She smiled, a wide, fake smile that made me want to laugh. “Not discussing it, Mr. Richards. Those were the rules you laid out. I believe you’ve been placed at the back of the room. Do try to behave.”
Unable to help myself, I winked at her. “I’ll try. Not promising anything.”
She pressed her hand to my chest in an unknowingly intimate gesture. “How did you get a fresh suit?”
“Michael met me at the Port Albany Motel. I had a shower, changed, and here I am.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “The Port Albany Motel? That place is a dive. Addi’s been trying to convince them to sell for over a year.”
I shrugged. It was old and run-down, but the room was clean and all I needed was a close place to change and clean up. It was deserted at this time of year, so they were happy to get a full night’s price for a couple of hours.
“How low you have sunk, Mr. Richards. Staying in motels.”
I leaned close. “You’d be shocked how low I would sink for you, Gracie.” I brushed my lips close to her ear. “Right to my knees if you wanted.”
She pushed me back, looking around to see if anyone was watching. There were too many people and too many conversations going on. No one was looking our way. The focus was on the couple of the day, nowhere else.
“Stop it.”
“Fine. I’m going to get a scotch. It’ll perk me up.”
“Feel free to leave anytime.”
I shook my head. “Nope. The night is young. I look forward to a dance.”
“Don’t hold your breath.” She turned away, dismissing me. I went through the rest of the line, shaking hands, murmuring stupid salutations. I memorized each face, putting them with the names I’d had Grace tell me about on the long drive. It had helped pass the time and would come in handy. Her sister Heather was easy to spot since their facial features were similar. She was far more outgoing than Grace, sipping a glass of champagne, giving me the once-over, then dismissing me, far too busy having a good time to ask any questions. It reminded me of Grace’s earlier action, and I decided it had to be a family trait. Bentley Ridge was easily recognizable, as was Maddox Riley. I shook their hands and received a kiss on the cheek from their wives, both of them exclaiming over the efforts I had made to get Grace to the wedding. I murmured the appropriate response, sighing in relief when I reached the end of the line.
I approached the bar and got a double scotch, turning to find a tall man wearing a kimono and slacks eyeing me speculatively. Between his outfit and presence, he was an event unto himself.
“Grace’s last-minute addition, I presume,” he stated.
“Jen,” I replied, grateful for all the things Grace had told me in the car. He was easy to remember since she’d described him perfectly. “The man himself. Can I buy you a drink?”
“I never drink on duty. I need your name.”
“Grace didn’t supply it?”
“Unless you wish to be referred to as ‘the pain in my ass’ all evening, no.”
My lips quirked. Apparently, I wasn’t painted as a hero to all. “Ah.”
“Oh, he smiles,” Jen quipped. “Tell me, does that angry, intense look work with women?”
“I don’t have a look.”
“Oh, darling. You do. Trust me. Now, name?”
“Jaxson.” I spelled it out for him.
“Well, that suits. Now, Jaxson, although Grace suggested a chair by the kitchen, or perhaps a dinghy in the water, I have put you at table four. You’re with Grace’s family. Given the situation and all, I thought it appropriate.”
“Situation?”
“Grace,” he said knowingly. “Your date.”
“I’m her boss,” I stated firmly. “I wanted to see the winery.”
“Uh-huh. You could have arranged a tour. But you stick to that, young man. A word of warning. Be careful around Richard—he is a protective daddy, and Gracie is his baby. And he bites.”
He turned and walked away.
I took a long drink of scotch, then got a top up. I had a feeling I was going to need it. I found table four and hesitated. There was a woman sitting at the table, sipping a glass of wine. I cleared my throat. “Is this seat taken?”
The woman glanced up, smiled, and indicated the chair. “No, please.”
I sat down, and she laid a hand on my arm. “Jaxson, I presume?”
I turned in my chair and was able to see her clearly. There was no doubt who she was. Her warm blue eyes and lovely smile were identical to Gracie’s.
“Mrs. VanRyan. Yes, I’m Jaxson Richards.”
Her smile grew. “Thank you for getting our Gracie here. She told us how difficult a task it was. You must be exhausted!” She glanced over her shoulder. “Richard darling, come meet Jaxson!”
A good-looking man extricated himself from a group and came closer. He was tall, with broad shoulders. His gaze was intense, and I stood to shake his hand. His grip was firm. “Gracie’s boss,” he stated. “The hero.”