The Reluctant Bride by Anne Marie Duquette Page B

showers,” Cory was saying. “We’ll have our own bathroom.”
    Max accepted the old-fashioned key attached by brass to an artful piece of carved wood. “The cabins do have more privacy.”
    â€œI like the rustic feel,” Karinne said, forcing herself to participate in the conversation.
    â€œLook, a real key instead of a magnetic strip card,” Anita marveled. “And the wood’s a carved deer.”
    â€œWe’re room Deer-15,” Cory said. “ A is antelope, then bear, cougar, deer and so on.”
    â€œMay I?” Anita asked, gesturing toward the key.
    â€œSure.” Max tossed it to Anita to admire. She passed it to Karinne, who pocketed it in her jeans. “Our cabin has two single beds,” Max was saying. “You and Karinne can have them. Cory and I can bunk on the floor.”
    â€œUnless you find room to squeeze me in.” Cory grinned at Anita.
    Karinne deliberately avoided Max’s eyes. She doubted he’d be making any offers to snuggle in a single bed.
    The four made their way through the crowds to their cabin. Cory unlocked the door and they all dropped their gear.
    â€œWe should eat first and shower later,” Cory said; the others agreed.
    After a quick wipe of their trail-dusty hands and faces, they hurried toward the dining area, Cory and Anita leading the way. The line waiting to eat was long; the wood-and-twine-bound chairs at wooden trestle tables provided limited seating. People smelling of sweat and bug spray were packed in as tightly as possible. But the hot stew, breadand brownies served family-style were delicious. Adults busied themselves with “chowing down.” Even children, prone to laughing and talking, were eating with the single-minded hunger triggered by outdoor air and exercise.
    Karinne still had half the food left on her plate when the others set down their silverware. The servings were extremely generous, she’d thought, and the others ate with relish. At least eating gave her an excuse for not talking. Max had finished first and was getting another cup of coffee. Anita had gone back in line for seconds. Karinne set her fork on the table.
    â€œDone already?” Cory asked. “I assumed you’d be starving.”
    â€œI’m not really hungry,” Karinne admitted.
    â€œThen if you don’t mind…” Cory swapped his empty plate for her half-filled one. “This way, I won’t have to stand in line again.”
    â€œSpeaking of lines, I think I’ll go shower first. I have the room key.” She was eager to escape Max and have a few minutes to herself.
    â€œOh. I’ll walk you over,” Cory said politely, reluctantly putting down his fork.
    â€œDon’t. You’re not finished eating, and Max and Anita will lose the table.” Karinne gestured to all the people with trays standing against the wall. “See you back at the cabin.”
    Cory nodded, fork in hand again as he tackled Karinne’s leftover stew.
    Karinne threaded her way through the crowds standing in line, indoors and out, breathing a sigh of relief as she escaped. Phantom Ranch was as busy as any convention center; people crowded the grounds, some of them eating picnic-style, while others were busy inspecting exhibits, signs and park maps. Pink sweatshirt or not, she doubtedanyone, including her mother, could spot her in this mob scene.
    She really wanted a shower. She reached their cabin and walked inside. She pulled off the sweatshirt, and placed it and the key on the nightstand. After a moment, she decided to leave the entrance door unlocked. She wasn’t planning a long shower, but she didn’t want to have to cut it short to let the others in. She gathered a fresh set of clothes, plus her wallet with ID and money, then stepped into the tiny bathroom, latched the door and stripped for a quick shower. The water was warm enough for comfort, but she wouldn’t have minded