Roses For Sophie (24 page)

The emotion behind those words had them both wiping away their tears as everyone gave a cheer.

Gathering himself once more, Rigby smiled. ‘It gives me the greatest pleasure tonight to announce the engagement of my granddaughter, Sophie, to Logan Jackson.'

The room erupted with applause and Logan's arm tightened around her waist, turning her toward him so he was able to deliver a leisurely but oh-so sensual kiss that had her standing on her tiptoes, reaching her arms up around his neck and melting against him.

‘Get a room, you two!' someone urged.

Laughing, Logan ended the kiss.

Sophie felt herself relax a fraction knowing the announcement was made.

‘You all know that I'm going in for surgery this week.' Sophie could see Rigby struggled with his emotions. ‘They tell me the odds are against me…' His throat worked up and down. ‘And whilst I've always liked playing against the odds and winning —' The ensuing applause gave him more time to straighten, and this time he seemed to look everywhere but at Sophie and Logan as he said, ‘I'm pretty determined to beat these odds.' Another cheer went up. ‘But if I don't, I'm damned well not going to miss out on seeing these two married.'

His gaze finally swung toward Sophie and Logan. Sophie knew that expression in her grandfather's eyes. It was one of steely determination and sheer willpower. She felt the fine hairs on the back of her neck rise as a sense of foreboding made every sense switch on to full alert. Beside her, she sensed that Logan also watched Rigby with wary intensity.

‘While we've got so many friends gathered here tonight, I took the liberty of arranging a celebrant to be present, so I'd get my wish and be present to witness Sophie and Logan take their vows.'

Oh — my — God.

‘Breathe, Sophie,' Logan commanded quietly as the blood rushed to her feet and she swayed against him.

The entire room spun. People's faces seemed to come in and out of focus as if she were on some wild, out-of-control carousel ride. Then there was only Logan's face. He'd moved so his broad shoulders shielded her from everyone's sight.

‘Pull yourself together, honey,' he decreed next to her ear before his lips descended to brush a kiss over hers. ‘Everyone's watching,' he continued softly. His steadying arms were around her, one hand massaging the small of her back.

Everyone
was
watching. They'd finished applauding and were now waiting for her reaction. Although she tried to unfreeze her facial muscles and think of something coherent to say, she failed miserably. Rigby's announcement had been a huge shock she was still trying to assimilate. He expected her to marry Logan right here and now.

‘I think you've finally managed to succeed where I've failed, Rigby,' Logan's deep voice broke through her inner panic. ‘You've rendered Sophie speechless!'

Everyone around her laughed, but Sophie just felt like bolting out the door. Logan must've known it, too, as he took her hand securely in his, anchoring her to his side.

‘I know this probably isn't what you had in mind, Sophie,' Rigby said as he dropped Daphne's hand and made his way toward the newly engaged couple. ‘I hope you'll go along with your interfering, meddlesome grandfather, because you can still have another wedding ceremony with as many trimmings as you want, and everything organised just exactly the way you want it, but this one tonight may be the only one I get to attend.' He swallowed hard.

Emotion stabbed at her. Grief at the thought of losing her grandfather outweighed the panic she'd known at the thought of being pressed into marriage with Logan. When Rigby stretched out his arms, she walked straight to him and was encircled by them. Her rapidly collecting tears drained straight to her nose and made her sniffily as she hugged her grandfather tight and felt his frail arms wrap around her.

‘I love you, Sophie,' he told her in a voice thick with his own unshed tears.

She loved him back deeply, so she squashed down all her doubts and hesitation because the most important thing in the world at the moment was making him happy. Attempting to make her voice resolute, she asked, ‘Are you ready to give the bride away?'

‘Let's do this!' Rigby announced for all to hear.

A tall lady stepped forward and Rigby introduced her as the marriage celebrant.

‘I have another little surprise,' Rigby declared. ‘If you'd all be so kind as to make your way to the vehicles you'll find parked outside, we're going to the Cask Hall.' He winked at Sophie. ‘Daphne and I have had the hall decked out in spectacular fashion, as befitting your wedding. That's why I couldn't show Logan around that area this afternoon.'

God love him. He was so excited his eyes danced, and all she could do was pretend equal enthusiasm and say, ‘Thank you, Grandfather. I'm sure it's going to be very special.'

‘Thank you for going along with it and allowing me to be part of your wedding.' He gave her one more squeeze, then said quietly, ‘This man's definitely the right one for you!' Then he took Daphne by the arm and began ushering everyone outside.

The crowd exited but Sophie still felt rooted to the spot. The Cask Hall was the huge formal function room at Carlisle Estate, and Sophie remembered having thought fleetingly that it was strange that Rigby had used the entertainment area in the house rather than the function centre for his birthday party. Now she knew why.

‘Sophie.' Jake was behind her.

Logan stiffened beside her as she turned toward Jake.

‘Are you sure you want to do this here tonight?' her lifetime friend and former husband asked.

‘Butt out, Formosa,' Logan warned.

Jake ignored him. ‘Is this what you really want?'

Amanda came to stand beside her husband, placing a restraining hand on his arm.

Pinning a look on her face that she hoped said,
I'm surprised you're even asking
, Sophie tilted her head and linked her arm through Logan's. ‘Well, we'd actually been planning a very private ceremony — just the two of us on a romantic beach in Vanuatu,' she invented. Snuggling next to Logan she craned her neck to meet his eyes. ‘I really don't mind where we marry. Do you, darling?'

He lowered his head so his lips brushed against hers. The look of desire in his eyes made her heart flip, and she had to remind herself that it was lust and not love that he felt. ‘Sooner rather than later is definitely a good thing, and if it makes your grandfather happy in the process then I'm fine with that.'

Jake looked at each of them, a muscle ticking above his jaw as he clenched his teeth.

‘Make her happy, Jackson.' The words were delivered as more of a warning than a wish.

‘If you leave now, you and
your wife
may be able to get a front-row seat,' Logan said with emphasis. His expression conveyed the words he'd left unsaid.
Back off, buddy. You had your chance with Sophie and you lost it. She's mine now.

The testosterone-charged atmosphere made Sophie quite light-headed. There was no doubt Jake loved his wife, but the way he cared enough about her as a friend to still be looking out for her warmed her heart. As for Logan, the clear possessive challenge in his eyes made her heart canter and her blood heat.

‘Come on, you lot!' Rigby called, breaking the tension. ‘Logan and Jake, you can go ahead. Amanda, I'm appointing you Sophie's Matron of Honour! I've also organised for your friend, Sue, to be here, Sophie.' He turned to Logan. ‘I'm sorry, this is rather a Carlisle-sided affair tonight because I didn't know who you'd like to invite and I wanted to keep it as a surprise. Your sister is waiting down at the Cask Hall, so you needn't worry she'll be left out of the occasion, but the rest of your friends will have to wait for another ceremony.'

Oh, heavens! She'd have to marry Logan in front of his sister, too, and Melissa would realise this was all a farce because it'd been her suggestion Logan marry in the first place.

Sophie didn't have time to think any further as Rigby hurried them all. ‘Amanda, you need to go back to Sophie's suite and help her change into the other surprise Daphne's left out for her. I'm going to wait here to ride down with her and give her away.'

‘I'd be delighted,' Amanda responded enthusiastically.

Amanda took Sophie's hand as they went up to the suite. ‘I hope you don't mind Jake making sure you were happy with this. We both care a lot about you.'

Sophie's smile was genuine. ‘I'm lucky to have friends like you.'

‘The way Logan looks at you…
Ooh-la-la…
and the way you look back…
phew
. I keep looking around to make sure there's a fire extinguisher on hand, thinking there'll be some incredible spontaneous combustion between the two of you!'

Sophie laughed.

‘You really love him, don't you?' Amanda asked.

‘Yes,' Sophie answered honestly, ‘I really love him.'

Her appointed Matron of Honour hugged her tight. ‘I'm so happy for you both.'

‘Come on,' Sophie urged, anxious to break the moment before she got too emotional dwelling on the truth that her love wasn't reciprocated. ‘It seems I've got a wedding to go to!'

The dress Daphne had chosen for her was very elegant, fitting her figure like a glove. Again, Sophie found herself wishing Logan were entering this wedding for the right reasons.

‘Oh, Sophie, my beautiful girl!' Rigby exclaimed as she and Amanda came back down the stairs. The tears flowed down his cheeks. ‘You look a picture!'

The pride and joy on his face made all her doubts fade into insignificance.

‘May I have just a few moments alone with Sophie?' he asked Amanda.

‘Of course. I'll wait outside.'

‘Grandfather, are you about to go all mushy and sentimental on me?' Sophie asked.

‘You could say that.'

‘Uh-oh!' Sophie rolled her eyes in an attempt to be light. ‘I seriously don't want to have red-rimmed eyes and a blotchy nose when I walk down the aisle.'

Rigby cleared his throat. ‘I want you to know that not only have you made me proud of the young woman you are, but I know that you'd also make a wonderful Managing Director for Carlisle Mining.'

She felt her eyes widen. ‘You mean you're appointing me MD?'

Tilting his head slightly, he raised his eyebrows questioningly. ‘Are you sure that's what you really want?'

‘I'll do a good job. I promise you I'll be a much better MD than Felix would be. You know I've got the interests of the company and its workers in my heart.'

‘But what about your own interests, Sophie?'

She felt the furrow of a frown form above her nose. ‘What do you mean?'

‘You're about to marry. If Logan wins his court case, you'll become an instant mother and you and Logan may want to add to that family with children of your own.'

Her heart twisted. ‘Grandfather, you know I can't have children.'

‘Bah!' His shaggy eyebrows drew together in a fierce scowl. ‘What do doctors know? Anyway, your accident was years ago. Medical technology has improved so much since then.'

‘I'm not sure about that.'

‘Are you certain you want to be MD?'

‘Grandfather, Felix isn't doing well in the role.'

‘No, he's not. This afternoon, Logan made me promise to tell you that I know about the fraud Felix has committed. I wasn't going to talk to you about this until tomorrow, but here's the opportunity.'

She drew in a shocked breath and felt her eyes open wider. ‘You know? Logan knew you knew?'

‘He found out this afternoon and wanted me to be the one to tell you.'

Shaking her head, she still found it difficult to comprehend. ‘How long have you known?'

‘I'd asked Patrick to keep a close watch on the books. He told me the news yesterday.'

‘Patrick said you were giving Felix enough rope to hang himself.' She still couldn't believe Rigby knew and hadn't said anything. Maybe he just hadn't had the heart or the strength to involve himself in the matter. That would make sense, given his ill health.

‘Felix won't be MD because he's not going to be able to manage a company from jail,' Rigby said sadly.

‘Oh, Grandfather. I'm so sorry you found out.' She bit down on her lip as she saw the deep sorrow in Rigby's eyes. At that moment she hated Felix with a passion. After all Rigby had done for him this must be so devastating a blow. ‘Don't think about it. Just concentrate on getting through this operation.'

‘Just remember, Sophie, although I know you are capable of being a brilliant MD, whatever you decide has my approval because there is another option.'

Puzzled by his words, she shook her head. ‘What do you mean? Are you talking about what's going to happen to Felix?'

‘No.' His hand tightened on her wrist. ‘You're a young woman. I don't want you shackled to the company that was my dream and my life's interest. I don't want you thinking that it has to be your life as well. It's your choice.'

Sophie frowned in confusion. ‘Don't you want me to be MD?'

‘I want you to be happy. I want you to follow your own dreams and your own heart, not feel tied down to my dream. That's the reason I've put a contingency plan into place.'

Unease slithered down her spine. ‘What are you talking about?'

He released her wrist and patted her on the hand as though she was a small child in need of comforting. It did nothing to ease her misgivings or to clear her confusion. ‘Don't worry about a thing, Sophie. I'm not going into it all now when you're off to get married. Just know that I'm giving you options. It'll all turn out okay, you'll see.' The hand patting turned into a squeeze that she guessed was meant to reassure her. The gesture failed miserably. ‘All you need to do now is be happy and marry the man you love.'