Free Second Chance Bride (Montana Born Brides) by Trish Morey Page B

way down through the clouds, Scarlett was too glad to be safely down on the ground to care. But it was exciting too. Broome was like no place she’d ever been before; even the airport felt tropical and exotic with its palm trees and light spaces and cane furniture. A private car met them and whisked them off to their resort on Cable Beach, the fourteen -mile ribbon of white sand that fringed the turquoise Indian Ocean.
    “When do we meet the others?”
    “Tonight before dinner. They’re all off on some excursion to a pearl farm today.”
    The wind gusted and tore at the palm trees along the road. “Wind’s picking up,” he said.
    “Bad news for the wedding?”
    “From what Robbo was telling me, Kristelle is hoping for her wedding to be blessed with an appearance by the Staircase to the Moon. You can only see it at full moon between March and October and this weekend is the first for the year.” He looked up at the cloudy sky. “Don’t fancy her chances if this keeps up.” They pulled into the gates of a resort. “Looks like we’re here.”
    Her eyes bugged. She climbed out of the car, taking in the long colonial building with its timber veranda decorated with Chinese artefacts and low-slung furniture, the gardens spilling with palms and brightly colored plants. “Oh my god,” she said, “I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
    The driver holding her door smiled. Mitch was smiling too. “Don’t mind her,” he said, “she doesn’t get out much.”
    The driver laughed and tipped his hat. “A pleasure to meet you both,” he said, “enjoy your stay.”
    “What was that all about?” she asked, as the car pulled away and Mitch took her hand.
    “It means they’re too used to toffee noses around here.”
    “Toffee noses?”
    “Um, what would Americans say? Let’s think: Preppy types. Rich people.”
    “Oh.”
    “You’re like a breath of fresh air.”
    She looked up at him quizzically and he added, “He liked you. Then again, maybe he’s just met Kristelle.”
    “Hey.” She stopped and he had to stop too. “I know she’s your ex ’n’ all and you’re not sure of her motives, but that doesn’t mean she’s an awful person. It just means you two didn’t get on.”
    He touched his finger to the tip of her nose and followed it with his lips. “I stand corrected. No more digs about Kristelle.”
    “Good.”
    She took a step but he mumbled something under his breath, and she just knew he was going for the last word. “What did you say?”
    “Nothing.”
    She shook her head. “That poor girl didn’t deserve you.”
    “Finally,” he said, “something we can agree on.”
    She pressed her nails into the back of his hand. “She and I are going to get on like you wouldn’t believe.”
    “Right again. Are you going for the trifecta or something?”
    She just looked at him. “Unbelievable. It’s a wonder she didn’t end up in therapy after you.”
    He smiled and she just looked at him and rolled her eyes. “Like I said: unbelievable.”
    Check-in was as smooth as silk, and in no time they were in their assigned villa. It was insanely luxurious, a private house more than a mere villa, with a massive king-sized bedroom plus separate lounge and dining rooms and, to top it all off, a private courtyard with plunge pool.
    She eyed it with intent and a certain amount of satisfaction. Take that, Travis.
    “I’m hopping in the shower to freshen up before drinks,” Mitch said from inside. “Coming?”
    “Sure. Give me a minute, I just need to hang something up.” With a bit of luck the closet was so big, he might not even notice it.
    “Don’t be long.”
    She smiled. “Not a chance.”
    A minute later she joined him in the enormous shower. “You know, you were right,” he said, reaching for her. “I can’t keep my hands off you.”
    “You’re supposed to be saving that for when we’re in front of the others,” she said, but she wasn’t exactly chiding him. Not when her breath