Chapter 17
Cliff
“You look like you’ve been hit upside the head with a two-by-four.”
Cliff ripped his eyes off his phone. He’d been trying to remember how to dial. He had to call his parents, but he had no idea what to say.Hey, Mom, Dad, I’m getting married this eveningsounded crazy coming from anyone, but it sounded insane coming from him—the man who’d sworn off women and marriage after being passed over for his former best friend.
Diana’s brother laughed and smacked him on the back. “Marriage is great. I promise. You’re going to love it.” He roughly gathered up several of the serving dishes, probably chipping them, and headed for the kitchen.
“Just don’t have kids too soon—enjoy the honeymoon phase for as long as you can,” added Tucker as he hauled their screaming toddler out for a diaper change.
Honeymoon? Children? The room began to spin. He flashed back to waiting in the groom’s chambers, checking his tie and cuff links. The happy euphoria of knowing Julianna would be his wife. And then the horror of her words sinking into his brain like stalagmites growing slowly. The understanding. The betrayal. The brokenness that held him captive for months.
He had to stop this before it went any further. “Listen.” He turned to the man closest and grabbed his sleeve. “This has gotten out of control.”
The man turned out to be Diana’s father. He looked around the room and nodded slowly. “I think you and I need to take a breather.”
“A breather?” That sounded like heaven.
“I’m taking Cliff to get more firewood for tonight,” he called over his shoulder.
Cliff numbly followed him through the process of putting on their winter gear and going outside, grateful someone around here had a level head on their shoulders. David would set things straight. They’d have a nice little talk, and everything would be okay again. His blood pressure began to decrease. Everything would be fine. He wasn’t getting married. The demons of his past would stay behind the curtain, and he wouldn’t have to face them today.
David twisted the key on the snowmobile, and nothing happened. He growled. “This thing’s been testy all week. I should have taken it in, but with the holiday, I just didn’t have time.”
Cliff dusted off his hands. “Let me take a look.” He pulled the seat off and checked the battery. Sure enough, one of the cables was loose. “Try it now.”
The sled roared to life. David revved the engine and smiled at Cliff. “I’m going to enjoy having you in the family.”
Cliff’s heart stopped. “What?” Wasn’t David supposed to stop this crazy wedding train?
“Follow me.” David gunned it and sped into the forest.
Cliff scrambled onto the machine sitting next to him. It started easily enough, and he headed out into the woods with a man who thought he was going to be his father-in-law.
His eyes wandered longingly to the open trails around him. Maybe if he got lost in the woods and wasn’t found in time, they’d forget about the wedding.
Diana’s worried and disappointed face came to his mind. He couldn’t do that to her. He knew what it felt like to be tossed aside. Even if the engagement was fake, he’d hurt her. She had a heart softer than freshly fallen snow. With a sigh, he set his course. For better or worse, he’d have to play along until he had a chance to talk to Diana.
Chapter 18
Diana
“It’s so delicate.” Diana barely dared breathe as she stepped into the hundred-year-old dress.
“It’s sturdier than it looks.” Mom helped tug it down. “Grandma Lola didn’t have your boobs.”
Sadie giggled. “She probably wore a corset.”
“Nonsense—she was a modern woman.” Mom swatted away Sadie’s giggles like she had when the girls were teens. “I’ve had the dress treated by a preservationist. I’ll have to do it again after your wedding. Try not to sweat in it, will you?”
Diana’s laugh was as uncomfortable as the itchy lace at her arms. “What did he use? A vat of starch? This isn’t going to give me hives, is it?”
Mom stepped back and looked her over. The thickly piled carpet muffled all movements except the crinkling sound of the fabric. It was like sheets of paper being crumpled into balls. “The sound is an issue. I’ll send him a text and see if he has any tips.” She went for her phone on the dresser.
“Maybe it’s a sign,” Diana ventured. “If the dress isn’t going to work, I shouldn’t be getting married today.”
Mom’s shoulders fell. “You can’t let this stop you.” Diana could see the hopes, dreams, and excitement at seeing her daughter married on the hundredth anniversary of her grandparents’ wedding slough off of her like an expensive fur coat. Mom squared her shoulders. “I’m texting the restorationist.”
