Page 110 of First Bride to Fall
“I didn’t hear or see you return.”
“That’s because I left my gear on the front porch and came in that way.” He’d had his nose glued to the bathroom window for most of that time, sneakily watching her get that tent up. He couldn’t believe she’d done it. He’d never met a more determined woman. Nell Delaney did not give up. He gazed at her ankle. “How’s it feeling? Still doing better?”
“Yeah, thanks.” She hesitated a beat. “Which is why I probably won’t need to stay up here much longer.”
Yes. He sensed a breakup coming.Finally.
He frowned for her benefit. “You’re probably right.” He shook his head at the tent. Even though she’d gotten it up, the effort had to have been exhausting. “I get that this has been a lot for you.”
“Oh no.” Her eyebrows shot up. “It’s not about that. What I meant was, since I’m doing better now, I no longer need to rest up.”
Grant rubbed the side of his neck, his guilt flaring up again. He was supposed to have been taking care of her, but he’d been vehemently attempting to get rid of her instead. “I’m sorry if that tent was a pain to set up. I get that it’s harder than it looks. Some of those newer models can be tricky.”
She grinned like she wanted to kill him. “Tricky indeed.” He was finally wearing her down; he could sense it. Well, good. He was ready for this to be done.
He peeked inside the tent, deciding to play his final card. No way would she stay out here tonight all alone. Not after the way she’d reacted when thinking he was a bear. “Looks nice with those LED lights. You should be quite comfortable once you get settled.”
“Settled? You mean we’re sleeping out here?”
“Not we, Nell.”
“Er.” She bit her bottom lip. “Where will you be?”
“Staying toasty by the woodstove.”
She blanched. “Are you serious?”
“I thought you wanted to practice?”
“Yes, but. What about you?”
“I don’t need to practice.” He winked. “I’m the camping expert.” He leaned toward her and whispered, “Remember?”
She looked like she wanted to bite him. Then a hoot owl called, and she jumped. “Are you sure that it’s safe out here?”
He gestured toward the woods. “The coyotes don’t like the fire. Just be sure to keep it going.”
She glanced around like she expected coyotes to stampede into the clearing at any moment. “Makes sense.”
He scanned her face. “But if it’s too much…”Please say it’s too much.
She took a deep breath and swallowed. “No. I can try it.” She licked her lips. “Try sleeping in the tent, and um…see how it goes. I’ll just keep that fire burning!”
Nowwhat was he going to say? Nothing seemed to dissuade her.
Her smile brightened. It was hard to tell if her grin was pretend or real. He voted for the former. “Hey. I can still fix those tofu hot dogs, if you’d like?” She motioned between the campfire and the camp stove. “Flame-roasted or grilled—which would you prefer?”
He couldn’t believe this. The woman wouldnotgive up.
Fine. He was worried it might come to this. Which was one reason he’d left a little surprise for her in the cabin. Given how bullheaded she was being, it might help to heap on an extra layer of his newly inconsiderate nature.
“I’ll tell you what,” he said. “How about you let me work on this campfire while you cook those hot dogs inside?”
She scrunched up her nose. “On a regular stove? That’s hardly camping.”
Oh, she was good. “Yeah, but that’ll make it easier for you to handle the side dishes.”
“Which side dishes are those?”
