What had she written?
Carter glanced down at his list as Bill moved around the group, collecting the lists. He’d been very honest on his list when he’d written:work, work, work, work, and wedding.
But it was the part where he had to mark each of those items as erode, build, or have no effect. He wanted to write downno effect, but he knew that wouldn’t be the case. When Angela had found out that he would be working the week before the wedding, she hadn’t said a lot, but the disappointment had been written all over her face.
He wrote next to each item:erode, erode, erode, erode,andbuild.
With a frown pulling at his lips, he folded the paper and handed it over. The weight of his answers caused his shoulders to sag. He didn’t want to be the one to fail at their relationship. He’d always strived to be a winner, whether it was at his education or computer games, and now at the law cases he took on. But how was he to find balance between his bride and his work?
He didn’t have time to ponder the answer as they were called to move out to the yard. There they were told to group up with their partner.
“Okay,” Candace said, “now what we’re going to do is the trust lean. We’re going to have the men stand behind the women first. But don’t worry, ladies, you’ll get your chance to catch the men next.”
Candace went on to explain that Carter was to put his hands on Angela’s back. She was to cross her arms over her chest, and then ever so slowly lean back into him. Once Angela leaned all of her weight into him, he was to help her upright. Then they were to switch places.
It took a few tries for Angela to lean fully into him. He thought it was because she didn’t trust him to catch her, but when it was his turn to lean back into her, he found that letting go and leaning back just wasn’t something that came naturally to either one of them. But, with a few attempts, they accomplished it.
After that exercise, they were on their own until after lunch. He and Angela opted to walk through the vineyard. It was quiet, and there were no rivers nearby, which was a relief to each of them. It would definitely be a while until they went out on the water again.
“How has the weekend been for you?” he asked.
“I have to be honest. I thought it was going to be a big waste of time.”
“Now what do you think?”
She stopped walking and turned to him. “What do you think?”
He stared deep into her eyes, trying to read her thoughts, but he couldn’t see past the wall she still had up between them. “It’s different than I was imagining. Other than the river incident, I think it’s pushed me to think about things a little differently.”
She paused. “Me too.”
He couldn’t wait any longer. He had to know where her thoughts were. “Does this mean the wedding might be back on?”
For a moment, she didn’t say a word. She glanced away as she shifted her weight from foot to foot. “Carter, I’m not ready to discuss this with you yet.”
Not the answer he’d been hoping to hear. “But it’s not officially off, right?”
She glanced down at the diamond ring on her finger. “No.”
So, they still had a chance to fix this—and there was nothing he wanted more. “Angela, I love you.”
The breath hitched in his lungs as he waited for her to say something. He knew she loved him, but would she be willing to admit it to him or even herself?
When her gaze lifted, there was a sadness reflected in her eyes. “I love you too. But things have changed.”
Before they could finish their conversation, they were called to lunch. He wanted to stay and talk it out, but Angela had already headed back. With a resigned sigh, he followed her. This conversation was far from over.
What exactly did she mean bythings had changed?
CHAPTER SIX
Theyweregoingtowin.
At least, she hoped so.
It was Sunday afternoon, and this was their final challenge. Angela had no idea what it was, but she was intrigued when they were led into the vineyard. What exactly did their hosts have in mind this time? Hopefully, it wasn’t another list to write.
She glanced over at Carter to ask what he thought, but when she caught him staring back at her, the words stuck in the back of her throat. He looked as though he wanted to say something or ask her something, but then he turned away. She wondered what he had on his mind.