Magnolia Bride

His masculine scent, so alluring and familiar, had her leaning toward him until she realized her mistake and blinking furiously, she took a hasty step back from the stunning man standing before her and the powerful reaction he evoked.

“How did you come to own this place?”

“It’s what I do. Rehab old or failing hotels.”

“You renovated this hotel?”

“That’s right.”

Wow. Talk about total and complete shock.

Nealy shook her head, trying to reconcile this man with the boy she’d fallen head over heels in love with. Her pulse fluttered as the intensity of his gaze made her heart race and her eyes sting.

“Welcome home, Nealy,” Dane said in a low, familiar voice.

Her initial surprise at seeing him dissipated instantly as the hurt came rushing back. Apparently twelve years hadn’t healed the wound he inflicted when he’d shattered her life that summer. He’d married her, then turned right around and filed for an annulment, dashing her hopes of them spending their lives together. The dream had turned into a nightmare, courtesy of the man standing in front of her.

“Home is L.A. now. If you’ll excuse me, my sister’s expecting me.” She needed to escape from Dane before he noticed her curt tone hiding the traces of old hurt.

“Yeah. About that. There’s a problem.”

She raised a brow. “What’s happened?”

“It’s more like who happened.”

She shook her head. “You’ve lost me.”

“Remember Angela? The hotel’s in-house event coordinator?”

“Sure. We’ve been working together on both of Juliet’s parties.”

“Not any longer.”

She jammed a hand on her hip. “And why is that?”

“She quit this morning.”

Nealy tried to keep from gaping but didn’t succeed. “What did you do to her?”

Her sharp question earned her a throaty laugh. “Me? I didn’t do anything. You, on the other hand...”

As his sentence trailed off, she protested, “I just got here.”

“It seems you were a bit too...zealous in planning Juliet’s party. To quote Angela, ‘I’ve only dealt with Nealy over the phone. How much more nerve-racking will it be having her here in person?’ Your imminent arrival sent her over the edge.”

“Hey, I’m good at my job. I can’t help it if she was overwhelmed.”

“Overwhelmed or not, I’m minus an event coordinator.”

“Thankfully I’m here for Juliet. Her parties will be wonderful despite this upset.”

“Easy for you to say. You’ll be leaving soon. I’m the one on the hook with scheduled events over the next couple of days and no coordinator.”

She tugged the strap of her purse higher on her shoulder. “Figuring out these problems is all in the day of a hotel owner. I’m sure you’ll manage. Excuse me.” She took two steps when she realized she didn’t know where to find her sister. Reluctantly she turned back to Dane.

“Down the hallway,” he said and pointed. “Second door on the right.”

She headed off, but not without hearing a husky, “Good to see you.”

Ignoring the blood roaring in her ears, she hurried to the room. Bad enough the party would be at this hotel, but to run into Dane while she was home? The knots in her stomach tightened. Why couldn’t she have gotten a flat tire? Preferably somewhere in L.A. so she would have missed her flight.

Did he have to look so good? Smell so good? And why had she turned into a flustered teenager? Because the man still had a way of getting under her skin, that’s why. She pressed her hand against her roiling stomach. She’d worked with top celebrities without so much as a bat of an eye, but two minutes with Dane had her insides screaming as if she were a starstruck groupie. She would not let him get to her during her time in Cypress Pointe.

Still, Dane Peterson, owner of the Grand Cypress Hotel. Who would have thought it? And what was she going to do to avoid him?

Before she could come to any conclusions, she crossed the threshold into a large banquet room and assessed the chaos.

Juliet was pacing. Lanie, her older sister, had a box that she was rustling through, pulling out rolls of bunting and crepe paper. Nealy shuddered at the sight. Her mother, Anita, was chastising a tall man with a glazed look in his eyes. Having been at the receiving end of her chastisement, Nealy empathized with him.

“Hey, everyone,” she called out. “I’m here.”

Juliet shrieked, running over to envelop Nealy in a big hug. “I knew you’d make it.”

“Yes, we were wondering when that would be,” her mother’s voice came from behind her. “We could have used your help this afternoon.”

Sure they could have, but then Nealy would have had to stick needles in her eyes.

“Hi, Mom.” She gave her a dutiful hug, miffed she let her mother’s lack of affection get to her.

Following the pseudo hug, her mother scrutinized Nealy. “You look pale. Don’t you ever get out in the California sun?”

Before Nealy could respond, Lanie cut in for her hug. “Welcome home, sis. We could use some major organizing skills since a therapist isn’t available.”

“Lucky for you I have them.”

Juliet put a death grip on Nealy’s arm. After their most recent phone conversation, Nealy understood why. Her family had a tendency to be a bit too eagerly involved.

“Please promise me you won’t leave my side.”

Nealy didn’t want to make any promises. Her mother’s frown didn’t reflect a warm welcome and knowing Dane lurked somewhere in the building made her want to bolt. Then she focused on her sister’s worried face, noticing the dark circles under her eyes and that her usually tidy hair was a mess. Nealy lifted her chin. This wasn’t about her. Her sister needed her here and for that reason alone she would see this week through. “I promise.”

Juliet let out a breath, tears glistening in her eyes. “Thanks.”

“Are you okay?” Nealy was genuinely concerned.

“Tired. Work has been demanding. If this party is any indication of what the wedding will be like...”

Nealy should have come home sooner. “Maybe we should—”

“There she is,” cried a familiar voice. Nealy turned to see her maternal grandmother, Dorinda, hurrying toward her. “Come give me a kiss.”

Nealy sent one last questioning glance at her sister and received a reassuring nod in return. Once she and her sister were alone, Nealy would get to the bottom of what was bothering Juliet.

“Grandmother!” Nealy wrapped Dorinda in her arms, holding on for dear life. The scent of lilacs Nealy always associated with her grandmother enveloped her. Welcomed her home. This was the person who had cleaned her cuts, wiped her tears and filled her life with joy. “How have you been?”

“Other than missing you, just fine. Talking on the phone and only seeing you for our annual visits is not enough.”

Nealy grinned. “I agree.”

Dorinda ran a hand over Nealy’s wavy hair. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she whispered and tilted her head toward the women in the room. “Not a moment too soon.”

“Are things so bad?”

“Not bad. More like difficult. The usual Grainger women drama.”

“As usual, Dad is wise to stay far, far away.”

The urge to run away welled up in her, but she squashed it for Juliet’s sake. Maybe a few minutes to gather her muddled thoughts would shore up her resolve. “Okay, ladies, before we get busy, I have to make a couple of quick business calls. Be back in a few.”

She turned on her heel, hurried out of the room and back down the hallway, hoping she wouldn’t run into Dane. Before entering the foyer, she stopped and peeked around the corner. No ex-husband. Expelling a breath, she rushed past the main desk, heading to the veranda for some fresh air and to place the phone calls she promised her boss she’d make. She’d just reached for the door handle when she heard a slow masculine drawl behind her. “Leaving so soon?”

* * *

DANE KNEW NEALY would never miss her sister’s party. That meant he’d be seeing her again. His regret over how he’d ended things with her had entailed a lot of emotional upheaval, but still he maintained he’d made the right decision to end their marriage before it really started.

What else could he have done but file for an annulment after their impetuous act? Once they’d said their “I do’s,” the enormity of the situation had sunk in. There was no doubt in his mind he’d been head over heels in love with Nealy, but marriage? At eighteen, he’d had nothing to offer her. No way to support them financially or emotionally. How could he not have considered the consequences? Because he’d let the roller-coaster ride of young love blind him to reality instead of considering what Nealy needed—security and a man with a solid future.

He’d done the right thing by walking away. It had been the hardest decision he’d ever made, more so because he knew he’d hurt her in the process. Yeah, he hadn’t missed the surprise and hurt in Nealy’s eyes when she’d bumped into him a few minutes ago. She’d never been very good at hiding her emotions. From him, anyway. But she was here now, so how was he going to handle the situation? If her body language and angry tone were any indication, she didn’t plan to make any encounters between them easy.

She let go of the door handle and faced him, her lips pressed together, a sure sign she was annoyed. “Do you make a habit of stalking your guests?”

“Only the ones I haven’t seen in over a decade.”

“There’s a reason for that.”

“I’m well aware.”

Coming back to Cypress Pointe to purchase the hotel had been a calculated risk, like returning to the scene of a crime. But when the hotel had gone up for sale, Dane couldn’t resist. After a mere few hours of debating the wisdom of buying a property holding so many memories of love gone wrong, he broke down and placed an offer. It had taken a lot of hard work to get the place looking even better than its former glory, but once he’d started, he never looked back.

Nealy stood with her arms crossed over her chest, one foot tapping. Yeah, she still had all the pent-up energy that got them into one scrape after another when they were kids. “Don’t you have some hotel stuff to keep you busy?”

He grinned at her, encouraged by the flicker of interest she tried to hide. “At the moment, you’re my top priority.”

She narrowed her eyes but the gesture didn’t scare him off. She still had the power to make his heart pound with just one glance.

Mahogany-colored hair, cut in wavy layers, swung around her shoulders and down her back. Dane remembered the texture, and his fingers itched to touch the thick tresses. Her slender build admirably filled the suit she wore and he smiled at her choice of footwear. She always did have a flair for the unexpected.

The subtle scent of peaches accosted him, just like that long-ago summer. He also remembered the luscious bubblegum gloss she’d constantly applied to her lips. The bubblegum fad of her youth had faded, but in its place had grown an incredible woman. He could sense she was the whole package. He liked this version of Nealy. A lot.

“How long are you in town?” he asked.

Her chocolate-brown eyes filled with suspicion. “I don’t think it’s any of your concern.”

“Just being courteous.”

“And while that’s very gentlemanly of you, I’m sure we’ll be too busy to see each other during my stay.”

“Look, I know this isn’t easy for you. I’m sure you feel—”

“I’m trying very hard not to feel anything.”

He didn’t like hearing those words. She couldn’t have lost all feeling for him, could she? The angry glint in her eyes told him otherwise.

“I don’t blame you for hating me. I was mad at myself for a long time.”

“I don’t hate you. I hate what you did to us.”

He nodded. “I wanted to talk to you again. Try to make things right.”

She raised a dubious eyebrow. “As evidenced by all the phone calls.”

“I couldn’t. At first, it was too soon. Before long, too much time had passed by.”

“Yeah. Twelve years to be exact.”

“Are you saying if I’d reached out, you would have talked to me?”

His lips thinned into a mulish line.

“Just what I thought.”

From the moment he and Nealy eloped, the situation had gone downhill. He’d been reeling over the loss of a baseball scholarship to the University of South Florida because of a rotator cuff injury. His parents, always at each other’s throats, were talking divorce. They spent more time arguing and not enough time focused on their kids. Consequently, he’d missed deadlines to apply to other colleges and scholarships. Spending a wild summer with free-spirited Nealy had been just what he needed to deal with his shattered reality. They’d both been of age, and could legally marry, but running off didn’t mean they’d made the brightest move of all time. Look at his parents. They’d married young and couldn’t stand each other now. All Dane knew at the time? He was crazy in love with Nealy and the minute she turned eighteen, they’d stolen her dad’s car and taken off.

At least her parents hadn’t pressed charges once they returned home.

“Well, lucky for both of us,” she said, “I’ll be very busy while I’m here. Besides, we don’t have anything to talk about.”

“I need to clear up some things. I think you do, too.”

“As a matter of fact, I do.” She pointedly glared at him as she swung open the lobby door. “But not today.”

He watched her shapely figure disappear behind the door. He turned just as Josh Hamilton, his head landscaper and handyman, strode across the lobby toward him.

“Hey, Dane. Got a minute?”

A minute was about all he had until Nealy returned to her family. “What’s up?”

“I fixed the problem in the pool pump house. Anything else?”

Anything else consisted of Nealy Grainger here at the Grand Cypress Hotel. “No. We’re good,” he said as he kept an eye on the front door.

“Then I’ll get back to tending to the ornamental garden by the restaurant.”

“Fine, fine,” he replied.

“Then I’m going to knock on every guest’s door, yell fire and run away screaming.”

“Fine.”

“Or I could bug the sharp-looking woman who has all those parties planned.”

“Get to it, then.”

Josh laughed. “Dude. Are you even listening?”

Dane turned to his employee, who also happened to be his friend. “Sorry. What were you saying?”

“Nothing. A little preoccupied?”

“I have a lot going on.”

Josh cocked his head. “Anything to do with the pretty brunette walking this way?”

Dane glanced over his shoulder. “You could say that.”

“Just did.” He slapped Dane on the back. “Good luck.”

“I’ll need it,” Dane said as Nealy headed for the hallway leading to the banquet rooms.

* * *

“YOU AGAIN?” REMARKED NEALY.

“Yeah. I own the place, remember?”

“So go do some hotel things.”

He fell into step beside her. “I am. Acting as the temporary event coordinator.” Before he could continue the conversation, they reached the Grainger room and Juliet rushed over. “Please, make her stop.”

Nealy followed Juliet’s gaze to their mother. “What now?”

“She’s badgering the caterer for no reason.”

“Let me handle it.” Dane took off, but not before brushing Nealy’s forearm with his hand.

Despite every intention of not letting Dane get to her, his touch sent a tingle of awareness across Nealy’s skin. How, after all these years, could his touch affect her?

When the gentle pressure of his hand lifted, Nealy was relieved. Okay, so some things hadn’t changed, like a mere touch from Dane raising her temperature. Or the pure command in his every step. Even her mother would have to listen to him. She’d hate that.

Nealy smiled for the first time since arriving at the Grand Cypress Hotel.

“Thank goodness Dane is here,” Juliet said.

“Speaking of Dane, you knew he owned the hotel and didn’t tell me?”

“I’m sorry.” Juliet at least had the grace to look chagrined. “I was afraid you wouldn’t come if you knew. You have so many memories tied up in this place and knowing Dane owned the hotel might have changed your mind.”

True. Memories bombarded her every step.

“He suggested I tell you but I couldn’t take the chance.”

So he definitely knew she was coming. Hmm. Still, she wouldn’t ruin Juliet’s weekend just because the past had caught up with her. Swallowing her pride, Nealy would stick to their plans. By the look on Juliet’s face, she was in worse shape than Nealy anyway. “I’d never miss your engagement parties.”

“I know he’s the last person on earth you want to see, but he’s been wonderful. Happy to accommodate two parties. He’s so professional.”

“Dane? The same Dane who talked me into stealing Daddy’s car and eloping?”

“He’s not that guy any longer, Nealy. He’s made this hotel a success and he’s very responsible now.”

“But he’s still my ex-husband, Juliet. Do you think I should be all smiles and rainbows while he’s underfoot?”

“No.” Juliet’s voice grew quiet. “Maybe it’s time to let go of the past.”

“Maybe you expect too much.” She took a step to escape the room but Juliet grabbed hold of her arm.

“You promised.”

“And you purposely kept me in the dark.”

“For just this reason. Yes, he owns the hotel, and I am sorry for keeping the truth from you.”

The anguish in Juliet’s eyes assured Nealy her sister regretted her actions. For that alone, she could forgive her.

“Fine.” She softened her tone and privately vowed she wouldn’t let Dane’s presence rattle her anymore. “What Dane and I had ended long ago. And I have moved on with my life. So has he, by the look of things.”

And things looked good from where she stood. As if he knew she was thinking about him, Dane captured her gaze from across the room and his lips curved into that same boyish grin that had once captured her heart.

She broke visual contact, but from the corner of her eye she saw his imposing form coming her way. This time, instead of the urge to run, she stood her ground. She had to in order to get through the next few days. That meant establishing some ground rules.

“Excuse me, I have to, um, do something,” Juliet mumbled, leaving Nealy alone with Dane.

She summoned her courage and spoke frankly.

“Look, Dane, I understand this is your hotel and the parties are going to take place here, but I’ll stay out of your way if you’ll stay out of mine.”

He stared at her for a long drawn-out moment then strode from the room.

Nealy watched him go. What, no parting jabs? No last word? He’d given in too easily, which was not like Dane. Or at least the Dane that she remembered.

Maybe he’d changed after all.

CHAPTER TWO

ON THURSDAY NIGHT, Nealy sat in one of the Grand Cypress’s private event rooms, the French doors wide open to emit a soft June breeze. Everyone lingered over dessert, delicious strawberry shortcake, that followed a superb dinner of roasted herb chicken and grilled vegetables, catered by the hotel’s four-star restaurant. Nealy sipped her coffee, eyeing members of her family and the family of Juliet’s fiancé, Brandon Mason. The Masons seemed like nice people, for political elite, but Nealy felt an uncomfortable vibe between the clans. Juliet had been quiet and withdrawn all night. Brandon hadn’t seemed to notice.

This couldn’t be good.

“Nealy, Juliet tells me you work in L.A.?” Mrs. Mason asked.

“I do.”

“Do you know many movie stars?”

Typical question most people asked when you lived in L.A., but in her case, she often met celebrities. “Yes, some.”

“How exciting. What do you do that you meet them?”

“Yes, Nealy,” said her father, Marshall, who cleared his throat to ask, “what do you do with your business degree?”

Nealy wanted to roll her eyes. The fact that she hadn’t attended law school was still a point of contention between her and her parents. Growing up around adults who loved to argue and debate any and every little point of law was both tiring and a bit stuffy. Because of that, she’d never had the slightest interest in pursuing a law degree. Instead, she chose a profession that stirred her creative soul and she’d never once regretted her decision.

Her father knew what her job entailed. He just didn’t think she contributed to the good of the world like those nearest and dearest who were socially conscious lawyers. Most of them made no secret of their political and personal causes and platforms and considered her job to be trivial and nothing but fluff. However, they, and especially her dad, had no idea that a high percentage of functions she planned were major fund-raisers for various charities benefitting children and important health issues. Charities she herself had become involved with. She didn’t explain or argue because it would only fall on deaf ears. And she wasn’t about to turn philanthropy into some sort of petty competition, either. She’d been fortunate to come into contact with a lot of worthwhile people and organizations because of her job.

“Oh, Dad.” Nealy did her best to offer a chuckle, but knew it didn’t sound convincing. “You know my company handles large events like movie premieres, red-carpet ceremonies and after-parties. Logistics, decorating, refreshments, keeping the celebrities moving in a timely fashion, that sort of thing.”

“Now now, you two,” Dorinda admonished, then addressed the other guests. “Speaking of celebrities, I have pictures on the wall at Cuppa Joe of Nealy posing with lots of famous people. Of course, I don’t know who half of them are, but Nealy likes to send the photos and I frame them.”

Nealy’s mouth fell open. “You do what?”

“I show you off,” her grandmother said.

“Why?”

“Because I’m proud of you, dear.”

“You could have been an attorney,” Anita sniffed.

“Just like the rest of the family? No, thank you.” Yes, almost the entire Grainger gang were lawyers. Her mother and father, sister Lanie and brother-in-law, David. Juliet. Even her boyfriend back in L.A.

“At least you might marry one,” her mother said with a wishful tone.

Nealy remained silent, refusing to acknowledge her mother’s scheming.

Mrs. Mason, her brows drawn as she listened to the Graingers bickering, turned her attention to Nealy. “It sounds exciting.”

“Just think of the billable hours those celebrity clients would bring in,” David remarked.

“We aren’t moving to California, so don’t even think about it,” Lanie informed him, using her serious voice.

“But we have a connection.”

“Not. Moving.”

Nealy rubbed the throbbing over her left eye.

“I told Juliet we should go to California for our honeymoon, but she had something different in mind,” Brandon announced as he wrapped his arm around Juliet’s drooping shoulders.

Juliet blinked when she heard her name. “What?”

“The honeymoon,” Brandon said, raising a brow.

“Oh. Right. The beach condo in Hawaii.” She nodded with a distracted air.

“Sweetie, just think of the fun we’d have if we started out in California. Do the whole tourist thing before flying to Hawaii.” His face grew more animated as he warmed up to the idea of this trip. “Movie studios. Spotting celebrities. Visiting vineyards.” He frowned. “Besides, we practically live on the beach right here.”

“Yes, but I think Hawaii’s beaches are different.”

Brandon shrugged.

Juliet blinked furiously.

Oh, no. Trouble in paradise.

“At any rate, Nealy is good at her job,” Dorinda told the group. “We’re fortunate she could take time out of her busy schedule to make it back home.”

The discussion ebbed and the conversation drifted to local politics.

“If you don’t mind,” Lanie said to the senator, “I’d like to get your input. I’m thinking about running for mayor and could use a few pointers.”

David flinched. “Not that again.”

Lanie gave him a stern look. “Yes. That again.”