Tess and her entire team—Maddie and Holly had flown in the day before—had just finished dressing in matching sage green silk dresses and lounged at Alex’s cabin, killing time before the ceremony.
“I love events that get us all together,” Maddie said. “I miss you guys so much.”
“Ditto,” Holly said. “Even my new little one can’t fill the gap you guys leave.”
“You think you’ll go back to work?” Juliet asked Holly.
“I doubt it.” She cooed at two-month-old Maggie, who wore a matching tiny silk onesie custom-made for the occasion. “How could I possibly abandon this sweet thing?”
“So, Tess,” Maddie said. “What’s up with you and that Logan guy? I sense a little somethin’ somethin’.”
Tess glared at Faith, who threw up her hands. “I didn’t say a word. I swear.”
“It’s kind of obvious,” Holly said, nodding. “I see it too, and we only spent a couple of hours with y’all last night.”
Tess frowned. “See what?”
“He likes you,” Juliet said, a hint of “duh” in her voice.
“Doesn’t it seem like he’s hiding something?” Tess asked. “I get this weird feeling he’s not being totally honest about something.”
“You thinkin’ serial killer?” Holly asked, with a head hitch. “Russian spy? Assassin for hire?”
Tess laughed. “You’ve been living with a cop too long.”
“Maybe he has a secret family,” Faith suggested. “Like a wife and a gaggle of kids back in Texas he doesn’t want anyone to know about.”
“What if he’s dying?” Juliet said. “And is hesitating to make his move ’cause he’ll just break your heart when he’s gone.”
“That actually might make sense,” Tess said after pondering for a second. “He was pretty careless on the campout. Rappelling down the cliff to help me with Joseph, running headlong, barefoot into the woods, again, to help me.”
“Sounds like he just wants to help you,” Faith said. She put “help” in air quotes and wiggled her eyebrows. Tess ignored her.
“Maybe that’s why he’s staying here,” Juliet said. “Just wants to live simply in the peaceful mountains for his final days.”
“It is a pretty place to die,” Maddie mused.
“It must be irreversible then,” Holly said. “Otherwise he’d want to be near a doctor or hospital.”
“Should we bury him here?” Alex asked. “Or ship him back to Texas?”
“Okay,” Tess said. “I think this conversation has gotten away from us.”
“If he is dying,” Faith said, ignoring Tess’s attempt to move on. “Then it’s even more important that you date him. You wouldn’t want him spending his last days alone, would you?”
“I’m not into pity dating.” Tess took a sip of her drink. “Plus, I’m too old to waste time in a relationship going nowhere.”
“Pfft. Youjustturned twenty-eight,” Juliet said. “Sure it’s not your trust issues?”
All eyes stared at Tess. “Sethmighthave left a mark,” she admitted.
“You were young,” Holly said.
“And naive,” Maddie added. “Age brings wisdom. Sooner or later, you’re gonna have to open up again.”
“This topic’s a real downer,” Tess said. “Aren’t we supposed to be celebrating Alex’s wedding? Faith’s pregnancy? Holly’s little bundle of joy?”
They were interrupted by a knock at the door—Nick and Cole coming to escort them.
