James - Best Laid Plans (Dearly Beloved)

Best Laid Plans

by

Silver James

Dearly Beloved Series

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Best Laid Plans

COPYRIGHT 2013 by Silver James

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: info@thewildrosepress.com

Cover Art by Tina Lynn Stout

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Last Rose of Summer Edition, 2013

Digital ISBN 978-1-61217-761-8

Dearly Beloved Series

Published in the United States of America

Praise for Silver James Writings

This story should be a hit with anyone looking for a fast-paced love story. It provides just the right touch of romance to make it a pleasure to read. If you are in the mood for a quick love story with a happy ending, FAIRY TALES CAN COME TRUE is for you.

~Two Lips Reviews (4 Lips)

~*~

PROMISES, PROMISES : This is a spicy little read that definitely fills that need if you are wanting a quick romantic fix. I would highly recommend this short story to anyone looking for a contemporary read with a little kick to it.

~Long and Short Reviews (4 Books)

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FAERIE FATE: If you love time travel, you will definitely enjoy traveling with Ciaran and Becca.

~Bitten by Books (5 Tombstones)

~*~

This wonderful, magical story has plenty of action, political and international intrigue, FBI interference, loyalty and betrayal popping up in unexpected places, and I loved every word of FAERIE FIRE!

~Bitten By Books (5 Tombstones)

~*~

Silver James does a wonderful job of blending old world and new, enchantment and reality. This story rocks and rolls until the very last page! I highly recommend FAERIE FOOL!

~Karin Tabke aka Harlow, best-selling author

Dedication

For Gregeven after 30 years, I still remember

our wedding like it was yesterday.

You gave me a happy ever after of my very own,

a daughter to be proud of,

and your steadfast belief in me makes it possible

for the characters who live in my imagination

to come alive in the stories I write.

Chapter 1

Never, in twenty-plus years of wedding planning, had Claire Vitale considered advising the bride and groom to elope. Not once. Until now. Shed faced down her share of mothers-of-the-bride, but this time it was the brides father who had her chugging liquid antacid like champagne. Claire was pretty sure her expression mirrored the look of horror plastered on the bride-to-bes face.

You want me to wear a what? The brides voice rose two full octaves.

Now, Laurel. Nicholas Grant looked ready to steamroll over his daughters protests.

Claire stepped into the breach since Laurel didnt have a mother to stand up for her. Mr. Grant, I think you should consider your daughters wishes. This is her wedding.

Gray eyes pinned her to the spot and she was once again reminded why the name Nicholas Grant was feared in boardrooms across the country. Though he was a formidable opponent, she had only to glance at the tears pooling in Laurels eyes to straighten up to her full heightall five feet three inches of itprepared to do battle.

This is a business decision, Ms. Vitale. As Mr. Yuzuki and his associates will be attending, it will be beneficial to present them with a traditional Japanese wedding.

Laurel burst into tears and fled the room while Claire simply stared at the man across the dining room table. Elopement sounded better and better. A destination weddingfor the bride, groom, and maybe their attendants. At this point, she was considering reimbursing her fee to Laurel to help pay for it. She was simply appalled at the mans apparent lack of consideration. Claires cheeks radiated heat as her temper flared.

A business decision? A business decision? She inhaled and clenched her hands into fists to help steady her voice. No, Mr. Grant. This is most definitely not going to be a business decision. This is your daughters wedding. Her special daythe one little girls dream about their whole lives. You have meddled, pushed, and bullied Laurel to the point I wouldnt be surprised if she called off the whole wretched affair.

Her dander was up now and she stalked around the table to confront him. You have changed her plans five times now, Mr. Grant. Youve changed the venue, the menu, the dress, and the bridesmaids. You didnt like the band. You didnt like any of the six caterers we previously contracted. Not once have you considered what Laurel wants.

What Laurel wants is irrel

Do. Not. Go. There. She bit off each word. Claire stabbed her index finger into his chest for emphasis, surprised it didnt bounce off his stiffly starched Egyptian cotton dress shirt. Laurel is your only childyour daughter. Shes a wonderful young woman who happens to want a fairy tale wedding, not a business merger.

Claire paused for breath, noting his eyes had gone battleship gray. Well, that was certainly fitting under the circumstances.

Who are you to presume to speak to me like this?

She poked him again. I am the wedding planner. I am the onethe only one apparentlyconcerned with ensuring Laurel has a wonderful wedding. Dealing with the grooms mother has been a piece of cake compared to what Ive put up with from you.

I hired you. I can fire you.

Really? You went there? Honestly, Mr. Grant, do you want to play that card? She tilted her chin up almost daring him to carry through with his threat. She stared. He stared back. And blinked first.

Claire resisted the urge to fist pump. Your daughter hired me for my expertise, Mr. Grant. She is my client. You may ultimately sign the checks, but I work for her. I want to be very clear on that.

He opened his mouth but then snapped his jaw shut before any words spilled out.

Claire inhaled and stepped back so she didnt get a crick in her neck from glaring up at him. He was too tall for her own good. And handsome, if shed let herself think about it. In his early fifties, his dark hair was laced with a few silver streaks that made him look distinguished. Suntanned, athletic, tall. Very tall.

She made a note to start wearing high heels very high heelsaround him. Height had its advantages and since she was vertically challenged, she needed every advantage she could command. She waited to see if hed speak. He didnt.

He turned on his heel and marched out. Moments later, his voice barked from somewhere deeper in the huge house. My office, Ms. Vitale. Now.

Ha. He wants to confront me on his own turf. She rearranged two of the place settings on the magnificent dining room table. She and Laurel had been choosing the china for the bridal dinner when Mr. Grant interrupted them with his pronouncement.

Taking her time in order to plan what she would say to him, she scooped up the stack of gift cards sitting on a silver tray and slid them into her planner. She would record them later as a reminder for Laurel to write thank you notes. She stopped at the Georgian side table in the entry hall and rearranged the vase of fresh flowers commanding the center of its marble top.

Then she considered stopping by the kitchen to ask for a cold drink. Or coffee. Yes, coffee would be better. It would take longer to fix.

****

Sometime today, Ms. Vitale. Nicks sarcastic tone brooked no argument. He used it effectively on all his subordinates, especially the tardy ones.