Catching Her Rival (Mills & Boon Superromance) Read online

  “Sounds good.” She rose, as well. “I’m going to go dig out Mom’s old files that I haven’t been through yet and then figure out what to wear on our nondate.”

  He smiled. As he turned and went down the steps, he saw her sketch pad propped against the porch railing. The ocean was churning and the sky was dark, as if a storm was brewing. He turned back and asked Charlotte, “Is this yours?” At her nod, he said, “It’s so different—darker—from what you’ve done in the past.”

  She nodded, her expression thoughtful. “No matter how much I try, I just can’t seem to make myself use color in any of my art these days. I’m drawn to charcoal, as if my world is black and white.”

  He considered her statement a moment and said in a terrible British accent, “I take that as a challenge, my lady.” He swept off a pretend hat and bowed in the middle of the street, as if he were a prince and she his princess-to-be. “Until tomorrow...”

  She smiled, giving him hope that someday soon she would be the happy person he knew she could be.

  He gave her a little wave and a wink. “See you later,” he called, and he took his porch steps two at a time.

  * * *

  SATURDAY MORNING DAWNED bright with sunshine, but Allie’s mood didn’t match the weather. Morning had come too quickly after her late night, and she craved a few more hours of sleep. But no, her mother was adamant Allie have her hair done with the other girls. She wasn’t in the wedding party, thanks to some fast-talking when her sister-in-law-to-be brought it up. Allie was merely a reader at the ceremony. Regardless, her mother had insisted on her presence at several wedding-party functions.

  Allie had attended the rehearsal last night like a good little girl, followed by a catered dinner at the Chinese Tea House on the Bellevue House grounds. Thanks to the bride’s parents, who were members of the preservation society, Emily and Scott would have their wedding reception at Bellevue House, one of Newport’s glamorous, historic mansions, recently donated and restored for members’ functions. And getting married at St. Mary’s Church, the same church as John and Jackie Kennedy, wasn’t too shabby, Allie supposed.

  If you were into weddings, that is.

  After the rehearsal dinner, Allie spent hours working on her presentation for the client who could rescue her advertising agency. She had a meeting scheduled for Monday, and there was too much preparation necessary to do it all on Sunday. Now she wasn’t quite done, but she’d gotten far enough along to be able to enjoy her brother’s big day.

  After a group breakfast with the females in the wedding party, Allie was getting her hair washed and “done” at Crystal’s Salon and Spa. Allie wasn’t sure what the “spa” part of the title meant. There didn’t seem to be anything to the shop but a large room for washing and styling hair, a back room to mix coloring chemicals and a dryer that was presumably tumbling towels.

  “I don’t want anything too extreme,” she told her stylist, Shari. The young woman had a blue streak in her hair and a prominent tattoo on her bare right shoulder and down her arm.

  “You have gorgeous hair,” Shari told her as she combed through Allie’s dark, wet tangles. “Do you want an updo like the rest of the party?”

  “I’m not a bridesmaid,” Allie said. “I’m not sure exactly how I want my hair done.” Her hairstyle had been the least of her concerns recently.

  Before Allie could decide, Shari said, “I think we keep it down and do a crimped version of your style.” She scrunched Allie’s chin-length hair a little to give her an idea of where Shari was headed. “What do you think?”

  “That’s good,” Allie said. Much better than an updo, which would make her feel like she was attending her high school prom.

  “So, where do you fit into all this?” Shari asked as she rubbed a squirt of mousse between her hands and applied it to Allie’s hair. “If you’re not a bridesmaid, then what are you?”

  Allie couldn’t help smiling at Shari’s openness. “I’m the sister of the groom. I passed on the bridesmaid role,” she said in a loud whisper over the whir of the hair dryers. “It’s not really my thing, and the bride didn’t need one more anyway. I’m sure she asked me only to be polite. She already had six bridesmaids, two junior bridesmaids and two flower girls.”

  “Wow! No wonder everyone’s booked this morning.”

  Shari kept up a running conversation while she worked on her hair, complimenting Allie’s great skin and the striking blue of her eyes next to her milky-white complexion.

  This girl was definitely jonesing for a large tip. By the end of their time together, Allie was much more relaxed and decided Shari certainly deserved that tip.

  Next stop, back to the downtown Newport hotel where they were all staying so she could get dressed and apply makeup. Another group event she’d taken a pass on, deciding to do these tasks on her own.

  At least her mother hadn’t made an issue of that, too.

  * * *

  ONCE CHARLOTTE FINALLY figured out what she was going to wear on this nondate with Jack, her excitement grew. She hadn’t done anything for the fun of it in...well, she couldn’t remember the last time.

  Since her mother’s cancer diagnosis a little over a year ago, Charlotte had been with her mom nearly 24/7 until her passing. Her mother had no other living relatives. After being left all alone, Charlotte’s focus had been settling her mother’s estate and buying the historic home she’d fallen in love with on sight. She had an art studio set up in one of the bedrooms, and she rarely left home except for necessities.

  She wasn’t even sure she remembered how to have fun.

  She finished her makeup and spent some extra time curling her dark hair into soft waves that came just below her chin. According to the clock on her nightstand, she still had twenty minutes before Jack would come by for her. She was about to slip on her dress when she heard her cell phone.

  A text message from Jack.

  Running late. Visiting Granddad and he passed out. He’s fine now. Will be there ASAP.

  She texted back.

  Glad he’s OK. Do you want me to meet you at the wedding?

  Jack’s grandfather was in a Providence hospital, which meant Jack was about forty-five minutes away. St. Mary’s church was only a short drive from her house if tourist traffic wasn’t too heavy.

  No. I have to change for the wedding. Didn’t expect to stay this long.

  When she was ready to go, Charlotte made herself comfortable on her porch. She didn’t want Jack to have to wait even a second longer on her account.

  The wedding was scheduled to begin at two, which was almost the time Jack’s black sports car came down the street. He spotted her immediately and waved as he ran from where he’d parallel parked his car on the street to his front porch steps that he took by twos. “I’ll be right out.”

  Charlotte checked her small silver clutch to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything and then locked her front door. She walked carefully down her porch steps to the sidewalk with its cracks and bumps, and then crossed the street. She wasn’t used to wearing the four-inch heels that went with the sapphire-blue dress she’d chosen, but she’d manage. Her dress was gathered on one side under the bust with a glittery silver buckle, and her strappy silver shoes completed the outfit.

  “All set?” Jack appeared on his porch, straightening his gold tie and securing a gold tie bar. His dark suit jacket was folded over one arm. He locked his front door and stopped abruptly at the top of his steps. “Wow! You clean up real nice.”

  Charlotte’s cheeks heated. She wasn’t used to being complimented on anything but her artwork, even in such a flippant manner. “Thank you.” She couldn’t help noticing he didn’t look half-bad either. “So do you.”

  “What, this old thing?” He grinned as he opened the passenger-side door for her and then came around the car to lay his jacket in the backseat before getting into the driver’s seat. “I’m really sorry we’re so late.” He checked the silver watch on his wrist. “By the time we fight
the Saturday tourist traffic and park, we’ll probably have missed the ceremony completely. Why don’t we head directly to the reception?”

  “Hey, she’s your cousin. No one will miss me,” she teased. “How’s your grandfather? You said he passed out?”

  Jack nodded as he pulled out of his parking spot and drove up their street. “I waited until the doctor examined him. The doctor said it was probably low blood sugar because everything else checked out. Turned out Granddad didn’t eat much for lunch today. I guess he’s not thrilled with the food they serve.”

  “That’s too bad. Can you bring food in for him?”

  “He’s on a low-sodium diet, which makes that difficult.”

  “No wonder he doesn’t like the food, if they’re leaving out the salt.”

  A few more minutes of small talk and they were at Bellevue House, being directed where to park.

  “It’s a beautiful day for a wedding,” Charlotte commented as she exited the car. “They could have had an outdoor wedding. Not that planning an outdoor wedding in this area would be a smart idea.”

  “That could be a disaster with the wind gusts off the ocean alone, but I’m sure a lot of brides risk it when you can have the Atlantic Ocean or Narragansett Bay as a backdrop.” Jack put on his suit jacket and then held out his bent arm for her. “Shall we?”

  She slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow, and they headed toward the mansion with its manicured gardens and huge round fountain. “Tell me how you’re related to these people. You said the bride is your cousin?” At his nod, she asked, “And the grandfather you just visited?”

  “He’s my mom’s father. The bride is my dad’s niece.”

  “Will your mother be here?” She hadn’t thought about how much family he would have at the wedding. His grandfather had raised him, but Jack had never mentioned what had happened to his parents.

  “No.” He paused. “She passed away a long time ago.”

  “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I should have...”

  He stopped walking and looked at her. “It’s okay. I haven’t mentioned it because of your situation. She died when I was about ten.”

  He put a hand on the small of her back, and they continued walking.

  Charlotte blinked away the tears that threatened. It didn’t take much for her to remember her own mother.

  “I always forget how impressive the mansions are,” he said in an obvious attempt to change the subject.

  She nodded. “Such a romantic place to have a wedding.”

  “If you’re into those things.”

  She glanced sideways at him. “I take it you’re not?”

  “Definitely not.” He grinned and then winked. “I’m not a good candidate for marriage, so a wedding is nowhere in my future plans.”

  Before she could ask about his plans, they reached the mansion and were directed to the terrace for drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

  There must have been more than two hundred people in attendance, mostly standing in groups under the large, striped awning, while a few others sat. There were small, round tables with floor-length tablecloths and six cushioned ladder-back chairs at each. Two bars were set up, one at each end of the terrace, and both had long lines.

  “What would you like to drink?” He guided her in the direction of the closest bar.

  “A soda would be fine for now.” She wasn’t used to drinking in the middle of the afternoon. The last thing she’d want to do was drink too much and make a fool of herself.

  “Oh, there’s my cousin Frank and his wife.” Jack scrunched his face. “I can’t remember her name. Anyway, Frank’s a lot of fun. I’ll introduce you, and you can sit with them while I get us drinks.”

  Charlotte wasn’t a “talk to strangers” kind of gal, but since Jack was the only one she knew in the room, she’d try her best to fake it. And it would give her an excuse to not have to stand in her high heels, which were already being troublesome.

  * * *

  JACK HATED LEAVING CHARLOTTE, but the whole idea of inviting her was to get her out amongst people. Ideally his cousin could engage her and keep her thoughts away from her grief better than Jack had. He should have known the subject of his parents would come up when they were attending a family wedding. At least Charlotte hadn’t asked about his dad, too.

  After several minutes, he was nearly at the front of the line. The couples ahead of and behind him were strangers, so he quietly looked over the crowd for people he knew. The wedding party must still be taking pictures. He didn’t see the bride, groom or anyone associated with them on the terrace.

  “I’d like two colas,” he told the older man who was bartending. He slipped a dollar into the tip jar and stepped away with the two glasses.

  He was making his way back to the table where he’d left Charlotte when he saw her in line at the other bar. She had her back to him, her arms crossed.

  A moment of worry hit him. What had happened? Had she gotten tired of waiting for her drink and decided to get her own? Had she not gotten along with Frank and his wife?

  Jack hurried through the crowd. He came up behind her and said, “Charlotte?” When she didn’t react, he tapped her shoulder to get her attention.

  “What’s the matter, too impatient to wait till I got back?” he asked.

  As soon as the woman he thought was Charlotte turned around, he knew it wasn’t Charlotte, even though the resemblance was incredible. She wore a dress similar to Charlotte’s in color, and her hair was not only the same dark brown but also styled nearly identically.

  “I’m so sorry. I thought you were someone else.” He couldn’t help staring into her gorgeous blue eyes. Uncanny. They were exactly like Charlotte’s, but somehow different.

  Instead of seeing Charlotte’s grief in her eyes, he saw definite annoyance.

  CHAPTER TWO

  ALL SHE WANTED was a drink. A glass of water would do—a shot of tequila would be better. “Did you want something?” Allie asked the man who was still staring at her.

  He twisted his neck slightly and raised his chin as if his stiff white shirt collar was too tight. He held a glass of dark liquid with a cocktail straw in each hand.

  “I’m sorry. I thought you were someone else.” He blinked.

  “You said that already.”

  “The resemblance is remarkable.”

  “I’m sure it is.” Whatever that meant.

  She glanced to her right and saw her very pregnant sister, Rachael, coming toward her. Uh-oh. Now what? Maybe she should have given in to her mother and found a date for this shindig instead of being everyone’s errand girl. She was beginning to think her mother was looking for things for her to do to punish her for refusing to bring a date.

  She turned back to the guy who’d mistaken her for another woman, but he was gone. She probably should have been nicer to him. He was pretty hot in his well-tailored, dark suit that made his dark eyes look nearly black. His almost-black hair was neatly trimmed, shorter on the sides with a little height on top, but not too much. Yeah, definitely hot.

  “What do you need me to do now?” Allie asked Rachael as soon as her sister was within hearing range.

  “Dad left his inhaler back at the hotel, and he’s having trouble with all the blooming flowers around here.”

  Allie rolled her eyes. They could have stopped at the hotel on their way from the church if he’d remembered sooner. “Okay, I’ll go get it.”

  “I could go—”

  Allie shook her head. “I’ll do it. You’ve got enough to worry about between Sophie and her little brother, who you’re cooking in there.” She pointed to Rachael’s expanding belly and then looked around the room. “Speaking of Sophie, where is she?” Allie’s three-year-old niece had developed a tendency to wander off since arriving in town, and the entire family was on constant lookout.

  “Dan’s got her occupied,” Rachael said, referring to her husband. “If you’re sure, then I’ll go back to keep an eye on Dad.”

 
; “I’m sure.” Maybe she could even stop for a big bottle of water while she was gone. She sure wasn’t going to get a drop of it in this slow line anytime soon.

  * * *

  JACK SET A glass of soda in front of Charlotte, who sat alone at the table. He took the seat next to her, anxious to share what he’d seen. “Guess what? You have a doppelgänger.”

  Charlotte’s eyes widened. “Really?”

  As someone adopted as a baby, did she search crowds to find other people with similar DNA? Or was he projecting his own thoughts on the situation? As an only child, he had often found himself wondering what it would be like to have a sibling. Especially during his teenage years.

  “Yeah, she’s over there in line at the bar.” He stood up again and surveyed the room to find Charlotte’s look-alike. He squinted but didn’t see her in either line. He sat back down. “She’s gone. But I’ll point her out next time I see her. You can’t miss her. She’s even wearing a dress almost the same color as yours.”

  He gestured to the plates and glasses left on the table across from Charlotte, where Frank and his wife had been sitting. “What happened to those two?” The last thing he wanted was for Charlotte to be by herself. She was supposed to be having some fun.

  “They went to look at the collage of baby pictures of the bride and groom,” Charlotte said. “I told them I’d make sure no one cleared away their food and drinks. And, just so you know, Frank’s wife’s name is Julia.”

  “That’s it.” He knew he’d recognize her name when he heard it. “Sorry it took me so long to get the drinks. The bartenders are in no hurry. Want some food?”

  “I’m good with a soda right now, but go ahead and eat if you’re hungry.”

  “I did skip lunch, what with Granddad’s episode.”

  Charlotte grinned. “Then go get some food. I’m fine right here. I’ll even keep watch for my doppelgänger.”