His Band Of Gold

The door to Kelsey’s office finally opened. She stepped out, locked the door and turned. The moment she saw him, her lips tightened. “What are you still doing here?”

Her above-the-knee gray tailored suit hugged each and every curve. Will forced his gaze to focus off her body and on her face. There was both a delicacy and a strength to her features. Her classic beauty would only improve over the years, and she didn’t need all that makeup. High cheekbones dusted with blush, full lips painted the color of a mouthwatering plum and eyelids outlined with black liner. At least she hadn’t tried to hide the small mole near the left side of her mouth. “You seemed upset. I wanted to apologize.”

She stared down her perfectly shaped nose as if he were a mere peon. Fine by him. Will knew how to deal with women like that. He made a living catering to customers, to the whims of the wealthy guests staying at his family’s resorts. He hadn’t thought Kelsey fit that cold and shallow mold. She’d seemed more the warm and passionate type, but it would be easier this way. Much easier. “I also wanted to apologize for Faith. She’s very sorry for what she put you through.”

“Which time?”

“All four of them,” he admitted.

Unblinking, Kelsey studied him. “You’ve said your apologies, now leave.”

“I don’t blame you for being upset at Faith, but I wish you would hear me out. You didn’t lose money on any of her weddings.”

“No, your mother saw to that, but I lost something far more valuable—my time.” Kelsey flipped her hair behind her shoulder, and Will felt a twinge in his groin. Ignore it; ignore her. She continued, “And it hurt my reputation. In a business like this, reputation is everything.”

“Granted, but Faith has changed. She loves her new fiancé and is serious about getting married this time.”

“Which of her latest co-stars is she engaged to?”

“He isn’t an actor.”

The news seemed to surprise Kelsey, but she continued to stare at the gilt-framed botanical print on the wall. “A director, then?”

“No. His name is Trent Jeffreys. He runs a nonprofit agency.”

“Nonprofit?”

“Low-cost housing, affordable living alternatives. He’s even got Faith volunteering on a few of his projects.”

“So he’s not in the business.” From the prim tone of her voice, Will could tell Kelsey still wasn’t swayed. “I don’t think having a two-week engagement shows any growth on Faith’s part.”

He saw her point. “She’s been engaged since Halloween.”

“So why are you only coming to me now?”

Here’s where it got tricky, Will realized. Once Kelsey agreed to come with him, she’d learn the truth, but for now that was family business and private. Will wished he could keep it that way, too. Thinking about what had happened to his mother was hard enough. He didn’t want to talk about it. Might as well dangle the big carrot instead to see if Kelsey bit.

“As I said, it’s the real deal this time. No more Hollywood extravaganzas like the weddings Faith asked you to plan for her. She and Trent want a small wedding with only close friends and family in attendance.”

“Doesn’t matter. At this late date every place is booked for Valentine’s Day.”

“Not the Starr Lake Inn at Tahoe.”

Kelsey’s sharp gaze met his. “Weddings aren’t allowed at Starr Properties.”

“True. They are intrusive on our other guests, but rules are made to be broken. Especially for family.” Will saw he’d piqued her interest. “Unfortunately, the plans for Faith’s wedding have gotten—how should I put it?—a little out of hand. We aren’t known for putting on weddings, and we need a professional like yourself to help us with the finishing touches and the final arrangements.”

Kelsey said nothing. The seconds ticked by. Time to seal the deal. America knew how wealthy the Armstrong family was, so money wouldn’t be a good motivator. But according to his mother, Kelsey’s business meant the world to her. “If you agree to work on Faith’s wedding, we’ll allow you to use a Starr property for a future wedding. Any wedding.”

Kelsey’s eyes widened. Yes, her interest was genuinely piqued. Leave it to his mother…

“I’d want an exclusive contract to use any Starr property.”

Will was used to negotiating with cutthroat Realtors, city planners, you name it. Sharks, all of them. Kelsey was as sharp and smart. And something told him he would enjoy the challenge. Will smiled. “Only one?”

“At least one at each of your properties.”

Ouch. The shark bit off one of his limbs and spit it back at him. She reminded him of his mother. Starr was the reason the resorts were such a success. She had taught him everything she knew about business and negotiating. His mother had also taught him when to cut bait. “Fine. You may put on one wedding at each property provided you work with my office and use our chefs and staff.”

Kelsey got a faraway look in her eyes and it softened the features on her face, reminding him of how she’d looked when he’d first stepped inside her office and saw her in the veil. “Let me get this straight. All I have to do to get this wonderful opportunity is cancel my vacation, go with you to Lake Tahoe for the next two weeks and work on Faith’s wedding?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t think so.”

He did a double take. “What did you say?”

“I said no.” She adjusted the leather bag on her shoulder. “Not even the exclusive use of Starr properties could make me want to work with your sister again. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a plane to catch.” Kelsey pushed past him.

Her strength of will impressed him. At least she had principles. But everyone had a price. He only had to find hers. “What would change your mind?”

She pursed her lips. “Do you have another sister who wants to get married?”

“Hope’s already married.”

“Sorry.”

But he could tell she wasn’t. Damn. He’d never expected her to turn down his offer…Now he was in a real bind, which left him only one other option.

To tell her the truth. “Wait.”

She turned. “What is it now?”

“There’s something I haven’t told you about why we need you to plan Faith’s wedding.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.”

This was hard. Much harder than he thought it would be. Will tugged on his now-too-tight collar. “My mother was the one coordinating and making all the plans.”

“Then you don’t need me. Starr’s amazing. She could plan any event with her eyes closed.”

Kelsey was right on the mark about his mother. Starr Addison could do anything she put her mind to, except the one thing that had become her all-consuming goal—marry off her youngest daughter. “That was before,” he forced the words out.

“Before what?”

“My mother had a stroke, and she…” Swallowing hard, he pulled himself together. “She said the only one she trusted to pull off the wedding she’d planned for Faith is you.”

Chapter Two

Starr? A stroke?

It wasn’t possible. But the seriousness in Will’s gaze told Kelsey it was true. Tears stung her eyes and she blinked them away. “How is she doing?”

He shrugged, his features tight. “Things are progressing…slowly.”

A stroke. Kelsey didn’t know what to say. She remembered the helpless feeling that had engulfed her and her entire family when her grandmother Waters had suffered a stroke. The long days and endless nights until Grandmother had had another stroke and died. Kelsey fought the urge to offer comfort. He had a wife to do that. “I’m so sorry. I truly am.”

“Thanks.” His voice was deeper than she’d heard before, and he glanced at the ceiling. “It’s been a…difficult time for all of us. Faith wanted to postpone the wedding, but my mother insists it goes on as planned. Mom wanted to continue doing all the work herself, but it was too much for her.”

Too much for Starr Addison? Kelsey tried to imagine Starr as anything other than her vibrant and energetic self, a woman who’d even tried snowboarding last year just to see what it was like. A strong, confident woman who still had an Achilles’ heel—her daughter, Faith.

Each time Faith decided at the eleventh hour to cancel her wedding, Starr would break the news to Kelsey and hand her a generous check for the work she’d done as if money would wipe the slate clean. Starr apologized for the inconvenience, but not once had she apologized for her daughter’s actions. Neither had Faith, for that matter. Kelsey chalked it up to family loyalty. Still, a simple “I’m sorry” would have made such a difference, but none had come.

She’d kept waiting and hoping. Of course, she’d only contributed to the situation by continuing to plan Faith’s weddings, because Kelsey enjoyed working with Starr, but she wasn’t going to give in and do it again.

Kelsey really wanted—no, she needed to take a vacation. Just her reaction to Will told her she needed to get away from her daily routine. Designing wedding after wedding without time for herself or a little male diversion had taken a toll. A couple of weeks on the island paradise of San Montico with her cousin, Christina, was exactly what Kelsey needed. A little rest and relaxation. Maybe Prince Richard’s royal advisor, Didier Alois, had forgiven her for turning down his marriage proposal and they could spend some time together. If he hadn’t, making up would be a nice challenge. She did enjoy his company even if he’d gone a bit far by proposing after only knowing her for one week. And a casual flirtation might be fun. Yes, this vacation was what she needed, craved, deserved. “I’m really sorry, Will, but I have a plane to catch.”

“My mother’s only wish is to see Faith married. It’s more important to her than her own recovery.” He gazed straight at Kelsey, making her feel as if she needed to take a step—make that ten steps—back. “And you’re the only one she wants to help her.”

An invisible noose tightened around Kelsey’s neck, and she tried to resist caving in. The last thing in the world she wanted to do was to plan a fifth wedding for Faith. Kelsey had promised herself not to allow Starr to sweet-talk her into doing another wedding for her daughter. Now it wasn’t only Starr asking, but Will, too.

“What do you say?” He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Will you help my mother make her dream come true?”

A grapefruit-size lump of guilt lodged in Kelsey’s throat. Closing her eyes, she thought about her grandmother and how important dreams had been to her. Dreams she’d had for and shared with each of her grandchildren. But the stroke had taken away those dreams, taken away everything. There had been little time to do anything but say goodbye. Kelsey had wanted to do more, so much more. And now Will was giving her the chance she hadn’t had before.

The ding of a bell announced the arrival of the elevator, and the doors opened.

“I know your staff is gone, but I’ll help you.” Will smiled. “Tell me what you need done and it’ll be done. I don’t know much about weddings, but I’m a fast learner.”

Her eyes sprang open and her heart leaped with pleasure at the thought of being near Will. It was totally illogical, downright ridiculous. Forget about not wanting to work on Faith’s wedding. The last thing in the world Kelsey wanted to do was to spend two weeks working with Will Addison. “Faith will want to work on her own wedding.”

“She’s on location and won’t be flying in until the day before the wedding. She made me promise to oversee things until she arrived.”

This didn’t sound like the Faith that Kelsey knew. The starlet wanted to be involved with everything. She’d even overseen the flower arrangements for the last wedding. Starr was always a big help, but even she demurred to her daughter’s wishes. “Faith trusts you to oversee her wedding preparations?”

“Yes.” A wry grin graced his lips. “Do you have a problem with this?”

Kelsey’s stomach twisted and turned and tumbled. She should have eaten more than a croissant for breakfast. “Of course not. I’ve worked with grooms—men—before.”

“Does this mean you’ll do it?”

“I…” Glancing at the closing elevator doors ahead of her, she watched her vacation disappear. And with it, her stress level inched upward.

“You can’t imagine what it would mean to my mother and my entire family.”

Damn him. Damn all the Addisons. She did not want to work on another wedding for Faith. Kelsey had promised herself she wouldn’t, yet for her grandmother and Starr… “Okay.”

“Okay what?”

“I’ll coordinate Faith’s wedding.” The gruffness of Kelsey’s voice should have bothered her, but it didn’t. She was doing this under duress. “I’m not saying it again.”

“I’m not asking you to.” Will grinned. He was practically dancing like a bride-to-be registering at Tiffany & Co.

At least one of them was getting some enjoyment out of this. She knew it wouldn’t be her. She wouldn’t be happy until February fifteenth—when Faith’s wedding was over and done with, and Kelsey was back home. “I want an exclusive contract to plan weddings at Starr Properties. As many weddings as I want.”

“Fine.”

“And my normal fee went up.” Money didn’t mean much to her, but she wanted to make them pay. This seemed as good a way as any. Unlocking the door to her office, Kelsey stepped inside. “Way up.”

He followed her in. “Okay.”

“I need to pack a few things here. I’ll also have to stop by my condo, repack my suitcase and make a few phone calls.” She paused, wondering if she could make him change his mind about taking her with him. Not the fairest way to play, but she was desperate. “It’ll take a little while. I understand if you don’t want to wait.”

“I’m happy to wait.”

Anything to make her happy, Kelsey realized. She was tempted to ask him to jump to see if he would. She set her bag on the reception desk instead. With no warning, Will touched her shoulder, sending shivery sensations shooting up and down the length of her arm. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”

“Let’s get one thing clear.” She moved away from him, from his much-too-pleasurable touch. She’d brushed off advances from a few of the most handsome actors and musicians in the business—some even grooms-to-be. That had been bad enough, but this was much worse. Will was already married. M-a-r-r-i-e-d. “I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing it for your mother.”

And my grandmother.

“I understand.”

Kelsey shook her finger at him. “And I swear if Faith doesn’t get married this time…”

“I know my sister.” He smiled. “She’s getting married on February fourteenth.”

Kelsey flashed him one of her give-me-a-break looks. “Care to make a wager on it?”

His eyes gleamed as if amused by the idea. “It’s a sucker’s bet.”

“I happen to like suckers.” She grinned. “Lime’s my favorite.”

“Cherry happens to be mine.”

“So I’m tart and you’re sweet.” She laughed. “This could make for an interesting wager.”

He smiled. “Seriously, there’s no need for us to bet. Faith will go through with it this time. Trent’s different than her other fiancés. What you see is what you get. No games, no ego trips. Faith’s found the one.”

“The one?” Kelsey tried not to sound too incredulous.

“Her soul mate, heart mate, love of a lifetime.”

Surely he couldn’t be serious. Yet the wistful look in his eyes was hard to ignore. Of course, it must be the lighting. Men weren’t wistful about such things. Especially married men. Yet a part of her wondered if Will had married what he believed to be his “one.” Kelsey tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Don’t tell me you believe in those things?”

“Of course I do.” His eyes narrowed. “Just because I’m a guy doesn’t mean I’m not…”

“A romantic at heart?” she offered.

He nodded. “There’s nothing wrong with being romantic. Women like that in a man.”

Kelsey shrugged. “Some women might, others…”

“I feel sorry for those who don’t.”

Oh, boy, they came in all shapes and sizes, those romantic idealists who believed in love at first sight and happily-ever-after, but she’d never met one in a more perfect package than Will Addison. Too bad she didn’t share any of his beliefs. No, it wasn’t too bad. After everything she’d been through growing up, Kelsey knew better. That should kill whatever attraction she felt for Mr. Romance.

She headed toward the storage room. “Would you give me a hand?”

Together they carried the leather trunk she took with her on out-of-town weddings into the office. From Telluride to Turkey, the contents of the trunk had saved the day more than once.

Will tapped the top of the trunk. “What’s this for?”

“Anything I might need to keep me from having to run around a town I’m not familiar with and waste time I don’t have to spare. You’d be amazed at what can happen the morning of a wedding.”

She opened the trunk, rummaged through it and made a mental list of what needed to be packed. “Does Faith have a wedding dress to wear?”

“Yes.”

“That’s right. I forgot,” Kelsey said. “She’s got four of them. Let’s hope she hasn’t had any alterations done yet, in case she’s a no-show again.”

Will laughed. At least he had a sense of humor. Not that it mattered, she reminded herself.

“Does she have a headpiece and veil?”

The smile faded from his face. “My mother planned to make one herself a` la Martha Stewart. She got hooked on crafting last summer, but the stroke…”

“I’ve got plenty to choose from.” Kelsey stared at her selection. “Do you know what style of gown Faith’s chosen?”

“No,” Will admitted. “That’s been the most highly guarded secret, next to her engagement itself.”

“Not a problem.” Kelsey packed a variety of head-pieces—halos, silk flower wreaths, beaded tiaras and different-length veils—in the trunk. If worse came to worst, she’d call in a few favors owed her. “We’ll bring several with us.”

“What about the one you were wearing?”

It would kill her to let Faith wear the vintage ensemble, but even Kelsey had to admit it would look lovely with the movie star’s long wavy locks. “I’ll pack it.”

“Do you need anything else in here?”

She gathered up a couple of garters and guest books in case Starr hadn’t gotten around to that, either. “Would you grab the lavender toolbox in the storage room?”

“A toolbox?”

“Tricks of the trade.” And right now she needed every trick she had up her sleeve to get through packing her gear with Will’s help. If it felt strange here in her own office, she didn’t want to think about what it would be like working with him in Lake Tahoe.

“What tricks would those be?”

“Sewing needles, thread, safety pins, first-aid kit, clear nail polish, hair spray, things like that.”

“You’re very prepared.”

“I have to be,” she admitted. “My clients expect nothing less. I do my best to make sure their wedding day is the most perfect, the happiest day of their lives.”

He stared at her with an odd look on his face. “A person’s wedding day is only the first of many happy days.”

Using all of her willpower, she managed not to roll her eyes. “Wasn’t your wedding day your happiest day ever?”

Her question seemed to catch him off guard, but only for a moment. The sweet smile on his face made Kelsey swallow hard and remind herself he was already taken. “Yes, it was the best day of my life.”

The dreamy tone of his voice touched a place deep within her heart. His wife was a lucky woman. Or would be until the marriage started unraveling and falling apart…No doubt they hadn’t been married long or faced any bumps in the matrimony road. “Told you so. Every bride and groom deserve a perfect wedding day, even your sister.”

Will stared at Kelsey. “You take what you do very seriously.”

“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be doing it.”

“So you’re a romantic at heart, too?”

“I wouldn’t go that far.” She smiled at the ridiculous notion. No one she knew would ever call her romantic. “I’m more of a…realist.”

A realist, she thought, who knew the truth—there was no such thing as “happily ever after.”

Sitting in the living room of Kelsey’s condo in Brentwood, Will tried to make sense of the woman who’d agreed to coordinate Faith’s wedding. Kelsey hadn’t said yes out of the goodness of her heart. She would be well paid and receive an exclusive contract to put on weddings at Starr Properties. But he’d seen her genuine concern over his mother’s condition. The tears in Kelsey ’s eyes, the slight quiver of her lower lip, the cracking of her voice.

From the doorway of what Will assumed was Kelsey’s bedroom, she leaned out, a toiletry bag in one hand, a cordless phone in the other. “I’m going to be a few more minutes. Would you like something to drink?”

“I’m fine, thanks.”

Watching her pack a trunk of wedding paraphernalia in her office had been like watching Tiger Woods play golf. Not one motion wasted, not one hit bunker. Here, she was no different and made multitasking look as effortless as a stroll through the park on a spring morning. “Do you need any help?”

“No, thanks.”

This didn’t surprise him. He’d never seen a more self-sufficient, organized woman before. No wonder his mother had been so adamant about his bringing her back with him. “Let me know if you do.”

“Okay.” With that she was gone.

Strictly business. Minimal exchanges. Polite manners. That’s how Kelsey had been for the past hour. He should be pleased. Yet, Will couldn’t forget the look of pure joy on her face when she’d tried on the veil or the flirtatious smile and the way she’d batted her eyelashes when she’d first seen him. She was a contradiction. That much he’d discovered in the short time they’d known each other.

Will settled back on the couch. Obviously there was more to Kelsey than met the eye. Professional and smooth on the outside, he could only wonder what was going on in the inside.

He was very good at reading people. Over the years he’d learned to anticipate the needs and wants of his guests as his mother had when she’d convinced his father to buy the Lake Inn so many years ago. That’s what made Starr Properties so successful. But Will was having trouble figuring out Kelsey. Dressed in her designer clothes with perfectly applied makeup and just the right amount of jewelry and accessories, she might look like one of his clients, she may have even been one. But she wasn’t the norm.

Not by a long shot.

And that’s what bothered him. He wanted her to be like the norm. He wanted her to look ordinary, not stand out. He didn’t want to notice her. He didn’t want her to be different or unique. He couldn’t afford the distraction or any entanglements. Regardless of his attraction, or whatever it was, to Kelsey, Will had to concentrate on Faith’s wedding. That’s what really mattered.

In two weeks his sister would be married, his mother would be happy and the intriguing wedding consultant would be out of his life. Two weeks. Only fourteen days. He’d make it. He’d survive as he always did.

Will stared at the pictures covering the walls and on the fireplace mantel. Most were photographs of the Armstrong family. Politicians, lawyers, doctors and corporate elite. Darlings of the paparazzi and one of the closest things to royalty America had. The most recent photo—resembling a family reunion with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins—had been taken in front of the San Montico royal palace. Last summer’s royal wedding had been the social event of the year and broadcast live all over the globe. His mother had gushed over the fairy-tale romance and asked Will to watch the wedding with her. He’d passed. Much to her regret then, and his now.

Losing Sara had made him realize how important his family was, but he still had taken his parents’ and sisters’ love for granted. No longer, which was one reason he was here.

Kelsey reappeared in the doorway. “If you’re bored, there are magazines in the ottoman. I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

Before he could say anything, she disappeared. Will opened the ottoman that doubled as a coffee table. Inside were stacks of magazines ranging from Bride to Vanity Fair, a few of the latest bestselling novels and a couple of photo albums.