Bride by Chance

by Marilyn Shank

When he returned with the two mugs, Meg was attacking her food and seemed to enjoy it. He placed her coffee on the end table beside the recliner and settled on the couch.

  She finished every morsel in record time. “See? You were hungry.”

  “Hungrier than I thought. And I’m feeling stronger,” she told him. “Your cooking did the trick.”

  “That’s good. But I hope I won’t be assigned all food preparation after we’re married. Your cooking and baking skills are known throughout the county.”

  She stiffened at his remark. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

  “So you don’t think winning the pumpkin bread contest at the Harvest Festival makes you special? Every cook in Meadow Springs covets that award.”

  Meg’s checks flushed again, and while he was glad to see color return, he’d embarrassed her again. What was wrong with him anyway? Recently he’d said more things that put Meg on edge than he had the past year. Did he need to take Communication 101? Or a course on “How to Talk to your Significant Other?”

  She sipped her coffee and sat quietly. She was exhausted from the injury and fainting spell, and he should go. Just as he was ready to carry her dishes to the kitchen and say goodnight, she called his name. Rather imploringly.

  “What is it, sweetie?”

  “I really do feel much better. Couldn’t we talk tonight instead of waiting?”

  His chest tightened so intensely he thought he was having angina pains. Did Meg intend to call off their engagement? An icy chill zipped down his spine. Melissa had worn his ring for five months before returning it. How could he survive getting unengaged—against his will—a second time?

  He sure couldn’t manage it tonight. “You’ve dealt with a bad sprain and a fainting spell. Isn’t that enough trauma for one day?”

  She sighed deeply then a faint smile played at her mouth. Martin welcomed any kind of smile, even the faint variety. “I suppose it can wait.”

  He felt like a prisoner who’d just been granted parole. He would head for the cabin and try to figure out what he was doing that so troubled Meg. Whatever it was, he’d change his behavior, or they’d compromise. He would do anything humanly possible to keep their romance alive.

  “And don’t touch those dishes,” Meg cautioned. “I’ll rest a little longer and then I’ll take them to the kitchen. Thanks, Martin, for all you did for me tonight.”

  He smiled. “I enjoy helping. I like taking care of you.”

  He left the dishes, realizing the sooner he got out of there, the less chance Meg had to call off the engagement.

  As he’d spent time with her these past few days, he’d realized that he hadn’t really loved Melissa. He’d felt a powerful attraction to her, but not the deep, lasting kind of love.

  But his relationship with Meg was different. He did deeply love Meg O’Malley. That wasn’t open for debate.

  * * *

  The following day, Career Day at Meadow Springs Elementary, Martin visited the school to give a talk at the all-school assembly. Then he drove to Apple Valley, thirty miles away, to meet with an architect about plans for a new senior center. Together, they toured another building the man had designed, and Martin got an upfront look at his work.

  But every moment he wasn’t in conversation, his mind hashed and rehashed what might be troubling Meg. Their relationship had changed since he’d returned from his business trip, and in some ways had radically improved. But was that just his imagination? Did Meg see it that way, too?

  One painful realization became clear. It took two people to make a couple, so if Meg was having second thoughts already, that was a danger sign. And it would be far better to break things off now than pretend all was well. His heart ached as he considered that possibility.

  On Wednesday morning, Martin hopped into his SUV and headed for Meg’s cottage. Tragedy threatened like dark clouds announcing a gathering storm. But what could he do? How could he avert the problems he felt certain were coming?

  When his cell phone rang showing Meg’s home phone number, he felt a surge of panic. Had she decided to tell him the awful news over the phone instead of in person?

  “Martin? I’m so sorry, but I overslept this morning. It will take a little longer to get ready.”

  Relief flooded him like water rushing over a dam. “Take your time, honey. I’m on my way to your place now, but I’ll grab a magazine and read until you’re ready.”

  “I guess I was worn out, after all. I rested all day yesterday, and I do feel better.”

  “Hey, that’s great news.”

  “I left the front door unlocked for you.”

  “Okay, fine. See you soon.”

  Martin still didn’t understand Meg’s “lock the front door” policy. She’d never locked it until the past few days. And when he’d quizzed her about it, she’d mumbled something about vandals in the neighborhood, but he knew better. As acting mayor, he’d have heard if property was being damaged anywhere in town.

  Waiting a little longer for Meg didn’t even make his “problems list.” He’d wait forever if it meant they could keep their love alive. He hoped and prayed that was an option.

  When he arrived at the cottage, he let himself in. Lancelot raced into the living room, taking the corner so fast he nearly knocked over the floor lamp. He’d probably been sitting outside Meg’s bathroom door while she showered. Martin chuckled. Did Lancelot love her almost as much as he did?

  He looked for a magazine to read, but all Meg had were dance magazines and craft catalogs. It didn’t matter since his unsettled state of mind made concentration impossible. Whatever it was Meg had to tell him, would change his life forever. Somehow he knew that—even though he had no idea what it was.

  A moment later, Meg’s cell phone rang. Her purse was on the coffee table and the phone must be inside. He let it ring several times, wondering if he should answer the call. Rachel might be checking on Meg, and she’d worry if no one answered. Finally, he fumbled in her purse and clicked the talk button. “Hello?”

  “Hello. I’m sorry to disturb you, but I need to speak with Liza. This is Julie at Burns, Logan and Grant.”

  The woman sounded both polite and professional, but her request made no sense to him. “There’s no Liza here,” Martin told her. “You must have the wrong number.”

  The line went silent for a moment. Then the woman said, “That’s funny. I had this written down as her cell phone number. I’m sorry I troubled you.”

  “No trouble,” he assured. But as he clicked off the phone, Martin wondered about the woman’s call. While he had never met Meg’s twin sister, he knew her name was Liza and that she worked for a law firm in Kansas City. Had the caller reached the wrong O’Malley sister?

  Burns, Logan and Grant could be an accounting firm, a law firm, or some other type of business. He would mention the call to Meg to see if she had an explanation.

  As he returned the cell to Meg’s purse, her driver’s license fell out. He picked it up and while the sweet face smiling up at him belonged to Meg, the name printed on the license did not.

  It said Liza K. O’Malley!

  “What the...?” Was he hallucinating? He held the license closer. All the information was the same as Meg’s: birth date, height, weight, hair and eye color. Of course it would be, since Meg and Liza were identical twins!

  The truth hit with the impact of a flash flood. Martin’s heart started pounding, and a sinking sensation attacked his stomach. This purse, the cell phone, and the driver’s license didn’t belong to Meg: they belonged to her twin sister!

  Even he wasn’t stupid enough to believe Liza driver’s license would show up in Meg’s purse. He shuddered as he realized the woman he’d been so powerfully attracted to since the convention, the woman he couldn’t keep his hands off of, wasn’t Meg at all. It was her evil, conniving twin sister!

  Martin sprang up and paced as he tried to process the startling news. Lancelot sprang up and paced along with him. Well, this explained a lot of thi
ngs. It explained why “Meg” had become a computer whiz and a speechwriter who now supported his civic activities. It explained why they’d shifted from a platonic relationship to a passionate one. But why would Liza O’Malley move into the cottage and pretend to be Meg? Was this some sort of sadistic joke?

  “I’ll be ready in a minute,” Meg—make that Liza—called from the bedroom.

  Martin didn’t trust himself to speak. His thoughts swirled like leaves in a windstorm. But even with all the turmoil, he managed to make one decision. He wouldn’t tell Liza that he knew who she was. He’d take the demented woman to breakfast and find out what she had in mind.

  He bit his lip and shook his head. How could he possibly control his temper when he came face to face with this imposter? Hopefully, he wouldn’t strangle Liza K. O’Malley, attorney-at-law. Being arrested for the murder of Meg’s twin sister would end his happy life. And abort his plans to be the next mayor of Meadow Springs.

  * * *

  Liza applied her lip liner carefully. She hated to keep Martin waiting, but now that confession time was here, panic had set in. Today would be the last time she would see Martin, and that thought paralyzed her.

  Tears welled in her eyes as she brushed on her mascara, but she blinked them back. As a lawyer, she knew people must pay for their mistakes, big and small. The mistake she’d made was huge, and it was past time to own up to what she’d done.

  She didn’t bother curling her hair. Dressed in taupe slacks and a green silk blouse, she added a pair of small silver earrings. As she examined her image in the mirror, she knew she’d made the transition. She wasn’t half-Meg anymore; she was one hundred percent Liza.

  Squaring her shoulders, she headed for the living room to meet Martin. He sat in a chair by the window and stared out at Meg’s birdbath. He didn’t notice when she entered the room.

  “Martin?” she said.

  He jerked around, and she saw the deep frown creasing his brow. She didn’t remember seeing Martin frown even once since they’d met. He stood and jammed his hands into his pockets.

  “Is something wrong?” she asked.

  He shook his head. And for the first time since she’d met him, Martin made no effort to kiss her. Liza couldn’t bear that. She needed one last kiss before the playacting reached its brutal conclusion. Unable to stop herself, she moved toward him. If he didn’t initiate a kiss, she would take the lead.

  Still, he made no effort to touch her. Liza leaned forward and kissed his cheek. Even that felt heavenly. She breathed in his musky scent, knowing how desperately she would miss this man.

  “Ready for breakfast?” he asked, and the curtness in his voice startled her.

  “Yes, I’m ready.”

  Moments later, they were on their way. Martin didn’t mention where they were going, and Liza didn’t ask. Several minutes later they pulled into the parking lot of Hank’s Diner -- a breakfast place Rachel had mentioned a time or two.

  Neither of them spoke as they entered. They followed a hostess to a booth near the back, and when they got settled, a waitress brought out steaming cups of coffee.

  “Didn’t you sleep well?” Liza asked, hoping to ease the tense atmosphere between them.

  He raked a hand through his hair and it was then that she noticed the dark circles under his eyes. “I’m not sure I slept at all.”

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  His stern gaze locked with hers. “You first,” he said. “I put you off the night of the rehearsal but it seems you’re feeling better now. I notice you aren’t wearing the Ace bandage anymore.”

  “No,” she said. The moment for full confession had come. “I don’t need the bandage, Martin. My ankle was never sprained.”

  “What?” Confusion filled his dark eyes.

  Liza’s pulse pounded, and she braced herself for what was to come. “I’ve done a terrible thing,” she said.

  His dark gaze held hers but he made no effort to console or to comfort her. It was as if he already knew what she was going to say.

  “I don’t know where to start. I guess the beginning is as good a place as any. But first, let me tell you something that I believe with all my heart.” She took a deep breath then continued. “No man and woman should marry unless they are deeply in love with each other. And because I feel that so strongly, I’ve done something unforgivable.”

  When Martin glared at her, she already felt tried, sentenced, and imprisoned. After gathering every ounce of courage she said, “You see, Martin, I’m not Meg. I’m Liza, her twin sister.”

  She expected him to look shocked or horrified, but he didn’t. She’d have preferred either of those reactions to the stone-cold expression on his face. “Go on,” he said.

  “These past two years when Meg and I talked on the phone, she would mention you. She told me when you met, and when you started dating. And while she said you were a great guy, I never heard any excitement in her voice. She said nice things but spoke matter-of-factly. And I had the strong sense that Meg wasn’t…” Liza stopped unable to say the hurtful words.

  “Wasn’t head over heels in love with me?” As Martin spat out the words, a flush crept up his neck, and he clenched his fists.

  Liza’s heart pounded as she saw the fury in Martin’s eyes. “Exactly,” she said. “You see, in high school, Meg fell hard for a senior named Zach Addison. What Meg felt for Zach was much more than a juvenile crush. But at that time, Zach hardly knew my sister was alive.”

  She took a steadying breath then continued. “Zach and I have been buddies since high school. We get together every month for dinner and a movie but we’re friends, nothing more.” She paused, wondering if she could put her treacherous act into words. Finally she said, “This is where it gets complicated.”

  “You’re wrong about that. It got complicated the minute you came to Meadow Springs and assumed your sister’s identity. But you see, I didn’t know that at the time. You made a fool out of me. You even let me kiss you, knowing I thought you were Meg. Aren’t lawyers supposed to have more principles than that?”

  Liza’s shoulders drooped. And since he was absolutely right, she didn’t answer the question.

  Martin shook his head and the frown deepened. “You’re in the wrong profession. You should be an actress, not an attorney.”

  Pain tugged at Liza’s heart, and she shuddered. But she had to finish this story no matter how painful it was.

  So she drew another deep breath and started again. “Please hear me out, Martin. I want you to know the whole story.”

  He nodded.

  “You see, Zach recently asked me to pose as his fiancée. His grandmother’s health is in jeopardy, and she wants Zach to find a suitable wife before she passes away. So when Meg scheduled her trip to Kansas City, I saw a chance to connect her with Zach. Spending time with him would help her know if marrying you was the right decision or not.”

  He leaned closer. “You’re unbelievable, Liza O’Malley. So you purposely set Meg up with her high school sweetheart? All because you didn’t think she felt passionate enough about me?”

  The concept sounded really ridiculous when Martin said it. She hung her head and nodded.

  “What business was that of yours anyway? What you did was both dishonest and underhanded.”

  His comments stung so intensely that Liza winced. Bullets couldn’t have penetrated her heart any more deeply than Martin’s sharp words.

  “Everything you’re saying is true. And nothing you can tell me is harsher than what I’ve told myself a thousand times. If I had known how much trouble this would cause, I wouldn’t have done it, Martin. The days I’ve spent in Meadow Springs have been the most difficult days of my life.”

  “You think they were tough for you? That’s funny since you were calling all the shots.”

  “Here’s why they were so difficult. As I got to know you, I started to realize what a wonderful man you are. Meg would be fortunate to have you as her husband -- any woman would
. I was wrong to intrude, and I’m sorry.”

  He shook his head again. “What good is sorry? The damage is done—damage that can’t be repaired.”

  “I know that, Martin. There’s nothing I can say or do to justify my actions.”

  “Excuse me. I need a breather.” He stood and practically ran toward the men’s lounge.

  Liza laid her head on the table and let the tears flow. The thing she’d dreaded since she came to Meadow Springs had happened. She’d finally told Martin about the charade, and now he hated her.

  Her life was over.

  * * *

  Martin stormed into the men’s room. He couldn’t sit across from Liza one more second. He turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on his face, hoping it would help him think more clearly.

  Meg’s twin had bamboozled him, big time. But she didn’t seem to get much satisfaction from what she’d done. The woman looked downright miserable.

  As well she should. She’d concocted a treacherous plan that turned all their lives upside down. And there was no going back, no fixing this. In a few short days, everything Martin had planned for and dreamed about was slipping away.

  He thought about hopping in his Cadillac and leaving her stranded. But deep down, he knew he wouldn’t. This woman had more questions to answer. When they finished talking, he’d drop her at the cottage. And if luck was with him, he’d never see her again.

  When he rejoined Liza at the table, a flash of hope lit her green eyes. “I thought you’d left.”

  “I considered it.”

  She sighed and nodded. “There’s something else I’d like to tell you, Martin -- if you’ll listen.”

  “Go ahead,” he said brusquely.

  She took a deep breath and started again. “The reason I feel so strongly about this is because I almost married the wrong man myself. Travis Randall proposed to me our senior year of law school. I adored Travis, and I was busy making wedding plans when I learned he was involved with another woman.” She bit her lip and stopped for a moment. Obviously, this was a difficult topic.