Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
In one hand, Tripp cradled the vase, his prize.
Had he lied about the timeline of events?
Yeah, he had.
Did he regret it?
Maybe before he found out that Wendy had gotten his truck towed. But now?
Absolutely not.
His other hand rested on his thigh, his fingers tapping in an irritated staccato.
Hallie had called him this morning to ask him if he’d like to pitch in on her idea. It wasn’t a half-bad one, either. In fact, if he hadn’t been paying attention to the rest of her comments on the subject, he would have taken full advantage of it.
But then she’d gone and put Wendy in his crosshairs and he couldn’t resist.
Without realizing it, Hallie had spilled Wendy’s plans to come to this estate sale to get a last-minute wedding gift and Tripp hadn’t thought twice about it.
He’d arrived shortly after Wendy. Then he’d followed her as she trailed her delicate fingers along different pieces of furniture and antique works of art. She’d thumbed through some books and he’d nearly given up on the whole plan when her body went ramrod straight.
The excitement in her expression was palpable. It was almost like he could hear her heart dancing to a rhythm only meant for her. He’d gotten one good look at her smile and he’d known.
The vase was the perfect gift.
He didn’t know why, and maybe that was where the small amount of guilt came from. Wendy had found something worthy of her friend and Tripp swooped in like the villain he was.
He cast a glance in her direction, noting the way her knuckles had started losing their coloring. Her face had turned a few shades redder. And every few minutes she muttered something to herself.
Wendy was actually adorable when she was mad and the sight of her caused a swell of something strange in his chest. He wanted to grasp her chin with his finger and thumb to force her to stop grinding her teeth.
Heck, he wanted to pry her hands from the wheel so he could rub soothing circles into her palm.
Tripp shook his head a little more violently than was necessary.
He blew out a heavy breath and turned his scowl toward the window. Under no circumstances was he going to let his guard down. Not even if he thought it would be in their best interests to revisit the idea of a truce.
Wendy was infuriating. She stepped over the lines of common courtesy more and more at each meeting they had and he refused to believe she didn’t have a reason in her own messed up sort of way.
One thing was for certain; he’d figure her out whether she wanted him to or not.
“What is your problem?” he growled.
“My problem?” Her voice went up an octave from its usually low, sweet, cadence. “My problem.” This time she said it flatly and her jaw tightened further. “That’s rich, coming from a guy like you.”
“A guy like me? What’s that supposed to mean?” He could hear his own fury seeping into every syllable of his demand. “You realize your prejudice against me doesn’t exactly work if I don’t know what it is I’ve done to make you hate me. You can’t just hold a grudge like that.”
Wendy scoffed. “Watch me.”
He tightened the hand resting on his leg into a tight fist. “Wendy,” he warned.
She stilled as if the way he ground out her name did something to her. Was he scaring her? Or was her reaction one of those so deliciously wrong it almost felt right? Did that mean he could get to her if he only tried enough?
Tripp turned his face toward her, his eyes narrowing. “What did I do?” he murmured so quiet, he wasn’t sure she could hear him above the old engine of her Ford. “Maybe I can make it right.”
That momentary stillness disappeared like morning mist that hovered over the mountain ponds the moment the sun came out.
Her brows lowered and she let out a sardonic laugh.
“It’s too late for that.” She shifted in her seat, not meeting his eyes.
“But you know what? You could probably figure it out if you thought about it hard enough. So do that. Think really long and hard about the way you’ve led your life and if you get to the point where you’ve maybe figured it out, think some more.
” Her now chipper voice sounded hollow and fake. “Because we both know you’re so smart.”
He wanted to throw his hands into the air and demand she pull over so they could hash this out once and for all, but he saw little evidence of that working.
“You know what? Fine. If you want to let this little secret fester inside you and poison you to the point that it makes you sick, be my guest.”
Her surprised gaze found his just as she pulled into the parking lot of the tow yard. Her lips parted and all he could think was good. He’d taken her by surprise by his statement. She must realize that he had a good point. It didn’t help his own temper, though.
All this back and forth was messing with him in unbearable ways. Like a relentless mosquito always buzzing and nipping but never getting its fill. Or like when someone dragged their hand across commercial carpet back and forth making that noise that had him shuddering.
Tripp’s scowl deepened, his palm resting on the door handle. He didn’t know why he hesitated. Maybe he expected her to tell him to stop, to stay put so they could hash out all the bad feelings and start fresh.
But expecting that to happen was like expecting Leo to suddenly no longer be scared of the chickens at Sagebrush. Just like Leo, Wendy was set in her ways.
He shoved the door open, climbed out, and slammed it shut behind him. Inwardly, he flinched. He knew better than to slam a car door—especially one of such a run-down vehicle. His temper had never been an issue before. Maybe it was for the best that they each chose to keep their distance.
Only, how was he supposed to do that when they were practically assigned to each other for the wedding?
Tripp dragged a hand down his face and stomped toward the small relocatable that was situated out front of a fenced-in lot. His truck was already behind that gate. With the vase in hand, he trudged inside and tried not to think about Wendy or the things she’d said.
You could probably figure it out if you thought about it hard enough.
What did that even mean? He’d never met Wendy before that barbeque. That in and of itself was strange seeing as the town wasn’t exactly large. At some point he would have had to bump into her, right?
Maybe that was the problem.
Maybe he’d met her before and done something really stupid.
Tripp shot down that idea the second it arose in his head. He would have never forgotten a woman like Wendy. He’d noticed her the second she arrived at that barbeque. and he’d been thrilled to find out that she was the one he’d be spending most of his time with.
Oh, how wrong he’d been.
Tripp managed to get his truck released without having to pay a fee—more evidence that Wendy had been sinister just to get to him.
The whole drive home, his whole body seemed to simmer with heat.
The leather casing of the steering wheel creaked beneath his tight hold.
This was all Reese and Serenity’s fault.
Yeah, they were the ones who dragged him into this mess.
He wasn’t the wedding party type. He hadn’t wanted to be part of the charade in the first place.
Why did he agree to do it? That day seemed so long ago.
He'd been blissfully unaware that someone as vindictive as Wendy even existed. He was torturing himself by agreeing to everything. They’d both be happier if he’d just step down, right?
By the time Tripp made it home, he’d all but convinced himself that was exactly what needed to be done. Clearly, Wendy had no intention of keeping her nose clean. And for reasons beyond his understanding, he couldn’t stay away from her either.
He stormed up to Reese’s home, relieved to see his truck parked out front. Serenity’s car was there, too. It was lunch time and hopefully they’d be available for an uncomfortable conversation.
Before he had a chance to connect his fist with the door, it swung inward. A grinning Tegan stared up at him. “Uncle Tripp! What are you doing here?”
With the family being so large and close nit, it had been easier to tell Serenity’s kids that all of Reese’s cousins were just more uncles and aunts.
Tripp would be lying if he said it bothered him.
Serenity’s boys were great. They were adventurous and strong.
One day they were going to make good, strong men.
Tripp ruffled Tegan’s brown locks. “Is your mom here?”
The boy nodded and a small frown flickered across his expression. Tripp smiled despite himself. The kid loved it when he made time for him.
“Let me talk to Reese and your mom for a bit then we can go out for a ride, what do you say?”
Tegan immediately brightened and stepped aside to allow Tripp access.
Already, Tripp could feel that he’d cooled down. Serenity’s kids did that for him. Once upon a time, he had thought kids were a nuisance and he was never going to put himself through that sort of situation. Fatherhood wasn’t for him.
Even after meeting the kids, while he’d warmed up to them, he hadn’t considered himself father material.
Maybe he was right. But more and more lately, he could see himself settling down and having a few of his own. He could find someone like…
Well, not like her, that much was certain.
And just like that, Tripp was back in a foul mood.
Tegan led him toward the kitchen where his aunt Sonya sat at a table with Reese. Serenity stood by the fridge with her other son, picking out a drink for lunch. All gazes turned to him when he entered.
“Tripp, what a nice surprise,” Sonya beamed. “It’s been a while since you’ve stopped by. To what do we owe the pleasure?”
He glanced around the room, his eyes lingering on the boys. They didn’t need to hear this. Jerking his chin toward the door, he asked, “Can I talk to you guys? About the wedding stuff.”
Reese and Serenity exchanged a look. Tripp hated how they could have a complete conversation in one look. Already he knew he was in for a fight. It was a good thing Wendy had primed him for one, because he wasn’t going to back down.
Tripp paced the back porch, digging his hands into his hair. “I can’t do it anymore.”
Reese looked utterly amused as he reclined on a chair, simply watching Tripp unravel. He hadn’t given any advice thus far. Serenity on the other hand was gracious enough to look concerned for his mental wellbeing.
“She’s not so bad, once you get to know her,” she said softly.
“Oh,” Tripp let out a deprecating laugh, “I’m pretty sure I know her far better than I should at this point.” He pointed toward the front of the house even though they wouldn’t be able to see what he was gesturing to. “She had my truck towed!”
At that, Reese lifted his brows and sat up straighter. “No kidding?”
Serenity glanced between the two of them. “Was it parked somewhere it shouldn’t be?”
Tripp and Reese laughed though one was angry and the other was amused.
“Heck no,” Reese answered for Tripp. “He’d never risk his truck getting taken off by a tow. That thing is his baby. I’m surprised your friend is still standing.” He laughed again.
“It’s not funny!” Tripp snapped. “And that’s not even the half of it. She’s trying to make me go insane.”
Reese chuckled again, lacing his fingers behind his head. “Are you sure you’re not already there?”
Tripp shot his cousin a warning look. Then he turned to Serenity. “I’m sorry, but I only came here to tell you both that I think it’d be best if I back out.”
The bride-to-be looked almost stricken. Reese caught sight of her expression then scowled and shook his head. “It’s too late. You’re in it for the long haul, cuz.”
Incredulous, Tripp’s head reared back. “What? You can’t just—”
Serenity moved toward him, slowly, almost like she would a wild animal. “I know you two haven’t exactly been getting along, but maybe this is your chance to change that.”
He scoffed. If Serenity only knew about his attempt to get Wendy to accept a truce, then she wouldn’t be suggesting that. Wendy was as stubborn as they came. He dragged a hand down his face, fully prepared to make another excuse, but Serenity’s words stopped him.
“Wendy doesn’t trust people easily. She’s quiet and reserved.
On the outside she can put up a good front when she needs to, but it’s all surface-level.
But the thing about Wendy is once you get past her defenses and she gives you that trust, then you’ll have her in your corner for good.
Maybe you need to try another approach. If what you’re doing isn’t working…
” She lifted a shoulder and tossed her fiancé a smile. “Then go at it from a different angle.”
“And how, pray tell, do you expect me to trust her when she clearly hates my guts?”
Serenity worried her lower lip. “I know it doesn’t sound fair, but maybe you should focus on killing her with kindness? No matter what she says or does to you—”
“Or your truck,” Reese interjected with a smirk.
Serenity rolled her eyes. “No matter what she says or does, you should find a way to turn the tables on her. Surprise her by being the charming person I know you can be.”
An idea popped into Tripp’s head at her suggestion.
Was he interested in befriending the woman who didn’t seem to have boundaries?
Not really. But he was definitely into messing with her.
What better way to make her turn into a paranoid mess than to fight her fire with a different sort of fire of his own?
He could only imagine how Wendy would become a frayed ball of nerves, waiting for him to retaliate after all she did was tear him down.
And that sort of mental warfare would totally be worth it.
“Tripp?” Serenity’s soft voice dragged him from his thoughts. He glanced at her then to Reese who didn’t look nearly as smug. He knew better than to think the slight tilt of Tripp’s lips was anything but sinister.
Clearing his throat, Tripp flashed Serenity a smile. “Kill her with kindness. Got it.” He nodded to them both. “Thanks for the chat.”
He hurried down the steps, ignoring Reese when he called out to him, his tone suspicious.
Tripp wouldn’t do anything inherently bad. He simply wanted to get past Wendy’s defenses and make her wonder what he had up his sleeve.