Page 7 of Kissing the Wrong Mountain Man

"That's six degrees of Comfort Bay for you," she says wryly. Before our parents settled on the mountain, we lived in Comfort Bay for a while, a small town where everyone knows everyone. Or at least everyone knows someone who knows someone else. We all moved away, except for Beth, who works in the local bookstore. "Wait. You're not actually seriously considering going through with this, are you?"

"I am."

"Are youinsane?"

"Possibly. But don't worry, I've got it under control."

"How?"

"I'm not interested in men or dating or falling in love. That's not going to happen this time because I have something much more important to focus on."

She exhales through her nose, and her expression softens a fraction. "Be that as it may, I know you, and your choices when it comes to men have been?—"

"A disaster," I jump in, saving her from stating the blatantly obvious.

She nods uncomfortably. "Well, yeah."

"This time it's different. I'm not going to fall in love with the guy."

"Really? So you've been regaling me with how good he looked in his suit, how he was a great listener and funny in a low-key way, and how ludicrously long his eyelashes are for the past twenty minutes because you'renotinterested in him?"

"There's more to love than physical attraction," I point out, secretly hoping it pushes away another thought.

A deeper thought.

The way Brock's breath caught and his jaw tightened when he talked about his second deployment. Something happened. My author and military instincts are each strong on their own, but combined, Iknowthere's a story there. I have to find out what it is.

"His grandfather's will stipulates he only needs to be married for a month. That's not that long."

"Schapelle! This is crazy. You. Don't. Know. Him!"

"He's a good guy," I say firmly, because I truly believe that. "Besides, I'm an author. I love observing people, witnessing life as it plays out in a million ways. This is great material."

Tenley pins me with a knowing look, and I try not to wince under her glare. Being a twin sucks sometimes, it's like she's in my brain and knows exactly what I'm thinking. "Men with emotional baggage are your kryptonite," she reminds me softly.

"Not this time. This time, I'm lead."

"Lead?"

"Yeah. Lead is the only material that can block kryptonite radiation. Duh."

Her eyes roll back. "I never watched Batman."

"Superman."

"Whatever. I still think it's crazy you're even contemplating going through with marrying a stranger." She looks like she's about to go on, but then takes a long, hard look at me and sighs in defeat. I can be reckless and hasty at times, but she's well aware I'm also as stubborn as a mule. A truly winning combo. "When do you have to let him know by?"

"I don't."

"Excuse me?"

"I either show up at the registrar's office this Saturday, or I don't."

She frowns, confused. "You're not going to call or at least text him beforehand with your decision?"

"I couldn't even if I wanted to."

"Why not?"

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