“You’ve got to help me.…”

Shelby wrenched her hand from Pete’s the moment they were out of sight. She continued. “I need to protect Aunt Kay from Dan’s plan—whatever it is.”

“He wouldn’t do anything to hurt Kay. It’s just some harmless flirting.” Pete pulled her close to him. “But I believe a man should make his own decisions.” Then he leaned down and dropped a kiss on her lips.

“Don’t do that!” She pushed him away.

“Why not? We can find out more if Dan thinks we’re interested in each other.”

“You can just say we are. After all, we went for a walk on the beach in the moonlight.”

Pete smiled slyly. “Give me another kiss so I can tell him it was fun.”

To his surprise, Shelby slid her arms around his neck and kissed him…then she bolted for the hotel lobby.

Pete shook his head. He didn’t know what that was all about. But he sure liked it.…

Dear Reader,

July might be a month for kicking back and spending time with family at outdoor barbecues, beach cottages and family reunions. But it’s an especially busy month for the romance industry as we prepare for our annual conference. This is a time in which the romance authors gather to hone their skills at workshops, share their experiences and recognize the year’s best books. Of course, to me, this month’s selection in Silhouette Romance represents some of the best elements of the genre.

Cara Colter concludes her poignant A FATHER’S WISH trilogy this month with Priceless Gifts (#1822). Accustomed to people loving her for her beauty and wealth, the young heiress is caught off guard when her dutiful bodyguard sees beyond her facade…and gives her a most precious gift. Judy Christenberry never disappoints, and The Bride’s Best Man (#1823) will delight loyal readers as a pretend dating scheme goes deliciously awry. Susan Meier continues THE CUPID CAMPAIGN with One Man and a Baby, (#1824) in which adversaries unite to raise a motherless child. Finally, Holly Jacobs concludes the month with Here with Me (#1825). A heroine who thought she craved the quiet life finds her life invaded by her suddenly meddlesome parents and a man she’s never forgotten and his adorable toddler.

Be sure to return next month when Susan Meier concludes her CUPID CAMPAIGN trilogy and reader-favorite Patricia Thayer returns to the line to launch the exciting new BRIDES OF BELLA LUCIA miniseries.

Happy reading!

Ann Leslie Tuttle

Associate Senior Editor

The Bride’s Best Man
Judy Christenberry

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Books by Judy Christenberry

Silhouette Romance

The Nine-Month Bride #1324

*Marry Me, Kate #1344

*Baby in Her Arms #1350

*A Ring for Cinderella #1356

†Never Let You Go #1453

†The Borrowed Groom #1457

†Cherish the Boss #1463

**Snowbound Sweetheart #1476

Newborn Daddy #1511

When the Lights Went Out…#1547

**Least Likely To Wed #1570

Daddy on the Doorstep #1654

**Beauty & the Beastly Rancher #1678

**The Last Crawford Bachelor #1715

Finding a Family #1762

††The Texan’s Reluctant Bride #1778

††The Texan’s Tiny Dilemma #1782

††The Texan’s Suite Romance #1787

Honeymoon Hunt #1803

The Bride’s Best Man #1823

Silhouette Books

The Coltons

The Doctor Delivers

A Colton Family Christmas

“The Diplomat’s Daughter”

Lone Star Country Club

The Last Bachelor

JUDY CHRISTENBERRY

has been writing romances for over fifteen years because she loves happy endings as much as her readers do. She’s a bestselling author for Harlequin American Romance, but she has a long love of traditional romances and is delighted to tell a story that brings those elements to the reader. A former high school French teacher, Judy devotes her time to writing. She hopes readers have as much fun reading her stories as she does writing them. She spends her spare time reading, watching her favorite sports teams and keeping track of her two adult daughters.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Epilogue

Prologue

“There’s a fine line between right and wrong. I hope we’re coming in on the right side,” Shelby Cook said, navigating through an Internet travel site. “Do you think it looks bad for us to go on a vacation so soon after we buried my mother?”

“She hasn’t actually been your mother for the past ten years, honey, and you know that. Even so, you did what was necessary for her.” Kay leaned back and closed her eyes, hoping to stop any further questions from her niece and soon-to-be traveling companion.

Though she was an honest person by nature, Kay Cook was participating in a deceit that she hoped would not ruin everything. She’d had this plan for some time now, and she simply had to follow her heart and head, in synch on this issue.

Shelby wasn’t deterred. “I’m glad you helped me to keep a relationship with Mom. I realized she was a sad person, especially after her second marriage failed.”

“You were the one bright spot in her life. That’s why I encouraged her to come see you. As long as there was no man involved, she was fine.”

“Is that why my father left?”

Shelby’s question took her by surprise. Kay turned to face her and tried not to let the emotion show on her face. “Y-your father? You haven’t ever mentioned him.”

“I know. Mom always got hysterical if I asked about him when I was little.” She looked down and shrugged. “It was only as I got older and saw her with a man in her life that I thought the problem might not have only been my father’s, as she’d told me.”

“So you wanted to meet him?”

“No, not really. After all, I’ve managed for most of my life without him. And, obviously, he hasn’t suffered any pangs of regret or he would’ve contacted me.”

“I see.” Kay reached across her and clicked on a beachfront hotel. “Who knows? Maybe that’ll change.”

Chapter One

Sunshine greeted the two women as they got off the plane in Honolulu. Shelby drew a deep breath and sighed in delight as she released her pent-up breath. “Oh, this is heavenly.”

Aunt Kay raised her face to the tropical sun and smiled. “See, I was right. You needed to get away from all that…that mess. Now you’ll be able to relax and, if you insist, you can even study on the beach.”

“Yes, you’re right. After three years of law school, I needed a break.” But that wasn’t the only reason they’d settled on Hawaii. Her aunt Kay was there to meet the man she’d been corresponding with for fifteen years. “I bet you’re excited to see your man.”

“He’s not mine, Shelby,” she demurred. “But he is wonderful. I haven’t seen him since I was a teenager, but when I told him I was coming, he offered to show us Hawaii.”

“I’m sure that’ll be nice,” Shelby said, silently promising herself that if the man disappointed Kay, she’d make sure they only saw him once. She owed Kay that much at least.

After they reached their hotel room, Shelby suggested, “Let’s get unpacked and then we can look around. And tonight we can open the lanai door and have a cool breeze sing us to sleep.”

“Yes, it is so lovely here.”

Not much unpacking got done before the phone rang. Her aunt snatched it up at once.

“Oh, hi, Dan. We’re here.”

Shelby recognized the name. Dan Jackson. Kay had told her he’d lived in her neighborhood back in Cleveland, before he’d relocated to Oahu, but the two had maintained a sweet, old-fashioned correspondence ever since. Dan’s letters were the closest Kay had come to male companionship. She had seldom dated in the ten years Shelby had lived with her. Sometimes Shelby feared she was the reason. After all, she’d been only fourteen when she’d moved in with Kay, still in need of supervision.

Her mother, Cordelia, had been more interested in her own happiness than Shelby’s. Even when her second husband had tried to rape Shelby, her mother had blamed Shelby for flirting with him.

Shelby had been shocked by her mother’s words. She hated the man. Luckily for Shelby, her aunt had been with her mother when they discovered her fighting her stepfather. He had torn Shelby’s blouse and was trying to rid her of her bra. She fought him as hard as she could, biting his hand, which earned her a slap in the face, and she screamed loudly.

Kay heard her screams and hit her brother-in-law on the head with a lamp. When Cordelia slapped Shelby, Kay insisted Cordelia leave Shelby alone. Then she told Shelby to pack her belongings. She was going home with Kay.

Shelby didn’t protest. She was pleased to move to Kay’s home. There she thrived, seeing a psychologist for a couple of years to be sure she recovered from the attack and her mother’s rejection. Thanks to the doctor and Kay, she even learned to accept her mother as she was, as long as their visits occurred at Kay’s.

After all she’d done, when Kay wanted to go to Hawaii, Shelby couldn’t say no. Still, she worried about her aunt’s attraction to a man she hadn’t seen in a long time. Shelby was determined to protect Kay the way her aunt had once protected her.

She had always been told she was a good judge of character. She would utilize that judgment to do her best to gauge Dan Jackson’s intentions toward her aunt.

From her aunt’s response, she figured she’d be getting her chance tonight.

When Kay hung up the phone, Shelby asked, “So what did he say?”

“He and a friend are coming to take us out to dinner.” She unpacked a couple more dresses before she looked at Shelby. “You don’t mind, do you?”

Shelby was sure she’d feel like the proverbial fifth wheel, but she eagerly anticipated meeting Kay’s mystery man. “No, I guess not, but I thought he’d want to have you to himself.”

Kay blushed. “I told you we’re just friends.”

But Shelby noted her red cheeks and the way she avoided looking at Shelby. With her aunt, they were sure signs she wasn’t being honest. Aunt Kay was easy to read. Shelby hoped Dan was just as obvious.

“What are you going to wear?”

Shelby’s head snapped up. “Me? I would think what you’re wearing is more important.”

“I want you to look nice. Wear your new sundress, okay?”

Shelby had resisted the urge to buy a new wardrobe, as Kay had suggested. But she’d acquiesced on one new sundress. In fact, they’d each bought a dress that showed up their particular charms. Shelby, with her auburn hair, had a green print, and Kay, her beautiful face framed by soft blond hair, had a blue print.

“I’ll wear mine if you’ll wear yours,” she suggested.

“It’s a deal!” Kay agreed with enthusiasm. “We’ll knock them dead!”

Such effusiveness from her normally calm and quiet aunt surprised Shelby. Concerned her, too.

Was Kay in love with this man? And why was Shelby so afraid of that? She wanted her aunt to have some happiness. She was only thirty-four, ten years older than Shelby. Certainly young enough to find love, have a family.

But with a man who’d written her for fifteen years without making an effort to see her?

Shelby’s inner sensors went on alert. Something was screwy.

When they were both dressed in their new sundresses, makeup on and hair fixed, they descended to the lobby. Shelby had braided her long hair, even though Kay wanted her to leave it loose, on her shoulders.

“We’re early. Want to go look in that shop? They have some pretty dresses,” Kay said. She loved shopping.

“No, I don’t think so. You go ahead, though.”

“Dan is tall with dark hair. Call me if you think you see him.”

“You don’t have a picture of him?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Then maybe I can pick up more than one tall, dark-haired man, so you’ll have a choice,” Shelby said with a grin.

Kay looked shocked. “Oh! I…I don’t think I should go look.”

“I was teasing. You’ve got plenty of time before he arrives.”

Though Kay appeared uneasy, she moved to the dress shop, but she kept her gaze fixed on Shelby.

Shelby felt bad. Her teasing had upset Kay and spoiled her shopping. She relaxed in the chair she’d chosen and watched people enter the lobby.

A few minutes later a pair of men entered. Both were tall and handsome, but one was considerably older than the other. Too old for Kay.

Shelby stiffened as she noticed the older man staring at each person in the lobby. Could this be Dan? She got up and moved toward the shop to check with Kay.

Her aunt turned when Shelby called her name. She didn’t have to ask about the man because when Kay’s gaze moved past Shelby, her face lit up. She ran and hugged the man Shelby had wondered about.

“Dan! I’m so happy to see you!”

Dan replied in kind, then kissed Kay on the cheek. In Shelby’s judgment, Dan seemed a bit more intense than an old friend.

Then his gaze shifted to Shelby. Much to her surprise, he stepped closer, as if he was going to hug her, too. But she immediately held out her hand, stopping him in midstep.

“How do you do?” she said stiffly.

He took her hand with a rueful grin. “I’m fine. Sorry, but I knew you when you were very little. I’m pleased to say you’re just as pretty today as you were a little over twenty years ago.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t remember you.”

“Not a problem.” He turned toward his dark-haired, brown-eyed companion. “Allow me to introduce Peter Campbell, a friend of mine and an officer in my company.”

Shelby nodded but said nothing.

Dan continued the introductions. “Pete, this is Shelby Cook, Kay’s niece. And, of course, this is Kay Cook.”

Shelby knew she hadn’t been gracious, but Pete barely returned her nod. He did, however, take Kay’s hand and kiss it with a big smile on his face. Was Pete the one Kay was interested in? Shelby estimated his age to be around thirty, a little younger than Kay. Still, Pete would be better for Kay than Dan who, with graying at the temples, looked about fifty.

“Shall we go, ladies?” Dan asked.

Shelby wanted to say no. For some reason she wanted to hurry to the airport and get out of Hawaii in spite of the lovely sunshine and gentle breezes.

Kay, on the other hand, happily took Dan’s arm and sailed out of the hotel.

“Miss Cook?”

Shelby looked at the younger man who’d called her. He was offering her his arm, as Dan had done to Kay, albeit more reluctantly. She moved forward, but she didn’t take his arm.

Dan and Kay weren’t walking fast, so they caught up with them quickly.

“Where are we going?” Shelby asked.

“To the hotel next door. Its restaurant is known worldwide,” Dan answered. The man beside Shelby said nothing.

Shelby was wearing flats because she was five-nine, so walking to another hotel wasn’t a problem. Kay, though, had on high heels. Maybe it was good that she was clinging to Dan’s arm. Shelby supposed she wore heels because she knew Dan was so tall.

Pete was tall, also, which was nice for Shelby. She didn’t go out with short men. Of course, she seldom went out at all, so it wasn’t difficult to eliminate one segment of the male population.

Neither, she reminded herself, was she going out with Pete. He was simply tagging along with Dan, as she was with Kay.

In the restaurant, the maître d’ asked if they wanted to dine on the beach or in the dining room.

“On the beach? We can do that?” Kay asked.

Dan smiled. “I believe the lady has chosen.”

“Very well, sir. If you’ll follow me?”

Shelby wouldn’t deny Kay’s desire to eat on the beach, so she didn’t voice her doubts about an enjoyable dinner. Of course, she had doubts about the dinner for other reasons, too.

Once she stepped outside, however, she had to admit dining on the beach was a wonderful choice. Their table for four was set on a silken tarp, with the long tablecloth fluttering in the ocean breeze. Once they were seated, Shelby looked up and saw a moon rising in the sky over Pete’s shoulder.

“Look, Kay. Do you see the moon?” Shelby asked, gesturing toward Pete.

Pete looked at Shelby. “You don’t call her Aunt Kay?”

Shelby stared at the man before saying briefly, “No, not always. She’s only ten years older than me.”

“Really?” Pete asked, staring at Kay.

“Yes, really,” Shelby returned. She didn’t like the way the man was looking at Kay, as if sizing her up.

“Most people think I’m her mother,” Kay said with a chuckle.

“You are more my mother than my real mother ever was,” Shelby said softly, taking Kay’s hand.

Dan took her other hand. “She’s right, Kay, and we all know it.”

Shelby looked at Dan. “How do you know?”

“Kay wrote me about what happened.”

“You knew my mother?”

“We met,” he said briefly, shrugging his shoulders.

“And my father? Did you know him?”

“About as much as I knew your mother. I was more Kay’s friend.”

“So why did you move to Hawaii?” Shelby asked.

“I was in a bad situation and I needed to get away.”

Since Kay would’ve been only in her midteens, Shelby guessed she couldn’t blame him for leaving. “What does your company do, Dan?”

“Oh, a mixture of things. I import cars and sporting equipment, and I export Hawaiian items, such as macadamia nuts, leis, muumuus, most anything we think will sell on the mainland.”

“How interesting.” Shelby looked at Kay, to see if what he did was a surprise to her.

“Doesn’t that sound exciting, Shelby?” Kay asked.

“Yes, exciting,” Shelby agreed.

“What do you do, Shelby?” Dan asked.

“I just finished law school.” With a bright smile, she added, “But I guess you and Kay have more in common.”

Dan and Kay smiled at each other.

Pete needed more details. “Why do you say that?”

“They’re both in retail.”

Pete looked at Kay. “What do you sell?”

“Oh, I have a secondhand furniture store,” Kay said in a deprecating manner.

“Really,” Pete said. “Maybe we should start one of those here on the island. It certainly wouldn’t be worth shipping anything back to the mainland.”

Dan frowned. “I don’t know much about furniture, but it does sound like a good idea.”

“Maybe I should look into it. I’ll make some calls tomorrow and do some research to see if there are secondhand stores on the island.”

“Good idea, Pete. I bet Kay could give you advice.”

“Would you mind, Kay?” Pete asked.

“I would enjoy it.”

“And I’ll take you to lunch, Shelby, so you won’t feel left out,” Dan said with an easy smile.

“That’s quite all right. I’ll be fine lying at the pool and studying. I’ve planned to do that, but I was worried about Kay being entertained. That will work out just fine.”

Kay protested. “But, Shelby—”

“You promised me I could study if I felt the urge, Kay, and I do.” She gave her aunt a serious look.

“I know I did, but I was hoping you wouldn’t want to.”

It was Dan who eased the situation. “Don’t worry about it, Kay. Let Shelby study all day. Then, tomorrow night, we’ll all four go out to dinner.”

“But, Dan, you bought dinner tonight. I can’t let you take us out again.”

“Actually, he hasn’t paid for dinner tonight yet,” Shelby said. “Maybe it would be better if we split the cost tonight.” Shelby caught the look of outrage on Pete’s face. Dan didn’t seem upset at all.

“Nice try, young lady,” Dan said with a chuckle, “but I extended the invitation, so I’ll pay the bill.”

“Then you’d better save your money tomorrow night.”

“Shelby!” Kay said in an admonishing tone. “There’s no need to insult Dan. He’s been a wonderful host.”

“I didn’t mean to insult him. But I don’t know him. If he wants to take you out, he shouldn’t feel he has to drag me along. You’re old enough. You don’t need a chaperone.”

Dan laughed. “You’re a straight shooter, aren’t you, Shelby?”

“I try to be.”

“Okay, we’ll negotiate. I feel I owe Kay another dinner if she works all day with Pete tomorrow. But my chances of repaying Kay while abandoning you are nil. You know her. Am I right?”

“Yes, Dan, you’re right. I didn’t know if you knew Kay that well.”

“Even when she was young, she kept her dolls all together because she didn’t want any of them to think she was the favorite.”

Kay blushed and looked away from the table.

“Kay! You never told me that!”

“That wasn’t anything you needed to know,” her aunt said sheepishly.

Dan smiled at her. “Sorry to spill the beans on you, sweetheart. But it was something that had stuck in my memory.”

Shelby was beginning to see why Kay had remembered him for so long.

Kay managed to change the subject back to Pete’s original suggestion. Shelby allowed the three-sided conversation to flow for the rest of dinner without interruption. When they’d finished their meal, Dan leaned over and whispered something in Kay’s ear. Shelby noticed Pete’s complete attention was on Kay’s face.

“Oh, I’d love to,” Kay exclaimed.

Dan looked at Shelby. “I suggested to Kay that we take off our shoes and walk back to your hotel along the beach, instead of the way we came.”

Shelby frowned, unsure what her answer should be. What did Kay want her to do?

“Oh, Shelby, let’s! We can even wade a little bit. That would be heavenly,” Kay enthused.

“Of course, if that’s what you want.”

“Good!” Kay jumped up from her chair and stepped out of one shoe, then the other. Shelby did the same.

“You might as well sit down, ladies. Our shoes don’t come off as easily as yours,” Dan said with a smile.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Kay apologized. “I’m just so excited!”

“I don’t mind your excitement. It makes me feel young again.”

“You are young, Dan,” Kay said.

Dan grinned and shook his head. “Maybe you need your eyesight checked, sweetheart.” Then he stood with his shoes in one hand and offered his other hand to Kay. “Ready to go?”

“Oh, yes!” Kay exclaimed, seizing his hand.

Before Shelby could even think of moving, they were walking along the beach.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized to Pete. “I didn’t mean to hold you up.”

“Are you sure about that?”

Shelby stared at the young man. “I beg your pardon?”

“I haven’t been able to decide if you approve of Dan for Kay. You want to clue me in?”

Shelby gave him a look. “And I was trying to decide if you wanted Kay for Dan or for yourself! Want to clue me in?” she said, echoing his words.

“Lady, I don’t want to tell you anything!”

“Same here!”

With each retort they stepped closer to each other, until they were a foot apart. When she realized it, Shelby turned away, giving him her back in a wordless gesture that spoke volumes.

Neither said anything for a few moments, until Pete broke the icy silence. “Come on. We’re losing sight of them.”

He didn’t bother offering his hand, which was good because Shelby wouldn’t have accepted anything from him.

Chapter Two

Shelby and Pete marched down the beach as if they had no knowledge of the other’s presence. Dan and Kay, on the other hand, drifted along the beach, hands linked, through the waves.

After the men had bade them good-night, the two ladies rode the elevator to their floor in silence. But as they entered their room, Kay exclaimed, “Wasn’t that a wonderful evening?”

“I assume that’s a rhetorical question,” Shelby said.

Kay came to an abrupt halt and stared at her niece. “You didn’t have a good time?”

“Dinner on the beach was nice. That certainly doesn’t happen in Cleveland.” Shelby avoided any comment about the men.

“Yes, that was lovely, wasn’t it?” Kay sat down on her bed. “What did you think of Dan?”

“He’s quite charming.”

“Yes, he always has been.” She had a faraway look in her eyes. “It almost seems like yesterday that I’d seen him.”

Unable to hold back any longer, Shelby blurted, “He must be twenty years older than you, Kay!” She hadn’t meant to say anything negative, but she couldn’t help it.

“No, he’s not! Dan is only twelve years older than me.”

“And you’ve been writing for fifteen years?”

“Well, that’s when it first began, but we didn’t write much until after I moved out of Cordelia’s house.”

“Mom didn’t approve?”

The dreamy look fled Kay’s face. “No,” she said in a clipped tone.

“Why?”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m going to bed. I think the time change is catching up with me.”

She found her nightgown and went into the bathroom, leaving Shelby sitting on her bed. She crossed her arms over her chest. So her mother hadn’t approved of Dan? That was interesting. Her mother hadn’t had high standards, so what had he done? Robbed a bank?

She opened the sliding door and walked out on the lanai. The gentle breeze and lapping waves distracted her from her thoughts for a minute. Then her mind returned to the contemplation of Kay and Dan Jackson.

The man was charming, as she’d said, but not so charming that he sounded like a snake oil salesman. He appeared intelligent and patient. Certainly more than her. Impatience was one of her biggest faults. Darn it, the only thing she could find wrong with Dan was his age.

“I’m out of the bath, Shelby,” Kay called out.

When Shelby didn’t come in at once, Kay came closer to the lanai. “Aren’t you tired?”

“Yes, I suppose so.” Shelby moved back into the room. “Is it okay if I leave the door open a little so we can hear the waves?”

“Oh, yes, I think that’s a very relaxing sound.”

“Me, too.”

After they were both in bed, Shelby intended to question Kay about her relationship with Dan. But she discovered her aunt Kay was already asleep. Apparently nothing was bothering her conscience. And nothing should. She was a wonderful person, in spite of the tragedies that had surrounded her life.

Kay’s parents had died in a car crash when she was ten. That was when she’d moved into Cordelia’s home. Shelby had been born that same year. Cordelia had turned Kay into a babysitter at once. Though Shelby had vague memories of her father’s presence, she didn’t remember much about him. But Kay’s presence in her life was clear. Together they went through the trauma of Cordelia’s divorce and the ensuing years. Shelby remembered her mother’s hysterics before every one of her father’s visits. Now she could admire his courage, but it hadn’t lasted long. The visits soon stopped.

She remembered being upset when she didn’t see him again, when she couldn’t picture him in her mind. But as she listened to her mother describe him in mean, hateful words, soon it became easier to forget him. Cordelia loathed him so intensely, she had Shelby’s name changed back to her maiden name, Cook. It was as if all memory of her father had been erased.

Then, after her mother remarried, Shelby learned men were untrustworthy. It was a life lesson she’d rather forget but would always remember.

Banishing the memories, she listened to the waves and let them rock her to sleep.

Morning had barely dawned when Shelby awoke. A peek at the bedside clock told her it was only six-thirty, but the time change was wreaking its usual havoc.

“Guess you haven’t adapted to the time zone, either.” Apparently Kay was awake, too.

Shelby got out of bed. “I’ll probably fall asleep right after lunch.” Then she noticed her aunt was already dressed, in a blue pantsuit. “You’re on the go already?”

“You remember, I’m going to do some work with Pete today,” Kay explained, looking all too happy, in Shelby’s opinion. When she made a face, her aunt sobered. “You’re okay with that, aren’t you? I mean, you’re not…jealous, are you?”

Shelby stopped her hairbrush midstroke. What reason would she have to be jealous of her aunt spending the day with Pete Campbell? Actually, she was counting her lucky stars that she got out of joining them. She continued brushing her hair and affected a light tone. “Why would I be jealous?”

“Well, Pete was your…escort last night.”

“If you want him, Aunt Kay, you can have him.”

Her aunt came up behind her at the dresser mirror. “You’re not interested in him? I mean, he is handsome. And successful and charming and—”

Shelby turned around to silence Kay. “I’m not interested in Pete or any man right now.”

“But you’re finished with school. It’s no longer an excuse for you to ignore men.”

“I haven’t ignored them. I just haven’t had time for them.”

Before Kay could argue, she was interrupted by a rap on the door and a male voice calling, “Room service.” She turned to Shelby. “I hope you don’t mind, but I ordered us breakfast. I thought we could eat on the lanai.” She went to the door and directed the waiter where to set the tray.

When they were sitting on the lanai enjoying the fresh island pineapple, Kay let out a sigh. “Oh, this is so nice.”

Shelby gave her a smile. “Now that I won’t argue with.”

Kay, not to be deterred, asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to go with us today?”

“I’m sure. I’m going to sit at the pool and study, and maybe take a walk on the famous Waikiki Beach. A nice, relaxing day.”

“But you’ll be back for dinner, right? You remember our plans.”

Shelby set down her juice, not saying anything. What she wouldn’t give to get out of that little soiree tonight. She looked up at her aunt, at the expectant look on her face, and couldn’t back out. “Yes, Kay, I’ll be ready.”

After all, she reasoned, she didn’t want to leave her aunt alone with Dan until she could figure out what he was up to. And what her aunt was up to, she added. For a moment there Kay seemed almost too intent on Shelby joining them, as if there was a special reason. Could Kay have an ulterior motive?

Aunt Kay? An inner voice questioned. If ever there was an honest person who didn’t know guile, it was Kay Cook.

No, Shelby told herself. If there was something going on, it was on Dan’s part. And tonight she’d do her best to find out what.

After a peaceful, solitary afternoon, Shelby took a taxi to Dan’s office. He’d called to offer her a ride to dinner, but she’d insisted on meeting him at Island Traders.

She looked at her watch and realized she’d be a little early, but she decided to go ahead to Dan’s offices.

Maybe Kay and Pete would already be there. Shelby had worked in Kay’s store frequently as she’d grown up. She was eager to hear what they had found today.

She enjoyed the solitary ride in the back of the taxi. Hawaii was an incredible state, so different from the others she’d visited. When the taxi stopped in front of a three-story white stucco building surrounded by palm trees and colorful hibiscus, she paid the driver and walked in.

She made her way up to the third floor, where, according to the lobby directory, Dan’s company was located. About to open the door to Suite 300, she heard Pete’s voice.

“Why did you invite her?”

“Because Kay wants her here. What’s the problem? You said you didn’t mind helping me out.” That was Dan’s voice.

“I just don’t see the need for her. She’s stiff and unfriendly.”

“But she’s pretty,” Dan said.

“I’m not interested!” Pete protested.

“Careful, or you’re going to ruin my plan.”

Plan? Shelby immediately wondered what his plan was. Could Dan have an investment he was trying to sell Aunt Kay? Did he want to steal her money?

Before she could think further, Pete said, “I’d better go down if I’m going to pay her taxi when it arrives.”

Panicked, Shelby turned and ran down the hall as the door opened.

She hadn’t escaped unnoticed because Pete hollered, “Shelby, wait!”

She didn’t. When she reached the elevator, she jabbed the button, but the door didn’t open, so she chose the stairs. Glad her sandals were flat, she hurried down the two flights of stairs.

When she opened the door on the ground floor, she found Pete leaning against the wall beside it.

“Whoa! Shelby, stop running.” He caught her arm to ensure she did as he ordered.

“Let me go!”

“Why? You’re supposed to join us for dinner.”

She glared at him. “I’ve changed my mind!”

“Why?”

Shelby tried to twist her arm free of his hold, but he wouldn’t allow it. “Because I don’t like the idea of Dan’s plan!”

Pete studied the young woman he was holding. Last night he hadn’t been at all attracted. Her sharp tongue had cut him with one too many sassy retorts. At times she’d been aloof, at others, downright surly, and always uninterested. In everything except Dan.

Today, though, her blue eyes flared to life, her red locks flamed in the sunshine pouring through the lobby doors. She looked like another person. A very attractive person.

Last night he’d had a name for her. Not one he could repeat in mixed company. Right now he was tempted to call her a looker.

He felt a tug deep within him, both surprised and delighted at the same time. Relishing the feel of her, he had to force his concentration onto the topic at hand.

“You know what Dan’s plan is?” he asked in surprise.

“Don’t you?”

“No, Dan didn’t explain it to me.”

“I don’t believe you. You’re helping him, aren’t you?” Shelby demanded. “Why would you do that if you don’t know what the plan is?”

Why? Because Dan Jackson had saved him once upon a time. Pete feared thinking what he’d be, where he’d be, if he hadn’t been lucky enough to meet Dan. Raised on Oahu by a single mother who worked two jobs, Pete had no family around him. Dan had become his family, especially when his mother died while Pete was in college.

He looked Shelby right in the eye and said, “Because Dan is more than my boss. He’s my best friend. Because Dan became my Big Brother when I was a teenager, replacing my father, whom I hadn’t seen since I was a little boy. Because Dan kept me from going down the wrong road and showed me the right way. Because I trust him.”

“Even if what he wants involves spending the evening with a stiff, unfriendly, unattractive woman?” Shelby asked. So apparently she’d overheard part of his conversation with Dan back in the office. He’d hoped not.

He shot her a grin. “Even if.” Then he began walking toward the elevator, pulling her with him.

She yanked on her arm again. “Let me go. You couldn’t pay me to have dinner with you, or Dan!”

He stopped and she looked at him expectantly. “Do you want to disappoint Kay? She’s spent all day talking about you.”

“Oh, that’s what’s wrong. She bored you to death today.”

“No, she didn’t. Now, come on, let’s go join them.”

“Where is Kay? She wasn’t in the office.”

“She excused herself to freshen up.” He gazed down at her, thinking how good she looked, like a spitfire, with her eyes squinting at him in suspicion. His voice lowered and he stepped a bit closer. “Come on, Shelby. You can convince me my description was off base.”

She seemed taken aback, but held her ground. “I’ll do no such thing!”

“So you are stiff, unfriendly and unattractive?” He smiled at her.

“Stop being silly!” She tried again to get loose. “I need to know what Dan’s plan is.”

“But I told you I don’t know what his plan is.”

“Will you help me find out?”

Pete stared at her. “You’re asking me to betray my friend and boss? Why would I do that?” Unbelievably enough, he wanted to get on her good side, which he knew helping her would do. But how could he go against Dan?

“Because Kay is my only family. Because she took care of me and loved me when I needed it. Because she deserves to be treated fairly!” Shelby stood taller, daring him to say differently.

Pete couldn’t. “I won’t argue with that. And she’s quite charming.”

“Then you’ll help me?”

“I won’t do anything to hurt Dan.”

“But will you help me protect Kay?”

Pete assessed her relaxed posture, how she seemed to soften right before his eyes. “You’re certainly not stiff and unfriendly now, are you? And of course you were always attractive.”

She ignored him. “You haven’t answered my question.”

“I promise I’ll try to help you protect Kay, because I don’t want her hurt. But I don’t believe that is Dan’s intention.”

“All right. Then I’ll go to dinner,” she finally conceded.

He let his hand slide down her arm until it reached hers. He lifted it to his lips. “I salute your wisdom. Let’s go. They’re waiting for us,” he said as he pushed the button for the elevator. This time it opened at once.

“Now it comes,” Shelby muttered.

“It’s all in the wrist,” Pete said with a grin.

Pete watched Shelby as she answered one of Dan’s questions over dinner. Now that he’d seen the fire and the loyalty in her, he saw her differently. She was gradually relaxing, becoming the woman that matched her beautiful russet hair.

“Kay, what did you think of the stores you saw today?” Shelby asked.

Kay smiled. “Well, needless to say I think my store is more organized and takes in a better quality of furniture. But the stores today seemed to be doing a remarkable business.”

“Really?” Dan asked, smiling at her.

“Yes, Dan. It was quite impressive,” Kay assured him. “I think I could move my business here and make a good living.”

“Aunt Kay! You aren’t thinking of doing that, are you?” Shelby demanded.

“Of course not! I was just thinking—”

“Why not?” Dan asked quietly.

“Because it’s not home!” Shelby answered for her aunt.

“But it could be,” Dan said. “Home is made up of the people you love.”

Shelby had a panicky look in her eyes as she turned to Pete, as if to say, See what he’s doing!

Kay finally gave her opinion. “You’re right, Dan. But Shelby is like a daughter to me. I could never leave her in Cleveland and come here, no matter how beautiful Hawaii is.”

“So, to get you here, I’ll have to persuade Shelby to move here?” Dan asked, his voice light, as if he were teasing.

Shelby gave Pete a quick, questioning look, but he could only shrug his shoulders. He had no idea if that was Dan’s plan. And truthfully tonight he didn’t have much objection to it. Last night was another matter.

“I have no intention of moving to Hawaii. To pass the bar I’d have to learn an entire set of new laws. That would be too hard,” Shelby told her aunt, softening her staunch words with a slight smile.

“Maybe we’ll talk later,” Pete said. “I might find other reasons.” He wasn’t surprised to see Shelby’s outraged expression. But Dan drew the most interest from him. With a twinkle in his eye, his friend raised his glass in Pete’s direction.

Was that it? Did he want Kay to stay? Was he in love with her? Not that she wasn’t attractive, but Dan had dated more than his share of beautiful women before.

The waiter arrived just then with their dinners and Pete didn’t have to respond when Shelby whispered, “You promised!”

Maybe he could get her alone later and they could have a discussion. He wouldn’t mind that. And apparently Dan wouldn’t either, as he’d be left alone with Kay.

Dan offered to take them on a tour of Oahu the next day, and Kay eagerly accepted for both of them.

Pete caught Shelby’s hand as she opened her mouth, no doubt to protest. He didn’t want her to decline the invitation, especially since he planned to invite himself. “I’d like that, too, Dan, assuming I’m included,” Pete said with a smile while he squeezed Shelby’s hand.

“I—” Shelby began.

“We’ll enjoy ourselves, Shelby,” he hurriedly said.

“You’ll come, won’t you, Shelby?” Kay asked, worry in her voice.

Shelby drew a deep breath before she spoke. “Yes, of course.”

Pete continued to hold her hand below the table. She hadn’t pulled loose, and he saw no reason to give up the warmth of her skin against his.

As if she’d read his mind, she removed her hand from his. “What shall we go see?” she asked in a bright voice.

“Would you like to climb to the top of Diamond Head?” Dan suggested.

“Will it be too hard?” Kay asked.

“Well, it’s a challenge,” Dan said. “I have an idea. You and I can go by elevator up to the bar on the top floor of your hotel and wait for the other two while they climb up to the top. It has the same view.”

“Wait a minute!” Pete protested. “I’ve already been to the top of Diamond Head. I’ll join you two in the bar. Shelby can tell us all about it when she finishes the climb.”

“How gentlemanly of you!” Shelby said sarcastically.

“Okay, okay,” Pete teased. “We’ll let you in the elevator, too.”

“But that’s not so exciting, going up in an elevator to look out a window,” Shelby said.

Pete leaned toward Kay. “Your niece is a hard woman to please, did you know that?”

“I’m sure she doesn’t mean to be,” Kay said with a smile toward Shelby.

“I’ll tell you what. After drinks in the bar, we can go on a dinner cruise for the sunset. How about that, Shelby?” Pete asked.

“That would be exciting.”

“Is that okay with you two?” Pete asked.

Dan nodded to his friend. “It sounds good to me. How about you, Kay?”

“That sounds great. And Shelby and I can try out the beach during the day while you two work.”

“Aw, spoilsport! I was hoping to see Shelby in a swimsuit,” Pete said in a playful tone of voice, though he truly meant it. “Do you wear a bikini, Shelby?”

He loved her flustered look. He was seeing more sides of her tonight, and they were all beautiful.

Dan played along. “How about you, Kay?”

Kay’s cheeks turned pink. “No, Dan. I’m afraid I have a one-piece suit.”

“Looks like we’ll have to work tomorrow, Dan,” Pete said.

“Hmm, maybe half a day.”

“Why only half a day?” Kay asked.

“I have my reasons,” Dan teased.

To say Pete was shocked by Dan’s comment was an understatement. As long as he’d known him, Dan had put in minimum twelve-hour days. Now he was taking time off for some secret reason? Maybe Shelby was right to be suspicious.

Pete owed Dan a lot. He’d worked closely with him for the past seven years and known him for thirteen years. He couldn’t accept that Dan would do anything to hurt Kay.

Dinner continued, but he noted that Shelby was not as relaxed as she had been. She was back to giving one-word answers to any questions.

When the waiter offered dessert, Pete insisted they all indulge. “I want Shelby to get sweeter,” he insisted.

When Shelby protested, he added, “Of course, it’s really because I love chocolate. They’ve got a fudge brownie sundae to die for. But I’d look terrible if I ordered it and none of you had any, right?”

“Yes, you would,” Shelby retorted. “But I’ll sacrifice and join you because that sounds too good to pass up.”

He was surprised by her words but pleased as well.

After the dessert, which they all shared, they exited the restaurant, chatting excitedly about their plans. Suddenly Shelby grabbed Pete’s arms and came close to him, her mouth mere inches away from his ear. As she spoke, her warm breath on his neck stirred his fantasies. He imagined she whispered sweet nothings to him. Instead she said, “We need to talk!”

Chapter Three

When the foursome reached the hotel, Pete said, “Do you mind if Shelby and I walk on the beach for a while? It’s a beautiful night.”

“No, of course not,” Kay said, after looking at her niece.

“We won’t be long,” Pete promised as he caught Shelby’s hand in his and headed out the open back door to the moonlit beach.

Kay looked at Dan. “Do you suppose he’s interested in her?”

“Why not? She’s attractive. You don’t mind, do you?”

“As long as it’s nothing serious. I wouldn’t want to leave her behind.”

Dan studied her carefully. “You wouldn’t consider moving to Hawaii?”

“I don’t think I’d make a good island girl. I’m a little too old and much too serious for a carefree existence.”

“I don’t live a carefree existence. I run a business, but I do it here in Hawaii.”

“I don’t think the question will come up, Dan. These boy-girl things happen on vacations all the time.”

“As I remember, when I left home, you had one of those boy-girl things going on. Whatever happened to him?”

“Tony Rico. I dumped him.”

“Why?”

“Because he wanted sex, and I refused. I’d already had an example right before my eyes of a forced marriage because of a pregnancy. But that was a long time ago.”

The elevator opened and Kay hurriedly said, “You don’t need to see me to my room. I’m fine.”

“I know you are.” Dan got into the elevator anyway.

They stood silently in the elevator, surrounded by strangers. When the door opened on her floor, Kay got out, calling a good-night to Dan over her shoulder. To her surprise, he followed her down the corridor.

“Really, Dan, there’s no need—”

“Yes, there is. Didn’t you find anyone worth dating in the past twenty years?”

Kay backed up against her door. “I’ve dated occasionally, but I had Shelby to care for and…and I was happy.”

“I hope so. I’d hate to think my marriage ruined four lives instead of three.”

“I don’t think it ruined Shelby’s life. She’s well adjusted and happy, too.”

“Because of you.” He leaned forward and dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Bless you, Kay. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Then he walked back to the elevator.

Kay stood there watching him until the doors closed, depriving her of the view. She reached up and touched her forehead, still warm from his kiss. Just what did he mean by that?

“What did you want to talk about?” Pete asked Shelby, who had wrenched her hand from his the moment they were out of sight.

She turned to him, her features tight. “You’re treating this like it’s a game! I’m serious. I want to protect Kay!”

“From what, Shelby?”

“From Dan, of course. From his plan!”

“I don’t know what his plan is. But I don’t believe he’d do anything to hurt Kay. All he’s doing is a little flirting.” Pete smiled, sure he’d erased Shelby’s worries.

“You don’t understand! Kay gave up her freedom to take care of me for the past ten years. I don’t think she went out on more than five dates during those ten years. She’s inexperienced. Flirting could hurt her a lot!”

“I promised I’d try to find out what Dan’s plan is, but I can assure you he’s a good man. He wouldn’t hurt Kay,” Pete repeated.

“But he could make Kay fall in love with him, just by flirting. That’s why I need to know what he’s doing. Or maybe you could tell him not to do that.”

“Generally, if one works for Dan, one doesn’t tell him what to do,” Pete said with a grin. “It’s not good for one’s health.”

Her eyes narrowed. “So you’re afraid of him?”

“No, I’m not.” He pulled her close to him. “But I believe a man should make his own decisions.” Then he leaned over and dropped a kiss on her lips.

“Don’t do that!”

“Why not? I think we can find out more if Dan thinks we’re interested in each other.”

“You can just say we are. After all, we went for a walk on the beach in the moonlight, didn’t we?”

“Well, no. We haven’t actually gotten to the beach.”

Shelby looked around her. They were still on the lushly landscaped grounds of the hotel. “We can see it from here.”

“Well, at least give me another kiss so I can tell him the walk on the beach was fun,” Pete teased.

To his surprise, Shelby, in a serious mood, leaned forward and slid her arms around his neck. He readily pulled her against him and took the kiss much deeper than the first one.

When Pete finally lifted his lips, he hungered for more, but Shelby immediately backed away, staring at him.

“I…I have to go upstairs,” she said hurriedly, and rushed into the hotel lobby.

He didn’t know what that was all about. But he sure liked it.

The two men were quiet for much of their drive home.

Finally Dan broke the silence. “Is everything all right?”

“Yeah, sort of.” Pete could think of no way to get the information from his friend other than by asking him outright. “Shelby heard you say you had a plan. She wants me to find out what it is.”

Dan took his eyes off the road to look at Pete. Then he turned back to his driving. “That’s my business.”

“Look, Dan, I’d trust you with my life, but Shelby doesn’t know you. She’s afraid you’re going to hurt her aunt.”

“Hurt Kay? I owe her too much. Not that I’d ever even consider such a thing anyway. You can tell Shelby that Kay is safe from me.”

“Then why are you flirting with her?”

Dan looked at him again, and Pete was glad they were no longer in the areas of Honolulu heavily traveled by tourists. “You’re being ridiculous!”

“Am I? I noticed it as much as Shelby did. I know you’re not a womanizer. So what’s going on?”

“I’m showing an old friend Hawaii. That’s all.”

Pete tried it one more time. “So you really don’t have a plan?”

“Of course not.”

They finished the drive in silence.

The women didn’t go to the beach until after lunch. To their surprise, the two men joined them almost at once. Dan had rented Pete and himself a room for the day so they could shower and change before they went to dinner. Driving back to their homes would take too much time.

Dan stretched out on a towel beside Kay as the other two ran into the surf together.

“How do you think your plan is working?” Kay whispered.

Dan almost choked. “My plan?”

“You know. To get to know Shelby.”

He felt relieved. “I wouldn’t say she’s exactly taken to me. Would you?”

“No, but I think she’s getting used to you.”

“How about you? Are you taking to me?” he asked with a big grin.

“Oh, you!” Kay returned, smiling. “You’d better be glad I know you’re teasing!”

Dan went along with her. “Right. By the way, I like your swimsuit. It looks good on you.”

“Thank you. We don’t do a lot of swimming in Cleveland. I’m a little white so I’m covered in sunblock.”

“I’ll be glad to rub some on anytime you want.”

“There you go again! What with our pretending, as you suggested, you’re going to have Shelby thinking the wrong thing if you don’t stop that.”

“Okay, I’ll behave.” To take his mind off her beautiful shapely legs and curved bottom, he changed the subject. “Pete told me all about your knowledge of furniture. He was quite impressed.”

“I should know it. After all, I’ve worked in the furniture business since I was eighteen.”

“I thought you started your shop after college.”

“I did, using the insurance money I had from Mom and Dad’s deaths. But while I was in school, I worked parttime in a furniture store. Plus, I studied furniture in college. At least, I focused on it in my interior design classes. Furniture and antiques. I did a lot of that on my own. There are books where you can look up most anything.”

“Do you sometimes get antiques?”

“Yes. People don’t know what they’ve got. Have you ever watched The Antiques Roadshow? They have one set in the U.S. and one in England. You can learn a lot from watching that show.”

Dan raised himself on one elbow. “Did you think seriously about opening a shop here?”

She avoided his gaze. “No, of course not!”

“Why?”

Kay abruptly sat up. “Why would I? I have a perfectly good shop in Cleveland.”

“Because Shelby might decide to stay in Hawaii. She wouldn’t be the first person to arrive in paradise and decide not to leave.”

“Like you.”

It seemed like forever ago when he’d come to Oahu. Only, he’d come with every intention of staying. He’d needed to get away from Cleveland and everyone there, and Hawaii was the farthest he could go. Still, he’d fallen in love with the islands immediately.

He could tell he’d upset Kay with his questions. Before he could find a way to calm her down, she jumped to her feet.

“I think I’ll cool off in the water for a few minutes.” She ran down the beach to where the waves rolled into the shore. The surf was strong today, and Dan immediately rose and followed her. He wasn’t sure she’d be able to stand up if she went in too far at high tide.

She’d slowed down after she’d entered the water, feeling her way in. Shelby immediately came to her side, reaching her before Dan did.

“Aunt Kay, I’m glad you decided to come in! Isn’t it great?”

Since a wave rolled over her at that moment, Kay didn’t have a chance to answer. She would have gone under except for strong hands on her waist.

“I think you’re in over your head, Kay,” Dan whispered in her ear.

“Yes, I think I am.” As soon as he let her go, she began moving back toward shore.

“Wait, Kay!” Dan called out, turning to follow her.

“What did you say to my aunt?” Shelby demanded.

“I told her I thought she was in over her head. She’s shorter than all of us. I was afraid the waves would be too strong for her.”

“I’ll go see,” Shelby said, apparently finding his words unremarkable.

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