Not Quite Over You

“Nearly twelve. I never asked what she had. I assumed a boy.” He’d always pictured a son, one who looked just like him. Ego, he supposed. And a lack of any other input. Of course, if they’d had a girl, he would have assumed she looked exactly like Silver.

“A kid,” Cade said quietly. “Bethany and I want kids. The sooner the better, but you beat us all.”

“We were young and foolish.” They’d been passionately in love, he thought. That part had been about as real as it got.

“Is the baby why you want to go into business with her?” Jasper asked. “Out of guilt?”

“I don’t feel guilty.” Drew paused. “We were kids ourselves. We couldn’t have been decent parents. I want to invest in Silver’s company because I think it’s the smart thing to do. I’ve run the numbers. She works hard, makes a good profit and is turning business away every week. It’s a sound business decision.”

“Uh-huh.” Jasper didn’t look convinced. “What did she say?”

“I think the real question is what did she hit you with when you told her what you’d done?” Cade chuckled.

“She’s thinking about it.” Drew grinned. “She was fine with it.”

“Liar.”

“Okay, but she really did listen.”

Jasper finished his water and tossed the bottle into the recycling bin in the corner. “So you’re going to invest in Silver’s company, and then what? Are you going to help her manage the other trailers?”

“We’re still discussing the details.”

“The bank getting to you?” Cade sounded sympathetic. “I don’t know how you stand it, being there all day. It’s like a big, brick trap.”

Drew knew the bank wasn’t a trap—it was a living, breathing creature tied to the community. The bank was possibilities and he had a million ideas about how he was going to make it better.

“The bank is the least of it,” he said, avoiding the question.

Cade shook his head. “Your folks still on you?” He turned to Jasper. “Drew’s parents are...unusual. Happily Inc was never big enough for them. They always wanted to be somewhere else, doing something else. Howard, Drew’s dad, got involved politically and got an ambassadorship when Drew was still in school. Where was it again?”

“Andorra,” Drew said, remembering the thrill of having his parents leave town while he was in high school. He’d moved in with Grandpa Frank and life had gotten a whole lot easier. “It’s near Spain.”

“Never heard of it,” Jasper said. “Maybe I should do some research and set a book there.”

Cade grinned. “You should. Anyway, Howard had a couple more ambassadorships after that, then left the diplomatic corps to join a lobbying firm.”

“They’re still there,” Drew admitted grimly. “Growing the company and making room for their firstborn.”

Their only born, he added silently. Nothing would make his parents—mostly his mother—happier than having him take over the family bank for a couple of years, and then join his parents’ lobbying firm. While he was all over the first half, he had no interest in being a lobbyist.

“Not your dream job?” Jasper asked.

“Not even close.”

Jasper grinned at Cade. “Too bad they’re not your parents. Imagine how happy they’d be to know their son was marrying a genuine princess.”

“I don’t know where to start with that,” Cade admitted, then looked at Drew. “Have you told your mom about the engagement?”

“No, and I don’t plan to. The last thing any of us want is my mother camping out in town so she can go to your wedding or whatever it turns out to be.”

Cade had bought a stallion from the king of El Bahar. The “stable girl” who had delivered the stallion had turned out to be a royal princess in disguise. Cade and Bethany had fallen in love and were getting married. While the details hadn’t been worked out, there would be some kind of event or celebration locally, complete with the royal family attending.

“Your mom is going to find out.”

“Not from me.” Drew wouldn’t do that to someone he didn’t like, let alone a cousin.

“Have you two decided on your wedding plans?” Jasper asked. “You could always elope.”

Cade grimaced. “We’ve talked about it, but Bethany doesn’t want to disappoint her parents. We’re definitely holding the ceremony in El Bahar, but we’re going to do something here, too. The details are being worked out.”

Drew supposed that the logistics of marrying into a royal family put his life questions in perspective.

“Let me know if there’s going to be a party,” Jasper told him. “I’m heading to New York in a couple of weeks. I can rearrange things if it means hanging out with royals.”

Cade didn’t look convinced. “You’re like Drew. You don’t care anything about someone being royal or important.”

Jasper grinned. “That is true, but I’m always looking for ideas for the next book. Plus, you’re a friend. Someone has to be around to keep the crazies off your back.”

Drew nodded. “Jasper will handle them and I’ll run interference with my mother if she shows up.”

Cade winced. “Thanks, Drew. You’re a good friend.”

“You know it.”

CHAPTER THREE

SILVER LAY ON the carpet, her feet propped up on the sofa. She rested her cell phone on her stomach and adjusted her earbuds.

Leigh was due to call in about three minutes and her friend was nothing if not prompt. While she waited, Silver thought about all that had happened in the past few days and wondered if she had an answer to the obvious question—what was she going to do about the trailers?

She was tempted. Very tempted. They were exactly what she wanted and with them she would have a chance to expand her business. Between the extra twenty grand Drew was throwing in on top of her own savings, she could refurbish both of them, buy the trucks needed to pull them, have enough left over for an emergency fund and have some work done downstairs.

Her second-floor loft apartment sat above retail space. Currently, Silver used the downstairs as a showroom, with large posters showing her trailer at a variety of venues and a couple of tables set up like a party. There was a place to go over drinks menus and discuss specifics. But she kept thinking she should do something to monetize the square footage. Right now it was just deadweight.

Again, with Drew’s help, all that could change. The price would be both working with him and having to share the profits. He wasn’t buying into her business for the thrill of it. She had so much to think about.

She picked up her phone and smiled. One minute to go. While she was waiting, she touched the screen to display her photos. She went right to the folder that held the pictures of Autumn, then scrolled through a half dozen.

Autumn was eleven, with dark hair and deep blue eyes and looked a lot like her dad. She was smart, pretty and kind. Okay, and yes, she had a bit of the devil in her, but she wasn’t mean—just adventurous.

Silver studied the child she and Drew had created and knew that at some point she was going to have to come clean. Especially if they were going to work together. Not that she’d done anything wrong. She’d gotten pregnant and she’d told Drew. They’d agreed on adoption and Silver had returned home to find the right family.

What Drew didn’t know was that while pregnant, Silver had gotten close to the adopting couple. That she’d ended up living with them the last few months of her pregnancy and that she and Leigh had formed a tight bond that still existed today. Drew didn’t know that after Autumn’s birth, when Silver had felt confused and uncertain about her future, she’d gone back to Los Angeles and had lived with Leigh and her husband. Although the two of them had eventually divorced, Silver, Leigh and Autumn were family. They talked all the time, visited a lot, and Silver regularly took Autumn for a weekend or two every year.

The familiar guilt returned. Silver pushed it away, telling herself that it wasn’t as if she’d lied to Drew. He’d never once asked. For all he knew, she could have lost the baby. For him, once the decision had been made, he’d totally forgotten about the pregnancy, while she’d had to live it for the next six months. And beyond.

Her phone rang. She pushed the talk button and smiled. “Hey, you.”

“Hey, yourself.”

Leigh’s voice was happy and filled with affection. They were only twelve years apart in age, so more like sisters than mother and daughter.

“I got your text about the trailers,” Leigh continued. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m still thinking.”

“It seems like a good opportunity.”

“You think I should work with Drew?”

“If he’s going to be a minority partner, then why not? You get the trailers, you don’t have to worry about a bank loan and you can grow the business how you want to.”

“But it’s Drew.”

“At least you know him and he has a strong business background.”

“Maybe knowing him is the problem,” she grumbled. “I don’t know if we can work together or not.”

At one time, she’d been wildly in love with him, but they’d both been young and that was so different from a business relationship.

“Could you trust him?” Leigh asked. “Because without trust, there isn’t anything.”

“I have to think about that, too,” Silver told her. “I would need to get to know him again.”

Leigh laughed. “Good thing he’s already committed to the trailers. It means he’s stuck with your timetable.”

“I hadn’t thought about it that way, but you’re right. So what’s new with you?”

“I do have some exciting news. At least I hope you’ll think it’s exciting.”

“Yes?”

“Denton has decided he really wants a wedding.”

Silver smiled. Leigh’s fiancé had been all in on a big wedding, then had wanted an elopement and was, apparently, back on with a wedding.

“That man. He needs to make up his mind.”

“I agree. The thing is, I told him it doesn’t matter to me, but I’d really prefer a wedding. Some for me but mostly for Autumn. She is desperate to be a bridesmaid.”

Silver felt her chest tighten a little at the thought of Autumn in a beautiful dress, walking down the aisle in front of her mother.

“Have you two figured out when? Or where, for that matter? Just say the word and I’ll clear my calendar.”

Silver would be at the wedding, but just as important, she would stay with Autumn while Leigh and Denton went off on their honeymoon.

“It’s funny you should ask that. We have set the date. It’s in a couple of months.”

“Oh?” Silver swung her feet to the ground and sat up. “Won’t Autumn be in school? Are you going to delay your honeymoon?”

“I know, I know. So many details. And here’s the thing.” Leigh hesitated. “Gosh, I hope you’re going to be okay with this.”

Silver frowned. What wouldn’t she understand? “You’re marrying a great guy. Of course I’m good with it.”

“It’s not the who—it’s the where. Now hear me out. Once Denton said he wanted a wedding rather than us just eloping or getting it done at City Hall, things kind of snowballed. We were talking locations and on a whim, I called around in Happily Inc. You’ll never guess!”

Silver felt her breath catch in her throat. Happily Inc, as in the town where she lived? Where Drew lived?

“Tell me,” she said, hoping she didn’t sound the least bit worried.

“I spoke to this wonderful woman—Pallas. Do you know her?”

Silver told herself to stay totally calm. That everything was going to be fine. “Uh-huh. She owns Weddings Out of the Box.”

“Yes, that’s her. She’d just had a cancellation for a theme wedding. The bride and groom couldn’t stand waiting and eloped, but everything had already been ordered, so it was just there if I wanted to claim it. I’d never thought about doing anything like that, but it’s a Great Gatsby theme. The time period is so fun and the ideas they had were just charming. My dress is going to work and I’ve been looking online and I’ve found the best dress for you and another one for Autumn and well, Denton and I want to get married in Happily Inc and then have Autumn stay with you while we go on our honeymoon. Is that okay?”

Silver was grateful to be sitting on the floor so she didn’t have to worry about freaking out and fainting. Autumn here? Leigh getting married here? No. No! They couldn’t. She couldn’t. There was no way to keep Drew from finding out about their daughter if Autumn was in town for a week or two.

“I could take care of Autumn at your place,” Silver offered, thinking that if she limited the amount of Happily Inc time then...

“Funny story.” Leigh laughed. “You know Denton and I each listed our condos and we’re building a house together?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Well, our condos have sold and are closing right before the wedding, but we can’t get into our new place until after the honeymoon. We’re moving everything into storage. I guess technically we’re between homes. Or we will be.”

Silver pulled her legs to her chest and rested her head on her knees. She told herself to breathe, that everything would be just fine.

“Silver? Is this okay?”

“Of course it is,” she lied. “Yes, and yes. I’m thrilled you’re getting married here, and of course Autumn can stay with me while you and Denton are on your honeymoon. It will be fun.”

She hoped she sounded perfectly happy and excited and did she mention happy? “What about Autumn’s schoolwork?”

“I’ve taken care of that. Her teachers are giving her the assignments ahead of time. There’s a homeschooling kind of internet lab in town and I’ve already checked with them. Autumn will be there for six hours a day, Monday through Friday, just like regular school.” Leigh laughed. “It’s all coming together, just like it was meant to be.”

“Just like.” Silver’s voice was faint.

She was well and truly trapped. She loved Leigh and couldn’t be anything but happy for her. Being with Autumn was always fun and she looked forward to their one-on-one girl time. The only problem was, of course, Drew. There was no way Silver could explain away a kid who looked like him, who was the exact age their child would have been. He wasn’t stupid—he would put the pieces together. And not just him. Anyone who saw Autumn and Drew within twenty feet of each other would have questions.

“I’m going to have to come clean with him,” Silver said. “Tell Drew about Autumn.”

“There is that.” Leigh’s voice softened. “I’m a little worried about it. Am I pushing you?”

“No, of course not. You’re getting married and I’m so happy. I’ll get together with Pallas and talk to her about how things are going. You’re going to love how she handles things. I’ll create the perfect signature cocktail for your reception. Leigh, this is going to be the wedding of your dreams.”

“Oh, sweetie, thank you. I appreciate what you’re saying so much. Autumn is super excited about everything. Okay, I need to run but we’ll talk soon.”

“Of course. I love you.”

“I love you, too. Bye.”

They hung up. Silver pulled the earbuds from her ears and closed her eyes. Too much had happened too quickly and she was going to need a minute to process everything.

Leigh’s wedding was going to be its own kind of mess. Not the logistics—Pallas knew exactly how to throw the perfect event. It was more that Silver was going to have to explain her relationship to Leigh. Which meant telling people about Autumn. She was fairly confident her friends would be totally on board but she was less sure about how Drew would accept the information. Yes, he knew about their child, but nothing else.

Guilt tapped on her shoulder, but she ignored it. She hadn’t done anything wrong. She wasn’t the bad guy. She’d been up-front from the beginning. Her relationship with Autumn was her business. If he’d cared, he could have asked what had happened, but instead he’d gone on with his life without so much as a backward glance. Which all sounded really good, but did nothing to take away her growing sense of dread and discomfort.

A reckoning was coming—she could feel it.

* * *

“SILVER, I’M REALLY SORRY. I kept hoping I would get better.”

Silver told herself it would be wrong to respond with anything but sympathy. Georgiana was a steady, dependable worker and she’d never once flaked out on an event.

“It’s okay. You go take care of yourself. I’ll be fine.”

“You won’t be fine.” Georgiana groaned. “I gotta throw up, and then I’ll call you—”

Conversation ended with a gagging sound followed by a noise Silver didn’t want to identify. It took her a second to keep from throwing up herself. She ended the call and tucked her phone into her jeans pocket, then tried to figure out what on earth she was going to do. In less than four hours, there was a wedding for three hundred and twenty people at Weddings Out of the Box. The bride and groom were expecting her to handle all their beverage needs and as of ten seconds ago, she had no staff.

She got out her tablet and double-checked the drinks menu for the night. The theme was a casual beach wedding. In order to keep costs down, the couple had chosen two signature drinks, along with beer and wine. In a pinch, Silver could get by with minimal help, but she absolutely needed at least one other person around.

All the usual suspects were unavailable for the same reason Georgiana wouldn’t be in. That left friends, most of whom worked in the wedding business, so would be busy on a Saturday night with minimal notice. She tried Carol, but the call went directly to voice mail. Wynn’s did the same, leaving Silver cursing under her breath. A name occurred to her, but she ignored it until there were no other options.

“Hey,” Drew said when he answered. “I didn’t expect to hear from you so quickly. What have you decided?”

“I haven’t. I’m still considering.” More things than he knew about, she thought. Not just the business proposition but how she was ever going to tell him about Autumn. Neither of which concerned her now.

“Did you mean what you said about helping me with events?” she asked. “That you’d be a real working partner?”

“I did. Why?”

“I want to give you a trial run. It will help me decide.”

She knew she was assuming a lot—for one thing, that Drew would be available on a night when most single, good-looking guys had plans. Not that she’d heard of him dating anyone, but he often kept his romantic relationships private. For all she knew, he was practically engaged, something she found herself not wanting to think about.

“You want me to work a wedding?” he asked. “Tonight?”

“Yes.”

“Is the last-minute thing a test or desperation?”

She sighed. “Mostly desperation. My regular hires called in sick. They worked a party at the Chapel on the Green. Someone brought in some bad shrimp and they all have food poisoning.” Silver shuddered. “Based on what I heard, it’s really awful.”

“I don’t need any details,” he said quickly. “I’m happy to help. Just tell me when and where.”

“Weddings Out of the Box in an hour. Wear khakis and a Hawaiian shirt. That’s what all the servers are wearing.”

“Should I bring anything?”

“I’ve got that handled.” She hesitated. “Thanks, Drew. You’re helping me out of a jam.”

“Glad to do it. See you in an hour.”

Silver hung up. She’d already changed into khaki shorts, a red bikini top with an open red Hawaiian shirt tied at the waist. Her hair was pulled back in a simple braid with a silk hibiscus clipped to the end. Her makeup was light, her earrings simple gold hoops. Her job was to provide bar service and otherwise blend in with the background. In a perfect world, she wouldn’t be noticed at all.

She drove over to Weddings Out of the Box and backed the trailer into place. Once it was in position, she unhitched it and drove the truck around to the far end of the parking lot, then returned to her Airstream to start setting up. That morning she’d collected all the supplies she would need for the drinks. The decorations had been finalized and delivered at the last prep meeting on Thursday. Except for additional manpower, she was good to go.

She’d barely unlocked the trailer when she heard the sound of rapid footsteps on the walkway. She turned and saw Renee Grothen scurrying toward her.

The petite redheaded wedding coordinator had a tablet in one hand, a clipboard in the other and an air of concern pulling her eyebrows together. Looking at her, one would assume the sky was falling, but Silver had done enough weddings with Renee to know that the woman was always in full-on freak-out mode right up until the wedding started. Once the happy couple were safely married, she slowly relaxed. As the reception transitioned from appetizers to entrées to cake-cutting with nary a disaster, she relaxed a little more and the frown went away. Renee knew her stuff, but she was a little on the tightly wound side.

“I’m fine,” Silver said before Renee could ask.

Renee’s green eyes widened. “I heard there was food poisoning and that everyone was vomiting.”

“They are, but I wasn’t there and I’m fine.”

Renee’s hands trembled. “You can’t handle the bar yourself. It’s too much. Even with the limited drink menu there is simply no way—”

Silver smiled. “Renee, trust me. I have it under control. Help is on the way. This part of the wedding is totally taken care of.”

Before Renee could start keening or whatever it was she did when she was really upset, Pallas, the owner of Weddings Out of the Box, joined them. Silver and Pallas had been friends for years. When Pallas had started working at Weddings Out of the Box and Silver had opened AlcoHaul, they’d begun working together on a regular basis.

The previous year Pallas had fallen madly in love with artist Nick Mitchell. They’d married and were expecting their first baby. Silver glanced at her friend’s still almost-flat stomach.

“How are you feeling?”

Pallas’s first trimester had been a nightmare of morning sickness.

“Better,” her friend said. “I’m only occasionally queasy and it passes quickly. What a relief!” She turned to Renee. “If Silver says she has it covered, she has it covered. You can let it go.” She smiled. “I mean that.”

Renee’s nod was reluctant. She’d only been working for Pallas for a month or so and was still in triple-checking mode. Or maybe she was always like that, Silver thought. It would be a tough way to live but she would guess it meant all the details were managed.

Pallas led Renee away and Silver finished opening up the large double doors on the side of the trailer. She connected two power cords, then turned on the lights inside. She pulled out boxes of decorations and set them aside. The folding tables and chairs came next. They were stacked together to be assembled later. The large easel and chalkboard were in the back. She got them out, along with a box of chalk.

Drew walked up, dressed as she’d requested. He looked good. Calm and capable and just a little bit sexy. When he spotted her, he frowned.

“Hey, you’ve already unloaded. Did you leave anything for me to do?”

“Plenty,” she said, trying not to let her relief show. Of course, she’d known he would be here, but having him actually present made her feel better about everything. Despite her promises to Renee, she was a little concerned about getting everything set up in time. Even with Drew around, she was short a body and both her helpers had known what to do. Drew was a novice.

Still, he’d always come through in a pinch. Back when she’d told him she was pregnant, the first thing he’d done was propose. Compared to that, tonight should be a snap.

She had him hook up the hose that would keep the water tanks full, then wash his hands.

“Your first job is to cut up honeydew melon,” she told him. “It’s messy so you’ll want to wear an apron.”

She half expected him to protest the coated cotton apron covered with drawings of landmarks of downtown London, but he only settled it over his head, then tied the strings behind his waist.

“Cut up how?” he asked. “Big chunks? Little chunks?”