“What does that mean—man of honor?” I ask him in confusion.
George glances up at me. “Um…”
I narrow my eyes at him. “What are you talking about?”
Before he can respond—
“So you’re the hero!” says a male voice I don’t recognize.
I glance over my shoulder at a gray-haired man holding a microphone. “Logan, right?” He steps closer. “I’m Ed Wades from Channel Five. I was hoping to meet the newly-crowned Mr. Darcy.”
“I’m sorry.” I give him a hard stare. “What?”
“The owner of this fine establishment called our station about an hour ago. He told me you and your fiancée arethecouple who will finally break the curse and free Jane Austen’s ghost.” He shoves his microphone underneath my chin. “Care to say a few words?”
I shove the microphone away. “No. No words.”
“But you’re marrying here on July fourth,” the reporter adds.
I do a slow turn until I meet the eyes of Macey’s father, who gives me a tentative thumbs-up.
“July fourth?” I say out loud.
“That’s right,” Mr. Henwood says. “Already on the calendar. I just called your mama, and she thought it was a great idea.”
July fourth.That’s Macey’s birthday.
And the idea of marrying here, where Macey works and practically lives…it’s like a knife to the heart.
I excuse myself, needing time to think.
But as I walk away from the reporter, Blake follows.
“I know how to help,” he says to me.
One look at the determined gleam in his eyes, and I grab him by the shoulder. “Don’t,” I warn him. “You’ll make things worse.”
But Blake’s already turned away and is headed back to the reporter. “You worry too much, Wild.” He throws his hand up in a wave. “I’ve got this.”
Chapter Three
Macey
“What in heaven’s name?!”
I jump at Eloise’s high-pitched shriek. She puts down her phone and heads for the television in the corner of the salon.
“My Mickey just texted that Darcy’s on the news!” she says. “Channel five.”
As she hits the remote, I glance up at the TV screen.
“Oh, my gosh.” I widen my eyes at the image of a reporter standing inside The Cowherd Whiskey Saloon.
“A big day in little Darcy, Texas today,” the reporter says into the microphone as he stands next to the bar. “We’ve learned who the soul mates are who will save the legendary ghost of Jane Austen from eternal imprisonment in The Cowherd Whiskey Saloon & Chapel.”
“What is he talking about? What soul mates?” I say to Ginny, who shrugs.
George is holding up a drink in the background. I look more closely. Whiskey and grape juice.
