GRACIE WAS STILL floating later that afternoon when she returned to her house. She had more decorations to make and she seemed to do those best in a quiet place without Pam watching.
She set up her supplies in the dining room, then pulled out sketches for the next three cakes she had to make. Five minutes later she had her list of decorations required, with a few extras for breakage. It was daunting, but she was sure she was up to the task. She was going to have to be, now that she’d hit the big time.
“A six-page spread,” she said aloud, just to hear the wonderful words herself. Talk about a good life.
While the People magazine spread had made her known to the world, a feature in a major bridal magazine put her in front of her actual clients. With this free advertising coming her way, the decision to expand had just been made for her.
She started work on the leaves. After rolling out the gum paste to an even thickness, she used a tulip petal cutter, then trimmed each flower into individual petals. Using a sharp veining tool, she drew in lines and points on the leaves, then carefully placed them on a flower form dusted with cornstarch so they would dry in a curving shape. According to her calculations, she would need about three hundred and sixty leaves for the cakes. When those were done, she would start on the flowers themselves. Good thing she enjoyed working late into the night.
She’d just settled into a steady rhythm of making leaves when she heard a car outside. She stood and walked toward the front door just as someone rang the bell.
But it wasn’t any someone, she thought as she opened the door. It was Riley.
“Hi,” he said. “I was driving by and I saw your car.”
She felt giddy and nervous and a little bit melty on the inside. “I’m glad you stopped.” She stepped back to let him in. “What brings you to the low-rent side of town?”
“A couple of things.”
He pushed the door closed, then pulled her close and kissed her. The melty sensation spread to her entire body. She closed her eyes and let herself get lost in the kiss. This was actually turning out to be a very good day.
“Feel free to stop by for that anytime,” she said when he’d straightened.
He grinned. “I will. But that’s not the only reason. I wanted to ask you out to dinner.”
Her insides gave a little lurch. “Really?”
“Really. Mac called me earlier and suggested the four of us go out to eat tonight. I thought it would be fun.”
Her first thought was that she’d never made it over to Jill’s and that they could talk over dinner. Her second thought was…
“Fun? Fun?” She stared at him. “Have you been taken over by those aliens from Pam’s place? Fun? It won’t be fun. The four of us in a restaurant together? Us on a date? In public? Have you forgotten the ‘Gracie Chronicles’? Do you have any idea what people will say? The scandal? You’re running for mayor and I’m trying to have a normal life here. That is not going to happen if the four of us go out to dinner.”
He looked at her. “Is that a no?”
“What? Of course not. I’m just ranting. What time should I be ready?”
He narrowed his gaze. “You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you? You’re trying to make me freak out.”
“Not at all.” She grinned. “Okay, maybe a little. But people will talk. Walk with me. I have to work. I’m falling behind and that’s never good.”
She led the way into the dining room and motioned to the chairs around the table. “Have a seat. I have to do leaves.”
He settled across from her. “Making cakes is a lot of work.”
“Tell me about it. Oh, guess what happened. You’ll never guess, so I’ll tell you. I got a phone call today.” She told him about her upcoming interview with Neda Jackson. “I can’t believe it. Do you know what this is going to do for my business?”
“Make it explode.”
“Exactly.”
“I’ve seen your calendar, Gracie. You’re already stretched pretty thin. Does this mean you’re ready to expand?”
“I don’t know. If I get much more work, I’m going to have to hire some help. So I guess, yes. It’s just I hate to give up the control. I love doing all the cakes myself.”
“You can only put in so many hours a day. It sounds as if you’re about to have to make a big career decision.”
“Do I have to?” she asked.
“Not if you don’t want to.”
She sighed. She knew he was right. She’d been building her business based on word of mouth for the past five years. Things were about to get complicated. There was no way she could do more cakes-not during the busy wedding season of late spring through summer. Which meant she either started saying no or she got herself a staff.
“I guess I’m about to expand,” she said slowly.
“Good for you. Where will you set up shop? Here?”
She made a strangling sound in her throat. “Not even for money. Los Lobos is not my idea of fun. I’ll head back to L.A.”
“I’m with you on that,” he said. “At least on leaving Los Lobos.”
“But you won’t be. Once you win the election, you’ll be mayor. Isn’t it a four-year term?”
“The will says I have to win, not that I have to serve.”
She dropped her veining tool onto the table. “You’ll just walk away from everything? What about the bank? Will you sell it?”
That would be okay, she told herself. Her mother’s loan would simply transfer to the next owner. No doubt the local bank would be bought out by some big multinational concern.
“I’d shut it down,” he said.
“I don’t understand.”
He shrugged. “Once I own the bank, I can pretty much do what I want. I’ll close the doors. That damn business was the only thing my uncle cared about. I want it to disappear, as if it never existed.”
Revenge. Of course. She’d forgotten that’s what all this was about for him. Getting back at his uncle.
“But if the bank closes, what happens to all the people who have money in it?”
“They get it all back. The accounts are cleared out, the loans called, debts paid. Then nothing.”
Loans called? “What do those people do? The ones who owe the money?”
“Get other financing.”
“What if they can’t?”
“Not my problem.”
But it might be hers. Although she was pretty sure her mother would be able to secure another loan. The house was paid for and she’d only borrowed enough for Vivian’s wedding. At least Gracie hoped that was all she’d borrowed.
He smiled. “Pam’s loan on her bed-and-breakfast is through the bank. That’s got to be good news for you.”
“I guess, but I’m worried about everyone else. Riley, I know you want to get back at your uncle and I completely understand that, but what about the town? You’ll be destroying it.”
“Again, not my problem.”
She’d been so caught up in how he made her feel, how great he’d been to her, that she’d forgotten there was an angry man hiding inside. He’d been carrying his pain for so long, it had damaged his soul.
“I don’t believe you can harm innocent people for revenge on one man,” she said. “That’s a lot of guilt to carry for no reason.”
“I don’t plan to feel guilty. Besides, why do you care? You can’t wait to get out of here.”
“I know, but I feel badly for everyone who’s going to be affected by this.”
“They’ll get over it.”
She felt badly for him, as well. He might think he could do this and walk away without any guilt, but she had her doubts. Was his revenge going to be worth all the regrets?
“Are we still on for dinner?” he asked.
“Of course. Why?”
“You’re thinking too much. You don’t approve.”
“It’s not my place to approve or disapprove. I just hope you’ve thought it all through and that what you’re doing will be worth it.”
“Don’t worry. At the rate things are going, I won’t win the election and inherit the bank. Then the town will be safe.”
“You don’t give up so easily. I would say you still have a good chance.”
“You’re right.” He stood. “Can you be ready by seven-fifteen? We’re meeting Jill and Mac at seven-thirty at Bill’s Mexican Grill.”
“Sure.” She glanced at the clock. It was barely after four. She had plenty of time to work on her leaves, then dress to dazzle. If she was going to be the center of attention tonight, she wanted to give everyone something special to talk about.
“I’ll let myself out,” he said and headed for the door. “See you soon.”
“Bye.”
She heard the front door close behind him, then sighed.
While she understood why he felt he had to shut down the bank to get his revenge, she knew in her heart it was wrong. But how could she convince him of that?
Just one more thing for her to sweat. Oh, and that her mother could have her loan called. Of course Gracie could help out with that if necessary. At least she could let that worry go.
Which left her time to deal with her possible pregnancy, why Pam was being so nice, who was following her and/or Riley and taking pictures, the election, her sister’s on-again-off-again wedding, her relationship with her sisters and her mother, and what kind of cake she was going to make for the heritage society. Oh, and the fact that she and Riley were going out on a date. In public.
HOLLY SLID OFF the desk and adjusted her skirt. She bent down and kissed Franklin Yardley before straightening and walking out of his office.
Franklin leaned back in his chair. Damn, he was going to miss screwing her. Just knowing she walked around his office in those short skirts and no panties was enough to get him hard.
He’d always had willing assistants, from his first year in office. They’d fit the same profile-young, intelligent, sexual. He’d taught them everything he’d known and eventually they’d moved on with no hard feelings.
He would miss the variety, the youth, the willingness to do anything, anywhere. But a promise was a promise and he’d vowed to give them up. The idea of sex with just one woman for the rest of his life was a little daunting, but it would be worth it.
He would also miss this office and the perks that went with it. After he won the election, he would clean up the books, close the private account he’d used to skim money from the city for the past fifteen years and make sure the paper trail went up in smoke.
He would divorce Sandra, of course, leave the country and settle into his life of luxury. His private line rang and as he reached for it he thought how much he loved it when a plan came together.
“Yardley,” he said briskly.
“Hey, lover. How’s it going?”
Franklin glanced at the closed door and knew Holly sat on the other side. Less than ten minutes ago, he’d been screwing her brains out right here on his desk.
“Great. You?”
“Good. Happy. You were magnificent at the debate.”
“Thank you. I have to admit I was worried about Riley gaining in the polls. I thought we might have to hire our photographer friend again, but not anymore. Riley is going to lose the election without me having to try.”
“I know. I can’t believe he’s stupid enough to mess with Gracie Landon.” Her voice tightened. “What a bitch. But it’s our gain. In a couple of weeks you’ll be reelected and Riley Whitefield will have lost everything.”
“Including his uncle’s ninety-seven million dollars.” Franklin sighed with satisfaction. “You know we won’t be getting it all.”
“That’s okay,” she said easily. “I can accept forty million as a consolation prize. It was so sweet of Donovan Whitefield to leave the bulk of his estate to the Grand Cayman Association for the Advancement of Orphans.”
Franklin nodded. “He always liked to help those less fortunate than himself. Especially his friends. He’s the one who suggested the Grand Cayman Islands. The rest of the estate will go to real charities to make everything seem on the up-and-up.” He chuckled. “I wonder what Riley would say if he knew his uncle had set him up to fail?”
“He’s never going to know,” she said. “Instead he’s going to lose the election and leave town with his tail between his legs.”
“Then you and I will pack our bags and be gone.”
“I can’t wait,” she breathed. “I want to be with you.”
“Me, too.”
“I love you, Franklin.”
“I love you, too, baby.”
BILL’S MEXICAN GRILL had fabulous food, but it wasn’t known for its ambiance. The restaurant was casual, bordering on tacky, which left Gracie in something of a clothing dilemma.
She wanted to look fabulous. After all, she and Riley were about to be the center of attention for the entire evening. People who saw them together would talk about it with their friends and she wanted to make sure that one of the things they said was how great she looked.
It was only fair. The last time she’d generated this much talk with her crush on Riley, she’d been fourteen and, as her mother’s neighbor Mrs. Baxter had mentioned, unfortunate-looking. All arms and legs with a completely flat chest, hair that never looked good, no matter what she did to it, braces and acne that had defined her face. Yuck.
Time and growing up had changed all that. She might not be a beauty queen, but she had left “unfortunate-looking” far behind. She wanted to celebrate her curves, her glossy hair and perfectly blemish-free complexion.
She stared in the mirror, ignored the electric curlers piled on her head and considered the blue sleeveless dress she held in front of herself. While it was pretty and had a low cut front, she thought it was a bit too obvious. Sort of an “oh, look, I’m on a date” dress. But she did want to wear a dress or at least a skirt because pants just seemed too-something. Wrong, maybe. Plus she’d not only shaved her legs, she’d fake-tanned and the color had come out really nice.
“Khaki skirt?” she mused aloud. “Khaki skirt with my pale blue twin set?”
The twin set in question was kind of fun with a little beading and appliqué work. She’d bought it for pennies on the dollar at a consignment store up in Palos Verdes the previous fall when all the rich women were getting rid of their summer wardrobes.
She dug through her closet, searching for the skirt, then stopped when she heard someone pounding on her front door. A quick glance at her watch told her it couldn’t be Riley. It was barely after six.
Gracie grabbed the skirt and tossed it on the bed, then headed for the front of the house. She pulled open the door and had to hold in a groan when she saw Vivian standing there.
Tears poured down her sister’s face. She stood hunched, as if she’d been battered one too many times.
Gracie’s first instinct was to offer sympathy. Then she remembered this was the sister who wanted the uber expensive wedding, but refused to actually commit to getting married.
“What’s up?” Gracie asked.
Vivian stepped into the house and choked on a sob. “It’s over. With Tom.”
“Again?” Gracie asked, then winced when she realized that sounded kind of unfeeling.
“You don’t get it,” Vivian told her through her tears. “Before, all those fights, it was me. I kept telling him the wedding was off and walking out. I j-just wanted some attention from him. He seemed to be so quiet and serious lately. But after last night, when I walked out again, he came by to s-see me this morning. He said it was over. For real. That I w-wasn’t ready to be married to him or anyone.”
She covered her face with her hands and continued to sob. Gracie moved close and patted her shoulder. She knew she should probably be hugging her sister, but that didn’t feel right. They weren’t that close anymore.
Vivian reached in her jeans pocket and pulled out a tissue. “He said I’m too immature, that he loves me, but he’s not going to see me anymore until I grow up.”
“I’m sorry,” Gracie said softly.
Vivian shook her head. “I don’t know what to do. He won’t talk to me. He really means it. He said every time I called off the wedding I really hurt him, but that I didn’t seem to care. He said I only thought about myself in all this. That I was wrong to make Mom take out a loan to pay for our wedding. He said I was a spoiled brat and that I should be ashamed of myself.”
The tears started anew. Gracie hovered next to her, not sure what she should say.
“Have you talked to Mom?” she asked in desperation.
“N-no.” Vivian sniffed and wiped her face. “She’s going to be really mad about all this. She’s told her friends everything about the wedding, and how great it’s going to be. If she has to go back and say it’s off, she’ll just die.”
Gracie had a strong feeling her mother would be far more upset about the money that couldn’t be refunded. “I’m sure her friends will understand.”
Vivian looked at her. “Are you kidding? They’ll gloat about it. That’s how they are. Their daughters’ weddings didn’t get canceled. Mom is going to kill me.”
“I know this all seems really horrible right now,” Gracie said as she rubbed her sister’s back. “It hurts and there doesn’t seem to be a solution, but it will get better. Now you have some time to figure out what you really want. Is Tom the guy you want to spend your life with?”
“Of course he is. That’s why I wanted to marry him. I only said I was canceling the wedding to get him to pay attention to me.”
“Why didn’t you just ask for his attention?”
Vivian rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. Like anyone ever does that. Have you ever even had a boyfriend?”
“Lots. And I learned a long time ago that playing games was never smart. Vivian, did you listen to what Tom said to you? He wants you to be honest with him.”
“No guy wants that.” She straightened and squared her shoulders. “Okay, I can fix this. I’ll just show up at his place wearing nothing. He’ll have to let me in then. Once I’ve got him in bed, I can convince him of everything. Okay. Yeah. That’s a good plan. It will be fine.” She gave Gracie a watery smile. “I gotta go get ready. Thanks for listening. I’ll let you know when Tom agrees to the wedding again.”
She waved, then hurried out of the house. Gracie closed the door behind her and leaned against the frame. She felt as if she’d just had a close encounter with an alien from a different planet. Did Vivian really think she could seduce her fiancé back into marriage? Gracie had only met Tom a couple of times but from what she’d seen, he seemed like a rational, sensible sort of man. His points about her sister were all valid. She hoped he was strong enough to force Vivian to grow up a little, but who knew. Of course if he was weak enough to be done in by a naked woman in his hallway, then he deserved what he would get.
“Not my problem,” she said as she turned back toward her bedroom. She caught sight of the clock in the hallway and shrieked. It was nearly six-thirty and fabulous took way more than thirty minutes.
RILEY PAUSED outside of Bill’s Mexican Grill and squeezed Gracie’s hand. “If you keep breathing that fast, you’re going to hyperventilate. We don’t have to do this. We can leave now and I’ll call Mac from the car and tell him we’re having take-out at my place.”
Gracie shook her head. Her normally straight blond hair moved in a cascade of curls that had him itching to touch. Makeup emphasized her wide eyes and full mouth. She was gorgeous.
The clothes were just as good. A short skirt emphasized her long, tanned legs. A kind of sweater thing hugged breasts he knew to be soft, erotic and luscious. She was a poster girl for sexual desire and he wanted to subscribe to get the autographed set.
“I can do this,” she said, her voice low and determined.
He’d been so busy thinking about how much he wanted her, it took him a second to catch up. “Dinner?”
“Uh-huh. I’ll be fine. I’m completely okay with this. I have nerves of steel. I’m invincible.” She glanced at him. “Do I look okay?”
He grinned, then lightly kissed her cheek. “You’re beautiful. I’ve been impressed for a long time, but now I’m in awe.”
“Wow. Awe works.” She leaned close. “Whatever happens, promise you won’t leave my side?”
“My word of honor. Ready?”
She nodded and pushed open the door to the restaurant.
Inside the combination of voices and mariachi music from the bar assaulted them. He knew the restaurant would be quieter in the back, where Mac had booked their table. Riley gave his name to the hostess standing in front.
“The rest of your party is here,” the teenager said with a smile. “If you’ll follow me.”
She wove her way through dozens of tables. Gracie gripped his hand hard enough to snap bone.
“People are staring,” she whispered. “I can feel it. Oh, God, this was a really, really bad idea. It’s because we’re together. How could we do this?”
He pulled his hand free and wrapped an arm around her waist. “You’re fine. If anyone is staring it’s because you look like a goddess. Every guy in the place wants you.”
That made her laugh. “Oh, please. On what planet?”
“I’m serious. If I’d known how great you were going to turn out, I might have paid attention to you all those years ago.”
She snorted. “I was fourteen. I could have been a goddess and you still would have ignored me.”
“The age difference seemed bigger back then,” he admitted. “Plus the whole go-to-prison thing. You were jailbait.”
“I’m not anymore.”
He squeezed her closer. “Is that an invitation?” he asked in a low whisper.
“You bet.”
He was about to say that dinner no longer interested him when he saw Mac and Jill sitting at a table in the corner. The other couple rose and waved them over.
“Hi,” Jill said brightly, as she settled back in her chair. “We saw this corner table was open and thought we should grab it while we could. It’s much less conspicuous.”
Gracie winced. “Because people are going to talk, right? That’s what you’re saying. I knew it. I think I’m going to be sick.”
Mac looked wary. “For real, or is this drama?”
Gracie placed a hand on her stomach. “I don’t know.”
“It’s drama,” Riley said and pulled out a chair. “A few chips and salsa will make you feel better.”
Gracie brightened. “I do like chips. They’re not dangerous.”
“Like bread?” he asked.
“Exactly.” She beamed at him. “You remembered.”
She sank into her seat. He and Mac exchanged a look that said “women-what can we do?” then they sat down as well.
“How’s it going?” Mac asked Riley.
“Okay. Poll numbers are down since the debate. Not a surprise. Zeke, my campaign manager, is coming up with some strategies.”
“I never liked the mayor,” Jill said with a sniff. “He’s so smarmy.” She shivered. “I want you to kick his butt. In the election,” she added when Mac raised his eyebrows. “Not literally, although I wouldn’t mind that either.”
“And here I thought you were sworn to uphold the law,” her husband said as he put his arm around her.
“No, honey. That’s you.”
They smiled at each other. Riley studied their easy exchange. When he’d first heard his old friend had taken the job as sheriff and remarried, he’d actually felt sorry for the guy. Who would want a life like that? But now, watching them together, he saw they had a connection. He wasn’t sure he believed in love, but if it existed, then Mac and Jill shared it.
“There’s something different,” Gracie said, leaning toward her friend. “What is it?”
Jill shrugged. “I can’t imagine.”
“No, there’s something. You’re…different.” Gracie tilted her head. “It’s not your hair. No highlights. Show me your teeth. Did you get them whitened?”
Jill laughed. “No.”
Riley narrowed his gaze. Gracie was right. Something had changed. Jill looked radiant.
Suddenly Gracie shrieked loud enough for nearby diners to turn in their direction.
“Are you?” she demanded as she clutched her friend’s hand. “You are. I can tell.”
Jill blushed, then nodded. “I just found out this morning. I never thought it would happen so fast. We just started trying, but yeah. I’m pregnant.”
“That is so great!”
Gracie flew out of her seat and rounded the table. Jill stood and they hugged. Riley leaned over to Mac and offered his hand.
“Congratulations,” he said.
“Thanks. We’re both happy.” Mac looked sheepish. “It’s a little fast. I thought we’d have a couple of months, but I guess we got it right the first time.”
Gracie and Jill returned to their seats. “Are you in shock?” Gracie asked.
“Oh, yeah,” Jill said. “I haven’t even bought any baby books.”
Riley watched the women. Was Gracie pregnant as well? They still had a few days until they would know. What would he think if she was? From his perspective, he doubted he would consider the idea “getting it right the first time.”
“Well, well, isn’t this something.”
Riley turned and saw two older women standing by their table. He started to rise, but the one with sausage curls put a surprisingly firm hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t get up. Not that I don’t appreciate the manners.”
Mac shifted uncomfortably. “Riley, I don’t think you’ve met Wilma. She runs the sheriff’s office.”
“Hi.” The shorter of the two women stared at him. “This is my friend, Eunice Baxter.”
“My neighbor,” Gracie whispered. “Hi, Ms. Baxter.”
“Hello, Gracie. My, my, don’t you young people look so nice out together?” Eunice squeezed his shoulder. “I’m glad to see you’ve come to your senses, Riley. Gracie always did know how to love a man. When I think about all she did to get your attention, it does my heart good to see you with her now.”
He wasn’t sure what to say. “Um, yes, ma’am.”
Eunice giggled. “Such fine manners. I liked your mama so much. I’m sorry she’s not alive to see this. You’ve done her proud.”
“We should go,” Wilma said. “Have a nice dinner.”
The old ladies left. Gracie rubbed her temples.
“I warned you,” she said. “I said this was really, really bad, that people would see and talk about us.”
Jill patted her arm. “You’re legend, and you’re going to have to accept that.”
“Can I be something else, like a pillar? I’d be a great pillar.”
Mac grinned. “Maybe being seen with you will get Riley elected.”
“Oh, I doubt that,” Gracie said. “If anything, I’ve probably cost him points.”
“I’m fine,” Riley told her. “I didn’t come this far to lose the election. Don’t worry.”
“I can’t help it. Worrying is like a sport with me.”
“Then worry tomorrow. Tonight we’re here to have fun. Can you do that?”
She nodded.
The waitress arrived and asked for their drink orders. He and Mac each wanted a beer, while Gracie and Jill selected iced tea.
The reality of the situation struck him. She wasn’t drinking. In fact the night they’d made love and played with champagne at the same time, she’d barely had any of the alcohol. He’d noticed her nearly full glass the next morning. He knew that Gracie normally didn’t mind drinking, so the change had to do with the fact that she might be pregnant.
He’d known in his head it might be possible, but until that moment, the news hadn’t sunk down to his gut.
What if she was? What would he do? Marry her?
He waited for the panic and frustration he’d felt when he’d had to marry Pam to swamp him, but there wasn’t any. He wasn’t even angry. So what the hell did that mean?