Page 69 of First Bride to Fall
“Yeah,” Charlotte said. “At first, we were surprised, too.”
“But, you know.” Misty lifted a shoulder. “Guilt.”
Over the Strongs cheating the Delaneys out of billions, he supposed. “Right.” So how much guilt did Nell feel for not telling him about this wager? She and her sisters were in a race to get married so they wouldn’t be saddled with Aidan? His head reeled. Wow. He didn’t know if he should be offended or flattered for having landed at the top of Nell’s must-marry-soon list. He also questioned what was so horrible about Aidan, since they were all scrambling to avoid him.
“We’re so excited,” Misty said, “and honestly not upset at all.”
Charlotte nodded. “Nell’s happiness is our happiness. We only want what’s best for her—and you.”
Grant eyed them both askance, and Misty winced. “It’s true we were fending for ourselves, too, but neither of us has made it that far. I mean, dates, sure. Yeah. But engagement! Woo!” She nudged him playfully. “You’re a fast worker.”
Charlotte crossed her arms and studied him. “Looks like he didn’t want Nell getting away.”
“Sure didn’t.” Grant grinned pleasantly. Privately, though, his gut twisted. Just this morning, he’d believed they were falling in love, when all along she’d just been playing him in her attempt to snag a husband ahead of her sisters. There had to be a timeline on this.
“I hope it doesn’t seem like we’re rushing things,” he said cagily.
“No, not rushing at all,” Charlotte said.
“Yeah.” Misty grinned. “Thirty days is longer than they get on some reality shows.”
Wait. Thirty.Days?
Grant coughed into his hand. “It is,” he agreed.
“Still,” Charlotte said. “It’s a good thing you and Nell jumped in right away.”
He grinned tightly. “With both feet.”
So, Nell was under extreme time pressure. No wonder she’d come on so strong. She could have picked anyone in Majestic, but she’d chosen him, tracking him down like a big buck in hunting season, and he’d foolishly walked into her trap. He might as well have worn a bull’s-eye on his chest when she’d caught him in her crosshairs with those golden-brown eyes of hers.
He barely held in a scowl. Finding out the girl he’d let down his guard for, who he thought he mightlove, had been manipulating him the whole time felt pretty lousy. More than lousy. Irritating. His jaw clenched. No, worse. He was angry.
There was just one thing he needed to know: whyhim? Because he was young and single and there weren’t that many eligible guys in Majestic? She possibly remembered him from high school as being a decent guy. Even though they hadn’t really known each other much at all, they had vaguely known about each other. So when she went scouting for a husband, maybe she figured he’d be okay.
Wait. What if hewasn’t“okay”?
A light bulb went off in Grant’s head. One in the shape of a curveball Nell wouldn’t expect. Maybe she wasn’t the only one full of surprises. He could pull a trick or two out of his hat. His heart thumped harder as the idea fermented in his brain. If he came off as a horrible prospective mate, Nell would want nothing more to do with him. He wouldn’t have to be the jerk who dumped her and potentially sent her packing to London. She’d realize trying to trap Grant was a huge mistake first, then summarily dumphim. Toot sweet. Stellar plan.
Unlike his dad, who’d failed at commitments, Grant took pride in honoring his word, and he’d promised the Delaneys he’d look after Nell. And he would—right up until she decided he was not the man for her. All he needed was a little more “quality” time with Nell to convince her she’d bitten off more than she could chew. And, boy oh boy, he intended to be a mouthful.
He wouldn’t shout or stomp around like a Neanderthal, but he wouldn’t exactly be modern-day marriage material, either. He repressed a chuckle, imagining the various shenanigans he could pull to drive her away. The prey would be outfoxing the fox then.
Yes. This plan was sounding better by the second.
He just needed to set it in motion.
“You know,” he said to Charlotte and Misty. “Nell could probably stand to rest up a bit longer at the cabin with that hurt ankle of hers. And honestly? I don’t mind taking care of her. So, if she decides she wants to stay, I can take off work for a few more days. Besides,” he said, layering on more sugar, “that would give us a great chance to plan our wedding. You know, all those millions of important little details.”
“Aww,” Misty and Charlotte gushed together. “Grant.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Charlotte said.
“The best idea,” Misty agreed. “We can cover for her here.”
“She left her car on the mountain, though, so someone will need to go and get it.”
“She keeps an extra set of keys here,” Charlotte said. “Misty and I can pick it up after work.”
