Page 10 of First Bride to Fall
“A woman.” Grant blinked. “I think.”
She wore bubblegum pink running leggings and neon pink ankle boots that didn’t look like they were made for hiking. A pompom bounced on her pink flamingo hat, her long brown curls tumbling past—what? A dead pheasant attached to her ski jacket? The jacket was also pink. Of course.
“That collar has got to be fake,” Jordan whispered.
Given that it was fuchsia and feathery, probably so.
“Sorry I’m late!” she called, trudging in their direction. “Got turned around.”
She huffed and puffed, her ragged breath clouding the morning air.
If crossing the parking lot left her winded, Grant worried about her capacity for taking this hike. It was only a moderate one. But still.
Gauging by her outfit, she’d never been hiking before.
At least not in any serious way.
The closer she got, though, the more familiar she seemed. “Eleanor D.?”
“Yeah, I—”
“Wait.” He knew in a flash of her big brown eyes. Brownish eyes with hints of gold around the irises. She also had really long eyelashes. Somehow those caught his attention. “You’re Nell Delaney, right?” She was the one he’d been in high school with? Also the one who worked at her folks’ shop, Bearberry Brews?
A rosy hue swept her cheeks and the bridge of her nose, which was lightly freckled. Her freckles matched the cinnamon highlights in her hair. “That’s me!”
Grant scratched the side of his head, and then he got it. So, Nell was her nickname. He’d never thought much about it one way or another. Or her. Until now. That she was here. Looking so much like a fish out of water, but also—a little weirdly—amazingly adorable. His neck warmed because he didn’t typically weigh the cuteness of women in his adventure groups. That would be unprofessional. Which was why he wasn’t doing it now. Absolutely. Not.
She waved at Jordan and then the others. “Hi, everyone! I’m sorry I held things up.”
“No worries.” Jordan nodded. “Jordan Caldwell.”
“He’s helping lead the hike,” Grant explained. “And I’m—”
“Grant, I know.” She gave him a sly smile, and his stomach did a little twirl. What? Seriously? “I mean, it’s pretty obvious. Your photos are all over your website.”
He cleared his throat, reminding himself of his role. Polite. Professional.Not at all interested in her.“Weren’t you and I in school together?”
Her cheeks turned pink. “Yeah. I didn’t think you’d remember.”
He did all right. He’d seen her in the halls, but she’d not been in his class. She was maybe a year or two younger. She looked different now, like she’d come into her own as a confident woman. They’d never really spoken when he’d gone into her parents’ shop to pick up some baked goods or maybe a hot tea, but she’d seemed really poised in her job. She’d been a bit awkward as a teen but had grown out of that. Obviously. As evidenced by her confident smile. And her very direct gaze.
His heart hammered.
“Um, yeah. Sure do.” He raked a hand through his hair. “You started some kind of knitting club, right?”
Her face brightened. “I did.”
“Still at it?”
She laughed and pointed to the scarf wrapped around her neck. “Yep.”
Adorable and talented. Nope. He wasnotgoing there. Especially not with all the others around. “Well, good work,” he quipped. “Keep at it.”
“That’s my goal!” She grinned, and his neck burned extra hot. He turned to Jordan, who raised his eyebrows. Jordan always picked up on things and would give him a hard time about this later. Women sometimes hit on Grant. Sure. He was used to it. But he never thought of returning the favor. Until about five seconds ago. But he wouldn’t. No way.
Nell caught them exchanging a look, and her color deepened. Maybe Grant had it wrong and it was Jordan she was into, not him? Not surprising, really, since ladies always liked Jordan with his deep brown skin and warm, always smiling eyes. Which was fine, of course. It wasn’t like Grant was in the market for a relationship, especially not one with Nell. Even as cute and talented as she was. He was perfectly happy dating once in a while but otherwise keeping to himself. Girlfriends and him? Bad mix.
He rubbed his hands together and glanced around. “We’ll get started in a minute,” he told the group. “Last call for facilities and all that.” He thumbed toward the rustic restroom building beyond a split-rail fence.
