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He’d called hermy girl.Was that just a tease, or did it mean something more? Could he possibly feel the same explosions of chemistry between them as she was feeling?
“What are in those bags?” she finally asked.
She moved to his side as he opened the tops of each large plastic bag in the cart. Inside were flowers—bundles upon bundles of flowers—like a flower garden, bouquet after bouquet, had just sprung up from the earth below and erupted like a volcano in the mansion’s foyer.
“This is the same bridal spray that was ordered for Jenna!” she whispered, reaching out to touch the exquisite bouquet. “And these are the boutonnieres for the men. Oh, my! These bunches of roses, lilacs, and daffodils are todecorate the arbor! And the aisle and the candles and . . . everything!”
Caitey’s legs gave out from the shock. She was about to sink to the floor when Marcus put both arms around her, holding her tightly against him, his face close, his breath warm and sweet, his strength so powerful . . . “I think I might faint with shock,” she whispered.
“Go right ahead, I’ve got you,” he said softly.
“I don’t understand how you got all the flowers I ordered from the flower shop. What did you do—break in and rob it? This is like a dream!”
“I’d love to make all your dreams come true, Miss Caitey, wedding planner.”
“Now you’re shamelessly flirting, Mr. Stirling.”
“If I’m not mistaken, you’re holding on to me as tightly as I’m holding you.”
“Cheeky man!” she teased.
“I’m claiming the first dance with you, and we can dance cheek to cheek in real-time,” he teased. “Just like that song, ‘Dancin’ Cheek to Cheek’ when Fred Astaire sings it to Ginger Rogers.”
She pulled back and stared at him, a smile quivering her lips. “How do you know old songs like that?”
“My grandparents helped raise me while my mom worked full-time. We watched a lot of old movies. So, how about it? Can I sign your dance card?”
She shrugged. “I’ll save the firstslot for you, but the rest of it I can’t promise. So many men are here; you might have to fight them all off.”
“You’re not wrong there. I know of two fathers, Gus and Reginald, the minister, and I’m sure after the bride and groom get done, we’ll all be dancing together.”
Caitey burst into laughter. “I suppose my dance card really will be filled up. You’ll have to meet me behind the couch later.”
“Hey, I like the sound of that.”
Caitey halted. She pressed a palm against Marcus’s broad chest. Whoa, his muscles were more defined and sculpted than she expected . . . “Wait a minute. What did you say? How would the minister’s name be on my dance card?”
Instead of answering her question, Marcus asked, “Has Logan returned?”
“Returned?” she echoed. “I didn’t know he’d been gone, too. I haven’t seen him for quite a while. I’ve been a little busy. You still haven’t answered my question about the flower shop . . .”
“Oh, yes, I got distracted . . . you do distract me, Caitey,” he said quietly. “Ever since you caught me coming out of the woods.”
She shivered at the complimentandthe atmosphere pulsing between them. Vibes she had tried to ignore ever since she had arrived at the Hearst Estate.
She smiled softly at the compliments he was showering on her, but she couldn’t let him distract her any longer. “Istill have one big question, Mr. Stirling.How in the worlddid you get past the closed roads?”
A mischievous smile lit up his entire face. “Easy-peasy. All I did was get my snowshoes and winter gear on and hike down to the mountain village. It was only three miles. If I’d had to go to Santa Barbara, I’d be walking until midnight,” he chuckled. “I called the florist and told her I was coming. Verified by Jenna’s mother so the florist would have them ready and let me hike back up the mountain with them.”
“You must be exhausted!”
“I’ve done much more strenuous things than this. Besides, it was for a worthy cause. As best man, I have my duties, you know.”
“Oh, gosh,you—this is so amazing,” Caitey choked, emotion overwhelming her.“Thank you.”
“The show must go on,” Marcus whispered, leaning in to press his lips against the top of her hair.
Caitey froze in place, wanting the moment to go on a little longer, but Logan appeared at the dining room doorway, another gentleman in tow. “Hey, Caitey and Marcus,” he boomed out, happiness lighting up his face. “Allow me to introduce Reverend Cecil Callaghan. He’s the man we’ve all been waiting for. I think we’re having a wedding after all!”
