Читать книгу The Bride's Best Man - Judy Christenberry, Judy Christenberry - Страница 10

Shelby and Pete marched down the beach as if they had no knowledge of the other’s presence. Dan and Kay, on the other hand, drifted along the beach, hands linked, through the waves.

After the men had bade them good-night, the two ladies rode the elevator to their floor in silence. But as they entered their room, Kay exclaimed, “Wasn’t that a wonderful evening?”

“I assume that’s a rhetorical question,” Shelby said.

Kay came to an abrupt halt and stared at her niece. “You didn’t have a good time?”

“Dinner on the beach was nice. That certainly doesn’t happen in Cleveland.” Shelby avoided any comment about the men.

“Yes, that was lovely, wasn’t it?” Kay sat down on her bed. “What did you think of Dan?”

“He’s quite charming.”

“Yes, he always has been.” She had a faraway look in her eyes. “It almost seems like yesterday that I’d seen him.”

Unable to hold back any longer, Shelby blurted, “He must be twenty years older than you, Kay!” She hadn’t meant to say anything negative, but she couldn’t help it.

“No, he’s not! Dan is only twelve years older than me.”

“And you’ve been writing for fifteen years?”

“Well, that’s when it first began, but we didn’t write much until after I moved out of Cordelia’s house.”

“Mom didn’t approve?”

The dreamy look fled Kay’s face. “No,” she said in a clipped tone.

“Why?”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m going to bed. I think the time change is catching up with me.”

She found her nightgown and went into the bathroom, leaving Shelby sitting on her bed. She crossed her arms over her chest. So her mother hadn’t approved of Dan? That was interesting. Her mother hadn’t had high standards, so what had he done? Robbed a bank?

She opened the sliding door and walked out on the lanai. The gentle breeze and lapping waves distracted her from her thoughts for a minute. Then her mind returned to the contemplation of Kay and Dan Jackson.

The man was charming, as she’d said, but not so charming that he sounded like a snake oil salesman. He appeared intelligent and patient. Certainly more than her. Impatience was one of her biggest faults. Darn it, the only thing she could find wrong with Dan was his age.

“I’m out of the bath, Shelby,” Kay called out.

When Shelby didn’t come in at once, Kay came closer to the lanai. “Aren’t you tired?”

“Yes, I suppose so.” Shelby moved back into the room. “Is it okay if I leave the door open a little so we can hear the waves?”

“Oh, yes, I think that’s a very relaxing sound.”

“Me, too.”

After they were both in bed, Shelby intended to question Kay about her relationship with Dan. But she discovered her aunt Kay was already asleep. Apparently nothing was bothering her conscience. And nothing should. She was a wonderful person, in spite of the tragedies that had surrounded her life.

Kay’s parents had died in a car crash when she was ten. That was when she’d moved into Cordelia’s home. Shelby had been born that same year. Cordelia had turned Kay into a babysitter at once. Though Shelby had vague memories of her father’s presence, she didn’t remember much about him. But Kay’s presence in her life was clear. Together they went through the trauma of Cordelia’s divorce and the ensuing years. Shelby remembered her mother’s hysterics before every one of her father’s visits. Now she could admire his courage, but it hadn’t lasted long. The visits soon stopped.

She remembered being upset when she didn’t see him again, when she couldn’t picture him in her mind. But as she listened to her mother describe him in mean, hateful words, soon it became easier to forget him. Cordelia loathed him so intensely, she had Shelby’s name changed back to her maiden name, Cook. It was as if all memory of her father had been erased.

Then, after her mother remarried, Shelby learned men were untrustworthy. It was a life lesson she’d rather forget but would always remember.

Banishing the memories, she listened to the waves and let them rock her to sleep.

Morning had barely dawned when Shelby awoke. A peek at the bedside clock told her it was only six-thirty, but the time change was wreaking its usual havoc.

“Guess you haven’t adapted to the time zone, either.” Apparently Kay was awake, too.

Shelby got out of bed. “I’ll probably fall asleep right after lunch.” Then she noticed her aunt was already dressed, in a blue pantsuit. “You’re on the go already?”

“You remember, I’m going to do some work with Pete today,” Kay explained, looking all too happy, in Shelby’s opinion. When she made a face, her aunt sobered. “You’re okay with that, aren’t you? I mean, you’re not…jealous, are you?”

Shelby stopped her hairbrush midstroke. What reason would she have to be jealous of her aunt spending the day with Pete Campbell? Actually, she was counting her lucky stars that she got out of joining them. She continued brushing her hair and affected a light tone. “Why would I be jealous?”

“Well, Pete was your…escort last night.”

“If you want him, Aunt Kay, you can have him.”

Her aunt came up behind her at the dresser mirror. “You’re not interested in him? I mean, he is handsome. And successful and charming and—”

Shelby turned around to silence Kay. “I’m not interested in Pete or any man right now.”

“But you’re finished with school. It’s no longer an excuse for you to ignore men.”

“I haven’t ignored them. I just haven’t had time for them.”

Before Kay could argue, she was interrupted by a rap on the door and a male voice calling, “Room service.” She turned to Shelby. “I hope you don’t mind, but I ordered us breakfast. I thought we could eat on the lanai.” She went to the door and directed the waiter where to set the tray.

When they were sitting on the lanai enjoying the fresh island pineapple, Kay let out a sigh. “Oh, this is so nice.”

Shelby gave her a smile. “Now that I won’t argue with.”

Kay, not to be deterred, asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to go with us today?”

“I’m sure. I’m going to sit at the pool and study, and maybe take a walk on the famous Waikiki Beach. A nice, relaxing day.”

“But you’ll be back for dinner, right? You remember our plans.”

Shelby set down her juice, not saying anything. What she wouldn’t give to get out of that little soiree tonight. She looked up at her aunt, at the expectant look on her face, and couldn’t back out. “Yes, Kay, I’ll be ready.”

After all, she reasoned, she didn’t want to leave her aunt alone with Dan until she could figure out what he was up to. And what her aunt was up to, she added. For a moment there Kay seemed almost too intent on Shelby joining them, as if there was a special reason. Could Kay have an ulterior motive?

Aunt Kay? An inner voice questioned. If ever there was an honest person who didn’t know guile, it was Kay Cook.

No, Shelby told herself. If there was something going on, it was on Dan’s part. And tonight she’d do her best to find out what.

After a peaceful, solitary afternoon, Shelby took a taxi to Dan’s office. He’d called to offer her a ride to dinner, but she’d insisted on meeting him at Island Traders.

She looked at her watch and realized she’d be a little early, but she decided to go ahead to Dan’s offices.

Maybe Kay and Pete would already be there. Shelby had worked in Kay’s store frequently as she’d grown up. She was eager to hear what they had found today.

She enjoyed the solitary ride in the back of the taxi. Hawaii was an incredible state, so different from the others she’d visited. When the taxi stopped in front of a three-story white stucco building surrounded by palm trees and colorful hibiscus, she paid the driver and walked in.

She made her way up to the third floor, where, according to the lobby directory, Dan’s company was located. About to open the door to Suite 300, she heard Pete’s voice.

“Why did you invite her?”

“Because Kay wants her here. What’s the problem? You said you didn’t mind helping me out.” That was Dan’s voice.

“I just don’t see the need for her. She’s stiff and unfriendly.”

“But she’s pretty,” Dan said.

“I’m not interested!” Pete protested.

“Careful, or you’re going to ruin my plan.”

Plan? Shelby immediately wondered what his plan was. Could Dan have an investment he was trying to sell Aunt Kay? Did he want to steal her money?

Before she could think further, Pete said, “I’d better go down if I’m going to pay her taxi when it arrives.”

Panicked, Shelby turned and ran down the hall as the door opened.

She hadn’t escaped unnoticed because Pete hollered, “Shelby, wait!”

She didn’t. When she reached the elevator, she jabbed the button, but the door didn’t open, so she chose the stairs. Glad her sandals were flat, she hurried down the two flights of stairs.

When she opened the door on the ground floor, she found Pete leaning against the wall beside it.

“Whoa! Shelby, stop running.” He caught her arm to ensure she did as he ordered.

“Let me go!”

“Why? You’re supposed to join us for dinner.”

She glared at him. “I’ve changed my mind!”

“Why?”

Shelby tried to twist her arm free of his hold, but he wouldn’t allow it. “Because I don’t like the idea of Dan’s plan!”

Pete studied the young woman he was holding. Last night he hadn’t been at all attracted. Her sharp tongue had cut him with one too many sassy retorts. At times she’d been aloof, at others, downright surly, and always uninterested. In everything except Dan.

Today, though, her blue eyes flared to life, her red locks flamed in the sunshine pouring through the lobby doors. She looked like another person. A very attractive person.

Last night he’d had a name for her. Not one he could repeat in mixed company. Right now he was tempted to call her a looker.

He felt a tug deep within him, both surprised and delighted at the same time. Relishing the feel of her, he had to force his concentration onto the topic at hand.

“You know what Dan’s plan is?” he asked in surprise.

“Don’t you?”

“No, Dan didn’t explain it to me.”

“I don’t believe you. You’re helping him, aren’t you?” Shelby demanded. “Why would you do that if you don’t know what the plan is?”

Why? Because Dan Jackson had saved him once upon a time. Pete feared thinking what he’d be, where he’d be, if he hadn’t been lucky enough to meet Dan. Raised on Oahu by a single mother who worked two jobs, Pete had no family around him. Dan had become his family, especially when his mother died while Pete was in college.

He looked Shelby right in the eye and said, “Because Dan is more than my boss. He’s my best friend. Because Dan became my Big Brother when I was a teenager, replacing my father, whom I hadn’t seen since I was a little boy. Because Dan kept me from going down the wrong road and showed me the right way. Because I trust him.”

“Even if what he wants involves spending the evening with a stiff, unfriendly, unattractive woman?” Shelby asked. So apparently she’d overheard part of his conversation with Dan back in the office. He’d hoped not.

He shot her a grin. “Even if.” Then he began walking toward the elevator, pulling her with him.

She yanked on her arm again. “Let me go. You couldn’t pay me to have dinner with you, or Dan!”

He stopped and she looked at him expectantly. “Do you want to disappoint Kay? She’s spent all day talking about you.”

“Oh, that’s what’s wrong. She bored you to death today.”

“No, she didn’t. Now, come on, let’s go join them.”

“Where is Kay? She wasn’t in the office.”

“She excused herself to freshen up.” He gazed down at her, thinking how good she looked, like a spitfire, with her eyes squinting at him in suspicion. His voice lowered and he stepped a bit closer. “Come on, Shelby. You can convince me my description was off base.”

She seemed taken aback, but held her ground. “I’ll do no such thing!”

“So you are stiff, unfriendly and unattractive?” He smiled at her.

“Stop being silly!” She tried again to get loose. “I need to know what Dan’s plan is.”

“But I told you I don’t know what his plan is.”

“Will you help me find out?”

Pete stared at her. “You’re asking me to betray my friend and boss? Why would I do that?” Unbelievably enough, he wanted to get on her good side, which he knew helping her would do. But how could he go against Dan?

“Because Kay is my only family. Because she took care of me and loved me when I needed it. Because she deserves to be treated fairly!” Shelby stood taller, daring him to say differently.

Pete couldn’t. “I won’t argue with that. And she’s quite charming.”

“Then you’ll help me?”

“I won’t do anything to hurt Dan.”

“But will you help me protect Kay?”

Pete assessed her relaxed posture, how she seemed to soften right before his eyes. “You’re certainly not stiff and unfriendly now, are you? And of course you were always attractive.”

She ignored him. “You haven’t answered my question.”

“I promise I’ll try to help you protect Kay, because I don’t want her hurt. But I don’t believe that is Dan’s intention.”

“All right. Then I’ll go to dinner,” she finally conceded.

He let his hand slide down her arm until it reached hers. He lifted it to his lips. “I salute your wisdom. Let’s go. They’re waiting for us,” he said as he pushed the button for the elevator. This time it opened at once.

“Now it comes,” Shelby muttered.

“It’s all in the wrist,” Pete said with a grin.

Pete watched Shelby as she answered one of Dan’s questions over dinner. Now that he’d seen the fire and the loyalty in her, he saw her differently. She was gradually relaxing, becoming the woman that matched her beautiful russet hair.

“Kay, what did you think of the stores you saw today?” Shelby asked.

Kay smiled. “Well, needless to say I think my store is more organized and takes in a better quality of furniture. But the stores today seemed to be doing a remarkable business.”

“Really?” Dan asked, smiling at her.

“Yes, Dan. It was quite impressive,” Kay assured him. “I think I could move my business here and make a good living.”

“Aunt Kay! You aren’t thinking of doing that, are you?” Shelby demanded.

“Of course not! I was just thinking—”

“Why not?” Dan asked quietly.

“Because it’s not home!” Shelby answered for her aunt.

“But it could be,” Dan said. “Home is made up of the people you love.”

Shelby had a panicky look in her eyes as she turned to Pete, as if to say, See what he’s doing!

Kay finally gave her opinion. “You’re right, Dan. But Shelby is like a daughter to me. I could never leave her in Cleveland and come here, no matter how beautiful Hawaii is.”

“So, to get you here, I’ll have to persuade Shelby to move here?” Dan asked, his voice light, as if he were teasing.

Shelby gave Pete a quick, questioning look, but he could only shrug his shoulders. He had no idea if that was Dan’s plan. And truthfully tonight he didn’t have much objection to it. Last night was another matter.

“I have no intention of moving to Hawaii. To pass the bar I’d have to learn an entire set of new laws. That would be too hard,” Shelby told her aunt, softening her staunch words with a slight smile.

“Maybe we’ll talk later,” Pete said. “I might find other reasons.” He wasn’t surprised to see Shelby’s outraged expression. But Dan drew the most interest from him. With a twinkle in his eye, his friend raised his glass in Pete’s direction.

Was that it? Did he want Kay to stay? Was he in love with her? Not that she wasn’t attractive, but Dan had dated more than his share of beautiful women before.

The waiter arrived just then with their dinners and Pete didn’t have to respond when Shelby whispered, “You promised!”

Maybe he could get her alone later and they could have a discussion. He wouldn’t mind that. And apparently Dan wouldn’t either, as he’d be left alone with Kay.

Dan offered to take them on a tour of Oahu the next day, and Kay eagerly accepted for both of them.

Pete caught Shelby’s hand as she opened her mouth, no doubt to protest. He didn’t want her to decline the invitation, especially since he planned to invite himself. “I’d like that, too, Dan, assuming I’m included,” Pete said with a smile while he squeezed Shelby’s hand.

“I—” Shelby began.

“We’ll enjoy ourselves, Shelby,” he hurriedly said.

“You’ll come, won’t you, Shelby?” Kay asked, worry in her voice.

Shelby drew a deep breath before she spoke. “Yes, of course.”

Pete continued to hold her hand below the table. She hadn’t pulled loose, and he saw no reason to give up the warmth of her skin against his.

As if she’d read his mind, she removed her hand from his. “What shall we go see?” she asked in a bright voice.

“Would you like to climb to the top of Diamond Head?” Dan suggested.

“Will it be too hard?” Kay asked.

“Well, it’s a challenge,” Dan said. “I have an idea. You and I can go by elevator up to the bar on the top floor of your hotel and wait for the other two while they climb up to the top. It has the same view.”

“Wait a minute!” Pete protested. “I’ve already been to the top of Diamond Head. I’ll join you two in the bar. Shelby can tell us all about it when she finishes the climb.”

“How gentlemanly of you!” Shelby said sarcastically.

“Okay, okay,” Pete teased. “We’ll let you in the elevator, too.”

“But that’s not so exciting, going up in an elevator to look out a window,” Shelby said.

Pete leaned toward Kay. “Your niece is a hard woman to please, did you know that?”

“I’m sure she doesn’t mean to be,” Kay said with a smile toward Shelby.

“I’ll tell you what. After drinks in the bar, we can go on a dinner cruise for the sunset. How about that, Shelby?” Pete asked.

“That would be exciting.”

“Is that okay with you two?” Pete asked.

Dan nodded to his friend. “It sounds good to me. How about you, Kay?”

“That sounds great. And Shelby and I can try out the beach during the day while you two work.”

“Aw, spoilsport! I was hoping to see Shelby in a swimsuit,” Pete said in a playful tone of voice, though he truly meant it. “Do you wear a bikini, Shelby?”

He loved her flustered look. He was seeing more sides of her tonight, and they were all beautiful.

Dan played along. “How about you, Kay?”

Kay’s cheeks turned pink. “No, Dan. I’m afraid I have a one-piece suit.”

“Looks like we’ll have to work tomorrow, Dan,” Pete said.

“Hmm, maybe half a day.”

“Why only half a day?” Kay asked.

“I have my reasons,” Dan teased.

To say Pete was shocked by Dan’s comment was an understatement. As long as he’d known him, Dan had put in minimum twelve-hour days. Now he was taking time off for some secret reason? Maybe Shelby was right to be suspicious.

Pete owed Dan a lot. He’d worked closely with him for the past seven years and known him for thirteen years. He couldn’t accept that Dan would do anything to hurt Kay.

Dinner continued, but he noted that Shelby was not as relaxed as she had been. She was back to giving one-word answers to any questions.

When the waiter offered dessert, Pete insisted they all indulge. “I want Shelby to get sweeter,” he insisted.

When Shelby protested, he added, “Of course, it’s really because I love chocolate. They’ve got a fudge brownie sundae to die for. But I’d look terrible if I ordered it and none of you had any, right?”

“Yes, you would,” Shelby retorted. “But I’ll sacrifice and join you because that sounds too good to pass up.”

He was surprised by her words but pleased as well.

After the dessert, which they all shared, they exited the restaurant, chatting excitedly about their plans. Suddenly Shelby grabbed Pete’s arms and came close to him, her mouth mere inches away from his ear. As she spoke, her warm breath on his neck stirred his fantasies. He imagined she whispered sweet nothings to him. Instead she said, “We need to talk!”