ride,” Lucas repeated. He could feel the vibrations of Magnolia’s shivering. “Let’s all get into the truck where it’s warm.”
Magnolia looked at the woman, her gaze lingering on the walker. “You can sit in the front. That will be more comfortable for you.”
“Thank you, dear,” the woman said. “You are so kind.” She pointed to her chest. “By the way, I’m Lillian Yates. This is Sam Johnson.”
“I’m Magnolia Bentley, and this is Lucas Romeo,” Magnolia answered.
Lillian blinked. “Oh, I thought the two of you were married.”
“Not yet. Our wedding is the day after Christmas.” There was a touch of pride in Magnolia’s voice. Lucas felt a strange sense of pleasure in hearing those words. Granted, he was also petrified. It would take a while for him to wrap his mind around everything that was happening. One step at a time.
Lillian giggled with delight. “I love Christmas weddings.” Her eyes sparkled. “You should stay the night at the inn. You shouldn’t be out in this storm. It’s not safe.”
“Inn?” Magnolia asked dubiously.
“The Magnolia Blossom Inn. We’re nearly booked to capacity, but we do have one room open.” She looked at Sam, grinning. “We’ll let them have it free of charge.” She homed in on Magnolia, her eyes twinkling. “It’s only fitting that you stay the night, since you and the inn share the same name.”
“Thank you. That’s very kind of you,” Magnolia began, “but my grandfather is expecting us to arrive this evening.”
Lillian wasn’t the least bit deflated by Magnolia’s refusal. She flashed a large smile. “The invitation stands. Let’s see how the weather is when we get to the inn, shall we? You can make your final decision then.”
Magnolia looked like she might argue but nodded instead as they turned to go to the truck. Sam grabbed Lillian’s purse out of the sedan and helped her get seated before climbing into the backseat. Magnolia sat behind Lucas’s seat. He blasted the heat, which felt heavenly after the frigid cold. As Lucas turned the truck around and headed back down the gravel road, he was struck by how much more snow covered the road now than before. When he turned onto the main road, the truck slid momentarily before the wheels caught traction. Magnolia gasped from behind.
It was slow going. Lucas clutched the steering wheel with both hands, sitting up, his spine board stiff as he peered through the endless barrage of white balls, pounding the windshield like golf balls. A thick silence descended over the group. The farther they went the more Lucas was coming to realize that Lillian was right. It wasn’t safe to be on the roads. The glum realization settled over him that they wouldn’t have any other choice but to stay somewhere tonight.
Magnolia wouldn’t be happy. Guilt pulled a hard string at him. Asheville was only an hour and a half away. Had he not taken the detour, they might be at her grandfather’s house by now.
“Tell me about your upcoming wedding,” Lillian prompted in a cheery voice. Lucas suspected that it was her way of easing the tense silence. “Where is it taking place?”
“We’re getting married at my grandfather’s home in Asheville.”
“Asheville’s a beautiful city. I know it well,” Lillian answered. “Sam, didn’t Leigha Bradshaw and her husband get married in a church in downtown Asheville?”
“I believe so,” he answered, “but I’d have to ask Melinda to know for sure.”
“Sam’s wife Melinda is a beautician,” Lillian explained. “She knows everyone.”
Lucas was curious to know the relationship between Lillian and Sam, but he didn’t want to come out and ask. Magnolia, however, held no such reservations. “Sam, what is your and Lillian’s connection?”
“I work for Lillian.”
“What type of work do you do?” Lucas glanced in the rearview mirror at Sam.
“I help Lillian run her inn.”
“Sam’s the most dependable, exemplary employee I’ve ever had,” Lillian said. “Let me tell you, that speaks for a lot. It’s hard to find people you can depend on.”
“Yes, it is,” Magnolia asserted with such fervor that Lucas wondered if it was a jab at him. He glanced in the rearview mirror. Magnolia shot him an annoyed look. Yep, that’s exactly what she was getting at. A thundercloud settled over him as he scowled. Things had been going so well with him and Magnolia. He was starting to feel a strong connection to her. Lucas supposed that was short-lived.
Either Lillian was oblivious to the brittle tension running between Lucas and Magnolia or she chose to ignore it. Her voice was solicitous when