married in a backyard, but this is incredible. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
She turned back to the ballroom where she could imagine the tables and guests and flowers. Talk about making some memories.
“So you prefer the ballroom?” he asked.
“I do, but it’s Julie’s choice. Let’s go downstairs and take some pictures of the garden so she and Ryan can decide. Once we know which way they want to go, we’re free to start making other arrangements.”
They made their way back downstairs, then stepped out onto the manicured terrace. It looked more like the grounds of a five-star hotel than someone’s home, she thought as she took pictures, not sure how she felt about her grandmother living here.
Something of her confusion must have showed because Todd asked, “What’s wrong?”
She pocketed the digital camera and tucked her notebook under her arm. “I keep thinking how strange this is—that a grandmother I never knew about was alive and well about fifteen miles from where I grew up. That this is her world and I can remember times when we didn’t have enough money to have meat with dinner.”
She shook her head. “I’m not complaining. My mom was great and my sisters and I always had plenty of everything we needed. Money was tight, but that’s how it was with most of our neighbors. I’m okay with that. But now, to find out there’s a whole other way of looking at things, it’s strange.” She looked at him. “I’m not explaining myself well and this is more information than you wanted.”
“Of course this is different. For what it’s worth, Ruth regrets all the years she was apart from you and your family. Her husband, my uncle, was a hard man. He didn’t believe in forgiveness. Ruth simply didn’t have the strength to stand up to him.”
“That’s what she said.”
“It’s true.”
Great. So it seemed she came from a long line of women who surrendered heart and mind to their men. All the more reason not to get involved.
He looked at her. “You should try to understand what Ruth went through.”
Todd Aston the Third being sensitive? “Okay, now I’m freaked out on two different levels. The contrast between what I’m used to and this, and your emotional perception.”
“I’m a man of great mystery.”
That made her laugh. “Of course you are. Wealth, power and mystery. You should put that on your business cards.”
He led the way around the side of the house toward their cars. “I’m way ahead of you, Marina. I have it tattooed on my back.”
She grinned. “I thought you’d have a stick up your butt,” she said before she could stop herself.
“They know how to fix that now. Isn’t modern medicine a miracle?”
She sighed. “You know what I mean. I thought you’d be…different.”
“Unpleasant?”
“Imperious.”
“I can be, if that would make you happy.”
“No, thanks.” She opened her notebook. “Okay, venue research complete. Which leaves us with food, the cake, flowers, a photographer and all kinds of other messy details.”
“The dress,” he reminded her. “We’ll have to look at something off the rack. There’s no time for a custom gown.”
She glanced at him, surprised he would know that. “Let me guess. More bridal magazine research? Although somehow I can’t see you sitting down with a latte and a bridal magazine.”
“I can’t have a latte then. Black coffee to combat all the girliness. It’s about balance.”
Until this moment, she hadn’t thought of Todd as a person. At first he’d been just a name, then he’d been the guy who tried to break up her sister and Ryan. Then an annoyance who would get in her way about the wedding. But now…
“Why do you hide who you are behind your reputation?” she asked. “The money thing. The model thing.”
He unlocked his car. “I’ve dated maybe three models in my life, Marina. You need to let go.”
“You’re right. I will.”
“Good.” He sat in his car and grinned. “Of course, two of them didn’t speak English.”
They didn’t…Then how…She glared at him. “You had better be kidding. Not speak English?”
He nodded. “I was simply doing my part to improve American relationships with our neighbors.” He smiled angelically. “I know a great caterer. I’ll set something up and get back to you with the details.”
With that he was gone.
Three days later Todd stood in front of the catering office and watched Marina walk toward him. She wore jeans, a UCLA sweatshirt and her hair pulled back in a ponytail. Not someone who dressed to impress.
There was also an air of determination about her that made him anticipate plenty of flying sparks. Planning a wedding might not be his idea of a good time, but so far Marina had been a pleasant surprise. Smart and sexy. He’d been looking forward to seeing her again.
When she stopped in front of him, she put her hands on her hips and glared at him.
“I looked you up on the Internet,” she said. “The models in question spoke perfectly good English, albeit with an accent.”
“Albeit?” he asked as he raised his eyebrows. “Are we in a Jane Austen novel?”
“What do you know about Jane Austen?”
“Every good useless male who only dates models knows all about chick flicks and Jane Austen. It’s required. I not only saw Bridget Jones’s Diary twice, I’ve seen the special features. Ask me anything.”
She burst out laughing. The sound was light and sexy and made him want to touch her. All of her. Unexpected heat swept through him, startling him with its intensity.
He immediately took a step back, both physically and mentally. He and Marina were on a mission. He was here to protect Ryan’s interests and not die of boredom in the process. If tweaking Marina’s assumptions about him got him through the day, then he was up to the task. But actually enjoying her company—not a good idea. Getting involved with his aunt-by-marriage’s youngest granddaughter wouldn’t be very intelligent.
“This place comes highly recommended,” he said as they made their way to the front door. “It’s supposed to be good food with more choices than beef or chicken. If this is the one we pick, we’ll be able to customize the menu. Or in our case, argue over food options.”
“You think we’re going to argue?” she asked.
“I’m counting on it.”
“I’m
