Rules of Engagement

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Tess blanked again. “No.”

“It’ll be fantastic. Be sure and ask her about it. He’s going to use their original cake topper.”

“That’s amazing,” Sandy said, wiping her fingers on a napkin.

Rachel groaned. “No wonder you’re such a romantic, Kate. It’s genetic. You can’t escape it.”

Tess met Kate’s eyes, knowing that in truth her cousin actually guarded her heart. It was one of the few secrets they shared from the others. Kate had been so devastated by a bad experience, she rarely opened herself to new relationships. Tess reached for a gooey, chocolate-filled doughnut, her favorite. So much for romance. Maybe they should buy a cruise for the four of them and just be done with it.

DAN NELSON held the latest financials. “You could accept one of the offers to sell, Cole. It wouldn’t have to be from Alton. You’d get out with enough for another start-up.”

“I’ve got employees, including you, who count on their paychecks. After a new owner stripped the place, you’d all be out.”

Nelson thrummed his fingers on the printout. “There’s another option. Borrow enough to float us.”

“I’m running out of property to mortgage. Short of selling a kidney, I don’t see any cash looming in the future.”

Nelson allowed a few beats of silence. “So, you want me to put together a loan package?”

“Yeah.” Cole waited until the door closed to cross to the window. He stared out at the plant. When the building was first erected five years ago, he didn’t have a single doubt that his business would succeed. All the economic factors were in place. He’d done his research, put in the long hours. He’d hired the most talented, the most competent people. But he hadn’t counted on his deployment.

His fingers itched for a cigarette, but he’d broken the habit while he was overseas. Surviving withdrawal once was enough.

Someone knocked lightly on the door, pushing it open at the same time. Marcia. She was the only employee brazen enough to believe a closed door meant come in.

“Hi, boss. Mail call.”

He didn’t turn around. “Anything interesting?”

“There’s an article in Texas magazine about the Spencers restaurants, how they’ve been in the magazine’s top picks every year. Even has something about that pretty Spencer girl.”

That did make him turn.

Marcia’s smile was wide. “I marked it for you.”

Cole picked up the magazine, flipping it to the marked pages. Tess looked almost as pretty in the glossy photo as she did in person. And classy.

He’d noticed that right away. From the sleek cut of her dark hair to the confidence in her walk.

Glancing at the picture of her parents, he saw where she got her beauty. But there wasn’t a group picture of them together, he noticed. Maybe the reporter had been sensitive to the painful omission of David.

The article talked about Tess’s management style, her stamp on the restaurant scene in general.

Nothing about a boyfriend or fiancé.

And nothing that gave him a clue or connection. He needed a way in. And they didn’t have one thing in common that was going to get him there.

CHAPTER FIVE

TESS WAITED until the last possible moment to invite Cole. Her cousins wouldn’t be fooled if she invented a reason he couldn’t attend.

She expected him to have an excuse for not going to the party with her. To her relief, he accepted. She felt odd asking him, but he didn’t sound as though it was unusual.

Because of restaurant events, Tess had an extensive collection of evening wear. But nothing seemed right as she picked through the dresses.

She finally settled on a long-sleeved, high-necked silk that bared her back. Since her hair matched the dark dress, Tess decided to pile it loosely in a topknot. She kept her accessories simple. Diamond stud earrings, heels and a purse just large enough to hold keys and lipstick.

And, of course, a gift for her aunt and uncle. Since she hadn’t elaborated on the reason for the party, she was still trying to decide how to explain it to Cole.

Then there were her cousins. They’d be watching. Like cats on a fence.

She hadn’t been on a date since David’s death. It was guilt. Going back to her old life didn’t seem right. Not when David had no life.

The doorbell rang, and the dogs let out a barrage of barking. Tess glanced in the mirror, then opened the door. Cole, in black tie, was an impressive sight. “Hello.”

“Evening. Am I early?”

“No. You’re perfect.” She bit her tongue. “I mean your timing’s perfect.”

He bent to greet Hector and Molly, who’d stopped barking as soon as they recognized him.

She checked the clock. “Would you like a glass of red wine?”

“A small one.” His glance followed her, taking in the gift-wrapped package on the table.

She poured two glasses, then handed him one. But she didn’t raise her glass, nervously running her fingers over the stem. “I should explain about tonight’s party.”

“It requires an explanation?”

Tess cleared her throat. “It’s an anniversary party for my aunt and uncle.”

“And?”

“Well, that’s it. I just didn’t want you to get the wrong idea about the family gathering.”

“And what idea would that be?”

Flustered, her cheeks warmed. “My cousins tend to give anyone…new…the third degree.”

“I’m not easily intimidated.”

She suspected as much, but then she hadn’t given him a true picture of her cousin’s expectations. “Good.”

“Does your family usually have their parties at the restaurant?”

Tess nodded. “At the original location. Uncle Stephen is on my mother’s side, but her family took up the Spencer tradition after she married my father. His family is a lot smaller, while Mother’s is a mob. Over the years, they’ve come to blend. We all get along reasonably well, so…” Nerves. She was talking too much. Sipping her wine, she tried to collect herself.

“You’re lucky.”

“Lucky?”

“Not every family is so close.”

“I’ve always taken that for granted. Dad’s older sisters, Gayle and Ruth, never married. They spoiled David and me—it was great. They did the same for all the kids. At Christmas, it was like having three Santas.”

“It sounds almost too good to be true.”

“I suppose.”

When Cole took the last sip of his wine, Tess smiled. “If you’re ready, I’ll grab my bag.”

He tipped his glass in her direction. “Ready.”

Tucked into Cole’s ground-hugging Mercedes CLK, it didn’t take long to reach Spencers. The valet quickly took their car.

“Good service.”

“It’s what we’re known for.”

Inside, Tess led the way to one of the private dining rooms. The room was overflowing with aunts, uncles, their children and significant others. More than sixty people crowded around the bar and buffet tables. She noticed Cole’s eyes widen when he saw the overwhelming amount of relatives. “I did warn you there’d be a mob.”

“As long as you don’t expect me to remember all their names.”

She grinned. “On my mother’s side there are seven De Villard siblings, three brothers, four sisters. Short version—I have fifteen first cousins and some of them are married and have children.”

Her aunt who was being honored that night waved from the head table, but it was impossible to get past the crowd. “That’s my aunt Lily,” Tess explained, waving back. “It’s her anniversary. And Stephen’s the one with the rosebud in his lapel.”

A waiter deftly swerved by, recognized Tess and paused, offering them champagne.

“I thought you weren’t going to stop, Ernie,” she teased, picking up a flute.

“These are for the head table,” he explained, offering Cole a drink.