For so long she’d been on her own. Surely she deserved some masculine excitement in her life—even if only temporary? Sam would only be around for a week and then he’d be gone. Where was the harm in enjoying his company?
It was time to say yes to that date.
She’d lost sight of him—difficult in the space of the boathouse, which was basically just one large room converted into luxury living. He must have escaped outside to the barbecue. She’d go find him.
Before she could make the move, the bride-to-be, Sandy, sidled up beside her. ‘Sooo,’ she said in a teasing tone. ‘You and that gorgeous hunk, Sam Lancaster...’
Kate couldn’t help it; she flushed again and Sandy noticed. That was the problem with being a fair-skinned redhead: even the slightest blush flamed. ‘What about me and Sam?’ she said, knowing she sounded unnecessarily defensive.
‘You’ve hardly kept your eyes off him all evening. And he you. I reckon he’s smitten. And maybe you are too.’
‘Of course he’s not. Of course I’m not.’
‘Oh, really?’ said Sandy in an overly knowing tone.
Kate narrowed her eyes. ‘Are you by any chance paying me back for the way I poked my nose in with you and Ben when you first came back to Dolphin Bay?’
Kate had been overprotective of her friend Ben when Sandy had showed up out of the blue after twelve years of no contact. But she’d very soon warmed to Sandy and they’d become good friends.
‘Don’t be silly,’ said Sandy. ‘I’m so deliriously happy with Ben, I want you to be happy too. Sam is really nice, as well as being a hunk. I got the lowdown on him.’
‘I only met him today. Nothing is happening there, I can assure you.’
Nothing except her heart starting to race every time she caught a glimpse of him towering over the other guests.
‘But it might. You know what they say about what happens at weddings.’ Sandy smiled. ‘The bridesmaid and the groomsman...’
Kate frowned. ‘I don’t know what you mean. I’m your bridesmaid. But Sam isn’t Ben’s groomsman. I should know, as your wedding planner.’
‘Uh, think again. Right now, Ben’s asking Sam to be just that.’
‘What? I thought he only wanted a best man?’
‘He’s changed his mind. My sister Lizzie, as chief bridesmaid, will be partnered by the best man, Jesse. That means you’d be coming up that beach aisle by yourself. We thought why not even things up by partnering you with Sam? You’ll easily be able to readjust your ceremony schedules. That is, if Sam agrees to it.’
Kate tried to tell herself she was being oversensitive but she could sense that echo again: poor Kate.
‘Sandy, it’s so sweet of you, but is this about what happened with Jesse and me three days ago? If so, I—’
Sandy’s hazel eyes were kind. ‘Kate, I’m so sorry it didn’t work out with Jesse. I know how much you’ve always wanted him.’
Kate swallowed hard. It was so difficult to talk about it. ‘Did I really, though, Sandy? I think maybe I dreamed of a kind, handsome man—so different from the men I’d dated—and Jesse was there. I...I fixated on him. It wasn’t real.’
‘You could be right. To tell you the truth, I didn’t ever see any chemistry between you.’
Kate giggled. ‘There was no chemistry whatsoever. I can’t tell you how much I regretted it. I couldn’t run away fast enough.’
‘I bet you wouldn’t run too far if you were alone with Sam Lancaster. Doesn’t he fit the bill? He’s handsome, all right—and he must be kind, or he wouldn’t have been off volunteering in India, would he?’
Kate sobered. ‘All that. But, Sandy, don’t try to matchmake, will you? I don’t want a pity party. I’m not desperate for a man.’
Sandy put her hand reassuringly on Kate’s arm. ‘Of course you’re not. But is it a bad thing for your friends to look out for you? And for you to let them? You’ve got to admit, it’s more fun being a bridesmaid if you have a handsome groomsman in tow.’
‘Of course it is. And you’re right; you don’t get more handsome than Sam Lancaster. And he’s interesting, too.’ She found herself looking over her shoulder to watch out for him, only to see him coming back into the room with Ben. ‘Here he is. I hope he didn’t hear me twittering on about how handsome he is,’ she whispered to Sandy.
She watched as Sam and Ben approached. Funny; she’d always found Ben so imposing, Jesse so good-looking. But Sam outshone any man she’d ever met in terms of pure, masculine appeal.
‘So did Sam say yes to being groomsman, Ben?’ asked Sandy.
‘Of course he did,’ said tall, blond Ben.
Sam stood shoulder-nudging distance from Kate. She could feel his warmth, smell the hint of bourbon on his breath. ‘As if I had a choice, when I heard who would be the bridesmaid I was escorting,’ he said with a smile that was just for her. She smiled back, glad beyond reason to have him by her side.
She would ask him on a date. ASAP.
Now the planning part of the evening was over and her duties done, she could get the heck out of there and take Sam with her, so they could talk in private away from too-interested eyes.
But Ben had other ideas. He turned to Kate. ‘I was going to introduce you to Sam tonight, but as you’ve already met I’ll cut straight to the chase.’
Kate sighed inwardly. All she could think of was being alone with Sam. But she was aware that, while Ben was a long-time friend, he was also her boss. He had his boss voice on now; she almost felt she should be taking notes.
‘Yes, sir,’ she said flippantly, at the same time wondering how a work thing could possibly involve Sam.
‘We’ve finally got planning approval for the new resort,’ said Ben with a whoop of triumph.
‘Really?’ she said, scarcely able to let herself believe the news. ‘Really and truly?’
‘Really,’ said Ben with a huge grin.
‘Congratulations, Kate,’ said Sandy, hugging her. ‘I know how hard you worked with Ben on the submission.’
Momentarily lost for words, Kate hugged Sandy back. Then she looked from Sam to Ben to Sam again. ‘That’s amazing. After all the hours we put in, I can hardly believe it’s actually happening,’ she said.
She grabbed hold of Sam’s arms and did a little jig of excitement—then realised what she’d done and dropped her hands. She pulled a face. ‘Sorry. I got carried away.’
‘Don’t be sorry,’ he said. ‘I can see this means a lot to you.’
Ben put up his hand. ‘Wait. There’s more. Sam’s company is going to build the resort. Lancaster & Son Construction is one of the biggest and the best in the country. We’re fortunate to have him on board.’
Kate stared, too astounded to say anything. Why hadn’t she known this?
When she finally got her breath back, Kate turned to Sam. ‘So that was the hush-hush business.’
And she’d thought he was a carpenter.
‘Not so hush-hush now,’ he said.
‘I can’t tell you how thrilled I am about this project,’ she said. ‘A luxury, boutique spa resort nestled in the bush on that beautiful spot. It’s on land overlooking Big Ray Beach—that’s our surf beach—with incredible views. The resort’s a big deal for Dolphin Bay.’
‘And