Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
After the surprise of catching the bouquet, Kate inhaled deeply the aroma of the red roses and greenery and placed it on her table.
She watched her new friends talk, laugh, and dance.
The light from the chandeliers twinkled, and the music kicked up a notch in volume.
Pleased with herself for making the move to the small town, she accepted a slice of wedding cake from one of the servers and took a bite.
The deep, masculine voice she knew well interrupted her thoughts. “May I have this dance?” Nick held his hand out to her.
Casting away her insecurities and annoyance, Kate took the leap and flirted with the handsome sheriff. She licked the frosting from her lips and placed her hand on his. “What took you so long?” She might have enjoyed dancing with the famed baseball pitcher, but he had nothing on Nick.
“I didn’t want to interrupt your interlude with Duncan,” Nick said.
She laughed. “I’d rather dance with my handsome friend.”
He drew her to the dance floor and pulled her in a little closer than a friend should. She liked this flirty side of him. Playing with fire, she rested one hand on his chest and the other on his shoulder.
Even with her four-inch heels, Nick still had to look down to capture her gaze.
“You’re stunning,” he said.
Those two words sent tingles through her body to her toes. His eyes spoke volumes about his intent. An intent she might not be ready for, but her body ignored the memo. “You clean up well yourself, Sheriff. I’d say the uniform isn’t your only sexy look.”
“You think I’m sexy in my uniform?”
“Ahh—yeah. I’m pretty sure half the women in this town would agree with me.”
“Funny thing. I only care about what you think,” he said, his eyes smoldering.
“Is that right?”
He moved her around the dance floor, and she stopped in her tracks. No way.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
He looked over her shoulder. “Do you know the couple who just walked in?”
“My parents,” she said. “Apparently, they think it’s okay to crash a wedding.”
Nick laughed. “I’m sure Ethan and Paige won’t mind. We should go say hi.”
Kate pulled him in closer when he tried to pull away.
“You’re not happy to see them?” he said.
She scrunched her brow and whispered in his ear, “Here’s the thing . . .” She bit down on her lip. “I kind of told them we were dating.” She tucked her head into his chest.
“You don’t say,” Nick said, teasing her.
“Have they spotted me yet?”
Nick tilted her chin up to meet his eyes. “Coming toward us.” He laid a gentle kiss on her lips.
Kate’s breath caught, wanting more until she heard her mom say, “Surprise!”
With a quick glance at Nick, she stepped away from him. “Mom. Dad. I can’t believe you’re here,” she said, her voice quivering.
She hugged her parents. It had been too long since she’d seen them in person, but they had lousy timing.
“It looks like we got here just in time,” her dad said, eyeing Nick.
“Mom, Dad. This is—”
“Nicholas Reid, her boyfriend,” Nick supplied with a grin. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Davis. Kate has told me a lot about you.”
Her mother’s hand rested on her heart. “You’re as good-looking as Katie described.” She gathered Nick into a tight embrace.
Kate watched as Nick gracefully accepted her mother’s forwardness.
Her dad stood with his arms crossed and feet spread apart, eyeing Nick with suspicion.
When her mother finally let him go, Nick stuck out his hand to her father.
“Sir.” Luckily, her dad relaxed and thrust his hand forward, allowing her to exhale.
“Let’s move off the dance floor,” Kate said, and guided her parents to a vacant table by the bar and away from the loud music.
Nick stayed close, playing along with the ruse. She owed him big-time.
Nick couldn’t believe his luck. One minute Kate was dancing with Chris Duncan, the closing pitcher for Boston, and the next they were fake dating.
Maybe a better man would feel used, but he’d go along with the charade so they could finally break the friendship pact they’d made.
Besides, it would thrill his family if they finally came to terms with their feelings for one another.
“Are you staying at the lodge?” Nick asked Kate’s parents.
Kate’s dad sat forward in his chair. “We’ll be staying with our daughter,” he said, giving Nick the dad glare he knew all too well. His dad had used it on the boys Chloe used to bring home.
“That’s excellent. You’ll like her new place. Kate’s contractor, Alexis Welby, and her crew did an amazing job.”
Kate’s mom placed a hand on his forearm. “Katie tells me your family owns the lodge. Do you work here as well?”
Interesting. Kate hadn’t shared his occupation with her parents. “No. Actually, I’m the Sheriff of Deer Creek Falls.”
“I’m sorry, Nick. Our daughter neglected to tell us she was dating a fellow police officer,” her dad said, glaring at his daughter.
With a raised brow, Nick glanced at Kate and back at her dad. “I hope you approve, sir.”
“Of your career choice, yes. However, I’d like to get to know you better before I render a decision about you. How about you join us for dinner while we’re in town?”
“I’m sure Nick will be—” Kate began, but Nick placed a hand over hers.
“I’d love to,” he said.
She smiled at him. Their gaze caught the matchmaking twins coming their way. Kate let go of his hand. Well, this should be interesting.
“Kate! Are these your parents?” Elsie asked.
Everyone stood. “Yes. This is my mom, Jill, and my dad, Kordell. Mom, Dad, this is Elsie Andrews and her twin sister, Emma Nelson.”
“It’s nice to meet you both. Has anyone ever said you resemble Robert Smith, the former Vikings running back?” Emma asked.
Kordell laughed. “All the time.”
Nick clasped Kate’s hand. He noticed the worry on her face at being caught in a lie. He bent close, and with a smile on his face, whispered in her ear. “Watch this.”
He knew the twins wouldn’t miss the interaction between them. Elsie glanced at their hands entwined and smiled. “I see you’ve met our Sheriff,” Elsie said.
“Don’t they make the cutest couple?” Emma said, not missing a beat.
Kate’s mom said, “They really do,” and beamed.
“Would you all mind if I spoke with the sheriff? I’ll only steal him away for a minute,” Elsie said.
The twins were certainly a team. Nick noticed the quick look Elsie gave Emma as she grabbed his arm and led him toward the bar. Good ole’ Emma. He heard her singing his praises, picking up on the ruse.
Elsie patted his arm. “What can we do to help?”
Nick couldn’t help but smile. “Spread the word we’re dating.”
She nodded. “I knew you liked her. Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll make sure everyone here knows.”
“I have no doubt.”
Nick rejoined Kate.
Before long, his family stopped by and sang Kate’s praises while visiting with her parents.
Throughout the night, Nick and Kate visited and danced with their friends. Unfortunately, they weren’t alone again for the rest of the evening.
Nick’s dad slapped him on the back and said, “I’m glad you listened to me.”
Nick didn’t have time to correct his father, because Paige and Ethan started for the door, and everyone followed them out to the Lincoln Town Car with a sign on the back window reading “Just Married.”