Tags:
Suspense,
Romance,
Suspense fiction,
romantic suspense,
Romantic Suspense Fiction,
romantic fiction,
Christian - Suspense,
Christian - Romance,
INSPIRATIONAL ROMANCE,
Christian Romantic Suspense,
Inspirational Suspense,
Inspirational Romantic Suspense,
San Juan Islands Fiction,
San Juan Islands
all be there.”
“Of course they’ll be there.” Stuart slurred. “Who’s going to turn down a free trip to Italy?”
Mr. Cole entered the room, giving Kate a warm look as he retook his seat at the head of the table. “Well. What have I missed?”
Jessica smiled with fake sweetness. “We were just discussing why your next wife has no friends.”
Josh tossed a scowl across the table. Was she enjoying this?
Kate looked at Mr. Cole and shook her head as if she was trying to no-big-deal Jessica’s impudence. “She’s talking about our guest list for the wedding.”
Mr. Cole smiled lightly. “Jessica, I’m sure Kate has friends. They’re just down in California and won’t be able to make it up here.”
Jessica twisted her mouth and held her wine glass up to a server who hastened over to refill it. “Then, who’s going to be your maid of honor?”
“Oh.” Kate rolled a small red potato around her plate with her fork. “I hadn’t really thought about that.”
“Now that’s just sad.” Jessica made a show of swirling the red liquid in her glass. “A wedding without a maid of honor. No one to go with you to pick up that wedding dress tomorrow.”
“Oh, but…” Kate stammered. “I won’t have to go alone. Your dad is going too.” She turned a pleading gaze on Mr. Cole. “Right, Chase?”
He chewed and swallowed. “Not tomorrow. I’ll be in meetings all day with Sam. We’re close to finishing the proposal for the new drug we’re submitting to the FDA.”
“But…” Kate’s voice trembled. “I can’t go into town by myself. What about the press?”
“Hmm.” Mr. Cole seemed to consider. “I have a simple solution for that.” Using the commanding tone of a man who was used to directing business subordinates, Mr. Cole spoke as he sliced into a broccoli floweret. “You’ll have Jessica. She can accompany you in her capacity as your new maid of honor.”
Kate and Jessica fired each other a similar look of horror, which floated over the center of the table like a storm cloud.
After a moment, Kate sputtered. “Oh, I…don’t think she’d want—”
“I’m sure she’d be happy to do it.” Cutting into his tuna, Mr. Cole glanced up at Jessica. “Wouldn’t you, dear?”
Chewing slowly, Josh watched Jessica attempt to form an answer that would get her off the hook without blatantly defying her meal ticket father.
Realizing the hopelessness of that, she attempted a compliant smile. “Sure.” She turned an ireful eye on Kate. “ Happy to.”
“Good, then that’s settled. You’ll go together tomorrow to pick up Kate’s dress and to choose one for Jessica.” Mr. Cole’s gaze turned toward the wall of windows. “It’s a lovely evening. I’ve asked for dessert to be served out on the deck.”
Noisily, everyone scraped their chairs back and headed outside. Josh pushed to his feet, but didn’t step away from the table.
“You coming, Josh?” Kim asked as she retrieved her half-full wine glass from her place at the table.
“In a minute.” He glanced down at Kate, who had remained seated.
Kim flicked a look at Kate, then smiled at Josh before following the others out to the deck.
As Mr. Cole stood, he touched Kate’s chair as if he intended to pull it back for her. Her gaze fell on her plate, which she’d barely touched. “I…I’ll just be a minute.”
“Of course, dear.” A muffled tone sounded and Mr. Cole pulled his phone from his jacket pocket. “You don’t mind, do you? I’m expecting another call from Sam.” Without waiting for a response, he put the phone to his ear and headed toward the foyer.
Jessica came around the end of the table and fairly hissed at Kate. “If you think I’m going to wear a hideous pink taffeta dress and stand next to you with a smile plastered on my face, think again.”
Kate’s eyes grew wide. “I…I’m not a fan of pink either.”
“Good.” With a departing fiery glare, Jessica stormed off.
Kate looked pale,
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