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    Worst Laid Plans
    Worst Laid Plans
    Worst Laid Plans
    Ebook124 pages1 hour

    Worst Laid Plans

    By Wendy Dalrymple

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    About this ebook

    Brittany Sinclair has everything going for her; a successful business as a wedding planner, good friends, a beautiful home. Her life is going exactly the way that she wants it, until one day a ghost from her past walks back into her life and changes everything.

    Thomas Gold is done living a life of crime. After nearly twenty years, he's done working under the thumb of one of the most dangerous men in the world... even if the dirty work did pay well. He misses his family back home in Palmetto, FL, and wants to spend one weekend relaxing and reuniting with his old friends and family. Only he had no idea that the person in charge of running his baby sister's wedding was his old flame, Brittany Sinclair.

    When fate brings these two former lovers back together again, Brittany has to decide whether she wants to give up her prim and perfect existence for life on the road with the man she loves. Thomas has to come to terms with his past and admit that his only killed (mostly) bad guys, and that he can change, for himself and for a future with Brittany. However, when Thomas's jilted former employer tracks him down in Palmetto, Thomas has to shift back into killer mode to save the woman he loves… and himself.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBryant Street Shorts
    Release dateSep 23, 2021
    ISBN9781094421087
    Author

    Wendy Dalrymple

    Wendy Dalrymple crafts highly consumable, short and sweet romances inspired by everyday people. When she’s not writing happily-ever-afters, you can find her camping with her family, painting (bad) wall art, and trying to grow as many pineapples as possible. Keep up with Wendy at www.wendydalrymple.com!

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      Book preview

      Worst Laid Plans - Wendy Dalrymple

      Chapter One

      Brittany Sinclair tapped at the massive cream and white binder spread in front of her and frowned at a smudge on the top corner of the laminated cover. She rubbed the mark on her meticulously filled-out planner away with her thumb until it was pristine once again. She smiled at the workbook that was bursting at the seams with receipts, color swatches, and lists. It was easily her thickest, most thoroughly filled-out binder yet. Brittany loved nothing more than to make lists, dream up themed parties, and organize events. As a wedding planner, that’s exactly what she was able to do.

      The afternoon of the Oliveros-Marquette wedding rehearsal was warm and pleasant, but Brittany’s normally sunny behavior was beginning to be anything but. Despite the gorgeous scenery laid out, tiny imperfections were unravelling the ideal clockwork event she had spent over a year orchestrating. Namely the blister that was forming on her big toe and the layer of sweat that was surely melting her makeup. The painfully pretty shoes she chose to wear that day threatened to ruin every step she took during her working event. A quick check of her reflection in her camera phone proved that at the moment, her makeup was thankfully still in place. But time was running out.

      Poppy, where are we with those twinkle lights?

      Brittany’s assistant and wedding-planner-in-training pursed her lips and blinked as she looked up from her phone. Poppy was a hard worker and a fast learner but had a tendency to get lost in the clouds. Brittany’s trainee had been more dreamy than usual that afternoon, a trait that usually didn’t annoy her, but on this particular day, there was no opportunity to slack off. The rehearsal for the biggest, most ambitious event she ever had the privilege to plan was happening that night. Their margin for error was precariously slim.

      Hm? Poppy said, brushing a curtain of too-long pink and white blonde bangs from her eyes. Oh! The twinkle lights. Yes, I got a dozen more boxes from Ikea. I wasn’t able to get the Italian ones anywhere, but these are close enough.

      Good, Brittany checked off the box next to exterior illumination on her list with a flourish. Those lights are for the tiki bar in the far corner anyway. No one should be able to tell the difference.

      I also got confirmation from No Hesitation, Poppy said. Their trombone player is going to need a ramp to get up the stage. I assured them that we would be able to accommodate.

      Thank you. The groom would have been really disappointed if we couldn’t book them. Finding a ska band that will come to Bradenton is surprisingly difficult.

      Poppy looked up from her phone with a flush-faced grin. All I have left to do is call the florist and confirm they are delivering everything in the morning. Oh, and check in with the photographer and videographer. Then we are set.

      Sounds like we’re in a good spot, Brittany said.

      I’m so excited, Poppy whispered, tapping away at her phone screen. I’ve never seen a bouquet made out of birds of paradise and palm fronds before.

      "This wedding is going to be pretty unique," Brittany agreed.

      She stretched and looked out from their remote office over the sugar sand shores of the Gulf of Mexico. When she had met Miranda and James almost a year ago to sit down and discuss their wedding needs and vision, she was slightly intimidated by the scope of their requests. While the prospect of planning a tropical-themed beach wedding was not entirely original, their ideas were definitely elaborate and would come at a pretty penny. However, the groom James Jimmy Marquette, the best-known lawyer in all of Manatee County, was willing to foot the bill for his new bride-to-be, no matter the cost.

      I’m going to check in with Tyler and see how the cake is going. He told me he ran out of coconut flakes yesterday and I almost fainted, Brittany said, rolling her eyes.

      Tell him I said hello, Poppy whispered, her hand covering the receiver.

      I will. Brittany smiled, shaking her head.

      Poppy waved back at her and assumed her professional phone voice. Hey, Suzy? Hi, Poppy Prince here with Forever Weddings. How are you?

      Tyler. Brittany tried to shake the image of her twin brother—also her caterer and business partner—and Poppy together. Her brother had been flirting on and off with her assistant for weeks now, and while they were cute together, the budding romance was another distraction Brittany didn’t have the time for at the moment. Her fingers flew across the screen as she dialed her brother on auto-pilot and was greeted by the sound of clanging pans and hard rock music.

      Yo, Britt. Whaddup?

      Tyler’s muffled voice crackled in her ear. She winced and pulled the phone away from her face.

      Just checking in for tomorrow, Brittany said. Can you turn that music down?

      Sorry, Tyler said. The metallic clanking noises and music in the background ceased as he picked up the phone again. Cake is done and it looks great. I’ll text you a picture in a bit.

      Perfect. What about the coconut shrimp?

      All set there too, he said. The pineapple stir fry is on point. Scallop appetizers are done. I just need to prep the sea urchin ceviche in the morning and it’s good to go.

      Thank goodness, she said. Okay, well I guess I’ll see you at the Tradewinds at about noon tomorrow?

      Wouldn’t miss it, Tyler said. Poppy is gonna be there, right?

      Brittany pursed her lips and smiled despite herself. "Yes."

      Well, I’ll probably be a little early then. Tell her I said hi.

      "Goodbye Tyler," she said in a singsong voice. Brittany pressed the end call button with a flourish, cutting him off. Even though they were both exactly thirty-eight years and ten days old, she still felt like a child around him sometimes.

      Brittany exhaled slowly through her nose and checked the time again. It was a quarter past five and the wedding rehearsal was set to begin soon, which meant her clients and their wedding attendants would be arriving at any moment. She closed her planner and breathed in a deep lungful of salty air, scanning the stretch of beach that would serve as the backdrop for the festivities the following day. The paved patio area just off the Tradewinds resort pool featured a lush, tropical garden that would host the reception. For the cost, any wedding planner would have been hard-pressed to find a more romantic scene. Brittany and Poppy had spent that entire afternoon inspecting the space and she was thoroughly satisfied with the overall appearance and aesthetic. No loose bricks for guests to trip on. A small stage that she could easily have a ramp added to for the band. Just enough room for a tropical outdoor buffet and one hundred guests. It was going to be perfect. The best wedding she had put on yet.

      Poppy, what about the pyrotechnics guy? Did he confirm yet?

      Yes. All set for 9 p.m. tomorrow.

      Good, Brittany said, checking off one more box. Can’t say I’ve ever booked fireworks for a wedding before.

      Excuse me, are you with the Oliveros-Marquette wedding?

      A deep, velvety voice caught Brittany by surprise from behind, breaking her mental to-do list for the big day. She smoothed her dark, shoulder-length hair and stood, ready to greet either a very early wedding guest or a member of the wedding party. However, as she straightened out the skirt of her floral print dress and turned with a smile, her eyes grew wide and all thoughts of seating arrangements, paid deposits, and guest accommodations came to a screeching halt.

      Though it had been nearly twenty years, Brittany would recognize Thomas Tommy Gold anywhere. True, his frame had filled out and he had gained an inch or two of height, some of which might be accounted for in his perfectly coiffed salt-and-pepper hair. His skin was clear and his expertly cut suit jacket and tailored slacks were a far cry from the Old Navy jeans and t-shirts all the kids in their high school used to kick around in. Despite the decidedly suave transformation, she could tell it was him, sure as the sun was going to set that day. It was Tommy. Suddenly, a long-forgotten sensation flooded her system all over again.

      Tommy? she said, recovering her smile. What are you doing here?

      The man standing before her appeared to be just as surprised as she was—even more surprised, perhaps. His handsome, steely features softened and his eyes moved up and down her body in a reaction that was more disbelief than leering. His lower lip fell open and his forehead scrunched together in confusion as he struggled to speak.

      Brittany? he said, his eyes crinkled at the corners.

      She gave her assistant a sideways glance. Poppy’s usually upturned mouth was set in a confused half smile, half frown.

      Oh my gosh, come here.

      Heat crept up

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