Page 12 of The Replacement Fiance

She shrugs. "Not exactly scared. More like embarrassed if you were still single like you were last year. You couldn't even take a hike with us, afraid that he and Minerva would be there."

"That was last year. It's different this year." Even though my wedding to Elliot had been canceled a year earlier, it didn't stop the sad looks I got from everyone who knew what had really happened. Last year was just too soon for me to let go of that pain.

"Why didn't you say anything to us about Logan?" she asks. "Not once did you tell me you were seeing anyone, much less that you got engaged. And we text every week."

"We text mostly about what I'm supposed to post on my Instagram," I say wryly. "The only reason I take pictures of any of our floral arrangements is because you ask me to."

Harper rolls her eyes. "Oh, please. You love it, Mariah. I know because you're actually getting good at framing the shots. But that still doesn't excuse the fact that you never once even hinted that you were seeing someone."

"I'm sorry. I wanted to surprise everyone."

"Are you gonna show him around the property?" Emily asks as she joins us, Jonathan perched on her hip. "I'm afraid the longer Logan talks to Brad about motorcycles, the more likely he's bound to get one the moment we return home."

"What kind of motorcycle does Logan ride?" Harper asks.

"I think it's a Triumph."

Her eyes widen. "The same one that Keanu Reeves rides?"

"Keanu rides a Norton," I reply, remembering how Logan had corrected me, too, when I brought it up years earlier. "Logan and his brother restore bikes."

Harper's face brightens. "He has a brother?"

"Forget it, Harper," I say, laughing. "Liam's got a girlfriend who can kill anyone with dagger eyes just for looking at her man."

She makes a face. "Oh, one of those."

"Yup, one of those. But she's actually nice once you get to know her."

From where my sisters and I stand by the window, we can hear Logan and Brad's conversation shifting to what Logan thinks about Harleys. An annoyed glare from Emily tells me that I just might need to get my fiancé away from her husband. Like right now.

"Maybe I should show Logan around the property before it gets dark," I say as I step away from the window.

"Or before he convinces Brad to get a motorcycle," Emily mutters.

"Come to think of it, I actually need to get him something from the gift shop if the key's around. I want to get him something local. We still carry those leather bracelets, right?" I whisper.

"The one from the Delphine's gift shop?" Emily asks and I nod. The Delphine twins own a souvenir shop on Main Street and used to supply our gift shop with locally made jewelry. One of them married a billionaire and the other one is supposed to be engaged to his brother.

"Yup, that one. I remember they used to carry some that looked really nice. Expensive leather with platinum rings."

"I think there's a couple left, when I looked yesterday. Let me get the keys." Harper hurries toward the old guest room and returns with the keys to the main lodge. "The gift shop is closed right now so you'll need this. Make sure you write down what you bought or Mom will go crazy wondering if she forgot to write down a sale. Those bracelets aren't cheap, you know."

Taking the keys from Harper, I make my way to Logan and rest my hand on his shoulder, trying my best to act natural. "Hey, would you like me to give you a tour of the place before it gets dark?"

"Sure, love."

When he covers my hand with his and flashes me that charming smile I've known for the last three years, the butterflies in my belly start fluttering like crazy again. Suddenly I find myself wondering how things would be if we really were engaged?

But before I can imagine us being together, I tell myself to stop the nonsense. Logan is a friend, nothing more, and if I want us to remain friends after this, I need to stop thinking there's more to our simple arrangement when there isn't.

5

Mariah

We followthe path leading toward the main building where the gift shop is located. Holiday music is softly playing from the speakers when we come into the lobby through the double doors. Harry, the evening manager, waves at us from the office and wishes us a Merry Christmas.

"He and his wife live on the property and in an hour, he'll close the lobby to the public and celebrate Christmas," I say. "I hear their kids flew in this year."

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