A Winter Wedding(71)

“I hope you’re right,” she said.

“I am.” He lowered the volume on the radio. “So are you feeling comfortable being out of the house?”

“Absolutely. You were right. I needed the change of scenery. There’s nothing like Gold Country at Christmas. It could be the inspiration for all those idealized scenes on Christmas cards.”

He wished he could show her Eve’s B and B, which was always decorated to the hilt for the holidays, but he didn’t want to push her. He was glad he’d talked her into going out to dinner. “You haven’t had much of a chance to enjoy the season.”

“That’s why this is so nice.”

Now that he’d convinced her to come out, Kyle was determined to make sure nothing ruined the evening. So once they arrived in Jackson, he had her wait in his truck while he went into the restaurant to speak to the manager. Then he took her in through the back, where a short, stout man by the name of Mr. Hines led them up a narrow staircase to a private room.

“What’d you tell him?” she whispered as the echo of their host’s footsteps dimmed on the stairs when he went back down.

After being relieved of their coats, they’d been given a wine list and a menu. “That we’d prefer to eat alone, if possible.”

She gazed around the small, garret-like room, which could seat sixteen people at most. “This is wonderful. And the manager was so respectful. I could tell he recognized me, but he wasn’t obvious about it.”

Kyle winked at her. “Don’t worry. You’re going to have a good dinner—one you didn’t have to cook—and there won’t be anything unpleasant to ruin it.”

“But how’d you know this room existed? Have you brought other women here?”

“No. This is where we come whenever Simon’s in town. It can get a bit crowded if we all come, but we squeeze in and make it work.”

She smoothed the napkin Mr. Hines had placed in her lap. “Oh, makes sense. I forgot he’s married to your friend. He probably can’t go anywhere without attracting a crowd. I hope you don’t think I’m pretending to be in his league.”

“I know you’re not pretending anything. Mr. Hines is good about giving Simon the chance to eat without public attention, so I thought it’d be worth asking if he’d do the same for you. That’s all.”

“It’s very nice of him to accommodate us—and it was nice of you to think of it.”

He leaned across the table and dropped his voice. “Before you thank me, I should tell you, in the spirit of full disclosure, that I did promise I’d try to persuade you to let me snap a picture while you’re here so he can hang it downstairs.”

“Of course. That’s no problem.”

“It’ll be right next to Simon’s photograph,” he said as he sat back. “So you’ll be in good company.”

She opened her menu, lowered it, then lifted it again.

Kyle could tell she wanted to say something. “What is it?”

“Since I’ve been so reclusive and haven’t been willing to meet any strangers, I probably shouldn’t ask, but...”

“But?” he prodded.

“Could you introduce me to Simon someday?”

“Sure. If you’re still here the next time he visits.”

“Won’t he be coming for your friend’s wedding after Christmas?”

“Gail will be here. And she’s bringing the kids to see her family. But Simon has to be in England, on the set of his latest project. He tried to get around it, but the delay would cost the production company some exorbitant amount.”

“So he’ll miss seeing you perform the wedding service.”

Kyle rolled his eyes. “I still can’t believe Riley and Phoenix asked me to do that.”

“Why?”

“Because I have no idea what to say! My own marriage lasted less than a year. I’m about the only person left in our group who’s single—and I’m considering staying that way for the rest of my life. I’m no one to offer the type of advice most people look for at their weddings.”

“Maybe he’s not looking for your advice. Maybe he just wants someone who means a lot to him to perform the service.”

“That’s flattering,” he said. “But most people hope their wedding service will be memorable. I’m afraid this one will be memorable for all the wrong reasons.”

“Speak from the heart and you’ll be fine.”

“If I did that, I’d say, ‘Good luck. You may need it.’”

She frowned but waited to respond until Mr. Hines had delivered their water glasses and promised to return shortly for their drink order. “Not all marriages are as hard as the relationships you and I have had,” she said when they were alone.

“I guess not. But I wouldn’t expect you to speak up for marriage. What if you’d married Derrick and he’d met Crystal after the wedding?”

“I’m lucky that didn’t happen.”

Deciding that he didn’t want to make this dinner about their failed love lives, Kyle grinned. “So maybe you should be celebrating tonight, too.”

“Maybe so,” she agreed, giving him a grudging smile in return. “Anyway, if you’d like, I’ll help you write something to say at the wedding.”