Читать книгу His Brother's Bride - Judith Bowen - Страница 12

CHAPTER FIVE

THE DEXTERS’ ANNIVERSARY celebration began with a tea for the older folks on Saturday afternoon, followed by a buffet dinner and dancing at the Glory and District Community Hall.

Noah had decided they’d show up about five, introduce Abby around and then get the hell out of there before the dancing. Normally, he might have considered staying for the whole event, but now that his brother’s bride-to-be had arrived from out of nowhere, he figured the best plan was to get in and get out. Avoid the overcurious. The tough part was going to be introducing her as Jesse’s surprise ladylove to all their neighbors and friends. No one would be expecting what could only be described as a shotgun wedding from either of the Winslows.

Jesse and Abby were riding with him, as Jesse owned only his pickup, while Noah had both his pickup and a six-year-old four-door Chevrolet sedan, as well. Low-end, nothing fancy, but it served its purpose, which was mainly long highway trips and the occasional date. Taking a woman out to a decent restaurant in a work truck was a teenager’s trick, in his opinion.

By half past four he was ready, wearing dress pants and boots, a crew-necked white knit T-shirt—Noah couldn’t abide ties—and a Western-cut jacket. He wore a wide-brimmed hat, as usual, only this was his going-out model, a fine tan-colored beaver-felt Stetson. He had to adjust the seat on the Chevy, since Carl had driven it last, then put it. into gear and eased slowly down the hill. He was picking up the lovebirds at Jesse’s house.

He parked in the driveway, and when no one appeared right away, leaned gently on the horn. He glanced in the rearview mirror. Pat was walking slowly to her favorite spot behind one of the feed sheds and, as he watched, she turned three times and settled down, gazing sadly toward him. That old poser, he thought. He often took the dog with him in his pickup, but never in the car.