Page 10 of Her Athlete's Wedding Secret
Chapter 3
Benson woke up at the home he’d rented for his stay in Maple Creek for the wedding. He stretched on the bed. He’d had to extend his stay at the place for another week so he could have enough time to convince Tessa to marry him. Luckily, the owner of the property hadn’t booked up the place yet, so there was still availability. It was comfortable enough, but it wasn’t nearly as posh as his high-rise condo in New York City. He’d just bought it brand new last year, and it was packed with upgrades.
Benson went downstairs to make himself a cup of coffee, but when he got down there, he saw that he’d run out of coffee. The landlord must have provided only enough for the period he’d originally booked. He went back upstairs and showered and dressed. He’d just have to go out in town to pick up some coffee.
He fired up Ol’ Bessie in the driveway. He’d decided to drive rather than fly because he didn’t want to be without his truck. He knew he was a little attached, but he didn’t care. He loved his truck anyway. He drove into town—the place where he was staying was an older farmhouse about ten minutes from Maple Creek. It was charming with neighboring cows who mooed at him whenever he went outside. He and Ol’ Bessie fit in well there.
When he got to Josie’s Coffee shop, he parked and then pushed open the back door. The room was full of locals. Josie’s was the best place in town for coffee, and it was well known. He’d figured that out just from the few times he’d been in town lately.
“Hey, Benson!” Josie smiled at him. “What can I get you?”
“I’ll have your special brew and a blueberry muffin.”
“Sure thing.” He paid her and glanced over at the front door to see Tessa coming inside. Her dirty brown hair hung around her face in loose waves. She had on a silky taupe shirt and black slacks. Just looking at her sped up his heart rate. He had to be careful around her. She wasn’t just one of those girls he’d date quickly and then never see again. Tessa had the potential to get to his heart. And he couldn’t have that.
His timing couldn’t be more perfect. He needed to talk to her, to convince her to marry him. She got in line behind him. “You going in to work today?” he asked her.
“Yep. I usually stop by Josie’s before work to grab some coffee.”
“You and half the town, it seems.”
“Pretty much.”
“Have you thought any more about my proposal?”
“Yes. I’ve thought about it.” She kept her face expressionless.
He couldn’t read anything off her body language. “And?”
“And, I’m still thinking. You told me I have a week to decide.”
He clenched his teeth together. In the meantime, his life hung by a thread that was about to snap at any moment. “Do you mind if I join you for coffee this morning, or do you have to hurry off to work?”
“I can sit for a minute and talk. I don’t have work until nine.”
That was a good sign. At least she was willing to do that much. She could have lied and said she had to rush off to work, but she didn’t. She was open to spending time with him. He thought she’d be more hostile toward him. She hadn’t seemed to like him before. But he’d never really tried to get to know her either. Not more than small talk.
When Tessa had her coffee, she joined Benson at the table he’d picked out for them.
“I have to admit,” he said. “I’m surprised you want to sit and talk with me.”
“Why is that?” she asked.
“I had the impression that you didn’t like me,” Benson said.
“That’s because you’re a player.”
“So you don’t like me?”
“That depends.”
“On what?” He took a bite of the blueberry muffin he’d ordered.
“Are you going to still be a player if I marry you? I know it wouldn’t be real, and I accept that. But I don’t want to be humiliated by you flirting with other girls behind my back. I know you have the tabloids all up in your business.”
“Other than the fact that you see me as a player, you don’t have a problem with me?”
“That and you’re always getting in trouble. Otherwise, you seem like a decent enough guy.”
