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“I’m sure it’s fine.”
Hattie sighed inwardly. Next thing you know, they’d be discussing the weather. She grabbed Deedee’s ankle and pulled her toward the center of the bed. “Leo came by today.”
That got Luc’s attention. His eyes narrowed. “What did he want?”
“Well, apparently you neglected to mention that you were marrying me…or that I came with a baby. He wasn’t happy.”
Luc shrugged, his expression dangerous. “I don’t make decisions based on Leo’s likes and dislikes. If he doesn’t want to come to the wedding, Sherman can do the honors.”
“Don’t be so pigheaded. Leo loves you.”
“Leo believes his fourteen-month head start gives him the obligation to run my life.”
“I think you should call him.”
Luc’s face went blank, wiped clean of all emotion. “I’ll see him soon enough.”
“Fine. Be an arrogant jerk. See if I care.”
Luc stood up, gazing down at Hattie with an odd expression. “Sherman and Ana have the night off.”
“I know. Did you want me to fix you something for dinner?”
“I thought we could take the baby on a picnic.”
“It’s kind of late.”
“It won’t hurt her to stay up just this once. Will it?”
“I guess not. I’ll need to change, though.”
He eyed her snug yellow T-shirt and khaki shorts. “You’re fine. Let’s go. I’m starving.”
Luc had a garage full of expensive cars for every occasion. They took one of the more sedate sedans, a sporty Cadillac, and Luc moved the car seat. On the way, he dialed his favorite Chinese restaurant for takeout. Ten minutes later a helpful employee ran three bags out to the curb. The young man smiled hugely when Luc handed over a hundred and told the kid to keep the change.
Hattie wasn’t prepared for their destination. Atlanta had many lovely spots for al fresco dining, but Piedmont Park brought back too many memories. Had Luc chosen the location on purpose?
As Hattie freed Deedee from her seat, Luc gathered the food, a blanket from the trunk, a bottle of chilled wine and a corkscrew he’d added before they left the house. It was a perfect spring evening. The park was crowded, but after a few minutes’ walk, they found a quiet spot away from Frisbees and footballs.
Deedee had eaten earlier, so Hattie buckled her into a small, portable seat with a tray and fed her Cheerios while Luc opened containers. The smells made Hattie’s stomach growl.
She snagged an egg roll. “This looks heavenly. I’m probably going to make a pig of myself.”
Luc ran his gaze from her long legs all the way up past her waist to her modest breasts. “A few extra pounds wouldn’t do you any harm.”
The intimacy in his voice caught her off guard. What kind of game was he playing?
They ate leisurely, rarely speaking, content to watch the action all around them. Hattie remembered their college days with wistfulness. Back then, Luc would already have had his head in her lap. She’d be stroking his hair, touching his chest.
She trembled inwardly as arousal made her weak with longing. Deedee was no help. Her little head slumped to the side as she succumbed to sleep. Hattie unbuckled her and lifted her free. Luc moved the seat, and together they tucked the baby between them.
Luc reclined on his side facing Hattie. “I heard from the lawyers today. They’ve spoken to their counterparts, and it seems that Eddie’s trying to claim it was really your sister at the wheel that night. That he was confused by the impact and that was why he left the scene.”
Hattie clenched her fists. “Please tell me that won’t fly.”
He propped up one knee. “The police report is pretty clear. But that doesn’t mean the case won’t drag on. I don’t know what they’re getting paid, but my guys said the other team doesn’t seem to have trouble with Eddie committing perjury if it will get him off.”
Hattie was stunned. Since when could a man literally murder other people by driving under the influence and not end up in prison?
Luc was attuned to her distress. He stroked the sleeping infant’s back. “Try not to worry. I’m only keeping you informed. But I don’t want you to obsess about this. Our bottom line is keeping Eddie away from Deedee. Some judges side with a biological parent automatically, but if it comes to a hearing—and it may not—we’ll show proof that Eddie would be a danger to his own child.”
Hattie shivered. “I hope you’re right. Judges can be bought.”
Luc’s grin was feral. “Good thing I have deep pockets.”
Moments later he surprised the heck out of her by falling asleep. As Hattie looked at man and baby, she realized an unpalatable truth. It would be dangerously easy to fall in love with Luc Cavallo again. The few men she had dated seriously in the last decade were shadows when held up against Luc’s vibrant personality.
Hesitantly, she reached out and barely touched his hair. It was soft and thick and springy with the waviness he hated. Usually, he kept his cut conservatively short, but perhaps he’d been too busy for his customary barber visit, because she could see the beginnings of a curl at the back of his ear.
Something hot and urgent twisted in her belly. She wanted to lie down beside him, whisper in his ear, pull him on top of her and feel his powerful body mate with hers. Her hand shook as she pulled it back. She would go to him eventually. It was inevitable. And he would have the satisfaction of knowing that she had made a mistake in leaving him. He would taste her regret and know the scales had been evened.
Luc held all the power. She was helpless to stem the tide of the burgeoning desire she felt. It had only been lying dormant, waiting to be resurrected.
And no matter how much pain she would have to endure when the marriage ended, she would not be able to walk away from the temptation to once again be Luc Cavallo’s lover.
Chapter 7
The morning of May 14 dawned bright and clear. The entire household was up at first light. Ana brought Hattie breakfast in bed, toast and jam and half a grapefruit.
Hattie, who had been awake for some time, sat up, shoving the hair from her eyes. “You didn’t have to do this.”
Ana sat down on the edge of the bed. “A bride deserves special treatment on her wedding day. Sherman and Mr. Leo have taken Deedee outside for a walk in the stroller. All you need to do is relax and let the rest of us pamper you.”
Hattie took a bite of toast and had trouble swallowing. Even the freshly brewed hot tea didn’t help. Fear choked her. Panic hovered just offstage. She wiped her hands on a soft damask napkin and looked at Ana. “Am I doing the right thing?”
A few nights ago, Luc and Hattie had decided the older couple needed to know the truth. Luc had hired round-the-clock security to be in place during the honeymoon, but it wasn’t fair to leave Deedee’s caregivers out of the loop.
Ana smoothed the embroidered bedspread absently. “Did I tell you that Mr. Luc offered Sherman and me an embarrassing amount of money if we wanted to retire?”
It seemed an odd answer to Hattie’s question.
“I knew he gave you the option. But he told me you loved the house and didn’t want to leave.”
“As it was, he almost doubled our salaries. We’re taking our first cruise this fall, nothing too fancy, but it will be a change of pace.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“The thing is, Hattie, I’ve worked my whole life. I wouldn’t know what to do if I had to sit around all day. The previous owners of this grand old property were both in their nineties when they passed. They never had a family, and Sherman and I weren’t able to have children, either. This is a big, wonderful house with all kinds of interesting history. But until you and Deedee moved in, it was missing something.” She paused and smiled softly. “Mr. Luc wants to help you and that precious baby. What could be wrong with that?”
“But it isn’t a real marriage. We’re not a family.”
Ana shrugged. “That may be true at the moment, but things happen for a reason. I’ve seen it too many times in my life not to believe that. Take it a day at a time. You’ll be fine, Hattie dear. Now eat your breakfast and get in the shower. Mr. Luc’s not one for running late.”
* * *
Luc had chartered a private plane, and at ten-thirty sharp, it was wheels up. The short flight from Atlanta to the southeast coast of the state was a source of constant fascination for Deedee. She sat with Ana and Sherman, stuck her nose to the window and was uncustomarily still as she watched the clouds drift by.
Leo and Luc huddled together in the front row talking business and who knows what else. Luc’s friend, who was to do the ceremony, sat with them. Hattie was left to chat with Ana’s niece, Patti. The young woman’s eyes were almost as big as Deedee’s.
She took a Coke from the flight attendant and turned to Hattie with a grin. “I’ve never been on a plane before, and especially not one like this. I could get used to the lifestyle. Did you know the bathroom has real hand towels…not paper?”
Hattie smiled at the girl’s enthusiasm. “I can’t thank you enough for helping out while we’re gone on our honeymoon.”
Patti wrinkled her nose. “Well, I love kids, and when Mr. Cavallo offered to pay my fall tuition in exchange for the week, I wasn’t about to say no. My aunt and uncle and I will take such good care of Deedee. You won’t have to worry about a thing.”
Hattie gulped inwardly. Her debts to Luc were piling up more quickly than she could calculate.
Before Hattie could catch her breath and gird herself for what was to come, the plane landed smoothly on a small strip of tarmac. Three large SUVs sat waiting for the wedding party. Once in the cars, they were all whisked away to a nearby dock where they boarded a sleek black cabin cruiser.
At first, Luc’s island was nothing more than a speck against the horizon, but as the boat cut through the choppy waves, land came into view. Down at the water’s edge, a large wooden pier had been festooned with white ribbons. Uniformed staff secured a metal ramp and soon everyone stood on dry land.
Hattie looked around with wonder. They were too far north in latitude for the island to have a tropical flavor, but it was enchanting in other ways. Ancient trees graced the windswept contours of the land, and birds of every color and size nested in limbs overhead and left dainty footprints in the wet sand.
Luc appeared at her side. “What do you think?”
She smiled up at him. “It’s amazing…so peaceful. I love it, Luc. It’s perfect.”
“We’re trying to get the state to designate it as a wildlife refuge. Leo and I have no plans to develop this place. But one day, when we’re gone, we want it to be protected.” He took her arm. “Let’s go. There’s more to see.”
Hattie’s skin tingled where he touched her. Their hands were linked…perhaps he didn’t notice. But the intimacy, intentional or not, was poignant to Hattie.
Dune buggies took the group up and over a crest to the far side of the island where a weathered but genteel guesthouse stood, built to blend into the landscape.
Luc helped her out of the fiberglass vehicle. “There’s plenty of room inside for everyone to change. Will thirty minutes give you long enough? There’s no real rush.” He paused, and stared down at her, his expression pensive. “This is your day, Hattie. I know the circumstances aren’t ideal, but you’re doing a wonderful thing for Deedee.”
For one brief moment, wistfulness crushed her chest as she wondered what it would have been like to marry Luc when she was twenty-one. Determinedly, she thrust aside regret. This was not the same situation at all. She lifted a hand and cupped his cheek. “Thank you, Luc. I don’t know what I would have done if you had turned me away.”
The space around them was ionized suddenly, the hot, sticky air heavy with unspoken emotions. She went up on her tiptoes and found his mouth with hers. Someone groaned. Maybe both of them. He tasted like all her memories combined, hot and sweet and dangerous.
But they were not alone.
Luc took a step backward, and her hand fell away. Something akin to pain flashed across his face. “We both want what’s best for the baby,” he said, his voice gruff. “That’s the important thing.”
* * *
Sherman and Patti tended to Deedee while Ana helped Hattie get dressed. Hattie disappeared into a well-appointed bathroom to freshen up and slip into an ivory bustier and matching silk panties. Ana stepped in briefly to help with buttons and then tactfully left Hattie alone.
The day was warm and humid, and Hattie was glad she had decided to wear her hair up. She tweaked the lace trim at her breasts, adjusted the deliberately casual knot of hair at the back of her head and looked into the mirror. Too bad Luc wouldn’t get a chance to see her in the delicate garments. They made her feel feminine and desirable, and she had charged them to one of the new credit cards without a qualm.
Ana waited in the bedroom, the wedding dress draped over her arms. In a small exclusive boutique in Buckhead, Hattie had found exactly what she wanted. The off-white dress was made of watered silk fabric and chiffon. The halter neckline flattered her bust and the fitted drop waist fluffed out into several filmy layers that ended in handkerchief points. The ecru kid slippers she’d bought to match were trimmed in satin ribbons that laced at her ankles.
Both women blinked away tears when Ana zipped up the dress and turned Hattie to face the mirror. It was fairy-tale perfect for a beach wedding—definitely bridal, but spritely and whimsical. Truth be told, it was not really a “Hattie” sort of dress. But it was her wedding day, damn it, and she wanted to be beautiful for Luc.
Ana picked up the narrow tiara and pinned it carefully to the top of Hattie’s head. It was the appropriate finishing touch.
The older woman fluffed the skirt and stepped back. “You look like an angel.” Her expression sobered. “I’m so sorry your mother and sister aren’t here with you.”
Hattie hiccupped a sob. “Me, too.”
Ana looked alarmed. “No crying, for heaven’s sake. My fault. Shouldn’t have said anything. Let’s touch up your makeup and get outside. I’ll bet good money you have an eager groom waiting for you.”
Ana left to take her place, and for a moment, Hattie was alone with her thoughts. She couldn’t say in all honesty that she had no doubts. But perhaps a lot of brides felt this way. Scared and hopeful.
There was a brief knock at the door. When Hattie opened it, Leo’s large frame took up the entrance. He looked her over, head to toe. A tiny smile lifted a corner of his mouth. “You’ll do, Parker.” He handed her a beautiful bouquet of lilies and eucalyptus. “These are from my brother. He’s impatient.”
He held out his arm, and she put her hand on it, her palm damp. “I care about him, Leo…a lot.”
“I know you do…which is the only reason I’m here. But God help me, Hattie…if you hurt him again, I’ll make you pay.”
Not exactly auspicious words to start a new life.
Leo escorted her to the corner of the house, just out of sight of the water’s edge where the ceremony would take place. He bent and kissed her cheek, then stepped back. Perhaps he saw the sheer panic in her eyes, because he smiled again, a real smile this time. “Break a leg, princess.” And then he was gone.
Hattie’s cue was to be the opening notes of "Pachelbel’s Canon.” A sturdy boardwalk led from the porch of the house out over a small dune to the temporary platform and the wooden latticed archway where she and Luc would stand.
The music started. She clenched her fists and then deliberately relaxed them. One huge breath. Several small prayers. One foot in front of the other.
Afterward, she could not remember the exact details of her solitary journey to the altar. In keeping with the unorthodox nature of the marriage and the ceremony, she had decided to walk to Luc on her own. This was her decision, her gamble.
When she first caught sight of the groom, her breath lodged in her throat and she stumbled slightly. Though there were three other people framed against the vibrant blue-green of the ocean, she only had eyes for Luc. He was wearing a black tux…a formal morning coat and tails over a crisp white shirt and a gray vest.
His gaze locked on hers and stayed there as she traversed the final fifty feet. As she stepped beneath the arch and took her place by his side, she saw something hot and predatory flash in his dark eyes before he turned to face the justice of the peace.
Without looking at Hattie again, Luc reached out and took her right hand, squeezing it tightly. The officiant smiled at both of them. “We are gathered here today to witness the union of Luc Cavallo and Hattie Parker. Marriage is a…”
Hattie tried to listen…she really did. But her thoughts scattered in a million directions. Too many stimuli. The feel of Luc’s hard, warm fingers twined with hers. The familiar tang of his aftershave, mingling with the scent of her bouquet. The muted roar of the nearby surf as waves tumbled onto shore.
If she had the power, she would freeze this moment. To take out later in the quiet of her bedroom and savor everything she missed the first time around.
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the giant live oaks that cast shade and respite on this hot, windy day. Sherman and Patti stood guard over the stroller, which was draped in mosquito netting. Apparently, Deedee had decided to cooperate and sleep through it all.
Closer to hand, Ana smiled, her cheeks damp. She was wearing a moss-green designer suit that flattered her stocky frame and shaved ten years off her age. Hattie had no doubt that Luc had financed the expensive wedding finery.
For a split second Hattie caught Leo’s eye. The resemblance between the two brothers was striking, but where Luc was classically handsome, quieter and more reserved, Leo was larger than life. He winked at her deliberately, and she blushed, turning her attention back to the words that would make her Luc’s wife.
“May I have the rings?”
Ana commandeered the bouquet, Hattie and Leo complied, and moments later, Hattie slid a plain gold band onto Luc’s left hand. He returned the favor, placing a narrow circlet of platinum beside the beautiful engagement ring to which Hattie had yet to grow accustomed.
