“Oh, Gran, you scared me. Yes, everything is fine. I fell asleep in the sun, and Shane was good enough to wake me. I’d better go hit the shower, or I’ll look frightful at the wedding.”

Shane wanted to tell her that there was no way she could ever look frightful, but he kept his mouth shut.

“I’ll see you shortly,” Katie said to both of them as she scampered inside.

Shane felt trapped by Adele’s intense gaze. “I’d…ah, I’d better go get ready, too, or Laura will be looking for me.” As one of Owen’s groomsmen, he should’ve been with the groom half an hour ago.

“I saw what happened down there.” She stood and came over to him. “I was about to call the rescue, but you beat me to it.” She crooked her finger at him to bring him closer to her and then kissed his cheek, leaving him flabbergasted. “Thank you, Shane. I don’t think this family would’ve survived losing our darling Katie, and I’m profoundly grateful for what you did.”

“Oh, um… I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”

“Thank God for that. I won’t keep you. I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“You won’t say anything, will you? We don’t want to upset Laura and Owen. Not today.”

“I won’t say a word other than thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’m going to hit the shower and get ready.” Shane raced through the lobby and up the stairs to his room on the third floor. He shaved and showered in record time and donned the white linen shirt and khaki pants he’d been asked to wear as a member of the wedding party.

Emerging from his room ten minutes later, he encountered Katie in the hallway. Her hair had been washed and dried and hung in waves to her shoulders. She wore a floral dress that hugged all her curves and landed just above her knee, leaving her exceptional legs on full display.

“You clean up well,” she said, breaking the silence.

“So do you—and you clean up quickly.”

“I grew up with six siblings. I learned to be fast in the bathroom.”

“You feeling okay?” he asked.

“A little shaky but otherwise okay, all things considered. You?”

“Same.”

“Did I say thank you? I don’t recall if I ever said that, and I should have.”

“You did, and it’s fine. I’m glad I was there when you needed help.” He extended his arm to her. “How about we try to forget about it and have a good time at the wedding?”

“Not sure I’ll ever forget it, but I’m all for having a good time at the wedding. The Lawry family is long overdue for a celebration.”

“Then let’s get to it.”