Head Over Heels for the Boss (Donovan Brothers) by Susan Meier Page B

up at him. “You also love peach cobbler.”
    Piper added, “And there’s no guarantee Richard Sean will still be awake when you get back if you take too long.”
    He forced a smile. “That’s okay. I’ll just have a roast beef sandwich later. I’m fine.”
    But he wasn’t. His whole damned family had somehow changed while he was busy managing the fortune they’d inherited when their grandfather died. They were all happy.
    And he didn’t fit into their lives anymore.
    The family he’d worked so hard to protect didn’t need him.

Chapter Five
    A t the wedding on Saturday, Barbara Beth rushed up to Isabelle.
    “So, are you done with the flower stuff yet?”
    “I have a few more boutonnieres to pin on.”
    “And you know what to do tonight?”
    “Not even a little bit.”
    Barbara Beth took Isabelle by the shoulders and looked her in the eye. Like a drill sergeant, she said, “At eighteen-hundred hours, Ellie and Piper will arrive at the fire hall and make sure there’s an extra seat at their table, which they will save for you. So when you arrive at the reception at eighteen-thirty, you find them.”
    “What if I get there early?”
    Barbara Beth lightly shook her. “You do not get there early! You make an entrance.”
    “Right. Look, Barbara Beth. I appreciate your help, but I’m not sure I’m going to be any good at this.”
    “You are my protégée. All you have to do is listen to what I say and do it.” She suddenly straightened. “Here’re the Donovans now.”
    Isabelle almost panicked, but when she turned around, all she saw were Piper, Ellie, and LuAnn.
    “Hey, ladies.”
    LuAnn hugged her then kissed her cheek. “Hey, Izzy. I can’t wait to see the centerpieces.”
    “Wait until you see the bouquets on the altar.” She wondered about LuAnn’s sudden appreciation of flowers, but only for about two seconds. It was nice to have someone truly interested in her work. “They are so beautiful I can’t believe I made them myself.”
    LuAnn laughed and hugged her.
    Barbara Beth said, “Where are the boys?”
    Ellie slid a quick look at Isabelle. “They decided to stay home and watch the game. They don’t like wedding ceremonies. They do like baseball, and they swear they will all…ALL…” she said, giving Isabelle a significant look, “be at the reception.”
    Barbara Beth let out a gusty sigh of relief. “Okay, then.” She hooked her arm through Isabelle’s. “You go find your last groomsmen and then come sit with us when you’re done.”
    Isabelle took the box with the remaining boutonnieres and headed for the back of the church. The invitation to sit with the Donovans was nice. Welcome. The day after she went to work for Devon, her parents really had packed their suitcases and gone to Myrtle Beach. She hadn’t felt odd when she was alone in her apartment. She was always alone there. But going to work at the flower shop, knowing there was no chance her mom or dad could pop in, had made her a little misty. And also made her feel buying the flower shop might not be the answer. Part of loving working there had been spending time with her parents, and that was gone now. Letting the Donovan brides and Barbara Beth help her had been like inviting herself into a private club, giving her a sanctuary while she adjusted to being alone.
    The wedding went smoothly, beautifully. The bride’s mother sobbed. The groom’s father kept looking at his watch. The choir sounded like a band of angels. And, luckily, the priest kept it short.
    With the centerpieces already at the fire hall, with instructions to the Dinner Belles that they should go on the tables around five, Isabelle headed home. She took a quick nap and, because it was a hot day, decided to rinse off before dressing for the reception. She was just stepping out of the shower when her doorbell rang.
    Confused, she wrapped herself in her robe and answered the door. There, on her tiny porch, stood Barbara Beth with Ellie and