He kept projecting the silent message as he lowered his voice an octave. “No. Are you the bride?”
She laughed. “No, I’m Mr. Reynard’s assistant.”
Mr. Reynard’s assistant. The last time he’d seen her, she’d been Stephanie’s assistant. It seemed she’d come up in the world, or maybe she’d had that job all along.
“Let me give you the bride’s bouquet,” he said, leading her back to where he’d left the van. “And then you can show me where you want the flowers placed.”
“You do have the centerpieces, right?”
“Of course,” he answered quickly. Yeah, there would be flowers on the tables.
He led her to where he’d parked the van, then opened the back door and got out the box with the flowers the bride was to carry, feeling a pang as he handed them to her. A wedding bouquet for the woman he loved, only it wasn’ttheirwedding.
She gave the flowers a brief inspection. “Very nice.”
“Thank you,” he answered, thinking from her expression and the tone of her voice that she wished they were hers. Too bad Reynard couldn’t have picked a bride who wanted to marry him, but probably he was too obsessed with the prestige of marrying into an old New Orleans family.
As soon as she took the flowers away, he dragged in a breath and let it out. This might be the best time to contact Stephanie. She’d be alone. At least he didn’t think Reynard would be with her.
He sent his mind out to her.Stephanie.
He felt her jolt of recognition when she heard him.
Craig?
Yes.
Thank God. Oh thank God.
I just saw Claire. She came down to get the flowers.
Yes, she was apparently working for John all along.
I think she’s on her way back to you—with your bouquet. But I have to tell you some stuff while we have a chance. I’m the guy delivering the flowers.
Apparently, his previous words had registered.
Did you say she saw you?
Yes, but she didn’t recognize me. I have on a few shirts to bulk me up. And I’m the ugly bald guy with the splotchy tan and dark eyebrows.
She caught her breath.
Yeah, I look like hell, but so far the disguise is working.
What are we going to do?
You’ve been manipulating his mind, right?
Yes. Like when I got him drunk last night so he couldn’t . . . .Her silent voice trailed off.
We’re going to do it again. And I’ve got something else planned.
When he told her what he’d brought with him,she sucked in a sharp breath. Then said,Claire’s back.
I’ll see you in a little while.
Light classical music had begun to play as he carried the large vases of flowers to the spot where the bride and groom would stand and fluffed up the arrangements, then began taking the smaller containers to the tables, setting one in the center of each. The effect was quite nice. Too bad it was going to be knocked to hell when the guests stampeded.
