Chapter Fifteen
When Ransom turned, his gaze met Ava’s across the pool deck, and his eyes widened, almost as if he was shocked to see her. Then a lady-killer smile curved his lips, and his eyes—God, his eyes seemed to touch every part of her, lighting a fire in her.
Just when she thought he’d approach, he saluted her and headed toward the kitchen, where Fernsby was most likely taking over the preparations as if he were the master chef, and Gabby would be adding last-minute touches to the wedding cake. Her sister would fiddle and fiddle until she achieved perfection, even if it took hours.
Only as she exhaled did Ava realize she’d been holding her breath during the entire wordless exchange that felt as if it said so much.
Clustered with Kelsey Collins, Tasha Summerfield, Charlie, Will’s wife, Harper, and Cammie, Ava was suddenly brought back to the moment as Kelsey said, “Well, that was the sweetest thing—champagne as a wedding gift.” The news had swiftly made the rounds of the guests.
Ava liked Kelsey, Evan Collins’s sister, her blond hair curled expertly for the wedding, when normally she wore it straight.
But it was Cammie who said, “I’ve always liked Ransom. He’s just so easy and accommodating to work with.”
Why did they have to be talking about Ransom? Ava’s heart still felt as if it were fluttering away after him.
Then Cammie asked, “How’s it going with your catering problem?”
It was almost a relief to spend a few minutes explaining to the other ladies about firing her catering company. “Ransom has jumped in with both feet. It’s really taken a load off my mind. The menus he’s created are really good.”
Kelsey nudged Tasha. “Of course he creates fabulous menus. Just like he has for the wedding.” Then she smiled with a knowing look, as if she sensed something was going on between Ava and Ransom. Kelsey could sniff out even the tiniest hint of romance in the air.
But they were right. What Ransom had done for Rosie and Gideon was so sweet. She felt as though he was taking a pickax to the wall she was trying to keep high between them, and another chunk was falling away.
“He really is a great guy,” Tasha said, flipping her long, silky black hair over her shoulder. Ava expected Tasha and Daniel Spencer to announce an engagement any day now. After all, love was in the air.
She didn’t allow herself to blush. “He’s been very accommodating.” It was the best word Ava could think of without actually gushing. And without telling them about the amazing day she and Ransom had spent together—the traffic jam, Supermart, Motel Y, pancakes the next morning, and dinner at his restaurant. The details were too new to share, too sensitive, her feelings too perplexing.
Harper added in her sweet voice, “The two of you look so good together.”
Against her will, Ava’s cheeks heated, even as she was shaking her head. Before she could get out the word no, the other ladies were chiming in. “I mean,” Charlie said, “we know how intimidated most men are by you because you’re so brilliant and successful. But you wouldn’t have that problem with Ransom.”
“Of course it wouldn’t be an issue,” Kelsey agreed. “He’s like the most famous chef in the whole country.” She winked. “Even the whole world.”
A nervous heat wave washed through her body, and Ava grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, downing half of it in one gulp.
All the women were eyeing her now.
“Wait.” Kelsey’s eyes glittered with interest. “Is there a story here?”
She didn’t want to lie to them. And really, nothing was going on. Yet, even as another wave of heat suffused her body, it felt altogether different. It warmed her insides with a beautiful thought.
Maybe I have some new friends here.
They actually understood. She was a female executive who intimidated men. It was much like the discussion she’d had with Ransom the other day. She always had to be on guard, always had to look for ulterior motives, always had to fight for her right to be who she was instead of whatever “the man” wanted her to be.
But she didn’t have to be guarded with these women, and she was so happy to be included in their group, included in their lives. She didn’t have many female friends. She’d always had Gabby, but even though Gabby was her best friend, it was somehow different from having a friend you hadn’t grown up with.
She wanted this kind of friendship for Gabby too—friendship with women who respected you, even admired you.
She and Gabby were so often surrounded by men in their chosen careers. Even when socializing, which Ava did often as part of her job, many of her associations were with men. And their wives seemed to view her differently because she was part of the business world, a world that was open to them only on the periphery. She’d felt that sometimes they even looked down on her, like there was something wrong with her that she was married to her career and wasn’t a mother.
But all the Mavericks were career women as well as mothers and lovers, and they still included her. Maybe she was past throwing baby showers and birthday parties for the people at work as her only outlet for friendship.
This was totally different for her. And it actually felt wonderful.
But still, talking about Ransom? She wasn’t ready for that. “You all know my story,” she said with a smile, not wanting to lie to Kelsey or any of the women. “My brothers say I’m all work and no play.” She was sure at least one of them had said that at some point.
She was saved from saying more when Fernsby stepped from the kitchen, clapped his hands, and called out in that delightful drone of his, “Dinner is ready to be served. Please take your seats.” His tone of voice added, immediately.
While the guests mingled on the pool patio and the deck, the head table had been set up in the gazebo where Rosie and Gideon had said their vows. The servers had transformed the grassy area, unfolding round tables and dressing them with damask tablecloths, silverware, and crystal.
Each of the women was whisked away by her amazing man. Kelsey’s older brother Evan insisted she join him at the Collins family table. And Cammie linked arms with Ava, the two of them sitting down with her brothers.
Clay leaned forward past Dane to ask, “Where’s Gabby?”
“She’s inside, putting the finishing touches on the wedding cake,” Ava told him.
Troy snorted a laugh. “She can’t leave that thing alone. Have you seen it?”
Dane answered for all of them, “I’d rather have a surprise when she and Fernsby bring it out.”
Clay’s date pulled out a chair, obviously having spent the last fifteen minutes freshening her makeup—or hiding out.
At each place setting sat a card saying, If you have any allergies or foods you cannot eat, please keep this card in front of you and you will be accommodated.
Of course, Ransom wouldn’t have had time to learn who could eat what. He wouldn’t even have had time to figure out how many to make of each entrée.
Across the table, Clay’s date slapped the little card on the table in front of her after reading it.
But Clay turned his over. Then he laughed. “Do you see what it says on the back?”
They all picked up their cards while Clay read aloud. “If you tear up this card, your meal will be a surprise. And you take what you get.” He tore it up. So did the rest of the family. Everyone except his date.
Laughter rang out around the garden as everyone else obviously read the back. At the head table, Rosie and Gideon leaned close, reading together and wiping away tears of laughter.
That was Ransom. He’d found a way to infuse humor into a difficult situation.
The servers hustled out carrying huge trays, and the soup placed in front of her was lobster bisque. Cammie was served asparagus soup, and Dane received carrot soup, which were both wonderful, especially made by Ransom. But lobster bisque was one of Ava’s favorites, and she was ecstatic at the surprise set in front of her.
As a server bent to say something softly to Clay’s date, she shook her head almost violently and waved away anything he might have given her.
When everyone had gobbled down the delicious soups, the army of servers carried away the dishes, and trays of salad came out next.
Once again, after Clay’s date had turned everything down, her server asked politely, “Is there anything else I can bring instead? Whatever you’d like can be accommodated.”
The young woman looked up at him gratefully. “Just kale, with only oil and vinegar.”
Clay simply smiled at her as the man rushed away.
Ava glanced down at her salad, dressed up with candied pecans and blue cheese. Ransom had always made the best dressing, sweet yet tangy.
She finished faster than anyone, right down to the last bite of greens, every element once again one of her favorites. Was the salad on the menus Ransom prepared? She’d have to ask him. Her residents would love it.
As the salad plates disappeared, the servers returned once again with entrées.
Ava felt herself drooling over the scallops in a white wine sauce. Sitting on a bed of herbed black rice, they were accompanied by crispy brussels sprouts in a spicy-sweet glaze of maple syrup and sriracha.
The two other offerings were chicken tenders prepared coq au vin style, and bacon-wrapped beef tournedos in béarnaise sauce. Dane leaned over Cammie’s beef and whispered loudly, “Wouldn’t you rather have the coq au vin, darling?”
She pushed his hand away. “Don’t you dare touch my beef.” They spent the meal trying to steal bites off each other’s plates.
The reality hit Ava with her first scallop and half a brussels sprout spitted on her fork.
Good God.
Everything on Ransom’s menu was a favorite of hers. Like the sand dabs he’d prepared for her on Friday. He’d remembered every favorite, from the variety of soups to the salad with candied pecans and blue cheese to the scallops and brussels sprouts, the coq au vin, and the beef béarnaise.
None of which she’d had in ages—at least, not the way Ransom prepared them. And maybe not even since she’d been with him.
Yet he’d remembered every single thing she loved.
She thought about the appetizers too—the blackened fish, the quiche, the shrimp in a tangy cocktail sauce. Everything she loved.
This entire feast was a culinary love letter… to her.
* * *
The meal went off without a hitch. Ransom was pleased. For Clay’s date, who couldn’t seem to eat anything, he’d prepared marinated tofu over a bed of brown rice with peas, carrots, and beans. He’d wondered if she’d turn up her nose at the marinade, but the woman had smiled and said it was delicious.
After making sure Gideon and Rosie were pleased, he’d strolled among the tables to confirm that everyone was satisfied.
Between conversations, he’d watched Ava. She’d loved every bite. She’d even gazed with envious eyes at Cammie’s beef and Dane’s coq au vin. But he’d known the scallops would work best for her, and the brussels sprouts in maple and sriracha would blow her mind.
He’d made sure all the champagne glasses were filled for the speeches and toasts, then the DJ had called out the first dances. Now everyone was rocking on the dance floor, Gideon and Rosie in the center wrapped in each other’s arms.
Ava was still seated, laughing with Troy and Gabby, while Dane had lured Cammie onto the floor. Just before dinner, Ransom had shot Ava that smoldering look, damn near undressing her with his gaze. Then he’d let her stew in that all through his special meal.
But now it was his turn. One dance with Ava, the luscious feel of her in his arms. Oh yeah.
He never made it. Will Franconi slugged him playfully on the arm. “This champagne is delicious.” He held up a bottle he’d snagged. “La Chapelle.” He narrowed his eyes at Ransom. “How did I not know about this? I mean, I’m the importer here. But I missed it. Where’d you find it?”
“On my last scouting trip for wines in the Loire Valley. I couldn’t resist a jaunt to the Champagne region. You like it?” He truly wanted to know. Will’s superpower was finding the next big thing that people would go nuts over.
Will let his mouth drop open. “Are you kidding? My clients will love this. How expensive is it? The higher the price, the better.”
Ransom glanced at Gideon and Rosie on the dance floor. “Let’s discuss the price later.”
Will slapped his shoulder. “Good idea. Let’s get together. You and I can make this champagne bigger than any other. What do you think?”
“I’ll make sure they can keep up with the demand.”
His gaze drifted to Ava, her hair shining in the late afternoon sun, her skin glowing against the burgundy of her sexy dress. His gaze had drifted to her often. She was like a magnet for him.
Will eyed him. “Now you’ve got me wondering exactly who you did all this for. The bride and groom? Or…” His gaze rested on Ava.
Just as Ransom’s had done for the past ten minutes. Honestly, for the entire wedding.
Ransom gave Will a smile. He wasn’t about to reveal anything.
But Will winked. “No need to answer. I already figured it out. All those longing glances.” He waggled his eyebrows and put a hand on Ransom’s shoulder, almost in solidarity. “Good luck. If it helps you to know this at all, it took me a hell of a long time to convince Harper. In fact, all of us guys had a hard time with our special women. But you know, it’s like they say—the harder you have to work for something, the greater it is when you finally get what you’ve been waiting for your whole life.”
Then he sauntered off to find Harper, the woman for whom he’d searched his whole life.
It was as if the man had laid down the gauntlet for Ransom, commiserating and at the same time making him question whether he could actually pull this off.
Or if he’d screw things up again and let Ava get away.
* * *
Ransom had missed his chance to dance with Ava. She was out on the floor dancing with several of the women, her gorgeous hair flying, her smile one of the happiest he’d seen in recent days. She seemed at home with the Mavericks—the whole Harrington family did. And he relished watching her cut loose, enjoying herself.
Will had found Harper, and after making the rounds of the reception, talking with Susan and Bob, the Mavericks, Cammie and Dane, and more, they’d joined in the dancing too. A slow, close dance in each other’s arms even though the music was fast.
Ransom was pleased with another business deal in the making. He and Will had often collaborated on interesting imports, joining in lucrative ventures.
He checked his watch. Almost time for the cake reveal. But before he turned toward the kitchen, he saw Clay Harrington bearing down on him, his girlfriend or date or whatever she was nowhere to be seen. Such a glower tensed Clay’s face that Ransom said, “Everything okay, buddy?”
Clay seemed so worked up that the only words he could get out were, “Yeah. Sure. Great.” Then he pointed a finger, almost stabbed it at Ransom’s chest. “I need to talk to you.”
“Okay. I’m right here.”
A thunderstorm passed over Clay’s face as they moved away from the main body of wedding revelers. Ransom had never worked with Clay. Most of his business dealings were with Dane and the resorts. But he knew the family, he knew that look on Clay’s face, and he suspected what was coming before Clay even got the words out.
The man scowled. “What’s going on between you and Ava?” Just as the Mavericks were protective of their younger sister, Lyssa, the Harrington brothers were protective of their sisters too. Which was why Ava had never wanted to reveal their relationship.
So maybe Will wasn’t the only one who’d noticed all those longing glances. Ransom did it even now, his gaze involuntarily shooting to Ava on the dance floor. Before he could say a word, Clay read his expression and stepped into his personal space, his pointed finger hovering right before Ransom’s nose. “You hurt her, and you don’t just answer to me, you answer to my whole family, and that includes the Mavericks.”
Then he turned abruptly on his heel, without even letting Ransom reply, and stalked off toward Dane.
Ransom once again glanced toward the dance floor in search of Ava. Always looking for her. And he was met by Will’s wink, before the man saluted him with his champagne glass.
All that talking Will had done with this Maverick and that Maverick? Well, damn. The man had a big mouth, and he’d probably whispered his suspicions about Ransom and Ava to anyone who’d listen. Sebastian was looking at him too. Assessing.
After grabbing a glass of champagne off the tray of a passing waiter, he stalked to Will and Harper. “You’ve been talking, haven’t you?” The Mavericks were a bunch of gossips. And the rumor had obviously spread fast. Straight to Clay.
Will widened his eyes in mock affront. “Me? Talking? About what?”
“You don’t fool me, Franconi.” He shook his head sadly, as if he couldn’t believe it.
A smile broadened across Will’s face. “The truth is—” He paused a beat. “—the butler did it.” Beside him, Harper giggled.
Ransom wanted to laugh. He wanted to clap.
He wanted to rush to Ava, catch her up in his arms, and carry her off like a Neanderthal.
But the Mavericks would have a field day with that.
And Clay would probably punch him.