Page 5 of Love and Other Trials
Her job was so stressful Ariel had few places where she could let go. Her grandmother’s place had always been a refuge. First, from a broken, chaotic home when her mother had divorced her father, and then later, when she’d needed a place to heal after all the disasters she’d seen.
Searching for people in wreckages with Sherlock and pulling them out alive was powerfully fulfilling. But not finding them in time—break-you-in-two heartbreaking.
“Sounds like a nice place,” Dax commented, cranking the windshield wipers up to high as the rain fell harder as they left the airport.
“It’s the best. If I can swing it, I plan to take Sherlock out that way for some exercise. He doesn’t like being caged up. You’re welcome to come along.”
He glanced her way, a sexy smile touching the corners of his tantalizing mouth. Pure temptation, like the rest of him. “I’d like that. You seem like good company. I thought you would be. Ariel Holmes, I’m really glad you’re here.”
So was she—and that was a downright miracle. “I’m happy you’re here too, Dax. I won’t need to bring my garlic necklace out when I’m around you.”
He laughed before falling silent.
The quiet in the car was the easy kind after that, and she savored it. She’d liked Dax from his first text, and everything she’d seen on social media and heard from her family had backed that up. He seemed to be a decent kind of guy. A loyal friend. A dedicated military officer. She sometimes worked with active and retired military personnel in her job, and she enjoyed their company a lot. She knew Rob had conscripted Dax as much as Tiffany had enlisted Ariel for the wedding, though blackmail had likely not been involved in Dax’s case. Lucky guy.
The sound of Dax drumming his fingers on the steering wheel as he drove made her look over. His mouth was tense again, and he seemed troubled. They were on the same team. She might as well get it out of him.
“I know we’ve only just met, but I have a good sense of people from my work. I also know my family. You seem upset. Did something happen already?”
He exhaled sharply. “Yeah, and because I like and respect you, I’m going to be completely honest with you.”
She turned in her seat to give him her complete attention. “Great. Honesty is my jam. Lay it on me.”
He swung his head her way, his cool green gaze locking on to her. “Tiffany hit on me.”
“Oh no!”She wanted to sink into her seat and howl like Sherlock chose to just then.
“Yeah.” He drummed the steering wheel louder this time. “Ariel… I’m going to have to stop the wedding.”
Shit. Stopping the wedding meant she couldn’t earn her grandma’s house.
The Deverell wedding curse had just sent her a curveball.
TWO
He should have packeda strand of garlic and hung it around his neck like a vampire lei.
Because maybe him reeking a bad odor would have kept Tiffany from making a pass at him and patting his butt when Rob was off in the men’s room.
TheAbrams-Deverell Mission Briefing Bookhe’d put together had not even hinted at this possibility. Then again, Dax’s book had only listed top-level information about the wedding and Tiffany’s wedding party, with the understanding of more to be gathered on-site as needed.
Wedding Location:Charleston Estate Resort; lodge on-site for socializing, welcome party, and rehearsal. Cottages used for main guests. Outdoor site by beach for wedding.
Bride:Tiffany Deverell; thirty-four; married once to an artist for seven years; thirteen-year-old son, Marshall. Oldest of the Three Tornadoes. Met Rob at a bar on a girls’ night in Pensacola. Dated eight months before Rob popped the question in November.
Maid of Honor/Wedding Planner:Ariel Holmes; thirty-one; half sister; unmarried; dog Sherlock. Lives in Charlotte; relocating to Charleston. Works for disaster recovery organization like Red Cross. Dax’s main point of contact.
Bridesmaid:Terry Deverell; thirty-three (twins); on second marriage to Morris; two kids named Billy and Brooks. Lives in Dallas; second of the Tornadoes.
Bridesmaid:Tricia Deverell; thirty-three (twins); on second marriage to Bartlett; two kids named Ripp and Ryland. Lives in Atlanta; third of the Tornadoes.
Mother of bride:Stormy Deverell; sixty-two; on third marriage to Trey. Lives in Savannah.
Incomplete information was part of every mission. Dax knew that. Even with complete intel, he didn’t think he could have seen this one coming. He’d been so shocked—and he was a naval pilot trained to handle enemy pilots shooting at him!—that he’d just stood there afterward, frozen solid, as Tiffany sauntered over to join her sisters.
Rob joined him a minute later. His closest and dearest friend had nudged him in the ribs and tipped his head over to his soon-to-be bride and said, “Isn’t she the most beautiful woman in the world? I used to think there was no other place I felt as alive as in the cockpit, but with her, I feel that way. Like every sense is heightened. God, I’m so lucky to be marrying her, and I get a son in the bargain. Who has it better than me?”
Dax had glanced over to the platinum blonde in question before he found Marshall running around with his cousins, all up way past their bedtime. He’d only grunted—unable to think of a good way to tell Rob that his fiancée had just come on to him. How the hell was he supposed to tell him something like that?Hey, man, I hate to break it to you, but your fiancée likes ALL men to feel alive. She just made me feel like I was going to stroke out. From shock, sure, but there’s no denying every sense was heightened. Are you sure getting hitched is a good idea?
