Before I can respond, Janice claps her hands like a kindergarten teacher calling for circle time.
“All right, Harper dear, right over here. He’ll be here in a moment!”
He -- The mountain man I accidentally purchased for an entire week. My stomach is a snow globe someone just shook way too hard.
Ruby grips my hand. “Oh my God, he’s coming.”
I whirl so fast I nearly trip over an extension cord. But then … he steps through the curtain.
Ethan Kinkaid. In full, close-up, breath-stealing detail. And wow. Wow. He’s so tall the archway practically complains as he passes through it. Broad shoulders stretching flannel that probably started life as a normal shirt before deciding it needed to cling to something magnificent. Dark, slightly disheveled hair. A strong jaw dusted with a perfectly trimmed beard. But his eyes up close, they’re greener than they looked from the crowd. A deep forest green, framed by dark lashes. Beautiful in a way that makes my breath catch and my brain short-circuit.
My face goes hot. My palms dampen. I am ninety-nine percent sure I forget how to swallow. He takes a few slow steps toward me, eyes swiping quickly over my face, down to my hands, then back up. Something unreadable tightens his jaw.
Oh no. Holy shit! He’s even hotter up close. My pulse thunders in my ears. Ruby leans toward me and whispers, “If you pass out, I’m not catching you.”
“Not helping,” I hiss back.
Ethan stops a couple feet away. For a moment, neither of us speaks. I can hear the faint noise of the crowd outside the curtain. The pounding of my own heart threatens to launch me into orbit. Then his eyes meet mine fully. They’re cautious, but intense enough to pin me in place. In a deep voice, he says:
“Are you sure you want to do this for a whole week?”
My mouth opens. No sound comes out. My brain is trying to reboot, probably due to prolonged exposure to a dangerously handsome man asking me a very reasonable question.
I finally manage, “I—I didn’t mean to… I didn’t plan to… It was an accident.”
Amazing recovery, Harper. Really eloquent. His brows pull together, but he doesn’t look angry. More like concerned and curious. Like he’s trying to read me.
“Accident,” he repeats.
“I was waving,” I blurt. “At someone else. Then she thought I was bidding. Then I didn’t want to be rude. Then my hand did a panic thing.”
Ruby nods solemnly. “Her hand is possessed.”
I gently smack her arm. Ethan’s lips twitch. Just barely. Almost a smile. But not quite.
“I see,” he says.
Janice swoops in before I can explain myself further. “Wonderful! Now that you two have officially met, let’s go over the guidelines and expectations!”
Ethan stiffens beside me like a man preparing for execution. Janice thrusts a clipboard into my hands. “This outlines the Holiday Bride Experience schedule — sleigh rides, cocoa tastings, tree lighting ceremonies, and of course, your stay at the honeymoon suite at the Grand Lodge.”
My grip tightens on the clipboard. Ethan makes a noise like he just swallowed a pinecone.
I glance up at him, cheeks flushing. “I—I didn’t know it was… that involved.”
“Neither did I,” he mutters.
Ruby peeks over my shoulder. “Ooooh, look at Wednesday!Couple’s Soothing Snowfall Sauna Session.”
“There is absolutely no way I’m doing a sauna session,” I manage to say.
Janice waves her hand. “We can adjust that day if needed. The important thing is that you two appear together for the public-facing activities.”
Public-facing. My anxiety spikes again. I sneak another look at Ethan. He’s looking at me again. Not scowling or glaring. Just … looking. His green eyes are very intense, and maybe a little conflicted. It’s like he’s fighting with himself over something he doesn’t want to admit.
Janice beams. “You two are going to be adorable.”
Ethan clears his throat. “We’ll … manage.”
