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“Hmm,” I agree non-committal. “Isn’t it strange that we need to collect it from his house?”
“Not really. It’s amazing he’s working at all between Christmas and New Year’s. And if he’s working from home, we won’t have to drive as far.” He pulls me closer against him, when a group of teenagers stroll by, laughing loudly.
“Actually, I was surprised you didn’t try to bribe him,” I say, snuggling up against him.
“There was no need. Plus, we are trying to live by the book these days, aren’t we?” Tiero asks, grinning at me.
God, he looks so damn handsome when he smiles like that. It still has the power to make my heart flutter.
“I’m glad we’re on the same page with this. It wouldn’t—”
“Ella, Ella, Ella,” Claudette singsongs from somewhere behind us.
Tiero and I turn and watch as she almost dances toward us.
Taking my hand, she pulls me away from my husband-to-be. He draws his brows together, reminding me of the stern Mafia boss I got to know after my kidnapping.
Ignoring him completely, Claudette pulls me in the direction she just came from.
“Hurry, darling. The shop is about to close, and you have to see it.”
“See what?” I ask as I stumble after her.
“The perfect wed—” she stops herself from finishing her sentence when she notices Tiero following. He’s a step behind us and hasn’t let go of my hand.
“You can’t come,” she says pointedly.
Oh my… she’s brave.
Tiero straightens to his full height, his face turning ice-cold. Geez, he’s certainly hasn’t lost his ability to intimidate.
“I’m not letting Ella out of my sight,” he declares, his voice firm, brooking no opposition.
The threatening face and tone might work on anybody else, just not Claudette. She rolls her eyes.
“Nothing will happen to her. We’re just down the street. Why don’t you wait in that coffee shop?” She points to a storefront. Its inviting glow spills onto the snow-covered sidewalk. The windows are frost-kissed, and a din of laughter and the clinking of cups come from inside.
“No,” he says, not turning his attention away from us.
She sighs, exasperated, as I watch on amused.
These two are as stubborn as each other and not a day goes by without them clashing.
I often feel like I’m watching a tennis match, my head turning from one to the other in their intense but usually eerily calm exchanges.
“It’s bad luck for you to see what I’m about to show Ella. You wouldn’t want that, would you?”
Oh? My brows raise, my interest piqued.
There’s only one thing a groom is not meant to see before the wedding.
Has Claudette found me a dress?
Here, in Homer, Alaska?
No way!
Chapter Six
