She stood back and let him set the heavy mirror in place. For the next ten minutes they worked in companionable silence as Chad anticipated what she needed and Maggie couldn’t help wondering if he was the same in all areas of his life.
‘Looks pretty damn good I’d say.’
She examined it from every angle and couldn’t argue.
‘Wow!’
Maggie glanced up at Fiona and almost wept with relief as a broad smile lit up her old friend’s face.
‘This is so unique. I’ve never seen this at a wedding before.’ Satisfaction oozed through her voice. ‘We’ll start a whole new trend.’
Chad gave her a long slow wink behind Fiona’s back and it was all Maggie could do not to giggle.
‘When Emily told me you’d changed the cake I wasn’t convinced it was a good idea. In fact I got a tiny bit cross, even though you are my best friend.’
A tiny bit cross wasn’t quite how her sister described Fiona’s meltdown but Maggie held her tongue.
‘But she talked up the idea so convincingly I gave in. She told me how brilliant you were and swore that you’d soon be the most sought after wedding cake creator in the country.’
‘She did?’ Maggie couldn’t hide her amazement.
‘She admires you so much. Emily said anybody could cook, but what you did was beyond special.’
Was it stupid to believe for a single second that her sister might have meant what she said for once?Yes, it is, remember all the times she’s made a fool of you.
‘I love the whole thing,’ Fiona declared and flung her arms around Emily. Suddenly she let go and gave Chad a puzzled stare.
Maggie didn’t know what to say as her friend glanced between the two of them, plainly trying to work out why he was hovering near them.
‘You sure are a beauty today.’ He treated her to his most charming smile and picked up Fiona’s hand, lifting it to his lips for a kiss. ‘Peter’s a lucky man.’
Fiona turned traffic light red.Impossible to resist, isn’t he?
‘I hope you’re enjoying yourself?’ Fiona asked. ‘How are you getting on with everyone at your table? Peter’s mother wanted to put you with their other relatives but he was sure you’d prefer this. Maggie tried to convince me not to do the “singles table” thing but I don’t see anything wrong with it,’ she rattled on, ‘I met Peter at a friend’s wedding when we were seated together and we fell madly in love on the spot.’ Maggie winced and sneaked a quick glance at Chad. Amusement lurked in his eyes and she held her breath, pretty sure he wouldn’t divulge the secret about how he’d actually been spending his time.
‘Everyone’s been amazing,’ he declared with another broad grin. ‘I saw Maggie struggling with a heavy mirror and came over to give her a hand. I’d better return to my seat. Don’t want to miss the speeches.’ With a nod to them both he left.
Anyone would think he couldn’t wait to be bored to death. Maggie decided Chad Robertson was an expert dissembler. She’d do well to remember that.
Chapter Six
Finally he had no choice. The Reject Table it was, for better or worse. He’d have to leave tracking Maggie down again until later. A minute ago she hadn’t been sure what he would say in front of Fiona and Chad wanted more than anything to convince her to trust him.Why? What’re you going to do about it? Nothing. The problem was timing.
He’d read somewhere once that finding true love was all a question of timing. It had to be right on both sides for a long-term relationship to stand a chance of working. Up until now he’d always been the one dragging his heels as his failure to sustain anything long-term proved. He wasn’t sure why he was that way but suspected being surrounded by long, good marriages on both sides of his family had made him afraid of screwing up the Robertson track record. Six months seemed to be the point when women started making plans for Christmas or vacations together and he automatically got scared and wanted out.
You’d happily sit around a Christmas tree with Maggie or fly her off for a week’s fun on a sun-drenched exotic beach. Admit it.
Thinking of Maggie in a skimpy bikini, something sapphire-blue and clinging, wasn’t smart and Chad contemplated a vacation to the Antarctic instead to cool himself down.
‘Well, if it isn’t our missing guest.’
He stopped, surprised to find himself standing next to his assigned table without any memory of getting there. Chad automatically smiled at the blonde pouting her blood-red lips in his direction and launched into an abject apology. He introduced himself to everyone else, mentally taking notes to repeat to Maggie later. If she gives you the chance.
Tonya — blonde divorcee looking for husband number three. Great Aunt Audrey — disapproving of the behaviour of modern young people and not afraid to say so. Peregrine Worthing — pale-faced organist wearing a well-worn corduroy jacket and tweed slacks. Two giggling girlfriends of the bride — one named Pippa and the other Pansy — for the life of him Chad couldn’t tell them apart.
‘Come and sit down and tell us your story.’ Tonya patted the chair next to her, tossing her hair in what Chad was no doubt supposed to consider a sexy way. He gave her one of his patent smiles and settled himself down.
This woman didn’t realise she was up against an expert. Any man who could successfully deflect Elizabeth ‘Sunny’ Donelson was no lightweight. The Nashville socialite had considered her outrageous bid of $50,000 at the bachelor auction entitled her to far more than his agreed to evening out on the town. Not even for the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital would he do some of the things she’d suggested but he’d managed to turn her down in such a way that they’d enjoyed the evening and were now firm friends.
