Page 31 of The Rented Bride

Trent flipped on the overhead light. He glimpsed a flash of green in the instant before the lizard disappeared behind the hanging clothes on the left. How the hell was he going to catch it without getting clawed, or worse, bitten? He glanced at the door and considered going for help, but ditched the idea. Ms. Adams wouldn’t let him forget that he didn’t want her help, then wimped out. He needed to keep the upper hand after introducing her as his fiancée.

He looked around the closet for something to use on the iguana, but didn’t find a thing. Hell, what had he expected? How did a person catch an iguana? An idea struck. Trent pulled his phone from his breast pocket. He tapped the screen for google and typed in how to catch an iguana. Youtube pulled up three videos. He hit the first link and fumbled to turn down the sound as a man’s voice blared.

“Are you all right, Mr. Weston?” Ms. Adams demanded in a loud whisper.

“Yeah,” he said. “Just hang tight.”

Trent watched the video as a guy wearing latex kitchen gloves crept up on an iguana. The iguana remained still as the guy slowly reached down, then suddenly grabbed the lizard behind its jaw and behind its hind legs. The creature spread its mouth as if hissing, but didn’t struggle.

Trent closed the app and slipped the phone into his pocket. Carefully, he slid the clothes aside until he could see the iguana. The animal didn’t move, and Trent edged closer until he was able to bend down close enough to reach it. He seized the animal as the guy had in the video, then didn’t move. The iguana hissed, but didn’t struggle. Trent rose and went to the door.

“Open the door, Ms. Adams.”

The door opened and she took two steps backwards as Trent hurried from the room, holding the iguana. She followed.

“Close my grandfather’s door, please, then come with me,” he said.

She did as he asked, and he led her down the hallway to the rear stairs. They passed the library and she said, “Hold up a second,” then hurried into the room. She emerged a minute later, and lifted a cell phone for him to see. “I dropped it when the iguana ran out from behind the curtain.”

More questions leapt to mind, but Trent said nothing until they reached the rear delivery entrance. They stopped at a storage room.

“If you will.” Trent nodded at the door.

She opened the door. He took a few steps inside, set the iguana down then quickly backed out and closed the door. Then he faced Cassandra Adams. “You want to tell me what’s going on?”

She met his gaze squarely. “You first. I think whatever happened up there in your grandfather’s room trumps an iguana invasion.”

He thought hard, trying to come up with some way to put her off, but there really was none. One way or another, he had to tell her something.

“My grandfather mistook you for my fiancée.”

“And you didn’t correct him,” she said.

“I…I didn’t want to upset him. He had an episode during the party—”

“An episode?” she cut in. “Is he all right? Of course he is,” she said. “We were just talking with him. I’m so sorry.”

Trent regarded her. “Thank you. I appreciate you going along with the ruse. Annie gave him a heavy sedative. I doubt he’ll remember anything tomorrow.”

She nodded. “I hope he’s on the mend.”

Trent smiled, but the expression didn’t reach his heart. “So do I. Now, can you enlighten me about the iguana?”

“Sure.”

Trent listened as she explained about a string of incidents she was certain were due to Gallagher trying to sabotage the party. The iguana was the final damning evidence. Still…

“That explains why you became so aggressive when you found me in the hallway. You thought I was up to no good.”

She nodded. “I have never encountered problems like I have here.”

“So I gather,” he said. “But I’ve used Gallagher Events for nearly ten years. The unfortunate situation with Teri was disappointing. I know she regrets her conduct, but sabotage?” He shook his head. “Just doesn’t seem plausible. She values her reputation.”

Cassie snorted. “Her reputation. If the rumors I heard are true, it was her reputation she put on the line.”

He shrugged. “There has to be another explanation.”

“No, Teri wants revenge, and is damaging my reputation in the process,” she said. “I mean, come on. I’m even wondering if she had anything to do with the mix up with the lobster tails.”