A Moment of Bliss by Heather McGovern Page A

her.
    â€œThis is Beau,” he answered. “Currently the family dog.”
    â€œYou’re pet friendly? That’s a nice perk for your guests.”
    Satisfied with her scratch behind his ears, Beau flopped back down in his usual spot.
    â€œHe’s not a fan of Roark’s morning meetings either,” Dev added, grinning at him.
    Good thing he loved his younger brother. That was the only thing that kept him from throttling Dev on a daily basis.
    Roark turned to Madison. “I’ve told Sophie and Dev that the wedding is in just under three weeks. I thought we could tell you what people have done for events here in the past, things that did and didn’t work.”
    Sophie smacked the couch cushion between her and Dev. “You mean like that time the reunion party wanted the buffet line outside?”
    Dev chuckled. “And later, when they were inside dancing, a couple of raccoons figured they were invited and tried to nab some appetizers to go?”
    They both laughed, but Roark never had found it funny. That guest had raised holy hell about the vermin problem, when Roark had specifically told her that leaving the buffet up until late at night was a bad idea. He’d had to refund part of their deposit to keep the peace.
    â€œOh, come on, Roark. It’s funny.” Dev raised his mug in salute. “Those were the happiest raccoons you’d ever seen.”
    Sophie nodded. “They looked like little burglars who’d hit the jackpot. Black masks and all.”
    Madison shook her head, her chin dipped to hide her grin. “There will be no uninvited guests at this event. Two-legged, four-legged, or otherwise.”
    â€œYou think that’ll be an issue?” Roark asked her.
    She turned to him. “It might. The bride and groom have hit it big this year. When that happens, you get paparazzi, gossip magazines. We’re keeping their wedding top secret until it’s over, but there could be leaks. We’ll want to get some local security at the inn’s driveway and entrance.”
    Roark added that to the list on his phone. “I know of some cops who do security when off duty. They won’t ask who and why, and they understand discretion. I’m happy to contact them and keep the name confidential.”
    â€œThat’d be nice. Thank you.” Madison sipped her coffee, looking at him over the rim again. It might be indecently early in the day for some people, but Madison’s gaze was alert, her eyes a sharp green, honed right in on him.
    â€œYou’re welcome,” he said, immediately taking a sip of his coffee too.
    In his peripheral vision, Devlin and Sophie looked at each other.
    â€œRoark already told you who will be getting married here?” Madison asked them.
    Both straightened up like a teacher had suddenly called on them.
    â€œHe did. I’m a big fan of theirs actually, but I can keep that to myself,” Sophie said.
    Madison waved her hand. “It’s okay to let them know you’re a fan, but we’ll keep it reserved and professional beyond that. The bride and groom, the band, and a small wedding party will arrive the Thursday before.”
    Sophie beamed at the prospect.
    Madison turned to Roark. “What about you? Are you a fan?”
    Devlin snorted. “Ha! Roark only listens to NPR and nineties rock. He wouldn’t know modern music if it bit him.”
    â€œAs a matter of fact, I have heard of them.”
    â€œOnly because Sophie likes them.”
    Roark ignored his brother and focused on Madison. “I wouldn’t say I’m a fan, but I do know who they are.”
    She shrugged and set her coffee mug down on the arm of the chair. She wrapped her long fingers around the mug. Her nails were clean and short, with only the gloss of clear polish, and she wore no rings. Madison kept things simple and classic, nothing to draw much attention, but Roark noticed anyway. He’d touched those