Page 31 of First Bride to Fall
“I was actually asking about the type.”
Nell sensed they were treading into dangerous territory. It was like he was laying down landmines everywhere. “Oh. It’s very basic. Super basic. You know.” She reached out her arms and made a triangle shape with her fingers in front of his face. “Like this.”
“Really?”
Her mind searched furtively for answers, but all she could picture was a green canvas house with an apex and a zipper flap. “Usually, Misty puts it up. So she’d know more about the details.”
“Misty?”
“Yeah. I go camping with my sisters. Always have. Every year. It’s like a tradition.” Now she’d have to text them and tell them about that. Just in case Grant mentioned camping to them.
“But you sleep in it, too? This tent?”
“Sure.”
“So. Is it a single- or a double-wall?” Now he was being facetious. Either that, or he was trying to trip her up.
“Single or double. Ha.” She chuckled at the question, then furrowed her brow. “Just what…are you asking?”
“How many walls?”
“Four,”she said with confidence. “Definitely four.”
“Wow,” he said. “That must be something new.”
Wait.Howhad she gotten that wrong?
“So it’s freestanding?”
“Sorry?”
“Your tent, Nell. The one you and your sisters use. It doesn’t require rope or cord, and metal stakes—”
“No, no.” Her forehead felt hot beneath her hat. “It’s nothing like that. It’s one of those.” He had her so rattled, she tried to recall what he’d said. “Standalones!”
“Standalones?” He tested out the word like he’d never said it before. “Right.”
She hadn’t expected this to be so complicated. At the same time, she wasn’t ready to admit she’d never done any of the things he probably liked to do. Now was not the right time to highlight their differences. This was the moment to cement what they had in common. Or what they could have in common. She’d be more than happy to go camping with Grant in the future.
“And it’s a really, really nice one,” she added. “Super roomy and comfortable.”
“Must be, for all three of you. How much does it weigh?”
“Weigh?” Who on earth weighs tents? She guessed people like Grant did. She tried to arrive at a good number.
“Um. I think around fifteen pounds?”
Grant whistled. “Must be a palace!”
Wait. What?
They crested a ridge, then headed downhill toward the splashing water sounds below them. Good. She hoped they’d get there soon so they could end this conversation.
“So, this fancy four-walled tent of yours—”
Nooo. Not that again.
“Does it have a rain fly?”
