EIGHT FIFTY-SEVEN in the morning and Ellie Shaw was already running late.
As she quickly made her way across the massive lobby of the Casa Blanca Resort & Spa, she prayed no one would stop her. This was her first chance to sit in on a planning meeting with the Barefoot Brides – her new employers – and it would not be cool to be late.
Eight fifty-nine.
Quickly turning a corner, she sprinted down the hall and stopped at the door to the offices. Taking a deep breath, she ran a hand over her hair – which was thankfully pulled back in a sleek ponytail – and opened the door.
“Good morning,” she said and cursed how breathless she was.
Arielle McBain – stylist for Barefoot Brides – looked up from the front desk and smiled at Ellie. “Good morning!” Then she studied Ellie for a moment. “You okay?”
What was the point in lying? “I was running a little late and pretty much sprinted here from my car.”
Standing, Arielle laughed. “Well take a minute to catch your breath and then we’re meeting in Gussie’s office at nine-fifteen.”
Ellie watched as Arielle walked away and almost sagged with relief. She wasn’t late – not really – and she had a few minutes to pull herself together. Working at Casa Blanca and with Barefoot Brides was a bit of a dream come true. Ellie had lived on Mimosa Key since her sophomore year of high school and Casa Blanca was a place that always called to her. And now, here she was!
Grabbing a bottle of water, she quickly took several sips and began to cool down. The opportunity with Gussie McBain, Willow Hershey and Arielle McBain – who everyone called Ari – had come along at the perfect time for Ellie. And after a rough patch in her life that she’d love to forget, it seemed like things were finally going her way.
At nine-thirteen, she took her seat in Gussie’s office and swiped her tablet screen to pull up the agenda.
“Okay, let’s start by looking at our upcoming calendar. We’ve got six weddings in the next two weeks,” Gussie began after welcoming them all and wishing them a good morning.
“Six?” Ellie asked. “But...how…?”
Her three bosses looked at her sympathetically. “You’ll get used to the pace,” Ari said with a smile. “And being that you’re in training, you’re going to be shadowing a lot for these events. We’re not just going to throw you to the wolves.”
“Thank God,” she sighed and then relaxed.
Gussie smiled at her and then went on. “First up is our Friday night wedding - second time around for both, only two attendants and two dozen guests for dinner. We could almost do that one with our eyes closed.”
“Agreed,” Willow and Ari said in unison.
“We’ll follow that up Saturday afternoon with the Malcom-Charles wedding. More traditional - four attendants, fifty guest for lunch. No weird requests so I think we’re good there too.”
Everyone nodded and checked off their lists.
“Saturday night is the Briggs-Davies event,” Gussie continued. “High-maintenance bride, uninterested groom, bitchy mother of the bride.”
Ellie looked up and saw she was the only one who seemed dismayed. As if sensing her apprehension, Willow reached over and patted her hand. “You’ll get used to it. We have to be brutally honest with one another on these things. And we keep that brutal honesty here behind closed doors. It makes it all run smoother.”
“Are...are all the events filled with…”
“Drama?” Ari finished for her. “Yes. It goes with the territory. Some weddings…”
“Like the Malcom one…” Gussie supplied.
“Are a breeze. Then you get the Briggs group in here and you have to wonder why they’re even getting married when divorce is so clearly in their future.”
Ellie found the whole thing a little disenchanting. Weddings were supposed to be a beautiful event - a happy event - and yet the business end of it was totally…not.
Willow patted her hand again and smiled. “You’ll get used to it. Trust us. We don’t take these things lightly but after a while you begin to see the signs and…”
“It’s hard to keep your observations to yourself,” Ari said with a sympathetic smile.
Rather than respond, Ellie just nodded. “Got it.”
They went down the list of the Sunday event and the events for the following weekend. Next on the agenda were the appointments with perspective couples wanting to book a destination wedding with them. Ellie followed along as Gussie read off the list and then she gasped and choked on her own saliva.
“Oh my God, Ellie! Are you all right?” Willow cried as she jumped up.
“I think she’s having a stroke!” Gussie said, patting Ellie on the back
“That is not funny or helpful right now!” Ari scolded.
All three of them surrounded her, patting her on the back, pouring her a glass of water as she tried to catch her breath. It took a few minutes, but when she was finally able to breathe again, she looked at Gussie in dismay. “I’m sorry, did you say Olsen-Elliott wedding?”
Her bosses all nodded. “Do you know them?”
“You could say that,” she murmured and quickly drank a little more water.
“I’m sensing a story…” Willow said quietly, taking her seat again.
She nodded. “Three months ago, I was supposed to be the next Mrs. Elliott.”
“You were going to be Ellie Elliott?” Ari asked. “I think you dodged a bullet.”
“Oh, believe me, the name wasn’t the only thing I dodged.” Ellie hated even thinking about what a mistake she almost made, but with three sets of eyes staring at her, she knew she couldn’t avoid telling them the story. “I dated Harry for two years…”
“Harry?” Gussie said with a laugh, but quickly cleared her throat and her expression went neutral. “Sorry. Go on.”
“He was so traditional. Very respectable and polite and the perfect gentleman.”
“Boring,” someone murmured.
“That too. But at the time, I was able to look beyond it because he was studying to pass the bar exam and I thought once he was settled in at a law firm he’d relax a bit.”
“Um, sweetie? Lawyers don’t normally relax,” Gussie commented, sitting back down behind her desk.
“Learned that one, too,” Ellie said, sighing. “Anyway, we got engaged after a year together and we were planning our wedding. Everything was set - the church, my dress, the catering hall…”
“So what happened?” Ari asked.
“So cliché,” she murmured, ducking her head, the embarrassment still fresh. “He was working late on a case and I stopped by to see him at the office. And as you can guess…”
“You were the one surprised,” they said in unison.
“Bingo. She was the boss’s daughter - the Olsen in the Olsen-Elliott wedding.” Sighing, Ellie said, “It was so weird because…he texted me earlier in the day asking me to come by the office and bring him his phone charger. At the time I thought it was odd because he always kept a spare but…”
“Damn. Ellie, wow. I’m so sorry. That just...it sucks,” Willow said sympathetically.
“Nicely said,” Ari murmured.
“It was like he wanted to get caught,” Ellie commented, more to herself than to anyone else. “So...the thought of working that wedding…”
She thought for certain they’d all back her up and tell her she could have that day off.
But they didn’t.
“Ellie, we hired you because we’re short-staffed and we’re heading into a busy time of year. Luckily you won’t have to deal with them directly - we’ll make sure of that - but...there’s a chance you are going to have to handle some things on their event. I’m sorry.” Gussie’s voice was firm even though her expression was compassionate.
“I...I understand.” But she didn’t. Right now she just wanted to scream and stamp her foot and have a pity party for herself. Why was life so damn unfair? Why did Harry get to go on and have a dream wedding at the one place she had already deemed was her perfect place to get married? Why did he get to experience it - the cheating bastard - while she was stuck working at it?
“We haven’t booked them yet,” Willow commented. “For all we know, the date they want can already be taken.”
No one commented on that point and Ellie didn’t take it as a good sign.
“Why don’t we take a break and meet up again after lunch?” Gussie said softly. “Take a little time to sort of let all of this sink in.”
“Thanks,” Ellie said quietly. “I appreciate that.”
“We’ll meet back here at one-thirty if that works for everyone.”
They were all in agreement and Ellie said a quick goodbye as she walked out the door. She looked around frantically - trying to find a quiet corner where she could either have a crying jag or a screaming fit. Unfortunately, she didn’t want to be in earshot of her bosses when it happened and she didn’t have an office of her own yet to go in and lock the door.
The Casa Blanca resort was huge and no doubt if she put some effort in, she’d find some place. Ellie walked with purpose out the door and onto the path that led to the maintenance and storage area. If she could just hold on for a few more minutes, she’d be able to let all of her rage and frustration out without witnesses.
She spotted the landscaping shed. It was amazing she even remembered that’s what it was - her tour of the resort had been over two weeks ago and it was a whirlwind. Funny how some things just stuck - like the landscaping shed - and yet she still couldn’t find the closet where they stored all of their linen samples for potential brides and grooms to look at.
Quickening her pace, she took a look around and realized she was alone. Relieved, she pulled the big wooden door open, stepped inside without really seeing anything and just as quickly shut the doors before letting out a stream of curses guaranteed to make a sailor blush.
“I can’t imagine what I or these tools did to piss you off, but I give you props for such a colorful vocabulary,” a deep voice said from behind her right before she screamed.
****
Max Santos did his best to avoid drama and loved how his job managing the grounds around Casa Blanca allowed him time to be by himself. It was peaceful – almost therapeutic – and everything he wanted in a job.
In his five years of working at the resort, this was the first time a guest had come screaming into his tool shed.
Well…not screaming. Not exactly. But she was certainly fired up over something.
He put the metal file down that he was using to sharpen the blade on one of his shears and studied the woman. Her eyes were wide as she looked at him but he wasn’t sure if it was because she was shocked to see him or just…crazy.
“Um…Miss?” he prompted.
Her hand reached over her heart as if willing it to slow down. No doubt he’d scared her – if her scream was anything to go by. She wore a light blue sun dress that hit right above her knees and her long honey-colored hair was pulled back away from a spectacular face. And even though she was a little breathless, he could see she was also a little irritated with his presence.
“You scared me,” she said finally.
“I got that,” he confirmed. “Are you all right?”
She just stared at him for a moment. “Seriously?”
“Okay, stupid question,” he said with a chuckle. “Still, can I…can I get you something? Are you lost? Is there someone I can call for you?”
Her arms dropped to her sides and she sighed. “Sorry. I just needed a moment alone. And…well…I didn’t realize anyone was in here. Again…sorry. I’ll just be on my way.”
She turned to leave and yet oddly enough, Max wasn’t quite ready to see her go. “So…do you often break into tool sheds to yell at inanimate objects?” He was going for light and teasing and was relieved when she smiled at him.
Then she laughed.
And it was rich and throaty and…wow. How was it possible for a laugh to be sexy?
“This was my first time,” she said, ducking her head.
“Well if you ever need to do it again, just let me know. Normally the doors are locked but we have several other storage area options for you to choose from here at Casa Blanca.”
She laughed softly and met his gaze. Her eyes were the color of dark chocolate and even though she was smiling, he saw a hint of sadness there. “I appreciate the offer and I may take you up on it.”
“How long are you staying at the resort?”
She looked at him oddly and then said, “I’m not a guest. I work here.”
That was a surprise. Although the size of the resort made it difficult to know everyone, Max was certain he would have remembered seeing her before. “Oh. I didn’t…I guess I never…” Then he cleared his throat and wondered when the hell the last time was that he’d gotten so tongue-tied. “I’m Max Santos, by the way. I manage the grounds here.”
Her eyes went wide for a moment and then her expression went neutral. “Hi, Max,” she said softly. “I’m Ellie Shaw. I’m working with Barefoot Brides.”
“Ah…the wedding girls.”
“The wedding girls?” she repeated.
Max chuckled and raked a hand through his hair. “Um…yeah. That’s sort of how I refer to them. They’re always bustling around and for a while I couldn’t remember their names so I started calling them the wedding girls. It fit.”
“Oh…um…okay.” Ellie was still studying him as if she were trying to figure out if she knew him. Actually, he was beginning to think the same thing about her.
“So if you’re working with the weddings here, I’m guessing you live local. Are you a native of Mimosa Key?”
“Not a native, but I’ve lived here on and off since 2004. My family moved here when I was a sophomore in high school.”
“Ah…so you’re a Mimosa High graduate,” he said, pleased. “Why haven’t I seen you at any of the reunions?”
“Like I said, I’ve lived here on and off. After high school, I moved to upstate New York to go to college and stayed up there for a couple of years after I graduated.”
“So what brought you back to Mimosa Key?”
Max saw her hesitate and figured it was a personal question. “Sorry, it’s really none of my business,” he said quickly. Sliding his hands into his pockets, he took a step back and figured he really should get back to work. “Anyway, like I said, if you need a place to let off some steam, there are plenty of options.”
She seemed to relax a bit at his change of subject.
“Thanks, Max,” she said, smiling again.
“No problem.” He walked over and opened the doors and squinted at the bright sunlight. The weather was perfect today; there was a light breeze, the temperatures were mild and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
Perfect.
He held the door open for her and watched as she walked out and seemed to look around to get her bearings. “If you follow this path to the end and turn left, it will take you around the business offices of the resort. There’s a glass door that should take you right to the Barefoot Brides offices.”
“Thanks, Max. The property is a bit massive and I’m still finding my way around. It was sort of dumb luck I even found my way here.”
That wasn’t what he’d call it, but he wasn’t about to argue with her. “Welcome to Casa Blanca, Ellie. I hope I’ll see you around again.”
“Thanks again, Max,” she smiled as she turned and walked away.
And Max was more than happy to admire the soft sway of her hips as she did.