Palming my cheek, I wince, my skin swollen and uncomfortable. I’m sure Kip left a mark, just like he always does. And right now, my heart and mind are marked with worry and doubt.
What if Kip is right and Madison doesn’t really love me? Or maybe the man was just taunting me like he always does, pushing my buttons to get me to react? And boy, did I ever.
Still, when he showed me Madison’s out-of-office reply and a photo of her high-rise condo, my doubts surfaced with a vengeance. Maybe Kip was right? Why would a beautiful, self-sufficient woman like Madison want to radically change her life to be with me?
Sitting on the grassy berm bordering the pond, I close my eyes and listen to the sounds of nature all around me. Bird songs and the wind rustling the leaves on the trees. Insects buzzing, squirrels scuttling, and the hum of an airplane overhead.
The sound of a wayward branch cracking from underneath someone’s boot.
I rush to my feet and whip my head around, anticipating another go-around with Kip. Instead, I’m shocked at the sight of Madison approaching me. Her hands are wrapped around the bouquet of flowers I’d made for her. Her eyes are locked on mine as if she’s walking down a makeshift aisle coming toward her bridegroom.
My chest rises and falls in deep breaths. I take in my surroundings and realize the only escape route is a dive into the pond. I seriously contemplate the short swim through the cold water to the other side.
She seems to sense my irrational thoughts and stops, her brown eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“You’re hurt.” There’s a catch in her voice.
I stand there like an idiot, unsure how to respond.
She takes a tentative step toward me and reaches her hand to my face.
“No,” I plead.
Retracting her hand, she replies in a scared, shaky whisper, “Okay. Okay.” Her head tilts, and the sorrow in her expression is noticeable. “I understand you’re feeling scared and worried right now. But I’m on your side, George. I love you.”
I lick my lips and avert her gaze. “No. Apparently, you don’t.”
“Look at me, George.”
“No.” I put my hands on my hips and continue shaking my head.
“Please.”
I keep shaking, willing myself not to look at her. But no matter how hard I try, I can’t help myself. I lift my eyes to meet hers, my throat closing around a muffled cry. I bring my fist to my mouth and hold it firmly against my lips.
“I love you,” she repeats. “You bring me so much joy I never knew I could feel. I know you are the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
Is she telling the truth? Or is she lying, telling me what she thinks I want to hear?
Madison is cautious and gentle. I watch her set the bouquet on the grass. She lifts her head high with her hands clasped in front of her. That’s when I noticed her cream-colored skirtand top, her unconventional wedding outfit dressed down with cowboy boots. She’s achingly beautiful, and I can’t take my eyes off her.
“You’re not ready to marry me because you have doubts, and that’s okay.”
I frown and continue to listen, curious about what she’ll say next.
“We don’t have to go through with the ceremony today. Things are moving way too fast, and it’s my fault you’re having these reservations. George, we’ve only known each other for a short time. But please, understand me when I say, I can still love you and not be married to you yet. We can take things slow. I want to show you how much I love you. But first, I need you to settle down.”
I realize she’s not begging or bribing me like Kip does. Even with my dying grandfather and a houseful of townspeople waiting for us, she’s calm, steady, kind, and composed.
I, on the other hand, have reached my breaking point. I cough unexpectedly. “Settle down? How do you expect me to settle down when my world is crashing all around me?” My nostrils flare. “You and Kip must’ve had a good chuckle making me the butt of your sick joke.”
I laugh, knowing it’s at my own expense. “But I’m not offended because I didn’t know any better. I’m just… through.”
“Through?” she questions. “Well, I’m not.”
I sigh in defeat, my shoulders slumping and my injured face pounding with each aching beat of my broken heart.
“The cost of not following your heart is spending the rest of your life agonizing about your decision and wishing you had. I’m following my heart, George. And it brought me straight to you.”
