“Hi. I’m Connie. This is my husband, Larry. We’re staying in the cabin next door.”
“Hello. I’m…”
Panic struck. This was the first time they’d really talked to anyone since checking in and Gracie realized she couldn’t remember the name she was supposed to be using. Thankfully, Nate picked up on it and jumped right in.
“James Winters.” He practically shoved his hand into the other woman’s. “And this shy beauty right here is my wife, Lynn. Nice to meet you.”
After exchanging smiles and handshakes with the seemingly sweet couple, Gracie gave Nate a sideways glance. He responded with a wink and a smile, making her feel slightly better about her near flub-up.
“So, where are y’all from?” Connie asked.
“Dallas,” Nate answered for them both. “Well, I’m originally from out east, but I transplanted here a few years ago.”
“You mind if we join you for a few?”
“Sure.” Nate held out his hand toward the other bench. “We were just about to cook us up some S’mores. You’re welcome to have some.”
“Oh, I do love chocolate.”
As the four of them sat down, Larry chuckled. In his deep, smoker’s voice, he joked, “She’d probably find a way to marry it, if she wasn’t already attached to me.”
Nate laughed, and Gracie awkwardly joined in. She opened one of the candy bars and broke off two pieces. One for her, and one for Connie.
Chewing slowly, she knew she needed to figure out a way past the guilt of their deception, or she’d end up completely blowing their cover.
I can do this.
Drawing in a steady breath, she swallowed the sweet treat and spoke up. “What about you? Where are you from?”
“Beaumont. It’s about an hour and a half south of here.”
“Beaumont,” Nate repeated the city’s name. “That’s just north of Port Arthur, isn’t it?”
“That’s right.” Larry gave him a nod. “Home of the world’s largest oil refinery.”
“I remember. My parents drove my brother and I through there once when I was younger.”
“Larry, here, used to be the sheriff of Jefferson County.”
“That was a long time ago, Con.”
“I know.” Connie nudged her husband with her shoulder. “I still like to brag about you, though.”
Gracie smiled. These two were absolutely adorable.
“So.” Larry looked to Nate. “What brings you two out here?”
“Actually”—Nate put his arm around Gracie’s shoulders and pulled her closer—“We’re celebrating our two-year anniversary.”
“Two years? Oh, my. Larry, do you even remember when it had only been two years?”
The other man gave his wife an ornery smile. “Hell, yeah, I remember.” Then, he lowered his voice and winked at Nate. “Those days were a lot of fun.”
“Larry!” Connie playfully smacked his arm, but Gracie didn’t miss the look the two shared after.
“Yeah, I sure can’t complain,” Nate grinned.
“Well, take it from an old fogy like me. You treat each other right, and you’ll have a whole lot of great years together.”
