Chapter 4

Chapter Four

"Next stop, Heart's Landing. Heart's Landing, next stop."

In a black suit and vest, a short-billed hat clamped on his head, the train conductor rocked from side-to-side, making his way down the aisle of the coach car.

Eager for her first glimpse of the town, Tara looked up from her laptop. Her back ached from sitting hunched over for so long, but she hadn't wanted to disturb her sleeping seat mate so, other than a quick foray to the dining car, she'd worked the entire seven-hour trip.

Too bad corporate credit cards were off-limits to junior reporters—even ones on important, secret missions. Otherwise, she could have rented a car and gotten here in half the time. She rolled her shoulders and flexed her toes. It was just as well. Relying on public transportation would allow her to take a closer look at the services Heart's Landing provided.

She powered down the laptop that had put itself to sleep again and slipped it into the carrying case at her feet. Beyond the window, fields and low stone fences gave way to Cathedral Heights, a neighborhood of tidy houses that boasted more than the usual amount of gingerbread trim. In the distance, a church spire soared above slate-roofed buildings. Slowing, the train rolled through a street crossing at Boutonniere Drive. They crawled past Procession and Honeymoon Avenues. At last, with a screech of brakes, the car rocked to a stop at the Champagne Avenue Station. Tara grabbed her backpack, computer case and purse, slung her camera bag over one shoulder, and edged past the woman who snored softly in the next seat.

On the loading platform, she snapped a couple of quick pictures while she drank in warm, fresh air that carried the faintest trace of the ocean and brought back a flood of memories. Her parents had packed up the SUV and driven from their Savannah home to Tybee Island nearly every weekend through the summer and, most years, well into the fall. But it had been too long since she'd been close enough to the beach to get her feet wet. The smell of Heart's Landing reminded her of the long walks she used to take along the shore. She could use one of those right now to work out the kinks after spending the trip researching everything she could find online about Captain Thaddeus Heart. She made her way to the luggage rack, where she traded a baggage claim ticket for her suitcase. Lugging her bags, she headed for the small train station.

She remained on the lookout for anything that might lower Heart's Landing's score in the competition, but she couldn't find fault with the cute hearts and flowers that adorned the door handle. Nor with the string of hearts that lined a cheery wallpaper border above freshly painted mint-colored walls.

"Excuse me," she said, stepping to the window where a lone clerk sat behind a glassed-in counter. "Where can I get a cab?" This wasn't New York City, after all, where hailing a taxi was as simple as raising her arm.

"You headed to the Union Street Bed-and-Breakfast, are ya? Marybeth and Matt will send a van to get you." Inquisitive brown eyes took her measure as the clerk waited a beat. "Or there's a shuttle that'll take you to the hotels on the north side of town. It runs every hour on the hour." With a glance at the clock, she added, "The next one will be here in ten minutes."

Tara smiled, soothed by the rounded vowels and softened R 's of the clerk's accent. It was nice to get a real answer to her question, too. She'd grown used to abrupt replies in bustling New York, when people deigned to answer at all. "I appreciate that, but I'm not going to either of those places. I'm headed to the Captain's Cottage."

The clerk aimed a quizzical look at her ringless finger. "Newly engaged, are ya? If you're planning to hold your wedding there, you couldn't find a more beautiful setting. Is Alicia expecting you? She and her assistant, Jennifer, schedule all the events at the Cottage. You just tell them Georgia sent you." The clerk brushed a finger under her name tag. "They'll give you the VIP treatment." Georgia smothered a laugh with one hand. "That's a little joke. All our brides receive the VIP treatment. Do you need someplace to store your bags during your appointment? I'd be happy to keep them here if you'd like." Still talking a mile a minute, Georgia half rose from her chair.

"Thanks for the offer, but it won't be necessary." Tara waved the clerk back into her seat. "I'm staying there while I'm in town."

"Hmmm. Are you sure? They don't normally have overnight guests. Unless…" Georgia canted her head. Her expressive brown eyes grew even warmer. "You're Clarissa, aren't you? Oh, my! The whole town's been dying to meet you."

"Um, no. I'm afraid you have me confused with someone else."

"You aren't Jason's sweetheart?" Disappointment pooled in the woman's eyes.

"Jason Heart?" The owner of the Captain's Cottage. Tara had found several references to Thaddeus's great-great-great-grandson during her research. "I'm afraid not, but I am meeting with him."

"That's too bad. For a minute there, I thought I'd be the first one to welcome her to Heart's Landing. But I guess not. Now, where were we?"

"About that cab?" Tara brushed a hand through her hair. The conversation with Georgia had taken so many turns, she'd almost forgotten what brought her to the clerk's window.

"Oh, yes. Sorry about that. Let's see. With all the hotels and the bed-and-breakfast providing transportation for their guests, taxi drivers don't normally meet the trains. But I'd be happy to call one for you."

"That'd be great. I appreciate it." Tara adjusted her purse strap at her shoulder. She hadn't planned on having to play twenty questions in order to get a simple cab ride across town, but she had to admit, it'd been nice to talk to someone who delivered customer service with interest and a smile.

"There's a bench outside the station. If you want to wait there, someone will be along in just a few minutes. Meantime, can I get you anything? Water? Coffee?"

The woman took going above and beyond to such a high level, Tara almost regretted turning her down, but she'd grabbed a bite in the dining car earlier. As for something to drink, she had a bottle of water in her purse. Her suitcase rolling along behind her, she waved goodbye to Georgia and stepped smartly toward the door. Outside, a light breeze brought another breath of salt-laden air. Low-growing plants with fragrant pink and white blossoms filled nearby flower beds. Their perfume scented the air while she lingered by her bags.

Sure enough, not five minutes later, a yellow cab pulled to the curb. Tara barely had a chance to gather her things before a gangly young man doffed his cap her way. "I'm Chuck. You the lady who called for a ride?" Given the decided lack of other passengers standing about, he didn't wait for a reply but hefted her suitcase. In seconds, he'd lowered it gently into the trunk of the idling taxi and held the door open for her. "Where are we headed?" he asked as Tara slid onto the back seat.

"The Captain's Cottage." She braced herself for another round of questions, but Chuck merely shrugged and climbed in behind the wheel.

"Welcome to Heart's Landing, America's Top Wedding Destination. Are there any stops you'd like to make along the way?"

"No, but I'd appreciate it if you took your time. I want to take it all in." Tara glanced out the window and frowned. How she was supposed to criticize tree-lined streets, buildings etched with hearts and flowers, and quaint houses that nearly bent beneath gingerbread trim, she didn't know.

"This is your first trip to Heart's Landing, then?" Pulling away from the train station, Chuck turned east onto Champagne Avenue. He gestured toward a two-story building where cedar siding had aged to a burnished silver. "That's the Union Street Bed-and-Breakfast. You can't go wrong staying there. Marybeth and Matt take real good care of their guests."

Tara noted the pristine white picket fence and the bright blossoms that spilled from window boxes. She'd be hard-pressed to say anything negative about the exterior of the inviting building. If the interior was as well-maintained, she'd consider staying there on her next trip to Heart's Landing. If there was another trip, she corrected. Once Weddings Today published her article, she doubted anyone in town would welcome her with open arms.

"Since this is your first visit here, I'll give you the nickel tour. On the house." Chuck leaned forward and shut off the meter. At the next intersection, he pointed to a statue in a pocket park. "That's Captain Thaddeus Heart. He founded Heart's Landing in the 1800s. There's a plaque at the base of the statue that tells all about him. You should check it out if you have the time." Pointing out other places of interest, he wove up and down city streets. Festive signs in front of buildings offered everything imaginable in the way of wedding supplies and services. At the end of the street, he turned onto Officiant Circle.

"Captain Thaddeus sailed the trade routes between here and Europe for a dozen years or more. Each summer, he'd return home in time for his wife's birthday. The place where his ship put in is north of here, called Heart's Cove." He pointed to a bike path that followed the rocky coastline. "Makes a nice, scenic ride, if you're inclined."

Tara crossed her fingers and hoped there'd be time for a trip to the beach while she was in town. The only time she'd taken the train from Penn Station to Long Island, one glimpse of people sitting shoulder-to-shoulder on the sand had been enough to send her back to the station without even dipping her toes into the water. Here, though, only a few umbrellas dotted the wide, empty beach, and birds, rather than people, darted among the waves.

A little farther down the road, Chuck headed north on Bridal Carriage Way. "This is the center of Heart's Landing. Anywhere else, it'd probably be called Main Street. But we stick to a wedding theme."

"I can see that."

"As they say, when you got it, flaunt it. And we got weddings."

Appreciating the humor, Tara smiled broadly into the rearview mirror while the driver rolled past restaurants and stores. Hand in hand, couples roamed the tree-shaded sidewalks, ducking in and out of shops with whimsical names like Something Old, Something New, I Do Cakes, and Forget Me Knot Flowers. Everywhere Tara looked, fresh paint glowed from the trim on red brick buildings. Bright awnings beckoned shoppers to linger at display windows. Asters, tiny pink roses, and milkweed dripped from window boxes. Steeplebush and day lilies sprang from strategically placed pots, brightening the streets with dashes of color. The town was every bit as picturesque as her research had indicated. In fact, it was better than she'd expected, and her lips tightened. Regina had been right. It'd be tough to find anything wrong with Heart's Landing.

Despite a green light, Chuck idled at Procession. Tara caught the faint sound of jangling metal, which grew louder as a pair of high-stepping horses pulled into view. From his seat on the white carriage behind them, a driver in black livery doffed his hat. A bride decked out in her wedding finery smiled out from plush, red-velvet cushions. Chuck returned the gesture with a friendly wave.

"The driver's Tom Denton. He's a good friend. They're headed to the church at the end of the block," he explained. "From there, he'll take the lucky couple to their reception, which might very well be at the Captain's Cottage. We'll head there now so we don't end up photo bombing any of the wedding photos."

With that, Chuck turned onto Procession. At the end of the long street sat the fabled Captain's Cottage. Tara sucked in a breath. Impressive in pictures, the mansion looked absolutely gorgeous with the late-afternoon sun glinting off the pristine masonry. She struggled to take in the details, but there was so much to see, she didn't know where to look first. Blooming azaleas in bright reds, pinks, and whites peppered the lawn and perfumed the air with a spicy scent. Clusters of weeping willows dripped gracefully over a stream. Neatly trimmed hedges followed the curving driveway to a porte cochere deep enough to accommodate several arriving vehicles.

Chuck braked to a stop at the foot of wide steps that led to massive double-doors. "This is the end of the ride. Your fare will pop up on the card reader. Cash or credit is fine. There are business cards in the seat pocket. Take a couple. I'd be happy to take you anywhere you need to go while you're here."

With a swipe of her credit card, she balanced the ridiculously small bill with a generous tip. By time she retrieved the receipt, Chuck had toted her luggage up the steps and left her bags inside the front door. He returned to offer a hand while she exited the vehicle. She smiled at him. "Thank you for a wonderful tour." She tapped her purse. "I have your card. You'll probably hear from me again soon."

"My pleasure, ma'am." And with that, he was off, heading for the main road and presumably his next fare.

Tara peered up at the three-story house that had once been home to a seafaring captain, his wife, and their twelve children. With its large, airy veranda and wings that spread out in different directions, the Cottage was certainly large enough to accommodate such a big family. Which was ironic, considering that an influenza outbreak in the 1890s had nearly wiped out the entire Heart clan. However, according to her research, a direct line of Thaddeus's descendants had called the Captain's Cottage their home for generations. Fifty years ago, things had changed when the captain's great-grandson had capitalized on the town's growing reputation and had turned the estate into one of the most popular wedding venues on the East Coast.

Her flats made soft, scuffing noises on the steps. Wishing she'd taken the time to change out of her travel clothes and into something a little more refined and appropriate for visiting such a lovely place, she stepped through the front door into the roomy foyer of a house that had known tender care for more than a century. She sniffed, inhaling a light, citrusy scent mixed with linseed oil. A larger-than-life portrait of Captain Thaddeus looked down on her from the wall across from the entrance. Though she'd seen the image in books, she took a moment to study the painting. From his feathered hat to his pointed shoes, he cut an impressive figure, but his face captured her attention. A pair of intelligent-looking eyes stared out from beneath thick brows. High cheekbones and skin lined by the sun and the wind surrounded a Grecian nose and finely drawn lips. Below, a square chin led to a jaw as well defined and straight-edged as the rest of him. The artist had posed the captain at the helm of his ship and had managed to capture him so much at ease that she could practically feel the salt spray or hear the wind whistling in the rigging and the cries of seabirds on the hunt for food.

The artwork was beyond intriguing. She could have stood there all day admiring it, but the rest of the house beckoned. Wide corridors stretched to the left and right. With an imaginary flip of a coin, she headed left. She hoped to ask directions to Jason Heart's office, but no one lingered at the coffee pots that stood on an elaborate sideboard in the dining room. A little farther down the hall, two sets of wide double-doors opened into a spacious ballroom. Massive chandeliers dripped crystals like icicles over what must have been an acre of hardwood floors. She felt a ping of disappointment that preparations for a wedding weren't underway, but the tall tables scattered throughout the room reminded her more of cocktail parties and casual gatherings. Leaving the ballroom, she moved forward, the soles of her shoes sounding loud in the empty corridor.

Where was everyone? Sure, no one was expecting her—she had, after all, followed Regina's orders and arrived a full day early. But the entire Captain's Cottage couldn't be sitting empty on a Thursday afternoon. Could it?

She poked her head into several other vacant rooms before a sharp right turn took her to a corridor with doors opening onto offices. A tasteful sign mounted by the first one on the left announced that it belonged to Alicia Thorn, Event Coordinator. Pens neatly arranged in a holder, a single tablet of paper, and a computer monitor sat on the well-organized desk. On the wall, today's date had been X 'd out on a calendar that tracked weddings and appointments. Beginning to wonder if she'd need to call Chuck and have him drive her to a hotel after all, Tara moved on.

From somewhere nearby came the sound of someone humming. Drawn to the tune she recognized as a piece she'd sung with her church choir recently, she picked up her pace. Three offices down, she peered through an open doorway. Dressed in a simple T-shirt, her hair a mass of dark red curls around an elfin face, a woman about her own age stared at a computer with rapt attention.

Tara knocked on the doorframe.

The humming stopped abruptly. The woman leaned out from behind the oversized monitor. "Hey! I didn't see you there. Are you looking for Alicia?"

Assuming she meant the event coordinator, Tara shook her head. "No. Actually, I was hoping you could tell me how to get to Jason Heart's office."

"Is he expecting you?" The woman frowned. "I didn't think he had any appointments on his calendar this afternoon."

Tara crossed the room, her hand extended. "I'm Tara Stewart from Weddings Today . I'm here to handle the magazine's evaluation of Heart's Landing."

If she'd wanted to surprise someone, she couldn't have planned it better. The frown on the woman's face deepened. She darted from behind the desk to meet her guest halfway across the room. "We weren't expecting you until tomorrow."

"I'm a little early." Tara tried not to squirm beneath an intense once-over. Despite the fact that her hostess was just as informally dressed as she was, she wished again she'd had the chance to swap her jeans and cardigan for something a little more professional.

"Humph," the woman said, folding her arms across her chest. "We were expecting Regina Charm."

"You've got me there. I'm Tara Stewart," she repeated. "Ms. Charm has been unavoidably detained in New York. She sent me in her stead." Though she'd love to emulate Regina's innate sense of style, Tara was pretty sure she could live in the Big Apple for the rest of her life without acquiring it. Still, she had to try. Imagining how the editor would react under similar circumstances, she aimed for a haughty tone. "I trust that won't be a problem?"

The question dangled in the air for a long moment. At last, the woman's mouth worked. As if it had never been there, the frown disappeared. "I'm sure it'll be fine. You caught me off guard, that's all. Wait till Jason gets a load of you. He's gonna flip his wig."

"Really?" Tara lifted her eyebrows.

"Forget I said anything." Grinning, she shrugged. "Me and my big mouth—that's one of the reasons they tuck me away in a back office. Mostly, I handle the bookkeeping and supplies for the Captain's Cottage. I don't get many visitors back here. I'm Evelyn, by the way. Jason is my cousin." Evelyn folded her hands together and twisted her fingers. "So, how long have you been with Weddings Today ?"

"About two years."

Evelyn whistled. "You must be really good if they sent you instead of Ms. Charm. I'd like to have a job that sent me all around the country. I bet you meet a lot of celebrities, don't you?"

The young woman looked so expectant that Tara hated to disappoint her. The truth was, her inbox provided the only contact she had with the models and superstars who graced the magazine's covers. Unless she counted coffee runs—which she didn't—this was her first assignment outside the office. A tidbit of information she definitely did not plan on sharing with Evelyn. "Not many. But I'm hoping that'll change soon."

"We get them here every once in a while. Last Christmas, the whole town buzzed when Karolyn Karter and Chad Grant showed up for her cousin's wedding. You'll probably meet her while you're here. Jennifer Longely. Well, Bell now. She's a nice girl. Different from what we all thought of her when she first got here."

"How so?" She recognized the name from Regina's notes. Her boss had thought there was more to that story, as well, and had told her to be on the lookout in case she caught wind of a juicy rumor.

"Oh, you know." As if she realized she'd said too much, Evelyn retreated toward her desk. "I, uh, I should check Jason's schedule to see if he's in his office."

Unwilling to push her luck by probing deeper into something that wasn't at the top of her agenda, Tara let the matter drop. Karolyn Karter occupied a top spot on Hollywood's A-list, but her appearance in Heart's Landing was old news and definitely took a backseat to Tara's current assignment. Besides, Evelyn's openness and candor might come in handy. So far, everyone Tara had met in Heart's Landing had been gracious and accommodating, almost to a fault. Evelyn made a refreshing, forthright change of pace. Under different circumstances, they'd probably be good friends.

While Evelyn fiddled with her computer, Tara took the opportunity to look around. It appeared that, unlike Alicia Thorn, her hostess-of-the-moment was a bit of a pack rat. Stacks of papers and files crowded every inch of the bookkeeper's desk space. Cardboard boxes filled one corner of the small office. Like colorful tongues, swatches poked out of the sample catalogues that had been stacked along the walls and crowded the chairs.

"Looks like you're in luck. Jason doesn't have anything on his calendar. I'll let him know you're here … before I say something else I shouldn't."

"Sure. That sounds great," she said, though she wished she could see Jason's reaction first-hand.

Evelyn made the call. Then, leading the way, she headed for the office at the end of the hall. She didn't wait for an invitation but crossed the threshold like a woman on a mission. "Jason, I'd like to introduce Tara Stewart from Weddings Today . Tara, my cousin Jason Heart, the owner of the Captain's Cottage."

The figure behind the desk rose with a smooth grace. Tara got a quick impression of a man with the same regal bearing as his impressive ancestor. Nor did the familial resemblance stop there. Tall and muscular, Jason Heart towered over her own five-foot-six-inch frame. A thick mop of jet-black hair barely brushed his shoulders. High cheekbones similar to the ones in the portrait in the foyer led to a sharply angled jaw. She extended her hand and stared up into slate-gray eyes the color of the sea beneath a cloudy sky. A touch of vertigo hit her when his palm grasped hers. It passed just as swiftly as it came when, after giving her hand a firm shake, his fingers dropped from hers.

"Welcome to Heart's Landing and the Captain's Cottage," Jason said. "We're very glad to have you here. Although you've caught me a bit flat-footed. I must admit I'm confused. We were told to expect Ms. Charm. Tomorrow. Has there been a change of plans?"

"I told Evelyn that Ms. Charm has been unavoidably detained in New York." Tara darted a glance at the woman, who lingered nearby. "That's not entirely true."

"No?"

Two sets of eyes stared at her, but Tara had practiced what she'd say during the long train ride. "No. See, the thing is, Ms. Charm didn't want her own experiences in Heart's Landing to influence the town's chances in the contest. She was afraid that coming here again so soon after her breakup might stir up bad memories. She sent me to take a fresh, in-depth look at the place, but don't worry. Since Heart's Landing has consistently emerged as the magazine's top pick for ten years running, this visit is more a formality than anything else." She shrugged. "As for my early arrival, that's entirely my fault. My last project wrapped up sooner than expected, and I'd been so looking forward to the trip that I thought I'd just pop on up. I hope that's not a problem."

"Nothing we can't handle." Bright intelligence gleamed in Jason's gray eyes. Tara couldn't be sure he'd accepted Regina's excuse, but he definitely wasn't buying the reason for her sudden appearance for a second and had the self-confidence not to care whether she realized he was on to her or not. "Of course, you're missing out on all the pomp and ceremony of the formal greeting party we had on tomorrow's agenda. And our mayor, Greg Thomas, will be disappointed that he wasn't on hand to welcome you himself. He's planned a tour of Heart's Landing for you tomorrow. With the packed schedule we have planned over the next ten days, he and his wife went out of town for the afternoon. I'm afraid you're stuck with me for now."

She could think of worse ways to spend the time than in the company of a man who reminded her so much of his swashbuckling ancestor, though it seemed like a far more prudent plan to keep her distance from someone who literally upset her equilibrium. She tugged on the hem of her wrinkled T-shirt. "I'd love the opportunity to freshen up after the long trip. Do you think you could have someone show me to my room?"

Jason's lips thinned. "We'll have so much going on over the next two weeks that we gave most of the staff the day off. There's only a skeleton crew on duty today. As I mentioned, we weren't expecting you before tomorrow." The skin around his mouth tightened. "I've pulled two of our best workers off their other tasks and told them to prepare your suite, but it might be several hours before they finish. I'm sorry for the inconvenience." All gracious apology and sorrow, he ducked his head.

This was exactly the kind of snafu Regina had told her to be on the lookout for. Tara supposed this was the point where her boss might have pitched a hissy fit and checked one of the many negative boxes on her judging form. But, as much as she wanted to please the executive editor, Tara wasn't Regina. Jason's well-mannered explanation had touched a soft space in her heart. She couldn't condemn him for not having everything ready when she'd sprung her arrival on him without any warning. Given the popularity of the Captain's Cottage, she should probably be thankful her room was available at all.

"There's a fully stocked salon reserved for our brides on the first floor. No one's using it right now, so you're welcome to it. As for the rest of the day, I can offer you several options. It'd be my honor to escort you into town and introduce you to a few of our more prominent shopkeepers. Or give you a tour of the Captain's Cottage. Or, if none of that appeals to you, the dining room is at your disposal. You're welcome to work in there."

Thanks, but no thanks on that last one. She'd spent most of the train ride doing research. The prospect of sitting at a table and poring over her laptop when there was so much to see and do around Heart's Landing seemed like a perfect waste. On the other hand, if they'd planned on showing her about town the next day, throwing another monkey wrench in the plans might raise too many eyebrows.

"I vote for the Captain's Cottage. I'd like to see every nook and cranny," she said with a growing enthusiasm. Who knew what secrets she might unearth? "There's no need to take up your valuable time, though. I'm sure I can see myself around."

"I wouldn't dream of sending you off on your own. There are so many twists and turns in this old place, you might get lost and we'd never find you again."

There was that glint in his eyes again. The one that said at this particular moment in time, he wouldn't mind getting her out of his hair. But if he expected her to disappear, he could think again. She fully intended to put her best effort into this assignment. She had too much riding on it to do otherwise.

"Then it's settled," Jason said when she didn't respond. "Let me take your bags to the Prep Room. I'll meet you in the foyer in …" He let the words trail off.

"Twenty minutes ought to do it." She just wanted to splash some water on her face, run a comb through her hair and, at most, replace her rumpled shirt.

Jason gave a curt nod to his cousin. "Evelyn, wait for me here, please?"

The attractive owner of the Captain's Cottage was being far too accommodating. The last thing Tara wanted was to spend the afternoon with a man who smelled like the ocean and caused her to lose her balance. But what else was she to do? She couldn't very well ask him to share his family's darkest, dirtiest secrets with her. Not when everyone thought she was here to write a puff piece about America's longtime favorite wedding destination. Not when, in fact, she was here to destroy the myth behind it.

After dropping Tara's bags off in the Prep Room, Jason double-timed it back to his office. They hadn't even reached the official start of the Weddings Today evaluation, and already things had gone horribly awry. He wouldn't panic, though. His years at the helm of some of Boston's largest conference venues had taught him how to deal with the pressure when things wandered from the plan. He'd get everything back on track. His thoughts racing with ideas, he burst into the room.

"Okay, Evelyn. We have a lot of work to do," he said, getting right to business. "First, get the word out that this Tara Stewart person has arrived early and isn't at all who we expected."

Evelyn traced one finger along the top of the bookcase. "Do you think that's a problem?"

"Yeah. Unfortunately." Jason stared out the door. This was exactly the kind of thing he'd been afraid of when he'd heard that Regina Charm's wedding had crashed and burned in Heart's Landing. It didn't matter that the town had nothing to do with the breakup. The woman would naturally feel they were at least partly to blame. "She's young and, I'll bet, inexperienced. It's out of line to send someone like her to evaluate us. It makes me think there's something more afoot. We still have a chance, but we can't hold back. We'll have to double-down on everything in order to make an impression and win her over."

Evelyn straightened like a woman who knew what was at stake. "Okay. I'll let everyone know. I'll call Mildred and Cheri first. Word will spread like wildfire from there."

"Good." Jason nodded. "Next, I need you to find out everything there is to know about our guest. Who she is. Where she went to school. How long she's been at Weddings Today . Her position there. I want to know everything right down to her favorite foods and if she has any allergies. We can't afford to mess this up, and I'm flying blind here."

"Got it." A troubled look crossed his cousin's face. "She seems like a nice person, though, doesn't she? You don't really think she's here to sabotage us or anything?"

What did he think? Alarms clanged in his head like the bells of the S.S. Mary Shelby after the lookout in the crow's nest spotted a pirate ship. One that might have more powerful armament or a hidden army stowed below deck.

Oh, Tara Stewart seemed capable enough, though he knew little more about her other than what he'd been able to observe. From the top of a head that rose above his shoulders to a pair of casual slip-ons, the lean, angular physique of a runner made him wonder whether she was as independent and driven as most sports enthusiasts. He hadn't been able to glean anything from the hair that hung like sheaves of spun gold to her shoulders where soft curls turned the strands inward. But a wide forehead free of lines and the lack of crow's feet around a pair of blue eyes told him she'd barely dipped her toes into her thirties, if that. At best, she'd been with Weddings Today for a couple of years. Certainly not long enough to attain the seniority he'd expect from someone who'd been given so much responsibility. That in itself was a huge red flag.

Yet she hadn't shown the least bit of anger or concern when they didn't have everything ready for her. If this had been a complete setup, he'd have expected her to turn on one heel, head off in a huff, and demand to return to the city as soon as possible, thus eliminating Heart's Landing from the contest. Instead, she'd gone along with their new plan. Which told him they had a chance of swaying her opinion. And if they could do that, maybe they could still win.

He squared his shoulders. What was he thinking? Of course they'd succeed. Everyone in town, from the mayor to the boys who sold roses from plastic buckets on the corner, had spent weeks—months, even—getting ready for this review. All they had to do now was let the town speak for itself. Once Tara Stewart saw all it had to offer, Heart's Landing would retain its place at the top of the heap.

But there couldn't be so much as one more hitch in the plan. Not with the town's reputation hanging in the balance.

"Okay, let me know when you hear back from everyone. Feed me updates about her as you have them." Jason slipped his phone into his pocket and fitted the Bluetooth receiver into his ear. He tapped the switch. Static crackled. "I'll be available."

"Will do." Evelyn reached for her own phone. "Where are you going to be?"

"We'll start in the attic and work our way down." He paused.

Evelyn cast a look at the ceiling. "You think that's a good idea?"

"She said she wants to see everything. Taking her up there will show her how deep our roots go in Heart's Landing. Besides, you can tell a lot about a person by the way they react to a little dirt and dust."

"Well, you'll find plenty of that."

He frowned. "Did you move all the logbooks and diaries to the library like I asked?" Regina Charm had sent a special request to have the journals on hand.

"Yes. Last week."

"Good. We'll end up there."

"Do you have any idea why she wanted to see Captain Thaddeus's books? No one's ever asked about them before."

"Who knows? Maybe it wasn't Regina's idea at all. Maybe this Tara person is a history buff. That's part of what I want you to find out." He checked his watch. The allotted twenty minutes were nearly up. "I'm on the move. If you need me, or you find out anything, I'm right here." He touched the device in his ear.

Striding toward the entryway, he reviewed everything that had happened so far in a day that had taken a sharp turn away from the script. Tara Stewart's early arrival was no mistake, that was for sure. Regina Charm's itinerary had been copied and plastered on every bulletin board in town. He hadn't written the wrong date on his calendar. He didn't accept that Tara had simply decided to put in an early appearance on a whim, either. There was no earthly reason for her to show up a day earlier than expected, unless it was a trap to catch the town with its proverbial britches down around its ankles to see how well everyone handled the change.

But sending what appeared to be a junior staffer to do the job, that was an entirely different matter. Why would Regina Charm do such a thing? Was she honestly trying to remain impartial after her own wedding crashed and burned in Heart's Landing? That had been Tara's explanation. Did he really believe her?

He shook his head. He had to. The alternative—that no matter how well they performed over the next ten days, Heart's Landing was doomed to failure—was too difficult to even think about.