Page 11 of Take Me to the Wedding

Okay, definitely not bowled over. “Why not?”

“Because it’s show-offy.” I was offended until I saw her mouth turning up. “I have one. Barbie’s hometown is Willows.”

“Which doesn’t exist.”

She pointed a finger at me. “See? Totally show-offy.”

I couldn’t volley back, because her phone rang, and she began talking to someone named Wynn, whom I eventually figured out must be her sister.

I was thinking that I should probably stop talking with her because if circumstances were different, I might actuallylikeher.

“Hey, I’m driving with Mia’s brother,” she said in a low voice. “Is everything okay?”

Then, “You sure? I can call you back once I get to Mia’s house.”

I heard a female voice on the other line. “I-I just wanted to tell you that I’m going to be all right. And I’m going to make you proud, you’ll see. Talk soon, okay?”

Sam dropped her voice, but I still heard. “I love you. You know that, right?”

I didn’t catch the response. But Sam ended the call and slipped her phone back into her purse.

“Everything good?” I asked.

Her joking demeanor had vanished. “My sister’s had a tough freshman year at UW in Madison. She’s determined to stay there this summer and work. But I wish she’d come home and retake a class she needs instead.”

“Where’s home?” I asked.

She shook her head. “I hate to say it, but my apartment for now.” Her crappy apartment? I didn’t know what to say to that. “Wynn’s my only family, and I’m responsible for her. I love her a lot.” She paused. Wait. Was she getting teary-eyed?

Okay, so I guess Protective is my middle name. After we lost Grace, I guess I worried a lot about Mia. And I’ve always tried to look out for her. I touched Sam’s arm without thinking. “I couldtellyou love her a lot. Want me to take you back? It’s not a problem.” I couldn’t believe it. Less than a half hour in, and I was not only tolerating her but actually talking to herandbeing nice to her.

She shook her head. “Thanks, but she’s at college. There’s literally nothing I can do but worry.” She swiped at her eyes in that way women do when they don’t want their tears to ruin their makeup. “I had to sell our grandmother’s house last fall to help pay for her college expenses. I think she prefers to stay at college because coming home won’t be the same.” She paused a long time. “Wynn blames me for getting rid of the only home she’s known.” Another swipe at her eyes. “And… I have no idea why I just told you all that.”

I felt helpless. Being a surgeon, usually I solve that problem by taking action. So I exited the highway and drove a half mile down a country road to a lake with a dock, parking in a little gravel lot right in front.

“Where are we?” she asked, glancing around.

“I’m not exactly sure, but it says Priceless View. Let’s get out for a minute.”

She whipped her head from the window to give me an incredulous look. “It did not.”

“It actually said Scenic View but same thing, right?”

“Look, I’m really fine.” She motioned to the steering wheel, as if that would start the truck again. “Just keep driving.”

“Too late.” Out my window, I saw vast, blue water, sparkling in the midmorning sun. The lake was long, with a meandering shoreline, surrounded by forest. And a dock to walk out on. “Look, this is number one of those ten thousand lakes I told you about. We might as well see it.” I’d been here a lot with my family. It was a fun place to bring picnics and kayaks, and it had a quiet, peaceful vibe.

“This is just way too much friendliness for me,” Sam said under her breath as she put a hand on the door.

I gave her my most winning smile. Everything seemed to be making me see her in a different light. Sure, I’d considered her pushy, but she’d probably had to be to get to where she was. “I told you, I’m only trying to get you to stop being upset before we get to my parents’ house, or else my mom’ll blame me.” My mom always told me that even as a young kid, I could never stand to see anyone cry.

She kept a poker face. “Does that mean you’re going to turn back into an asshole after that?”

I burst out in a laugh.

“You’re afraid of your mom? She’s the sweetest mom on the planet.”

“I’m not afraid of my mom,” I said defensively. This woman certainly knew how to push my buttons. Actually, my mom already knew that Sam and I didn’t care much for each other. But she’d still expect me to treat her nicely.

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