Chapter One
“Marigold.”
Her sister’s joyful squeal split the air a second before Marigold Bloom found herself enfolded in Prim’s arms. She let herself be hugged tight. Only when tears stung the backs of her eyes did she recognize the danger and pull back.
“You look fabulous.” Prim’s hazel eyes, so like their father’s, shone with undisguised delight.
“You’re the one who looks fabulous.” Marigold held her sister at arms’ length. “Simply stunning.”
Prim’s shimmery green silk flattered her strawberry blonde curls and porcelain complexion. If Marigold had been around prior to the party, she’d have twisted Prim’s hair up instead of letting it fall to her shoulders. The up-do would have added a touch of elegance, especially with some pearls woven through the silky strands.
“Does Ami know you’re here?” Even as she asked the question, Prim surveyed the crowd as if searching for their eldest sister.
“Happy New Year, Marigold.” Max Brody, Prim’s husband of four months, stepped forward and lightly brushed a welcoming kiss across her cheek.
“Same to you, Max.” Marigold liked her new brother-in-law, but the growing concern in his blue eyes said he saw too much. She squeezed her sister’s arm. “I’ll catch up with you in a bit. Right now I’m off in search of a big glass of champagne and our wonderful hostess.”
As Marigold wove her way through the crowd, she was reminded of another party. A party where, like tonight, champagne flowed freely and music and conversation filled the air. She may have started that particular evening alone, but she’d ended it in the arms of a handsome gray-eyed stranger.
How many times, Marigold wondered, had she revisited that particular interlude over the past eighteen months? Too many times to count.
Her life might be unraveling quicker than a row of dropped stitches, but memories of that one perfect night still had the power to buoy her spirits.
Marigold’s lips curved as a thought struck her. When she’d left Chicago this afternoon, she wondered how she was going to distract a brain that kept reliving the events of the past forty-eight hours ad nauseam. She now had a plan. Instead of ruminating about the mess that was now her life, she’d ruminate on her one-and-only one-night stand.
Her mood had swung from despairing to almost cheerful when she was stopped by David and Whitney Chapin. She’d once been friends with David’s younger sister but hadn’t known him all that well. And Whitney? Well, despite the couple’s ten-year marriage, Marigold could count on one hand the number of times she’d seen the woman.
“Beck didn’t mention you were back in town.” David smiled a warm welcome. He was a handsome man with dark hair and eyes that reminded her of gray fog.
“It’s a surprise visit.” Marigold widened her smile to include his wife, who managed to look both bored and elegant in a shimmery bronze dress that showed off her tanned and toned body to perfection.
The woman reminded Marigold of many of the clients she’d had in Chicago. Whitney’s hair, a rich mahogany color with burgundy highlights, was shorter than Marigold remembered from the last time their paths had crossed. The textured razor cut parted on the side flattered her angular face and was clearly the work of an expert.
“It’s great you could come for the party.” David glanced around, his gaze lingering for a second on the pretty tables laden with appetizers and desserts. “Beck and Ami did it up right and they got a great turn-out. I told Whitney I was looking forward to seeing everyone.”
“And I told you that all these same people will be at the Valentine dance.” Whitney waved a hand adorned with a glittery diamond the size of Texas. “There was no need for us to celebrate New Year’s in Good Hope.”
Though his pleasant expression never wavered, a muscle in David’s jaw jumped before his gaze shifted from his wife back to Marigold.
“I wouldn’t have seen you if I hadn’t come.” David smiled, obviously assuming this was a brief visit and she’d be long gone before next month’s festivities.
Dear God, Marigold hoped that was the case. On top of everything else going wrong, the last thing she’d want was to be the third wheel with her sisters and their husbands at the big V-Day dance.
There was not a single doubt in Marigold’s mind that a question--or two--about her plans was poised on David’s lips. Searching for a way to graciously exit the conversation, she murmured a silent prayer of thanks when she spotted Hadley Newhouse.
“Hadley.” Marigold raised her voice to be heard above the din. When the pretty blonde turned, she motioned her over.
Hadley gave Marigold a hug when she reached her, then cast a curious glance in David and Whitney’s direction.
“Hi, David.” Hadley offered him a polite smile then extended her hand to Whitney. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Hadley Newhouse. I work at Bloom’s Bake Shop. Your husband and daughter stop in occasionally. Brynn is adorable.”
Whitney’s lips lifted in a smile so brief, Marigold knew she and Hadley both would have missed it if they hadn’t been looking.
“Have you seen Ami, Hadley?” Marigold broke the awkward silence. “I haven’t spoken with her yet.”
“I know exactly where she is and she’ll definitely want to see you right away.” Hadley grabbed the life preserver Marigold tossed her with both hands. “I’ll take you to her.”
“That’d be fabulous.” After saying good-byes to David and Whitney, the two women slipped into the crowd.
“Whitney is a beautiful woman.” Marigold kept her tone low. “Too bad she has the personality of a gnat.”
Hadley chuckled. “Rumor is she wanted to spend New Year’s in New York and isn’t happy about being here.”
“The best laid plans…” Marigold murmured, thinking of her own.
“Speaking of plans.” Hadley’s eyes narrowed. “What are you doing back in Good Hope?”
“Long story.” Marigold kept her tone light and refused to meet Hadley’s scrutinizing gaze. “One best told over chocolate and wine.”
“And, I would suspect, with family.” Hadley gave her shoulder a supportive squeeze. “Let’s find big sister.”
With Hadley’s help, Ami soon came into view. Her eldest sister stood next to their father and--Marigold barely suppressed a shudder--Anita Fishback, their father’s girlfriend.
Ami’s husband stood beside his wife, his hand resting supportively on her shoulder.
Marigold was thankful Ami had Beck to lean on. When their mother died eight years ago, Ami had taken over her role as family nurturer. No one in the family could comfort and soothe as well as the eldest Bloom sister.
While Marigold was in desperate need of some ‘mothering,’ now wasn’t the time. The eldest Bloom sister had a party to host.
“Thanks for the company, Hadley.” Marigold flashed a smile. “Now that I know where Ami is, I’m going to grab a glass of champagne and wait for her to finish speaking with Anita.”
“Steering clear of the piranha is always a smart move.” Hadley went on to regale her with a recent Anita ‘antic.’
Marigold found herself listening with only half an ear. Like a hunting dog spotting its prey, her senses now quivered with anticipation. From past experience she knew this was someone who could keep her happily occupied for hours. Someone who wouldn’t ask too many questions.
The man had dark hair and a lean, athletic build. Smoky gray eyes glittered when their gazes locked. Best of all, the man who’d once been a stranger, was now headed straight for her.
+
Cade Rallis spotted Marigold the second she strolled into the parlor. He’d been standing with his back to the wall, lazily surveying the room and debating with Jeremy Rakes which teams would make it to the Super Bowl when he saw her. At that moment Cade knew his conversation with Good Hope’s Mayor was destined to come to a quick end.
As he and Jeremy continued their spirited discussion, Cade bided his time until Marigold broke free of Hadley.
“Bottom line. The Patriots might make it to the Super Bowl again but they won’t win.” Cade handed his empty champagne glass to a male server passing by, clapped Jeremy on the shoulder and strode off.
He heard someone call his name but didn’t turn. When only several feet separated him and Marigold, Cade slowed his pace. With her tumble of blonde hair and pretty elfin features, Marigold Bloom reminded him of a fairy who might flit away if startled.
Though dressed far more casually than the other party-goers, she still managed to be the most beautiful woman in the room.
“What a nice surprise.” He stepped close, let his gaze linger. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“It’s my sister’s party.” Marigold flashed a smile that lifted those luscious ruby lips but didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Attending was a last-minute decision.”
Which meant she’d hit the blizzard currently raging between Chicago and Good Hope. That explained the lines of strain around her eyes. “How were the roads?”
She lifted one shoulder, let it drop in a careless gesture. “I’ve seen worse.”
“That’s a long drive even in the best of conditions.” Cade wondered if she’d taken time to eat. He recalled the one evening—and night—they’d spent together. At the wedding reception she’d been so focused on having fun she’d forgotten to fuel up. “I bet you skipped dinner.”
“Maybe.”
The coy smile lifting the tips of her wide mouth told Cade he’d hit the mark. He placed a palm against her back. “Let’s scout up some hors d’oeuvres.”
She glanced off to the side, her gaze briefly pausing on where her oldest sister stood before returning to him. “What’s tasty?”
Cade rocked back on the heels of the shiny black shoes he’d rented, along with the tux, for tonight’s party. Black tie was foreign territory. He’d grown up around soldiers, hung out with fellow cops as an adult. Past New Year’s Eves were usually welcomed in with bottles of beer and thick cuts of salami and cheese.
“All the appetizers I’ve tried have been good,” he responded when he realized Marigold was waiting for an answer. He smiled ruefully. “I’m not certain what’s in some of them. Truth is, I’m not sure I want to know.”
Because the sparkle in her eyes was so warm and friendly, he leaned close and confided. “I’m a fish out of water here.”
“If you are, it doesn’t show. You look as if you were born to wear a tux.” She reached up and fingered his lapel. “It’s an incredibly sexy look.”
As her gaze met his and held, Cade felt the same flare of heat he’d experienced when they’d met at his cousin’s wedding. Things at the Detroit Police Department had been tense at the time. He’d been ready to kick back and relax. The time spent with Marigold had been the best part of his trip to Door County.
“If we want pizza,” he heard himself say, “we won’t find it here.”
Marigold laughed softly. The sudden flare of heat in her eyes told him she remembered that they’d been naked the last time they shared a pizza.
“We could slip out.” He offered an easy smile. “Grab a slice at the new place down by the pier.”
She’d been restless that weekend and he sensed the same edginess now. Cade had no illusions she’d end up in his bed tonight, although that would be nice. Right now, he only hoped for an hour or two alone with her. She was a fascinating woman; one he’d like to get to know better.
“My truck isn’t far,” he said when she appeared to hesitate. “The pizza will be my treat.”
Marigold opened her mouth but before she could speak, her sister Ami appeared and pulled her close.
“I can’t believe you’re here. When I saw you across the room I thought I was hallucinating. But then Beck said he saw you, too. I nearly knocked over a waiter getting to you.” Ami paused to take a breath, looped her arm firmly through her sister’s and shot Cade a warning glance. “Marigold is not going anywhere tonight. My baby sister is ringing in the New Year right here.”
He lifted his hands in a gesture of surrender. “Simply offering options.”
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