Josie Read online

  He frowned. “Honey, I don’t take free pictures, but girl, since you’re wearing a dress with pockets I gotta respect that.” He took a few pictures and Josie saw that they were kindred souls—her with the pockets in her dress and him with his cargo pants and multi-pocketed vest. The photographer handed her phone back and warned her, “Don’t be telling anyone now, especially those two.” He pointed toward the twins who’d just arrived “They’ll offer it to everyone.” He softened his threat with a wink. Josie thanked him and then mimed zipping her lips shut.

  “Don’t you two look festive,” Gabe said to the twins. To Josie, it looked like they were wearing old bridesmaid dresses.

  “Well, someone had to come dressed for a wedding, otherwise people would be looking for the coffin,” Becca pointed out. Rachel handed Josie her bouquet. She lifted it up to her nose and inhaled until she thought her lungs would burst. Gardenia was her new favorite scent.

  Gabe took her hand and they followed the justice of the peace to the gazebo. The sun was starting to set and the twinkle lights flickered overhead. It was a short and simple ceremony. Gabe repeated his vows flawlessly and he sounded confident. Josie’s voice shook and she forgot to say his middle name.

  She couldn’t think clearly after he slid the sparkly wedding ring on her finger. It wasn’t a plain gold band like she’d asked for. It was much, much more. She had an unsettling feeling that Gabe was also much, much more than she thought.

  The officiant declared them husband and wife, and he told Gabe he could now kiss his bride. Gabe didn’t hesitate. In the distance, Josie heard the twins and the photographer cheering. All too soon, Gabe stepped back and reached for her hand. Rachel handed the bouquet back to her, and the photographer started snapping away. “So, what’s your story? How’d you two meet?” he asked. Josie looked at Gabe and she nodded her head slightly for him to answer.

  “Nothing earth-shattering,” Gabe assured him. “Josie owns Jo’s Joe, a regional coffee house chain and I’m a regular at her flagship store in Haven. It didn’t take me too long to get hooked on more than the coffee.” He looked at Josie like a besotted groom and she felt the heat crawl up her neck.

  “Why elope? Aren’t you a little old for that?” he asked as he swiveled Josie’s hips closer to Gabe’s and then tilted her head up a notch.

  “My birthday is coming up and I couldn’t think of a better birthday gift. Plus, it was easier with our schedules.”

  “Why all the questions?” Josie asked. Her feet hurt and she was hungry. The spa lunch had been very spa-ish and many hours ago. If she didn’t eat soon, she’d be hangry. And she really wanted to kiss Gabe again. Without an audience.

  “For the press release,” he said as he slipped the camera strap over his head. She felt Gabe tense against her but he didn’t say anything.

  “No, seriously, why?” she pressed.

  “Honey, I’m as serious as a contagious disease.” He shook his head and chuckled. “As if one of the Midwest’s most eligible bachelors and one of the richest men under forty is going to get married and no one will want to know. They’ll be crying clear to Chicago and St. Louis now that this one’s off the market.” Josie watched as the photographer zipped his camera bag shut and slung it over his shoulder. She barely registered what he and Gabe were talking about. Gabe’s fingers dug into her waist, pressing her against him. She wasn’t sure if he was holding her up or keeping her from running. Richest man under forty? Most eligible bachelor? What the fudge have I gotten myself into now?

  6

  Josie pasted a smile on her face and moved on autopilot for the next few minutes. Signing the marriage certificate. Shaking hands and thanking the officiant. Hugging the twins.

  She tried to relax. It was a mistake or a gross exaggeration. The photographer seemed like the type who’d stretch the truth if it would make for a more interesting story. I’m sure that’s what it is, she reassured herself. There was no way she could have been duped again. She was older and wiser.

  She trailed Gabe through the resort back to the room. Gabriel Kyle Kane. She mulled his name over in her head. The name sounded familiar, kind of, but she couldn’t place it. And Croix, her accountant, had made that weird comment about the “famous Gabriel Kane.” She snuck a look at him, but he wasn’t wearing the answer on his blank face and it looked like he wouldn’t give her one either. Josie pulled out her phone and typed his name into the search bar. She stopped walking as she scrolled through the results. She placed a hand over her stomach. It felt like her light spa lunch wanted to make a reappearance.

  Gabe stopped and looked back at her. “You okay?”

  “You. You lied to me. You’re Gabriel Kyle Kane,” she accused. Through her blurry eyes, she could see the hard look on his face and the thin line of his lips. The same lips that had recently kissed her senseless.

  Gabe noticed her damp eyes and the staff member walking toward them. Please don’t cry, he silently begged. He wasn’t good with crying, and he didn’t want a scene in front of an employee. Instead of being kind and understanding like a good man, he went Neanderthal and grabbed her hand. He dragged Josie down the hallway to their suite.

  Damn key card! Gabe searched his pockets again, one-handed. He didn’t dare let go of Josie’s hand because now she was a flight risk. He’d gotten what he wanted, her name on the marriage certificate, but he couldn’t let her go. Not until she’d heard him out. Let him state his case. Gabe wasn’t used to explaining himself to anyone but he had to make her understand. “Where the hell is the blasted key card?” he growled under his breath as the staff member approached.

  Josie pulled her free hand out of her pocket and waved her keycard in front of the lock. Gabe pushed the door open and ushered her in. The door clicked shut behind them and she tore her hand out of his. “You lied,” she snarled.

  “I did not.” He walked over to the minibar, opened a bottle of water, and handed it to her. She didn’t pour it over his head, which he considered to be a good sign. He opened one for himself and took a long drink.

  “Did too.” She set the bottle on the table and crossed her arms in front of her. God help him, but the deep V in her dress had captured all of his attention. It ended at the base of her sternum. Josie must have been serious about the double-sided tape because Gabe couldn’t see any hint of cleavage. Just lots of creamy skin.

  “How?”

  “You didn’t tell me who you were.”

  “I did. I told you I was Gabe Kane and that’s who I am.”

  “You’re Gabriel Kyle Kane. Your family is Minnesota royalty next to the Cargills and the Carlsons,” she threw at him. Actually, they weren’t next to, but above those hardworking families, but he kept that to himself.

  “So, tell me, Josephine Dorothy Wright, why did you introduce yourself to me as Josie when everyone else in Haven calls you Jo and that’s the name of your shops?” Gabe had known the truth would come out so he had his argument ready. He hoped she’d play into it.

  “Easy. I changed it to Josie after high school. I wanted to shed my tomboy name. Unfortunately, no one in Haven or my family has made the change even though it’s been fifteen years.”

  “Exactly. There’s the real you and what the world knows you by. It’s the same with me. To my family and the public, I’m Gabriel. But I’ve never felt like a Gabriel. I’m a Gabe.” He shrugged his shoulders. Even to his own ears he sounded airy-fairy, but he had to make her understand. “I’m Gabe Kane. What you’ve seen is the real me.”

  Josie tilted her head and chewed on her lower lip. He could tell she was digesting this and he hoped she’d accept it, but damn if she didn’t look even more beautiful all riled up. It brought color to her pale skin and a sparkle to her blue eyes.

  She spoke before Gabe did anything foolish like wrap his arms around his bride and kiss her silent. “But you hid a lot. You lied by omission. You’re not just an owner of the Haven Woodworks, you own a lot of companies. Everywhere.” She stepped back and gasped. “Y
ou own this resort and spa! We’re not here on a family discount.”

  Gabe stuffed his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Actually, we are. We do have a family discount. Josh and Elle can use it, too.”

  “Don’t change the subject. You lied by omission.” She poked him in the chest.

  “I thought you knew who I was. And then when I realized you didn’t, I didn’t know what to say without sounding like an egotistical prick.”

  “You led me to believe you were a small business owner like me. Instead, you’re the head of a huge corporation.”

  “Thanks to you, I am,” he said gratefully and smiled at her. She scowled at him. He tossed his hands in the air. “Fine. You win. I lied. But I bet you still would have agreed to marry me.”

  “Yes, because of Jamie. You know that.” She wrapped her arms around herself.

  “And the roasting space. Then it doesn’t matter, does it?”

  “Yes, it matters!” Her hands flew in the air and she started to pace. “I’ve grown to like Gabe Kane and from what little I’ve read, I don’t think I’d like Gabriel Kane. Gabe probably would have listened and bought a plain gold band like I’d asked for and not this thing!” She stuck the offending ring in his face. He took her hand and moved it closer so he could look at the ring. It had looked okay in the jewelry store, but maybe he’d been wrong.

  “What’s wrong with it? It looks fine to me.”

  “It’s not fine! This isn’t a simple band. It’s got diamonds encrusted in it! I work a lot with my hands. How am I supposed to keep this ring safe?” It sounded more like an accusation than a question. Gabe did the only thing he could think of. He turned her hand over and gently kissed her palm.

  “It’s platinum so it will last longer and it’s more durable. And the jeweler said it would be more comfortable to wear. See?” he asked as he touched the ring. “This extra curve helps. I know you wanted gold but I’ve never seen you wear gold jewelry. You’re always wearing silver, so I thought you’d like this better.” He felt her relax so he slowly pulled her into his arms. “You married Gabe Kane,” he reassured her. She sighed and melted against him. All of her fight was gone.

  Gabe held her for a few minutes, savoring her warmth and softness against him.

  “We’d better get changed,” he said as he unwrapped his arms around her.

  “This is it, remember?” she said, pointing at her dress.

  “That will work, but I was thinking casual, like jeans or what you wore on the plane.”

  “I can repeat an outfit?” she asked innocently, but he heard the teasing in her voice.

  “As you said, we’re Minnesota royalty not European, so you can repeat your clothes since you only had carry-on luggage.” She smirked at him. He checked his watch. “Ten minutes?” he asked. Josie nodded her head and he watched her walk away.

  In his room, Gabe slipped off his suit and hung the pants and jacket back on the hanger. He opened his bag and grabbed some clothes. He didn’t care what they were. The only thing he cared about was how upset Josie had been.

  Gabe couldn’t blame her. He’d be angry too if he’d married Gabriel Kyle Kane. That guy’s an ass, he thought to himself. But that’s what his family and business associates expected. He’d never noticed the difference before, but Josie had picked up on it. The way the hotel staff scurried around him, not meeting his eyes and all of the “yes, sirs” they’d uttered. It was a huge departure from Haven where the employees looked him in the eyes and joked with him. Hell, most of the time it was at his expense. The people in Haven seemed to like Gabe Kane, while the rest of the world cowered at Gabriel Kyle Kane. It was a conundrum and he wasn’t sure what to do about it, if anything.

  He walked into the living room where Josie sat on the couch, leafing through the Las Vegas Visitor’s Guide. “There are coupons in here for a shooting range or two-for-one drinks at a comedy show. Do we need those? Or are we full-price only people?” she asked sweetly as she held the discount page toward him. Sounds like I’m still in the doghouse.

  “Who needs a comedy club when I’ve got you?” He pulled Josie to her feet and looked her over from head to toe. A long white T-shirt poked out from underneath the bulky gray turtleneck. Her mile-long legs sported black leggings and she wore slip-on Converse tennis shoes. He remembered how soft her sweater had been last night as he’d guided her through the resort. Gabe wondered if she’d give him the chance to touch her again. He wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t.

  “Will I pass?” She crossed her arms in front of her and she looked bored.

  “If it’s good enough for TSA, it’s good enough for me. Come on.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her out of their suite. “We’re losing daylight.” Surprisingly, Josie didn’t argue.

  She followed him down the never-ending hallway, through the lobby, and into the main dining room. He nodded his head at the maître de, who frowned and shook his head as they entered the elegant, multi-starred restaurant. Going through the restaurant at this time of day dressed as they were wasn’t Gabe’s smartest idea. He could feel the disapproval from some of the diners. I’m a dead man, he thought as he shoved the swinging door into the kitchen.

  Organized chaos. Gabe knew that even if he’d enjoyed cooking, he’d never survive a professional kitchen. He had a lot of respect for the people who wore the aprons, not just in his kitchens but in all kitchens. It was hard work and more often than not, thankless. “Larry.” He raised his voice and hoped his executive chef would hear him above the hubbub as he and Josie made their way to his station.

  Larry glanced at the two of them, shook his head, and returned to the plates in front of him. Once the dinners passed his inspection, he turned back to them. Gabe introduced Josie to Larry. “I can already tell you’re too good for him,” Larry said as he spent a long time looking at Josie. Too long, in Gabe’s opinion. He cleared his throat, and Larry turned his attention back to him.

  “You walked through my restaurant like that?” Larry asked, his tone heavy with disbelief. Gabe knew not to argue about whose restaurant it really was. Witz Holdings may own it, but Larry had put it on the map.

  “Yeah. Sorry about that. I didn’t want to go the long way around.”

  “You mean the way all employees are supposed to go?”

  “Stop bustin’ my chops. It’s my wedding day. Comp everyone in the dining room free desserts or after-dinner drinks. On me.” The pastry chef whipped his head around and glared at him. Gabe had just created a whole lot of extra work for the man. “And kitchen staff, too.”

  “Damn right,” the pastry chef muttered under his breath. Josie coughed behind him but it sounded more like she was covering up a laugh. At his expense. Larry turned away from them as two more plates were passed in front of him for approval. “Your basket’s in cooler number one. Grab it on your way out. Now, go! You’re throwing off the timing in my kitchen.”

  Gabe placed his hand on the small of Josie’s back and propelled her to the back of the kitchen where he grabbed the basket.

  “Hey, Gabe!” Larry yelled across the room as they neared the back door. They stopped and turned their heads back toward him. “Congratulations.” Larry smiled at them and the kitchen staff broke into cheers and applause.

  Josie smiled, gave a little wave, and grabbed Gabe’s hand. She dragged him out of the kitchen before he knew what had hit him. She stopped in the middle of the loading zone. “Why am I leading? I don’t know where we’re going.”

  “Because leaders always lead. And we’re over there. The golf cart under the lamp post.”

  “What? No limo or horse-drawn carriage?”

  Gabe ignored her jab as they crossed the lot. He put the basket into the back seat. Josie took the passenger side in the front and Gabe slid in next to her.

  She seemed to be mad at him, again.

  “Nope. Just us and a golf cart. I thought we could relax away from prying eyes, and there’s something I want to show you.” He turned the key and
the golf cart hummed to life beneath them.

  Josie shrugged her shoulders and settled back in the corner as if she didn’t care. Public or private. It made no difference to her.

  Gabe drove for about ten minutes down a bumpy, dusty trail. Josie kept quiet during his tour guide monologue. In the twilight, he pointed out different plants and he told her the history of the resort and spa. Josie asked a few questions, but he felt they were out of politeness, not genuine interest. She smiled at his impatience when a desert tortoise crossed their path and he had to stop and wait. Josie wasn’t openly hostile, but she wasn’t making an effort either.

  Gabe didn’t know what to do. Generally, he didn’t care if someone was upset with him. But this time he did. He didn’t like that Josie had the power to make him feel bad about himself and his decisions. He gritted his teeth as he steered around a pothole.

  Josie had always seemed even-tempered. He never would have imagined her to sulk or hold a grudge. So what if he hadn’t told her the whole truth before she’d said “I do”? He hadn’t lied to her either. And who in this day and age doesn’t Google someone before dating them or agreeing to marry them? He’d take some of the blame but he wouldn’t take all of it. He just hoped Josie came to the same conclusion sooner rather than later because he missed how it had been between them. Easy and light. Then he remembered their kisses. Those had felt like a lightning strike.

  “Here we are,” he announced lamely as he parked the golf cart. Josie stepped out and he couldn’t help but watch her stretch her arms overhead and then bend forward. Why hadn’t he noticed before how graceful she was? He shook his head to erase those thoughts as he handed her the portable table from the back of the cart. “Can you set this up and those chairs?” He nodded his head toward another pile. “I’ll work on the lounger?”

  “Why is there a wooden deck out here in the middle of nowhere?” Josie asked as she unfolded the table.

  “Nowhere just happens to be at the edge of our property. The spa uses it sometimes for morning yoga if enough guests are interested.”