Page 22 of Marrying the Accidental Groom
“It was Tealua. And it wasn’t a fling. Just a friend.”
“Of course it was,” her mom said. “You need to come home and let people see you’re not ruined. Honestly, it might be too late to start over. The way people are talking here...”
Gideon’s stomach turned.
Inside the cabin, Juliana said, quieter now, “I’m not starting over, Mom. I’m just.. .I need some time.”
“Time?” Her mother laughed, bitter and sharp. “That’s rich. You think you can just disappear to some ranch in the middle of nowhere and fix your reputation? You’re only making it worse the longer you avoid the truth. Now, I was talking to Maxine Solari the other day. You know her son, Prescott, is just about to be named partner. But the other partners really want him to be settled. He’d be a good match for you.”
“I’m not marrying someone I barely know, Mom.”
Gideon smothered a chuckle at the irony of those words.
“Well, obviously. You come home and get to know him. It’s not like staying in the middle of nowhere, Colorado is an option.” Her mom gasped. “Tell me you’re not thinking about staying, young lady!”
“I’m not staying, Mom,” Juliana reassured her, and Gideon felt the twinge in his chest. “I’m just sorting through things. Clearing my head.”
Gideon stepped back, heart thudding as her mom started talking again.
It was all a formality to her. A way to clean up the mess and get back to whatever life her mother believed she deserved. He wasn’t the man she wanted. He wasn’t dependable, or driven, or anything that came pre-sorted and laminated.
He turned away, eyes on the gravel, the weight of her words pressing in.
Zeke was wrong.
This wasn’t God answering a prayer, this was simply Juliana tying up a loose end.
9
JULIANA
Juliana gripped the back of the four-wheeler with her legs like her life depended on it because, in that moment, it sort of did.
“Lean left!” Gideon shouted over the roar of the wind as they crested a ridge.
She squeaked and did as instructed, heart pounding wildly as they skidded through the turn. Dust swirled behind them like a tail, and her hair—painstakingly braided that morning—was unraveling strand by strand in the wind. She should’ve been mortified. She should’ve demanded to stop.
But the sound that burst from her throat wasn’t protest. It was laughter. Unfiltered, breathless, full-bodied joy. She hadn’t let herself feel that in far too long.
Clinging to Gideon had probably helped her survive the ride, but it had also done something much more dangerous. His back had been warm and solid beneath her hands, muscles shifting beneath his T-shirt as he leaned and steered with effortless control. Her arms had wrapped around his waist, her cheek nearly against his shoulder, and she had felt every twist andlurch like they were moving as one. She’d told herself it was just survival instinct, just holding on.
But her body had betrayed her and relaxed into his. Trusted him.
By the time Gideon slowed the ATV near a grove of cottonwoods, her cheeks were flushed and her hands still trembled from the ride. She swung her leg off awkwardly, boots catching the step, and nearly tumbled straight into him.
“You all right, city girl?” he teased, catching her arm as she regained her balance. His grin was all sunshine and mischief and entirely too charming.
“Remind me to never trust you when you say it’s just acasual ride.” She brushed a layer of dust from her jeans. “That was...illegal in some states, I’m sure.”
“But fun.” His grin widened, cocky and warm all at once. “Admit it.”
She tried to glare at him. Tried not to smile. Failed.
“Fine,” she huffed, breathless. “It was fun. Terrifying, but fun.”
Gideon's eyes were bright with laughter as they steadied on her. Suddenly, she felt self-conscious. Her hands came up to brush her crazy hair down. "Don't," he commanded, something in his voice making her obey.
"What?" The word was nothing more than a whisper.
