Single Dad's Holiday Wedding
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Patricia Thayer
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14
Chapter One
SHE still wasn’t sure if coming here was a good idea.
Lorelei Hutchinson drove along First Street to the downtown area of the small community of Destiny, Colorado. She reached the historic square and parked her rental car in an angled spot by a huge three-tiered fountain. The centerpiece of the brick-lined plaza was trimmed with a hedge and benches for visitors. A pathway led to a park where children were playing.
She got out, wrapped her coat sweater tighter against the cold autumn temperature and walked closer to watch the water cascade over the marble structure. After nearly twenty years many of her memories had faded, but some were just as vivid as if they’d happened yesterday.
One Christmas she remembered the fountain water was red, the giant tree decorated with multicolored lights and ornaments and everyone singing carols. She had a family then.
A rush of emotions hit her when she recalled being in this exact spot, holding her father’s hand as he took her to the park swings. One of the rare occasions she’d spent time with the man. He’d always been too busy building his empire. Too busy for his wife and daughter. So many times she had wanted just a little of his attention, his love. She never got it.
Now it was too late. Lyle Hutchinson was gone.
With a cleansing breath, she turned toward the rows of storefront buildings. She smiled. Not many towns had this step-back-into-the-nineteen-thirties look, but it seemed that Destiny was thriving.
The wind blew dried leaves as she crossed the two-lane street and strolled past Clark’s Hardware Store and Save More Pharmacy, where her mother took her for candy and ice cream cones as a child. A good memory. She sure could use some of those right now.
There was a new addition to the block, a bridal shop called Rocky Mountain Bridal Shop. She kept walking, past an antiques store toward a law office with the name Paige Keenan Larkin, Attorney at Law, stenciled on the glass.
She paused at the door to the office. This was her father’s town, not hers. Lyle Hutchinson had made sure of that. That was why she needed someone on her side. She pushed the door open and a bell tinkled as she walked into the reception area.
The light coming through the windows of the storefront office illuminated the high ceilings and hardwood floors that smelled of polish and age, but also gave off a homey feeling.
She heard the sound of high heels against the bare floors as a petite woman came down the long hall. She had dark brown hair worn in a blunt cut that brushed her shoulders. A white tailored blouse tucked into a black shirt gave her a professional look.
A bright smile appeared. “Lorelei Hutchinson? I’m Paige Larkin. Welcome home.”
* * *
After exchanging pleasantries, Lori was ushered into a small conference room to find a middle-aged man seated at the head of the table, going through a folder. No doubt, her father’s attorney.
He saw her and stood. “Lorelei Hutchinson, I’m Dennis Bradley.”
She shook his offered hand. “Mr. Bradley.”
When the lawyer phoned her last week, and told her of her father’s sudden death and that she’d been mentioned in his will, she was shocked about both. She hadn’t seen or talked with her father since she’d been seven years old.
All Lori was hoping for now was that she could come into town today, sign any papers for Lyle’s will and leave tomorrow.
The middle-aged attorney began, “First of all, Lorelei, I want to express my condolences for your loss. Lyle wasn’t only my business associate, but my friend, too.” He glanced at Paige and back at her. “I agreed to see you today knowing your reluctance. Your father wanted the formal reading of his will at Hutchinson House tomorrow.”
Great. Not the plans she had. “Mr. Bradley, as you know, I haven’t seen my father in years. I’m not sure why you insisted I come here.” He’d sent her the airline ticket and reserved a rental car. “If Lyle Hutchinson left me anything, couldn’t you have sent it to me?”
The man frowned. “As I explained on the phone, Ms. Hutchinson, you’re Lyle’s sole heir.” He shook his head. “And that’s all I’m at liberty to say until tomorrow at the reading of the will. Please just stay until then. Believe me, it will benefit not only you, but this town.”
Before she could comprehend or react to the news, the door opened and another man walked into the room. He looked her over and said, “So the prodigal daughter finally made it to town.”
The big man had a rough edge to him, his dark hair a little on the shaggy side. He was dressed in charcoal trousers and a collared shirt, minus the tie. His hooded blue-eyed gaze fringed by spiky black lashes didn’t waver from her.
Paige stood. “Jace, you shouldn’t be here. This is a private meeting between me and my client.”
He didn’t retreat. “I just wanted to make sure she doesn’t take the money and run. Lyle had obligations he needed to fulfill before that happens.”
Lori wasn’t sure how to handle this—Jace’s attack. But having heard of her father’s shrewd business deals, she wasn’t surprised by the man’s anger.
“I’m Lorelei Hutchinson, Mr....”
He stepped closer. “Yeager. Jace Yeager. Your father and I were partners on a construction project until I realized Lyle pulled one over on me.”
“Jace,” Bradley warned. “Work stopped because of Lyle’s death.”
The man made a snorting sound. “It wouldn’t have if Lyle had put his share of money into the business account in the first place.” He glared at Lori. “Sorry if my impatience bothers you, but I’ve been waiting nearly three weeks and so have my men.”
“Be patient a little while longer,” Bradley told him. “Everything should be resolved tomorrow.”
That didn’t appease Mr. Yeager. “You don’t understand. I can’t keep the project site shut down indefinitely, or I go broke.” He turned that heated look on her and she oddly felt a stirring. “It seems tomorrow you’re coming into all the money. I want you to know that a chunk of that belongs to me.”
Lori fought a gasp. “Look, Mr. Yeager, I don’t know anything about your partnership with Lyle, but I’ll have Paige look into it.”
Jace Yeager had to work hard to keep himself under control. Okay, so he wasn’t doing a very good job. When he’d heard that Lorelei Hutchinson was coming today, he only saw red. Was she going to stroll in here, grab her daddy’s money and take off? He wasn’t going to be on the losing end with a woman again.
Not when his business was on the chopping block, along with his and Cassie’s future. Just about every dime he had was wrapped up in this project. And it was already coming to the end of October as it was, with only bad weather on the horizon. It needed to be completed without any more delays.
Jace looked over Lyle’s daughter. The pretty blonde with big brown eyes stared back at him. She had a clean-scrubbed look with a dusting of freckles across her nose, and very little makeup.
Okay, she wasn’t what he expected, but he’d been wrong about women before. And the last thing he wanted to do was work for her. After his ex-wife, he wasn’t going to let another woman have all the control.
He looked at Bradley. “What does Lyle’s will say?”
“It won’t be read until tomorrow.”
Lori saw Jace Yeager’s frustration, and felt obligated to say, “Maybe then we’ll have some news about the project.”
He glared. “There’s no doubt I will. I might not have your father’s money, Ms. Hutchinson, but I’ll fight to keep what’s mine.”
Jace Yeager turned and stormed out right past a tall redheaded woman who was rushing in. “Oh, dear,” she said, “I was hoping I could get here in time.” Her green eyes lit up when she saw Lori. “Hi, I’m Morgan Keenan Hilliard.”
“Lori Hutchinson,” Lori said as she went to shake Morgan’s hand.
“It’s nice to meet you. As mayor, I wanted to be here to welcome you back to town, and to try and slow down Jace. Not an easy job.”
Since Paige and Bradley had their heads together going over papers, they walked out into the hall. “I’m not sure if you remember me.”
“I remember a lot about Destiny. Like you and your sisters. You were a little older than I was in school, but everyone knew about the Keenan girls.”
Morgan smiled. “And of course being Lyle’s daughter, everyone knew of you, too. I hope you have good memories of our town.”
Except for her parents’ marriage falling apart, along with her childhood. “Mostly, especially the decorated Christmas tree in the square. Do you still do that?”
Morgan smiled. “Oh, yes and it’s grown bigger and better every year.” She paused. “Our mom said you have a reservation at the inn for tonight.”
She nodded. “I don’t feel right about staying at the house.”
The redhead gripped her hand. “You don’t have to explain. I only want your visit here to be as pleasant as possible. If there is anything else, any details about your father’s funeral.”
Lori quickly shook her head. “Not now.”
Morgan quickly changed the subject. “Look, I know Jace isn’t giving you a very good impression at the moment, but he’s having some trouble with the Mountain Heritage complex.”
“I take it my father was involved in it, too.”
Morgan waved her hand. “We can save that discussion for another time. You need to rest after your trip. Be warned, Mom will ask you to dinner...with the family.”
Lori wasn’t really up to it. She wanted a room and a bed, and to make a quick call back home to her sister.
Morgan must have sensed it. “It’s only the family and no business, or probing questions. We’ll probably bore you to death talking about kids.”
Lori relaxed. She truly didn’t want to think about what would happen tomorrow.
“You’re right. That’s what I need tonight.”
* * *
That evening as Jace was driving to the Keenan Inn, he came to the conclusion that he’d blown his chance earlier today. He tapped his fist against the steering wheel, angry about the entire mess.
“Daaad, you’re not listening.”
Jace looked in the rearview mirror to the backseat. “What, sweetie?”
“Do I look all right?”
He glanced over his shoulder. His daughter, Cassandra Marie Yeager, was a pretty girl. She had on stretchy jean pants that covered coltish long legs and a pink sweater that had ruffles around the hem. Her long blond hair had curled around her face with a few tiny braids. Something she’d talked him into helping with.
“You look nice. But you always do.”
“We’re going to Ellie’s grandmother’s house. Ellie Larkin is my best friend.”
“I think she’ll like your outfit.”
“What about my hair?”
“Honey, I’ve always loved your blond curls. The braids are a nice touch.”
That brought a big smile to her face and a tightening in his throat. All he ever wanted was for her to be happy.
When they’d moved here six months ago, it hadn’t been easy for her. He still only had temporary custody of his daughter. It was supposed to be only during the time when her mother remarried a guy from England. Jace had different plans. He wanted to make Cassie’s life here with him permanent. Optimistic that could happen, he went out and bought a run-down house with horse property. Although it needed a lot of work, it felt like the perfect home for them. A couple horses helped coax his seven-year-old daughter into adjusting a little faster to their new life.
A life away from a mother who’d planned to take his Cassie off to Europe. He was so afraid that his little girl would end up in boarding school and he’d only get to see her on holidays.
No, he wouldn’t let that happen. A product of the foster care system himself, he’d always longed for a home and family. It hadn’t worked out with ex-wife Shelly, and that mistake cost him dearly—a big divorce settlement that had nearly wiped him out. Jace hadn’t cared about the money, not if he got his daughter. He only hoped they weren’t going to be homeless anytime soon.
His thoughts turned to Lorelei Hutchinson. He didn’t like how he reacted to her. Why had she angered him so much? He knew why. She had nothing to do with Lyle’s business dealings. But she was due to inherit a lot of money tomorrow, and he could be handed the shaft at the same time. It could cost him everything that mattered. His daughter. No, he wouldn’t let that happen.
He pulled up in front of the beautiful three-story Victorian home painted dove-gray with white shutters and trim. The Keenan Inn was a historical landmark, a bed-and-breakfast that was also the home of Tim and Claire Keenan. Jace had heard the story about how three tiny girls had been left with them to raise as their own. That would be Morgan, Paige and Leah. After college all three returned to Destiny to marry and raise their own families.
Right now there was someone else staying in the inn—Lorelei Hutchinson. Somehow he had to convince her that this downtown project needed to move forward. Not only for him, but also for Destiny.
Just then Tim Keenan came out the front door, followed closely by some of their grandkids, Corey, Ellie and Kate.
His daughter grabbed her overnight bag and was out of the car before he could say anything. He climbed out, too.
Tim Keenan waved from the porch. “Hello, Jace.”
“Hi, Tim.” He walked toward him. “Thank you for inviting Cassie to the sleepover. I think she’s getting tired of her father’s bad company.”
“You have a lot on your mind.”
Tim was in his early sixties, but he looked a lot younger. His wife was also attractive, and one of the best cooks in town. He knew that because the Keenans had been the first to stop by when he and Cassie moved into their house. They’d brought enough food for a week.
“Hey, why don’t you stay for supper, too?”
He wasn’t surprised by the invitation. “Probably not a good idea. I don’t think I made much of an impression on Ms. Hutchinson.”
The big Irishman grinned. “Have faith, son, and use a little charm. Give Paige a chance to help resolve this.” They started toward the door, as Tim continued, “I’m concerned about Lorelei. She wasn’t very old, maybe seven, when her parents divorced. Lyle wrote them off, both his ex-wife and his daughter. As far as I know, he never visited her. Now, she has to deal with her estranged father’s mess.”
Jace felt his chest tighten because this woman’s scenario hit too close to home. “That’s the trouble with divorce, it’s the kids who lose.”
They stepped through a wide front door with an etched glass oval that read Keenan Inn and into the lobby. The walls were an ecru color that highlighted the heavy oak wainscoting. A staircase with a hand-carved banister was open all the way to the second floor. All the wood, including the hardwood floors, were polished to a high gloss. He suspected he wasn’t the only one who was an expert at restoration.
“This house still amazes me,” he said.
“Thanks,” Tim acknowledged. “It’s been a lot of work over the years, but so worth it. The bed-and-breakfast has allowed me to spend more time with Claire and my girls.”
Jace shook his head. “I can’t imagine having three daughters.”
Keenan’s smile brightened. “You have one who gives you joy. I’m a lucky man, I tripled that joy.” Tim sobered. “Too bad Lyle didn’t feel the same about his child. Maybe we wouldn’t be having this conversation tonight.”
The sound of laughter drifted in from the back of the house. “That sounds encouraging,” Tim said. “Come on, son. Let’s go enjoy the evening.”
They walked through a large dining room with several small tables covered in white tablecloths for the inn’s guests. They continued through a pantry and into a huge kitchen.
Okay, Jace was impressed. There was a large working area with an eight-burner cooktop and industrial-sized oven and refrigerator, and all stainless steel counters, including the prep station. On one side a bank of windows showed the vast lawn and wooded area out back and, of course, a view of the San Juan Mountains. A group of women were gathered at the large round table. He recognized all of them. Morgan because she was married to his good friend Justin Hilliard, another business owner in town. Paige he’d met briefly before today. The petite blonde was Leah Keenan Rawlins. She lived outside of town with her rancher husband, Holt.
And Lorelei.
Tonight, she seemed different, more approachable. She was dressed in nice-fitting jeans, a light blue sweater and a pair of sneakers on her feet. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and it brushed her shoulders when she turned her head. She looked about eighteen, which meant whatever he was feeling about her was totally inappropriate.
Those rich, chocolate-brown eyes turned toward him and her smile faded. “Mr. Yeager?”
He went to the group. “It’s Jace.”
“And I go by Lori,” she told him.
He didn’t want to like her. He couldn’t afford to, not with his future in the balance. “Okay.”
“Oh, Jace.” Claire Keenan came up to them. “Good, you’re able to stay for dinner. We don’t get to see enough of you.” She smiled. “I get to see your daughter when I volunteer at school.”
He nodded. “And I’m happy Ellie and Cassie are friends. Thank you for including her in the kids’ sleepovers.” He glanced out the window to see his daughter running around with the other children. Happy. “Your granddaughter Ellie helped Cassie adjust to the move here.”
Claire’s smile was warm. “We all want to make sure you both got settled in and are happy.”
That all depended on so many things, he thought. “You’ve certainly done that.”
The older woman turned to Lori. “I wish I could talk you into staying longer. One day isn’t much time.” Claire looked back at Jace. “Lori is a second grade teacher in Colorado Springs.”
Lori didn’t want to correct Claire Keenan. She had been a second grade teacher before she’d been laid off last month. So she didn’t mind that her dear father had decided to leave her a little something. It would be greatly appreciated.
But, no, she couldn’t stay. Only long enough to finish up Lyle’s unfinished business. She hoped that would be concluded by tomorrow.
Claire excused herself. Tim arrived, handed them both glasses of wine and wandered off, too, leaving them alone.
Lori took a sip of wine, trying not to be too obvious as she glanced at the large-built man with the broad shoulders and narrow waist. No flab there. He definitely did physical work for a living.
“How long have you lived in Destiny, Mr.... Jace?”
“About six months, and I’m hoping to make it permanent.”
She didn’t look away. “I’m sure things will be straightened out tomorrow.”
“I’m glad someone is optimistic.”
She sighed. “Look, can’t we put this away for the evening? I’ve had a long day.”
He studied her with those deep blue eyes. “If you’d rather I leave, I will. I was only planning to drop my daughter off.”
In the past few hours Lori had learned more about Jace Yeager. She knew that Lyle probably had the upper hand with the partnership. “As long as you don’t try to pin me down on something I know nothing about. It isn’t going to get us anywhere except frustrated.”
He raised his glass in salute. “And I’m way beyond that.”
