Paul arrived at the inn Thursday evening to find it a hive of frantic activity. People mingled on the front porch and a huge white tent was set up on the east-side lawn. Everyone seemed to be dressed in business casual style. It didn’t look like a wedding, he mused. Even as he drove into the front parking lot, he was assailed by the barbecue scents wafting from several large portable grills. Men in white aprons and chefs’ hats were flipping what looked to be steaks and burgers while lines of eager diners lined up to be served. He could even see a bar at one side of the tent, with servers pouring wine and beer.
Because the parking lot was full, he drove around back to park beside Bonnie, figuring she wouldn’t mind since she’d directed him there before. He was a little early, so he thought she might still be upstairs. Just in case, he tapped on her apartment door, but when there was no answer, he moved toward the deck stairs, pulling out his phone in case he needed to text her that he had arrived. Recorded jazz music drifted to him from the party, not overly loud but easy enough to hear from this side of the grounds. He stepped onto the large deck at the same time as Logan, who’d climbed the steps on the opposite side. They exchanged nods of greeting.
Paul motioned in the direction of the tent, though that side of the inn wasn’t visible from where they stood at the big back doors that led into the dining room. “What’s going on?”
Logan shrugged. “Some sort of charity fundraiser thing Kinley booked. They have their own people to set up, cater and clear away, so we didn’t have to do anything for this one except provide the grounds.”
He moved quickly aside when two women hurried out from inside the inn, nearly bumping into him as they rushed toward the party with murmurs of apology. Paul noticed that Logan moved quite agilely despite his slight limp.
Logan spoke wryly. “Sure will be glad when we get those outside-entrance bathrooms installed. It’ll be a little more trouble for the cleaning staff, but better in the long run than having people running in and out these doors.”
“The rooms will be beneath this deck, right?”
Logan nodded. “Two doors, one for men, one for women, each leading into a small lounge area with attached toilet facilities. No showers or anything like that, but wedding parties can change clothes and other people can use the amenities. I mean, they’ll still be welcome to go inside the inn, if they’d prefer, but the extra conveniences will really come in handy.”
It was the longest conversation he’d ever had with Bonnie’s brother and they were talking about bathrooms, Paul thought with sudden wry amusement. “Were you going inside?”
Logan nodded and led the way into the dining room. Paul saw that the round tables were covered with white linens and decorated with fresh flower centerpieces, but not otherwise set up for food service, making him assume nothing was scheduled in here until breakfast tomorrow morning.
“Guess you’re here to see Bonnie?”
“Yes, we’re having dinner.”
Logan looked as though there was something he wanted to say, but whatever it was, he kept it to himself. Remembering Bonnie’s comment about her brother being overprotective, Paul thought it was probably just as well Logan had swallowed the words. Saying he had to change a lightbulb in one of the rooms upstairs, Logan moved on, leaving Paul with a quizzical smile.
He had thought he might find Bonnie in the kitchen, but the immaculate room was empty. She could be upstairs, he thought, or maybe in the office behind the reception desk or in the front parlor with guests. He decided to check the parlor and then text her that she could find him there when she was ready. It seemed as good a place to wait as any.
He stopped abruptly in the arched doorway to the parlor. This room had been set up for old-fashioned, unplugged social entertainment with couches and chairs arranged for conversation, two game tables at one end of the room, and a tall bookcase filled with board games. Another beautiful chandelier hung from the tall ceiling, and the bay window was covered with lace. Bonnie stood in that window, looking absolutely radiant in the late-day light streaming in from outside as she modeled cheerfully for Cassie, who was fidgeting with a digital camera nearby. Kinley sat on one of the sofas, laughing and offering suggestions for poses.
Paul was aware of Kinley and his daughter, but he couldn’t seem to tear his gaze from Bonnie. She looked…stunning. Young, sexy, vibrant. The bright green dress set off her golden hair, vivid blue eyes and flawless fair complexion. And what it did for her figure…
He swallowed. Hugging her curves, the dress had tiny cap sleeves and a deep, square neckline that made the most of her cleavage. It pinched in below her bust with a band that made her waist look even tinier than he knew it to be. When she turned as instructed to present the back for Cassie’s camera, he saw that the garment closed at her nape with a decorative button, beneath which a large, triangular cut-out revealed a creamy swath of bare back down to the sewn-in waistband. The dress ended with a sassy little pleat at the back of her knees.
For the first time since he’d met her, he saw her in heels. Strappy gold sandals did amazing things to her legs that he’d always admired anyway. Mugging for the camera, having not yet noticed h
im in the doorway, she lifted one leg behind her and tossed back her head in a playful, pinup girl pose that sent a wave of hot blood straight to his groin. He pushed his hands casually into his pockets and drew a few deep breaths, glad he was no longer a callow youth who couldn’t control his body—though he had to admit, it was a close call for a few minutes there. Damn, she looked good.
Suddenly seeming to sense him there, she looked toward the doorway and quickly straightened, her cheeks going a little pink. “Oh. Hi.”
“Hi,” he said gravely, leaning against the doorjamb. “Am I interrupting?”
“You’re early.”
“A little. Hello, Kinley. And, Cassie, you didn’t tell me you’d be here this afternoon.”
Looking down at her camera screen, Cassie answered distractedly. “It was sort of last-minute. Bonnie said she could take a few minutes if I came right now. Bonnie, these are great. Exactly what I need for my portfolio. Thank you so much.”
“Are you kidding? I can’t believe I’m getting this beautiful dress just for doing a few fittings for you.”
“It is a gorgeous dress,” Kinley said, almost enviously. “If it wasn’t five inches too short for me, I’d steal it in a heartbeat. I can’t wait to see your collections in the stores someday soon, Cassie.”
Cassie, of course, was thrilled by the praise. She beamed. “I hope so. London is such an exciting place to study design.”
“I’m sure you’re going to have a wonderful time.”
“I think so, too. I can’t wait to be there with Mike. I’ve missed him so much.”
Paul managed not to sigh, though he had to admit his daughter’s obvious impatience to move away made him want to.