Lets go. Agent Randolph dragged Eddie away by the arm.
Remember, you promised, Eddie shouted at Sean. Im counting on you.
The agents pushed Eddie into the back of the sedan, then roared off down the street. Sean glanced at his watch again. It wouldnt take him more than a half hour to deliver the message. After that, hed head back to his apartment, type out a final invoice and get it in the mail. By next week, he could have his money, and the week after that, he could start looking for a small office. There was still advertising and office equipment to think about, of course. And hed need a phone and an answering service and a beeper. If he was going to build a successful business, hed have to start dressing for success, toolike suits and maybe a tie or two.
He strolled over to his car. Milholme Street, he murmured. This should be fun.
Milholme was only a few miles from Eddies place. Sean squinted against the midday sun, pulling his sunglasses down to read the numbers on the homes along the wide boulevard. But when he reached the address Eddie had given him, he discovered it wasnt an apartment or a business, but a church.
He pulled the car into a spot on the street. Parked near the front of the church was a long limo with a Just Married sign pasted to the back. What the hell is this? Suddenly he regretted saying yes to Eddie. The last thing he wanted to was to tell some woman that she was going to be dateless for the wedding festivities.
Sean noticed several single women standing in front of the church, dressed in their Saturday-afternoon finery. One of them had to be Laurel Rand. He jogged across the street and approached the first woman he met. Im looking for Laurel Rand, he said.
Shes inside, the pretty guest replied.
Sean nodded, then took the steps two at a time. The sooner he took care of this responsibility, the sooner he could get over to Quinns Pub and celebrate the successful closing of a case. He found a bridesmaid just inside the doors, clutching a bouquet of flowers in her hands. Laurel Rand? he asked.
Shes down that hallway, the bridesmaid said, pointing to the left. Last door on the right. Are you the photographer?
Sean frowned at the girl before he headed down the hall. He wasnt sure what to expect when he knocked on the door. But when a woman dressed in a bridal gown opened it, he knew taking the money from Eddie had been a colossal mistake. Hed just been thrown to the lions and he was wearing sirloin shorts. Laurel Rand?
Yes?
Sean swallowed hard as her gaze met his. He recognized her as one of the women hed seen with Eddie over the past few weeks. But hed never realized how beautiful she was. She looked like a angel, all pale and perfect, dressed in white. He had to clench his fingers just to keep from reaching out and touching her. Her wavy blond hair was pulled back from her face and tucked beneath a veil, but a tiny strand had slipped loose, the only distraction from absolute perfection.
Her dress rustled, startling him back to reality. Youre Laurel Rand? Sean repeated, all the time praying that Laurel Rand was somewhere else inside the room, maybe arranging the flowers or polishing the brides shoes.
Yes, she said. Are you the photographer? You were supposed to be here an hour before the wedding. She reached out and grabbed his hand, then pulled him into the room. Her touch was warm and caused an unbidden reaction. We only have thirty minutes before the ceremony is supposed to begin. How are we going to get all the shots I wanted? Where is your equipment?
IIm not the photographer.
She let go of his hand. Who are you? And why are you interrupting me? Cant you see Im the bride? Youre not supposed to make me nervous, she babbled. Im supposed to be calm. Dont I look calm?
He fought the temptation to grab her hand again, to hold on tight while he gave her the news. Youyou look Sean took a deep breath, searching for a word to adequately describe her. Beautiful. Stunning. ActuallyId saybreathtaking. For a guy who had trouble talking to women, he certainly wasnt having any trouble now.
A tiny smile curled the corners of her mouth. Thank you.
Sean wanted to turn and run, content to keep the memory of Laurel Rand in his head just as she was when she smiled. To hell with Eddie. He was a bigamist, nine times over. But still, some inborn instinct to protect her from humiliation kicked in. Can we talk? he asked, reaching out to take her by the elbow, anxious for any excuse to touch her again.
Talk?
He shut the door, then gently steered her toward a chair, just in case she decided to faint. Who are you marrying today?
She stared at him for a long moment with a confused expression. IIm marrying Edward Garland Wilson. But you should know that, if you received an invitation to the wedding. Her brow furrowed slightly. Are you crashing my wedding? Who are you?
Just one more question, Sean said. Is your groom about six-one, dark hair, graying at the temples?
Yes, Laurel said. Are you a friend of Edward?
Not exactly. But he did send me here to give you a message, Sean said.
Her expression brightened. He did? Oh, thats very sweet. But he could have come himself. I dont care about those silly superstitions about seeing the bride before the ceremony. Whats the message?
Sean cursed silently. Jeez, why had he agreed to do this? He should just turn around and get the hell out of Dodge. He didnt need to break this womans heart. And he certainly didnt want to see her cry. But he suspected there was no way hed get out of the room without doing both.
He took a deep breath and gathered his resolve. Edward wont be coming to the wedding.
LAUREL STARED at the handsome stranger, unable to comprehend what he was saying. Is this some stupid joke? she asked. Sure, it might be fun to tease the bride on her wedding day, but this was downright cruel. Didnt she have enough to worry about?
Im afraid it isnt, the man replied. Eddie gave me a hundred dollars to come over and tell you personally.
No, Laurel said, shaking her head, panic quickly setting in. This cant be happening. I have to get married today. There are guests and bridesmaids. I spent two months picking out the music. He cannot get cold feet thirty minutes before we walk down the aisle! Laurel pushed past the stranger. Where is he? I want to talk to him. She cursed beneath her breath as she headed to the door. They had an agreement! And he wasnt allowed to back out, especially at the last minute.
He grabbed her hand as she brushed past him, his touch firm and sure. Hes not here. And you cant talk to him.
Why not? she demanded as she yanked out of his grasp.
Because hes on his way to jail, he said.
Laurel spun around and faced him. Who are you? And why are you here?
I told you. Eddie sent me. My name is Sean Quinn. Im a private investigator. And Im He paused. Im the one who sent your groom to jail.
She gasped. Jail? You sent Edward to jail? She wasnt sure what possessed her at the moment. Maybe it was all the stress of the last few monthsplanning the wedding, making sure everything was perfect, finally finding a suitable man who wanted to marry her. Laurel didnt expect a fairy-tale wedding, but she didnt expect this nightmare, either! She balled her fingers into a fist, cursed beneath her breath, and punched Sean Quinn squarely in the stomach.
The punch caught him by surprise and the air left his lungs in a loud whoosh. For a moment he didnt breathe. He just looked at her with shock. Then he took a ragged breath. Nice punch, he said. II guess I deserved that. He slowly straightened. But I expected a few tears, not a right jab. He cleared his throat. I think after I explain, you might feel a little better.
She leveled a withering gaze at him. The only thing that will make me feel better, Mr. Quinn, is if you disappear into thin air and Edward appears in your place.
Thats not going to happen. Your fiancé isnt who he pretends to be. His real name is Eddie The Cruiser Perkins. Hes a con man and hes wanted in eight states.
You must be mistaken. Edward is from a very good family in West Palm Beach. Theyre in international banking and investments. I met his parents.
They were probably actors he hired, Sean said. Thats his modus operandi, according to his sheet. Hes very good at what he does. You shouldnt feel bad for being duped.
Duped? Laurel said.
Sean Quinn gave her a weak smile. II didnt mean duped. IIm not saying that youre stupid.
Stupid? She felt an edge of hysteria creep into her voice and she fought the urge to punch him again. You think Im stupid?
No, Sean countered. Not at all. I think youre
Naive? Trusting? Gullible?
He shook his head and swallowed hard. Like I said before. Beautiful.
His gaze met hers and for a moment she couldnt breathe. He had the most amazing eyes, an odd mixture of gold and green, strangely intriguing, yet direct, honest. Since hed walked into the room, she hadnt really bothered to take a good look at him. After all, this was her wedding day. She was supposed to have her mind on her groom.
Frustration welled up inside of her and she felt like screaming. This wasnt the way things were supposed to go. This wasnt the most romantic day of her life, but it did represent a milestone of sorts. From this day on, she was supposed to be in control of her life.
Laurel walked over to the window and fixed her gaze on the courtyard outside. The best laid plans she murmured. How could they have gone wrong? I cant believe this is happening.
Im sorry, Sean said, placing his hand on her shoulder. II really didnt mean to mess up your special day.
All of a sudden, exhaustion overwhelmed her. She turned back to Sean. Its all right. Its not your fault. A tear dribbled down her cheek and she angrily brushed it away. All this planning and nownothing.
Hey, dont cry, he murmured. He gently rubbed her arms, as if to soothe her. But the moment he wrapped his arms around her, all thoughts of Edward and her ruined wedding fled from her mind. Instead, Laurel was taken by his kindness and his strengthand his incredibly muscular chest.
She sucked in a sharp breath, then stepped back. If she had any questions about the depth of her feelings for Edward, they were answered now. She hadnt loved him. He was out of her life barely ten minutes and she was in the arms of another man!
Laurel walked across the room, determined to observe Sean Quinn from a safe distance. His eyes werent the only part of him that she found attractive. His hair was dark, almost black, and brushed the collar of his leather jacket. He was handsome, but there was something else, an air of indifference about him that made him seem aloof, untouchable.
What was he arrested for? Laurel asked.
Sean cleared his throat. Ahbigamy.
Laurel gasped. Bigamy? He has a wife already?
Actually, he has nine. Youd have been number ten.
Laurel groaned, a flush of humiliation warming her face. I guess this is what I deserve. She smiled weakly. I should have suspected something was up. I wanted him to meet my friends, but he always had some excuse, some business meeting that he had to attend. And when I asked about his family, he changed the subject. And then he couldnt make the wedding rehearsal last night. He said he had a business meeting.
He was with another woman, Sean said. But if it makes you feel better, he said he really did love you.
Laurel laughed. Love. She was far too practical to believe in that particular emotion. She and Edward were compatible, and shed thought he came from a good family, so shed decided to accept his proposal when hed asked. After all, it had fit right in with her own plans. She would marry Edward, collect her trust fund from her uncle, and make all her dreams come true. And now, everything was ruined.
Or was it?
Tell me something, Laurel said, lifting her gaze to Sean and sending him a smile. Are you married?
He shook his head. No.
Do you have a girlfriend or a fiancée?
He cleared his throat, an uneasy expression crossing his face. I better be going now. You have a lot to take care of. You probably cant return the wedding dress, but maybe your guests will let you keep the giftsonce they realize this wasnt really your fault.
What size jacket do you wear? Laurel quickly turned and retrieved a garment bag from a hook on the back of the standing mirror. Im pretty sure this will fit, she murmured as she unzipped the bag and glanced down at his shoes. She could still salvage something from this mess. I doubt if wed be so lucky that the shoes would fit, too. Edward had really big feet.
No way. Im not getting all dressed up so I can tell your guests youre not getting married, Sean said. Ive done what I came here to do. Im leaving.
I dont want you to tell the guests, Laurel said. I do plan to get married this afternoon.
Eddie is in jail. I dont think theyre going to let him out, Sean replied.
Oh, Im not going to marry Edward. Im going to marry you.
Laurel waited, the silence in the room deafening. His jaw slowly dropped and he stared at her as if shed just sprouted horns and a tail. Maybe the suggestion was a little rash, but she was desperate. Before you say no, she murmured, I want you to listen to my proposal.
He backed away from her, his hands up. I dont need you to propose, lady. Im not walking down the aisle. Not with you, not with any woman.
And I have no intention of calling off my wedding. Now, as I see it, this is entirely your fault. Youre the one responsible for Edward getting arrested and
He was a damn bigamist! Sean shouted. He was breaking the law. And you should be grateful I saved you from him.
I would be, if there wasnt so much riding on this wedding. There are guests and gifts and a huge reception planned. The embarrassment would be She let her words drift off. She felt a bit guilty for manipulating him, but the wedding was important. Once she got married, shed get her inheritance. Once she got her inheritance, she could rent her building. She had it all picked out, an old brick storefront with lots of light and high ceilings.
The idea had come to her several years ago when shed started teaching music at a grade school in Dorchester. After college, shed bounced around from job to job, trying to find her place in the world. Shed joined the Peace Corps on a whim, only to find herself with a chronic case of dysentery. Theyd sent her home after four months. A few months later shed taken a job teaching dance on a cruise ship. But the exotic locales didnt make up for the cramped quarters and the sea-sickness. Her career as a flight attendant ended when shed realized she had a paralyzing fear of flying.