Protecting Tessa (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Brotherhood Alliance #6)

Chapter 31

31

T essa left the bakery, the scent of lemon and sugar clinging to her clothes. The alleyway was quiet except for the sound of traffic on the main road. There were a few people shopping. She saw Titus leaning casually against the wall of his gym, arms crossed over his massive chest. Casual being the operative word for the guys in the Brotherhood. Nothing they did was by chance.

“Hey, Titus,” she said as she waved at him.

“Tessa,” he replied, scanning the area behind her. Emelia mentioned she was going to meet up with him later, so maybe he was on the lookout for her. Although for the past few weeks, the Brotherhood had eased off following her around since there had been no sightings of Marty or Damien or rumors about Malina. However, Tessa knew better than to believe quiet meant safe.

Ford would be home in two days, and she was looking forward to seeing him and getting her life back to normal. Well, normal could wait until after she jumped his bones.

Her apartment was calling her, and she desperately wanted to be in it.

The drive back to the cabin was pleasant, with a light wind swaying the pine trees. Sunlight streamed through the woods, and for the first time today, she relaxed. After realizing that Evan was not targeting her but was an antiques dealer, everything he said made sense.

She waved to Liam, who was just getting out of his cruiser, and drove down the gravel road.

The parking lot was full, so Melissa must have a training session going. Tessa pulled into the clearing by Ford’s cabin and cut the engine. After getting out of the car, she unlocked the cabin door and walked in. The silence felt unnatural.

Alone with her thoughts, Tessa made herself a cup of tea, pulled out a couple of cookies she’d frozen and thawed, and sat in the living room planning her next moves. First up was a call to Mia Whitmore.

She’d be meeting Simone at the next venue in a day and wanted to understand what Mia could or could not do.

Tessa pulled out her phone and googled Plated Perfection.

Somehow, she wasn’t surprised to see glowing reviews, especially after Emelia had recommended her.

The first picture to catch her eye was a small picture of Mia. She had shoulder-length honey-blond hair, an oval face, and a warm smile.

There was a romantic photo of a garden wedding with tiny lights strung above round tables with pastel tablecloths and rustic centerpieces. Another of a chic holiday event with a buffet of finger foods and another of a rustic event in an old barn with candlelit long wooden tables. Everything was perfect, not pretentious, and the food looked delicious.

“Wow. Emelia wasn’t kidding,” muttered Tessa. She dialed the phone number. It rang once. Twice. Then straight to voicemail. Tessa left a message, hoping to connect with Mia later in the day.

She already had Emelia on board, and if Mia agreed to help, this would elevate the event to something spectacular.

Tessa smiled. She could already envision the buzz of conversation, the tables of delicious and beautifully arranged food and desserts. Twinkling lights would set the perfect mood. It would be an event that would put her on the map. One that would seal her name as the event planner of the year.

Now she just had to wait for Mia to call back.

Tessa busied herself picking up around the cabin. Not that there was much to do, since she was the only one living there. She made a list of groceries Ford was out of and would pick them up after she met up with Simone.

She poured herself a cup of tea and sat on the sofa picking up a mystery novel she’d been reading. She was so engrossed in it that she almost didn’t hear her phone ring right away. It was in the kitchen, and she jumped up to answer it, hoping it was Ford.

“Hello.”

“Tessa? This is Mia Whitmore,” a cheerful woman’s voice said. “You called me earlier. How can I help you?”

Tessa explained how Emelia recommended her and about the event coming up. “Is there a chance you could come over today with sample menus?

“Um. I’m kind of busy right now,” Mia said.

Tessa was upset, but it had been the last minute. “Okay, I understand.”

“Oh! I have an idea,” Mia exclaimed. “I’m setting up for an event in two hours. Why don’t you stop by and you can see what I do?”

Tessa thought about that for a minute. It would be nice to get an idea of what Mia could do. She wasn’t doing anything right now or tonight, so why not?

“Give me the address. I’ll be there shortly.”

“Yeah. Can’t wait to meet you. Emelia has mentioned your name and suggested I contact you, so this is perfect,” Mia gushed.

Tessa wrote the information and grabbed her car keys. Things were looking up.

Getting into her car, she pulled up the address Mia had given her. It was in part of the historic section of town, a part she hadn’t explored yet.

After twenty minutes, she passed a small clubhouse and a sign that said, “Historic District.” Driving through the stately streets, it was fun to see the various homes, which ranged from three-story mansions to sprawling ranch houses. Soon she arrived at the address and parked in front of a two-story Mediterranean-style stucco house, with red roof tiles and arched windows. Bougainvillea cascaded down one corner, its bright pink blossoms welcoming.

Tessa followed the sound of voices coming from the backyard.

As she turned the corner, her breath caught.

In front of her, a sprawling white party tent with a peaked top, windows, and open sides overlooked a manicured lawn and Haywood Lake. The open sides of the tent looked out over lush greenery and swaying palm trees, while sunlight danced on the rippling water in the distance.

Twinkling lights were strung across the ceiling, casting a romantic glow. She went inside and saw several round tables adorned with crisp white linens, small floral arrangements in pink, white and green, and votive candles. Woven mats covered the floor.

They’d set up a bar in one corner, decorated with garlands of greenery, and a harpist warmed up in another corner. It was incredibly beautiful.

On the opposite wall was a long buffet table where she thought she saw Mia.

“Tessa! Hi.” A slender, blond woman waved enthusiastically and walked toward her. It was definitely Mia. She recognized her from her picture.

She greeted Tessa with a warm hug.

“Welcome. I’m so glad you made it.” Mia looked around. “Let’s sit over by the lake and you can tell me what you’re looking for.”

A pair of Adirondack chairs sat on the lawn overlooking the lake, and the two women sat.

“This is really special,” Tessa said as she took it all in. “Do you often do outdoor events?”

Mia shrugged. “Occasionally. Although it’s always easier doing an indoor venue.”

“True. Anyhow, let me tell you what I have. It’s an indoor event for the town’s animal shelter, and we’ll hold it in a party barn or similar location. Emelia is making desserts. If you’re available, I’d like you to cater it.”

“So you want something simple but elegant to impress?”

“Yes.”

Mia nodded thoughtfully and pulled out a small notebook from her apron pocket. “I think something along the line of what I’m serving today would be perfect, especially for high-end donors. First, I have hot and cold hors d’oeuvres. There are savory tartlets filled with goat cheese and caramelized onions, seared tuna bites served on a cucumber round with a dollop of wasabi, and roasted pear and brie crostini, as well as a grazing table with cheeses, olives, nuts, and spreads.”

“Yum!”

Mia smiled. “For the main course, I’m having a carving station with roasted chicken or beef tenderloin, a roasted vegetable tart for the vegetarians, garlic roasted potatoes and root veggies, and an artisan breadbasket.”

“I’m in!” teased Tessa. “Everything sounds perfect for this event.”

“I can adjust the menu so it fits into the theme.” Mia stood. “Come with me and you can sample some of the food. We’ve set up everything in the kitchen.”

“Great.” Tessa followed Mia into the house. The kitchen was larger than her apartment and Ford’s cabin, with every known stainless-steel appliance. The cabinets were off-white, black-veined white marble graced the countertops, and huge windows overlooked the backyard, letting in lots of natural light. It was spacious despite at least six people working in the kitchen.

Trays of appetizers were coming out of the oven. Mia picked up a small plate and placed a tartlet and crostini on it. She took out a few tuna on cucumber appetizers from the refrigerator and arranged them on the plate.

“Try these.” She handed the plate to Tessa.

Tessa took a bite of each, savoring the flavors, and moaned. “These are the best I’ve ever had.”

Mia grinned.

They talked for a few minutes, but Mia’s concentration was on the event. Tessa left after confirming that Mia would meet her at the event location the next day, now confident that the fundraiser would be a success with Mia and Emelia’s help.