Page 70 of First Bride to Fall
“Great,” Grant answered. “I can drive Nell home when she’s ready.” He repressed a grin, thinking that was going to be sooner rather than later. He’d need to stop and pick up a few things on his way back to the cabin, but that was easy enough.
“Where’s her car?” Charlotte asked him.
“At the lot near White Pines Overlook,” he said. “I don’t suppose you also have a key to her house?”
“It’s on the key ring,” Charlotte said. “Why?”
“Would it be too much trouble for you to bring Nell some extra clothes and maybe her phone charger when you go get her car? My cabin’s right on the way.”
“You’re so thoughtful.” Misty had stars in her eyes. “We’ll be happy to do that.”
“Just text us directions,” Charlotte said. “The last digit of my phone number is one up from Nell’s.”
“Sounds good,” Grant said. “Thanks!”
…
Grant was in the middle of checking out at the market when the stocky cashier, Mrs. McIntyre, lowered her glasses. “Is it true what I hear about you and Nell Delaney?”
Her husband finished filling the morning newspaper bins and strolled over. “Getting married, I hear,” he said with a big grin.
Grant stared at the stacks of newspapers. “Did it make theSeaside Daily?” he asked, only half kidding.
Mrs. McIntyre smiled. “No, sweetie. We heard from our son Sean, who’s been seeing Misty.”
Huh. Wonder if that guy knows about the bet.
Mr. McIntyre’s eyes twinkled. “I always did like the Delaneys and Nell.” He began bagging Grant’s groceries and helping his wife. “Nice family.”
“Yeah.” Okay. So. It was worse than he feared. This was no longer just between him and the Delaneys. Word had gotten out in Majestic that he was getting married to Nell, and with the McIntyres in possession of the information, it would soon spread like wildfire all over town. Before long, everyone from the pastor to his postal carrier would be offering their heartiest congratulations.
Grant could deny that he was engaged, but at this point folks might not believe him. In any case, he’d hate to hurt the Delaneys that way, especially in light of what they’d been through. It wasn’t their fault that Nell had messed up. Problem was, Grant’s pedigree wasn’t exactly pristine, so everyone would assume he’d been the one to break things off when the word got out. It’d behisfault the Delaneys got hurt, even if it wasn’t.
Which was why his plan was necessary.
Nell wouldn’t know he knew about her claims of an engagement or that ridiculous bet she’d made with her sisters. Oh no. He was going to very patiently wait for her to explain the whole situation to him, before gladly driving her home—or to the airport, if that’s what she preferred.
Mr. McIntyre set the last of Grant’s bags in his shopping cart. “Give our regards to Nell, now.”
Mrs. McIntyre tittered. “I hope we get an invite to the wedding!”
He waved over his shoulder and headed out the door.
The invitations for the wedding-that-wasn’t were never going to make it in the mail.
…
Grant stopped by Blue Sky Adventures next. He wanted to make sure the store had survived the storm, but more importantly than that, he was on a mission. He was glad to see Jordan’s SUV in the parking lot, because he wanted his friend’s advice. He found Jordan in the back room, unpacking some new climbing equipment—helmets and other kinds of gear.
Jordan looked up from his work. “Hey, man. What’s up? I thought you and Nell were up at the cabin?”
“We are up at the cabin, and things were going great.” Grant frowned. “Until they weren’t.”
“Oh no.” Jordan searched Grant’s eyes. “Is Nell okay?”
“Physically? Yeah. She’s on the mend, I’d say.” He shook his head. “Mentally, though, she’s very tricky.”
“Nell Delaney, tricky?” He shot Grant a doubtful look. “That seems kind of a stretch.”
