AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Two
Elise and Wayne walkedtoward the stables together. Elise felt a heaviness behind Wayne’s mind but decided not to pry. The sooner she had a glass of champagne in her hand, the sooner she could fall into silly banter with those ladies (who she had friend-crushes on, each and every one of them), the better. They made her think of Haley, of Mia, of her mother and her daughter. She wanted that kind of energy around her, especially as the world collapsed.
The stable hand shook Wayne’s hand amicably and hardly glanced at Elise. “What’s been going on, Wayne?” he asked as he assisted the horses to separate slots, calling them each by their names—Ghost and Darla.
“Not so much, I guess,” Wayne said, which was a lie if Elise had ever heard one.
“The coffee shop?” the stable hand called from the back shadows of the stables.
“As busy as ever, thankfully,” Wayne said. “Although I think me and the baristas really would like a break.”
“You got that right. I’m about ready for tourist season to come to a quick and easy close,” the stable hand said as he latched the gates on each of the stalls. When he reappeared in front of them, he whacked his hands together to clean them and smiled to show all of his teeth, which were still covered in braces.
“You sticking on the island this fall?” Wayne asked.
“I’m headed to Michigan State for school,” the guy said.
“Wow! Congratulations,” Wayne said.
Elise felt the genuine excitement behind Wayne’s words.
She was beginning to think, no matter where Wayne went on this island, he had love and respect for each and every person.
It was remarkable to see this world through his eyes—almost as good as seeing the world through the lens of her mother’s diary.
“Oh, I’m sorry. How rude. My name is Calvin,” the stable hand said to Elise.
“Nice to meet you,” Elise said.
“What brings you to the island?” Calvin asked.
“Just um. Vacation?” Elise tried.
“I’ve never heard anyone less sure of their own vacation,” Calvin said. “But, I hope this big idiot has shown you an okay time so far.” He pressed a light punch into the top of Wayne’s enormous bicep.
“He’s done okay,” Elise said.
“Apparently, she’s dragging me into a spontaneous wedding,” Wayne said, arching his brow.
“Uh oh,” Calvin said.
It seemed like the two of them had some kind of conversation in the air between them. Elise tried to shrug it off.
When they returned to the lake shoreline, they found the group of between fifteen and twenty celebrators with their champagne glasses lifted toward the sun. Tracey flapped her hand and said, “Roger! She’s back! Pour the girl a glass!” Her lips formed a round O as she added, “I didn’t realize the friend you were bringing was... Wayne.”
Roger, who was the poor groom, hurriedly poured them both glasses of champagne, as Wayne shifted uncomfortably beside Elise.
“Hey there, Tracey. And, um, congratulations, Anna,” Wayne said.
Anna gave him a peculiar look, then walked toward him. If Elise wasn’t mistaken, she felt there was a bit of rage spinning there behind the bride’s eyes.
What had she done?
But Anna just swept forward and dropped a polite kiss on Wayne’s cheek. “I’m glad you made it, Wayne. I never got your RSVP back.”
Wayne cleared his throat. “Sorry about that. It’s been kind of chaotic lately.”
“Every time I pass The Grind, it’s busier than ever,” Anna affirmed.
