“It may not be wise though to wake sleeping dragons,” Charlotte said. “It might just stir everything up again if he’s working on our behalf.”
“We need the best available. We don’t even know if he can take us on yet, but I say we should hire him.” Olivia’s calm voice resonated in the room.
“Let’s take a vote,” Fancy suggested.
“All in favor raise your hand,” Callie said.
Charlotte looked around at the girls. She was the only one who hadn’t raised her hand.
“I guess we’re going to contact Marc about working for us. I think it’s best if someone else deals with Marc,” Fancy said, her voice sounding calm and reasonable.
“I’ll do it,” Olivia said, volunteering her services. “If he’s agreeable to meeting us, I’ll invite him over for afternoon tea.”
Charlotte shook her head with disbelief. What in the world had gotten into her best friends? Marc Cabron was not a good guy. He’d deliberately set out to break up Fancy and Case. And he’d succeeded for a time. She couldn’t believe everyone had such short memories.
Charlotte didn’t trust Marc Cabron as much as she could throw him!
**
Charlotte peeped out the front window, wanting to make sure that she was the one to head their visitor off at the pass. Perhaps if she could talk some sense into Marc Cabron he would take the high road and refuse the assignment.
She watched him as he emerged from his dark, compact car. He was tall and compact, with a figure that seemed athletic and slightly muscular. He was wearing a dark pair of jeans paired with a oatmeal-colored sweater. He walked with a bit of a swagger, which immediately got on Charlotte’s nerves.
“Full of himself,” Charlotte muttered. Who did he think he was?
Just as he approached the front door, Charlotte sprung into action and wrenched it open, right before he could press the bell and alert the others to his presence at Savannah House.
Surprise registered in his eyes at the sight of her. “Good afternoon. Charlotte? Am I right?”
“Yes,” she said in a cool voice. “I’m Charlotte Duvall. Please come in.”
“Thank you,” he said, walking over the threshold and into the resort. Once inside, his masculine presence seemed to take over. His energy filled up the space.
“Why don’t you come into the parlor and sit down while we wait for the others.”
“Sure thing,” Marc said with a nod as he looked around him. He let out a low whistle of approval. “This place looks fantastic.”
“Thank you. We wanted Savannah House to have a make-over but still retain the same charm and elegance of yesteryear.”
“You achiev
ed your goal then,” Marc said. “My family stayed here once when I was a child. Wonderful memories.”
Charlotte closed the parlor door behind them.
“I’m going to completely honest with you, Marc. I think perhaps this assignment is ill-advised. Maybe you should just say no,” Charlotte said in a sharp voice.
“And why is that?” Marc asked, his dark brows knitted together.
He was standing so close to her. For the first time she noticed his chiseled features and his espresso colored eyes. There was a quiet intensity about him that radiated in the parlor. Energy bounced off him in waves.
“Because Fancy and my brother are getting married in a few weeks.” She tilted her chin up in a defiant stance.
“I’m not a threat to that. Truth is, I never was.”
Charlotte let out a harsh laugh. “Really? From what I remember they called off an engagement because of you.”
“I don’t think anyone benefits from dredging up the past, Charlotte. It’s best forgotten.”