Stop That Wedding

by Melissa Klein

  He continued brushing the gelding. “The rumors are true.” James Bentley kept to himself and was known to prefer the company of animals over people.

  After the past couple days, she could understand why. “Good Lord, if you’ve heard about Mama’s fiancé, then it must be all over the whole county.”

  Her mother had tried fixing the two of them up way back in high school. The county’s most popular veterinarian was certainly handsome enough to catch her eye. He’d also demonstrated time and again he had more patience than Jesus, Job, and her favorite lab, Buster, so Jackie wouldn’t drive him insane. However, there were reasons James avoided most folks, darn good ones, she imagined. And that was enough to steer her away.

  “You’d be surprised what folks insist on telling me. Miss Ruth told me when I went to see ’bout her coon dog.”

  Diana opened one of the unused stalls and began rummaging around for the equipment they’d need at the cabin. “I need a couple cast iron skillets, blankets, my water filtration system…”

  Used as a hunters’ cabin by the previous owners, the place already had a few pieces of furniture and a cook stove. They’d need to pack everything for the visit and things to leave behind for the next time. Eventually, she planned to outfit the cabin as a remote getaway for more adventurous guests. However, now she prayed it would suffice to show her mama Neville Montgomery wasn’t cut out for true country life.

  Doc James took the old-fashioned coffee pot from her. “Here, let me give you a hand.”

  “Thanks, doc.”

  “Should I hook the horse trailer to your truck for you?”

  Taking the horses would be more fun. She and her mother loved riding the trails surrounding the town that led out to the country. Enjoyment wasn’t tomorrow’s objective. “Not the horse trailer, but you can help me hook up the other equipment.”

  Andrew thrummed his fingers against his thigh. The moment Jackie set her coffee cup back on its saucer and dabbed her lips, he pounced. “Lovely dinner, Mrs. Curtis. Southern cuisine certainly lives up to its reputation. Okra is indeed a delicacy, and your garden-fresh tomatoes tasted of the summer sun.”

  Jackie beamed with his praise. If only he could manage to say the right things to Diana. He looked beyond the dining room windows, to the rolling pasture and the barn at the far end. “If you’ll excuse me, I have things needing my attention.”

  As he picked his way across the field, avoiding landmines and the cows that made them, he took a moment to appreciate the remains of the day. An earlier shower had cooled things off, and the nocturnal insects were tuning up for their evening chorus. In the shadows created by the giant oaks in the formal gardens, fireflies conducted a mating ritual that slowed his steps. He imagined holding Diana in his arms as they, too, danced. She’d be ethereal in evening wear, with her hair up and jewels at her neck.

  Andrew slammed the door on the scenario. “Not going to happen.” Certainly not considering her demeanor toward him at dinner. Not that he wanted to pursue a romance with her. “It’s simply the scenery muddling my thinking. And jet lag. That’s it.” He increased his pace, determined to discuss Diana’s plans for his uncle. Nothing more. Voices led him to the far side of the barn.

  His brain skidded to a halt as he approached the gravel area where he found Diana leaning over the side of a battered truck. Sunlight reflected off her hair, turning it golden. As she extended her arms to place something in the truck’s bed, the muscles on her bare shoulders flexed in sinewy beauty. His gaze slid south to the hem of her dress as it rode higher up her thigh.

  A man dressed in worn jeans, boots, and a ball cap joined Diana by the truck. He hefted two large plastic containers into the truck bed. “Once I load the extra fuel cans, you should be all packed.”

  Diana slipped her arm around the man. “Are you sure I can’t talk you into coming with. I’ll make you my famous skillet peach pie.”

  He laughed and ruffled her hair. “Sorry, I’ll have to take a pass this time. I’ve got too much work to do to take time off. Otherwise I’d be all over your offer.”

  From appearances, the guy would also be all over Diana given half a chance. The prospect sent a fissure of irritation through Andrew. “I came out here to offer my assistance, but I see you already have a cavalier.”

  Diana jerked around. “What? No. I mean, yes. We’re good. You can go back to the house. Wouldn’t want you to miss your cigars and cognac.” Her lips spread in a grin. “Like you said earlier, ‘if I can manage, how hard can it be?’”

  He cringed as she repeated his words. The sentiment he expressed didn’t hold with his belief about women’s abilities. It had simply been another example of Diana bringing out the stupid in him. “Um…” If only he could get his brain and mouth to work in unison.

  Thankfully, Diana’s friend offered a rescue. “James Bentley.” He dusted his hand against his thigh before extending it to Andrew. “Local veterinarian and a long-time friend of Diana’s.”

  “Andrew Montgomery, occupation questionable and recent acquaintance of Miss Curtis.”

  “You left out Viscount Farthingworth and heir presumptive to the Effingham dukedom,” Diana added.

  With good reason.

  James’ narrow-eyed reaction typified one of two ways people responded to learning of his peerage. Hungry excitement being the other.

  “Those titles and five dollars will buy me a cup of coffee here in America. Call me Montgomery or Andrew if you like.”

  Suspicion cleared from the vet’s face. “Will do, Andy. You and your uncle are in for a treat tomorrow. I’ve hunted and fished that land all my life. It’s God’s country.” He turned to Diana. “Remember what I said about that sow.”

  “I hear you. I’m not anxious to tangle with a mama bear. I’ll be packing my .45 along with my Benelli, just in case. But only as a last resort. I know how you feel about animals, domestic and wild.”

  Bears?! He and Uncle Neville were being led into a wilderness filled with marauding beasts. All in the name of love. If the prospect of facing death wasn’t enough to convince his uncle he wasn’t cut out for life as a southern gentleman, Andrew would have to concede defeat.

  James tipped his hat. “I’ll be off then. Nice to meet you, Andy. Enjoy your trip.”

  A smile crossed the man’s face as he left, but Andrew gave over pondering the reason for more pressing matters. “Are we all set for tomorrow?”

  Diana secured a tarp over the provisions in the truck bed. “Everything except last-minute food items. I had the clothes and boots you’ll need sent to your rooms already.”

  Testament to how involved he’d been with the exchange between Diana and James, he’d failed to note the trailer attached to her truck until now. “I thought we were riding horses.”

  “I’m sorry if I gave you that impression.” She patted one of the vehicle’s seats. “No, we’re taking the ATVs.”

  How hard could it be? It would be like riding a motorized, four-wheeled bicycle. Except. “There’re only two of them.”

  “Look at you using math.” She nodded, a smug grin creasing her face. “And you said you didn’t have any marketable skills.”

  Andrew let out a growl of frustration. “Did I do something to offend you?” His words at dinner came to mind. “Other than insulting your capabilities earlier. For which I heartily apologize. But you were testy with me before I cocked things up.”

  Diana ducked her chin. “I’m embarrassed by what I said yesterday. I thought I wasn’t ever going to see you again, otherwise I would never have said those things.”

  He drew near, unable to resist the lovely blush to her cheeks. “I’m awfully glad you did.” He brushed her face with the back of his hand. “Remember, we’re on the same side.”

  “We are, aren’t we?” Her smile lit up his chest.

  “Friends again?”

  “Sure.”

  “What’s your brilliant plan?”

  She shrugged. “Make your uncle miserable.”
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br />   And Andrew as well by proximity. “That’s it?”

  “Mama loves the outdoors, not just her neat-and-tidy garden, but the back country as well. She could never be happy with someone who didn’t love camping and fishing as much as she does. You saw the pouting she did at dinner. She’s going to expect Neville to accompany her on these trips.”

  “All right. I’ll follow your lead.” He held up a finger. “However, as you did with your mother, I must insist on parameters.”

  “Go for it.”

  God only knew what other hazards lay ahead of them. Diana must consider Neville’s inexperience. “My uncle may not be placed in any grave danger. Bruises to his ego are a concession I have to accept, but I won’t have his safety threatened.”

  “I can’t make that promise.” Her voice rose in surprise. “You heard James. There are bears out there, along with coyotes and snakes. Maybe a wild boar or two. I will tell you, your uncle won’t be in any more danger than Mama or I am—or you for that matter.”

  The next twenty-four hours were guaranteed to be pure unadulterated hell. “To say nothing of the man-eating mosquitoes.” He slapped at one of the insects that had landed on his arm and begun to draw blood. His sixth sense tingled, urging him to fold his cards, take his chips and run. However, caution hadn’t made him the money to keep Chatham Park in family hands. Only something extreme would work. “I’ll see you at first light then.”

  The morning star and crescent moon greeted Diana as she tramped across the wet grass to the barn. Finding Andrew waiting by the truck, she passed him a travel mug of coffee and a biscuit. “Operation Off Road Breakup is officially underway.”

  She pealed back the foil on her own breakfast and breathed in the spicy scent of sausage. “Go ahead. They’re better while they’re hot.” Although stone-cold, her mother’s biscuits were still something worth savoring. Diana followed up the first bite with a long draw of strong coffee. Fortified with carbs, fat, and caffeine, she might possible survive a morning of proximity with Andrew. Darn it all, for a slice of upper crust, he sure wore jeans and plaid well.

  He moaned as he bit into the sausage biscuit. “Don’t let my uncle…” Between chews he continued. “Neville can’t have one of these or our plans are doomed.”

  “Good?”

  He nodded, taking another bite.

  “Don’t worry. The first leg of our off-road journey will be enough to wipe all pleasant memories from his mind.”

  He swallowed then took a sip of coffee. “That bad?”

  “I’m assuming your uncle doesn’t enjoy a good bog wallow.” The property she’d purchased bordered the state highway, with the acreage visible from the road devoted to quail hunting. Where they were headed, white-tailed deer and bass from a large lake were the quarry. Separating the two areas was a wide stream, damp even in the driest conditions. With rain falling nearly every afternoon, they’d be crossing at least a hundred yards of heavy mud.

  “I don’t know what that is, but I can assure you he does not. Neither do I.”

  “You’ll see soon enough.”

  “Best to get started.” He drew in a breath. “The sooner we begin this trial by nature, the sooner I can have a martini glass in my hand.”

  Diana’s heart twisted. She’d miss Andrew once he and the duke were back where they belonged. It was unreasonable to have formed an attachment to him in such a short period of time, but losing her boyfriend and bestie had robbed Diana of her core of friends. “My mother popped back in for one more civilized potty break. Once she and your uncle get out here, we can get this show on the road.”

  Andrew’s hang-dog expression tickled her. “At least you have the luxury of standing up. Mama and I—”

  The appearance of her mother and Neville cut off the rest of her explanation. No doubt to Andrew’s great relief, going by the florid color on his face. “Let’s hurry, Mama. I hear the fish calling your name.” For once Jackie wore clothes suited for the occasion and in muted tones. Unlike her fiancé who exited right behind his betrothed.

  “Bloody hell.” Andrew took a couple steps toward his uncle and narrowed his eyes.

  “I couldn’t have said it better myself.” In place of the sensible Carhartt pants and boots she’d sent up to his room, the man had somehow gotten ahold of a cowboy outfit—from a 1950s’ Western movie.

  “That hat.”

  “I can get you one if you like.” She carried a small line of western gear in the Sweet Tea and Lavender shop in the mansion’s lobby.

  He barked a laugh. “I’m good. At least with the red shirt you won’t have to worry about losing him.”

  “True.” Her mind wandered at the thought of her shop. For much of the trip, cell service would be spotty at best. “I’m going to check my emails one more time before we get going.”

  He waved her off. “Go ahead. I’ll get these two sorted, and we’ll be ready to start when you’re done.”

  Diana pulled up her emails on her phone, scanning through the score of unopened messages for any urgent notes. After sending a quick reminder to the store manager in Anniston about an upcoming festival they were supporting, she checked the battery life. Ninety-eight percent would hold her for most of the day, and with an additional power booster, she’d be good to go.

  Why did her stomach ache like she was abandoning a newborn puppy? “This must be how moms feel leaving their kids at kindergarten.” She returned to the truck to find Andrew in front and the lovebirds occupying the old truck’s rear jump seat.

  “They insisted,” he said as she climbed inside.

  She started the truck’s engine. “We might as well start as we mean to go on, Neville. I’m sure my mother warned you, that you’re in for a rough ride out to the property.”

  He clutched his ten-gallon hat to his chest. “I’m sure I’ll manage, my dear. Onward ho, and all that.”

  Diana couldn’t meet her mother’s beaming face for fear she’d burst out laughing. Their drive to the hunters’ camp began with only the whine of tires against pavement for noise. The sun eased up over the trees bringing with it the promise of another beautiful delta day. About two miles in, Neville began using his hat as a fan.

  She rolled down the truck’s window to get a breeze blowing. “That should get some air moving.” At the crest of a hill the turn off came into view. Turning right, she pulled into the gravel drive and stopped in front of a large metal gate.

  Andrew popped the door handle. “I’ll get that for you.” He climbed out and did the honors, dragging the gate back into place once the trailer cleared. Afterward, he leaned in her window and smiled. “I’m handier than I look.” His blue eyes flashed.

  “I might have to keep you around,” she said before her brain could weigh in.

  Darn it.

  If only words came tied to a string, so she could snatch the wrong ones back. “Anyway.” She killed the engine. “Let’s get the four wheelers unloaded.”

  Her mother and Neville crawled out of the rear, and the foursome congregated at the trailer. She unlocked the tailgate and her phone rang. She pulled it from her pocket and glanced at the screen. The manager at her Hattiesburg store. “Mama, wait on me. I need to get this.” The unease gnawing at her all morning kicked into full-fledged anxiety. “What’s up, Lucy?”

  “There’s been a little accident.”

  Her breath caught. “Define little.”

  “There was a fire at Donnie’s Pizza next door. Our place suffered smoke and water damage.”

  Diana’s heart sank. One of her smaller stores, not her biggest moneymaker. However, it employed several army wives from nearby Camp Shelby who relied on their part-time positions to supplement their spouses’ income.

  “All right, give me a few hours, and I’ll be there.”

  Though leaving meant the end of her and Andrew’s scheme. They’d never get another opportunity to demonstrate to Jackie and Neville the disaster they were sailing into. She couldn’t let her mother enter a marriage doomed t
o fail.

  “No, I’ve got it.” Lucy’s calm was one of the reasons she’d hired the sergeant’s wife. “I wanted to let you know since I’m sure you’ll need to make calls. I’ve rallied the ladies, and they’re headed over to help sort through the mess. There’s nothing you can do.”

  “Okay, if you’re sure.”

  “We’ve got this. If we can handle two back-to-back deployments, a little fire is nothing.”

  After making the necessary call to her insurance agent, she rejoined the others. Her stomach rolled, but Lucy was right. Her ladies had it handled. “Well, hopefully we’ve had our glitch for this trip.”

  Andrew arched an eyebrow. “Everything okay?”

  She eased the tail gate to the ground, creating a ramp to roll the four wheelers down. “Help me get these off, and I’ll tell you about it.”

  Andrew followed Diana’s lead as she explained the disaster that befell one of her shops. “I must say, you’re taking this in your stride. Are you certain you can press on?” He wasn’t keen for her to leave him to carry out their plan, but surely the cleanup was weighing on her mind.

  “Thanks, but I’m good to go.” She withdrew a roll of antacids then gestured to her mother and his uncle who were snogging at the side of the truck. “But for the love of all that’s holy, can we please keep these two busy. I only have this one roll of antacids, and the nausea is killing me.”

  He could hardly blame her. Public displays of affection weren’t his favorite either. “Uncle Neville, lend a hand, if you will.”

  The foursome strapped the remaining items to the all-terrain vehicles, and soon they were ready for departure. Andrew sidled up to one of the vehicles, girding his loins for the task ahead. “Right then, which am I driving?” He’d never been on one before, but how difficult could they be to operate?

  Diana’s laugh cut him deeper than it should have.

  “Hold on there, big boy.” She patted the seat. “You and Neville get to be passengers. The terrain we’re traveling is way too rough for a tenderfoot. This thing would buck you off within the first mile, and we’re on our own once we leave the highway. Can’t get cell service that far back in the woods.”