Kiss the Bride by Lori Wilde Page B

pale green suit was simple and tailored, but obviously expensive. She wore sensible one-inch heels. Tall, willowy, long straight hair that was either light brown or dark blond depending upon your definition. Her cheekbones were high and her eyes were green as the Gulf. Eyes a guy could dive into without a look back.
    Charlize Theron had nothing on this woman.
    Although sans the raincoat and risqué lingerie he’d seen her in before, she possessed the same regal aura as the actress. She had delicate bone structure and a way of holding herself that suggested blue-blood breeding.
    What had happened to the hotsie-totsie who’d ambushed him outside of Doc Van Zandt’s place? That was who had fired his engines. This sophisticated-looking woman flatunnerved him with her old money aura rising up from her like the scent of freshly minted hundred-dollar bills. Her serenity and his unwanted attraction to her set his teeth on edge.
    He searched for a reason to dislike her.
    She looked like the kind of woman who had been floating through life on her gorgeous looks and her stacks of money, never having to take a stand or fight for something she believed in. He knew the Cartwright name. It was familiar to everyone in Texas. No doubt about it. This one had been handed the world on a silver platter.
    He inflated his resentment, hunting for anything that would let the air out of this powerful attraction. She was too polished. Too perfect. With a woman like her, a guy would always be on the hot seat, never able to live up to the expectations of Daddy’s little princess.
    “I don’t understand why you have to sell the house,” he said, turning back to his grandmother.
    “Without your grandfather, the magic is gone. It’s just a house now, no longer a home. It should be a home again, filled with laughter and love and lots of children,” she said.
    “You shouldn’t be making such a major decision when you’re still grieving, Nana. It’s only been a little over two months.”
    “It’s time to move on, Nicky. Wallowing in grief isn’t going to bring your grandfather back. I’m lonely here on the island, and there’s finally an opening at Orchid Villa in a condo right near Trudie’s.”
    “Why didn’t you tell me you were lonely? I can get the family together. Make sure someone comes over to spend time with you every day.”
    “All you kids have your own lives to lead and besides, someone comes to visit almost every weekend. But I needto socialize with people my own age. I need to start a new life.”
    “At seventy-three?”
    “What would you have me do? Curl up in bed and wait to die? Leo would be pretty mad if I did that.”
    Nick knotted his hands into fists. He felt so damn helpless. Over the course of the last thirteen months so many bad things had happened, and he desperately needed for something to stay the same.
    “I just hate to see you make a mistake.”
    “Nicky.” She took his hand in hers and patted it. “It’s okay to let go. Clinging serves no one.”
    “I’m trying.”
    “There’s something else I have to tell you that you’re probably not going to like.”
    He arched an eyebrow. “Oh?”
    “I can’t afford to hire Delaney’s crew, so I promised you’d help her do the renovations that need to be done before the house can be put on the market.”
    “You did what?”
    “Don’t look at me that way. You told me yourself you’re bored out of your skull. Well, now you have something to do.”
    Nick couldn’t stop the disappointment, hurt, resentment, and regret from building up inside him.
    Don’t be a selfish jerk. Think about what Nana needs. Back her up.
But did his grandmother actually know what was best for her? Or was she simply making decisions based on blind grief and loneliness? He might not be able to stop her from putting the house on the market, but maybe he could find a way to slow down the whole process. Keep it from selling too quickly and buy some time until he could talk sense