Saved by the Bride

chapter Five

“And this is the Main Street square.”

Watching Annika walking backward in those damn short shorts as well as admiring the way her T-shirt moved over her small but perfectly round breasts, had Finn regretting his spur-of-the-moment idea to come into town with her to avoid Dana’s lunch. What had seemed the perfect solution to missing lunch had started to unravel the moment she’d grasped his hand on the beach. Her boundless energy had run along his veins, firing up a reaction of base need he was finding difficult to quash. The not-so-perfect solution had continued to taunt him on the journey into Whitetail with her perfume filling his car and making him breathe more deeply. Adding insult to injury, the AC had blown strands of her long hair onto his arm where they’d stayed, held by a static force sent to mock him.

The insane thing was he didn’t like her so his reaction to her made no sense. As soon as his body got that message everything would be fine. He hauled his gaze up to the Richardsonian Romanesque–style turret and clock tower that graced the City Hall of a town that fell so far short of a city it was a joke. Its grandeur was in stark contrast to the other buildings which had plain, flat-fronted facades although the cinema flirted with a faux Tudor style. “That’s one hell of a building.”

“My Swedish ancestors had a vision.” Annika looked up at the clock with a wistful expression on her face and then turned back to him. “I’m starving and you promised me lunch.”

“What about here?” Finn glanced up at the faded sign that said Sven’s Swedish Smörgåsbord. Välkommen. “Is this place any good?”

“The pickled herring’s to die for.”

He opened the door for her with a teasing grin. “In that case, be my guest and order yourself a huge plate.”

“Actually, I prefer the lingonberry pancakes.” With eyes sparkling, she ducked under his arm and promptly tripped over the snow grate that was permanently in place.

His arm shot out to steady her, his fingers wrapping around the waistband of her shorts and brushing up against warm, soft skin. “Did you enjoy your trip?”

Her dry tone matched her eye roll. “Your wit astounds me. Excuse me while I hold my stomach muscles together from laughter.”

He grinned. “My friends laugh at my jokes.”

“You have friends?” Her mock surprise was followed by her patting his arm. “That’s good to hear.”

He laughed and as she stepped out of his hold, the scent of her hair filled his nostrils with the uncomplicated aroma of apples and cinnamon. One of the comfort foods Esther had been making him since he was a kid.

Just remember, she’s bossy and opinionated—everything you don’t like in a woman.

The restaurant was busy and the hostess seated them in a booth with a jug of fresh iced tea and she recommended the Pytt Panna: Swedish roast beef hash served over a hardboiled egg with a side of pickled beets. Finn thought the pancakes sounded like a safe bet.

While Annika sipped her drink she got a familiar glint in her eye—the one that said, “It’s time to talk.” She stirred the ice with her straw. “Now that you’ve seen the warehouses and the town, you’ve seen the potential and you know you want to use them.”

The business park had been a pleasant surprise and it was in very good condition. As an investment it had been a good deal, but then Sean rarely made bad deals—only bad marriages. He shook his head. “Sorry.”

Two small lines formed at the bridge of her nose. “So nothing you’ve seen in the last hour has changed your mind?”

“It’s not sound business.”

She pursued her lips and leaned forward. “Then sell them now. There might just be a company they’re perfect for who would use them and employ Whitetail’s workforce.”

She’d just echoed one of his emerging thoughts although given how tight things were he’d be stunned if they sold quickly. He rubbed his chin. “I suppose I could put them on the market but I’m not selling at a loss.”

“Obviously.”

She’d just surprised him. He’d picked her as having no business savvy at all. “I’ll call my Realtor.”

Annika flinched. “Could you use Ellery Johnston, the Whitetail Realtor? That way, if you sell, some money stays in the town.”

He contemplated her suggestion for a long moment wondering if there was any way it might actually work. “I doubt he’d have the contacts and reach of my guy.”

She huffed out a breath as if he’d just insulted her. “Whitetail might be a long way north but we’re connected to the world. Even our paper is online.”

“Still...” He couldn’t picture a small-town Realtor with Gavin’s killer drive.

She tapped her finger on the table. “Oh, now here’s an idea. You could wait until you’ve met Ellery before you leap to conclusions. You make a lot of snap decisions, don’t you?”

“No, I make considered decisions quickly.” He wasn’t used to anyone being this up front with him but instead of taking offense he found himself enjoying the challenge. He leaned forward, hooking her gaze, and used one of his negotiating tactics—staring down the opposition. “As mayor, shouldn’t you be humoring me?”

Vivid blue eyes held his stare. “What are you going to do? Lock me up again?”

Something about the way she said the words in that husky voice of hers had him picturing her wearing only handcuffs and white cotton panties. It shouldn’t have turned him on in the least but the restaurant suddenly seemed hot. “Don’t give me ideas.”

“Hi, Anni. Both Ellery and Nicole are looking for you.” The waitress, whose name badge said “Olivia,” arrived with a pen in hand and wearing a white blouse, black pants and a long, red-and-white-striped bibbed apron.

She gave Finn an appreciative look from under thick, dark lashes. Exactly the sort of glance he’d been receiving since high school and one he was completely at ease with, unlike the combative one he’d just got from Annika. He returned Olivia’s flirtatious peek with an easy smile.

She fluttered her eyelashes at him as she asked, “Who’s your handsome friend, Anni?”

Annika glanced around as if looking for someone and then said with a cheeky grin, “Oh, you mean Finn? Livvy, meet Finn Callahan.”

Olivia beamed. “Mr. Callahan, it’s so great you’re going to provide jobs for Whitetail. My boyfriend was about to leave town for work so thank you.”

Finn opened his mouth to deny everything when Olivia called out to the half-full restaurant, “Everyone, this is Finn Callahan.”

A murmur buzzed around the room and people rose and headed over to the booth, each of them wanting to shake his hand and tell him their story of how a new employer would mean their brother, father, sister, cousin, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew and every other relative in between would be able to stay in Whitetail.

Throughout the introductions, Annika had stayed completely silent but he could feel her gaze on him.

“So when will you be opening?” John asked.

Annika spoke, her voice firm and crisp, reminding him of his media consultant. “AKP Industries has no plans to operate out of Whitetail and are putting the warehouses on the market.”

The warm reception from the locals turned frosty.

“Typical Callahan.”

He heard the vitriol in the man’s voice and it raised his ire. “Would you care to explain that?”

John leaned his hands against the table. “My father and your grandfather used to fish together but that was back in the days before that big house, private helicopters and the Callahans thinking they were above the town.”

“John, please.” Annika put her hand over the market owner’s.

Finn instantly defended Grandpa. “My grandfather loved the lake and he drove a rusted-out truck. He had nothing to do with the Kylemore of today. That was built by my father.”

John snorted. “And don’t we know it. Your father turned his back on this town from the moment he used contractors from Chicago to build that house. He’s hardly put a cent into the economy and now you’re following his lead.”

A murmur of agreement rumbled around the restaurant.

He only accepted being compared to his father in terms of being a successful businessman. He’d never liked what Sean had done to Kylemore or the way he’d gone about it. “No, I’m not.”

“Then give me an example of how you’re contributing to Whitetail?”

“He’s using Ellery as the Realtor to sell the warehouses.” Annika’s voice sounded unexpectedly conciliatory, as if she was on his side.

Surprised, he glanced at her but her expression said, “You agreed to that, remember.”

The market owner wasn’t impressed. “That’s it? That’s your contribution?” He turned to the gathered diners, his voice full of disgust. “He’s not even going to employ one Whitetalian. I’m telling you, he’s his father’s son.”

Finn pressed his thumbs hard into his temples. He admired Sean’s business sense but not the rest of the way his father lived his life or his many marriages. Going on the derisive curl of the market owner’s lip, John wasn’t making any distinction between business and the man. Finn refused to be cast in the same collective light as his father and he’d prove the difference right this second even if it went against his better business judgment.

He stood up, looking straight over the older man’s head toward the group. “I need a P.A. for the summer here in Whitetail. I’ll employ the person who knows their way around data processing and spreadsheets, is absolutely reliable and not afraid of hard work. Who fits that description?”

“Anni.” Several voices spoke at once.

Annika made a choking sound.

“She’s the fill-in when people take vacations.” John nodded. “You can’t go wrong with Anni. She’s always helping out.”

Shit. Numerous pairs of expectant eyes were glued on him and after his grandstanding statement no way could he renege on his promise without risking being lynched by the townsfolk of Whitetail. The idea of Annika Jacobson as his P.A. and working closely with her had him all itchy and scratchy and hot and cold. He knew the best way to get over this foolish attraction was by simply not seeing her because once she was out of sight she would be out of mind. Working with her would make that impossible. How the hell was he going to get out of this mess?

Sneaking a quick glance at her, he immediately let go of a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. As it whooshed out he felt a surge of laughter bubbling up in his chest and somehow he managed not to grin widely. Annika sat opposite him, every part of her rigid and screaming that the idea of being his P.A. more than appalled her.

He instantly relaxed as he realized there was no way in the world she’d take the job. Even better than that was the fact that this had become a win-win situation for him. She’d find him a P.A. that wasn’t her and at the same time inadvertently save him from being held up as his father’s son.

“No, this isn’t going to work.” Annika finally found her voice amid her gasping surprise and absolute horror at the idea of working closely or to be more precise, in close proximately with Finn Callahan. It had been hard enough sitting next to him in the confines of his low-slung sports car surrounded by the seductive scent of leather and the suddenly sexy scent of Tide. How did the man convert the clean smell of fresh laundry powder into a turn-on?

She was seriously losing it and she had to put a stop to this nonsense right now. She appealed to the town. “Are you forgetting this is the man who insisted I spend a night in the cells?”

Melissa pursed her lips. “Well, to be honest, Anni, it was pretty silly trying to climb through a window in one of my most expensive dresses.”

Her voice rose. “I’ve paid for it.” And I’m flat broke with no phone service and nothing else to fall back on.

“You also told us everything was all sorted out.” Olivia turned and batted her eyelashes. “There’re no hard feelings, are there, Mr. Callahan?”

This time Finn was the one to choke but he rallied quickly and gave the crowd his winning smile. The one that looked guileless, but she knew better.

“Absolutely. All that misunderstanding is water under the bridge.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his expression full of consideration with a hint of challenge. “Although, if Annika’s uncomfortable working for me then I totally understand and I’m happy to employ someone else.”

And there it was. He’d just turned it all back on her.

“She needs a paying job.” Mrs. Norell clucked like a mother hen and gave Finn a beatific smile.

Annika surely didn’t need “help” like this. “Mrs. Norell, I’m doing just fine.”

“Honey, we know you’d like more work just like everyone else around here, especially as your calligraphy work has been quiet too.”

Oh great, tell Finn Callahan everything. “I don’t have time to work for him when I’m acting mayor.” Her voice sounded loud and defensive and she blew out a long breath. “That’s a full-time job in itself.”

“Is Anni here?” Nicole’s voice called out from behind the group which parted to let her through. She rushed forward seeming oblivious to Finn and the fact that everyone was standing around their booth. “I’ve been chasing you all morning. Why didn’t you return my messages?”

Annika didn’t want to publically admit to not being able to pay her cell phone bill but she didn’t have to as Nicole rushed on.

“Never mind, I’ve found you now. Guess what? I’ve got two brides who want to talk to you about invitations.”

Annika frowned trying to think who it could possibly be. “But no one’s got engaged since Thea and Jason.”

Nicole squealed with excitement. “That’s the thing. Two women called today after seeing us on TV and they’re seriously considering getting married in Whitetail. They’re driving up to visit on Wednesday and they want to meet with everyone to get quotes.”

Mrs. Norell beamed. “See, Anni, we do have a new business so you don’t have to worry. Now you can work for Mr. Callahan and help him, as well as doing your invitations.”

Annika rested her head in her hands for a moment and silently counted to ten. When she looked up she spoke slowly and calmly. “That’s great news. It really is but two wedding inquiries don’t make a business. They’re inquiries and they might lead nowhere. Let’s be realistic here. You don’t have a website or a brochure outlining what is on offer. You don’t have a central person to pull everything together and you don’t even have a place where brides can come to discuss their ideas.”

“The town can have the use of the warehouses rent-free, until they sell.”

All heads snapped to Finn.

“Really?” Melissa checked. “What about utility costs?”

“I’ll pay for lighting and normal use but if you start using more than just basic office equipment we’ll discuss that.”

Annika groaned. As much as she liked the idea of a wedding business, it wasn’t a remotely practical solution to Whitetail’s employment needs. Even if it did start to take off, it would be slow to build and probably only generate income for a select few. The town needed so much more and quickly. It was hard being the only person who could see the big picture because it made her sound like a pessimistic naysayer, but they’d asked her to be mayor to guide them through this crisis so it was up to her to lead them. How was she going to tell them that a warehouse was hardly a romantic place for brides to come and discuss their fairy-tale wedding?

She took a long look at Finn who suddenly seemed almost too relaxed as he leaned back in the booth drinking a soda. She wished she knew what was going on behind those dark, enigmatic eyes. Why his sudden largesse with the warehouses? Why the unexpected surge of generosity? She hadn’t been able to get anything out of him and now he was offering something, but it did little service to the town. Tilting her head, she signaled frantically with her eyes and then slightly tapped his shin under the table for good measure, hoping he’d get the message and retract his offer.

He didn’t. Instead, he smiled at her before addressing the crowd. “As Annika pointed out to me earlier, the warehouses are of no value to anyone empty. Letting you use them until they sell is the least I can do for Whitetail. I’ll throw in some IT equipment too, if you want it. We’ve recently upgraded the Chicago offices so there’s some going spare.” He pulled out two business cards and gave one to Nicole and the other to Melissa.

Nicole smiled and her face lit up again for the second time in a week. “You’ve been incredibly helpful, Finn. We’ll be in touch.”

“Best go through whoever’s my P.A. She’ll be handling it all.” His gaze swung to Annika as his foot connected lightly with her shin.

Now he was the one doing the warning off. Under normal circumstances it wouldn’t have even been necessary. Sure, she needed the money. She badly needed the money but not even possible eviction would have been enough to propel her into the job of being Finn Callahan’s P.A. But nothing about this situation was normal. As mayor, the town depended on her and she in turn had to protect the people of Whitetail. She needed to keep a very close eye on things from a business perspective and there was only one way to do that. Even if it meant risking her sanity.

She raised her hand and her voice. “You can go through me. I’m his new P.A.”

Finn’s jaw tensed and his eyebrows hit his hairline, but it was the flash of fire in his dark, dark eyes—fire which flared for a moment before quickly being doused by stony resignation—that sent butterflies somersaulting in her stomach. It was going to be a very long summer.

* * *

It was Monday morning and Annika tried to listen as Finn paced across the office. His wide mouth and tempting lips that had featured in more than just one dream, moved continuously as he outlined her job in crisp and precise detail. She’d expected a grilling from him on why she’d taken the job but from the moment he’d stepped through the doorway, he’d treated her like she was any ordinary employee and had immediately launched into orientation. They could have been in Chicago and the only nod to the fact they weren’t was his clothing.

Gone was the more formal business shirt of yesterday. Today he wore an apple-green short-sleeved shirt which sat square on his broad shoulders and had the unsettling effect of making his eyes far more chocolate-noir than inky black.

She shifted in her seat and crossed her legs. Watching those eyes and that mouth was far too distracting on so many levels that she didn’t dare count. Instead she moved her gaze around, trying to pin it to a wall or the blinking light on the fax/scanner/printer/copier, but it kept flitting between Finn and the lake. The house was built on a point and this afforded almost every room a view, including the office. Today the summer sunshine shimmered against the blue water which sparkled and danced like a shower of silver glitter. The recreational sounds of vacationers drifted on the air—the distant buzz of motorboats, the delighted squeals of children splashing in the water and the thwack of balls as they hit the strings of tennis racquets. Every part of her wanted to be outside and she wondered how any work ever got done in this light and airy room.

Finn didn’t appear to notice the blue-blue sky, the vivid green of the trees, the silvery glistening lake or even her. Nothing it seemed could distract him from work, which was probably why he had millions of dollars in the bank and she had less than nothing.

Just start the final painting for the gallery exhibition you agreed to and earn some money that way.

The thought had her ducking for cover. No time. The town needs me and that means working here.

Finn rubbed the back of his neck. “I usually use an agency to hire temporary staff so I’ll have to ask someone in payroll to organize a contract for you and get your social security details and all that stuff. Payday is the end of the month.”

Money. That snapped her attention back on task. She checked the desk calendar—there was far too much of the month left and too little money to cross the gap between now and payday. She tucked her hair behind her ears and tried to sound casual. “That sounds like a lot of trouble for such a short period of time. I mean, it’s not like I’m getting any benefits so why not make it easier and just pay me cash?”

He stopped pacing, turned his head and just like a marksman, he held her in his sights with those delicious cocoa eyes.

Her heart leaped and her breasts strained against her bra. She quickly crossed her arms, desperate to hide any telltale signs that her body craved him with an intensity so strong it strayed way beyond the boundaries of common sense. So far from the boundaries that it scared her more than she cared to admit. Arguing with him was a lot safer. That and the fact it would distract him from getting to the truth that she was stone broke. No one needed to know that. She didn’t need pity or a lecture; she got enough of both from her brother.

He cocked one eyebrow. “Avoiding the IRS, are we?”

She tossed her head. “You’re really determined to think the worst of me in every situation, aren’t you?”

His palms flattened against the side of the desk but his mouth twitched at the corners. “If the boot fits.”

She swung her sandal-clad feet up onto the desk as if giving him the bird. “Oh yeah, I’m up there with the top criminal masterminds of the twenty-first century.”

His eyes stalled on her brightly painted toes and his voice rumbled lower than ever. “I’ve met the rest of the masterminds and they’re far more coordinated than you.”

Suddenly it felt a lot more like flirting than disagreeing. Planning to put her legs back on the floor and act more like the P.A. she now was, she abruptly moved her legs and immediately felt the wheels of the office chair skate out from under her. “Ohh!”

Her bottom slid forward until her spine sat flat against the chair and she hung precariously between the chair and the desk, her arms not long enough to reach the wooden top to save herself from falling.

Rich, vibrant laughter erupted around her before strong arms rescued her, helping her rise to her feet. Finn grinned down at her. “I rest my case.”

“My klutz-like tendencies are just part of my cover with the masterminds.” She brushed her Capri pants free of imaginary lint to hide the fact she was a trembling mess just from seeing him smile and having his warm hands on her arms. She voiced the unspoken elephant in the room. “I’m surprised you’re even letting me work for you.”

He leaned forward, his breath tickling her cheek and his voice deep and low. “I like to keep my enemies close.”

A wave of heat dumped over her so fast it stole her breath and the tingling aftershocks made her head spin. His lips hovered so close it would only take a small move to the right and a slight tilt of her chin and her lips would be brushing his. Tasting him again, feeling her body come to life under his touch as he infused her with—

Stop it. This is so not a good idea. At the very least he’s your boss and if Ryan taught you anything it was never mix business and pleasure. Ever. Again.

She stepped back, desperately needing the distance, and she walked over to the windows. “Only we both know I’m not your enemy because you ran a police check on me. Trust is a big issue for you isn’t it?”

He shrugged, the businessman back in action. “It’s standard business procedure. AKP can’t afford anyone selling secrets.”

Surprise lit through her. “Does that really happen?”

“It can. We’re in an enviable market position at the moment but business is fluid and it can change in a heartbeat. Which reminds me—you need to sign a confidentiality clause stating that everything you see, hear or read while in my employ stays here. Will that be a problem?”

She shook her head. Keeping secrets wasn’t a problem for her; she kept plenty of her own. “Not at all. So we’re agreed. I keep your information safe and you pay me cash every Friday. Deal?”

Finn watched Annika wind the ends of her hair around her fingers and the memory of those silken strands caressing his palms four days ago had him curling his fingers into a tight ball, trying to crush the simmering desire that refused to leave him. Damn it but he’d almost kissed her again a moment ago and that was after the grand total of twenty-five minutes of working together.

He still couldn’t believe she’d accepted the job and he’d decided not to ask her straight up why she had. No, he’d wait and see what panned out because if he’d learned one thing over the last few days it was that she always had a reason for her actions no matter how crazy. And he’d been right—a hint at the reason hadn’t taken long to emerge. He didn’t care how she got paid but he found it interesting that she was so insistent on cash. “Is money why you took this job?”

“As everyone explained, I’m the best person for this job.” She gave him a beaming smile. “You really do ask a lot of questions but it’s my turn now.” She flicked open his diary. “I’m going to make an appointment for you to meet with Ellery tomorrow to discuss the sale of the warehouses, and speaking of warehouses, why did you offer the town their use?”

He did a double take at her irritated tone. “Hang on a minute. You’ve harangued me long and hard about not using them and not providing employment for the town so why am I suddenly the bad guy for offering them rent-free?”

Her eyes flashed silvery blue daggers, in sharp contrast to the smoky hue that had almost made him kiss her a few moments ago. “I get that everyone is excited about the wedding idea, but, try as I might, I really can’t see it being the financial savior of the town.”

“Some of the most successful companies have started out as ideas most people swore would never work out.”

Her forehead creased in deep furrows. “Yes, and a million more have failed. This wedding plan would be okay if it was one person starting out and risking all, but the entire town is pinning its hopes on it. I’m really worried it will fail and cause them even more heartache. Whitetail can’t afford that, not financially or emotionally, and as acting mayor I have an obligation to protect the citizens.”

He rubbed his chin wondering why she was so agitated about this, especially as she had a business herself that would benefit from the wedding-town idea. “As mayor you need to listen to what the town wants.”

Her face tightened. “And if what they want isn’t in their best interests? What then?”

“This is a democracy. You’re the mayor not a dictator.”

She shot him a withering look. “I’m well aware of that, but to survive, we need full employment now, which is why you’re meeting with Ellery. We’re going to try and attract a big company to buy and use the warehouses like other small Midwest towns have done.”

He didn’t like her chances but he didn’t care that much to disabuse her of her ideals. “Part of your job with me is to be my liaison with the town and I’m not reneging on my offer so you need to be involved. Besides, I thought you’d be pleased because even if they only get one wedding out of this then it’s income for your calligraphy business.”

She threw her hands out. “This isn’t about me—it’s about the town. Someone has to have a broader vision.”

Something in her voice touched a place in him he didn’t visit very often. “Why do you care so much?”

She stared at him with confusion in her eyes, and it was as if she didn’t really understand the question. “These people mean a lot to me. They’re family. Wouldn’t you do anything to help your family?”

He wasn’t so sure that he would.