“How on earth did you work that?”
“I’ll tell you when you get here.”
“Okay. I’ve got things all set. I should get to Blue Hill by around four in the afternoon.”
“Be sure you get an economy hatchback like the one I reserved.”
“No problem.”
“And don’t forget about the hair.”
“Already cut it.”
Hope bumped into a man’s overcoat and pushed it aside. “So, what am I supposed to tell everyone?”
“I thought you already said that I was sick?”
“I also said you were doing better.”
“Well then, say I’ve had a relapse.”
Hope sighed.
“The wedding dress will be there tomorrow,” Jackie informed her. “It’s being delivered by special courier. Please check to make sure everything looks okay. The shoes, veil, and accessories are coming with it. And take photos. For Insta.”
“All right.”
“Actually, I can’t wait to see them, too.”
Chapter Thirteen
Brent rode back to his grandparents’ place with Derrick in Derrick’s SUV, with William driving ahead of them, chauffeuring Grandpa Chad and Parker. What a great moment that had been when they sailed past the carriage house. Jackie had been on the deck, and he’d happened to spot her. She looked adorable standing there, filming him on her phone, so he’d snapped a pic of her, which he’d sent her, along with a few others he’d taken on the boat. She hadn’t responded yet, but maybe she hadn’t seen his text.
He’d felt bad about becoming grumpy during their run this morning. Jackie had never been into public displays of affection, but seriously. It wasn’t like the two of them were preteens. They were adults and getting married.
His thoughts drifted away to the honeymoon and an image of them walking hand in hand down the shore, with him in his swim trunks and her in her very tiny bikini. They could swim and play in the water, then come back for a nice lazy nap at their beachside bungalow in the afternoon. Brent found himself looking forward to that “nap” and spending time with his new bride. When there was nobody else around to distract—or disrupt—them.
Tires squealed, and Derrick’s vehicle fishtailed sideways as a hard-hitting object rammed into them from behind. Derrick cursed and gripped the wheel, glaring back over his shoulder.
“What on earth?”
Brent spun in his seat to spy a dark blue European sports coupe with a bent grill and sagging front bumper. A dark-haired woman climbed from its driver seat, looking possessed. She stomped up to Derrick’s driver’s side window in precipitous heels, a fitted sweater top, and a very short skirt. Derrick rolled down his window.
“Excuse me,” she said without preamble. “You just ruined my car.”
Derrick sputtered a laugh. “I—what? You must be joking.”
Her dark eyes narrowed, and her nostrils flared. Meredith Galanes. Brent had only met the woman once, and she was seriously wound tight. Very nice-looking, though, with her olive skin and long, springy curls spilling past her shoulders.
His brother ran a hand through his hair and glanced at Brent, as if to say can you believe her?
Derrick leaned into his steering wheel and peered out the window behind them. “I’m guessing you did some damage, too.”
“Me? To you?” she asked, clearly astounded. She set one hand on her ample hip, accentuating her curvy figure. “It was totally your fault. You stopped on a dime.”
“Sure. When you hit me.”
“I hit you because you stopped.”
Meredith ducked her chin to peek into the car, and she spotted Brent in the passenger’s seat. “Oh, hi there. Happy wedding.” She returned her attention to Derrick, apparently waiting on him to say something. Probably apologize, which—knowing Derrick—he wasn’t about to do.
Brent noted that William had stopped up ahead of them, and now he, Parker, and Grandpa Chad had stepped from the car, curious to see what was going on.
“Uh oh,” William said, walking toward them. “Looks like someone had a little fender-bender.” He glanced at Meredith’s car and then at her. “Ugh, that’s too bad. That’s this year’s model, isn’t it?”
Derrick shot William a disgruntled stare.
“You must be Meredith,” Parker said, extending his hand. “Sorry about the unfortunate circumstances.”
“Thanks. Nice to meet you,” she said before sending Derrick a look that telegraphed at least someone’s apologizing.
Derrick swung his door open so abruptly he nearly smacked Meredith’s bare legs. Or perhaps that was his intention. He climbed from his seat and ambled to the back of his SUV. “Aha. Just as I suspected… There’s a great big dent—right there.”
“Derrick.” Parker shook his head in disappointment at his youngest son’s ill manners. “Let’s just leave this for now.”
“Leave it?” Meredith asked with alarm. “But what about my—”
“I’ll pay for any repairs,” Grandpa Chad said. “The accident happened on my property, after all. Meredith,” he said. “Welcome.” He gave her a sympathetic nod and shook her hand. “The curve in this drive can get rather tricky at times.”
“Why, thank you,” she said, seemingly avoiding Derrick’s prickly gaze.
“I’m William,” their brother said, greeting her. “Brent’s older brother, and that guy over there…” He motioned with his chin. “Is Derrick.”
Derrick worked hard not to scowl. “Hello.”
Meredith rolled her eyes. “We’ve met.”
“It’s more like we collided,” he said testily. “When you rear-ended me.”
“Oh, I…?” Meredith fumed. “Don’t think so.”
“Why don’t we all go on up to the house?” Parker suggested. “I know Jackie and the others will be excited to see you.”
…
Hope heard a weird screeching sound, like metal scraping against the drive, and she walked around the side of the house to see the men had returned from their sailing trip—and brought a wreck of a vehicle with them. A short, pretty brunette stepped from the damaged car, her gaze settling on Hope. “Jackie!” she cried, rushing forward.
“Meredith,” Hope returned, wagering her guess had to be right. The women rushed toward each other and embraced. Then Meredith tugged at the floppy sides of Hope’s garden hat. “Cute look. Where did you get it?”