Saved by the Bride by Fiona Lowe

looked guileless, but she knew
better.
    “Absolutely. All that misunderstanding is water under the
bridge.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his expression full of consideration
with a hint of challenge. “Although, if Annika’s uncomfortable working for me
then I totally understand and I’m happy to employ
someone else.”
    And there it was. He’d just turned it all back on her.
    “She needs a paying job.” Mrs. Norell clucked like a mother hen
and gave Finn a beatific smile.
    Annika surely didn’t need “help” like this. “Mrs. Norell, I’m
doing just fine.”
    “Honey, we know you’d like more work just like everyone else
around here, especially as your calligraphy work has been quiet too.”
    Oh great , tell Finn Callahan everything . “I don’t have time to work for him when
I’m acting mayor.” Her voice sounded loud and defensive and she blew out a long
breath. “That’s a full-time job in itself.”
    “Is Anni here?” Nicole’s voice called out from behind the group
which parted to let her through. She rushed forward seeming oblivious to Finn
and the fact that everyone was standing around their booth. “I’ve been chasing
you all morning. Why didn’t you return my messages?”
    Annika didn’t want to publically admit to not being able to pay
her cell phone bill but she didn’t have to as Nicole rushed on.
    “Never mind, I’ve found you now. Guess what? I’ve got two
brides who want to talk to you about invitations.”
    Annika frowned trying to think who it could possibly be. “But
no one’s got engaged since Thea and Jason.”
    Nicole squealed with excitement. “That’s the thing. Two women
called today after seeing us on TV and they’re seriously considering getting
married in Whitetail. They’re driving up to visit on Wednesday and they want to
meet with everyone to get quotes.”
    Mrs. Norell beamed. “See, Anni, we do have a new business so you don’t have to worry. Now you can work
for Mr. Callahan and help him, as well as doing your invitations.”
    Annika rested her head in her hands for a moment and silently
counted to ten. When she looked up she spoke slowly and calmly. “That’s great
news. It really is but two wedding inquiries don’t make a business. They’re
inquiries and they might lead nowhere. Let’s be realistic here. You don’t have a
website or a brochure outlining what is on offer. You don’t have a central
person to pull everything together and you don’t even have a place where brides
can come to discuss their ideas.”
    “The town can have the use of the warehouses rent-free, until
they sell.”
    All heads snapped to Finn.
    “Really?” Melissa checked. “What about utility costs?”
    “I’ll pay for lighting and normal use but if you start using
more than just basic office equipment we’ll discuss that.”
    Annika groaned. As much as she liked the idea of a wedding
business, it wasn’t a remotely practical solution to Whitetail’s employment
needs. Even if it did start to take off, it would be slow to build and probably
only generate income for a select few. The town needed so much more and quickly.
It was hard being the only person who could see the big picture because it made
her sound like a pessimistic naysayer, but they’d asked her to be mayor to guide
them through this crisis so it was up to her to lead them. How was she going to
tell them that a warehouse was hardly a romantic place for brides to come and
discuss their fairy-tale wedding?
    She took a long look at Finn who suddenly seemed almost too
relaxed as he leaned back in the booth drinking a soda. She wished she knew what
was going on behind those dark, enigmatic eyes. Why his sudden largesse with the
warehouses? Why the unexpected surge of generosity? She hadn’t been able to get
anything out of him and now he was offering something, but it did little service
to the town. Tilting her head, she signaled frantically with her eyes and then
slightly tapped his shin under the