Page 28 of May I Kiss the Bride
She hadn’t expected her pulse to jump around so much and for her stomach to erupt in anticipation. Donna was probably chatting with the sheriff—she was a friendly sort. And she’d be audience to their meeting.
It couldn’t be helped. And she couldn’t hide out in her room. Rey already knew she was here.
So she smoothed her hair over one shoulder and tied it with a ribbon. The hat and gloves could wait. Opening her door, she heard the rumble of a man’s voice coming from the receptionroom. She headed down the corridor, following the sounds of conversation. As she neared, Rey’s deeper tones separated from Donna’s low laughter.
Envy pinched inside, surprising Viola. Rey was a free man, just as she was a free woman. She’d heard plenty of swoony comments over the sheriff when she was living in Mayfair. So why did Donna’s laughter strike deeper?
Viola rounded the corner to find Donna sitting across from the cowboy. Rey looked over at Viola immediately, and her heart skipped more than one beat as his smile appeared. If he was smiling at her, he couldn’t be delivering bad news, could he?
His cowboy hat rested on his knee, and he grabbed it, then rose to his full height so that she had to tilt her head upward to see him.
“Miss Delany.”
“Mr. Christensen.”
His green eyes flashed, and she knew he’d wanted her to call him Rey. But he’d been formal first, and they had an audience.
“Miss Dickson was just telling me all about the nursing program here. Sounds like you’re in good hands.”
“Oh, we’re in good hands with Viola,” Donna said. “She knows more than some of our current students.”
Viola smiled politely because she was seriously resenting Donna’s presence. Rey’s gaze stayed on her, and she’d love to know what was going on inside his mind. “Is everything going well in Mayfair? How’s Elsie doing?”
His smile reappeared. “Had a birthday this week, so I’m now living with a nine-year-old boss.”
Viola couldn’t hold back her laugh. “Well, tell her happy birthday for me.”
Rey nodded. “Will do, ma’am.”
Inwardly, Viola melted a little. He called her ma’am, no matter how many times she’d corrected him. It was his way of teasing her now.
“Who’s Elsie?” Donna asked, which Viola found very impertinent of the woman to insert herself.
“My daughter.”
“Ah, so you’re married.” Donna’s voice held a note of disappointment. “Are you old friends with Viola, then?”
Rey finally turned his gaze fully to Donna. “I’m a widower, Miss Dickson. And Viola and I are new friends.”
Donna’s face flushed, but her eyes sparkled. “Well, you are welcome to visit any time. After class hours, of course.”
“Thank you for the invitation,” Rey said, a hint of amusement in his tone. His gaze shifted to Viola. “Your aunt sends her regards.”
Not that Viola had forgotten about Aunt Beth, but seeing Rey so unexpectedly had made all commonsense questions flee from her mind. “How is she doing? I sent her a letter today.”And I sent one to you too.
“She’s doing very well,” Rey said. “She gave me the location of this place.”
“Who’s your aunt?” Donna asked. “Is she the one who runs the bakery?”
“Yes, that’s the one,” Viola said, hoping that she’d kept the irritation out of her tone.
“Well, Miss Delany, I wondered if you might oblige me with a walk around the block.”
“We were about to leave for the church social,” Donna said. “You should join us. We’d look good arriving with a new member.”
“I—uh, don’t live in this town, so I wouldn’t exactly be considered a new member.” Rey stumbled over his words. “Thank you for the invitation though, Miss Dickson.” His gazefound Viola’s again. “Pleased to see that you’re settled in, Miss Delany. I’ll give your best to Elsie and Beth.”
“Thank you,” Viola murmured, although inside she was screaming for him not to leave yet.
