Page 19 of Kiss Marry Kill

“It’s a hosted bar.”

Sighing, I took in her hopeful expression. I really, really didn’t want to go to her wedding. I didn’t like social events in general, and weddings could be painfully boring. But she had said I could bring Royce, so that would make it a fun day. I always had fun if Royce was with me.

My other reason for considering her invitation was more selfish. Janelle’s family was highly regarded in town. I was trying to clean up my image a bit. Things had been mighty rough when I’d first arrived in Rainy Dale. I’d ruffled a lot of feathers, unintentionally. I needed to try and mend fences, especially if River was playing games with me. He was very adept at charming others, while I was not. If the people in town started to take sides, I hoped to coax some of them to my side. But I couldn’t do that if I was standoffish.

“Please come,” Janelle urged, her smile coaxing.

Everything in me screamed to decline her offer. But with River breathing down my neck and her fragile mental state weighing on me, instead I plastered on a smile and politely asked, “What time on Sunday?”

“Oh, yay!” She surprised me by leaping forward and hugging me.

Her blonde hair tickled my nose as I stood stiffly in her arms.

“I’m so relieved you’ll be there, Dr. Thornton.” She let go of me, her cheeks pink. “I really don’t know why so many people think you’re difficult to talk to. I find you charming.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at that. “I’m glad to hear it. You’re definitely in the minority, but I’ll take all the fans I can get.”

She smiled and headed toward the door. “The ceremony is at 10:00 a.m. at Shepard’s Chapel. The reception is immediately following at the Dusty Steer. My parents rented out the entire restaurant for the occasion. That French bistro is providing the food I mentioned and the Dusty Steer is doing everything else.”

It was unexpected that they hadn’t held the wedding in Dallas. With the money they had, holding the wedding in Rainy Dale seemed odd. Perhaps the bride and groom had preferred keeping things local.

I forced a smile. “Royce and I will be there with bells on.”

She laughed and left the examination room, and I slumped and sat back down on the stool. Making an effort with people truly was exhausting. But I knew that if I was going to survive in Rainy Dale, it was an effort Ihadto make.

Chapter Four

Royce

“I’m impressed we’re sitting here right now,” I whispered, looking up at the ornate blue-and-gold stained glass windows that surrounded us. “I didn’t think you had it in you, Max.”

He glanced over, looking uneasy. “Trust me, if I’d been able to think up a good enough excuse, we wouldn’t be sitting here. She ambushed me.” He studied the full-color brochure the usher had handed us on arrival. The pamphlet was filled with romantic photos of Janelle and Archie. “Is it just me, or do Janelle and Archie look like wax figures in these photos?”

“It’s not just you.”

“Also, why would I need to see a photo of them in a bubble bath feeding each other strawberries?” he complained.

“Thank the Lord for big bubbles,” I drawled.

“Seriously.” He sighed, tucking the pamphlet in the small rack on the back of the pew in front of us. His leg bounced up and down, and I could feel his impatience radiating.

“It probably won’t be long now.”

“That’s what you said ten minutes ago,” he muttered.

I smiled patiently. “Weddings never start on time.”

“Why not?” He scowled. “If you’re not going to start on time, why even set a time? Why don’t we all just wander in and out at our discretion?”

“It’ll be fine, Max.”

“Yes, I know. But it’s just rude to keep people waiting.” He smoothed his palms down the cloth of his dress slacks. “Sitting too long will wrinkle these pants and this jacket. I’m going to look like a hobo by the time we get to the reception.”

“Nobody’s looking at you. They’re all looking at the bride.”

“I suppose that’s true.” He sighed yet again. “If they were smart, they’d serve champagne at the church.”

I laughed. “Oh, boy. That could be trouble.”