Is that so? he whispered straight into my ear, goose-bumps and a tremble my only response. Il show you piety tonight.
And al my people said TMI! Patrick shouted, his face puckering. Im out of here before clothes start-a flyin and table tops get-a rockin.
The tables are off limits, Abigail warned, spreading her arms wide in warning.
Dont worry, Abigail, I said, trying not to laugh at the concern she was showing for her beloved tabletops. I can guarantee you with absolute confidence the only thing Wil iam wil be violating until were properly United is his living room sofa. I elbowed him in the chest, which only made me tight with want. How much longer would I have to wait until I had that chest against mine, nothing but heat, sweat, and desire separating our skin?
Imaginary cold shower, Wil iam whispered through gritted teeth. For the love of god, woman, try to control yourself.
Sorry, I whispered back, no apology in it. If I had to feel his pent-up physical frustration, he certainly had to experience mine. I couldnt say if this was the way it was with other people”being able to sense each others feelings, their emotions”but this was the way it was with Wil iam and me.
For the love of al that is holy, you two, Patrick said, shaking his head. Do you ever say anything without your hormones taking the lead?
Do you? I shot back, crossing my arms.
Patrick sneered back, knowing I had him. Only when I have to. He came towards us, patting the side of Wil iams arm as he weaved the orchid behind my ear. Something to remember me by since I know as soon as I walk out that door Il be a distant”more like a non-existent”memory.
Wil iam patted Patricks back in passing. You know, if you were anyone else, Id be pummeling you right now. There was no seriousness in Wil iams voice, although I didnt doubt if any other man had tried to rest a flower behind my ear, Wil iam wouldnt have hesitated to carry out his threat.
Geesh, ever since youve been al but promised a Betrothal to her, youve gotten al Rottweiler territorial on her, Patrick said, making for the exit.
You pee on her leg to mark your territory? He high-fived Norberto in passing, winking back at me.
Um, ewww, I said, Abigail and Cora adding their own grumbles of disgust.
Catch ya al later. Im in need of some serious shock therapy to rid myself of the mind-raping you two just performed on my brain, he hol ered back, breaking into a jog as he exited. Final y.
Um, sir? Norberto said, taking a hesitant step forward.
Im right behind you, Norberto, Wil iam said, placing a final kiss over my mouth. Wait up for me? He actual y worded it like a question. Did this man not realize Id not only wait up tonight for him, but Id wait every moment of forever for him if need be?
Always, I sighed, watching him lope away from me, wishing I could fold up into wal et size so I travel via his pocket with him wherever he went.
Good seeing you too, Wil iam, Cora cal ed after him purposeful y, sticking out her lower lip.
He froze mid-stride, shoulders tensing. He spun around, apology written on his face. Running to Cora and Abigail, he scooped each one up in an arm, pul ing them to him. Great seeing you both, he said, gushing as he grinned over at me. Sorry?
Looking satisfied when he set them back on the ground, Cora answered, Accepted.
Wil iam wiped at his forehead. Phew. He stared over at me, his smile pul ing up one side of his cheek. I have a tough time remembering theres a whole other world out there other than ours when Im with you. Il have to work on that.
I hope you dont, I said immediately.
Bryn, Cora scolded, hitching her hands on her hips. You do realize we,”she motioned between Abigail and herself”are included in that ˜other world?
Sorry, ladies, Wil iam cal ed back, skirting around the dozens of tables in his journey towards the entrance. Bryn has spoken. There wil be no other world acknowledgement when were in our own.
His exit was fol owed by three sighs, although mine was the only one that wasnt exasperated.
CHAPTER TWO
ONE MAN TOO MANY
Other than a shattered wine glass, a torn tablecloth, and a string of lanterns gone MIA, you did an exceptional job keeping the Bryn tornado of destruction caged, Cora said, patting my arm.
Lets not forget the nearly demolished Table Twenty-two, Abigail chimed in, switching off the power source to the tent where, tomorrow night, my dream would either come true or a ful -fledged nightmare would manifest.
I gave my head a violent shake, attempting to jostle free those thoughts. I would not al ow anything to spoil the eve of the Betrothal Bal where Id become an almost Hayward. A Mrs. William Hayward.
Emphasis on the ˜nearly, I said, as the tent fel black, although there were enough stars lighting the Montana sky to cause the décor within to glitter like a disco bal . I almost preferred it this way.
Come on, Im not sure if I can be physical y exhausted, but we can at least pretend, Cora said, weaving her arms through Abigails and mine. Ive got a fresh batch of oatmeal raisin cookies at home, providing Joseph heeded my warning that hed be on couch-patrol for a week if he ate al of them. And you know coffees customary.
That sounds wonderful, Abigail started, trying to hide the but tone in her voice, but Im sure Nathanials expecting me after being gone al day.
I knew from experience Cora was rol ing her eyes. And he cant do without you for another hour or two while we girls kick our feet up and overdose on confection and caffeine?
Nathanial, Abigail said, in explanation.
Yeah, yeah. I forgot ˜hopeless without his woman ran in the family. Good thing it decreased in severity with each brother.
Abigail nudged me. I dont think there was much decrease from first to second born. Sorry.