Undeniable (Cloverleigh Farms #2)(20)

“That’s not the issue and you know it. I told you this morning I wouldn’t share a room with you, and you said okay. You lied.”

“No, I didn’t! It’s not a room. It’s a tent,” I said, as if that made it better, not worse.

She shook her head. “You’re despicable.”

“I promise to behave.”

“Ha! When have you ever done that?”

“I’m serious, Chloe.” I moved closer to her. “I solemnly swear I will not lay one finger on you, I will not say or do anything suggestive, and I will zip myself up into my sleeping bag and stay on my side of the tent. You can sleep with a frying pan in your bag, and if I come near you, you can hit me over the head with it.”

A smile made her lips twitch.

“Come on. Say yes. It’ll be fun.”

“What if I say yes now and change my mind? Is that an option or will I be stranded in the wilderness?”

“You will not be stranded. If you don’t want to stay overnight, you don’t have to. We’ll get on the ferry and come home.”

“Ferry?” She looked curious. “Is it an island?”

I grinned, feeling victory swell in my chest. “Just fill your pack with lightweight clothing good for hot and cool weather. Layers are good. Hat and sunglasses. Sunscreen. I’ve got bug repellent, water purification tablets, and toilet paper.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I have to share a roll of toilet paper with you? That might actually be worse than sharing a tent.”

I laughed. “You’ll survive. Pack a different bag with your things for the cottage and we’ll keep it in my car.”

“Okay. Will I need anything fancy?”

“Nah.”

“But your mom likes people to dress for dinner.”

I shrugged. “You can wear anything you like.”

“Are you sure it’s okay that you’re bringing me to your family reunion?”

“I’m positive, but if it makes you feel better, I’ll call my mom right now and let her know you’re coming.”

“Please do that. Thank you.”

I headed for the door. “Just give me a shout when you’re ready, and I’ll help you carry everything to the car.”

“Okay.”

I went downstairs and pulled my phone from my pocket. But after giving it a moment’s thought, I went outside to make the call.





9





Chloe





NOW



Unbelievable.

How had he done it? One moment I was putting my clothes back in my dresser, and the next I was pulling things out again, tucking them into a backpack so I could go on an overnight hike with Oliver Ford Pemberton.

Just the two of us!

Sleeping in a tent!

Alone!

Together!

It was just like him. He’d known perfectly well what he was up to last night, and he should have told me everything. Instead he’d waited until I had already shaken on the deal and promised to hear him out, knowing I wasn’t someone who went back on my word. Then he fudged the truth about staying overnight together.

“Asshole,” I muttered.

After everything he’d done, where did he get the nerve? I’d admire it, if I wasn’t so irritated that he always seemed to get his way. As I stuck items into the bottom of the pack, starting with sweatpants and extra socks, I heard him go out the front door. A moment later I heard him speaking through my open bedroom windows.

“Hi, Mom.” A pause. “It was fine, not much traffic at all.”

Underwear. Sports bra. Soft T-shirt to sleep in.

“Everyone is good. Aunt Daphne said she’d love to come for the Fourth, but they’re too busy at the inn.” Silence. Laughter. “I know, I tried. But Chloe and I are definitely coming.”

Pair of flip-flops. Bathing suit. Tank top. Hat.

“Yeah. I am too. But remember, you can’t say anything about it. Not yet.”

Huh? What was he talking about? Our partnership?

I went over to the window and peeked out. He stood on my front walk facing a shiny black SUV I figured was his.

“I know, Mom, but we just prefer it this way. At least for now. It took a lot for me to get back in her good graces. I don’t want to blow it.”

You’re not back in my good graces! I felt like shouting. Not after you just duped me into taking an overnight trip with you!

Moving away from the window, I whipped off my shirt, exchanged my regular bra for a halter bikini top, then my underwear and denim shorts for my bikini bottom and some hiking shorts that were light-weight and easy to move in.

“Okay, thanks,” Oliver said. “We’ll see you tomorrow night. Love you too. Sure, I’ll talk to Dad.”

I threw on a sleeveless yoga top, tied a plaid button-down around my waist, and swapped my sandals for socks and hiking boots.

In my bathroom, I put my hair up and tied a bandanna around my head, knotting it at the top. I packed just the necessities in my backpack—toothbrush and paste, face wipes, sunscreen, eye drops, hand sanitizer. The rest of my makeup and toiletries were packed in my small suitcase, along with the clothing I’d want in Harbor Springs. I took Oliver at his word and went casual—shorts, tops, some tennis clothes, a cover-up, jeans, and a sweatshirt, but just in case, I threw in a pretty white sundress and dress sandals.