Kristi Gold - Hotel Marchand 04 (5 page)

When they stopped in front of one souvenir shop, Adam pointed at a purple T-shirt displaying a few words he was fairly sure the little boy hadn’t heard yet. Or at least he hoped he hadn’t. “I want one of those.”

Renee and Pete exchanged a look before Renee said, “I think that’s made for an adult, sweetie. Why don’t we check out some of the other shops to see if we can find something you might like better?”

Adam stuck out his lip in a pout. “But I want that one.”

Renee knelt at his level and tugged at the bill of his baseball cap. “Tell you what, I know a place that makes special shirts where you can pick out any picture you’d like. How does that sound?”

Adam’s eyes went wide. “Can I put a bear on it?”

“I’m sure we can find a bear. Or maybe even a bat.”

“Okay.” Adam gave her a wide grin and a hard hug. “I like you, Renee.”

“I like you, too, sweetie.”

Pete considered chiming in, but he had a hard time believing that Renee hadn’t already figured out that he liked her, too. He liked that she was wearing jeans and a peach sweater that complemented her pale strawberry-blond hair, fair complexion and light blue eyes. He liked that she seemed to be relaxing around him. And he really liked seeing this softer side of her, the one she’d always kept hidden behind her controlled exterior, at least during business dealings. On the off chance she hadn’t realized how much he liked everything about her, Pete planned to try some more convincing before the end of the day, if not well into the night.

After they picked out Adam’s special T-shirt and left the shop, Pete told Renee, “You’re good with him.”

She raised one shoulder in a shrug and smiled. “I’ve had some practice lately with my niece, Daisy Rose. She’s a little younger than Adam.”

Little by little, he was finally learning more about Renee’s personal life. “Which of your sisters is her mother?”

“Sylvie, the one you haven’t met yet. She runs the art gallery at the hotel, but right now she’s in Boston with her fiancé, which is why we’ve been taking turns taking care of Daisy Rose. Speaking of the art gallery, if you’d like, we can stop in later. Adam might enjoy that.”

Pete took a quick glance at his watch. “First, we need to meet up with Ella and Evan for lunch. Some café they found on Bourbon Street. Ella says we can’t miss it. Red-and-blue-striped awnings and an outdoor patio.”

“I know exactly which place they’re referring to. It’s called Notable, and it’s very good.”

“Yeah, that’s it.” He offered his arm even though he doubted she’d accept the gesture. “Shall we?”

Again she astounded him by hooking her arm through his while Adam held her hand. To any passersby, they would appear to be a normal family out for a day on the town. For some reason, Pete liked that idea, quite a switch from his former attitude. When he’d been married briefly to Cara, any consideration of having kids had been nil. In many ways, he’d known from the beginning that Cara’s acting career and his directorial goals would interfere with having a traditional family life. And although he’d failed to admit it to himself, or her, the relationship had been doomed from the beginning.

Making a high-profile marriage work had been an exercise in futility, at least in their case, and the reason he’d never attempted it again. Nor had he found any woman with whom he’d wanted to settle down. But since he’d taken an active part in raising Adam, his opinion had started to waffle, and he’d begun to question what he wanted in the future. But unless he was willing to give up his job, he couldn’t see taking the risk again. And right now, he had no desire to give up his work.

Yet as he watched Renee chatting with Adam, he experienced a longing he couldn’t explain, and didn’t necessarily welcome. Renee was all business, career-oriented, fiercely independent. Even if he did have deeper feelings for her, he honestly believed she would never return them after what had transpired years before. That didn’t mean he couldn’t explore their relationship while he had the chance, provided she continued to give him that chance. So far, so good. At least today.

When they arrived at the café, Pete caught sight of Ella and Evan seated at a white-iron corner table covered by a red umbrella. He guided Renee and Adam over to the couple, exchanged greetings, and after he had Renee and Adam seated, took his own chair next to Evan. “What have you two been up to today?”

Evan held up a folded document. “This. It’s a marriage license. There’s no waiting period in the state, so we’re all set to go.”

Ella sent Evan a warm smile, then removed her sunglasses. “We’ve decided to marry while we’re here.”

“When?” Renee asked, while Pete tried to wrap his mind around the news and Adam remained uncharacteristically silent, as if he thought everyone had taken leave of their senses. Pete was beginning to wonder the same thing.

“We plan to have the ceremony tonight,” Ella added. “The courthouse clerk told us there are several small chapels outside the city where we can have a ceremony on short notice. Evan believes that would allow us to have a private wedding, without the press in attendance.”

Evan handed Ella the sunglasses. “If you don’t put these back on, someone will recognize you and we’ll have anything but a private wedding.”

Ella waved a hand in dismissal. “I doubt that, love. I’m not that well known in the States.”

“You’re all the rage in film circles right now, babe,” Evan said. “And as soon as the movie is released, it’s going to put you over the top.”

Pete was still having a hard time digesting the wedding news. “Why get married now? Why not wait until you’re back in California?”

“Since we’re still in the final negotiations for my next film, which happens to be a family movie,” Ella said, “I’m afraid the producers will find out about us and then bring out a morality clause. If we’re married now, they have nothing to argue.”

Renee frowned. “I can’t imagine they would do that since they can’t prove that you’re having…” She glanced at Adam, who seemed content to people-watch. “Doing anything they might deem amoral.”

“The issue is a bit more complicated than cohabitation,” Ella said.

When Evan sent him a questioning look, Pete responded with, “Like I’ve said, you can trust Renee.”

“I’m going to have a baby.” Ella smiled and took Evan’s hand. “It wasn’t planned, but we’re very happy about it.”

“That’s wonderful,” Renee said. “And your secret is definitely safe with me. But aren’t you concerned about the studio’s willingness to work around the pregnancy?”

“Since the film won’t begin shooting until after the baby’s born,” Evan told her, “there shouldn’t be any problem with the production schedule.”

Pete foresaw one key problem—whether their marriage could survive an atmosphere that wasn’t conducive to monogamy. He hoped to God it would, because they deserved that happiness. “I’m glad for the both of you.”

“Are you glad enough to serve as the best man?” Evan asked.

“Sure thing, as long as I don’t require a tux. I didn’t pack mine this trip. In fact I don’t even have a suit with me. Just a sport coat and slacks.”

“I’m in the same boat,” Evan said. “We can go find a suit as soon as we’re through with lunch. Ella bought a dress this morning and we need to pick it up anyway.”

An extended shopping trip was the last thing Pete wanted, but he’d make the sacrifice for the sake of his friends. “That sounds like a plan.”

Ella shifted toward Renee. “I know it’s a great deal to ask, but would you consider being my attendant, Renee?”

Renee initially looked taken aback by the request but recovered quickly. “Of course. I’d be honored. But it might be a little easier to make arrangements if you wait until tomorrow night to have the service.”

“Today’s a very special day.” Ella took Evan’s hand into hers. “It’s the one-year anniversary of our meeting, which is why we’d like to do it today if at all possible.”

Renee gave her a wistful smile. “That’s very romantic, Ella, and I understand the importance of the date. I’ll take care of the arrangements when we’re back at the hotel. That way you can relax the rest of the afternoon.” She turned her attention to Evan. “I can even arrange for tuxedos for you and Pete, if you’d like. Then you wouldn’t need to shop for suits.”

Ella’s expression reflected the gratitude Pete felt for Renee now that she’d saved him from shopping. “I’d really appreciate that, Renee, but I wouldn’t want you to go to so much trouble on our account.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Renee said. “I’d be happy to do it.”

Renee to the rescue. Pete wanted to voice his appreciation, as well. Hell, he wanted to show her his appreciation in some fairly innovative ways. But he’d save that for later.

Evan signaled the waitress. “I think a celebration is in order. How about some champagne?”

Great. More champagne, and one more thing Pete didn’t want. He couldn’t understand why his mood had suddenly gone south. Maybe he was experiencing some envy over Evan’s happiness, and that was stupid. He had no reason to be envious. He was satisfied with his life as an unattached man…for the most part. “No champagne for me.”

“I can’t have any, Evan,” Ella said.

Renee took a quick glance at her watch. “It’s still a little early for me, especially if I want to be coherent enough to arrange for your wedding.”

Evan leaned back in his chair. “Okay, no champagne, but we still need to have a toast. How about a beer, Traynor?”

Good old Evan. “Now you’re talking.”

When the drinks arrived, Renee showed Adam how to hold up his glass of soda as they toasted the upcoming nuptials. And by the time they’d finished lunch, Adam had climbed into Renee’s lap, looking totally smitten.

Pete couldn’t blame Adam one bit. Renee Marchand had undeniable appeal, and no one knew that better than him.

“Y
OU’RE NOT MAKING
much progress.”

Luc seethed over the sound of Richard Corbin’s two-pack-a-day voice filtering through his cell phone. But it could be worse. He could be talking with Richard’s brother, Dan, who possessed a cunning and dangerous criminal mind. He’d realized that after it had been too late to sever his ties with the two men.

“Hold on a minute.” After gesturing to one of the bellmen to take over for him at the concierge desk, Luc walked through the bar and out into the courtyard. “I told you not to call me while I’m working, damn it.”

“Where else are we supposed to call you, Luc?”

“You know my schedule. You keep doing this kind of thing, and you’re going to blow my cover straight to hell.”

“And if you don’t get your ass in gear, the Marchands aren’t going to sell the property so we can step in, and then where will we be?”

Luc didn’t want to consider where that might leave him, possibly dead in some alleyway. Or at the very least, in jail. “I told you I’m working on it. I called the tabloids about the actress, but it’s going to take time.”

“You’re running out of time, Luc. You need to come up with something else to put them out of business. If you don’t, we will.”

And that prospect sent a sick feeling straight into his gut. “Just let me handle it.”

“We don’t really like the way you’re handling it, but because me and Dan are generous kind of guys, we’ll think about giving you another week or two.”

A week or two wasn’t long enough for Luc to formulate a plan to get out of this mess. “Fine. And don’t call me again. I’ll call you.”

“We’re calling the shots here, Luc, not you. And don’t forget it.”

When the line went dead, Luc swiped an arm across his damp forehead. This whole scheme was getting completely out of hand. But he was in too deep now, and he didn’t have a clue how to dig his way out.

Maybe he could dredge up some more dirt on the director’s friends, but that would mean finding some way to be around them more often. In the meantime, he hoped the Corbin brothers didn’t take matters into their own hands. If that happened, someone might get hurt, and not only him.

D
ESPITE THE STEADY HUM
of voices flowing through the crowded hotel lobby, Renee had no trouble recognizing the party calling her name. She turned to her right to find Anne Marchand, her beloved mother, standing near the concierge desk with Luc, a vibrant smile on her face. Even though her dark hair was streaked with gray, she looked much younger than her sixty-two years, and at times she acted much younger, as well.

Realizing introductions were in order, she turned to Pete and said, “Follow me. I want you to meet someone.”

When she reached the desk, she gave her mother a quick hug. “Mother, this is Pete Traynor and his nephew, Adam. Pete, this is my mother, Anne Marchand.”

Anne held out her hand for Pete to take. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Traynor. Charlotte told me you’re staying in the hotel, and we’re so pleased to have you.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Pete said as he took her hand. “And please call me Pete.”

“And you may call me Anne. I don’t stand on formality when it comes to my daughter’s friends.” She turned her attention to Adam. “And we must introduce this fine-looking young man to Daisy Rose. In fact, she’s in her aunt Charlotte’s office right now, waiting for me to take her to the house so she can try out her new set of paints.”

Adam stared up at Pete, his expression bright with excitement. “Can I go see the girl with the paints?”

Pete ruffled his hair. “Maybe later, kiddo. Renee and I have to get ready for the wedding, and so do you.”

Anne’s hand fluttered to her throat. “Wedding?”

Past time to intervene, Renee decided, before her mother jumped headfirst into making erroneous assumptions. “If all goes as planned, Pete’s friends are getting married tonight. Pete and I are going to serve as witnesses.”

“The actress is the bride?” Anne asked, her voice only a notch above a whisper.

Fortunately for Renee, her mother was well-versed in discretion. “Yes. We’re trying to find a place out of town to hold the wedding. I was just going to ask Luc about it.”

Adam propped his hands on his hips and announced, “I don’t want to go to a wedding. I want to paint with the girl.”

“Sorry, bud,” Pete said. “You have to go with us, but I’ll take you for ice cream afterward.”

“I don’t wanna go for ice cream. I wanna go paint with the girl.”

“I’m sorry,” Pete said. “I’m sure he’ll be fine after his nap.”

Adam clung to Renee as if he needed a rescuer. “I don’t wanna nap, either.”

Anne nodded to her right. “Could I speak with you a moment in private, Pete?”

“Sure.”

As he followed Anne toward the opposite corner, Pete sent a quick glance at Renee, a hint of confusion in his expression. Renee had to admit she was a bit baffled, too. She couldn’t imagine what her mother was up to, although she didn’t have to wait long to find out when they returned in a matter of moments.

“I’ve offered to take Adam with me back to your
grandmére’s
house while you both attend the wedding,” Anne said. “Daisy Rose would love to have the company of someone her own age for a change, and it would give me a nice break. They could watch a movie or two and I can make sure they have a decent dinner.”

Renee suspected she knew what this was all about—her mother seeing the opportunity for a little matchmaking. Get the famous director and the daughter alone, and anything was possible, or at least that’s what her mother would believe. “That’s too much for you, Mother, taking care of two preschoolers.”

“Charlotte’s stopping by for dinner, so she can help out,” Anne said. “Besides, it would mean so much to Daisy Rose to have a playmate.”

Adam clasped Pete’s hand in both of his and yanked hard. “Can I go, Uncle Pete?”

Pete turned his attention to Renee. “I don’t want to impose.”

“No imposition at all,” Anne said. “Right, Renee?”

She could argue the point some more, and look like a jerk to Adam. Look as if she didn’t trust her own mother. Or she could give in. “I’m sure that would be a nice change for my niece. But only if you give your okay.”

Pete scooped Adam up in his arms. “As long as you promise to behave.”

Adam grinned. “I promise.”

“Then I guess my answer is yes.” He slid Adam down to the ground. “I appreciate this, Anne. He’ll enjoy having someone to entertain him aside from me.”

Renee stood silently by, realizing that again she would be alone with Pete. But not necessarily alone. After all, they would be in the company of the bride and groom. And she certainly didn’t have to hang around with Pete after the ceremony. “We’ll come by and pick Adam up right after the wedding,” she said.

“No need to hurry.” Anne turned her smile on Pete, which could very well mean she was plotting against Renee. “You need to keep her out for a while. She spends too much time working, and not enough time playing—”

Renee’s suspicions had been confirmed. “Mother.”

Anne tried to look clueless, but it wasn’t working on Renee. “What’s the matter,
chère?
It’s the truth. You need to have some fun for a change.”

“Your mother’s probably right,” Pete added. “You’ve always been fairly obsessive when it comes to work.”

Renee could not believe he had the nerve to say that. “I suppose you would know all about that, Mr. Traynor, considering you’re much the same.”

He grinned. “True, but if I’m willing to take a break, you should, too.”

“Listen to him, Renee,” Anne said. “He’s obviously a very smart man.”

Great. Just great. Her mother had formed an alliance with the man whose actions had basically wrecked her career. Of course, Anne wasn’t aware of that fact, and Renee didn’t intend to tell her unless absolutely necessary. She also had no intention of staying out all night with Pete Traynor, even if that wasn’t altogether unappealing.

“We’ll be back well before midnight,” Renee said. “We’ll drop Adam off on our way to the wedding.”

“I don’t see any reason why he can’t come with us now,” Anne said. “Unless you do, Pete.”

Pete hesitated, as if weighing that option carefully. “I guess that would work.” He looked down at Adam. “Just mind your manners, kiddo.”

“I’ll be good, Uncle Pete.” After giving Pete a hug, Adam moved beside Anne and took her hand. “Can we paint, too?” he asked as they headed through the lobby.

“Oh, yes. And we can have popcorn and soda…”

When Adam and Anne disappeared from sight, Renee pointed behind her and began stepping backward. “I’ll go make the arrangements now. I’ll call the room when I have a definite time.”

Renee spun around and headed away, knowing that she would have to face several dilemmas later on. She’d spent much of the day waging a war against getting too cozy with Pete, a war she had lost when she’d spontaneously taken his arm earlier. And when she heard the sound of footsteps behind her as she turned the corner and entered her office, she realized he wasn’t going to disappear anytime soon.

“Why are you running away from me, Renee?”

She moved behind her desk, dropped down in her chair and picked up the phone without looking at him. “I’m not running. I’m taking care of business.” She punched Luc’s extension and waited silently until he answered. “Could you come into my office for a few minutes?”

“I’ll be there as soon as I answer a guest’s question,” Luc said, saving Renee from too much alone time with Pete. She’d have an ample dose of that tonight.

After she set the phone back onto the cradle, Renee finally looked up at Pete, who’d taken up residence near the door, his back to the wall, as if he had no intention of leaving. “You might want to think about returning to your room now in order to get ready,” she said. If he stayed much longer, she wouldn’t be able to think straight when Luc arrived.

He glanced at the clock hanging on the wall to his right. “We have at least three hours, and I don’t have a tux yet. Remember?”

Unfortunately, he was correct on that count. “I’m about to take care of that. I also have several things to finish up here before I head home. Once I’m there, I’ll definitely need a couple of hours.” And more time than that to mentally prepare for spending the evening with Pete, yet she wouldn’t have that luxury. Not unless she could convince the couple to postpone the wedding until next week. Or next year. And that wasn’t going to happen.

Pete did nothing other than simply stare at her, as if he wanted to say something, although Renee had no idea what. Okay, she had a few ideas, but she hoped he didn’t voice them. Hoped that he didn’t say anything that might chase away her common sense. But she immediately recognized
that look
he leveled on her, the one that was all heat and suggestion and much too tempting to ignore.

“Is there something else I can help you with?” she asked when she could no longer stand the suspense.

“Oh, yeah. I can think of a few things, beginning with—”

Luc strode into the room, saving Rene from becoming the target of Pete’s verbal, sensual assault. “What can I do for you, Miss Renee?”

“Have you met Mr. Traynor, yet?”

“I did when his party came in yesterday.” Luc stuck out his hand for a quick shake. “Nice to see you again.”

“Same here,” Pete said, but with a certain lack of enthusiasm. The way he was sizing up the concierge, Renee would wager her Bogie and Bacall DVD collection that he somehow suspected she might be involved with the concierge, the same as he had with the chef. Granted, Luc was definitely handsome with his sandy hair and blue, blue eyes, a very friendly man who readily charmed everyone he met. He was also several years her junior, and younger men had never held her interest for very long.

Ignoring Pete’s suspicious gaze, Renee gave her attention to Luc. “I need you to do a few things for me, Luc, and I need your absolute discretion.”

Luc tugged at his collar. “You can count on it.”

“Good.” Renee rounded her desk and leaned back against it. “I need you to locate a wedding chapel for a ceremony tonight.”

“Tonight?” Luc stared at her for a moment, then glanced at Pete. “I heard you two knew each other before, but I didn’t realize you were involved.”

“We’re not involved.” Wonderful. For the second time today, she was having to explain that she wasn’t the prospective bride. “Mr. Traynor’s friends want to get married, and they were told at the courthouse that they had several options in the area.”

Luc looked somewhat contrite, and somewhat relieved. “Sorry for jumping to conclusions.”

“It’s okay, Luc. Do you happen to have any idea where they could get married on such short notice?”

“Yeah, I could recommend a few places, but the best is a small inn right outside of town on the way to Baton Rouge. The owner is a pastor and they have an on-site chapel. I’ve sent several of our patrons there in the last couple of months.”

Another reminder of how good Luc was at his job. “That sounds perfect. Could you give them a call and see if they’re available to perform the service around seven or so?”

“Not a problem. Since I’ve sent business their way before, I’m sure I can work that out. Do you want me to have a bottle of champagne waiting for the couple in the suite?”

That would definitely go to waste considering Ella’s pregnancy. “Mr. Pryor and Ms. Emerson don’t care for champagne.”

“Then I could have some of those special chocolates delivered from the shop on Bourbon Street. They make a special wedding assortment.”

Leave it to Luc to see to all the little details. He was definitely an asset to the hotel. “That would be wonderful. It will be the hotel’s gift to them.”

“I can pay for that, Renee,” Pete said.

Renee had no doubt he could, but she wouldn’t let him. “That’s not necessary. It’s on the house.”

“Anything else?” Luc asked.

“Yes. You need to contact the local tuxedo rental shop on Canal Street and ask for a Mr. Riggs. Have him come over here to measure Mr. Pryor and Mr. Traynor, and be sure to tell him I’ve sent you and he’ll be more than happy to put a rush on this. I’m sure he has something nice in stock that will work.” She paused to take a breath and to review a mental checklist. “That’s all I can think of, other than we have to keep this very quiet, and that includes the staff. Ms. Emerson is a celebrity and we need to protect her privacy.”

“Then it’s probably best I drive the limo to the inn,” Luc said. “I’ll relieve the usual driver and have Burks fill in for me for the evening. I’ll pick everyone up at the service entry.”

Obviously Renee hadn’t thought of everything, which made her appreciate Luc all the more. “That’s a good idea. Let me know a definite time as soon as you’ve made the arrangements.”

Looking oddly uncomfortable, Luc began backing to the door. “Sure thing, Miss Renee. I’ll see you in a while.”

“He looked a little shook up,” Pete said after Luc rushed out of the office. “Maybe he thinks we’re lying to him.”

“Lying about what?”

“About the bride and groom’s identity. I have a feeling he believes we’re the ones taking the plunge.”

Renee released a bark of a laugh. “Not hardly. Luc’s not stupid enough to believe I’d suddenly decide to get married on a moment’s notice.”

Pete frowned. “So you’re saying that marrying me would be stupid?”

“I’m not saying that.” She sensed she was about to back herself straight into a corner and possibly never come out. “I meant that Luc’s never seen me with a man other than you, so I can’t imagine that he would honestly believe I’d suddenly decide to get married. You saw how shocked he looked.”

And Pete looked entirely too smug. “No men in your life, huh?”

She needed to keep her mouth shut around him, in every sense. “I’ve told you, I’m busy with work. And speaking of that, I have a few things to finish up here before I can get home. I’m not even sure what I’m going to wear yet.”

“Do you still have that dress you wore to the governor’s ball? The one you were wearing the first time we met.”

Renee couldn’t believe he actually remembered what she’d been wearing that particular evening—the event that had set their fateful course. “I’m not sure I remember which dress you’re referring to.” And that wasn’t at all the truth. She remembered it well.