Page 26 of Two Hearts' Subterfuge

And then suddenly, he couldn’t believe his eyes. It washer.

She smiled, her gaze meeting his.

Ben looked around to make sure that she wasn’t smiling at someone else.

“It’s Aylin, Ben. She’s the one on the staircase.” Lara gave Ben a side glance. “You’ve got the stupidest look on your face right now.”

“Is she smiling at me or you?”

Lara laughed. “I knew you’d like her.”

He snorted. “What’s not to like. She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”

“She is,” Lara agreed, waving at Aylin, who smiled widely, waving back as soon as the photographer snapped some quick shots. “I’d introduce you, but I think they’re already being escorted outside. I see that someone is collecting all the bouquets so the flowers don’t freeze.”

Ben also saw that all the ladies had matching faux fur coats that they would be wearing to the church. Someone was doling them out and assisting the bride and each bridesmaid tug one on.

He kept staring at Aylin, who appeared to be looking back.

When she suddenly winked, Ben began laughing.

“Did she just wink at you, Ben?” Lara asked, grinning.

“I sure hope so,” Ben muttered, most definitely smitten.

“She probably did it because of the way you’re staring at her. I’ve never seen you act like such a geek.”

And much to his surprise, Lara cracked up, laughing.

Chapter Fourteen

Who was he, Aylin wondered? Maybe someone who worked at the Inn since he was here on Christmas day.

She’d had the same heart flipping reaction that she’d had two days earlier when he’d been gazing through the display window of the boutique.

Finally, she winked at him since his gaze was so intense. Aylin noticed Lara started laughing loudly. She really looked good today. Aylin had quickly been able to choose some clothing and accessories for her from the selection in the boutique when Rene had given her a call in her room yesterday afternoon.

As much as she would have loved going over there to speak with Lara and her friend, Aylin figured she probably wouldn’t get the chance, since everyone was being assisted into the faux fur coats that had been a surprise addition to their wardrobe once Aylin had learned that it was supposed to snow. The photographer would be sure to take some pictures outside since snow was an important element of Camille’s dreamy winter wedding.

Camille, Dad and Mom would be the only ones traveling in the horse drawn carriage since there just wasn’t room for everyone. Besides, Camille’s gown would probably hoard most of the room inside the covered carriage.

As she lined up to go along with the bridesmaids in the super-size limo that was waiting outside, she realized that someone else was staring at her.

Aylin frowned. It was an older man, who looked vaguely familiar.

And she really didn’t like the look in his eyes.

“Come on, Aylin,” Desiree called out, already heading through the breezeway. “They’re going to take some pictures at the chapel before Camille arrives.”

All thoughts about the man were forgotten as she quickly caught up with Desiree.

* * *

It had been a beautiful service. Aylin had to keep wiping away tears while Rafe and Desiree recited their vows. Besides the numerous potted poinsettias lining the chapel walls along the outer aisles, there were fresh flowers and lit candles everywhere, and Dad had hired a violinist along with a soloist to perform during the ceremony.

A few hours later, there had been a few additional pictures taken before everyone traveled back to the Dragonfly Pointe Inn for the special wedding reception. The venue had been decorated to perfection, like an icy Christmas wonderland, with white poinsettias everywhere along with gobs of magical sparkling snowflakes hanging from above, backlit somehow by what appeared to be blue and white LED spotlights focused on them from the perimeter of the ballroom below.

Somehow, Dad had even managed to find a very popular band to perform, and Aylin suspected that Danielle Loughlin probably had something to do with that. There had been a surprising number of people there, but Dad had more or less extended an open invitation to the after-dinner festivities to guests of the Inn.

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