Page 27 of The Rented Bride

“Whatever you’re going to do, keep it simple.”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“All things good will do him good. Anything stressful, let’s just say you want life to be as happy and uncomplicated as possible for him right now.”

Fear tightened his chest. “He’s that bad?”

Annie smiled. “Stress isn’t good for anyone. It’s worse for some people. Do the best you can and he’ll stay around longer. His condition is serious. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t.”

He nodded. “I know. I need to be more aware of his needs.”

She smiled. “We both want to see him enjoy the remainder of his life, however long that might be.”

***

Cassie didn’t consider herself squeamish, but she had to admit the idea of coming face to face with a three-foot iguana had her hoping the search on the third floor turned up the damned thing. She’d searched two bedrooms and a study. As she inched open another door, her phone played a tune. She winced. That particular ring tone belonged to Maryanne.

Cassie should have known that Maryanne would call now. She had an uncanny knack for knowing when some disaster was happening. Cassie considered ignoring the call. After all, she was on the hunt for Godzilla. Then she realized that if she found the lizard and averted a disaster, Trent Weston might reconsider not holding Daley Enterprises responsible for her mistakes. If she found the iguana she would be the hero. Fear stabbed. What if Maryann was calling because Trent Weston had already called her?

Cassie stepped inside the room, probably the study Meg had mentioned, as she dug the phone from her back pocket. She clicked the door shut and tapped the screen. “Hey, M,” she said. “How’re the sun and surf? It’s cold and, if you can believe it, snowy here in Colorado.”

“They can keep the snow. The baby shower was a success.” Cassie landed the Weston event and Maryanne played house to a hundred-thousand-dollar baby shower for twins.

Cassie scanned the room. Another damned desk. “I heard the humidity this week in Miami was brutal,” she said into the phone.

Maryanne scoffed. “Brutal doesn’t come close. The pink and blue buttercream melted. How are things there? Did Mr. Weston like the ice sculpture? That was a touch of genius.”

She didn’t know. Doubtful he’d seen it out in the middle of the yard. Damn. It was a beautiful sculpture. A

“It came late,” Cassie said as she approached the desk. “I cancelled, but they brought it anyway.”

“Not good. But if that is our only issue, we’ll be fine.”

Cassie grimaced. “Well, we’ve had a few problems. But we’re handling them.”

“What else?” Maryanne’s voice went cold.

“I’ll share all the details later. The party is in full swing so I really better let you go.”

“I just wanted to check in, see how it’s going. I wish I was there with you.”

And looking for an iguana? Cassie would keep this juicy tidbit to herself for now. She reached the desk and began a slow circuit. “But I should to give you a heads up.” She cringed as she said, “You might be getting a call from Mr. Weston.”

“I assume you don’t mean for the typical accounting and appreciation for our excellent service.”

Cassie grimaced. “Right.”

“So are we talking Trent Weston or the Senior James Weston?”

“Trent.”

“Isn’t he a nice guy?”

Cassie halted. “You know him?”

“Well, yeah. He’s the one who set up the party.”

“Him? I thought you said Mr. Weston—James Weston—set up the party.”