"The flowers are lovely," Stephanie told her, eyeing the tulips in the hall. "But it's time a man was bringing you flowers, instead of you buying them yourself."

Dana didn't respond. For some reason, she didn't care to admit that a man had brought them. Maybe she feared revealing to Steph how ridiculously pleased she was by AJ's gift.

"So how are those favorite clients of yours?"

There was no need for Stephanie to identify "those clients." Dana had rambled on about the discordant sessions with AJ and Sarah. But it struck her as uncanny that Steph should bring them up at this particular moment. Had she spotted AJ here the other night? It would have been easy for her to do so.

After acquiring Torrence Place, Dana had sought renters for the adjacent carriage house. Stephanie Anders, a private-duty nurse, and her husband Jay, a medical resident, had applied. Like Dana, they loved the Heights neighborhood and wanted to live there. When Stephanie sweetened the deal with an offer to work part time in Dana's wedding planning business, Dana saw it as a perfect solution to her personnel needs. She couldn't afford a regular assistant's salary and Stephanie could shuffle her hospital hours to accommodate Dana's schedule.

Within weeks, the neighbor-employee relationship had blossomed into friendship. The close association also meant Stephanie was privy to most of the comings and goings at Torrence Place.

But knowing Steph as she now did, Dana also knew that she hadn't glimpsed AJ. Stephanie had no flair for subtlety. If she'd spied him alone and bearing flowers, Steph would already have subjected Dana to a grilling worthy of the fiercest litigator.

"They get more combative every time I see them," Dana said. Having determined Stephanie's inquiry to be innocent, Dana relaxed and filled her in on the couple's most recent visit. "And if that wasn't enough, Sarah called me yesterday with extra demands." Dana grabbed a saucepan from the overhead rack.

Stephanie was standing at the kitchen island, icing a two-tiered wedding cake. "Then Sarah was the one who added the caged doves and the strolling violinists to the 'To Do' list?"

"Yes, and the paté swan and monogrammed ice sculpture. I'm amazed a skywriter and some strutting peacocks weren't included. When it comes to special effects, Sarah could probably orchestrate the opening ceremonies at the Olympics." Dana dumped water and a dollop of butter into the pan and turned on the burner.

"But I thought AJ wanted something understated and tasteful. How did she get him to go along with these showy extras?"

Dana shrugged. "I have no idea. She's his fiancée and–" The ringing doorbell stopped her. "One moment," she called out. "Steph, can you take over these Grand Marnier puffs for me?" The bell rang again.

"I'm coming, I'm coming," Dana grumbled under her breath, grabbing a tea towel to wipe her hands as she went to answer the door.

Spying him through the glass, she gave a groan similar to two nights ago. Speak of the devil – AJ McLean again. And looking none too happy, she thought as she opened up the door to a cloudy face overshadowing a vibrant yellow polo shirt. Obviously, this particular groom wasn't on Dana's front porch early on a Saturday to exchange pleasantries.

Why now of all times, Dana moaned, when she was too consumed with work to indulge him? Experience provided her an immediate answer. She'd been around long enough to know and accept the fact that clients didn't always choose convenient moments, especially wealthy clients. People like AJ were accustomed to deference at every turn. She might as well listen to his concerns and get it over with. "Oh, hello," she said. "I didn't expect to see you this morning. Tell me how I can help you Mr. McLean."

"I thought hiring you would help me," he griped. "I believed we had an agreement on the kind of wedding you were to put on. That's why I chose Torrence Place. Now I find you're turning it into a three-ringed circus." He braced one hand on the doorframe and lean intimidatingly in her direction.

"Now, just a darned minute. . ." Dana, momentarily losing her cool, glared up at him from her diminutive height, her brown eyes shooting sparks. Influential client or not, she wasn't about to put up with being blamed for something not her fault. "I was hired to countermand your intended. The choices are hers, not mine."

"With your encouragement, according to Sarah. I've already paid for the wedding I wanted. I suggest you quit trying to run up the tab with a brunch of extras."

"My encouragement? Me run up the tab? I'll have you know. . ."

"And I'll have you know that I don't intend to put up this. . .this folderol. Small and simple. Surely that was clear. It shouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why I spent so much time personally overseeing the decisions."

"Tell that to. . ." Dana paused, forcing down her temper. She had nothing to gain by maligning his bride-to-be and making him madder then he already was. "Why don't we continue this conversation inside?" She could just imagine the reactions of neighbors or passers-by witnessing her in a heated confrontation on the front porch.

"What I have to say won't take much longer."

"Be that as it may, I'm cooking, and what I have on the stove can't wait," Dana answered. "If you want to talk to me right now, it'll have to be in my kitchen." She led AJ to the rear of the house, introduced him to Stephanie and gestured toward a chair. AJ ignored the chair. Instead he hovered over Dana at the stove as she took the wooden spoon from Stephanie and began stirring the puff mixture.

"Now about your wedding," Dana said, trying to maintain a modicum of composure. He was too close for comfort. She could detect a hint of spicy after-shave and feel the fabric of his cotton shirt against her arm. "Am I to make changes to your fiancée's selections?" Dana hoped he caught the emphasis. She was doing her best to be civil, but AJ McLean must realized that she was through being bullied. "I'd appreciate knowing as soon as possible, before I go 'running up the tab' anymore."

"Forget I said that. Naturally I'll reimburse you for any additional costs. I just hope importing the Vienna Boys' Choir is not on the agenda."

"Oh, nothing that ostentatious. . .yet." She beat the batter in the saucepan furiously.

"Would you care for coffee?" Stephanie interjected, apparently discerning that a peacemaker was needed.

To Dana's astonishment, AJ agreed. He sat down at the kitchen table, sipping a cup of mocha java and chatting amicably with Stephanie while Dana dropped teaspoons of batter onto baking sheets. With the puffs in the ovens, she poured a cup of coffee for herself and joined them at the table.

"Now let's clarify what I'm supposed to do," she said. "In the next few weeks, do I get approval from you on every detail?"

"Surely you can sort out when I need to be contacted."

"Even if that were true, I shouldn't have to. My job is a consultant, not a referee." He pulled out the checkbook and scribbled out another payment. "That should provide for any other exigencies, including 'refereeing' as you put it." He tossed the check on the table.

Dana fixed her gaze on the figures for an instant, eyes almost popping at the total. It took all her resolve not to grab the check and kiss it. Reluctantly, she tore it in two and slid the pieces in his direction. Just because the amount was a mere pittance to AJ, didn't mean she could take advantage of him. So far his initial fee had sufficiently covered all costs, with room left for a tidy profit.

"I wasn't asking for more money – just a little consideration." There was no missing the bite to her words.

The nasty retort she expected from him did not materialize. Instead AJ looked somewhat taken aback as he pick up the two pieces of the check and put them in his pocket. "Most people I know would love getting more money."

"I'm not most people."

A corner of his mouth twitched in a betraying smile. "I'm beginning to appreciate that. I meant no offense."

Again, Dana was caught off guard. She didn't know what to make of AJ. Sometimes – like now – he was almost human, the dictatorial pose completely gone.

He stood up. "I'll talk to Sarah. From here on you'll consult with me and only me. Got it?"

The dictator was back. "Yes, sir." Dana rose and clicked her heels together.

"Thanks for the coffee," he said politely to Stephanie, then without further conversation, or even a goodbye to Dana, he turned and left.

Dana followed him to the front door, once again watching as he drove off. When she reappeared in the kitchen, Stephanie had removed the puffs from the oven and returned to the cake icing.

"Thank goodness he's gone." Dana slumped down into a nearby chair and exhaled loudly. "So what did you think?"

"Who can think? What a gorgeous hunk of a man."

"With the disposition of a drill sergeant."

"Oh, he's just frustrated. . .probably with good reason, from what you've been telling me about Sarah. Anyway, we'll both be laughing about all of this once the wedding is over."

Dana raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure of that?"

"Positive. Meanwhile, whenever the pressure starts getting to you, just picture all the new commissions you'll attract because of those two. Torrence Place and 'Arrangements by Dana' will be on the lips of the best people. More jobs, bigger bucks. One of these days you'll end the richest in Houston."

"Please." Dana gave Stephanie an entreating frown. "You're not going to lecture me on that again, are you?"

Stephanie pointed a spatula at Dana. "Somebody has to. The only socializing you do involves other people lives – not yours."

"So?" Dana rose to load the dishwasher. "Quit fretting, Steph. I'll find myself a nice guy one of these days."

"How many days do you intend to wait? You're already twenty-six and, by your own admission, have never been serious about anyone." Stephanie brightened. "Here's an idea – why don't you steal Mr. Gorgeous from the 'bird lady'?"

"Now that would be a smart move." Dana gave Stephanie an incredulous shake of the head. "Not only would my name be mud after Sarah's family finished with me, but the man is impossible."

"He didn't seem all that bad."

"He was on his good behavior, Steph. You haven't seen him at his worst."

"Maybe it's Sarah. Maybe she brings out the beast in him. Could be he just needs 'luv' from the right woman."

Dana let out an exaggerated sigh. "Stephanie Anders, you're hopeless. Whether she's 'right' or not, he's already got a woman and you and I have a wedding to put on tonight. Now let's hustle. The helpers will be here soon to help us set up."

After the last glass had been washed and shelved and the house restored to normal that evening. Dana headed for her bedroom. It was almost 1 a.m. and she was exhausted. All she could do was slipped into her nightshirt quickly, quickly brush her teeth, then collapse on the bed. She had anticipated that sleep will claim her immediately, but instead, she lay awake thinking about AJ and Sarah. Something set them apart from most couples she'd worked with. Not the bickering. Prewedding jitters could explain that away. No, there just seemed to be an element missing in their relationship. These two lacked that special spark so evident with other brides and grooms. Intuition told Dana it wasn't a good match and the possibility sent a wave of depression washing over her. She had a foreboding about their future, and about her role in it.

Cool it, Miss High and Mighty, she cautioned herself. Your job is to orchestrate the wedding, not assume responsibility for the happily-ever-after. She thought about Stephanie's suggestion that Dana steal AJ for her own. Leave it to Stephanie to come up with such a capricious notion.

Dana flipped onto her stomach and tried to fell asleep, but to no avail. She could forget Sarah, but couldn't banish AJ from her mind. He was different from most of the first-time grooms. For years AJ had been one of the most written about bachelors, being a member of a successful pop group will do that to a person. Among others, he'd squired movie stars, a former Miss Texas, a TV anchorwoman, and a member of the British royal family. There had been many a broken heart left in his wake, but, interestingly, no bitter backstabbing from any of those old flames.

So why after all this time and all those women was he committing to someone like Sarah Martin, when he could have almost anyone he set his sights on? It didn't add up.

What would it have been like to have been one of those women? To kiss him? Dana punched her pillow, trying to get comfortable and to will away such inappropriate thoughts. Darn that Stephanie. Her outlandish suggestion had caused this flight of fancy. AJ was off-limits. Not only was he a business contact, but an engaged contact at that and, as such, totally beyond her grasp. Dana was worn out, but now she was almost afraid to fall asleep. The way her mind was deteriorating, she'd probably dream about AJ.

Chapter 3
Chapter 1
Table of Contents
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