Free Wedding at Wildwood by Lenora Worth Page B

remembering how hard fought the tuxedo victory had been, and how much it had cost her. Many more of Dillon’s kisses, and she’d be forever lost here at Wildwood. “I can’t do it, Susan. I won’t act as a go-between with Dillon and Eli. Eli’s already suspicious enough of my relationship with his brother.”
    “Well, you care about Dillon, don’t you?”
    “Yes, but it’s not what you think.”
    Her expression hopeful, Susan plowed on. “Wouldn’t you like to give Dillon an opportunity to prove himself? This is the perfect chance for him to get back in Eli’s good graces.”
    “I’m not so sure he needs to prove himself where Eli is concerned. And I won’t trick him into doing something he might regret.”
    “But if you don’t at least suggest this to Dillon, you might wind up regretting it yourself,” Susan argued. “I just want some time with my new husband, Isabel. I really want to start this marriage off on the right path. Eli needs help, and Dillon’s the perfect replacement.”
    “Dillon hasn’t worked this farm in years.”
    “He’s smart. He can figure it all out. Him and his books—he’ll get with the program real soon.”
    “Books? What on earth are you talking about?”
    Smiling now, Susan playfully slapped Isabel’s arm. “You really are in another world. Dillon owns a chain of bookstores up in Atlanta. That’s how he made his money. So he might not be a cotton farmer, but he can sure figure out how to become one. Dillon will just read up on it until he gets it right. That’s how he always does things.” Clearly recovered now, Susan turned. “I’m going back in. I feel better already. I’ll explain to everyone that Eli and I had a little spat and I was feeling sorry for myself.”
    Pivoting, she said, “Think about this, Isabel. And talk to Dillon, please. He’ll listen to you.”
    “Okay, I’ll think about it.” Right now, however, she was more surprised about Dillon’s new life, than Eli’s bad attitude.
    Watching in amazement as Susan pranced back inside, Isabel let out a low sigh. So Dillon’s business venture happened to be a bookstore or two?
    Books. The man had never once mentioned anything about being bookish. He’d said he owned his own business, but she’d never dreamed it was a bookstore. Oh, it was just like Dillon to let her jump to conclusions and assume that he was still as wild and unsettled as he’d been as a youth. He never was any good at defending himself or talking about himself.
    Maybe because he knew everyone would automatically think the worst, just as she had. What if Susan had a point? What if Dillon could use this opportunity to end this bitterness with his brother. Eli could certainly use the help and support, and his mother would be thrilled to have her family back together.
    “No, I won’t talk to him.” But even as she denied it, Isabel looked toward the dark mansion. “No, I can’t get involved in this.” She was about to turn away, when a light flickered on in the back of the house, in the kitchen.
    A single candle burning in the darkness like a beacon. A beckoning glow, reaching out to her in the night.
    Telling herself she was crazy, she followed that light.
    Maybe it wouldn’t hurt just to see how he felt about helping out around here—just for a couple of weeks.
    After all, all he could say was no.

Chapter Six

    “N o.”
    Dillon said the one word into the cellular phone nestled at his ear, his eyes scanning the screen of the laptop computer blinking in front of him. “I don’t care if we will lose money or momentum. I don’t intend to compromise on quality, Sanford. If the quality isn’t there, then we don’t expand right now. All five stores are holding steady, especially the original on Peachtree. We’ll survive until next year without expanding into the Carolinas just yet.”
    Clicking the small phone shut, Dillon sat staring out into the summer night. The lullaby of singing crickets mingled with the strands of