The Runaway Bridesmaid

She’d come with such high hopes. Bringing Angie along for a few weeks had seemed a minor snag. Trevor had burst her bubble in no time. She’d give her brand-new shoes and gingham suit to know what he’d said about her out there on that porch.

The woods opened out to a circular drive, and beyond that sat a house with tons of windows. Sam led Isabel in through a side entry. “This is a shortcut to your room,” he said. “If you’ll find me at the lodge after you’re unpacked and rested, I can show you around. We have snacks in the kitchen and in the community room.” He glanced at Angie. “There’s plenty for a kid to do.”

After turning down a hallway containing some beautiful wildlife prints, Sam opened another door. “This is the Ripple River room. Hope you’ll be comfortable.”

As Isabel had suspected, her own Ripple River quilt lay on the full-size bed. She was thrilled to see the way Darla had decorated the rest of the room using colors from her design. A small, natural wood desk and matching rocker invited relaxation, and two windows provided incredible views of the trees.

“This is gorgeous. Thanks.” Impulsively, Isabel gave Sam a quick hug before he left her and Angie alone.

Trevor walked in two minutes later, his arms bulging from the weight of the two largest suitcases. Angie had already flopped down on the floor to watch cartoons on a wall-mounted television.

“Thank you,” Isabel said as he set them inside the doorway. “I’ll help you bring in the rest.” She started to follow him out, but he stopped and turned around.

“Relax. Sam’s helping me.”

The set of his jaw said the rest.

Had Isabel gone through a reality warp out in the plains of western Kansas? She was the woman who took care of everyone around her. Always had. Always would. Why were these men expecting so little of her?

She didn’t like it. As soon as possible, she’d make it clear that she was here to help.

She opened one of her suitcases and got busy, pretending she didn’t notice when Sam and Trevor came and left again. Forty-five minutes later, she’d finished unpacking and setting up the room. She turned off the television and took Angie with her to find Sam, for that tour.

The offices were vacant. Isabel led Angie through the same hallway that led to the bathroom. Halfway down, they ran into a middle-aged woman with a laundry cart, who introduced herself as Edith, the head housekeeper. She said she thought Sam might be checking the bus at the side of the lodge, and directed Isabel and Angie to follow the exit signs.

On their way, they passed by the laundry room, where Angie saw an electronic game that had been shoved into a corner. “Hooh! I love this game,” she said, galloping into the room to take a closer look. “Can I play? The Git-n-Go has it, and R.J. never gives me a turn.”

“You don’t want to see the kitchen or community room?” Isabel asked. “Sam said they have snacks and other games.”

“I want to play this game!” Angie said, her brown eyes pleading.

Isabel studied the game, which appeared innocent enough. Some thoughtful person had even left a bowl of tokens on the floor next to it. She glanced over her shoulder and realized the housekeeper was waiting to make sure they found their way out.

“Of course she can play,” Edith said. “Go on out and talk to Sam, if you want. I’ll be working in this hallway, anyway.”

Both women smiled at Angie’s joyful whoops. “You be good,” Isabel told her young friend. “I’ll go tell Sam we’re unpacked but not ready for a tour, then come right back to see how you’re doing.”

The little girl had already plugged a token into the game and didn’t answer.

“Angie,” Isabel said, and waited until the little girl had stopped and turned around. “Did you hear me?”

“Yes, Izza-bell. I’ll be good and teach that ee-bil ol’ grouch a lesson.”

Apparently, Isabel wasn’t the only one with that goal.

Right outside the laundry room, she found the exit and walked out onto the opposite side of the porch. Trevor’s Jeep was parked in the drive again, but Sam was nowhere in sight. As she stepped off the porch to search for him, Isabel felt a rush of excitement about being in such a great place, so far away from her everyday world. The warmth of the sunshine on her bare arms felt good, and the spicy scent of the pine trees enveloped her.

Isabel paused, hearing rushing water somewhere nearby. That was right. Darla had told her the property backed on to the St. Vrain River. She couldn’t wait to explore.

But Sam wasn’t out here. A big blue bus was parked adjacent to the building, and beyond that Isabel could see a dirt road and a gated pasture. She’d just turned around, thinking she would wait to talk to Sam later, when his voice drifted to her from the direction of the lodge.

Isabel hastened around the rear corner of the building, until Sam’s next statement stopped her in her tracks. “That doesn’t matter, bud. She’s Darla’s guest, and she drove all the way from Kansas to help out.”

He called Trevor “bud,” didn’t he?

They were together, talking about her!

“She got lost on that highway with a map and help, and she thought nothing about getting into a stranger’s car. I’m only saying that she’s incredibly naive, and I can’t use her help at the camp.”

Trevor’s voice had grown clearer with each hurtful word, as if he and Sam were moving closer.

Isabel inched toward the bus.

Sam said something about Darla, but his quieter voice didn’t carry over the sounds of the wind and the water.

“Right, but I doubt that she can handle camp cooking,” Trevor responded, “and she’d surely get herself lost out in the back country.”

“She’d be great with the kids, though.” Sam sounded clear, as if he was very close. Slowly Isabel retreated toward the front of the lodge.

“That’s your opinion,” Trevor said. “Remember what happened with Betsy and Dylan? We’re trying to get these boys to set loftier goals than their next hot date. Half of them would get crushes on Isabel.” He paused, then added in a lower voice, “I’m glad the camp boys didn’t see the lingerie showing through her jacket a while ago.”

Isabel’s eyes flew down to her chest. Sure enough, she’d popped a button and her lacy bra was showing. That’d teach her to buy clothes off a department store rack without checking for good construction.

“I’m wondering if it’s you who has the crush,” Sam said, and he’d sounded as if he was a few feet away!

Whirling around, Isabel returned to the side entrance, hoping it was unlocked. It was, thank God. She escaped inside, then returned to the laundry room, where she found Angie still playing on the first token.

Isabel must have been gone five minutes, but she felt changed. And she’d learned something just now. Trevor certainly didn’t have a crush on her. Despite what he’d told her, he had problems with her.

Personally.

Isabel bowed her shoulders and peeked down at her chest. The gap widened, forming a nice oval peephole that showed quite a bit of cleavage.

Lord. She’d wanted to look polished, that was all. She’d loved the outfit when she’d seen Peyton wearing it at the April wedding, and she’d been excited to find a copy at a Wichita store. She’d put the whole outfit, right down to the shoes, on her credit card.

She never used her credit card.

She reached down to tug the edges of the jacket together, then heard someone approach down the hallway. That wouldn’t be Sam. He walked quietly, appearing in doorways as if by magic. This heavier step was Trevor’s.

She let her hands fall to her sides and stepped farther into the room.

“I thought I heard that game going,” he said from behind her. “Did you two find everything you need?”

He’d learned gracious behavior? Isabel turned, forcing herself to forget about whether her bra was showing. “We’ll be fine.”

“Sam said you might want a tour of the lodge?” he asked, his gaze moving downward. Now she knew why he’d been ogling her earlier. Then and there, Isabel decided she wouldn’t allow him to intimidate her again.

She stood up straight and squared her shoulders. “No, thanks. We’ll just hang out here until Darla arrives,” she said, her voice syrupy.