I turned bright pink hearing that last part.
“Yes, it’s an Elie Saab. I already had it from another event. I didn’t buy it just for the wedding. You could have told me whatcasualmeant around here. I never would have shown up in this dress. I feel like a fool in it. The hiking boots belong to Hudson’s sister. The heels I had on weren’t going to get me far out here in a field. Why didn’t you tell me you were getting married in afield? And… why did you get married in a field?”
Shelby threw back her head and laughed. She looked so wild and free. Her wedding dress was a simple white flowy thing, and she had a wreath of flowers around her hair. I’d never seen her look so relaxed before in my life.
“Don’t try to brush over the important part. What’s up with you andHudson? How did you meet him?”
Thinking back to the moment I saw him in the auto parts store, it felt like fate.
Clearing my throat, I said, “He saved me. My rental car died, and I couldn’t get a new battery for it. But he was a sneaky trickster. He never told me who he was. I thought he was just a random mountain man!”
Shelby laughed. “Ahot, random mountain man, you mean.”
Raising my eyebrows, I scolded her, “You’re a married woman now. You can’t talk that way about your husband’s brother.”
Shelby hugged me again. Then whispered, “Don’t worry. You can have him. I’m all eyes on Thatcher.”
Flushing red, I shook my head. “Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t want him.”
She gave me a knowing smile, and all the time that we’d spent apart evaporated just like that. “You can’t get away with lying to me, Liz. I can see it on your face. You’ll have that man’s pants down around his ankles before the end of the night.”
My words came out in a flustered stammer. “That’s not true. Does that mean he’s single? I’m not asking because I want to know. Forget I said anything.”
Shelby laughed again. “It’s so good to see you, Lizzie. I’ve missed you so much. You’re the only thing I regret leavingbehind in New York. If I could just import you here, life would be perfect.”
I countered with, “If I could drag you back to New York in my luggage, I would.”
Then she eyed me thoughtfully. “You know, I’ve always thought you and Hudson would make a good couple. He’s areallygood guy. And his assets go way beyond the good looks. He deserves a woman like you in his life.”
“So he’s single?” The question popped out again before I could hold it in.
Shelby nodded. “Yep. And just between you and me, it’s been way too long since he’s had a date. I see the way he’s looking at you. It’s like he wants to eat you for dinner.”
“What?” I glanced in the direction she was staring.
Oh.
The man was looking right at us. And I couldn’t deny that he had a steamy, sexy look in his eyes.
I tore my gaze away from him. “Shelby, you can’t seriously want me to have a one-night stand with your new husband’s brother, right?”
She lifted her eyebrows. “It’s all part of my plan.”
“What plan?”
“To import you to the Ozarks. Give me one week and I’ll convert you.”
I laughed and shook my head. “You know I have to be back at work on Monday. The billable hours wait for no one.”
Shelby gave me the pleading look I’d never been able to deny. “Please stay a week. At least until I’m back from my honeymoon. I need toseeyou. And tonight can’t be all the time we get together.”
She knew I was always a sucker for her.
But I wasn’t a college kid anymore. I had responsibilities now.
“I don’t think that’s going to work out, Shell.”
The look on her face told me how shattered she felt. “I get it. I know how the firm is. It was probably hard to get this much time away. I’ve just missed you so much, and I was looking forward to spending time with you.”
