Before she could finish, he brushed a kiss over her lips, taking her off guard. His mouth settled for a brief moment, long enough for the inferno to erupt, for the embers to light and sizzle anew. Then too soon, he broke the kiss, raising his head and meeting her gaze. “Thank you.”
Her lips tingled. Unexpected warmth wrapped around her heart and it scared her. Still shaken, she deliberately kept things light. “Whether you’re welcome or not remains to be seen.”
Without warning a loud cry suddenly pierced the air around them. Kendall jerked around to see a woman at the far end of the aisle wheel around and run the other way so quickly, she never saw her face. Kendall didn’t even know if the sound had come from the woman who’d turned and run. She turned back to Rick. “What was that?”
He rolled his shoulders and shrugged. “Couldn’t tell you.” Some kind of emotion flickered in his eyes but the moment quickly passed. “I think this arrangement will work well for us both.”
She shrugged, unsure. “I still say you’re insane.”
“Nah. I’m just a man who enjoys stirring things up.” Light danced in his gaze.
“Now let’s finish up here and get going.”
“If you say so, but I’m not taking responsibility for whatever happens next.”
“You rode into town in a wedding dress, honey. No way I’m taking any of the blame.” Something Rick proved minutes later when the proprietor began ringing up Kendall’s purchases.
“Newlyweds, huh?” The older, balding man hand-punched in the prices. Scanning obviously hadn’t made its way to the General Store just yet. “Moving out of your apartment and into Crystal’s guesthouse?” he asked Rick, but didn’t wait for a reply. “Sorry about your aunt, Ms. Sutton. I mean Mrs. Chandler.”
Kendall started to choke. “It’s Kendall. Call me Kendall,” she said. “Kendall Sutton.”
Herb looked up and scowled at them both. “You married one of them feminists?” he asked Rick. “Don’t let her take her own name. Next thing you know she’ll be demanding more rights, like the TV remote. Then a man’s got nothing left, not even his pride.”
Rick breathed in deeply and, Kendall noticed, smothered a laugh. But he didn’t correct the man. Obviously it was simpler to ignore his old-fashioned thinking.
“Aren’t you going to say something?” Kendall whispered.
“It won’t do any good and besides it can’t hurt to keep them speculating, right?”
“About a relationship, not a marriage.”
“You’ll learn this town soon enough, but I’ll humor you.” Rick patted her hand. “We’re not married, Herb. And I’d appreciate it if you’d correct the misunderstanding when you hear people talking. Not that it’ll do any good,” Rick said, lowering his voice for Kendall’s ears only.
Herb swiped a hand over his bald spot. “Now I know I heard Pearl say she saw you carrying this pretty lady over the threshold in a wedding dress.”
“Well that’s true . . .”
“It’s a long story, Mr. . . .” She realized she didn’t know his last name. “It’s a long story, Herb.”
“And we’d like to explain it to you but we’re late for dinner at my mother’s.” Rick squeezed Kendall’s hand tighter.
Kendall tried to process the split-second conversation and realized Rick was playing the part already—spreading the news she was having dinner with his mother, holding her hand in public. Heated warmth emanated from his touch and she swallowed hard.
Herb laughed. “Raina’s gonna like having a daughter-in-law who actually lives in Yorkshire Falls.”
“I don’t . . .”
Rick elbowed Kendall softly, reminding her to go along. She might not be his bride, but from now on, she was definitely his girlfriend—in the eyes of the town, anyway.
Let the charade begin, she thought and handed Herb her credit card so he could ring the transaction. He glanced at her name on the card, looked back and forth between Rick and Kendall, then muttered something about women and their damn independent streaks, but minutes later finished the purchase and had bagged the items.
“You see Lisa Burton fly outta here?” Herb asked.
“Was that the woman who shrieked earlier?” Kendall wondered.
“Yep. Dropped her basket and took off, leaving me to clean up the broken eggs and everything.”
“You never know what will set a woman off, Herb.” Rick grabbed Kendall’s elbow in a gentlemanly gesture. “It was good seeing you.” Rick shook the man’s hand.
“Likewise.”
“Nice meeting you,” Kendall said as she helped Rick gather the packages.
“I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around. There’s lots of things an old house needs to make it livable for two and—”
“Sure is. That’s why we gotta be going now.” Rick cut Herb off and herded Kendall out the door before another round of post-wedding discussion could begin.
A good thing, since Kendall figured they were probably in for enough questioning from Rick’s matchmaking mother.
* * *
Rick looked like he’d been hit by a meteor, Raina thought, immensely pleased. She hadn’t seen that lovestruck, glazed look in one of her boys’ eyes since . . . well since Roman had seen Charlotte at the Saint Patrick’s Day dance. It must have something to do with all that skin these women bared today. Or maybe it was the navel. Raina noticed that Rick couldn’t tear his gaze from Kendall’s bare stomach and belly button.
Watching the two young people together enabled her to find a measure of peace and happiness. With the return of Crystal’s bright-eyed niece, Raina sensed her friend’s presence. She wondered if Crystal had sent Kendall here to impact everyone’s life in some way. If so, Raina intended to help.
“So what do you plan on doing with the house?” Raina asked Kendall. “Lord knows Pearl and Eldin would be happy to stay on.”
The young girl laid down her fork. “Really? That’s wonderful.”
Raina nodded. “I’m glad you agree, seeing as how they live on a fixed income. The arrangement they had with your aunt was the only one they could afford.”
“Speaking of their arrangement, I need to find out the details of their rental agreement,” Kendall said.
“Oh, there is none.” Raina waved a hand in the air. “What do you mean?”
“In this
