Chapter 12
WALKER
By the time the band starts their second set, I know two things.
One, this is no small gathering. And two, this has gotten completely out of hand.
The lawn behind Kimberly and Bode’s inn is full.
Not crowded in a chaotic way, but full in a way that makes it clear this isn’t just a party. This is an event.
Lights strung overhead cast a warm glow across the space. A live band is set up on a raised stage, which had been constructed along with a good-sized wooden dance floor overlooking the ocean.
The songs are country with just enough rhythm to keep people swaying or tapping their feet.
Food tables are scattered inside the inn, spill out onto the wraparound deck, and even strategically around the yard. They’re loaded down with dishes from our two countries. I know most of the American foods, but the ones from India I have no idea and probably couldn’t pronounce them if I did.
There are people everywhere. Most I know. They’re friends I’ve known all my life. Even my buddies Bode, Rod, David, Case, and Brax are here. There’s more than a dozen people, though, that I have no idea who they are. For sure, they aren’t from Naudi’s side of the family.
I have to wonder if Poppy did a run through town, scouring up seat-fillers. You know, telling tourists she was looking for extras for a reality show and all they have to do is act like they know the engaged couple and enjoy the free food and drink.
I glance down at the hand tucked into mine. It has been since we walked into the inn more than an hour ago. At first, I thought it was part of the act she’s keeping up. Now, I’m not so sure. At times, her grip is almost desperately tight.
She certainly looks different tonight. Earlier, when she walked down the stairs, she’d blown me away. I would never have recognized her as my Naudi if I hadn’t known she was. Well, not mine, mine. Just maybe borrowed.
She has the same teal saree on as the other night, but with extras. Her throat is covered with necklaces and stacks of brass-colored gold bracelets are on both arms. Dangly earrings jangle with each movement.
Gorgeous doesn’t do justice to the vision of Naudi. As beautiful as she is smiling at the guests, happiness doesn’t quite reach her eyes. She’s stressed. The proof is in the way she holds her shoulders and the tightness around her mouth.
All night, she’s said the right things, made the correct comments, and is gracious and kind, but it’s all an act. The woman by my side isn’t the one I’ve gotten to know these past few weeks.
Mayor Young and his wife have just excused themselves, leaving us alone for a moment.
“You all right?” I ask quietly, leaning in just enough so only she can hear.
Her smile stays in place. “Of course.”
She isn’t. Not even close, but before I can say anything, her mother appears like she has a sixth sense for when we aren’t actively engaging with the crowd.
“Darling, you have so many wonderful friends, and they all can’t say enough good things about your designs and about your love match. Everyone is so happy for you.”
Obviously, that had been Poppy’s directive. Make them look good and praise Naudi’s work. She didn’t need to include that last part. Naudi is a success all on her own.
“Thank you, Ma.”
“Walker, I’m sorry your sisters couldn’t make it on such short notice.”
“Yeah, they really hated not being here but Naudi and I understand.” In truth, my sisters know nothing about our engagement. They would never let me live a fake engagement down if they did.
“I came over to tell you it is time,” Anita says.
“For what?” I ask.
The look she levels at me tells me I should already know. If there was a program handed out at the door, I sure missed it.
“The first dance. You and your love will start the dancing and then everyone will join in.”
Dance? I am sure I didn’t know we have to kick off the dancing.
I glance at Naudi and can tell she didn’t know about it either. The band changes tempo and the music slows to a country version of “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran. Conversations quiet, eyes turn, and everyone stares at us expectantly.
They are in for a treat because I have two left feet and not an ounce of rhythm.
“Now off you two lovebirds go. Remember to smile up at him, Naudi. We all want to see the love you have for each other.”
I suddenly wish I’d paid more attention when my sisters had tried to get me to dance with them.
As we head toward the deserted dance floor, I murmur, “I’m sorry for the beating your toes are getting ready to have.”
“You don’t dance?”
“Not a lick.”
Her hand slides into mine, guiding us onto the floor without making it obvious. “Just follow me.”
“I’d really prefer that.”
Her lip twitches. Then she steps closer.
Close enough that there isn’t any space left for nerves.
Her hand rests lightly on my shoulder, the other still in mine.
And then… she moves. One step to the left.
Slow. Steady. Giving me time to match her and not make a complete fool of myself.
I don’t care about me. I don’t want any of that to touch Naudi.
“Now to the right,” she whispers, the smile still on her face as she looks up into my face. To anyone on the outside looking in, we probably do paint the picture of a couple in love enjoying being in each other’s arms.
I step right.
“You’re doing fine,” she assures me.
“I’m surviving.”
“That’s all we need right now.”
The music carries us, her movements simple enough that I can focus on her instead of my feet. Which is probably a mistake. Because the more I look at her, the more I want to kiss that fake smile off her face.
Her eyes meet mine. The crowd disappears, and it’s just the two of us. Moving. Breathing. Existing in each other’s arms without everything else bearing down on us.
I couldn’t have stopped myself if I tried. My head bends and I gently press a kiss to her lips. Her hands inch their way up my chest and link behind my head. Then someone cheers, and I realize the music has stopped. The spell is broken and we’re back.
My gaze moves around the clapping crowd, and I spot Naudi’s mother with the biggest, most satisfied smile on her face. Her father, however, is scowling directly at me. My eyes dart back to Naudi, and I’m happy to see a real smile on her face.
I didn’t kiss her for show or because people expected it. I kissed her because I needed to.
“I think I could use a drink,” Naudi says.
“Yeah, me too.”
We start for the bar area, but we’re continuously stopped for a few words with one guest, which ends up leading to the next person, and the next. We both smile, shake hands, answer questions, and repeat the same story in slightly different ways, depending on who’s asking.
She never leaves my side, our hands stay joined, and somewhere in the middle of it all, I realize I’m not doing this for show anymore. I’m doing it for her.
The chicken nearly ruins everything. I believe this one is called Cluck Norris. Henrietta’s offspring.
It’s nearing ten o’clock and things aren’t yet winding down. People don’t seem to want to leave.
I see a flash of brown streak across the edge of the lawn and weave between tables with a purpose.
“Oh no,” I mumble, and Naudi stops talking to Shyanne and whispers, “What is it?”
I incline my head toward what I’m sure will be noticed very soon by some unsuspecting partier.
“Is that…”
“Cluck Norris, I think.”
“Henrietta’s son?”
“Yeah, something like that. Maybe I can catch him before someone?—”
First there’s a shriek from the mayor’s wife, Olivia. Then comes a squeal by Hershel Young, the mayor himself. There’s a beat of confusion where everyone freezes and looks around for the danger.
Bode appears out of nowhere, chasing after the chicken with practiced ease. Putting together the pieces of what’s happening, the band starts playing the “Chicken Polka.”
Naudi’s grip on my hand tightens and then she laughs. Not politely. Not ladylike, but a real hold-your-belly laugh. I join her and, just like that, the tension of the evening disappears.
Once the chicken is wrangled, Bode lights a fire in the outdoor fireplace and Kimberly brings out a tray of s’more fixings. Naudi’s parents and sister aren’t familiar with this American custom and there’s more laughter as they’re taught what Kimberly says is the proper technique.
I’m not sure about that. I don’t like my marshmallow incinerated.
As the band starts their last set, I notice the stiffness in Naudi creeping back in. I can see she’s done. I lean in close, brushing my thumb lightly over her knuckles. “Come with me.”
She looks at me like a lifeline, confused at first but totally on board. “Where?”
I nod toward the ocean. “Let’s take a walk.”
Her face softens. We slip away past the lights, past the dance floor, until the sound of the waves takes over.
I help her slip her shoes off before kicking off my own, leaving them at the end of the wooden walkway from the Inn to the beach.
“Let’s stay far away from the water. Ma will kill me if I get this silk wet.”
I grin at the memory of our previous seaside walk. “We’ll be careful. Last time didn’t end so well.”
Her smile comes easier now. “I guess it’s how you look at it. I had fun that day.”
“We ended up in the ocean.”
“We ended up in the ocean laughing and, well…”
“The kiss. I will never forget that.”
“I’m not sure how wise that is.”
We walk along the sand, the breeze pulling strands of her hair free. For a while, neither of us speak. We don’t need to. Faint music from the party drifts behind us, but the rest of the world stays away.
“I think things went well tonight.” I finally break the silence.
“I can’t believe our friends went to so much trouble. Everything was incredible. Even Ma couldn’t find fault with anything.”
“I’m not so sure. She looked faint when Cluck Norris made his entry.”
She giggles and I love the carefree sound. “I think that was the best part. Or maybe the dance. I enjoyed that too.”
“Thank you for leading. I was really worried about stepping on your toes.”
“My toes, good sir, are fine. And that kiss was perfectly romantic. Great job thinking to do that. You gave everyone a thrill.”
She thinks the kiss was staged?
I stop, and since her hand is connected to mine, she comes to a halt as well. “That kiss was not for anyone else but you and me. I didn’t plan it. I fell into it. We were dancing, you were in my arms, and I looked into your beautiful face… and it just happened.”
She opens her mouth, and then shuts it. Good, I’ve rendered her speechless. Is that a good thing?
Her brows pull together. “What does that mean?”
“It means I kissed you because I wanted to, not because it was expected or to play into any fakeness. That kiss was as honest and true as they come.”
The space between us vanishes without either of us making a conscious decision to move. The sound of the waves coming in and out is the only sound around us. She tilts her head. Just enough. That’s all it takes.
“Just so you know, this is me, kissing you, and there’s not a damn person around to see it.”
She swallows and mumbles, “Okay.”
I take her cheeks in my hands and kiss her. Slow at first, like I’m giving her time to change her mind. She doesn’t. One hand is on my chest and the other comes up to rest beneath the hair on the back of my neck.
The kiss deepens and can go on forever as far as I’m concerned, but then she shivers and her discomfort has me pulling back. I press my forehead gently against hers, trying to gain control of my reaction to having her in my arms. “Any questions?” I ask.
“Yeah, but at the moment I don’t really care.”
“Good.”
I grin and take her hand as we head back to the Inn.