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Marcus often gave her a mysterious smile or caught her eyes across the room or dinner table. Instantly, she was self-conscious and stupidly tongue-tied.
At first, he’d intimidated the heck out of her . . . Well, what girl wouldn’t be when some tall, massive man in a dark suit magically appeared out of the woods?
But after learning his tragic story last night, she gazed at Marcus with new eyes. He’d been a Navy SEAL in a combat zone; he’d been dumped by a woman who lied and stole his life savings and inheritance; and he was a devoted friend to Logan and the Hearst family.
Maybe she needed to give him a second chance and stop avoiding him.
Fifteen minutes later, she grabbed the binder with all the wedding plans and ventured downstairs, searching for Jenna.
But she didn’t need to go far. Jenna appeared at the foot of the curved staircase and launched herself into Caitey’s arms.
“I don’t know whether to laugh or cry,” she said in a quivery voice.
Caitey hugged her hard. “It’s a shock we never expected, but we’ll sit down and figure this out. However, can I get breakfast first? For some reason, I’m starving.”
“It’s the wintry weather. Come with me,” Jenna said, pulling her arm toward the kitchen. “Gus has breakfast on the dining room sideboard. Just like inDownton Abbey.”
Caitey laughed at the eggs, bacon, toasted bagels, fruit, and three different kinds of juice. “Wow, this is amazing. How does the man have time? Especially with the wedding dinner to prep for.”
Gus appeared through the swinging double doors, a big smile on his cheerful face. He tapped the side of his head, and the smile turned into a big grin. “The secret is detailed planning. I’ve been getting ready for this week for two months. Sit down and eat to have energy for the rest of the day. It’s going to be a big one!”
“I still have to fit into my wedding dress later today, Mr. Gus,” Jenna chided.
“My food is magical. Everything will fit, I promise.”
Jenna gave him a saucy look, lifting one eyebrow. “I’m going to hold you to it.”
She and Jenna had just finished eating the delicious breakfast when Jenna suddenly let out a soft shriek and ducked under the heavy mahogany table.
Caitey lifted the tablecloth. “Whatare you doing?”
“I hear Logan’s voice coming in the back door. He can’t see me until the ceremony! It’s bad luck.”
“Oh, right, yes! The groom can’t see the bride! Terrible luck!” As if the snow wasn’t bad luck enough! But Caitey didn’t say that part out loud. She didn’t want Jenna to go full-throttle hysterical.
Jenna hissed, “Think I can crawl out of here and back upstairs without being seen?”
“No,” Caitey said matter-of-factly. “They might head down the main hallway while you run up the staircase.”
“What do I—”
Caitey cut her off. “Stay under there, and I’ll head the guys off.”
“Good idea!”
“Now, ssh!”
Caitey jumped and swung back through the kitchen door just as Logan and Marcus entered the mud room to hang up their jackets and take off their boots. Snow fell off every square inch of them.
“Sorry for the mess, Gus,” Logan called out.
Gus appeared at the door and waved a meaty hand in dismissal. He was a rotund man with the happiest face Caitey had ever seen, but how did he dice onions and tomatoes with such finesse with those fingers? It was a mystery.
“Snow will melt,” the cook said. “And then I will mop. We will soon have lots of muddy shoes once guests begin arriving.”
Caitey leaned against the doorjamb between the kitchen and the mud room.
Marcus jerked his head up to look at her while he stepped out of his boots. He gave her a slow, warm smile, and Caitey felt her heart flip-flop inside her chest.
