“Oh, okay. So, we need to plan on going in just once to get the lay of the land and then go back in for the actual wedding to get what we need?”
“Exactly. I briefly took a look at their website already, and I know that some people just walk straight in off the street and can get married.”
Her nose crinkled. “They don’t need all the legal paperwork?”
“Tennessee is considered to be a marriage-friendly state.”
Lynn snorted, then immediately slapped her hand over her face. “Sorry! I wish I could learn to laugh delicately, but when I’m surprised, it always comes out as a snort.”
Shoulders shaking as he laughed, Nolan said, “Thank God! I was sitting here thinking you were perfect, so it’s good to find out that you’re not.”
The color drained from her face right before two bright pink spots appeared on her cheeks. Her gaze dropped down to her hands, and he could have cursed himself for saying something that made her self-conscious. Jesus, this is a verbal landmine! “Listen, Lynn, I—”
“You were saying Tennessee is marriage-friendly,” she rushed, her smile tight.
Choking back a sigh, he nodded. “Yes. They make it easy for couples to elope. No blood tests needed. No waiting. As long as both parties are eighteen years or older, provide a Social Security card, driver’s license, or birth certificate, then they can get a marriage license. The website says the marriage license can often take only ten minutes or less.”
Her jaw dropped open. “And they do that all there at the wedding chapel?”
Shaking his head, he said, “No. But there’s a licensing office in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville. Obviously, there are a lot of others in the state, but that’s where most people go who want to get married in Gatlinburg.”
“I know we’re not going through with the ceremony, but won’t we have to present paperwork…”
“I asked Nancy about that already, and Mom said she’d take care of it. I guess they can come up with some false records so that it’ll look official. Probably fake birth certificates and ID.”
Her brow crinkled again, and he was starting to recognize the expression she made when she was deep in thought. “What are you thinking?”
“Well, I suppose we can go in the first time to find out everything we need, and I’m sure they’ll try to sell us on whatever wedding packages they offer.”
A sliver of excitement began to move through him, recognizing the rush that comes through planning a mission. This didn’t compare to the work he did as a SEAL, but after a month of boring recuperation, he was ready to strategize anything, even a non-wedding at a chapel with a ridiculous name. “That’s what I think, also. While you do a lot of oohing and ahhing, draw the employee’s attention towards you, and I’ll see what I can find out. “
Eyes wide, she said, “You can go to the men’s room, or I could excuse myself. That would give us a perfect opportunity to take a look at their office, perhaps.”
Barking out a laugh, he said, “You just might be a natural at this covert operation, Lynn.”
The waitress came and removed their dishes, boxed up Lynn’s half sandwich, and left the check, all without Nolan even noticing. Lynn twisted to reach inside her purse, and he said, “No way. My treat.”
She opened her mouth but then snapped it closed again. Her lips curved slightly, and she nodded. “Thank you. Next time it can be my treat.”
The excitement he felt expanded as he thought of another time with her. Standing, he placed his hand lightly on the small of her back as he guided her toward the parking lot. “Before we plan our trip to the wedding chapel, we really need to spend a little more time getting to know each other.” Her brow scrunched again as she cocked her head to the side, and he rushed, “We don’t want to arouse suspicion when we go in to talk to them and not look like a true couple. We should at least know the basics about each other.”
“Oh, okay. I guess you’re right.”
He started to say that he could get with her that evening, but fatigue was setting in. Hating that he was not in peak condition, he forced the scowl from his face. “How about tomorrow evening? I can take you to dinner?” She shook her head slowly, and he thought she was going to refuse.
Instead, she said, “I guess that would be okay, but restaurants are not a very good place to have private conversations.”
“Can I come to your place?” Seeing her blink in surprise, he rushed, “I know that seems very forward, but if you came over to my parents’ house, my mom wouldn’t be able to stay out of our conversations. But, if it’s not a good idea…”
“No, actually, that’s perfect. I can fix dinner and we can go over any personal information that would help us with our pretense of being a real couple.”
“I hate for you to go to any trouble. We could order takeout.”
“That’s okay. I like to cook and cooking for one is no fun.” She shrugged. “It’ll be nice to fix dinner for someone who appreciates food.”
“Sounds good. Let me get your phone number and address.” They quickly traded phone numbers, and she rattled off her address which he entered into his phone as well.
Reaching for the handle on her car, she looked over her shoulder, her gaze pensive. “This whole thing really is kind of a nutsy idea, isn’t it?”
He chuckled while nodding. “Yeah, no denying it. But honestly, I need to do something besides go crazy wondering when I can rejoin my team, and this should be easy. A visit to the wedding chapel to get the lay of the land and then another visit where we manage to sneak you into the office so you can make a copy of the records. In and out. The fact that it’s in the Smokies is just a nice bonus.”
Her lips curved slightly, but her eyes held the specter of doubt as she offered a slight nod. She climbed inside her car and tossed him a wave. Throwing his hand up in return, he watched her drive away. He settled behind the steering wheel of his SUV and headed down the road, his mind rolling. What he told her was right. It should be an easy-to-plan, in-and-out mission. And the idea of spending more time with Lynn stirred his interest—and his dick. She’s now old enough, but damn, no way. I still can’t go there. Lynn is no quick fuck, and as soon as I’m able, I’m back with my team.
Driving home, he had a smile on his face just at the thought of spending more time with her. Once there, his dad was out in the yard, but his mom met him in the kitchen.
“How did it go with Lynn?” she asked.
“It went fine. We talked a little bit about what we think we should do, and as crazy as Nancy’s plan is, I think it’ll work. I’m going over to Lynn’s house tomorrow for dinner, and we are going to spend a little time getting to know each other so that when we make our trip to the chapel, we can seem like a real couple.”
His mom bounced on her toes, her eyes bright with excitement. “Oh, what a wonderful idea! I’ve always liked Lynn, and I think you’d make the cutest couple.”
Settling into a chair, his brow lowered as he looked at her. “Mom, don’t get any ideas. She’s a beautiful, smart woman, but as soon as I’m able, I’m joining my team again.”