She looked between the table and chairs and the lounger he’d just set up. “So you hit a camping store and a jeweler today. Anywhere else I need to know about?”
“The lounger isn’t new. I’ve had it for several years. Larry lets me store it with some of the kitchen stuff.” Gabe lifted the picnic basket and a lantern on to the table. “And speaking of Larry, let’s see what our executive chef packed for us.” Josie stepped closer. He knew she’d be interested in the food.
Gabe read the labels as he lifted each container out of the basket. “We’ve got a broccoli salad with peanut dressing, a Caprese salad, and avocado hummus wraps.” He stopped and lifted the lid on the other end of the basket. “And in here we have chilled champagne and sparkling water, and…” He lifted out the last item and set it on the table.
“A miniature wedding cake,” Josie said reverently.
“Heavy on the frosting,” Gabe pointed out. Their eyes met. He felt exposed as she beamed at him. He motioned for her to sit. His stomach rumbled even with all the vegetables in front of him.
“Are you a vegetarian?” Josie asked as she filled her plate with the salads and opened an avocado hummus wrap.
“No, but Jamie mentioned something in passing that made me think you are, and then I asked R and R what you’d ordered for lunch.”
“You do your research,” she said before she bit into her wrap sandwich. It didn’t sound like an accusation. Maybe their wedding night wouldn’t turn into a total disaster.
“I’m a dot-my-I’s-cross-my-T’s kind of guy, I guess.” He shrugged and speared one of the miniature mozzarella balls.
“I’m the same way. Usually.” Josie didn’t elaborate. She didn’t need to. They both knew what she was alluding to. They made polite, idle chit-chat while watching the sun set behind the mountains and it was killing him. He didn’t know how to get her to relax and stay relaxed. As darkness edged toward them, Gabe turned on the lantern.
“You’ve thought of everything,” she said and she sounded impressed.
“Not everything,” Gabe said as he dug through the basket. “I forgot to get champagne flutes. We’ll need to use regular glasses.”
“Horror,” Josie teased as she clutched her chest. “What will people think?”
“They’ll think I’m a genius since the tumblers fit in the lounger’s cup holders and champagne flutes wouldn’t have.” He held the bottle by its neck and moved the lantern closer to Josie. He held the under-ten-dollar bottle toward her. “Does this meet with madam’s approval?” he asked. It sure as hell didn’t meet his. This wasn’t his preferred vintage but it was the cheapest they had in stock. His sommelier had assured him it wasn’t half bad. For her, he’d try it.
He needed Josie to see that he was a regular person. Scratch that. More like a regular person who had expensive tastes and could afford them. What was that expression? Champagne taste on a beer budget? But he was more like champagne tastes with no budget. Gabe knew she was nervous about his wealth, which was a refreshing change of pace. He liked that she was hesitant. He didn’t feel used.
She nodded her head and he could feel her watching him uncork the bottle as she cut the small cake in half and plated them each a piece. They settled on the two-person lounger and he spread a blanket across their laps. “To us,” he toasted after he’d handed her a tumbler of champagne. Josie took a sip and returned to eating the frosting flowers off of her cake slab.
“Your pastry chef has got to give me this frosting recipe,” she said.
“The cake’s good, too. You should try some of it,” he teased.
“How do you know I haven’t?”
“Just a hunch.” He felt Josie shift closer to him. He didn’t know if she was looking for warmth or something else. It had been a long time since Gabe felt disoriented around a woman. He felt comfortable and on edge at the same time.
“So, if this had been a traditional wedding with an insane reception, who would give the best man’s toast and what embarrassing things would he have to say about you?” she asked.
Gabe noticed that she’d said traditional wedding and not a real wedding. He wouldn’t blame her if she had but he took it as a good sign that she hadn’t. “Hmmm. Garrett, my best friend growing up. We get together a few times each year. You’ll like him.”
“And what would he say?”
Gabe chuckled. “Knowing Garrett, he’d have a lot to say. He’d probably tell about the raft we built that sank or the treehouse that collapsed from underneath us.”
“Was anyone hurt?” He felt Josie tense next to him.
“His pride. My arm.”
“Any other exploits?”
“He’d drag out a slew of embarrassing high school moments and some from college, too. How about you? Who’d be telling us about all the broken hearts you’d left behind.”
“Elle because she’s been my best friend since third grade.” Josie softened against him and he draped his arm around her shoulders so she could snuggle in more. She did. “And no string of broken hearts. Elle is very kind so she wouldn’t say anything embarrassing. She’d wish us luck and warn you not to screw up.”
“Is this the same Elle that’s your CEO and married to your brother?”
“Yep. I trust her with everything.”
Gabe managed not to scoff as his grandfather’s voice rang out in his head, ‘Never trust anyone, boy.’ Kanes didn’t do trust. Instead, he said, “That’s nice.”
“It’s the best.” She handed him her plate.
“You ate all that frosting?”
“Yep, and some of the cake. You were right. It was good, too.”
“But not as good as the frosting, right?”
“Right. Frosting is almost as good as a best friend.” He felt her tuck her feet underneath her. “So, who are the rest of your groomsmen?”
“I think that would depend on bridesmaids. Who do you have besides Elle?”
“My college besties Ryley, Emma, Alana, and Annika. We’re still really close. We travel together when we can and call and text often. We went to Paris this year.”
“Ah, the city of love,” Gabe said.
“Not the same when you’re with your girlfriends. So, who are the groomsmen?”
“I’d fill in with cousins. We were pretty tight growing up and some of them work for Witz Holdings so I see them regularly.” And they see you as the boss, not their cousin. When did this get so effed up?
Gabe tilted back the lounger. Josie shrieked at the sudden movement and clutched his chest. He hoped she couldn’t feel his racing heart. If she did, he’d blame it on too much sugar. Gabe couldn’t risk Josie knowing she had that much impact on him. He handed her the binoculars.
“What am I looking for?”
“Anything and everything. It’s late for the Leonids Meteor Shower, but we might see some meteors.”
“I don’t see anything in the sky,” she complained as she rearranged herself. Her head was on Gabe’s chest and he could smell the spa’s distinctive scent in her hair. He reached over and turned off the lantern, plunging them into darkness. A coyote howled in the distance. Josie tensed. “You’ve got to be kidding, Gabe.”
“We’re safe, don’t worry. Just relax and let your eyes adjust to the darkness.” He pulled her closer to him and she relaxed. He looked skyward and it didn’t take long for him to relax either. Just like he always did when he searched the nighttime sky.
Josie broke the silence. “I’m seeing stuff but I have no idea what I’m looking at.”
“The Leonids Meteor Shower happens each year around this time as the earth passes through a debris field.” Gabe told her more about the meteors and then guided her to see the planets Mars and Venus and the constellations of Cassiopeia and Pisces. He felt Josie set the binoculars down. “I’m only seeing shooting stars.” She sounded disappointed.
“That’s great,” he encouraged. “Those are part of the meteor shower.” Her head turned toward him. He didn’t know if she was tryin
g to look at him or if she was searching another section of the night sky. It didn’t matter to him as long as she stayed next to him.
“How’d you get into stargazing?” she asked.
“Summer camp and then in high school I did a backpacking trip through Glacier National Park. That’s where I met Larry. Anyway, our camp guide was a walking encyclopedia and I just soaked it up.” He’d never talked about this to anyone, but she seemed interested so he kept going. “I loved astronomy so much that I double majored in college with it.”
“Oh, like one of those old guys who say, ‘Hey, baby, what’s your sign?’”
“Ha-ha. Like I haven’t heard that one a million times. I’m a Scorpio, by the way, in case you’re into astrology.” He emphasized the last word in case she didn’t know the difference and hadn’t been joking with the “what’s your sign” comment. The number of people who confused the two fields shocked him.
“I do know the difference between astronomy and astrology. And I’m a Pisces, March seventh. I think I remember from a Seventeen magazine in my impressionable youth that our two signs are compatible.”
“If they’re not, we’ll prove them wrong.” Gabe dropped a feather-light kiss on her hair. Fool, he chastised himself. Josie sighed. He couldn’t tell if it was a contented sigh or a worried sigh. He needed to know his wife better.
“You think this will work?” He heard the doubt and concern in her voice. That was a worried sigh. He tried to remember the sound.
“Yeah, I do. We have a lot in common, and I think we have similar values. I don’t see myself giving up bacon anytime soon, though,” he warned.
“Mmmm. Bacon. I do make an exception for that,” Josie reassured him. “And sometimes I get a strong craving for a hamburger or a really good steak. Not often, but when I do, I have it and I’m good for a while.” She yawned loudly. He knew a clue when he heard one.
“We should head back. We’ve got an early flight back to Minnesota tomorrow and then the family birthday party. You’ll need all your energy for that.” Gabe untangled himself from Josie and helped her up. He turned on the lantern and they quickly broke down camp and loaded the golf cart. Gabe switched on the extra set of headlights and Josie slowly drove them back to the resort. She parked it back where they’d found it. Gabe grabbed her hand as she started to unpack. “Leave it. Between R and R and Larry, they’ll get it unpacked.”
He held her hand as they strolled back to their suite. This time it was different. She wasn’t leading him and he wasn’t dragging her. They walked side by side. Occasionally, one of them would sneak a peek at the other and smile softly as if they couldn’t believe their good luck.
When they reached the suite, Gabe handed her his key card. “Is your hand broken?” Josie shot him a teasing grin as she took the card.
“No,” he said as he scooped his arm behind her knees and lifted her to his chest.
Josie squealed. “What are you doing?” she asked through her laughter.
“It’s obvious, isn’t it? I’m carrying you over the threshold.”
“I think it’s too late for that,” Josie admonished as she waved the key card in front of the lock.
“Yeah, well, you were ready to scratch my eyes out earlier. I didn’t want to risk it.”
“About that. I’m sorry. I’ve got some trust issues where men are concerned.”
“Anything I need to know about?” he asked as he shouldered the door open.
“Nah, just don’t mess up again or keep secrets or steal from me and we’ll be good.” She patted him on the chest as he carefully set her down. His fingers linked with hers and he held them against his chest. He tilted her head up with his free hand, forcing her to look at him.
“I can’t promise that. I’m only human, Josie. I’m going to mess up. A lot. I haven’t had a lot of experience with this.”
“With women?” she teased.
He’d bite, but he wouldn’t give details. “I’ve had plenty of experience with women. I haven’t had a lot of experience with relationships,” he said. He’d meant to say good relationships. The important ones that mattered, but he’d retreated. She didn’t need to know he was a failure.
“I’ll try not to assume the worst,” she promised.
“Goodnight, Mrs. Kane,” Gabe breathed as he placed a soft kiss on her lips. His lips lingered and Josie ran her fingers through his hair, leveraging him closer. Against his baser instincts, Gabe broke the kiss and gently nudged Josie toward her bedroom.
“We’re not, that is, um.” Josie stopped speaking and bit her lower lip. She looked confused and disappointed. He couldn’t tell if the heightened color on her face resulted from their kissing or her embarrassment. Gabe didn’t say anything. He raised an eyebrow in question, willing her to continue.
He’d like nothing more than to take his wife to bed, but everything had been so rushed. Until yesterday she’d just been his favorite barista. Liar, he scolded himself. Josie was one of his favorite people. There was no way she’d be on the same page as him with this.
She looked at him and huffed. Mad? Exasperated? Hurt? Gabe couldn’t figure it out. “Don’t you want to?” she asked and nodded her head toward her room. Gabe felt his shoulders relax.
“With every beat of my heart,” he said as he stepped closer to her. “But given that we’ve only shared a few heated kisses and desserts, I thought it would be rather presumptuous of me.”
“That makes sense.” She nodded her head and looked around the room. Anywhere but at him. She seemed deep in thought as she played with her wedding ring. “My grandma always said that you should start as you intend to go. Do you agree?” Gabe felt a glimmer of hope.
I’d be stupid not to, Gabe thought before answering, “I do. And how do you intend to go, Mrs. Kane?” Gabe felt downright caveman every time he said “Mrs. Kane.” It made him want to beat his chest in victory. He’d won. He’d met his grandfather’s stupid requirement and he’d won the company. All thanks to Mrs. Kane, the lovely woman standing in front of him toying with her wedding ring and chewing on her lower lip. The ball was in her court. She’d given him so much. The least he could do was give her control of the rest of their wedding night.
Gabe should be a gentleman and decide for both of them—separate rooms. But he didn’t want to be a gentleman. He wanted her under him and over him on their wedding night.
“I intend on sharing the bed with my husband.” Josie grabbed Gabe’s hand and walked backward toward the master suite. “I believe we negotiated for children, and I won’t get pregnant on my own. I expect you to keep your end of the deal.” She stepped up to him and peppered his jaw with kisses. Her hands roamed his chest. “Does that work for you, Mr. Kane?” she asked as she played with a button on his shirt. Josie was a unique mix of timid and tigress all rolled into one, and Gabe couldn’t wait to find out who tamed who.
“Yes, dear,” Gabe said before he captured her lips. He scooped her up and covered her laughter with a breathtaking kiss as he strode toward the master suite. A kiss that didn’t seem to end until the very early hours of the morning.
7
“We’re not all this bad,” the petite blond said as she gave Josie a warm smile, the first real smile she’d seen on anyone’s face since she and Gabe had arrived at his Aunt Sandra’s house. “I’m Hailee. Sandra is my mom and Duncan is my brother. There’s a quiz at the end of the evening so I hope you’re paying attention.”
“So far so good,” Josie said confidently. Her method involved imagining people as a coffee drink. She added Hailee as a touch of sweetness to the family blend of overpowering Sandra and shot of bitter Duncan.
“Where’s Gabriel?” Hallie asked.
“He was dragged away soon after we got here,” Josie said. Tossed me to the wolves is what she’d wanted to say, but this was Hailee’s family and she didn’t want to offend the woman.
“Typical Gabriel.” Hailee huffed in frustration. “How about I introduce you to everyone and give you t
he lay of the land, so to speak?” Josie didn’t have time to answer before Hailee slipped her arm through hers and propelled her across the room.
They worked the room until Josie’s jaw hurt from forcing a smile while gritting her teeth. She fingered the slip of paper in her pocket and remembered today’s affirmation: My strength lies in my individuality. It didn’t help.
She’d never felt like such an outsider in her entire life. Which was saying something since she’d lived in Costa Rica for ten months. A tall, pale, blue-eyed blond amongst the petite, sun-kissed, brown-eyed, dark-haired Costa Ricans. She’d stuck out everywhere she’d gone. At least they’d been welcoming there.
“Gabe didn’t give me any idea the family was this large,” Josie said to Hailee.
“Well, when my mother sent the invitations, it hinted that a huge announcement would be made, so everyone’s curious. I almost feel sorry for her. She thought she’d be celebrating Duncan’s ascension to the throne, not Gabriel’s.”
“Jeez, this really is like Game of Thrones.”
“But with no good-looking single men I’m not related to,” Hailee complained.
“Incest wasn’t an issue back then,” Josie teased.
“Ewww. Gross.” Hailee scrunched her face as if she’d sucked on a lemon. She touched Josie’s forearm and gave her a little squeeze. “You’ll survive. I’ve got your back and so do Aunt Margaret and Uncle Bruce and their twins. I’m sure the West Coast families will love you, too. It’s too bad Gabriel’s based here and not there. They’re a lot nicer and more supportive of him.”
Hailee was cut short when a group of well-dressed and high-heeled women led by Aunt Sandra approached. Josie stepped closer to Hailee as she looked around the room for Gabe. Where’s a knight in shining armor when you need one? she thought.
“So, Jenny, dear—”
“It’s Josie, ma’am,” she corrected with a heavy emphasis on the last word. Aunt Sandra had called her every J-name except the correct one. A classic intimidation technique and Josie wasn’t falling for it.
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