Page 58 of Kiss the Bride

“I think it’s time for a change of plans.”

She held her breath, afraid he might want to cut their trip short. “Do you want to head straight back to Heart’s Landing?” she whispered.

His eyes tender, Ryan studied her for a long moment. “No. Not that. But I’d feel awful if anything happened to that necklace while we had it. It’s a family heirloom. For all we know, it might be the only thing Brianna has left of her mom.”

Tears pricked the corners of her eyes. Ryan was being incredibly understanding.

“I think we should do our sightseeing first, eat a late lunch, and pick up Brianna’s pearls on our way out of town. What do you think?”

Words failed her for the second time that day. Ryan’s kindness and concern went far beyond what she’d expected of the man. At this rate, she’d be permanently mute by the time their second date rolled around.

Oh, boy. She was in big trouble. No matter how much she’d told herself she wouldn’t risk her heart on the tall, handsome carpenter, she’d already fallen more than a little in love with Ryan Court.

Chapter Fifteen

Ryan stood, his arms crossed, toes sinking into the cool wet sand while Evelyn searched the waterline for shells. Not that she’d find any. The tiny beach at Fort Adams was far too popular with tourists for anything to wash ashore other than thick red seaweed and the occasional broken bits of sand dollars. That didn’t mean he wasn’t enjoying himself. Watching Evelyn prowl the shoreline, strands of her hair catching the cool breeze, the wind ruffling her skirt, her long legs in constant motion, it loosed a torrent of unfamiliar emotions in his chest. Much like Evelyn did herself whenever she was near.

He’d meant it when he said she was special. From the time he’d grown old enough to realize girls were cut out of a different, finer cloth than men, he’d known she possessed attributes that set her apart from all the other girls. That they were spending the day on an errand for someone she’d never met, for a bride she’d known less than a week, spoke volumes about her compassion. Her willingness to put in long hours and do hard work showed in her dedication to maintaining the Captain’s Cottage as the area’s number-one wedding venue. Her outgoing nature and downright friendliness brightened the lives of everyone around her.

“I found one!” Evelyn’s shout rose above the sound of the waves that lapped the sand in the protected cove.

“What do you have there?”

She raced toward him, her fingers curled around her find. When she reached him, joy suffused her face as she opened her palm to reveal a shiny orange toenail shell in near-perfect condition.

“That’s a nice one,” he agreed. Sometimes, it’s good to be wrong.

“I’ll save it,” she said, tucking it deep into the pocket of her sundress. “A reminder of the day we spent here.” She peered up at him. “I’ve had a great time.”

“Same here.” From the instant he’d pulled to a stop in front of the Captain’s Cottage and she’d climbed into his truck, bringing sunshine and the faint blend of vanilla and citrus with her, the day had been nothing less than perfect. Conversation flowed naturally between them during the two-hour ride and later while they browsed Newport’s crowded shops and streets. They feasted like royalty on fried clams and scallops at an outdoor café and laughed at the seagulls and pelicans that vied for their scraps. When they made one last stop at the little beach, they both kicked off their shoes and danced along the wet sand, laughing when a rogue wave soaked his jeans and drenched the hem of her dress.

“It doesn’t have to end with today,” he said, finally speaking the words he’d never thought he’d hear himself say. “I was serious about what we were talking about in the truck. I want to see you again. A lot.”

Happiness bloomed within him at her whispered, “I’d like that.”

Her hair felt like silk as he threaded a strand between his fingers. “There’s just one thing.” He searched her face. “I need you to make me a promise.”

Her gaze never wavered. “Sure. What is it?”

Her trust turned his insides to jelly. More than ever, he wanted her in his life. However, the very circumstances that’d drawn them together might very well drive them apart. He needed to do whatever he could to prevent that from happening. He let Evelyn’s sleek curl slip through his fingers. “I want you to promise that, no matter which venue Brianna and Daniel choose, it won’t affect our relationship.”

“Ooh!” Mirth danced in her eyes. “Are we in a relationship now?”

He tilted her chin up until she had no choice but to face him squarely. “I’m serious. If Brianna and Daniel choose Harbor View, we can’t let it tear us apart.” Given proper nurturing, one day their love would be as strong and sturdy as The Ash in its glory. They’d serve as an example to others who were starting out on their own love journey. Right now, though, their bond was only a sapling. A strong wind, a flood, could damage it. They needed to do whatever they could to protect it.

“Not a problem. Because they won’t.” She shrugged. The motion sent one of the thin straps on her dress sliding off her slim shoulder. “I’m more concerned about how you’ll react when they pick the Captain’s Cottage.” She stared up at him, her certainty showing in the firm set of her jaw.

He nudged the fabric back into place. Just for a moment, he let his hand linger on her shoulder. “I won’t lie to you. If they don’t pick Harbor View, it’s going to hurt. It might take me a minute or two. I just have to keep reminding myself that whichever venue they pick, it’s their wedding. First and foremost, their happiness is what matters.”

Concern stitched tiny lines across Evelyn’s forehead. “Do you really mean that? Or are you saying it for my benefit?”

“I mean it. You’ve helped me see I have options.” Things might not go the way he wanted them to. That didn’t mean he had to fail. He could approach the bank. They might be willing to renegotiate his mortgage. Or, now that they’d resolved their differences, his dad might cosign a loan to keep him afloat until Harbor View turned a profit. Neither of which would be necessary if Brianna and Daniel opted for a waterfront wedding.

A shift in the wind blew a strand of Evelyn’s hair across her face. She pushed it aside. “I know you’re counting on the publicity from the Weddings Today article to drum up new business. But what if there was another way?”

“Are you talking about advertising?” He’d looked into placing ads in magazines like Weddings Today. He’d thought the cost of a backup generator was high. He’d been wrong about that. The expense of running a national campaign would leave him up to his eyeballs in debt. And it came with no guarantees.

At least with a generator, he’d get one of those.

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