Page 3 of The Wedding Ruse

She was always so quiet around him and he didn’t really understand it. Suddenly a pit settled in the bottom of his stomach. What if she doesn’t like me at all? This was going to put a real damper on his weekend if it was because she was only tolerating him, rather than actually enjoying his company.

But that couldn’t be it. She spoke to him on the phone most of the time, and there was no attitude like she was in a hurry to get off the phone. Her emails were even more wordy. He’d definitely read way more words from her than he had heard her speak.

Then again, whenever anyone else came up to her while doing photos, she always had plenty to talk about. He let out a small groan before he could stop it. Sitting up taller, he pretended it was just that he was cramped from the car ride.

By the time they pulled up to the lodge, he was fairly certain she had fallen asleep. She hadn’t said another word, even when he turned the radio on. He had given up on attempts at conversation completely.

Parking the car, he reached over and touched her leg, planning to shake it to wake her a little. Instead she jumped and squeaked. He couldn’t help it, and the laughter that threatened spilled over.

“I’m sorry, I thought you were asleep.” Tristan barely got the words out between deep breaths and laughing.

“I’m not.” She was red again, clearly embarrassed.

“I didn’t mean to startle you, really.”

“I know.” She was back to looking at the floor.

“Hey, look at me, please?” It took her a second, but she finally did turn and make eye contact with him. “I really am sorry.”

“It’s okay, really. I was just lost in my thoughts.”

Nodding, he opened the door and stretched as he climbed out of the small car. He loved his car, especially for the gas mileage, but his 6-foot frame didn’t like being cooped up in it for too long.

Grace walked with him into the lodge. Looking everywhere but at him as she did. She appeared to like what she saw though as she seemed to be in awe of everything. Her eyes were as big as quarters as she took it all in. He let himself behind the counter and rummaged through things for the envelope his uncle said would be there.

“This is amazing.” She was standing in the middle of the lodge, just spinning around taking in the rustic surroundings.

“I’m glad you like it, it’s the biggest building out here.”

“Are you changing this one?”

“Nope, we all like it the way it is. It’s nice and open.” He gestured towards the rows of picnic tables that led the way to the massive fireplace. “He likes that all the families or people that stay here can interact with each other.

“Good.”

A grin spread its way across his face. He hadn’t realized how important it was to him that she liked it. He was proud of this place that he had grown up as a part of. Still smiling he led her back out of the lodge and to the car.

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