Planning for Love Read Online Free Page B

a leather portfolio. “Please don’t exacerbate the situation, Bennett.”
    “Hey, it’s a good marketing ploy. Robert Bruce happened to be the biggest hero in Scottish history. Takes a big pair to borrow the name of the guy who freed his country from England.” Ben stroked his chin. “A lot to live up to—some might even say disrespectful.” Although unprofessional and plain wrong to goad the man, he still found it irresistible. This made his fourth wedding in three weeks, and he was fed up with self-important jerks. He simply didn’t give a damn about this crap show anymore. Thanks to his promotion, today’s event hummed with a last day of school sensation of impending freedom.
    “Are ye casting aspersions on my lineage?” Robert Bruce bristled like an over-furled rooster.
    “Come on! Using the word laddie doesn’t make you Scottish. I peg your real accent as pure Long Island, not Loch Ness.”
    Bruce’s shoulders slumped. And with his next words, the burr disappeared completely. “Alright, you got me. I’m just trying to make a buck. People like to think they’ve hired the real McCoy. What’s the big deal? It’s not a crime.”
    “No, but extortion is.” Ivy charged forward, brandishing a sheaf of papers. “My clients paid you in good faith, and you storm in here demanding more? How dare you?”
    “All they gave me was a deposit. I don’t care about their good faith. I want my five hundred dollars.” His tone was surly.
    “Then you’d better check your bank account, because that’s where it is.” Ivy thrust the papers under his nose. “Isn’t this a receipt, signed by you, acknowledging that Tracy paid you in full over a month ago?”
    The seconds ticked by in silence as Bruce skimmed the paper. Then he crumpled the receipt into a tiny ball and tossed it over his shoulder. “Like I said, just trying to make a buck. Works most of the time.” He picked up his bagpipe.
    “I won’t tell anyone about this if you agree to stay and play for the entire cocktail hour,” she bargained.
    “Hey, I’m only supposed to play the ceremony.”
    “True. But if you don’t stay, I’ll get on every wedding website and blacklist you. Then I’ll contact the Better Business Bureau and have them investigate. Wouldn’t it be much less trouble for both of us if you stay an extra hour?” Her tone was sweet and beguiling, in stark contrast to the down and dirty nature of her threat. It was beautiful to watch.
    “Now you’ve got me over a barrel. Guess I’ll stay.” Bruce scooped up his bagpipe. “This job used to be easy. Damned interfering wedding planners ruin everything,” he grumbled as he stomped out of the hall.
    “Did you get all of that?” Ben asked Ollie.
    “You bet. Great stuff!”
    “Miss Rhodes, you sure know how to deliver the goods. We haven’t even seen the bride and groom yet and we already have some great footage.” Ben bounced on the balls of his feet in excitement. Talk about ending with a bang. He might not care about the show, but he still loved a great piece of film. “This is going to be one humdinger of a wedding.”
    “You’re lucky I don’t throw you out on your ass!” Ivy hissed. Her glossy lips thinned in anger. “Pull another stunt like that and both of you will be on the sidewalk before you can blink.”
    Hmm. So a bit of hellcat hid under the elegant pink dress. Every few minutes she revealed a new side. It sure wasn’t boring to hang out with her. “Don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. But whatever Ollie did, I’ll make sure he apologizes.”
    “Not him, you idiot. You’re the one who screwed up!” Her voice rose to a near screech by the last word. And of course, Ollie kept rolling.
    “Turn off the camera and give us a few minutes,” Ben ordered. No way would he allow raw footage of him being scolded by someone who looked like a bridesmaid.
    “You don’t have long,” Ollie warned. “I saw some limos pull into the lot right before I