The Bride's Best Man. Judy Christenberry

Relishing the feel of her, he had to force his concentration onto the topic at hand.

      “You know what Dan’s plan is?” he asked in surprise.

      “Don’t you?”

      “No, Dan didn’t explain it to me.”

      “I don’t believe you. You’re helping him, aren’t you?” Shelby demanded. “Why would you do that if you don’t know what the plan is?”

      Why? Because Dan Jackson had saved him once upon a time. Pete feared thinking what he’d be, where he’d be, if he hadn’t been lucky enough to meet Dan. Raised on Oahu by a single mother who worked two jobs, Pete had no family around him. Dan had become his family, especially when his mother died while Pete was in college.

      He looked Shelby right in the eye and said, “Because Dan is more than my boss. He’s my best friend. Because Dan became my Big Brother when I was a teenager, replacing my father, whom I hadn’t seen since I was a little boy. Because Dan kept me from going down the wrong road and showed me the right way. Because I trust him.”

      “Even if what he wants involves spending the evening with a stiff, unfriendly, unattractive woman?” Shelby asked. So apparently she’d overheard part of his conversation with Dan back in the office. He’d hoped not.

      He shot her a grin. “Even if.” Then he began walking toward the elevator, pulling her with him.

      She yanked on her arm again. “Let me go. You couldn’t pay me to have dinner with you, or Dan!”

      He stopped and she looked at him expectantly. “Do you want to disappoint Kay? She’s spent all day talking about you.”

      “Oh, that’s what’s wrong. She bored you to death today.”

      “No, she didn’t. Now, come on, let’s go join them.”

      “Where is Kay? She wasn’t in the office.”

      “She excused herself to freshen up.” He gazed down at her, thinking how good she looked, like a spitfire, with her eyes squinting at him in suspicion. His voice lowered and he stepped a bit closer. “Come on, Shelby. You can convince me my description was off base.”

      She seemed taken aback, but held her ground. “I’ll do no such thing!”

      “So you are stiff, unfriendly and unattractive?” He smiled at her.

      “Stop being silly!” She tried again to get loose. “I need to know what Dan’s plan is.”

      “But I told you I don’t know what his plan is.”

      “Will you help me find out?”

      Pete stared at her. “You’re asking me to betray my friend and boss? Why would I do that?” Unbelievably enough, he wanted to get on her good side, which he knew helping her would do. But how could he go against Dan?

      “Because Kay is my only family. Because she took care of me and loved me when I needed it. Because she deserves to be treated fairly!” Shelby stood taller, daring him to say differently.

      Pete couldn’t. “I won’t argue with that. And she’s quite charming.”

      “Then you’ll help me?”

      “I won’t do anything to hurt Dan.”

      “But will you help me protect Kay?”

      Pete assessed her relaxed posture, how she seemed to soften right before his eyes. “You’re certainly not stiff and unfriendly now, are you? And of course you were always attractive.”

      She ignored him. “You haven’t answered my question.”

      “I promise I’ll try to help you protect Kay, because I don’t want her hurt. But I don’t believe that is Dan’s intention.”

      “All right. Then I’ll go to dinner,” she finally conceded.

      He let his hand slide down her arm until it reached hers. He lifted it to his lips. “I salute your wisdom. Let’s go. They’re waiting for us,” he said as he pushed the button for the elevator. This time it opened at once.

      “Now it comes,” Shelby muttered.

      “It’s all in the wrist,” Pete said with a grin.

      Pete watched Shelby as she answered one of Dan’s questions over dinner. Now that he’d seen the fire and the loyalty in her, he saw her differently. She was gradually relaxing, becoming the woman that matched her beautiful russet hair.

      “Kay, what did you think of the stores you saw today?” Shelby asked.

      Kay smiled. “Well, needless to say I think my store is more organized and takes in a better quality of furniture. But the stores today seemed to be doing a remarkable business.”

      “Really?” Dan asked, smiling at her.

      “Yes, Dan. It was quite impressive,” Kay assured him. “I think I could move my business here and make a good living.”

      “Aunt Kay! You aren’t thinking of doing that, are you?” Shelby demanded.

      “Of course not! I was just thinking—”

      “Why not?” Dan asked quietly.

      “Because it’s not home!” Shelby answered for her aunt.

      “But it could be,” Dan said. “Home is made up of the people you love.”

      Shelby had a panicky look in her eyes as she turned to Pete, as if to say, See what he’s doing!

      Kay finally gave her opinion. “You’re right, Dan. But Shelby is like a daughter to me. I could never leave her in Cleveland and come here, no matter how beautiful Hawaii is.”

      “So, to get you here, I’ll have to persuade Shelby to move here?” Dan asked, his voice light, as if he were teasing.

      Shelby gave Pete a quick, questioning look, but he could only shrug his shoulders. He had no idea if that was Dan’s plan. And truthfully tonight he didn’t have much objection to it. Last night was another matter.

      “I have no intention of moving to Hawaii. To pass the bar I’d have to learn an entire set of new laws. That would be too hard,” Shelby told her aunt, softening her staunch words with a slight smile.

      “Maybe we’ll talk later,” Pete said. “I might find other reasons.” He wasn’t surprised to see Shelby’s outraged expression. But Dan drew the most interest from him. With a twinkle in his eye, his friend raised his glass in Pete’s direction.

      Was that it? Did he want Kay to stay? Was he in love with her? Not that she wasn’t attractive, but Dan had dated more than his share of beautiful women before.

      The waiter arrived just then with their dinners and Pete didn’t have to respond when Shelby whispered, “You promised!”

      Maybe he could get her alone later and they could have a discussion. He wouldn’t mind that. And apparently Dan wouldn’t either, as he’d be left alone with Kay.

      Dan offered to take them on a tour of Oahu the next day, and Kay eagerly accepted for both of them.

      Pete caught Shelby’s hand as she opened her mouth, no doubt to protest. He didn’t want her to decline the invitation, especially since he planned to invite himself. “I’d like that, too, Dan, assuming I’m included,” Pete said with a smile while he squeezed Shelby’s hand.

      “I—” Shelby began.

      “We’ll enjoy ourselves, Shelby,” he hurriedly said.

      “You’ll come, won’t you, Shelby?” Kay asked, worry in her voice.

      Shelby drew a deep breath before she spoke. “Yes, of course.”

      Pete continued to hold her hand below the table. She hadn’t pulled loose, and he saw no reason to