“I’m learning a lot about you recently.”
“That’s true, but this isn’t about me so much... I read your books.”
Her eyes widened. “You did?”
“Don’t tell anyone, but I’d never read a western before. I was impressed, Sadie. You’re a really good writer.” A quick glance betrayed a sweet flush on her cheeks.
“Well, thank you. I can’t believe you read them. I have all kinds of questions. Like which one did you like best, and who was your favorite character? Ooh, and how did you feel about the ending ofSundown at Lonesome Ridge? Was it too much?”
“Slow down there, pardner. One question at a time.”
Over the next thirty minutes he answered all her questions, and they chatted at length about the books. He hadn’t beenexaggerating. She really was a good writer—he hadn’t been able to put the books down.
When they finally exhausted the topic, she brought up the wedding weekend ahead. “So who will I be meeting this weekend? Is there a drunk uncle who hits on inappropriately young girls or a matronly aunt who’ll ask us when we’re getting married?”
At the thought of the weekend ahead, his smile wilted. But he still gave her the full rundown on his parents, cousins, uncles, and aunts, including those who tended to be matchmakers.
“What about the bride? Amanda, right? Is she nice? Do we like her?”
“How’d you know her name?”
“I asked Hayley for their registry information. I got the happy couple a very nice votive holder.”
“You didn’t have to do that. I was planning to put your name on my gift.”
“They’re including me in their big weekend—the least I can do is spring for a nice gift. So tell me about Amanda. Does your family love her? Did she and Tag date very long?”
He cleared his throat. “Yeah, sure, my family likes her just fine. She’s a career-oriented woman, very smart. She and Tag dated for more than a year.” He was pleased that talking about the couple didn’t cause that hollow spot to open up in his chest. Progress. Maybe there was hope yet.
“Why did they decide to have a destination wedding, especially when they practically live on the South Carolina coast?”
“They both favored a smaller production, and a destination wedding has a way of paring down the guest list. Plus Tag spent a lot of time on Anna Maria Island as a child, so it’s a special place for him.”
“That’s so nice.”
As a teenager Sam had made the trip twice with his cousin. They fished right from the shore and played around on the Jet Skis until they ran out of gas, getting golden brown under the summer sun.
“And the wedding is at his grandma’s cottage?”
“The weddingandreception. But I’ll warn you the cottage is more like a mansion. It’s on the beach and has some great sunset views.”
“Oh, it sounds amazing. I can hardly wait.”
Sam was less than enthusiastic about the weekend. But he was grateful to have Sadie at his side—even if she was proving to be a little more of a distraction than he’d initially planned.
Twenty-Seven
Romance novels are famous for the “almost kiss” because it prolongs the suspense, ratcheting up sensual tension.
—Romance Writing 101
Sam tried not to give away his pounding heart or unsteady legs as he escorted Sadie across the hotel foyer toward the restaurant.
He hadn’t seen Amanda since Tag had brought her to the family’s annual Easter brunch. He still recalled that awful ache inside upon seeing her at his cousin’s side. It had been the pivotal event that drove him to the island. Well, that and the wedding invitation.
He wasn’t sure how seeing them together tonight, this weekend, would affect him. But he was determined to keep his pain to himself. The last thing he wanted was more pity. And despite all they’d put him through, he didn’t want to spoil Tag’s wedding weekend.
Truth was, he missed his cousin. They’d been so close all these years. Sam’s mom had been right. It was time to put the ill feelings aside and get on with life. If only he could convince his heart to cooperate.
