an enthusiastic hug. The embrace was warm and friendly and made Natalie feel welcome and part of the family. The sense of belonging was a novel feeling-another one she didn't remember, but one she liked a whole lot.
Melodie stepped back to give her a critical onceover. 'How are you feeling?'
'Pretty good.' As they walked into the spacious living room, Natalie glanced at the man still beside her and smiled. 'Noah's been taking good care of me. He's a little overbearing at times, but we're working on that.'
Noah's soon-to-be sister-in-law laughed, her green eyes sparkling in pure delight. 'He never used to be that way, but I guess it just takes the right woman to bring out the overprotective side in a Sommers' man.' She leaned close to Natalie but didn't bother lowering her voice. 'Take it from me and my experience with Cole, these boys like to be in control and tend to be a bit dominant at times. Then again, it's nice to see Noah so tied up in knots over a woman.'
Noah sent a mock scowl Melodie's way. 'That's enough, Mel,' he warned lightly, then turned to Natalie with a charming grin. 'Don't believe a word she says about me.'
Before Natalie could reply, Cole walked into the room, his striking blue gaze checking her out in a reserved kind of way. There was no denying both brothers were incredibly handsome, but Cole was definitely the more serious of the two.
He smiled in greeting. 'I was just getting ready to take off for the office. I'm glad I got the chance to see you before I left. You look great.'
'Thanks.' Absently, she touched the scab on her cheek from her cut, which she'd left uncovered for the day. 'I still have a few bumps and bruises, and my memory is still fuzzy, but I can't complain because I know I could be in a lot worse shape.'
'I know you're feeling much better,' Noah cut in, his tone authoritative, 'But take it easy and don't overdo today.'
Natalie rolled her eyes. 'Yes, sir.'
'She'll be fine, Noah.' Melodie waved away his concern. 'Quit worrying. I'll take good care of her while you're gone.'
Satisfied with her assurance, Noah glanced at his wristwatch. 'I need to get going so I don't miss my flight. I'll be back around six tonight to pick you up.' He leaned down and kissed Natalie softly on the lips, the fleeting contact over much too soon for her liking.
'Be safe,' she said, the words slipping out automatically.
He stared at her for a long moment, his brow furrowed, then he said huskily, 'You, too.'
His response seemed to hold a deeper meaning she couldn't quite grasp, one that made an odd sense of foreboding settle over her. Ridiculous, she knew, and immediately pushed the disconcerting sensation aside.
'Come on, Cole. I'll walk you out,' Noah said to his brother. 'There are a few things I need to discuss with you regarding this case.'
With one last goodbye, the men left.
'Are you ready to go?' Natalie asked Melodie.
The other woman nodded. 'Just let me grab my purse from upstairs, and we can be on our way.'
Half an hour later they were standing in a well-known bridal boutique in San Francisco, surrounded by row upon row of white, frothy gowns, pastel and jewel-toned bridesmaids dresses, and other wedding paraphernalia. The huge, one-stop store was divided into sections, covering everything from shoes, lingerie and accessories to casual and fancy evening wear.
A young saleswoman told Melodie that they'd pull her wedding dress and let her know when the seamstress was ready for her final fitting. While the two of them waited, they browsed through the various sections of the shop and wandered into the evening-wear department.
Melodie shuffled through a rack of outfits and pulled out a two-piece ensemble made up of black lace pants and a matching halter top. 'What do you think of this?' she asked, holding it up to her curvaceous figure for Natalie to see. 'I need a few new outfits for the honeymoon, and this might work for a night out on the town in the Bahamas.'
Natalie grinned, seeing the glow on the other woman's face and knowing her soon-to-be husband put it there. 'I like it, and I'm sure Cole will, too.'
'I think you're right.' She draped the outfit over her arm and continued looking through another rack. 'Do you have something to wear to the wedding on Saturday?'
Natalie fingered the soft angora knit of an off-the-shoulder sweater dress that had captured her attention, liking the way the fabric felt against her skin. She considered Melodie's question, thinking of all her clothes hanging in Noah's closet. Most of her outfits and dresses were more suited to everyday wear, nothing that was appropriate for a fancy ceremony and reception. Nothing to turn a man's head the way she wanted to turn Noah's.
'I don't think I've bought anything for the wedding,' she replied, and smiled impishly at Melodie. 'This loss of memory really is the pits.'
Understanding softened Melodie's gaze. 'I'm sure it is, but look on the bright side. It's a great excuse to buy yourself something fun and new. Why don't you try on a few dresses and see if you find something you like?'
Natalie liked Melodie's way of thinking, which lightened her mood considerably. 'I think I will.' She plucked the sleek, sexy dress from the rack, certain the wine color would compliment her blond hair and skin tone.
The next few hours passed quickly, with Natalie enjoying a female camaraderie with Melodie and learning that they had a lot of common interests. While trying on outfits together, they indulged in girl talk, and Melodie had amused her with the story of how she'd snagged Cole for her very own. And when Melodie finally tried on her wedding gown and asked Natalie's opinion, she'd replied honestly that she'd never seen a more beautiful bride.
A melancholy look entered Melodie's eyes as she explained how she'd grown up without a mother, and while her father was very dear to her, it was times like this that made being without a feminine influence in her life difficult. Natalie understood Melodie's feelings, because she still felt the loss of both of her parents, and suspected she always would.
By the time they left the boutique midafternoon, their arms were ladened with shopping bags filled with bridal accessories and new outfits for both of them. The dress Natalie had chosen had fit perfectly, and she'd splurged on matching shoes, tasteful earrings and even new lingerie to replace her practical cotton underwear. She'd paid for all her purchases with the credit card in her purse, because she wasn't sure how much money she had in her bank account to write a check.
'Wow, I'm famished,' Melodie said after they dropped all their bags into the trunk of her car. 'How about you?'
'I could use a bite to eat.' Natalie's stomach chose that moment to growl, and her eyes widened in chagrin. 'I guess all that power-shopping made me work up an appetite.'
Melodie laughed. 'Glad to hear it. There's a cafe on the corner. How does that sound?'
'Perfect.'
They walked along the sidewalk to the restaurant and requested a table on the patio since it was such a warm, beautiful day. Melodie ordered a club sandwich and iced tea, and Natalie opted for a chefs salad and soda. The waitress headed back to the kitchen, and Natalie absently glanced beyond Melodie as the hostess seated a nice- looking blond-haired man a few tables away from them, who was by himself. He looked her way, met her gaze, and an arrogant smile curved the corner of his mouth.
A sense of familiarity tugged at her subconscious, startling her. Frowning, she tried to bring the vague thought filtering through her memory into better focus, but her mind refused to cooperate. Her chest grew tight, her skin prickled, and she felt ensnared by the other man's penetrating stare.
Shaken by the overwhelming sense of apprehension taking up residence within her, she broke eye contact and returned her attention back to her friend, keeping her gaze on Melodie's animated features.
While they waited for their lunch to be delivered, Natalie listened as Cole's fiancee filled her in on all the wedding preparations she'd planned in the past six months. Their conversation and the glimpses she caught of the gorgeous diamond solitaire ring on Melodie's left hand reminded Natalie that she knew nothing about her own engagement or wedding plans.
Unable to help herself, she glanced down at her own bare finger, then back up at Melodie, 'Have Noah and I set a wedding date yet?'
The other woman's eyes rounded in surprise at her question, but she quickly recovered her startled composure.
