Page 7 of Theo (Stone Brothers #6)

SIX

LACEY

M y eyes opened in the dark room, but I knew from the sounds and commotion downstairs that it was morning.

The blackout shades on the bedroom had blotted out any sunlight.

I got up to open one of the shades and braced myself for that crazy transition that you felt when walking out of a three-hour movie.

I squinted and waited for my eyes to adjust to the light.

It was a gorgeous spring day, and the weather app assured us that it would be the absolute perfect weekend for a wedding.

As the bride, that should have made me giddy with joy, but I just didn't care.

All I wanted was for this lavish, long festival to end.

George was right. Once we were alone on our honeymoon and an ocean away from his mom, I'd feel much better.

It would also give us some private time to discuss some of the things that had become issues between us, like where we'd live and my job.

George had a busy career, and all his choices were his own.

His parents had unsuccessfully tried to convince him to go into plastic surgery because "that was where the real money was.

" It was something I heard both his parents say often, and I always wondered what they meant by real money.

After getting to know them, I understood.

Real money was the kind of money that let you buy a massive yacht that you only stepped foot on once a year.

Real money let you toss out millions of dollars for a wedding weekend without a second thought to budget.

Real money was having a staff on hand to take care of all your needs and then never actually learning the names of those very same people because they didn't have real money, only the paltry salary you paid them.

George's decision to specialize in cardiac surgery disappointed his parents, but he'd earned big points with me.

He chose to help save lives rather than give women big breasts and high cheekbones.

Not that cardiac surgery didn't provide real money, and as young as George was, he was already making a name for himself in the field.

And somehow, I'd managed to land the man. I needed to try harder today.

The wedding would be over soon, and George and I would start our new life together.

Time to put the past in the past. I'd been spending too much time daydreaming about my life in Trayton.

I'd worked hard in high school to get into a good college and start my career in law, somewhere else, somewhere more exciting than my hometown.

Back then, I'd never put together the hard truth about me going off to college and starting a new life.

It meant leaving behind Theo Stone. Theo was a Trayton boy, through and through.

He had this big, incredible family, and all of them were tied to Trayton.

They loved the town and rightly so. Stone was a well-known name in Trayton.

Theo's dad, Slade, and his two brothers, Hunter and Colt, had lived a legendary life that sometimes crossed into dangerous territory.

They were feared, loved and respected, but mostly respected.

A light knock on the door woke Oscar from his chorus of snores. He barked once.

"Come in," I said. Maria was the woman assigned to help me with whatever I needed.

She would be by my side when I got ready for the wedding.

She was a quilter in her spare time and had shown me photos of some incredible quilts she'd made for family members.

Her father was dying of lung cancer, and she and her sisters were working extra jobs to help pay for medical necessities.

Maria had round cheeks and a wide smile that showed off a charming small gap in her front teeth. She was carrying a tray with coffee, a croissant and some strawberries. "Mrs. Plunkett asked for the breakfast room to be cleared, so I grabbed you your favorites and some coffee."

"You're wonderful. Thank you. How is her mood this morning?" I asked. I didn't need to give a name. Maria knew exactly who I meant.

"She's tense and shouting lots of orders. We're all trying to avoid her."

"I don't blame you." I sipped the coffee. "Hmm, delicious. Thank you so much for thinking of me, Maria."

"Your final fitting is today at one."

I groaned. "I hate that kind of fuss. Have you seen George?"

Maria grew flustered at the question, which was an odd reaction. She started straightening the room and shrugged. "Passed him once," she said hastily, still not making eye contact.

I put down the cup of coffee. "Maria? Is something wrong?"

Maria shook her head a little fervently and finally looked at me. "I think he was on his way to the pool area." She forced a smile. Her whole demeanor had changed. I didn't want to fluster her more so I dropped the subject.

"Anything else?" she asked. "I've promised the kitchen staff I'd lend a hand. Mrs. Plunkett has them scurrying around like squirrels on caffeine. She planned so many events this weekend."

"Yes, she did. I'm fine, Maria, and thank you for bringing me breakfast."

She hurried out, and I stared at the door wondering what had just happened.

I quickly replayed our interaction in my head to see if I'd said or done anything to upset her, but I'd only asked if she'd seen George.

I pushed the strange interaction out of my mind and headed in to shower and dress.

I was determined to march through the rest of this weekend with a polite smile and fortitude.

It would be over soon and then George and I would get on with our lives.

* * *

A few relatives had stayed the night, and it seemed almost everyone had gone out to the pool area.

That was where I expected to find George.

George Senior was sitting at a table under an umbrella chatting with his two brothers.

All of the Plunketts had done incredibly well.

George had mentioned they were all in investments and trade.

I had no idea what that meant, but it sounded like something that would bring in gobs of cash.

The men were deep in conversation, so a friendly wave was all that was required of me.

I walked over to the lounges where George's Aunt Roberta and cousin Michelle were sitting.

Roberta was Joan's half-sister, and she was far more likable than Joan.

Her daughter Michelle was very shy and was always with a book.

This morning was no different. She looked up from her book just to say "morning. "

"Lacey, come sit next to us. We missed you at breakfast."

"Yes, I'm sorry. I overslept. It's those darn blackout curtains."

Roberta shaded her eyes with her hand to look up at me.

She was wearing a floral print bathing suit wrap that was so bright it was attracting bees.

"No one blames you for wanting to stay in bed, dear.

Joan has overbooked the weekend, and you need your rest before the big day.

Which is tomorrow! I can't believe little Georgie is getting married. "

"Speaking of George, have you seen him?"

"Gosh no, I haven't." Roberta looked over at Michelle. "Shelly, dear, did you see George?" Apparently, she was so lost in her book world she hadn't heard the conversation that was taking place directly over her.

Michelle looked up and considered the question as if she was trying to figure out who George was.

"Oh, for goodness' sake, Shelly." Roberta shook her head. "Always glued to a book."

I smiled because it was far from a bad thing to always be reading a book.

"I did see George. I think he was going out to the tennis courts. They had their rackets."

"They?" Roberta asked.

Michelle smiled apologetically. "I don't remember her name, but I think she works for Uncle Wendell.

Gabe was with them, too." Gabe Netherland was the best man and George's best friend from medical school.

The two were practically inseparable. I always figured Gabe would be around a lot and I didn't mind him.

He was smart and charming and George was always in a better mood when he was around.

I had no idea who the woman was because I'd paid very little attention to the guests. They were all a blur of strangers tossing names at me, names that I would never, ever remember.

"Why don't you join us?" Roberta asked. Again, she pointed out the lounge next to her.

"I'm not wearing enough sunscreen, and I need to talk to George. Enjoy your sunbathing … and your book," I added with a wink to Michelle.

I headed in the direction of the tennis courts.

The property was massive, and I was sure I could walk for hours and never find the end of it, but the courts and pool area were in the same section of land.

I stopped halfway along the path that led through a neatly planted garden, past a large stone fountain and eventually to the courts.

I looked to the east, where the massive tinted glass building had been constructed just for the wedding.

Two white vans were sitting next to it, and workers were moving flower baskets that were so massive it took three people to carry each inside.

Joan had chosen pink and white roses for the arrangements, and I had to admit they looked beautiful.

I continued to the courts. Large shade trees lined the north end of the tennis area.

I stepped through the trees and spotted George on the court.

I planned to bring up the two topics he lobbed at me yesterday.

I thought it would be best to clear the air and let him know that both those things still needed to be discussed when we had the time and privacy.

As I stepped out from the trees, I got a better view of the courts.

George was standing with his racket over his shoulder as he spoke to a woman with beautiful blonde hair.

It shined like gold in the sun and apparently George was admiring it too because he reached out and touched a strand.

I'd seen the woman in passing at last night's cocktail party.

She'd been wearing a tight pink dress and matching pink shoes.

Today she was clad in a tiny white skirt.

We were never introduced, but it seemed George knew her well.

Gabe stood with them, but he wasn't holding a racket.

The three spoke for a few minutes, then she giggled flirtatiously and tapped George's arm. She reached over and pinched Gabe's cheek. "You're both so darn cute," she said with another giggle. It was all very flirty. Then the woman dropped her racket over her shoulder and walked out

I stepped out from the trees as the woman sashayed past. "He's such a doll," she said to me and then continued on her way.

George looked as if someone had slapped him. "Lacey," he said, stunned. "What are you doing?" It was a quick, stupid question from someone who was feeling guilty.

"Just came out here to have a chat with my fiancé," I said airily. I smiled at Gabe. He looked slightly off balance too.

Gabe smoothed his hand over his neatly combed hair. "Well, I've had too much sun already this morning. I'll let the happy couple have a few minutes to themselves." Gabe's chuckle had a nervous edge. I had no idea what I'd walked into but it sure seemed they weren't expecting me to show up.

Gabe quickly followed the woman with the golden hair. I walked toward the courts but didn't step through the small gate. "That was interesting," I said, coldly.

George swung at air, practicing his backhand. "What do you mean?" He was cool as a cucumber now. "Diana just asked me to help her with her serve."

"Yes, of course. Her serve . I saw you touching her hair. Is there a serving move that requires hair fondling?"

George stopped and looked at me harshly. "You're being childish. It was nothing. There was a bug in her hair."

"A bug. Of course, my mistake. Well, I've had enough of the sunshine, too. I'm going back to my room to hibernate until …" I was about to say the wedding, but frankly, that damn ceremony seemed even more distasteful now.

I heard the gate snap shut. "Lacey," George said. His footsteps pounded behind me. "Lacey. Damnit, stop." He grabbed my arm and spun me around. "Look, you're just nervous and?—"

"Right but I don't think nerves make you hallucinate. I saw what I saw, my future husband flirting heavily with another woman. I suppose I wouldn't be the first bride-to-be to suffer that indignity. Happens all the time." I peered at him. "Even in snooty social circles, imagine that."

"You're crazy. There's absolutely nothing going on between Diana and me. I can't believe you jumped to that conclusion so fast. Or maybe you're just looking for a reason to be angry with me."

"I don't have to search that hard." I turned to leave, but he grabbed my arm again.

I yanked it free. "Don't touch me. I need to get out of the sun and away from you before my head explodes."

"C'mon, honey, don't be like that. Look, we're both just stressed. My mom overdid this, and I'm sorry. It should have just been the wedding and reception."

"You mean the simple outdoor on the beach ceremony and reception like I wanted?" I asked.

George raked his hair back. There were beads of sweat collecting on his forehead, which may have been from the heat or a result of my catching him with another woman, and I was sure tennis was not the main topic.

"We could still do your beach wedding after all this is done."

"Oh my god, do you actually think I would suffer another wedding after this debacle?"

He'd been working on his "But, honey" expression, but that disappeared and his face hardened. "Go upstairs. Get out of the sun, and hopefully, you'll have come to your senses by the time you come back downstairs."

"And what if I don't? Maybe Diana should try on my wedding dress just in case she needs some last-minute alterations."

"All right. We're done. Can't talk to you when you're like this.

" This time it was George who stormed off.

I stared at his tense back. His shoulders were rigid, and his steps were forceful.

Somehow, he'd managed to turn his indiscretion into something I'd done wrong.

I shook my head in disbelief. As a lawyer, I really needed to learn his technique.