“Curious, aren’t they?” Ariana muttered under her breath.
Rennen was amused. “We’re out in the country. Everyone’s curious.” He looked at Ariana, a wicked grin tugging at his lips.
“What?” she whispered.
“My girlfriend and I were paramotoring,” he said loudly to the woman. “Until our engine died.”
“What’re you up to?” Ariana demanded, tugging on his arm.
“Proclaiming my love to the world.” He looked at the woman. “In case you were wondering, my name’s Rennen Bradley, and I’m in love with Ariana Sanchez,” he boomed.
The woman in the car chuckled. “Nice to know. Would you like a ride into town?”
“No, thank you,” Rennen said. “We’re waiting for a friend to pick us up.”
“Are you sure?” the woman asked.
“Yes, but thank you.”
The woman looked like she might say something else, but smiled instead. “Okay, if you’re sure.”
“Yep, very sure,” Rennen chimed.
“Have a great day,” the woman said. “Nice meeting you, Rennen Bradley, and your girlfriend.” There was a trace of mirth in her voice.
Rennen offered a parting wave. “Thanks.”
The woman nodded as she rolled up her window and they drove away.
Ariana shoved him. “You’re such a dork.”
“I can’t help it if I’m totally and completely in love with you,” he uttered.
Her eyes danced. “Ditto.” She cocked her head. “She seemed nice.”
“Who? The woman? Yes, she did,” Rennen agreed.
“Do you think she recognized you?”
He shrugged. “I really don’t care. I’m tired of living my life in fear of the press.”
“Me too.” She paused. “I’m glad there are still good people in the world who are willing to lend a helping hand to strangers.”
Rennen hadn’t thought about it that way, but it was a good point. “Yeah, me too.” He drew her close. “I’m glad I have you in my world.”
Her features softened into a smile. “And I’m glad I have you. It works nicely.”
“Yes, it does,” he murmured, leaning in for a kiss.
12
Nestled on a quaint corner of historical Schulenburg, The Hideaway Inn looked like something out of a storybook with the large, circular, twin porches on each side of the front door. Ariana’s gaze took in the bay windows with intricate leaded-glass on the top sections. Decorative trim added the finishing touches, and the siding glistened like fresh milk in the afternoon sun. The landscape boasted an explosion of colorful flowers—some in pots and others popping up from the ground.
“What do you think?”
The hope shining on Rennen’s face caused a rush of tenderness to come over her. She smiled broadly. “It’s perfect.”
“Let’s take our luggage in and get settled, then I’ll show you around the town. We may even be able to tour one of the painted churches … if they’re not already closed for the day.” He pumped his eyebrows. “That is, unless you’d rather go to the Polka Music Museum instead. I know how much you love dancing.”
She laughed. “Yeah, but Polka?” She wrinkled her forehead. “I think I’ll pass in favor of the churches.”
He grinned, his eyes teasing. “That’s probably wise. A little religion will keep you on the straight and narrow.”
“Hey, now. Watch it.” She nudged him, thrusting out her lower lip. But she couldn’t stop a laugh from rolling in her throat. With Rennen, there was never a dull moment. She had to keep pinching herself to make sure this was really happening. Her heart sang as she reached for her bags and followed him up the steps. On the drive from Austin to Schulenburg, Rennen told her a little about the place where they’d be spending the night.
The town was settled in the 1800s by German immigrants who’d left Europe to escape poverty. While these people embraced their new life in America, they brought parts of their culture with them. The churches were decorated with colors and symbols from their homelands. Rennen explained that there were fifteen of these churches scattered throughout Texas, four of them near Schulenburg.
It was fascinating to hear Rennen expound on the history of the area. She could tell from listening to him that he was wicked smart. Yes, he may’ve grown up in hard circumstances, but it certainly hadn’t hindered his ability to excel. Another thought struck her. Maybe Rennen was so strong because of the hardships he’d endured.
As they stepped through the front door of the inn, Ariana took in the foyer with the plush Oriental rug and round, walnut table in the center. A large floral arrangement set atop it. The room opened to a gorgeous staircase that curved on both sides where it touched the floor like the train of a gown. Ariana peered into the adjacent sitting room with curved-backed furniture and a baby grand piano nestled in the pocket of the bay windows. The room was cozy and in-keeping with the period.
Directly across from the sitting room was a library with floor to ceiling shelves of books. In the center was an arrangement of plush, leather furniture. A fireplace took up the center section of one wall. Over the mantle was a large oil painting of a family dressed in clothes from the early 1900s. Ariana felt like they’d stepped back in time. Her eye caught on the burgundy afghan draped across the back of the sofa. The room was so inviting that it made Ariana want to snuggle up with a good book and wile away the afternoon.
They walked over to the reception desk and Rennen rang the bell. A couple of minutes later, a short man with thinning hair and a round belly came trotting towards them, the wood floor creaking underneath his feet. A large smile lit his ruddy face, causing his mustache to twitch. “Welcome.”
“Thank you,” Rennen and Ariana replied simultaneously.
He stepped behind the desk and pushed his glasses back up on his nose. “What’s the name?”
“Rennen Bradley.”
He punched keys on the computer, staring at the screen. A second later, he looked at Rennen. “You booked two adjoining rooms, is that correct?”
“Yes.”
It was evident that the man didn’t recognize Rennen, which was a good thing. They could enjoy their privacy. Ariana stepped closer to Rennen and linked her arm through his. He’d gone to a lot of trouble to make sure their weekend was perfect. She was so glad she’d come.
“Wonderful,” the man said. “Your rooms are ready. Dinner is served in the dining room from six to nine.” He pointed. “At the end of the hall to the right. You can also go out on the veranda. We have a live band playing tonight. Breakfast is served in the morning … also from six to nine a.m.” He chuckled. “It helps keep things simple so there’s no confusion in this old brain.” He handed Rennen two keys. “Your rooms are on the second floor.” He pointed to the staircase. “Turn right, go down the hall to the last two rooms on the right. Both have their own bathrooms. My name’s Walter. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call the front desk. There are phones in your rooms. Just dial zero.”
“Will do,” Rennen said.
Ariana smiled at Walter. “Thanks.” When they reached the top of the stairs, Ariana turned to Rennen, looking up into his eyes. “This place is fantastic. A quaint dinner … live band. You’re pulling out all the stops. I might have to rethink my position on football players.”
He cocked an eyebrow in amusement. “Is that so?”
She laughed. “Or at least one football player.” She rolled her eyes. “Of course, you did trick me into thinking I was dying and spilling my guts.”
A quirky grin tugged at his lips. “Yeah, it might take you a while to live that one down.”
“For sure.”
“I’m glad you like the inn. I’ve always wanted to stay here.”
She cocked her head. “You’ve never been here before? You’re so familiar with the town. I just assumed …”
“Nope. First time.” He grinned, his eyes shining. “And we get to experience it together.”
“
Oh, didn’t I tell you? I’ve stayed here before.” She had to fight to keep from breaking into laughter when she saw his shocked expression. He was so much fun to tease. “Just kidding. I’ve never been here before. This is a wonderful first.”
He leaned closer, his eyes turning a deep, moss green as he looked at her lips. “Well, here’s to firsts.”
A smile overtook her lips. “Indeed.”
Soft light from the candle on the table flickered against Ariana’s features, giving her an air of mystery. Rennen drank in her beauty as he leaned forward and reached for her hands. “It’s so nice to be here with you.” She was wearing a purple dress that hit her figure in all the right places—her tiny waist, leading down to her curvy hips and toned legs. Silver earrings dangled underneath her hair, capturing the light with every movement. Rennen had never seen a woman look so spectacular. She literally took his breath away.
A playful grin touched her full lips. “What? You keep staring at me.”
“Because you’re stunning.”
She rewarded him with a dazzling smile. “You’re not so bad yourself, Goldie Locks.”
Music from the live band floated on the evening air—a contemporary jazz song that fit perfectly with the evening. Tomorrow morning, Rennen and Ariana planned to attend a sunrise service at the church they’d toured. Then they’d drive back to Ft. Worth, stopping for lunch along the way. This trip had been the perfect escape from all the craziness. No one had recognized them. Here, they were simply a couple in love. Rennen wasn’t looking forward to going back into the lion’s den, but they’d have to face it sooner or later. At least now, they could face it together.
Now, they sat on the back veranda of the inn, waiting to order their dinner. The evening sky was awash with orange and blue swirls from the setting sun. A girl in her late teens approached their table. “Hello, my name’s Mindy. And I’ll be taking care of you tonight.”
They placed their drink orders—Rennen water with lemon, and Ariana a Dr. Pepper.
“Would you like any appetizers?” Mindy asked.
Rennen leaned back in his seat. “What do you recommend?”
“The bruschetta is good. As is the calamari.”
Rennen looked at Ariana. “What do you think?”
“They both sound delicious.”
He nodded. “Yes, they do. We’ll have both.”
Mindy smiled. “Perfect. I’ll put this in and be right back to take your dinner orders.”
Ariana gave him a questioning look. “Two appetizers?”
“I figure we’re celebrating so we can splurge a little.”
She laughed. “Sure. Why not. I’ve eaten enough the past couple of days to kill a cow. We’ll just have to exercise more next week.”
He chuckled. “Amen.”
Rennen picked up the menu. “What’re you getting?”
Ariana pursed her lips as she perused the menu. “The crab cakes look good. How about you? What’re you thinking?”
“A steak and loaded baked potato.”
“Simple and direct. I like that.” She winked. “I knew you were a meat and potatoes man at heart.”
“Yeah, but I like a lot of different types of food.”
Her eyes sparkled in a challenge. “How do you feel about Mexican food?”
“Hate it,” he said with a straight face.
She gave him a steely look. “You’re lying.”
He broke into a smile. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“I’ve got your number.” She wagged a finger. “If you’re gonna be a part of my family, you’ve got to like Mexican food.”
He leaned forward, locking eyes with her. “Part of your family … I like the sound of that.” For a second, he thought he might’ve spoken out of turn, but it didn’t seem to bother Ariana. Things were happening fast between them, but he couldn’t deny that it felt right. He kept replaying the words Ariana had spoken when she thought they were going to crash. She said she’d been looking for him her entire life. He knew she meant that she’d been looking for someone like him, but the meaning was sort of the same. It felt good to be needed.
“I guess the true test of our relationship will come after you meet my family,” Ariana joked.
“From what you said, your mother seems like quite the character.”
“Oh, she is. Believe me. She’s like this big, bright shining star in the center of the room that must be paid attention to. But she’s got a heart of gold.” She laughed to herself. “She’s been pestering me to find a good guy and settle down, especially now that Ace found Silver.”
He reached for her hand, locking gazes with her. “And have you?” It was fun to watch the color that crept into her cheeks.
“Have I what?” she asked, even though she knew exactly what he was asking.
“Found a good guy to settle down with.”
The sincerity in her eyes was like invisible hands that reached out and pulled him close to her with some indefinable bond. “I sure hope so,” she said wistfully.
Her answer confused him, jolted him a little. He forced a laugh, trying to keep the hurt out of his voice. “You hope so?”
“Yeah, I believe we have something unique … something that only comes along once in a lifetime … I guess time’s the trump card, right?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
Her dark eyes searched his. “I want us to work. Want it more than air,” she said fervently. “But we’ve only just met.”
Was she retreating? She’d professed her love for him earlier, and he assumed they were a done deal. Then again, nothing was set in stone. He didn’t know why he was getting upset about semantics. Ariana was telling him she wanted to be with him. A couple of days ago, he was trying to get her to spend the weekend with him. Now they were moving forward as a couple. He needed to be satisfied with that. He wished he could banish the insecurity gnawing at the back of his mind. “You’re right,” he said, when he realized she was watching him, waiting for an answer. “We’ll take things one step at a time.” He grinned as he said it, feeling a little better.
She smiled back in relief.
He was hungry to know everything about her. “I’ve been thinking about those photos in your living room.”
Pleasure lit her face. “Really?”
“Do you always shoot black and white?”
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Not always. But I do prefer black and white. It lends a timeless quality to the photo.”
“I can see that. Kind of like it’s been there forever.”
“Yeah, and will last forever.”
The intense look in her eyes got him right in the heart. She was talking about the two of them. He felt his confidence being restored. Whenever something good happened to Rennen, he had a tendency to wait for the other shoe to drop. He was trying to break himself of that habit, but a lifetime of conditioning was hard to overcome. He realized Ariana was still talking about her photography.
“There’s a purity about black and white that I really like. Color can sometimes distract from the true meaning of the story. When you strip away the superfluous, you’re left with what really matters.”
A smile tugged at his lips. “Kind of like getting away from our hectic lives and coming here.”
She laughed lightly. “Exactly.”
“What kind of music do you like?”
She cocked her head. “You’re asking a lot of questions.”
“Because I want to know everything about you.”
“I like most types of music. Jazz, rock … some country.” A smile played on her lips. “Even mariachi music. I am Mexican, after all.”
“No. Hmm,” he drawled. “I may have to rethink this.”
She shook her head, delicate laughter floating up from her throat. “You know what they say, ain’t no skin like Mex-skin.”
He laughed in surprise. “That’s pretty good.” Rennen didn’t think of Ariana as being Mexican, per se. It was just a part of who she was.
“How about you? What types of music do you like?”
“Rock, country, jazz.” The corners of his mouth quivered. “Polka.”
She burst out laughing. “I knew we should’ve gone to that Polka museum today.”
He snapped his fingers. “Dang it. We missed our big chance.”
“Oh, well. There’s always next time, right?”
A blanket of warmth spread over him as he saw the promise in her eyes. They’d have a lifetime of tomorrows together. “Right,” he said exuberantly. The air around them crackled with electricity as their eyes connected. Rennen wished they were alone so he could pull Ariana into his arms and kiss her until they couldn’t see straight.
“Well, hello again,” a cheery voice said, interrupting the moment.
Rennen looked up at the man and woman walking toward them. At first, he didn’t recognize them. Then he remembered—the couple from the black Lexus. “Hey.” He rose to his feet and extended a hand. “Good to see you again.”
The woman gave him a firm shake as she smiled, the skin around her eyes folding into deep creases. “Likewise, Rennen Bradley.” She turned to Ariana, “And his beautiful girlfriend. Ariana Sanchez, wasn’t it?”
Recognition registered on Ariana’s face as she smiled. “Oh, you’re the couple who saw us today in the field. Hello … again.”
Rennen looked past the woman to the man standing behind her. The woman motioned. “This is Thomas.”
He extended his hand, shaking Ariana’s first, then Rennen’s.
The woman pointed to herself. “My name is Della Chastain. What a coincidence that we’d run into you twice in one day.”
“Yes, it is a coincidence.” Rennen gave her a direct look. “Are you staying here ... in the inn?” Considering how reporters bombarded him at every turn, he was always suspicious of coincidences.
“Yes, we are. Thomas’s sister lives in Driftwood, just a few miles from where we saw you in the field. Tomorrow, we’re headed to San Antonio to see the Riverwalk and Alamo. We figured since we were out this way, we might as well do some sightseeing.”
“Oh, that’s nice.” Rennen felt a little guilty for being suspicious. Della and Thomas were a classy couple, not the reporter types. Her blonde hair, streaked with silver, rounded on her shoulders. Intelligent eyes peered out from behind stylish glasses. Her makeup was expertly applied and Rennen could tell she’d had quite a bit of cosmetic work done, but it was tasteful. Thomas had closely-cropped, silvery-white hair with watery blue eyes and patrician features. Both looked like they’d come from money and influence.
The Ghost Groom Page 13
