Logan’s Contract: Along Came Jones Book Four Read online

  “I have to change my earrings and put on a necklace,” she protested.

  “Only if you can do it in one minute,” he said. “Sixty. Fifty-nine, fifty-eight…”

  “I’m hurrying.” She pulled out the diamonds in her ears and put on her grandmother’s opals, and an opal necklace before he got to ten. “I’m ready!”

  “What are you hungry for?” he asked.

  You. She thought but shrugged. “Chinese?”

  “Whatever makes the bride-to-be happy,” he said, opening the door for her.

  “The bride-to-be would have been a lot happier without a red butt.” She glared at him.

  “Was it red? I did a better job than I thought,” he said, opening the car door.

  “Well, just pink, but it felt red,” she said as she slid in the car.

  “Show me!” he said.

  Deliberately she fastened her seatbelt. “No, thank you.” Running her fingers through her still blue tipped hair, she thought he sometimes did act like the college kid he looked like. Like she was going to roll over and show him her butt… “You show me yours first.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me. You’ve seen my butt a lot, and I’ve never seen yours. Not fair.” She crossed her arms and pouted convincingly.

  He glanced over at her, grinning. “You think I won’t?”

  “I think you won’t,” she said. Would he?

  “I will before the night is over,” he said.

  Ronnie giggled, picturing all the scenarios in her head where he could possibly show her his butt. How could he make her go from crying to giggling in the course of a few minutes?

  After a quick supper where she had the best Bahama Mama with her meal, she was in a good mood, for the most part. There were a few tiny details in the wedding planner’s sheet that they didn’t agree on, but it was her day, and she felt confident she’d be getting her way on anything that they weren’t in sync about. Which was, of course, the way it should be. But they had chosen colors, rich lavender and a pale green, which she just loved, or would as soon as she figured out what her hair should be with it. Pale purple streaks in blonde? Perhaps. They had a venue, the ballroom where they had their first unofficial date. Hard to believe that was only a few months ago. “Logan?” she asked, suddenly nervous.

  “What, baby?” He reached over and patted her knee, then squeezed her hand. “You okay?”

  How did he always know? “I’m scared.”

  “Scared of what in particular? Me? I won’t hurt you, Ronnie, for real. I’ll paddle your butt red, sure, but your heart,” he squeezed her hand again, “is very safe with me.”

  “Promise?” she whispered.

  “That’s what marriage vows are. A promise to cherish you forever, and unlike some people, I take mine very seriously, including that one. Look at my family. I come from a long line of men who keep their women madly in love with them. It’s in the genes.”

  “I will try to keep you happy, too,” she said.

  “Just be yourself. That’s who I fell in love with, you know.”

  “Myself can often be challenging,” she said, squeezing his hand back.

  “I realize that. It’s part of the fun.” He took his hand away as he pulled into the parking lot by his office. “We are meeting her here and we are fashionably early.”

  “Early is not fashionable,” Ronnie protested.

  “You will learn,” he promised.

  Shaking her head, she gave him her hand as he helped her out of his low slung car. Pulling her skirt down, she clutched his hand as they walked to the cozy brick building. “Do you have a landscaper?” she asked. “Will we have one?”

  “A landscaper for the house? What, you aren’t planning to mow and plant flowers in your little sundress and big straw hat while I sit on the porch and have a beer? Wouldn’t that be fun?”

  “Dirt under these fingernails? Do you know how much they cost me?”

  Logan laughed as he unlocked the door and they went into the cozy sitting room where clients waited to be ushered back to the private office.

  Before they were seated, a brisk knock came at the door and Logan walked over to open it. Ronnie watched eagerly for the woman who would transform her vague ideas into a magnificent wedding. Well, she wasn’t much, Ronnie decided. Small, very long hair, pulled back in the tightest French braid she’d ever seen, gray pant suit, ordinary gray pumps, that didn’t come from any of her stores, Ronnie knew at a glance. Huge black glasses and a black case that probably held her laptop and papers. Hopefully she knew what she was doing.

  Squaring her shoulders, she took a breath, she had to take charge here and let her know for whom she worked. Was that right? Sure it was. For whom—whom was her, Veronica Fischer owner of Fischer Shoe Stores. Who would never be caught dead in department store pumps and no jewelry. None. She didn’t even have studs in her ears. Was she even capable of putting on a wedding?

  “Hello, hon, I’m Ronnie, and Logan tells me you are going to create us a great wedding,” she gushed, coming over to shake her hand.

  “I’m Katrina, and I’m looking forward to working with you.”

  Ronnie opened her mouth to remind her that she worked for her, the bride, and not with her, the bride, because it was all about the bride, after all, but glanced over at Logan and bit her lip. There would be plenty of time to let her know the pecking order.

  “Let’s have a seat and get to work, shall we?” Katrina walked over and took the only nice chair, moved some magazines on the table and opened her laptop. Looking at Logan, she said, “Did you e-sign the contract and did you have any questions?”

  “I did, everything looked fine and I’m sure Ronnie will quiz you all night,” he sat back and folded his hands behind his head.

  “All right then.” She settled back. “Tell me about the worst wedding you ever attended.”

  Ronnie looked at her. “So you don’t make the same mistakes?”

  “Something like that,” she said. “Have a wedding horror story?”

  “Yes,” Ronnie said. “Family friendly weddings make me irritated. Wailing babies and sticky toddlers and little brats running around causing commotion and taking the focus off the bride. It just ruins the entire thing.”

  “So a child free wedding for you, then?” Katrina tapped something into her laptop, then turned to Logan. “You?”

  He shrugged. “Not really. There was one where an ex showed up drunk and toasted the bride and groom, which was awkward.”

  “Isn’t that a country song by Garth Brooks?” Katrina asked.

  Logan laughed, and Ronnie felt a pang of something she didn’t like. “It could be. I’ve not really had any bad wedding experiences, but then I’ve never been to a wedding with Ronnie before.” He patted her knee and it was all she could do not to snap at him. What did that mean? Was he implying she couldn’t behave? Wiggling on her sore bottom, she reluctantly agreed he might have a point. She still didn’t like it, though, nope, not one little bit. They would discuss it later. Right now, she needed to focus on the details of her magnificent day.

  “So what is our budget?”

  Ronnie laughed and waved her hand. “Between the two of us, we can afford to have a grand party,” she said. “I don’t think that is a consideration.”

  “And yet it is,” Katrina said, sounding stern. “I need a framework.”

  “Keeping it under thirty thousand sounds reasonable for a one day party,” Logan said.

  “Oh, we can go to fifty,” Ronnie protested. He wasn’t cheaping out on her big day! She’d borrow from her trust fund if she had to, tax hits be damned.

  “So aim for forty thousand?” Katrina typed in her computer again.

  Ronnie sighed. “If that is what the lord and master demands.”

  Logan laughed and Ronnie glared at him. They would be discussing this later, too.

  “How many people are you thinking?” This one she would let him handle—she really had no one, very few friends who m
ight make the trip here, and no family. Some acquaintances here in town who would like to come, she was sure. Other than Logan, acquaintances were all she had. Few real friends. She’d only moved from Blizzard a few months before she met Logan, and spent that time trying to figure out how to run the stores. Her social life was just that, social. If it was a big to-do though, perhaps her new acquaintances would want to come to be seen. She didn’t know. Her best friend from high school, Joy, was off traveling with her husband but she hoped that she’d get back with her soon about being her matron of honor. If not, she would have to ask Maggie, she guessed.

  “Is between two and three hundred a nice round figure?” Logan asked.

  “When are the invitations going out?” She fixed Ronnie with a laser glare that made her uncomfortable. It should not. This woman was her employee.

  “Umm, I’m not sure? Next week?” How was she losing control of this situation?

  “I will put them down for Thursday then, next week. Do you want me to order them or do you want to handle that? They will need to be rushed, which will cost more, but there is really no choice if you are stuck on this date. Did you call the venue and see if they were available?”

  Ronnie took a deep shaky breath, then squared her shoulders, and announced, “Hon, that is your job. I need you to handle all that you can. I have a chain of stores to run, and a…” She realized she almost said ‘wedding to plan’ but stopped herself since she was passing the buck. “And a busy life,” she filled in triumphantly.

  “Don’t we all?” Katrina pushed her glasses up on her nose and busily typed. “Okay, I will wait for the deposit to reach my checking account in the morning and then get to work. Who wants me to contact them if I have questions?” She looked expectantly at both of them. Logan studied his nails and Ronnie glared at him.

  “Fine. Me. My cell number is on the form.”

  “And, if you can’t get ahold of Ronnie, you can contact me anytime via email. I’m on it for work all the time,” Logan added, and Ronnie wondered why he seemed reluctant.

  “Good, then I want a meeting with both of you again day after tomorrow. Is here fine? By that time I’ll have more details for you, and some decisions that will need to be made.”

  “It is,” Logan stood up. “Thank you so much for your help and I’ll get the deposit out tonight.”

  “Good. I’ll be in contact. Thank you for filling out the form, and trusting me to help you create a magnificent day. I plan to give you a wedding to remember.” With that she snapped her laptop shut and stalked out the door.

  “So… you think she is the best person for the job?” Ronnie asked, watching her leave. Did that woman know whose day it was going to be?

  Logan looked at the door. “Yes, I really think she is.”

  Ronnie didn’t understand it, but she had an odd feeling about her. “I hope so, Logan; I’m a little stressed about this entire thing. I just hope you’re right and didn’t make a huge mistake.”

  “I rarely make mistakes,” he smiled at her, turned to lock the door behind Katrina, bent over and mooned Ronnie quickly, making her burst into peals of laughter. The man had a magnificent ass. And always kept his promises. She hoped he always would.

  * * *

  Ronnie got dressed quickly. It had been a late night, and she felt restless after she got home, and sleep had eluded her, so she got up and researched on her court case. It was in three days, and she had already told Logan she had a doctor’s appointment that day, so he wouldn’t expect her at work. She felt a little guilty lying to him, but, she did not want to explain to him what had happened.

  It had been months ago—the day she met him, actually, and she’d had a bit too much to drink. She’d had several store employees quit that day for whatever reason they had. No good one, that was for sure, despite what Logan tried to convince her of otherwise. But she’d had a bad day, and drank her supper, then the police had called her in the middle of the night. She’d been half awake and still a little buzzed, if she had to admit it to herself. Finding out the door had been left unlocked and the cash register standing open with the cash still in it, two kids from the neighborhood had walked in and helped themselves. She’d felt defensive, because she was the one who had left the store that way, and she and the cops got into a small altercation. While the details were fuzzy in her brain, somehow she ended up in handcuffs and given a summons to appear in court for assaulting a police officer. Her? She was five foot four and never went to the gym. She wasn’t assaulting anyone, except perhaps verbally. She’d never even used her stilettos as a weapon and they were as deadly as anything she owned.

  That had been months ago, and surely the fact she was a prominent business woman, and had never been in trouble before or after would be in her favor. The judge would probably lecture her, and she’d have to be careful to be respectful during it, and then fine her. Surely there would be no jail time. Shuddering, Ronnie wondered how she would explain that to Logan if there were. Not to mention jail. She didn’t even know anyone who had gone to jail! With any luck at all, she would not be the first. But she needed to make time to get her hair done before. Nothing wild for court. Make a good impression.

  Thinking of the court date kept her awake most of the night and now she was late for her seven a.m. manager meeting that Logan had warned her not to be late for. How important was it? Why couldn’t he quit his silly job and just take over hers? She wanted to be his wife. Nothing more. He had enough money to support them, well, she thought he did, anyway. She was pretty sure there was family money, plus what he made. Why did she have to work and who on earth scheduled a seven a.m. meeting? It sure wasn’t her and she was the boss, right? Why had she not asked this before? Being involved a little more would be a good thing in the future. There was zero reason they couldn’t have a meeting at, oh, say, ten or even a lunch meeting or seven at night. Seven in the morning was not a fit time for people to be meeting. Who could think at this time of day? It was ridiculous. Ronnie Fischer did not buy into ridiculous! She was a well-respected business woman and should be taken seriously.

  Showering quickly, she ran her fingers through her short blue tipped hair to fluff it up and out, and tried to decide on an outfit. Something that looked like a boss. There. She found a pencil skirt in a lovely dove gray, and topped it with a bright blue blouse that matched her hair, and knew she had a matching gray jacket somewhere. Shoes, jewelry, makeup and out of here. How long could that take? Logan should be pleased she didn’t have to fuss with her hair like a lot of women did. She was relatively low maintenance after all! Looking at her cell phone, she realized it was already after seven. Should she make coffee or hit a drive through or well, he would have coffee there, right? If not he was stupid and she knew if there was anything he was, it was not stupid. She could wait until she got to the meeting room.

  Rushing out the door, she arrived at the meeting place at exactly seven forty-five. Squaring her shoulders, she walked in the door as if she owned the place. The coffee smelled wonderful and maybe there would be donuts too. She would have to keep an eye on her weight though, to be able to fit in her form fitting wedding dress, but an occasional donut was energy, not calories.

  She walked in, ready to wave and tell whoever was talking just to keep going, don’t mind me! She looked around in surprise. There were only a few people there, standing near the front of the room, though enough chairs were set up for about thirty people. Walking up to Logan, he pointedly looked at the clock.

  “What’s going on? Did the meeting get canceled and no one bothered to tell me?” He can look at the clock all he wants, she thought, irritated.

  “No, it doesn’t start until eight-thirty,” a tall black man, dressed in a very sharp suit said. “I’m Thomas, your new district manager.” He held out his hand, and Ronnie shook it quickly then turned to Logan.

  Throwing herself in his arms, she squealed, “You got me a district manager! I love you so much!” This was what she’d been wanting for months! S
omeone else to do things and take over her stores and managers and have that someone not be her. It was the best present he could have gotten for her, other than this rock on her finger.

  Logan couldn’t help but smile at her, despite her being late. He’d hoped to have a quick meeting with Ronnie and Thomas before all the store managers and their assistants came in. He’d told Ronnie seven a.m. knowing she wouldn’t make it until at least seven-thirty. Here it was almost eight and the store people who were used to arriving on time, would be here soon.

  “We will discuss your tardiness later,” he said, sternly. “But for now, we need to go over a few things quickly, then I’ll take you both to lunch after the meeting and we can finish what should already be done by now.”

  “I’m not really late,” she protested. Not that she really cared if she was or not, because… “I have a district manager!”

  She turned to Thomas and pumped his hand. “I’m so glad to meet you! I’ve always wanted someone just like you! When do you start?”

  “I’ve already started,” Thomas said, and Logan laughed.

  “Thomas’ mother is Celeste. You will meet her soon, I’m sure. She worked for my dad, then my brother Hank before she retired last year, and is a very close family friend. Thomas just graduated from Northern in Chicago, and has a couple years of management experience. He’s going to be a great asset to your company.”

  “Whatever you are paying him, pay him more!” Ronnie beamed at them both and hugged Logan again. “I could not be happier right now.”

  “I’m glad you are happy,” he said and kissed the top of her head quickly. “Now, let’s go over a few things before the meeting starts. All the managers and assistants are going to be here wanting coffee and donuts soon.”

  “Yes, sir,” she said, happily, and Logan decided he really liked the sound of that. So in the last two days, he’d gotten her a wedding planner and a district manager. He was trying to make her life better. All he really wanted was this wedding over with and life to settle back down to normal. Or what would pass for normal with Ronnie, because he doubted it would ever be smooth sailing. Hopefully with the addition of Thomas and Katrina in her life, it would be calmer. He’d hired movers a month ago to get her moved this weekend, but hadn’t bothered to tell her yet, hoping she would start packing at least. At the worst, the stores would run more efficiently with Thomas in charge and that would not be a bad thing. Putting out fires between Ronnie and the store managers was still an ongoing issue that he didn’t have the time or inclination to do anymore. He had made her work in the stores to get an idea of what they do, to no avail. She still had ridiculous expectations and ideas, and just rubbed the employees the wrong way, every single time. Yes, she owned the stores, but wasn’t raised in them the way he and his brothers had been raised in their father’s stores. She hadn’t a clue of the basic running of the stores, much less all the things that needed done. Her father should be ashamed. Maybe he had been?