The Bridal Bouquet. Tara Randel
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lately, she alone worked the long hours filling wedding orders. Something was up, and by her brother’s hounding, she figured it would be revealed this afternoon.
Brushing off the useless foreboding, she went to the back of the van to remove the first arrangement. Will would do what he wanted and her parents would be fine with it. All she could do was concentrate on getting new customers, brides specifically, and grow the business. Then maybe her parents would look at her with pride, like they did at Will.
Loud chatter spilled from the banquet room as Kady entered. The place was filled with milling guests congratulating the newly married couple. A few restless children raced around the dance floor, ignoring their mother’s sharp tones imploring them to calm down. The DJ played soft music while people mingled. Lunch would be served soon if the delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen were any indication. Her tummy growling, Kady went about her job, blending in, while checking one last time to make sure all the arrangements she’d placed earlier were in good shape.
At the center of each table, white pillar candles flickered in tall hurricane glasses. The same floral theme—simple white flowers cascading around the glass—made a dramatic effect against the deep red table linen. The menu, printed in raised gold script, rested upon milk-white plates. The crystal glasses sported gold rims. The utensils, wrapped in a red napkin circled with a white-and-gold ring, tied the table ensemble together.
Subdued and elegant. Just what the bride dreamed of. Exactly what the wedding planner and Kady had delivered.
On her last trip with the final arrangement, Kady made her way around the far wall intent on the gift table. Only a few steps from her destination, she was suddenly under siege by a half-dozen playing children. She went into football mode, dodging first to the left, then to the right, spinning to avoid a rushing child as she held on tightly to the container of flowers. After evading the possible disaster, she grinned, impressed by her running-back skills. Who knew she was so light on her feet? The path clear now, she moved forward until she stepped on an abandoned toy left behind by one of the kids. Her ankle turned. Bracing herself, she securely locked her arms around the crystal container, holding on for dear life. But instead of going down, strong hands gripped her upper arms and kept her from falling.
Relieved, she looked over her shoulder, glimpsing the most unusual pair of blue eyes she’d ever seen. Actually, blue wasn’t entirely correct. A hint of silver turned them an unusual shade of metallic gray. The man’s somber expression matched the concern she read there and his very handsome face garnered her full attention.
“Steady there.” His husky voice spoke close to her ear, sending shivers over her skin.
Rattled, she set down the flowers and turned to face her rescuer. “Thanks. That could have been a disaster.”
“Then it’s a good thing I happened to be nearby.” A half grin curved his lips.
Kady’s heart thumped in her chest. Talk about fantastic timing. She sneaked a peek at him. Yeah, she was going with not spilling the flowers to explain her racing pulse.
Mr. Awesome Eyes narrowed said eyes and stared down at one of the boys, perhaps the ringleader. “You should take the kids outside, Mikey. Otherwise I might have to get your daddy after you.”
Mikey paled before nodding. “I will. Please don’t tell Dad.”
“Then quit running around when your mother asked you to stop.”
The inherent command in his deep tone brooked no disobedience. Something told her she wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of this man.
The youngster rounded up the remaining children and they scurried out to the pool area before heading off the patio to a wide manicured lawn at the side of the hotel. Plenty of free space to run unchecked out there.
The stranger focused on her. “Bored kids and distracted parents. Not the best combination at a wedding reception.”
“No.” She knew she should leave now, get back to the shop, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot. His cologne enveloped her. She tried to sort out the elements in the spicy fragrance like she always did when defining new scents, but his nearness made her jittery. Tucking an errant strand of hair behind her ear, she tried not to squirm.
The stranger stuck out his hand. “Dylan.”
She accepted his warm, strong grip, surprised by a zing of awareness. “Kady.”
He held on to her hand a few seconds longer than necessary. In that time, she noticed more about him. Tall. Hair razor-cut. Military? Even with the short look, she noticed a hint of gray peppering his temples. Tanned olive skin, as though he spent many hours outdoors. He filled the black suit paired with a charcoal shirt and red tie to perfection, his broad shoulders straight, his lean build steady.
She gulped. “I should probably go.”
“You just got here.”
“Only to deliver the flowers.”
He tilted his head, his strange-colored eyes regarding her with unwavering scrutiny. “You’re the most fascinating person at this party.”
Fascinating? That was new. Why not throw sublime into that description, she thought, and hid a laugh. Still, she’d take it. Compliments had been few and far between lately.
“Um, thanks. I think.”
“The way you saved those flowers? Classic football move. You got my attention right away.”
He grinned, his serious expression lifting. Her breath caught at the transformation. When somber, he was handsome. Grinning, he was downright gorgeous. Okay, who was she kidding? She was way out of her element right now.
Before she could remind him she’d saved the flowers thanks to him, he was speaking again.
“I was debating a cheesy line about how your beauty struck me from across the room. Guess you’re a bit too savvy than to fall for that.”
“Yeah. Every woman hates to be called beautiful.”
He chuckled. “In that case, it’s true. I did notice you as soon as you came through the door.”
“It was either that or the commotion from the kids.”
“Nah. I really did notice you.”
What should she say now? She felt her face flush and hoped beyond measure her cheeks didn’t light up like a neon sign flashing her guilty pleasure. How often did a good-looking guy notice her from across the room? Ah...never?
“Despite your line, I am glad you were here when I tripped.”
“I live to serve.”
She half expected a formal bow, like the staid British lords she read about in Regency novels. “So... I need to get going.”
“You can’t stay a few more minutes?”
She wanted to. More than anything. “I’m busy. Besides, this looks like a family reunion as well as a reception. I don’t want to overstep.”
“To be honest, that’s kind of why I’d like you to stay. My cousin is the bride, so yeah, this is a reunion. I haven’t seen most of my relatives for a few years and I’m all talked out. If my grandmother asks me one more time when I’m getting married, then points me to one of my cousin’s single friends, I may lose it.”
“Gee, that’s tough. Dealing with people who love you.”
He had the grace to smile disparagingly. “I’m a rotten grandson.”
They both chuckled. Despite his complaining, she heard the affection in his tone for his grandmother. “So why haven’t you seen your family in a while, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“My job, mostly.”
A waiter passed by, carrying a tray of sparkling champagne in crystal flutes. When he stopped, Dylan removed two, handing one to Kady.
“Oh,