“I’m serious.”
“She’s right.” Rose stands and comes to my side.
Poppy fills in on the opposite side. They each squeeze a shoulder, and I narrow my gaze.
“Poppy, are youcrying?”
“No!” She looks down and dabs at her eyes.
“I don’t believe you.”
“Well, fine. I guess I am. It’s… You look amazing. You look like a bride. I’m so dang happy. I wish Mom was here to see you like this. And Gram.”
“Me too.” Rose gives me a squeeze. We’re all quiet for a minute, lost in our thoughts. My mind flits to my dad, wherever he is. I bite my lip. Idon’twant him at my wedding, fake or not.
Rose’s smirk draws me out of my thoughts, which is a good thing. I don’t think a person is supposed to be picturing wringing their father’s neck while they’re wedding dress shopping.
“What’s that look for?” I ask Rose.
She grins wider. “Collin is going to lose his ever-loving mind.”
24
Not a Little Woman
Collin ~ July
“You’re up, son. Get over here.”
We’re at the gun range, and I’m getting my re-qualifications in on my day off. The mid-summer sheriff’s debate is later tonight, so this is a good way to keep my mind off that too.
I stare down at my text message string with Noli. We’ve been texting a lot lately. About our schedules. The weather. The tourists. Crazy stuff that happens at work. Random links to YouTube videos of boy band dances. You know, typical stuff.
But I’ve found myself scrolling back up to that cut-off picture of her in a wedding dress more often than I will ever admit. I can’t see her face in the photo. Heck, I can’t even see an inch of her skin. But something about it is so tantalizing it makes me short of breath. We’re actually getting married. And soon. In fact, I finally picked up her wedding ring from the jeweler in town today.
I don’t know why it was such a big deal to me, but I figure this is the only ring I’ll ever pick out in my life. One and done. Since I’m not planning to marry for real, that is. So even though this is a fake marriage, I still have this hang-up about the ring. I want it to be perfect. And if I’m being honest, I want to give Noli something she’ll love.
I pocket my phone and stride over to where my dad is waiting for me at the opening to the range.
“Took you long enough. Why are you smiling like that?” My dad sounds miffed.
“Like what?” I reach up and scrub my hands over my stubble-lined jaw.
“I don’t know. You look…different.”
“I was thinking about Noli.”
My dad scoffs as I check my pistol.
“Don’t tell me you’re letting her go to your head.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
My dad pauses and looks thoughtful. “I know it was my idea, this whole marriage arrangement. But I don’t want it to affect your work or your dedication to your career.”
I stiffen. “I hardly think Noli is going to derail my focus.”
My dad’s snort sounds unconvinced. “For a ladies’ man, you sure don’t know much about ladies.”
