Chapter 17
Natalie
Tip #17: Be prepared to improvise when necessary.
T he annual winter used book sale at the Fox Creek Public Library was in full swing. I stood behind the wobbly table moonlighting as a checkout counter, volunteering since the Friends of the Library ran the book sale on behalf of the library.
The scents of old paper and ink mingled with the excited chatter of customers, creating a comfy atmosphere in the library’s meeting room.
“Here’s your change, Keely.” I handed my younger cousin a few bills. “Enjoy the books!”
“Thanks, Nat!” Keely said. “I—whoa! Sorry, my phone is connected to my hearing aids by Bluetooth.” Keely pulled out her phone, which was vibrating with an incoming call. She silenced it and smiled at me. “Anyway, I found some really great stories this year.”
“Yeah, we had more donations than usual this year.”
Keely made a noise of surprise.
I looked up in time to see Samuel enter carrying a small picnic basket. I waved hello, beckoning him over.
To my surprise, Isaac and their grandfather Walter followed close behind him. I waved to them as well, receiving a nod from Isaac and a beaming smile from Walter.
Keely raised an eyebrow. “Seems like your boyfriend can’t stand to be parted from you for very long these days.”
I rolled my eyes. “He’s bringing me dinner since I won’t be able to leave until the sale ends at 8 p.m.”
“Uh-huh,” Keely said skeptically. “I guess I’ll go see if Grandpa Mann is ready to pay yet.” She left, weaving through the tables piled with used books to join Grandpa Mann and Noah, who were engrossed in the used picture books section.
A few readers came up to my table to buy books, and I completed the purchases and sent them off before I could greet Samuel.
He had lingered near my table, waiting for me to finish the transactions. Once there were no more customers, he finally approached me, setting the picnic basket on the table. “Good evening, Nat.”
“Hello! And thanks, Sam. I really appreciate you dropping by to bring me dinner.” I paused, trying to figure out how I could hint at our fake relationship without saying anything outright. “I know it’s above and beyond your role.”
Samuel’s expression was unreadable as he leaned in close to me. I was used to his affectionate gestures by now and managed not to blush bright red at the touch of his lips against my skin. When he breathed into my ear, though, that made my heartbeat kick up. “I’m always happy to help you, Natalie,” he murmured.
I held in a gulp and made myself smile. “Right. Thanks,” I lamely said.
Samuel opened the picnic basket, and the tantalizing aroma of bacon filled the air.
“What did you bring?”
“BLT sandwiches,” Samuel said. “I also brought some grapes, crackers, and assorted cheeses. I picked things that wouldn’t be too messy since you’ll be checking out people.”
“That was thoughtful, thank you.” I peeked into the basket. “Wow. You brought a lot of food. How much do you think I eat?”
Samuel dragged a nearby folding chair up to the table. “I haven’t had dinner yet either, so I thought we could eat together.”
“Works for me.” I sat down, and he handed me a sandwich.
I took a bite, savoring the flavors of the applewood-smoked bacon as more people streamed into the meeting room for the book sale. Grandpa Mann, Noah, and Keely continued to paw through the picture books while Isaac perused the nonfiction section. Walter, however, kept his eyes glued to Samuel and me, a knowing smile on his face.
Something was up with that.
“Did Isaac and Walter eat before coming?” I asked between bites.
“Yep,” Samuel said.
Marjorie marched into the meeting room, her platinum-blond beehive bobbing with each step she took. “I’m here to help with the book sale,” she drawled. “But first, I need to find some books worth reading—for the slow hours or for when I see someone I don’t particularly like.”
“Take your time, Marjorie.” Samuel winked. “I can back Natalie up if there’s a rush.”
“Hmm, so you say.” Marjorie fixed her gaze on Samuel. “What are you doing here?”
Samuel maintained his charming smile. “I’m bringing date night to Natalie since she has to volunteer—I’m just that attached.”
“Ugh. You two are disgustingly romantic.” Marjorie rolled her eyes and shuffled off to peruse the books.
I laughed, but Samuel’s smile turned taut, and I realized he was clenching his jaw.
I studied him for a few more moments as I finished up my sandwich. “Are you OK?”
“Of course.” He abandoned his half-eaten sandwich, tucking it back into the picnic basket, then scanned the meeting room.
I followed his gaze to Isaac and Walter. Isaac was still browsing the books, but Walter gave us a big thumbs-up when he saw we were looking his way.
“Were your grandfather and Isaac interested in the book sale?” I asked, a little confused by their presence. The only Warner I’d ever seen at the biannual used book sale in all my years of volunteering was Samuel.
“Not particularly,” Samuel said.
“Then why did they come?”
“Grandfather didn’t give me a choice,” Samuel wryly said. “He was coming whether I wanted him to or not. Isaac tagged along for moral support.”
“Moral support? For what?” I asked.
Samuel ignored my question and reached into the picnic basket to pull out a leather-bound book.
“I brought something for you.” He held out the mysterious book.
I brushed my fingers off on my pants before taking it. The leather-bound book was heavy, and the title, which was embossed on the cover in fancy gold letters, was Our Story . There was no author name.
“I don’t think I’ve heard of this book,” I said, confused. “Did we talk about it before or something?”
“Open it,” Sam said, his voice soft.
I flipped the cover open, revealing the book’s hollowed out innards. The centers of the pages had been cut out, and the edges were glued together, creating an empty space. There, a beautiful engagement ring dangled on a white ribbon attached to the glued pages and tied in a bow. The ring was exquisite—an intricately woven band of white gold that held a stunning, round-cut diamond surrounded by tiny emeralds, as if they were leaves cradling a flower.
No. No way. He wasn’t going to… he wouldn’t.
“Sam...” I whispered. My fingers turned numb from my shock and confusion. “What are you doing?”
Sam’s smile was brilliant as he got down on one knee, sliding his hands beneath mine so we were holding the leather book together.
My heart raced, and thoughts exploded in my mind. Was this really happening? Why? Had something happened? What was going on?
“For years, Nat, I’ve known I needed you in my life,” Samuel began, his gray eyes locked on mine. “You’ve challenged me, inspired me, and I can’t imagine a future without you. It’s always been you. So, Natalie Mann, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
The room spun around me, and a high-pitched ringing filled my ears. I glanced around, realizing we were in public with a lot of witnesses. If I said no, the entire town would know, and all the progress between the Manns and the Warners would undoubtedly be lost on a new feud sparked by Sam and me.
Perhaps Samuel had planned it this way, knowing it would force me to accept.
My irritation flared, but I couldn’t think of any reason why Samuel would want to be fake engaged to me, especially considering the risks.
“Natalie,” Samuel whispered.
I stared into his dark eyes and realized that despite our differences, I trusted him. Our friendship was no longer surface-deep but something much closer. He must have a reason for doing this. So… I would follow his lead.
(However, I was going to kick him in the shin for springing this on me without warning the moment we were alone.)
“Sam,” I said, my voice trembling a little, “yes, I will marry you.”
His face lit up, and he took the book from me, placing it on the table with the picnic basket.
I stood there, feeling weirdly happy even though none of this was real. I’d like to blame my confusion as the reason why, when Samuel stood up and tugged me closer, I didn’t realize what he intended to do until it was too late, and suddenly we were kissing.
Full, lips-to-lips kissing.
Me. And Sam Warner.
My mind-boggling shock faded fast, however, under the onslaught of Sam’s persistent kiss. It was tender and sweet, like the first rays of sunlight on a cold winter morning, sending a shiver through my entire body. Our lips moved together gently, our breath mingling as we shared a moment that felt both surreal and utterly perfect.
The moment Samuel broke our sweet kiss, the room erupted into chaos. Noah’s piercing shout filled the air, announcing, “They’re kissing! That means Cousin Nat and Sam are having a baby!”
I groaned. (I could practically see the rumors spreading like wildfire.)
“Your cousin Madison really needs to figure out how to better explain sex ed to that kid,” Samuel whispered in my ear, his warm breath tickling my skin.
I laughed, both relieved and amused by the absurdity of the situation.
Everyone in the room clapped for us, their excitement palpable. When I finally peeled myself off Sam and looked around, I spotted Keely recording the whole thing on her cell phone, Marjorie cackling with glee as she had already called someone on her phone, and Grandpa Mann standing there completely shell-shocked.
Samuel picked up the leather book and untied the white ribbon, removing the ring. He took my hand and slid the gorgeous ring onto my finger. “It’s beautiful,” I murmured.
“It was my Grandmother Warner’s wedding ring.”
Shock, my BFF of the night it seemed, once again had my ears ringing. “This,” I squeaked. “This is your grandmother’s ring ?”
I wanted to grab Samuel by the lapels of his fancy suit and ask if he was insane, but… there were witnesses.
Hoping for some sign of sanity, I looked from Samuel to Isaac and Walter.
Isaac wore a small smile, while Walter beamed at us, misty-eyed. Samuel had gone above and beyond in his deception, and I decided right then and there that kicking him in the shins wouldn’t be enough. Oh, no. As soon as we stepped outside, he’d be getting a face full of snow.
Walter approached us and wrapped me in a hug. “Congratulations, my dear. I can’t wait to call you my grandchild.”
“Thank you,” I managed, tongue-tied from the whirlwind of emotions.
“Thank you, Grandfather, for letting me use Grandmother’s ring,” Samuel said.
Walter nodded proudly. “Of course. I approve of your bride, and the whole family was for it. We’re all thrilled that your persistence finally paid off.”
Isaac and Keely congratulated us next, with a huge grin from Keely and a sincere smile from Isaac. But it was Grandpa Mann who truly surprised me, shuffling up to Samuel and me with Noah’s hand in his.
“Congrats, Nat.” He gruffly gave me a one-armed hug. “He…” Grandpa Mann narrowed his eyes and stared Samuel down. “He’ll take good care of you,” Grandpa finished.
“What are we congratulating them for?” Noah looked back and forth between me and Sam, his face scrunching up with his confusion.
“Cousin Nat and Samuel are going to get married,” Keely said.
“Why?” Noah asked.
“You’ll have to ask your mother that,” Grandpa Mann said.
I laughed nervously as Grandpa Mann dragged Noah off, leaving me alone with Samuel again. He hugged me close, and I could feel my heart racing in my chest.
“You better have a good explanation for all of this when we’re alone,” I whispered into his ear.
“Your reaction is better than I expected,” he said into my neck, his breath fanning my skin.
I gave him a falsetto laugh. “Just wait and see how I react when there aren’t all these people around.”