Three Little Words (Fool's Gold #12)(45)

* * *

“I’M NOT SURE I have the body to pull this off,” Isabel said as she turned back and forth in front of the half circle of mirrors in her store. “I need shape-wear.”

Madeline raced into the other room and returned with a body shaper that went from boobs to midthigh.

“Here you go. But honestly, I don’t think you need it.”

Isabel laughed. “And you’re a woman who deserves a raise.” She unzipped the dress and let it fall to the floor, then stepped into the shape-wear and began the arduous process of pulling it into place. Madeline joined her on the raised platform and tugged along.

Three minutes later Isabel could barely breathe, but all her curves were as they should be and the bulgy places were suitably squished. Madeline reached for the sample Dellina had brought by earlier that morning.

The dress was silk, in a wrap style with a draped bodice. The style made her waist appear smaller, her legs longer. The color seemed purple in some light and blue in others. Long sleeves were deceptively demure. While they went down to her wrists, there was a slit from shoulder to cuff, and as she moved, she bared her arms.

“What about shoes?” Madeline asked.

“I have some ridiculously high nude pumps,” Isabel told her. “They’ll be perfect.” She fastened the side hook, securing the dress in place, then faced herself in the mirror.

“You look great,” Madeline breathed. “You really have to buy that dress.”

“It works,” Isabel said. “It would work better if I lost ten pounds, but I’ll accept being unable to breathe.”

“Can you eat? Aren’t you going to a dinner?”

“Details.” Isabel flicked away the concern.

In New York, she’d dressed in the city’s traditional black. Here, she was aware that while she had to look professional, she never wanted to outshine the bride. She channeled her fashion interest into shoes and other accessories. But every now and then it was good to cut loose and indulge herself with a perfectly fabulous dress.

This one had the advantage of being appropriate and hot enough to make him look twice. At least, that was the plan. After their last kiss, she was hoping to leave him a little off balance. It might help to put them on more even footing.

“You want a smoky eye with that for sure,” Madeline said firmly. “Great earrings.”

“I can borrow a pair from my mom.” Isabel pulled her hair up in a twist. “Up or down?”

Madeline grinned. “You’re going up to the resort. Definitely up.”

“I’ll need to add an hour to my prep time.”

“It’ll be worth it,” the other woman promised.

* * *

FORD WALKED IN through the back door. “It’s me,” he called as he entered Isabel’s kitchen. “You need to think about keeping your door locked.”

“Then how would you get in?”

Her voice drifted down the hall.

“I can pick the lock. I was thinking about you keeping out other people.” He started to walk out of the kitchen, then paused. “Are you going to make an entrance? Should I wait here?”

“You tell me.”

She appeared in the doorway. She wore a blue dress and had her hair up. A simple description that did nothing to describe the reality of a beautiful woman in a flowy fabric that hugged every sexy curve.

Earrings dangled, making him follow the line of her neck to the open V of her dress. There was enough cle**age to get his attention. Three-inch heels put her close to eye level, and all he could think about was kissing her and then getting her naked.

“You’re in a suit,” she said, walking toward him. “You look good.”

“You look better. Wow.”

She smiled. “Wow works. Too many men underestimate the power of wow.”

“I won’t. Ever. I promise.”

She did a full turn. “So this is okay? It’s corporate, but it’s Fool’s Gold. I wasn’t sure.”

“I’m sure.”

She smiled and moved close enough to adjust his tie. She smelled like flowers and vanilla.

“Better or worse than dress whites?” she asked.

“About the same. Only in a dark suit, it’s safer to spill.”

She laughed. The sweet sound kicked him in the gut. Or maybe a little lower. How was he supposed to think about business with Isabel next to him all night? Not that he wanted her to be anywhere else.

“You’re messing with my head,” he complained.

“I’m not doing anything.”

“Then God help me if you start to try.”

* * *

THE GOLD RUSH Ski Lodge and Resort was nestled in the mountains above Fool’s Gold. The location offered stellar views and luxury lodgings. In the winter, the lodge was filled with skiers and snowboarders. Spring and summer were wedding season. The fall was usually a hodgepodge of seminars and retreats.

“When I was growing up, this was the fanciest place we ever went as a family,” Isabel told Ford as he drove onto the property. “It was only for special occasions. Graduations and my parents’ twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.”

“The clients are staying here for a couple of nights.”

“Then they’ll be impressed.” She watched the valet stare at the Jeep. “Oh, look. He’s afraid.”