Surprised, she found she liked it.
And that scared her. She wasn’t a woman to be attracted to some man just because he made a play for her. And in this case, Josh was almost ignoring her talking with Caroline and Brandon. Yet she couldn’t shake the awareness that grew with each second.
“I made shrimp Creole,” Caroline said looking at Michelle. “Want to help me with the last bit?”
Michelle nodded and jumped up. Suddenly realizing that would mean leaving Josh alone with Brandon, she hesitated. “Will you be all right here?” she asked, turning her back on Brandon and narrowing her gaze at Josh.
He nodded. “I think I can defend myself until you return.”
She had to hope he would.
Once in the huge old-fashioned kitchen, Caroline peeked around the door one last time then rounded on her sister.
“He’s amazing. And obviously crazy about you— he can’t keep his hands off. Where did you find him?”
“I told you, he does investigations for my company.”
Trying to remember her own role, she smiled and wondered if it looked dreamy or just spaced out. “He’s wonderful, isn’t he? You do like him, right?”
“So far.” Caroline narrowed her eyes. “Just how involved are you?”
Michelle took a deep breath and prayed this would work. “Involved enough to invite you to our wedding!”
“Wow!” Caroline hugged her. “I can’t believe it. Does Abby know?”
“Not yet. I wanted to make sure you met him and liked him. But I’ll call her when I get home.”
“Nope, we’ll call now. She’d never forgive us if we left her out. Brandon!” Caroline went to the door. “Do we have any champagne? We’re celebrating! Did you know Josh and Michelle are engaged?”
She whirled around without waiting for an answer and hurried across the kitchen. “So when will you get married? Christmas is so lovely. But June is a wonderful month, too.”
“Actually, we thought about June as well—but this year, not next. Are you free next Saturday?”
Caroline stopped and turned to look at her sister. “Next Saturday?’’
Michelle wished she’d waited to tell that bit of news. Caroline looked stunned.
Maybe the entire idea was bad to begin with.
No maybe about that actually. But they were committed.
“Are you all right? Should you sit down?” Michelle hoped the shock wouldn’t be too much for her sister.
“I’m fine. Stunned, but fine. Why the rush?”
Michelle shrugged. “I don’t want a big wedding. So why not get married right away? I mean we talked it over and both want to, so why not just do it and then...move...in...together.”
It sounded weak.
Or was it her guilty conscience talking? She wasn’t sure.
Wishing Caroline would at least look happy again, she wondered what else she could add to convince her sister this was a good idea.
Brandon walked into the kitchen, followed by Josh.
“I guess you told her, huh?” Josh said.
Michelle nodded as Brandon crossed to the refrigerator and rummaged in it for a tall bottle of champagne.
“How do you think she’s taking it?” she whispered, watching her sister.
Josh leaned over and kissed her, then held her chin with his hand. “I'd say your sister is going to need a bit of time to get used to this.” Looking directly at Caroline, he raised an eyebrow. “Right?”
“To say the least. Congratulations. But next Saturday?”
“We don't want to wait,” he said.
“Is there any reason for the rush? I mean, another week or two. Or month or two. Just so you both can be sure.”
Brandon opened the bottle with a loud pop. Quickly filling three glasses, he handed one to Josh and to Michelle. “Sorry, darling, you'll have to have water. But you can still join in the toast.”
“Brandon, they’re talking about getting married this next Saturday—six days from now.”
He slipped his arm around her waist and drew her close. “You can’t remember back six years? We didn't want to wait, either.”
“I guess.” Caroline looked doubtful as she gazed at Michelle and then Josh as if trying to wrap her head around the idea of her sister getting married in less than a week.
Michelle knew she should say something to convince her she was happy and this is what she wanted, but she was tongue tied. It was all moving too fast. Everything seemed to be spinning out of control—not the least of which was the way her senses went haywire the minute Josh touched her.
He clinked his glass against hers and sipped the sparkling beverage. She drank a gulp and her eyes watered with the sudden burst of bubbles. At her exclamation, Josh brushed his lips across hers, winking at her look of astonishment.
With wobbly knees, Michelle leaned against him, wishing she could get him away from her sister long enough to deliver a blistering sermon on why he had to stop kissing her!
“If you two are sure, who are we to second-guess you?” Caroline said. “Let’s call Abby.”
Michelle smiled and nodded. Relief hit her. Caroline suspected nothing, and wouldn’t worry.
Glancing at Josh, she swallowed. Maybe Caroline wouldn’t worry, but suddenly Michelle wondered what she thought she was doing—marrying a total stranger who affected her as no one else ever had.
“That went well, don’t you think?” Josh asked three hours later when he opened the passenger door for Michelle. Brandon and Caroline remained on the porch, illuminated by the overhead light. Waving once more, Michelle climbed in and winced when the door gave its usual loud screech.
“Wouldn’t oil fix that problem?” she asked when Josh slid in behind the wheel a moment later.
“What problem?”
“The door and the awful noise it makes!” she said, knowing she was looking for something to vent her frustration on. She refused to give voice to the uncertainties that plagued her. The door might as well take the brunt of her emotions.
Josh started the car and smoothly pulled out into the street. “I’ll see about oiling it tomorrow,” he said.
Annoyed he’d given in so easily, she frowned and stared out
