Chapter 12
The first weddingguests to arrive, mid-morning, were Elaine and Brian Henderson. Wyatt’s parents had driven straight through the night, according to Brian.
“It’s a seventeen hour drive we made in sixteen, didn’t we?” He looked at Elaine, who nodded, then back to Grace.
She didn’t bother to tell them she’d abandoned her car in New Hampshire. She was pretty sure the Hendersons—who were lovely people—wouldn’t find that funny in the least. “That’s impressive,” she said instead. “Do you know Frank?”
“Admiral,” Brian said, holding out his hand. “A pleasure to see you again, sir.”
Oh. So it was like that.
Grace took a tiny step away from Frank. Rear Admiral DeMarco for the rest of the weekend, she supposed.
He gave her a small smile. Yep. And so it began.
The next to arrive were Grady and Priya Mills. They’d met through Tegan and Wyatt two years ago, and also fell in love at camp. Priya was a news producer and Grady was a SEAL. They hadn’t come with the rest of the group flying in from out west, though, because Priya had worked all week in Miami. Grace hugged her tightly. “How are you? I heard you had some flight troubles.”
“All’s well that ends well. I’m here now, and that’s all that matters.”
“Tegan’s so happy. Did you text her that you’d arrived?”
“I did.”
“Good girl.”
Then it was Grady’s turn for a hug. Grace had only met him once before, but she hugged everyone. He was gracious about it.
The last arrival before lunch was Grace’s ex-husband, Charles Bennett, and his new wife of seventeen years. Not really new, but the word had stuck in Grace’s head. As long as she didn’t say it out loud, it was fine.
* * *
Frank had drifted awayfor most of the morning, but as soon as Charles arrived, he was right back at Grace’s side.
He knew she wanted space and wasn’t sure about people seeing them as overly familiar, but damn it, if this man stressed her out, Frank would be there to sooth that wound.
Except Grace and Charles got on just fine. They were pleasant to each other, and not just in tight, careful ways. They had an extended conversation about the illusionist that night, and the rehearsal dinner the next night. Charles asked about the other campers, and Grace reassured him the wedding parties would take place in relative privacy in various places around the camp property.
It was surprisingly healthy.
Frank almost left her to it, but then Charles and his wife excused themselves to go check in to their cabin, and that’s when Frank saw it.
Grace sagged.
Just a little. Just enough for him to notice, and maybe nobody else would. Her ex certainly didn’t, and Frank noticed that the man looked back at Grace.
But Frank saw, and he didn’t like it.
Catching Grace by the hand, he tugged her into the shade beneath a big oak tree. “Are you okay?”
“Sure.”
“Really?”
She stuck her tongue out at him. “Yep.”
“Your ex seems pleasant.”
She sighed. “Yeah. Okay, so he’s a handful and I’ve learned how to manage him over the years and that’s exhausting.”
