin. Shirking responsibility, abandoning my post, ignoring my"

  She closed her mouth as realization struck, then turned slowly to face him. "Ignoring my commitments," she said, thoughtfully. "Damn it, Roman, you have an appointment in Austin tonight . This is to make up for the contract you lost, isn't it? And you just blew it off? Why the devil did you do that?"

  He just stared at her, his eyes warm and filled with love.

  She shifted a little, almost melting right there. "Roman" This time her voice was soft. "You shouldn't have. I would've been fine."

  "Maybe. But I still wanted to be here for you. I think it's part of the job description."

  "What?"

  "Husband," he said.

  "Oh. Right." She felt the grin spread across her face, couldn't seem to tone it down. "I like the sound of that."

  "So do I. Come with me?"

  "What about the Inn?"

  "You've got Carter. And I bet we could talk Syd into taking your place for the night."

  "I don't know. I should stay. Deal with my p
op."

  "We've got the rest of our lives to deal with your pop."

  She frowned. She couldn't argue with that.

  She was still thinking about it when the front door to the Inn opened and a figure stepped out, first into a shadow, then moving away from the door and into the late afternoon sun. Marv .

  "There you are. Damn it, Princess, I been looking all over hell and back for you. We gots to talk. Who gave you the okay to order a different grade of TP, eh? You tell me that? My brand not fancy enough for your pretty little ass?"

  "I" She closed her mouth, looked from her father to Roman, then made her decision. In one quick move, she grabbed the reins from Roman. "Giddup!" she yelled, flicking the reins.

  And as she and Roman were tossed about on the bench, Shadow took off at a trot, the clop, clop of her hooves almost drowning out Marv's surprised shouts echoing from behind them.

  "What da fuck? What da ever-loving fuck does she think she's doing?" Marv paced inside the lobby as he snarled at his oldest daughter.

  "Getting the hell out of Dodge," Syd said. "Can you blame her?"

  Marv pointed a finger at Sydney, then moved it over to her idiot boyfriend for good measure. "Blame her? Hell yeah, I can blame her. She's supposed to be here keeping an eye on the Inn. It's her responsibility. No" He held up a finger interrupting himself. "You know what? I don't blame her. I blame me. I musta got shit for brains thinking she'd ever grow up and be responsible enough to run a place like this."

  "Stop it, Pop. She's doing a good job here."

  "Yeah? Then why'd she just take off with the son of Satan? You want to tell me that?"

  "Probably thought she'd OD on sugar if she stayed around you any longer."

  He held out a finger, his temper spiking. Beside him, Myrna laid a hand on his arm. He shook it off, not interested in taking any of her crap right now. "Marv," she saidand, despite everything, he felt his temper ratchet down a notch. Damn it, he didn't want to cool off. His little Princess had hooked up with the Prince of Putrid. And that was supposed to make him happy?

  "Calm down, Pop," Syd said. "She's hardly shirking her responsibility. She called me, didn't she? If I hadn't agreed to come cover the Inn, she'd still be here."