Feisty Page 8

  Devon knew from the start Sahara was out of his league. Hell. She was a Supreme Court Justice’s daughter. Not to mention employed by one of the biggest real estate firms in New York, but watching her with her parents and the gentleman beside her made the differences between them widen. Gone was the playful woman. In her place stood a woman of high society. It was in her regal stance. The expensive suit and shoes she wore he had no doubt were designer made.

  What the hell had he been thinking?

  He pushed his hands into his jean pockets and wished he’d thought to dress better. Although he fit in with the people of Whispering Cove that began to gather in the church, he didn’t fit in with her crowd.

  From across the room she turned as if she sensed his arrival. The smile on her face washed away his insecurity. There was the woman whom he had woken to for the last two weeks. He released a heavy sigh. Tonight would change. Devon had to admit their new sleeping arrangements had been on his mind all day. Even now all he wanted to do was take her into his arms and sweep her away from here. Instead, he squared his shoulders and headed toward her.

  The first to give him a once-over was a clean-cut, yuppie-looking man. Devon got the immediate feeling this man was interested in Sahara by the way he moved closer to her when Devon approached. Devon chose to ignore him. Instead, he focused on the man and woman he concluded were Sahara’s parents.

  “Mom. Dad. May I present Devon Taylor. Marvin and Beatrice.”

  The slightly graying man extended Devon his hand. “Mr. Taylor.”

  Devon paused. Well. Shit. How was he supposed to address a Supreme Court Justice? “Your Honor, it’s a pleasure.”

  “Mr. or Justice Caan is fine,” Sahara whispered while the man next to her discreetly laughed behind his hand.

  Devon turned to Sahara’s mother. “Mrs. Caan.”

  “Devon. And it’s Beatrice or Bea.” Her warm smile revealed where Sahara got her charm. “Gary, could you please get me something to drink. I’m a little parched.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” The yuppie nearly clicked his heels and turned to do her bidding.

  When he was gone, Bea turned back to Devon. “Sahara was telling us this lighthouse has stood since the 1890s.”

  He looked around the cool stone walls and richly polished wooden floors and pride filled his chest. “Clarion’s Beam is named after a captain who shipwrecked just beyond the cliffs. After he washed up on shore, he decided to make Whispering Cove his home. His house used to stand to the north of here. A fire burned down everything in its path, including Clarion’s home, and took out the residence part of this lighthouse. We’ve restored it and built what is now Clarion’s Beam Church.”

  “And it was your idea to restore the lighthouse, expand it, and turn it into a church.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement, as Bea continued. “Sahara tells us much of the delicate woodwork is yours. You’re very talented.”

  Heat gathered around the collar of his polo shirt. “Yes. Thank you, ma’am.”

  “Where did you get the idea from?”

  Sahara placed a warm hand on his arm and smiled at him. “It was something his father had said.” She paused as if she was reaching for a memory. “‘A church serves to warn all men about the peril that awaits them if they do not turn from their sin and turn to Jesus Christ.’ Devon explained to me a lighthouse serves to warn those on the sea about the peril ahead of them. The jagged rocks around the shore’s edge. And he’s right. The two seem to go hand-in-hand.”

  Taken aback that Sahara had heard and remembered word for word what he’d said, Devon was speechless. He stared at her with disbelief while something squeezed his chest.

  When her father cleared his throat, Devon blinked. “When they were considering abandoning the place… Well, it seemed sacrilegious.”

  “Young man, that’s a lovely sentiment. Isn’t it, Marvin?”

  “Lovely,” Sahara’s father muttered.

  She burst into laughter. “Dad, I don’t think I’ve ever heard you use the word lovely.” She weaved her arm through Devon’s. “C’mon. Let me show you the work he’s done on the pews.”

  As Sahara boasted about his woodwork, Gary returned with not only lemonade for Bea, but for Sahara and her father as well.

  “Thank you, Gary. We were remiss before in not introducing you to Sahara’s friend,” Mr. Caan said. “Gary is my assistant.”

  Devon and Gary shook hands, but no words were exchanged, because at that moment they were joined by Congressman Charles Wellington and his wife, Margaret. The Congressman’s attention went straight to Mr. Caan. He didn’t spare a moment of his time or attention for either Gary or Devon.

  When the talk turned to politics, he took a step backward, noting Reece and Tabby had arrived. “Excuse me,” he murmured to Sahara. She nodded and turned back to the conversation at hand.

  Reece was frowning when Devon joined them. “Can you believe it?”

  Devon gazed from Reece to Tabby. “Believe what?”

  “You haven’t heard?” she asked.

  “Heard what?”

  “About the resort?” Tabby’s eyes widened. “Sahara?”

  Devon had had enough of his sister’s cryptic clues. “If you have something to say, just spit it out.”

  “It’s all over town. Sahara was seen at the Clarions’ place with a survey crew. Apparently her company plans to build a resort in Whispering Cove.”

  “What?” His gaze darted to Sahara. She had joined a small group consisting of her mother, Mrs. Wellington and Sky. “You’re crazy.”

  Reece nodded. “It appears it’s true. Lila heard them talking about it this morning. Apparently Sahara is heading up the project.”

  And she hadn’t said a word to him. In a blink, his confusion turned to anger. Had she used him to get the lay of the land? Chauffeuring her around, while she scouted out the best place to build a resort?

  “Excuse me,” Reverend Combs raised his voice. “It’s time. If I can have everyone congregate toward the back, we’ll start.”

  Just Devon’s luck, he was chosen to escort Mrs. Caan to her seat down front. As they walked, she stared at him with too-knowing eyes. “Something amiss?”

  “No, ma’am,” he lied, holding onto his temper by a thread.

  About halfway down the aisle, she squeezed his arm. “Sahara is quite taken with you.”

  Devon forced a smile as he released Mrs. Caan’s arm, and then he took his place next to Reece, who had escorted Sky’s mother to her seat.

  When the procession ended and Sahara stood directly across from him, she flashed him a saucy wink. He must not have given her the reaction she wanted, because her smile died as if it melted from her face. When she looked away, Devon knew she had come to realize her secret was out.

  Why had he let her get under his skin? Because that’s exactly what she had done. While she used him like a plaything he had fallen in love with her. Only when his jaws began to ache did he realize he was clenching his teeth.

  The rest of the rehearsal continued without Devon’s attention until it was time for the bride and groom to retreat down the aisle, their attendants behind them. Which meant it was time for him to escort Sahara. They met in the center of the aisle and he linked his arm with hers. When his groin tightened he silently cursed.

  “I didn’t know you would react like this,” she whispered.

  Through clenched teeth he responded, “Did you really think we would be thrilled to have Main Street America knock down our doors?”

  “Devon, it would mean bigger and better stores. More hotels. Restaurants. The people of Whispering Cove would prosper.”

  He stopped three-quarters of the way down the aisle, released her as he turned to face her. “They would suffocate. I would suffocate. The basis of what this town was built on would be ruined.” When she stared at him without speaking, he growled, “You don’t get it.”

  He was right.

  Sahara didn’t get it. Yet she didn’t expect him to spin around
and walk out of the church, leaving her alone in the aisle with everyone’s eyes on her, but that’s what he did. And, because the majority of people present were Whispering Cove residents, she could feel said eyes burn into her, including Leo’s.

  Without a word, she escaped through the door Devon had left open. He was nowhere around and that suited her fine. If these backwards people wanted to fight growth, so be it. But even as the hateful response entered her head, her tears told a different story.

  Sahara had screwed up.

  Hands trembling, she extracted her cell phone from her pocket and attempted to call her boss, but the call went straight to voicemail. Hanging up, she desperately punched in Valerie’s telephone number.

  “Hey, stranger. How did rehearsal go?” her assistant asked.

  Sahara attempted to speak but emotion knotted her throat.

  “Sahara?”

  “I— N-need to speak with Nick.”

  “He’s gone for the day. It’s Friday. You know he always leaves early. Want the good news, and then you can tell me what’s wrong? The attorneys agreed on a price—”

  “NO!” Her heart stuttered.

  “Sahara, what’s wrong?”

  She pinched her lips together. “He doesn’t want it.”

  “Want what? Who?”

  “D-Devon.” Her tears fell harder. “He doesn’t want the resort.”

  “Do what you do best, make him want it.”

  It sounded easy, but her charm and persuasion wouldn’t work this time and she knew it. If Devon and Lila reacted adversely, she had no doubt the rest of the community would feel the same.

  When her mother stepped out of the church, Sahara turned her back and wiped angrily at her tears. “I have to go.”

  “What are you going to do? You can’t throw this opportunity away.”

  Sahara knew Valerie was right. This was her time. She deserved a partnership. Yet even as she worked to convince herself everything would work out, the look of disgust in Devon’s eyes kept reappearing.

  “I’ll think of something. I’ve got to go.” She disconnected the call and immediately reached into her jacket pocket and retrieved a handkerchief.

  “Honey, are you all right?”

  Sahara dabbed at her eyes and nose. “I’m fine, Mom.” When she felt her control finally return, she pivoted and forced a smile. Judging by her mother’s frown, she wasn’t convinced.

  “You want to talk about it?”

  “No. But I need a little time. I’ll meet you at the restaurant.” Without waiting for a response, Sahara climbed into her car and drove away. She thought of driving to Bar Harbor and catching the first plane back to New York. But her heartbreak would have to wait. Tonight and tomorrow were for Leo and Sky. Sahara wished she hadn’t thrown this cloud over their wedding, because if she had discovered anything, Whispering Cove rumors blew through the town faster than the wind.

  By the time Sahara composed herself, returned to the inn to dress, and made it to the Seafarer, night had fallen. Sky’s parents had rented the entire restaurant and had a professional company come in to remodel the place, as well as flown in a renowned chef and his crew from France. But since Katy was the head chef of the Seafarer, the stipulation for renting the place was she would oversee the kitchen. The rumor was the Congressman had thrown a fit and Katy had almost physically thrown him out. Sahara would have given anything to be a fly on the wall.

  When Sahara walked into the place, she couldn’t believe the change. Wooden planked walls were covered with velveteen and sheer drapery. The red-and-white-checkered tablecloths and benches were gone. In their place were elegant tables and chairs, china and crystal. Beneath each table was a matching carpet, which had to have set the Wellingtons back some real dough. The metamorphosis was amazing. A small group of waiters in tuxes stood like statues, ready to cater to everyone’s needs.

  For a moment she wondered what Devon would think, but the thought vanished when Katy stepped out of the kitchen. Sahara almost laughed. As charismatic as the woman could be, she always managed to have a little dab of flour on her face. But that was her charm. She made the Seafarer feel like home even masked in finery.

  Sahara’s heart thudded when she realized it wasn’t the perfection she saw all around her that made a place a home. It was people like Katy. It was the imperfections Whispering Cove lent, the quirkiness of its people who gave the place the charm that drew Leo and had intrigued her from the beginning. She had been so inspired she had wanted to share its uniqueness with the world.

  But Devon was right.

  Her kind would suffocate the town. Like what the Wellingtons had done to the Seafarer, Sahara’s resort would do to the entire town. She was so stunned with her revelation she hadn’t noticed more people had arrived, including Devon. Judging by their crestfallen expressions, the Congressman had missed his mark, because the people of Whispering Cove weren’t impressed at all. Devon walked up to the bar in his jeans and T-shirt and ordered a beer. She knew it was an in-your-face gesture. When he turned around and their eyes met, he raised his beer in a salute. Without diverting his gaze, he pressed the bottle to his lips and chugged it down before ordering another and a mixed drink. Pivoting, he walked over to the table where Lauren sat and set the mixed drink in front of her.

  A pang in Sahara’s chest stole her breath. But if he thought she would sit by and watch him flirt with another woman, he was dead wrong. Turning around, she ran right into Harold. He grabbed Sahara, steadying her as his gaze slid from her to Devon.

  “He be hurting, lassie.”

  Sahara forced herself not to look at the couple. “I don’t know what you mean.” She fisted her hands to stop them from shaking. He must have felt it because he guided her to a table where Errol and Byron sat sipping on rum. Both men stood as they approached. When she took a seat, they sat down.

  “Is it true?” Errol asked.

  “Yes. But I thought all of you would be thrilled.”

  “A resort would bring major change to Whispering Cove. We enjoy our simple life. It’s who we are,” Byron explained.

  “Family means more to us than money,” Errol added. “We want our children growing up in this type of atmosphere. Not—”

  “Like I was raised,” she finished his sentence.

  “Lassie, there be nothing wrong in how you were raised, but sometimes tough times help to mold a person’s character. We’re a fishing town. We’ve seen good and bad times. It’s how a lad or lassie handles adversity that proves their worth. How will you be dealing with this?”

  “I don’t know, Harold. Devon hates me.”

  “No, lassie. He cares for you or keeping him in the dark wouldn’t have affected him so. Maybe you should try speaking to him.”

  “Tried. Now if you excuse me, I need to join my family.” Sahara leaned in and gave the man a peck on the cheek before she got to her feet. “I’m sorry.”

  Maybe things would look better in the morning. Or at least that’s what she told herself as the festivities began.

  Chapter Seven

  “Sahara?”

  Sky spoke so quietly Sahara almost didn’t hear her name. Engulfed in her pain and dreading to see Devon today, Sahara couldn’t concentrate. After the ceremony, Devon would walk her down the aisle. Touch her. A shiver raced through her. Would he even look at her? Speak to her?

  “Things will work out.”

  The sympathy in her soon-to-be sister-in-law’s voice almost broke Sahara, but she did what she always did in tough social settings. Inhaling a steady breath, she plastered on a big smile and pretended her heart wasn’t breaking. Instead she approached the woman before her.

  “Sky, you’re beautiful.”

  And she was.

  From the pearl-studded heels she wore, her simple satin gown, to her hair swept up in a gentle cascade of light-brown curls. But it was the soft glow on her face that revealed the image of a woman in love.

  “Thank you.” Sky bit the corner of her bottom lip. “Ha
ve you heard from Devon?”

  Ignoring her, Sahara grasped Sky’s hands in hers. “This is your wedding day. Can you believe it?”

  Sky’s eyes grew misty. “No. In all honesty, I’d run for so many years, I never dreamed I’d settle down, much less find someone as wonderful as Leo.”

  At the mention of her brother, Sahara felt the sudden need to see him. Besides, she could hear a mob congregating behind the door of the dressing room of the church. Sky’s and Sahara’s mothers and the rest of the bridesmaids would join them soon. Which meant she would have to deal with the disapproving expressions of those she had believed to be her friends before they heard about the resort. As the door opened, she hurried past everyone. Once in the hall she took a moment to gather herself. She slipped her hand into her purse, extracted her cell phone and dialed Leo.

  “Sis? You okay?” Concern rang in his voice.

  She held on to her tears, barely. “I want to see you.”

  “Meet you out back?”

  “Okay.”

  She made her way through the halls of the church and slipped out the backdoor. Her heels clicked against the stone pathway leading to the cliffs. A gentle breeze caught the hem of her strapless chiffon dress and the full skirt fluttered around her knees. The roar of the ocean called as she neared the edge and looked out over the restless sea crashing into rocks below to send jets of water spraying into the air.

  When strong arms slipped around her waist, she prayed they belonged to Devon, but knew immediately when her brother spoke. “Thank you for being here.”

  She turned in his arms and looked into his golden eyes. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  “But you would rather be somewhere else?”

  Dipping her brows, she pretended not to understand. “Not on your life.” She forced another smile, and then quickly laid her cheek against his chest before her smile faltered. “Tell me you’ll be happy.”