by Cindy Kirk
“Everything okay with Stan? I’m surprised he’s not coming to the wedding.”
His lips tightened ever so slightly. “He wanted to relax at home this evening.”
Something going on here, she thought, but didn’t press.
Adam started down the narrow stairs with her following behind, then held the door open for her.
Charlotte stepped into the sunshine she’d had little time to enjoy today and saw his pickup parked beside her car.
The fact that he’d washed his truck didn’t escape her notice. She’d planned on insisting they take her pretty sports car, but when he hurried to the passenger-side door and opened it for her, she saw the pride on his face. “Your truck looks nice.”
As nice as such a vehicle could look, she thought. The shiny blue color and touches of chrome gleamed as if freshly waxed.
“I washed it earlier today and vacuumed it out.” He held out a supportive hand as she stepped inside and settled herself on the leather seat. “Couldn’t have you riding to the wedding in a dirty truck.”
Actually, Charlotte never imagined herself arriving at any social function in a pickup. When they reached the church, it didn’t surprise her to see more than a few trucks in the parking lot. “For some reason, I thought both the wedding ceremony and reception were going to be at the house.”
“That’s what Clay and Bea initially planned. They decided to get married at the church to avoid parking issues at the house. Several trollies will run continuously, taking guests to the house after the ceremony, then bring them back here to the parking lot after the reception.”
Charlotte had barely stepped from the truck when she heard a woman squeal.
Piper, striking in a dress the color of buttercups, rushed toward her.
“Charlotte. I’m so happy you’re here. I didn’t know you were invited, or I’d have suggested we come—” Piper’s run-on words stopped when she saw Adam step around the front of the truck. “Wait. You two are together? How… I mean, wow.”
“I’m here as Adam’s plus-one.” Charlotte looped her arm through Piper’s. “But I’d love to sit with you.”
Adam grinned. “I believe what my plus-one means is we’d love it if you’d sit with us.”
Piper’s stunned gaze slid from him to Charlotte. “Are you two really dating?”
“We’re exploring possibilities.” Adam spoke easily and shot Charlotte a wink.
Charlotte, who never ever blushed, felt heat creep up her neck. Ignoring the warmth, she glanced at the church. “Let’s hurry. It’s never good etiquette to walk in with the bride.”
Despite Charlotte’s worry, they’d arrived at the church in plenty of time to be seated before the bride walked down the aisle.
Adam glanced around the sanctuary, conscious of Charlotte’s thigh pressed against his. The subtle, sultry scent of her perfume wrapped around his senses.
When she’d opened her apartment door, he’d been struck dumb for a second. She was gorgeous. Her hair color or style or whether her hair was up or down didn’t matter. As lovely as she looked this evening, he liked her just as much when she went totally casual.
This, he reminded himself, was the real Charlotte. The one who loved dressing up and going out with her girlfriends. The one who’d probably still be living in San Diego if she’d been able to make a financial go of it.
A woman who wouldn’t be caught dead dating an organic farmer if she wasn’t pregnant with his baby. The way she’d latched on to Piper as if she’d rather be with anyone but him proved that.
While Charlotte and Piper conversed in low tones, Adam let his mind wander. The farm, while holding its own, certainly hadn’t padded his or his father’s bank accounts.
They didn’t own enough land to be big-time growers, and tending crops without the use of pesticides was a more daunting proposition than traditional farming. Despite knowing he’d never be rich, Adam had been content with his life when it had been just him and his dad.
Stan, he knew, felt the same. Neither of them was a high roller. But now there was a baby to consider. From everything he’d read, babies were expensive, and as the father, he was determined to pull his load.
For him to be able to do that, they needed to continue to diversify. He had to figure out how to keep doing what he loved—what he believed in—while bringing in more money.
The music began. Like everyone else in his pew, Adam shifted his gaze just in time to see Greer slowly walk down the aisle on the arm of her husband, Wyatt.
Though he was no expert in weddings, he’d attended enough of them to recognize Greer’s outfit was on the casual side. A sleeveless white top showed off tanned arms, her brown—or maybe it was more goldish—skirt had an uneven hemline that showed some leg, and she had on shiny metallic sandals.
Wyatt wore a simple tan Havana suit with a vest a shade lighter than the suit.
The two smiled at each other as they made their way to the front of the church. Adam was happy for Greer. He’d worked with her on some bank loans in the past and had known it would take a special guy to get past the wall she’d erected around herself.
She’d found that man when Wyatt McConnell had moved to Good Hope to take over Cherry Acres after the death of his grandfather.
Clay’s older brother, David, and Bea’s sister, Brittany, made the trek down the aisle next as the best man and maid of honor. Adam had met Bea’s twin when she’d briefly been in Good Hope this spring.
The music swelled, and everyone rose to their feet as Bea’s father walked her down the aisle to where Clay waited at the front.
Her dress was simple and sleeveless, the only adornment a metallic band around the waist of the white flowing dress. A rustic flower crown sat atop her head.
“Bea looks incredible,” Piper whispered to Charlotte.
“She’s radiant,” Charlotte whispered back.
Radiant was a good word, he thought, to describe the bride. It also fit the smile Clay bestowed on his bride when her father stepped back and the couple stood side by side at the front of the church.
Adam listened to the service with half an ear. At thirty-seven, he’d been to more weddings than he could count. Had heard more vows spoken than he could recall. The only ones he remembered were the funny ones, such as those written by a guy who worked for him.
“You’re the French fries in my chocolate shake” had made the minister scowl and everyone else in the small church laugh. Adam still wasn’t sure what it meant, but hey, three kids and ten years later, they were still together.
“Today, I’m marrying my true love and my best friend.”
The words from Bea’s vows leaped out at him.
What would that be like, Adam wondered, to marry a woman you not only loved, but considered your best friend?
“From this day forward, let us build a home together filled with love, laughter, joy and light.” Clay’s voice, strong and true, filled the sanctuary.
Envy swelled up inside Adam. Bea and Clay were well matched. He had no doubt they would enjoy a happy life together.
His mother might have brought light back into Stan’s world after his first wife’s death, but they’d been too different in who they were and what they wanted, for their marriage to succeed.
Just like marriage would be for him and Charlotte.
Charlotte decided it must be pregnancy hormones that had her wanting to weep as Clay and Bea exchanged vows. She’d never been one of those women who cried at weddings or sweet, romantic movies.
Maybe it was because Bea and Clay seemed so happy. She didn’t know either of them particularly well, but love practically oozed from their pores. When they turned to face the congregation, their smiles could have qualified as a light source.
Everyone applauded as the couple swept down the aisle.
“I didn’t expect the applause.” Piper leaned toward Charlotte. “But it feels right.”
“I think Bea and Clay were surprised, too,” Charlotte mused. “Even si
tting here, I felt their joy.”
“Their happiness filled the church,” Piper agreed, appearing wistful.
Piper remained with her and Adam as they strolled toward the line of trolleys, each festooned with chains of flowers and greenery and punctuated by gauzy white bows.
Every few feet on the way, Adam would exchange a greeting with someone he knew while Charlotte and Piper continued to chat.
On the trolley, Charlotte and Piper took a seat together. Adam sat behind the two women.
When he saw Gladys making her way down the aisle, he motioned to her. “The seat beside me is open.”
Gladys stopped beside him.
He slid over, making room. Instead of sitting, she shifted her gaze to Charlotte and Piper. “What are you two ladies doing dateless on a Saturday night?”
“Gladys.” Piper’s face brightened. “You’re wearing the dress you got in my shop. It’s extremely flattering.”
To Adam’s eyes, the light blue dress with shiny silver threads running through the fabric looked like almost every outfit he’d seen Gladys wear. The truth was, the woman made a striking figure in whatever she wore.
Her regal posture and dark hair, with what he thought of as her silver skunk stripe, drew the eye. Those pale blue eyes could impale you with a single glance. Right now, her gaze was on Charlotte. “You did something with your hair.”
“I’m returning to my brown roots.” Charlotte offered a smile to the older woman. “Not all at once. Wouldn’t want to shock anyone.”
Gladys cocked her head, ignoring the driver’s instructions for everyone to be seated. “With Marigold out so much because of the babies, I may have to start coming to you.”
Babies? For a second, Adam was confused. Until he realized she was referring to Caleb and the baby Marigold and Cade would welcome early next year.
“I’m always there, though appointments are recommended.” Charlotte’s smile remained warm.
“Gladys.” Sissy Treacher, the driver for this trolley and a woman known for holding her own against any and all, spoke loudly. “I can’t move this vehicle until everyone is seated. That includes you.”
Gladys lifted a hand to acknowledge she’d heard. She motioned for Charlotte to get up. “You sit beside Adam.”
When Charlotte opened her mouth as if to protest, Gladys continued with a suspiciously sweet smile on her red lips. “I need to speak with Piper about something important. Thank you for understanding.”
From the look of surprise that crossed Piper’s face, she hadn’t expected this.
“Go ahead, Charlotte. We can catch up later.” Piper made a shooing motion. “I want to hear what Gladys has to say.”
Charlotte rose with easy grace to slip past Gladys and drop into the seat beside him.
Once Gladys finally sat, Sissy put the trolley in gear. It lurched forward.
Charlotte sat silently beside him, her focus intently on the conversation between Gladys and Piper.
The silence between him and Charlotte was getting ridiculous. “It was a nice wedding, don’t you think?” He tried to make neutral, polite conversation with Charlotte, but she seemed not to even hear him.
Before he could repeat his question, Gladys turned in her seat.
“I understand Ryder passed along the relationship cards to you.” Gladys smiled pleasantly. “Have you had a chance to try them?”
“We did one question.”
Adam slanted a glance at Charlotte and swore he heard her mutter, “Garbage,” under her breath.
“It was interesting,” she said to Gladys, her expression giving nothing away.
The older woman’s eyes gleamed. “‘Interesting’ is such a lovely word. Which one—?”
“We’re here,” Sissy called out in a booming voice once the vehicle stopped at the curb. She stood, a tall woman with a mass of light brown hair sporting an inch of dark roots.
Her black pants and white shirt must be the uniform of the evening, as Adam had noticed the other trolley drivers in the same attire.
“Please make sure to gather up all your belongings before exiting the vehicle.” Her voice rose over the noise of the passengers’ excited chatter. “Trolleys will be running every fifteen minutes back to the church parking lot all evening. Please step into the one at the front of the line when you’re ready to depart. Have a nice evening.”
Because they were near the back, the four of them were among the last to exit. Adam thought Gladys might pepper him and Charlotte with more questions, but she kept her gaze focused on the exit as she made her way to the front of the trolley.
“Sissy, my dear.” Gladys grasped both of the woman’s hands. “It’s lovely to see you. How’s Cody?”
“Cody?” Piper asked.
“Her son,” Adam explained. “He’s fourteen. He prefers being called Treach.”
“He’s doing better.” Sissy smiled at Adam. “Thanks to this guy keeping him busy.”
“Your boy is a hard worker,” Adam assured Sissy. “Stan and I enjoy having him around.”
“Keeping him busy keeps him out of trouble.” Sissy’s eyes darkened. “A boy needs a man’s firm hand.”
Charlotte rolled her eyes at Sissy’s comment.
“He’s a good kid and no trouble at all,” Adam reiterated. “Have a nice evening.”
“You, too.” Sissy gestured wide. “Enjoy the reception.”
Once they were off the trolley, Gladys slipped one arm through Piper’s and pointed with her other hand. “My friends are right over there. We can continue our discussion once we meet up with them.”
Piper shot Charlotte an apologetic look.
“You don’t need to worry about Charlotte.” Gladys tightened her hold around Piper’s arm. “She’s got Adam.”
Chapter Fourteen
When Charlotte started down the wide path with the rest of the crowd toward the large white tents, Adam placed a hand on her arm. “We need to talk.”
She offered him a cool look, then nodded.
They wound their way down another concrete path, which led around to the back of the sprawling house. A fence enclosed a spacious patio already decorated with fall plantings. Water shimmered in the pool.
“What is it you want to talk about?”
Her tightly crossed arms and insolent tone had him hissing out a breath. “I’m making an effort here. Why aren’t you?”
Her chin jutted out. “I’ve been nothing but nice.”
“Is rolling your eyes at Sissy nice? Is trying to ditch me for your friend the second we arrive nice?"
“Is this about me talking to Piper?” Charlotte gave an incredulous laugh. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m worried about her. She’s been acting off since the Fourth of July festival, and today she’s got this nervous chatter she seems powerless to control. A good friend listens and tries to help. That’s what I was doing.”
“That was good of you.” Adam blew out a breath. “But you still can’t—”
“I won’t apologize to you for speaking to the one real friend I have in this town.”
One real friend.
“I thought we were friends. Or trying to be.” He softened his tone. “We talked before about forging a strong relationship.”
She shook her head, and her eyes didn’t look angry anymore, only sad. “You aren’t trying to be my friend, Adam. You’re trying to control me, trying to tell me what I can and can’t do.”
“What are you talking about?”
He must have appeared genuinely perplexed, because the edge left her voice. “A friend would respect that I can’t suddenly stop all my feelings and plans just to do something your way. Whether it’s how I act at a wedding or how I approach motherhood.”
Adam opened his mouth to protest, then remembered Stan’s words about being a little bit right and a little bit wrong. “I’m sorry. I’m trying to navigate my way through unchartered waters, and it appears I’m doing a sucky job of it.”
“You’re not
the only one.” Charlotte gave a half laugh. “I guess I’m not taking Fin’s advice. I should have just said after we last spoke that all your planning is stressing me out, because I like to be the planner.”
Reaching out, Adam took her hand, relieved when she didn’t pull back. “We’re both still learning about each other.”
“It’s nice what you’re doing for the teen.”
He cocked his head.
“Treach,” she said, the name awkward on her tongue. “It’s nice how you and Stan are keeping him busy.”
“He needs a father. Stan and I, we’re just doing our part to fill the gap.”
When Charlotte had thought about having a baby, she’d pictured herself having a girl. Her own little Mini-Me. She hadn’t considered what it’d be like to raise a boy without a father. Or how a girl might miss having a daddy. “That was kind of you to give him a job.”
“He works hard and earns every penny.” Adam’s lips quirked. “He’s got a mouth on him, but he has a good heart.”
Adam’s tone was matter-of-fact, as if what he was doing for Treach wasn’t a big deal. The fact was, she didn’t know too many men who’d be willing to hire a mouthy kid with an attitude. Or a man who’d take the time to discover the kid had a good heart.
Despite herself, Charlotte’s voice shook when she spoke. “I’d still like to try to have a nice time with you, to be a good date.”
He brought the hand he still held to his lips and brushed a kiss across her knuckles, his gaze never leaving her face. “I’d like that, too.”
They followed the sidewalk toward the sounds of music and laughter. Even without the noise, it was easy to know where to go. All of the guests were headed in the same direction, toward the first of two large white tents set up on an endless expanse of green in the backyard.
Hadley Chapin, David’s wife, and their daughter, Brynn, stood at the entrance, greeting people and encouraging them to step inside and sit wherever they wanted.
“There’s a buffet. Uncle Clay and Aunt Bea want you to start eating.” Brynn was a miniature version of her mother, with her blonde hair and blue eyes. “You don’t have to wait.”
