Gwen rolled her eyes at the comment, but didn't say anything. Clarissa raised her eyebrow, waiting for him to leave.
“Tell Madelyn I stopped by,” Jace said. He was stalling now, and he knew it. But he wanted just a few more minutes, just in case Ella decided to come back out.
“Goodbye, Jace.” Clarissa stepped forward and opened the door for him, holding it open.
Jace knew it was time to leave, yet his feet didn't seem to get the memo. It took him a second to make himself move away from the door and where he knew Ella was and out into the hallway. He had no idea why Madelyn had Ella wearing a wedding dress, but he certainly thought it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
The door to the bridal suite slammed shut behind him, making him shake his head. He'd seen plenty of women in wedding dresses, but for some reason, seeing Ella in one made him obscenely happy. The thought of her in white, hiding from him because it would be bad luck for him to see her made his chest tight and heart thump.
He may not understand why she was dressed in white, but he did know one thing. He had to see her again. This brief moment and the way his feet kept trying to turn him around to go back just proved it. He wanted to see her more than anything.
He needed a plan, a way to surprise her and make her smile. Flowers? No. Too simple, he decided. Maybe something with horses? Was there a way to combine horses with romance novels?
With his thoughts up on the girl hiding in the bedroom, Jace wasn't paying attention to the world around him. As such, it came as a total surprise when he nearly ran into Delores Phillips. He stumbled to the side, managing to avoid a full collision, but only barely.
“Mr. Connor, how are you this morning?” the older woman asked. Every gold-digging alarm went off in Jace's head at her sweet tone. She was certainly well preserved, but not anywhere near his type.
“I'm well,” he replied. “I'm sorry for almost running you over, Ms. Phillips. I'm afraid my thoughts were elsewhere.”
“Delores, please. It certainly looked like you had pleasant things on your mind,” she purred and fluttered fake eyelashes. “May I ask, who is the lucky lady?”
“A lady? Who said anything about a lady?” Jace did his best to look innocent. “Can't I just be happy my little sister is getting married?”
He fidgeted slightly, wanting to get back to work. As much as he was excited for Madelyn's wedding to Jason, he still had responsibilities. His company didn't stop running just because his little sister was getting married.
“Oh, Mr. Connor, your sister Madelyn is a lucky woman, but a man doesn't go around with his feet floating on a cloud and a smile on his face for anything but a woman.” Delores smiled widely. “So, I have to ask. Is it anyone I know?”
“Someone who works for you, actually,” Jace said slowly, unsure of what exactly to say. “She's made my day considerably brighter.”
“Oh, that is what we strive for here at Blue Lake Inn,” Delores agreed, nodding with each word. “I do hope that Allison continues to make your stay even more pleasurable.”
The way she said “pleasurable” made the hairs on Jace's neck stand up. It was creepy and almost inappropriate.
“Um, thank you?” Jace frowned, unsure why Allison was being brought up.
“Allison is incredibly accommodating,” Delores continued. The tone of her voice suggested that Allison was more than just accommodating. It made Jace's stomach twist a little. “I hope that you'll be able to spend more time with her.”
“I'm sorry, you must be confused,” Jace said, looking down the hallway and hoping someone would come along that could distract her. “I wasn't referencing Allison. She's done a fabulous job as liaison, though. We've been very pleased with her.”
“Not Allison?” Delores's joy dropped quickly out of her eyes, leaving her smile hollow and fake. “Which one of my employees can I reward for making your stay so memorable then?”
Jace hesitated. There was something about the owner of the inn that set his teeth on edge. It was probably just that she was a known gold-digger, but she displayed the false interest that drove him nuts. Yet, he wanted Ella to get the praised she deserved.
“Please, Mr. Connor,” she begged, putting on a charming smile. “If one of my employees is making your stay all that it can be, I want to know so I can encourage the behavior. We're big on positive reinforcement here. I believe it's what makes this place work so well.”
“Ella.” He smiled a little at her name, just saying making his day brighter.
“Ella? Of course it would be Ella.” Ms. Phillips blinked twice before resuming her smile. “She's one of our best, you know.”
“I certainly agree,” Jace said. He took a step forward, but Delores put a hand on his chest to stop him.
“Oh, you must work out.” The older woman managed a blush. “What I mean to say is, I'm not surprised she's gone above and beyond with this wedding. She's just so excited for her own that it spills into everything.”
“I'm sorry, her wedding?” Jace's heart stalled in his chest. Delores couldn't possibly mean what he thought she did.
“She hasn't said anything?” Delores's eyes were wide. “What a dear, not wanting to impose on your family's special day. That's just like her.”
“What do you mean 'wedding'?” Jace asked again, his voice taking more of an edge than he meant to give.