Her Best Man
“Mom?” Alex moaned as he thunked a hand against his forehead.
“Obviously, you were expecting someone else.”
“Yes, I mean... no. Mom, do you have any idea what time it is?”
“Yes, dear. It’s ten minutes after seven in the morning.”
“Seven o’clock Florida time, Mom. It’s only six here.”
“I know that, dear. I didn’t want to miss you before you left for work.” Her dismissive tone grated against Alex’s nerves.
“I wanted to talk to you about next weekend. Remember? The wedding? You are coming, aren’t you?”
“Of course, I’m coming. My baby sister’s getting married. Did you think I’d miss it?”
“Well, I know how busy you and Jon have been lately.” She clucked her tongue disapprovingly. “I still don’t understand why you and Jon needed M.B.A.s to sell tennis shoes. But your father assures me you’re both doing fine, and I shouldn’t worry.”
They were doing more than fine. Lobo Shoes, the company he and Jon had founded shortly after graduating from college, was the fastest growing athletic shoe company on the market. It wouldn’t be long before. they’d be giving Reebok and Nike a run for their money, no pun intended.
“Look, Mom—”
She never gave him a chance to finish. “I’ve been trying to get hold of Jon, but no one’s answering at his house.”
Alex sighed. “Jon’s out of town. We’re expanding into the West Coast market. He’s making sure things go smoothly. I’m sure Jon said he’d be flying in with Rachel on Thursday for the wedding.”
“And how about you, Alex? Will you be bringing anyone to the wedding? Anyone special?”
He grimaced at her hopeful tone. “No, Mom.”
“Alex,” she said, her disappointment obvious. “Your brother’s been married almost five years. Now, even your younger sister is getting married. Don’t you think it’s time you stopped this galavanting around and found yourself a nice girl to settle down with?”
Alex groaned. First Lindsey. Now his mother. Why was everyone suddenly so concerned about his social life?
At six o’clock in the morning, however, Alex wasn’t up to an argument with his mother. “Yeah, Mom, maybe someday,” he sighed. “Just as soon as I meet the right woman—”
“Alexander Hale Trent, you’ve been avoiding the marriage altar for so long, you wouldn’t recognize the right woman if she were standing under your own nose.”
Alex gritted his teeth.
She continued. “Now, there’ll be plenty of eligible young women at the wedding. Do you remember Rosemary Plinkton? Stephanie’s maid of honor? Her friend from college? She isn’t married and she’s such a sweet young thing. I’m sure you two will hit it off just fine—”
“Mom, don’t even consider trying any matchmaking during the wedding.” He assumed his most threatening tone. “Or I swear, it’ll be the last time you’ll see me in Florida.”
“Oh, pooh,” she said, not in the least bit intimidated. “Did anyone ever tell you you’re awfully grumpy in the morning?”
Alex stifled a groan. “Mom, I’ve got to get ready for work.”
“Of course, Alex,” his mother trilled. “I’ll see you on Wednesday. Have a wonderful day!”
The phone line clicked. Slowly, Alex returned the receiver to its cradle, staring at the instrument in disbelief. Had it really been only ten minutes ago when he’d been sound asleep in his bed, not a care in the world, enjoying what promised to be the most erotic dream of his life? It seemed like a lifetime ago.
Since awakening, he’d gotten into a disagreement with one of his best friends. And his mother had called to make her intentions clear. She was determined to see to it that the last of her unmarried children bit the matrimonial bullet.
Alex growled as he tossed the covers aside and pushed himself out of bed. A hell of a way to start out the morning. How could the day get any worse?
How could the day get any worse?
Lindsey Richards stared at the mess in her workroom and felt an overwhelming urge to cry. Spools of thread had been pulled from their racks. Yards and yards of the bright-colored strands were strewn about in jumbled heaps on the floor. Beads and bangles, all essential parts of her tassel-making craft business, glittered on the carpet like tiny jewels.
In the middle of this chaos sat the birthday boy himself, her three-year-old son, Jamie.
“James Daniel Richards,” she began, struggling to control her temper. “What do you think you’re doing in here?”
He looked up at her with his big blue eyes and said, “Playing.”
“Where’s your uncle Rick? He’s supposed to be keeping an eye on you.”
Jamie pointed a chubby finger toward the family room, where the sound of a football game playing on the TV filtered down the hall. Rick, her usually reliable brother. Lindsey sighed. These past few weeks the change in him seemed so daunting. He’d become moody and withdrawn, unwilling or unable to talk about the unfortunate incident that very well may have cost him his job. She was at her wit’s end. She just didn’t know how to help him.
“You know you aren’t supposed to be in here,” she reminded her son sternly.
“I’m sorry.” Jamie’s lower lip trembled slightly as he spoke. His eyes filled with unshed tears.
Lindsey’s anger dissolved at the sight. How could she be angry with Jamie today of all days? It was his birthday, after all. She reached out a hand. “Come here.”
Slowly, he untangled himself from a pool of thread and sauntered over to her, scuffing the toes of his tennis shoes on the carpet as he did so. At that moment, he reminded her so much of his father, he nearly took her breath away. Danny, too, had had trouble admitting when he was wrong.
Lindsey brushed the memory from her mind as Jamie took hold of her hand. He wouldn’t quite meet her eyes. She knelt to be at eye level with her young hell-raiser. “Jamie, this is the room where Mommy works. I don’t want you playing in here again, all right?”
He nodded, still unable to meet her gaze.
Glancing at the messy workroom, she sighed. “Give me a hug, honey. I sure could use one about now.”
His face brightening, he wrapped his arms around her neck and squeezed with all his might. Despite feeling bone-tired, she couldn’t help but smile. On a day like today, she needed the comfort of a warm, loving body.
“Hey, how about me?” A familiar, deep voice startled them. “Don’t I get a hug, too?”
Alex stood in the hall, not two feet away, watching them with an amused expression on his face.
“Uncle Alex!” His mother forgotten, Jamie threw himself at the new arrival.
Pleasure and guilt warred as she watched Alex scoop the boy into his arms and endure one of Jamie’s bone-cracking hugs. Pleasure because, with Alex and Rick nearby, Jamie never lacked a positive male influence. Guilt because, no matter how much she appreciated it, she had no right to expect Alex’s help.
“Where’s my present?” Jamie demanded.
Alex chuckled. “In the dining room, with all the rest.”
Jamie wiggled himself out of Alex’s arms. With the speed of a heat-seeking missile, he catapulted himself down the hall, beating a hasty path for the goodies.
Lindsey stood, shaking her head. “He really isn’t as materialistic as he seems.”
“Of course he is,” Alex said, still grinning. “He’s a kid, remember?”
Her heart thumped an uncertain beat as their gazes connected across the width of hall. Alex seemed to fill the narrow space with his presence. Tall and lean, blond-haired and blue-eyed, his skin bronzed by hours out in the sun, he was a walking spokesman for the benefits of using his own athletic shoes. A diehard jogger, he looked wonderfully fit and healthy, exuding a confidence and an energy she didn’t share.
“I didn’t hear you arrive,” Lindsey murmured, glancing away.
“Rick let me in.”
“My brother’s able to answer a doorbell,” she muttered as she surveyed the damage caused by one small boy. “But he can’t keep an eye on his own nephew.”
Alex stepped up behind her, glancing over her shoulder at the mess. He released a long whistle. His breath tickled the sensitive skin at the back of her neck. “Did Jamie do this?”
“Yep.” With a sigh, she added, “Rick was supposed to be watching him.”
Alex hesitated. Then, with a nod toward the family room where the TV still blared, he asked, “How is Rick?”
“Crabby, sulky ... impossible. I swear, if he weren’t my own brother, I’d refuse to see him until he was in a better mood.” She felt an instant guilt at her lack of support and understanding. “The whole thing’s crazy. I can’t believe Rick might lose his job just because he issued a silly little traffic ticket.”
Alex bit back a smile. “Well, I think there’s more to it than that, Lindsey. There was the letter he wrote to the editor, the one questioning the department’s policy of ticket fixing—”
Lindsey jumped to her brother’s defense. “My father was a policeman, Alex. A darned good one, too. He taught us if you break the law, you pay the price. It’s as simple as that. I don’t care whose relative has taken offense to being stopped.”
“Yeah, but the mayor’s brother—”
“Look, Rick’s my brother. And this is his life’s work that’s on the line. He looks haggard, Alex. I don’t think he’s getting much sleep.”
Alex frowned. “Maybe he needs to get away for a while to sort things out. My family has a cabin standing empty in the mountains in Colorado. If he’d like, he’s welcome to use it anytime.”
“Ask him. I’m sure he’d love it. Getting out of St. Louis sounds like a wonderful idea,” she added wistfully.
His gaze narrowed. “Your brother isn’t the only one who sounds as though they could use a little R and R.” Concern touched his voice. “How much sleep have you been getting lately?”
“Plenty,” she said, trying to sound carefree and failing miserably. “If I look tired it’s because I’ve been busy lately. I had to finish a large order of tassels for a local antique store. And with Christmas around the corner, I’ve got more orders coming in every day—”
“All of which you do at night when Jamie’s in bed...after you’ve spent a full day teaching at school.” Alex released an impatient breath. “Lindsey, you’ve got to slow down. Take care of yourself, for once.”
“Alex, you worry too much.” She smiled and tapped a finger on the jaw that he’d set in such a stubborn line. The beginnings of a late-day beard chafed her fingertip. “I’m fine, really.”
He captured her hand and held it snug. “Somebody’s got to worry about you. Obviously, you’re too stubborn to think about yourself.”
Her smile faded. His hand felt warm, strong, reassuring. She felt herself leaning toward him, overwhelmed by the temptation to rest her head against his wide shoulder and be embraced in the protective circle of his arms. These past two years had been difficult. There were times when she didn’t know how she could carry on alone.
She’d be lying if she said it wouldn’t feel good to have someone else to share the burden. But she could not allow herself the luxury. If these past few years had taught her anything, it was that she could depend on no one but her brother Rick, Jamie and herself.
The doorbell rang, announcing the arrival of more guests.
Lindsey slipped her hand from his, glad for the excuse to put some distance between them. “Alex, thank you for your concern.” She forced a smile. “But right now, it’s time for the party to begin.”
Alex’s expression remained grim.
She headed down the hall, not allowing herself to look back. Alex was Danny’s friend. He was Jamie’s godfather. She appreciated the time he spent with his godson. But it wasn’t his responsibility to see that his godson’s mother’s life went smoothly.
Chapter Two
Two hours later, the birthday boy finally ran out of steam. The guests, watching Jamie fall asleep as he ate his birthday cake and ice cream, took this as their cue to leave. Lindsey was exhausted by the time the last of Jamie’s guests had said their goodbyes. Alex, Rick, and Sandy Martin, Lindsey’s good friend and next door neighbor, lingered behind.
Sandy glanced around the messy kitchen and said, “Thank goodness my husband’s already taken my kids home. I’ll help you clean up before I leave.”
“You don’t have to,” Lindsey said, stifling a yawn. “I can handle it myself.”
“Right.” Sandy chuckled. “And I’ll be tucking you into bed right next to Jamie, if I don’t. Goodness, Lindsey. I’ve never seen you looking so tired. You’ve got enough bags under your eyes for an entire set of luggage.”
Lindsey rolled her eyes. “Really. Sandy—”
“Have you lost more weight?” Sandy narrowed a shrewd glance. “You look so thin.”
Lindsey blushed. “Sandy, I’m fine.”
“Fine, ha!” her friend snorted. “I bet dollars to doughnuts you’ve been spending more hours in your workroom making tassels than you have in your bed sleeping at night.”
“Not you, too,” Lindsey moaned.
Sandy frowned. “Me, too, what?”
“First, Alex. Now, you.” She sighed. “Why’s everyone so worried about my beauty sleep?”
“Maybe we wouldn’t be so concerned if you weren’t sleeping alone,” Sandy said.
Trouble was brewing; Lindsey could see it as clearly as the devilish glint in her friend’s eye. “Sandy—”
“Come on, Lindsey. You know I’ve been dying to ask you all night long ... did you say yes?”
“Yes to what?” Alex asked as he walked into the kitchen carrying an armload of soiled napkins and paper plates.
“It—it’s nothing,” Lindsey said quickly, glaring at her friend.
“Nothing, ha! Lindsey’s got a beau,” Sandy announced. “He’s asked her out on a date.”
The paper plates clattered to the floor.
Rick stepped into the kitchen. “Jeez, Alex. You’re making more of a mess than the kids did.”
Alex shot him a prohibitive glance as he squatted to clean up the clutter.
“I think she should go for it,” Sandy continued, oblivious to the dirty looks Lindsey was sending her way.
“Go for what?” Rick asked.
“A date, silly,” Sandy said. “Don’t you think it’s time Lindsey got back into the real world and started seeing men again?”
Rick shrugged. “Sure, why not?”
“Why not?” Lindsey gaped at her brother. He was the last person she expected to encourage her to start dating again. “I can think of a million reasons ... Danny, being just one.”
“Lindsey, you’re a widow, not a nun. No one expects you to live like one,” Rick said, slinging himself into one of the chairs at the kitchen table. “Danny’s been gone for two years. If you’re ready to start dating again, then do it.”
Lindsey shut out the words of encouragement. They believed her to be a lonely widow, loyal to her husband’s memory. They didn’t know the truth. That it was guilt, not just loneliness that kept her awake at night.
“I don’t know,” Alex said slowly, breaking into her troubled thoughts. “Maybe it’s not such a good idea for her to rush into any hasty decisions.”
Heads turned, focusing curious gazes upon him.
He shifted uncomfortably beneath the attention. “Well? Does anybody know anything about this guy? For all we know he’s a gigolo, preying on a vulnerable widow.”
“He’s not a gigolo, Alex,” Sandy said with an amused smile. “He’s an antique dealer. He owns two highly successful stores, one in Clayton and the other in Chesterfield. And he’s a real dish to boot.”
Lindsey closed her eyes and counted to ten, struggling to hold on to her temper. She couldn’t believe that her brother and her friends were discussing her private life as though she weren’t even in the room.
“Yeah, well, I still don’t think she should rush things,” Alex groused.
Eyebrows were raised in speculation.
Alex glanced around the room, scowling. “Hey, all I’m saying is, I know how it feels to be railroaded into a date by well-intentioned relatives.”
Rick chuckled. “Sounds to me like Mama Trent’s been putting a little pressure on the last of her unmarried children to settle down.”
“A little pressure?” Alex shook his head. “The woman has the determination of a bulldog. She’s been calling me every day with an updated list of single female guests who’ll be attending my sister’s wedding.”
“So bring a date,” Rick said.
“To a wedding? No, thank you. Do you have any idea how sentimental women get at weddings? They get all mushy and starry-eyed.” Alex gave an exaggerated shudder. “The last thing I need to worry about is a matchmaking mother and a date who’s under the influence of love, romance and a rose-colored view of marriage.”
“Alex, really. You’re incorrigible,” Sandy said, her tone disgusted.
Lindsey watched the exchange in bemused silence, feeling an unsettling sense of disappointment. Alex’s aversion to marriage shouldn’t surprise her, she chided herself. For as long as she’d known him, he’d never shown any sign of being ready to settle down.
Why would she expect him to change now?
“Do you think we could change the subject?” Alex asked, drawing her out of her troubled thoughts. “It’s Lindsey’s personal life we were talking about, not mine. Maybe Lindsey isn’t ready to start dating. Did anyone think to ask her?”
Heads turned again, this time focusing on Lindsey.
“Well?” Sandy demanded. “Are you ready to start dating, or not?”
Lindsey’s cheeks warmed with embarrassment. “I think...” she stammered. “I think that I’d rather not have this conversation.”
“Why not? Too afraid to admit you need more in life than coming home to an empty bed?” Sandy asked, smiling sweetly. “What’s wrong with admitting you’re a healthy adult, with normal, healthy needs and fantasies?”
“Fantasies?” Lindsey laughed out loud. “Who has the time? The closest thing I’ve come to having a fantasy is imagining myself alone on a tropical beach, with absolutely nothing to do except soak up some sun and drink an entire pitcher of margaritas.”
“Sounds good to me,” Rick quipped.
“You’re missing the point, Rick,” Lindsey growled.
Her brother frowned. “Which is?”
“The point is, that while I appreciate all of your concerns, I just don’t have the time or the desire to pursue a relationship with a man.” She gave a ragged sigh. “I’m just too darned tired to even consider it.”
A thoughtful silence descended upon the room.
Sandy was the first to break it. “You know what I think?”
“No,” Lindsey muttered. “But I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”
Sandy continued, undaunted by her grumpy tone. “I think what you really need is a vacation.”
“A vacation?”
“That’s right. And I have the perfect solution. You can go to Florida with Alex for his sister’s wedding.” She smiled, looking very pleased with the idea.
“Florida?” Lindsey repeated, staring dumbly at her friend. “I can’t go to Florida with Alex.”
“Why not?” Sandy demanded. “It’ll solve both of your problems. Alex needs a date to keep his mother off his back. You need some R and R. It’ll be perfect.”
Lindsey felt the prickling unease of Alex watching her. Panic filled her chest, making it hard to breathe. While she considered Alex a good friend, whenever she saw him it was usually in the accompaniment of her brother, or with Jamie at her side. The thought of spending time alone with him unnerved her more than she cared to admit.
“It’s out of the question,” Lindsey insisted, refusing to meet Alex’s gaze. “I have to work. You know...classes to teach, tassels to make.”
“Next week is Thanksgiving. Doesn’t your school go on break?” Sandy observed calmly.
“Thanksgiving!” Lindsey nearly shouted with relief. “I can’t leave town on Thanksgiving. If I do, Rick won’t have anywhere to go for his turkey dinner.”
“Gee, thanks, brat,” Rick drawled, looking amused. “But I don’t think it’ll kill me if I miss one Thanksgiving dinner.”
“Fine, Rick may not need me. But my son does.” Lindsey raised her chin, a picture of indignation. “What would I do with Jamie? I couldn’t possibly leave him home all alone.”
“Rick, you’re welcome to join us for dinner, and Jamie can stay with me,” Sandy offered. “You know he loves it at my house. He’ll hardly notice you’re gone.”
“Thanks a lot,” Lindsey said.
Alex, who’d been noticeably silent during the interchange, startled her by saying, “Lindsey, maybe you should give it some thought. Sandy’s right. It’d be a solution to both of our problems. You need a break. And I definitely need someone to save me from my mother’s good intentions.” His warm smile melted her defenses. “So what do you say? November in Florida may not be a tropical paradise, but it’s the best I can offer on short notice.”
“Alex, I’m not sure...” she said, wanting to kick herself for the vague-sounding answer.
“Come on, Lindsey,” Alex persisted. “You know I won’t give up until you say yes.”
His blue eyes sparkled with a familiar determination. Work or play, Alex was a man who was used to getting his way. Lindsey knew she might as well give up the fight. Arguing with him would be pointless.
Besides, did she really want to argue with him?
Going away with Alex meant time away from all of her responsibilities. Time to relax. Time to do nothing but enjoy herself for an entire weekend.
She’d be crazy to say no.
Lindsey looked at Alex, taking in his handsome, determined face and his strong, supple body.
She’d be crazy to say yes.
She recalled the moment alone with Alex in the hallway, the temptation she’d felt when he had held her hand. Friend or not, Alex was an attractive man. Lately, she’d become more aware of this fact than ever before.
A new surge of panic tightened her chest, making it hard to breathe. The last thing she needed was to become entangled in an intimate relationship. Her marriage to Danny hadn’t been a bed of roses. They had had their problems. She wasn’t anxious to repeat her mistakes of the past.
“Lindsey,” Alex said, his gentle tone softly persuading her to face him. “We’re friends, right?”
Friends—the word soothed her. Perhaps she was overreacting. She’d known Alex for a long time. Not once in their relationship had he ever indicated he wanted more from her than friendship. Spending time alone with him would be as harmless as spending time alone with her brother. Right?
“Right,” she said.
Encouraged, Alex continued. “Then, as friends, what’s the harm in spending a few days together?”
What’s the harm? She was sure there had to be at least a dozen potential dangers. But for the life of her, at the moment, she couldn’t think of one of them. She sighed. “All right, Alex. I’ll go with you to your sister’s wedding.”
“You won’t regret this, Lindsey,” he said.
Lindsey’s heart thumped a warning beat as he blessed her with another irresistible smile.
She already did.
“I can’t do this,” Lindsey said, stopping midway to the doors of the airplane’s loading gate.
Five days had passed since Jamie’s birthday party. Five of the most trying days of his life. Alex bit-back a groan. Getting Lindsey to agree to join him for his sister’s wedding had been tough enough. Getting her on the plane was proving darned near impossible.
They were among the last to board. Fellow passengers skirted around them, sending them curious glances. Time was running out, and Lindsey was giving every indication of jumping ship.
“Now what’s wrong,” he said, not bothering to hide his impatience.
“Jamie,” she said, her brown eyes wide and glistening. The tears looked ready to spill at any moment. “I’ve never left him before. He’ll be devastated if I abandon him now. It will probably cause who knows what kind of damage to his psyche.”
They both glanced at the covey of plastic airport lounge chairs where they’d left Jamie in the care of Lindsey’s friend, Sandy. The boy with the “damaged psyche” was busy pretending to be an airplane in flight, obviously not giving the departing adults a second thought.
“Yeah, he really looks like he’s ready for the psychiatrist’s chair,” Alex mused.
