16. Jenny
Chapter 16
Jenny
The late morning sun streams into my room at Trent’s house, casting shadows on the floor from the trees outside the windows. After saying goodbye to the girls this morning, I went to work moving my things to Trent’s house. Before I’d moved back to Chessie Valley, I’d sold all my furniture, only keeping a few keepsakes and clothes—and of course, my art supplies were staying in the cabin. So when Trent showed up to help me, it didn’t take long to finish.
Now, in the midst of cardboard boxes and items to unpack, I get ready for the day and the wedding rehearsal later on this afternoon.
I finish putting in my earrings and turn—only to let out a small, startled gasp, my hand flying to my chest as I try to calm my racing heart. Trent is standing in my doorway. “Where did you come from?” I say, trying to steady my breath. “You scared me half to death.”
“Well, we don’t want any of that now, do we?” Trent says, his voice soft, almost timid. “May I come in?”
I nod, still a little breathless, as he steps through the doorway. My eyes can’t help but linger on him. He looks incredibly handsome dressed up in a button-down shirt and nice slacks, his backward baseball cap still perched on his head. The combination of casual and refined makes him somehow effortlessly charming and puts a smile on my face.
Just looking at him makes my insides go all fluttery. I remind myself not to become emotionally attached. The wedding that will take place in just over twenty-four hours is just a contract, not a real marriage.
“How do I look?” I ask. “Do you think this is okay for the rehearsal?” Trent reaches out to me, his hand resting gently on my shoulder as I finish a little spin.
“Beautiful,” he says, his grin widening. “You look beautiful. And how could it not be okay? It’s our wedding rehearsal, so whatever we say goes, right?”
I laugh, swatting him lightly on his arm. “I don’t think your mom or Gwen would agree, but thank you all the same.”
“I especially like your white cowgirl boots,” he says with a playful smile.
“Me too!” I stick my foot out, showcasing the boots proudly. “I love these things but don’t get the chance to wear them often. I thought they looked fancy enough without being too much, you know? And I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wear that green shirt before.”
“Nope, this is for special occasions only.”
“Well, it looks great on you,” I say, my gaze drifting to how well the shirt fits him. The way his slacks hug his legs and the hint of his form beneath makes my heart skip a beat. I shake my head, trying not to notice how handsome he looks.
“Thanks,” he says, and then does a little spin of his own, making me giggle. I don’t miss the way his pants hug his butt, a smile creeping up as I try to look away. Damn, he looks good. I don’t know what I’ll do when he’s all dressed up for the wedding tomorrow.
“Hey,” Trent says, “I fixed us up some sandwiches. It’s a beautiful day. I want to take you out on the lake.”
“The lake? Dressed like this?”
“Yes,” Trent says, “you look perfect.”
“Okay, but we can’t be out too long. I still have some things I need to do to get ready for the rehearsal.”
“It won’t be too long.” He takes my hand, leading me to the front door. “I want to take you to one of my favorite spots on the lake.”
When we reach his boat, I make myself comfortable as he preps to go. In a matter of minutes, we’re off.
“So, what makes this location so special?” I ask.
He glances over at me, his smile widening, making my heart jump to my throat. “You’ll just have to wait and see when we get there.”
How is it that this guy is still single? I shake my head in disbelief. Well, I guess he’s technically not, but still . . .
I watch him as he steers the boat across the water, waving at other boats as we pass. He’s a sweet guy with a big heart who clearly cares deeply about his friends and the people who come to the marina. He helped me out when I was just a random stranger. He’s educated, has a great job—and yet, he’s still been single.
I shake my head. I just don’t get it.
“What’s that look on your face for?” Trent asks, his eyes flicking over to me. I hadn’t realized he’d been watching me.
“I just don’t get how someone hasn’t already snagged you by now. How is it that you haven’t already been married off to some great gal?”
Trent flinches slightly at my bluntness, but his response comes quickly. “Honestly, I just haven’t been looking for anyone. My focus has been on the marina ever since I got back from college. Yeah, I had a few girlfriends here and there, but nothing serious. I also need someone who’s okay with this life I’ve chosen. It’s not like I can just uproot the marina and move wherever my wife wants to live, you know?”
“I can understand that,” I reply, my thoughts drifting to my own mother, who left me on my grandparents’ doorstep because I didn’t fit into her life. Trent wouldn’t be that kind of person, I’m sure of it.
“It’s why I’m so grateful you came up with this marriage arrangement. It ended up solving all my problems.”
“And mine too,” I add.
“Right,” Trent says, “I just hope I can be the kind of man you deserve, even if we’re only together for a year.”
I nod, but stay quiet. Only a year . . . that’s all I get with him. Well, if that’s the case, I’m going to make the year worthwhile.
I kick up my feet and settle in as he steers the boat over the water. I still think I am getting the better end of this deal.
We finally slow as we reach our spot. From a distance, it looks like any other part of the lake, but as Trent rounds a bend and stops the boat, I gasp.
The sight is breathtaking. A small, secluded cove with sandy beaches stretches out before us, the water calm and crystal clear. Beyond the shore, thousands of wildflowers bloom, their vibrant colors breaking up the green of the trees that enclose the valley. Even from here, I can see the fluttering of butterfly wings, tiny specks of movement against the stillness. It’s like something out of a fairy tale.
“This is beautiful,” I say, breathless.
“It really is,” Trent agrees, his eyes locked on mine. I smile at him, feeling the warmth of his gaze, and my cheeks flush.
Grinning, he turns back to the view. “I love coming out here this time of year, when the weather is just right. It’s peaceful.”
We eat our sandwiches in silence, both of us watching the breathtaking scene before us, the sense of calm washing over us as the lake glistens in the afternoon sun. I try to take it all in—the slight lapping of the waves as other boats pass by, the colors of the wildflowers, the movement of the butterflies, the gentle sway of the leaves in the breeze.
I’m going to paint this for Trent. This will be the picture he hangs in his house.
After we arrive back to the dock, Trent says, “I have one more place to take you before we head to the lodge.” He holds out his arm like we’re a couple in one of my favorite historical novels. “Shall we?”
“We shall,” I reply, moving my hand to link my arm through his. Together, we walk down the dock, following the path that leads us to the marina. My hand rests on Trent’s arm as he guides us to the lodge, walking toward the gazebo.
The area surrounding the gazebo reminds me of the hidden cove we saw earlier and our special wedding spot all rolled into one. Wildflowers stretch across the grass, the vibrant colors contrasting beautifully with the deep green of the trees. Cherry blossoms are starting to bloom along the path, their petals fluttering gently in the breeze. It’s a picturesque little haven. Maybe I should bring my paints out here sometime.
“What are we doing here?” I ask, glancing around, taking in the beauty of the spot. I even glance out toward the lake, watching as it shimmers in the sunlight.
“Well, I realized something,” Trent says, his voice quieter now, uncertain. He stops and takes a deep breath, his expression serious. “I need to make it right before tomorrow.”
The unsure tone has my stomach tightening as I turn to face him. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” he assures me, his smile soft. “I know we have an agreement, but I wanted to do right by you. Jenny, it’s been so amazing getting to know you, and you’ve become a really good friend to me.”
Before I know it, Trent drops to one knee, and my hands fly up to my mouth, my heart racing.
Oh. My. Gosh. Oh my gosh.
“Jenny,” Trent says, his voice steady but nervous, “would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
He pulls out a beautiful diamond ring, the sight of it nearly rendering me speechless. Goosebumps race up my arms, and my knees go weak. This feels almost too real—like something out of a fairy tale—and I’m overcome with gratitude that he wanted to make sure we had all the right moments.
“Oh, Trent, of course I will. This is so sweet. You’re so sweet,” I whisper, my voice trembling as I lean down to kiss him on the cheek. Then, as I wrap him in a hug, tears sting my eyes.
He stands, and I step back, my hand trembling as he slips the ring onto my finger. The diamond catches the light, making my stomach flip with a mixture of joy and nerves. It feels official now, like this is more than just an arrangement.
“The past few days,” Trent says, “something was feeling off. But now it feels right.”
“This is what was bothering you?” I ask, my eyes wide with surprise.
He nods. “I didn’t realize it until I saw you last night in the window of the cabin. I realized why I’d been feeling so off. We were about to embark on a big moment in our lives—even if it is just for our agreement. But I felt I owed it to you, to both of us, to do this right.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re literally the sweetest man in the whole wide world?” I ask, my voice cracking with emotion.
“I mean, a few times,” Trent replies, his smirk returning, “but I won’t object to you telling me again.”
I swat him lightly on the arm, tears welling up. “You are something else, Trent Hughes.”
“One of a kind,” he says, his voice gentle.
I can’t help but agree with him.
We make our way to the lodge, and before I know it, the rehearsal passes in a whirlwind, the details blurring together as my mind drifts back to the gazebo with Trent down on one knee.