Finding Hope Read online

  Chapter Three

  Addison opened an eye. Heels clicked on the wood floor in the hallway outside the bedroom. She opened her other eye and stretched, shocked that Missy had let her sleep through the night. They’d talked until almost two in the morning. She was so happy for her friend. Missy was totally in love with Tom, and he seemed like a really great man. If only there was one such man for her…somewhere. She’d told her Gramps she didn’t want to date just for dating’s sake, but a girl was allowed to dream —especially when she was the maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding.

  Dreaming aside, today was Missy’s wedding shower. Everything had to go perfect. At least that’s what Missy had stated last night.

  She snorted. Everything will not go perfect. Nothing in life was ever perfect. She still couldn’t believe they’d scheduled it the weekend before the wedding so that she wouldn’t miss it.

  Sitting up, she looked at her clothes. She’d never changed; but a big blanket was draped over her. Someone had checked on her last night and tucked her in after she and Missy had downed a bottle of wine.

  “Addi?” Missy’s voice carried through the door.

  “Hey, girl. I’m up.”

  The door swung wide, and Missy stood there in all her splendor, powder-puff pink from head to toe. The pink satin sheath dress stopped just above her knees and the three-inch pink paten heels added even more height to Missy’s five-foot eight-inch frame. She was perfectly put together. A short white sweater covered her bare arms. All she was missing were the white kid gloves and the little pin-on bonnet.

  Addison dropped her chin to her chest. How they’d stayed such good friends all through the years baffled most people. Addison’s favorite fabrics were denim and leather. She also considered the color black to be a staple in a wardrobe. Boots were her shoe of choice, and a ponytail, for her, was a perfect coif.

  For Missy, pink was a year around color palette, but what most people didn’t realize was that underneath all the fancy decorations lay the heart of the sweetest, most caring person on the face of the planet.

  “I’m so glad you are finally here. I’ve just been going crazy without you.”

  She sat down on the edge of the bed. Addison scooted over next to her best friend and gave her a quick squeeze.

  “I’m here now, but before the day starts, I’ve got to take a shower.”

  “Of course.” Missy hopped up and marched back to the doorway. She turned and smiled. “See you in a bit?”

  “I’ll be quick. Ask Betty to save me some pancakes.”

  She nodded and shut the door behind her.

  Addison walked into the en suite bathroom and moaned. It was gorgeous: floor-to-ceiling glass shower, giant claw-foot soaker tub, and glass bowls for sinks. “It’s been so long.” She smiled and ran her hand along the edge of the granite countertop. The walls were accented with a pale beige and teal pattern. Teal iridescent tiles were speckled through the shower and on the walls surrounding the tub. “God, I want to take a bath and then a shower.” She giggled and pulled her shirt over her head, letting it drop to the immaculate white tile floor. The pants were next then, bra, and her bright-red underwear made it to the same pile.

  She stepped into the shower and turned the bronze handle. Water flowed from the rainfall showerhead above her and sprayed from both sides the shower. Addison squealed and hit several buttons until only water from the overhead was coming out. It trickled over her head and down her body at just the right pace.

  After a good lathering of her hair and body, she rinsed off and reluctantly stepped out of the glass heaven – also called a shower. Addison reached for one of the bright teal towels hanging on the wall and wrapped it around her body. The second she wrapped around her hair and scrunched, getting as much water out of it as possible.

  She meandered into her room and dug through her small bag until she found her pick and bottle of detangler. Within a few moments, most of her hair was free from knots. She braided the front of her hair back on both sides and clipped the two strands in the back with a butterfly barrette. As the rest of her hair air-dried, it would develop a nice wave. Missy would just be happy she hadn’t put it up into a ponytail!

  She looked down at her suitcase and then at the closet. Shit. She’d forgotten to go over to Missy’s room and pick something out to wear today. She slipped on a pair of fresh underwear and a bra, wrapped the towel around her body again and tiptoed to the door.

  It’s not that late. Surely nobody’s here yet for the party.

  The door creaked a little. She popped her head into the hallway. Missy’s room was down and around the corner to the right. She looked behind her at the crumpled clothes in her bag.

  Nope! Not happening.

  Slipping out of her room, she tiptoed down the hall. Voices coming up the back stairs made her dash around the corner, colliding with something large, hard, and decidedly not a wall.

  “Ow!” Her forward motion sent them both sailing to the floor. A heavy grunt whooshed from his chest as they hit the floor. He wrapped his arms around her, keeping her squarely on top of him and cushioning her fall. Addison squealed and attempted to scramble away.

  His arms tightened. “Stop.”

  The authority in his voice stilled her panic instantly.

  “Ummm. I’d really like to get up now.” Addison lifted her head and peered into a pair of gorgeous blue eyes.

  Damn. Maybe not.

  Dark brown hair framed his face and a little bit of stubble created a very sexy, somewhat brooding look. He reminded her of the vampire hero on her favorite TV show. Swoon-worthy for sure. Except this guy was about six inches taller than the actor and had the shoulders of a NFL football player.

  Mental face-slap, Addison. Just because you haven’t been laid in forever doesn’t mean you can become the desperate bridesmaid at your best friend’s wedding.

  He released her, and she climbed to her feet. She snatched the towel from the floor and wrapped it around her nearly naked body. The heated glance he gave her was not fast enough to go unnoticed. Her cheeks warmed from embarrassment. I probably just flashed my underwear to Missy’s cousin. Even so, the thought that he was remotely interested sent a shot of desire straight to her previously hibernating libido.

  “Sorry…. I heard someone coming up the stairs….” Her mind wandered. He was standing now —all six and a half gorgeous feet of him. I am not a sixteen-year-old with a crush. Get a grip, Addison. “Are you okay?” she finally asked.

  “I’m fine. You?”

  His tone was gruff, but Addison could still see a hint of interest in his bright blue eyes.

  “Yes, thank you.”

  He grunted and nodded. They both moved forward and then to the side, doing that awkward dance people do when they can’t get around someone. She smirked when he turned to the side and held out his arm, indicating for her to go past.

  “I’m Addison.”

  His eyebrows furrowed at her name. He stared at her again, almost like he was sizing her up.

  “Adrian,” he said, finally breaking another awkward moment.

  “Okay, well… I guess I’ll see you downstairs after I find some clothes.”

  A twitch of his lips indicated he was holding back something…. But he nodded, turned, and walked down the hallway.

  Well damn.

  ***

  Smooth. Adrian grimaced, disgusted with his behavior. What was wrong with him? A gorgeous woman falls into your arms, half naked, and all you can muster is “I’m fine”?

  She fit the bill for one of Missy’s friends though – blonde, beautiful, and a total ditz. Who walks down the hallway of someone else’s house in a towel and underwear? She might be hot, but Addison was nothing more than a small blip on his radar.

  Right? Then why did he feel like he wanted to run back down the hall and apologize for being a total clod?

  He shook his head and plodded down the stairs into the spacious country kitchen. Morning light streamed in through t
he open windows. The white cabinets against the black granite counters and rich mahogany floors created a stunning contrast. A large white breakfast table sat off to the left. Tom sat at the table next to Missy. They were smiling and whispering back and forth over a magazine. She flashed him a hateful look before redirecting her attention to the magazine again.

  Guess she’s still pissed.

  Missy’s dad stood at the stove next to Betty, the cook, flipping pancakes, and Missy’s mother was standing in front of the open fridge.

  “Adrian. Good morning. Can I get you some orange juice or some coffee?”

  “Coffee please, Mrs. Wentworth.”

  She shut the fridge door and moved to the cabinet. He slid into an empty barstool and tried to give Mr. Wentworth a friendly smile. Missy’s mother walked over and set a steaming mug of coffee on the counter in front of him.

  “Here you go, hon.” She gave him a quick squeeze on the shoulders and a peck on the cheek. “Cheer up. You look like someone just stole your dog.”

  “I’m good. Thanks, Mrs. Wentworth.”

  Crap. Why was he dwelling on what Missy’s friend thought about him?

  “Missy!” A frustrated female voice called from the stairwell. It was her voice. Addison bounded down the stairs and marched over to the table. She was wearing a floral print dress that hugged tightly to every asset she possessed – all of which were quite nice.

  “Addi! You look fantastic!”

  Addison raised her index finger and stabbed the air toward Missy.

  He smiled before taking a sip of his coffee. Entertainment!

  “You dirty, rotten sneak!” she hissed at her friend.

  Missy didn’t hide her amusement very well. A silly grin was plastered across her face from ear to ear.

  Was it Missy’s fault she’d been walking down the hallway semi-dressed earlier?

  “What?”

  “Don’t play dumb with me, Marissa Wentworth. You hid every single pair of pants you owned. Tell me where to find a pair of pants, or I’m going to drag you upstairs by that pretty little French twist.”

  Adrian snorted and swallowed at the same time, narrowly avoiding spewing coffee all over the kitchen floor.

  This is better than reality TV.

  A glare from Missy’s mom warned him not to get involved, but it was too late. Two icy blue eyes turned to meet his gaze.

  Shit! She looks really mad.

  The dress was beautiful on her though. He’d seen Missy wear that dress, and it looked ten times better on Addison’s more voluptuous curves.

  She was stalking toward him, and he shifted uneasily, waiting for Hurricane Addison to strike.

  “I know the dress looks horrible! I don’t need a man to reaffirm that for me.”

  Her voice was laced with bitterness. God, did she really believe the dress didn’t look good?

  “Actually, the dress is beautiful on you.”

  She took a deep breath to respond but cut herself off. Her demeanor changed the instant her brain computed he’d complimented her. Pale cheeks turned a vibrant shade of crimson, highlighting her stunning blue eyes. His gaze followed her long blonde hair as fell in soft waves across her shoulders and grazed the tops of her firm breasts. He snapped his eyes away from her chest and smiled.

  Her gaze was angry again.

  Damn it.

  ***

  Frustrating man! First he barely speaks a word in the hallway, after showing obvious interest – at least in her body. She wasn’t looking for a relationship in any way, shape, or form. But, it’d been so long since she had any male attention; she was willing to take it when she could get it, even if it was just a fleeting moment. Now he tells her the hideous dress looks beautiful on her and practically salivates all over the kitchen floor.

  This is why I’m still single and don’t date.

  She turned away from him and glared at Missy again. Her friend hid behind the home and garden magazine she and Tom were studying a little too intently.

  “Missy!”

  “Nope! You heard him. The dress is beautiful. In fact, I think it actually fits you better than me. Go upstairs and put on some makeup and the matching red sweater before the guests start arriving for brunch and the shower. I have shoes in the closet too.”

  Addison fisted her hands. “You better have jeans for me to wear for later, or I swear I’ll wear the ones I brought with me that smell like the barn back home.”

  “Can’t. I already had the maid take them down to the laundry and put them in the washer. She changed your sheets too, since you fell asleep in your clothes.”

  Addison scowled and stomped her bare foot.

  “I’ll get some out for you, but no changing until after the wedding shower.”

  “Fine.” Addison’s shoulders slumped forward. It wasn’t worth the argument.

  Chapter Four

  “Addi?”

  “I’m in the bathroom.”

  She smiled when Missy’s head peeked around the corner. She leaned forward and dabbed a little more mascara on her blonde eyelashes. No smoky black eye shadow application was complete without mascara. She might be a country girl, but she knew how to get her fancy on when the occasion called for it.

  “I knew you would look great in the dress.”

  “Mmm hmm.”

  “You know Adrian couldn’t keep his eyes off you in the kitchen.”

  “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

  “Why not? I know he’s a little rough around the edges, and I’m super pissed at him right now because…”

  Missy fell silent.

  “Why would you want me to be interested in a guy who irritates you?”

  “I just have this feeling you two would be really good together.”

  “Why are you mad at him?” She put down the tube of mascara and glared at her friend. Missy was hiding something. Adrian was sexy as hell, but she didn’t need more emotional scars from a messed up guy.

  “He got this crazy notion that I was trying to match him up with you, and he said some mean things.”

  Addison laughed. “I wonder how he could have ever gotten that impression?” She shook her head and brushed on a little bronzer. It added just the right amount of sun-kissed glow. “You’ve probably never tried to set him up before.”

  “I actually haven’t.”

  “What did he say, Missy?” Her best friend was rarely angry with a member of the opposite sex. This Adrian guy must have really rocked the boat to piss her off this much.

  “He refused to pick you up at the airport because he didn’t want to be stuck with you until Mom and I got back to the house… He doesn’t like some of my friends and–”

  “Wait a minute. Hold the horses, Missy. Does he know Haven and Amber?”

  The guilty look on Missy’s face was all the answer she needed. Addison couldn’t stand those two prissy, self-righteous females. She shook her head and picked up a soft rose-tinted lip-gloss, applied it, and smacked her lips together with a pop.

  “It’s all right, Marissa. Just leave him alone. If he’s interested, he’ll come around. If he’s not, he won’t. It’s no skin off my back.”

  “But, Addi. You need–”

  “No,” she interrupted. “I don’t need him. I don’t need any man. I have a life in Montana. I’m happy on the ranch. I’ve got a great vet practice started. Things are good.”

  Everything except for my love life, but what’s new? A man in Tennessee won’t help me in Montana.

  “Fine.”

  Her friend’s forlorn look of concern made her feel bad.

  “I know you just want me to be happy, hon.” She walked over and laid her hands on Missy’s shoulders. “I am happy, but this is your time. Let’s focus on the shower and then the wedding, okay?”

  Missy nodded. “Okay.”

  ***

  Adrian watched Missy and Addison enter the dining room. Guests had been arriving for the brunch over the last fifteen minutes. Gifts were being placed
on another table at the far end of the room.

  He sat at the end of the table with Tom, downing a divine omelet and several slices of crispy bacon. Betty was one of the best cooks around, and he never passed up a chance to eat her food.

  He caught Addison’s gaze for a moment before she moved on to talk to several ladies crowding around her. The make-up Missy had ordered her to put on was sexy, but not over-the-top. She didn’t have bright red lips or blue eye shadow like some of the waitresses down at the Tail Gate Bar. Addison Connelly knew how to accentuate just enough to make a hell of a statement.

  “Wishing you’d made a different choice yesterday?”

  Tom’s voice filtered into his mind, taking a few moments to register. He turned his head and frowned at the goofy grin spreading across his roommate’s face. “Whatever.” He stuffed another bite of Betty’s creamy omelet into his mouth and washed it down with a gulp of orange juice.

  “Sure.” Tom’s voice oozed sarcasm, and it made Adrian feel even guiltier.

  “How was I supposed to know she wasn’t going to be another loud-mouthed, whiny, stuck-up, pain-in-the-ass, pin-up Barbie doll like the other two bridesmaids from hell she’s got picked out?”

  “Did you get enough adjectives in there?”

  He frowned again and sighed. “Dude, I’ve been having nightmares of walking either Haven and Amber down the aisle at your wedding and being her quasi-date.”

  Laughter rolled from his friend. He growled and dug back into his food.

  “But you knew neither of them was going to be the maid of honor.”

  “Two of her friends are mentally challenged… chances were, the third would be the same.”

  “Haven and Amber aren’t that bad,” Tom argued then took a sip of his water and grinned.

  Adrian narrowed his gaze. “Not to you. You aren’t single!” he hissed under his breath. “They are husband hunters with capital H’s, and I don’t want to be the prey.”

  Tom stretched in his chair. “Well, you should give Addi a chance. She’s been Missy’s best friend since I can remember. Haven and Amber are friends by association. All their parents are members of the Diamond Hill Country Club. Missy puts up with them the same as you… It’s all club politics.”