Pastor Dan smiled at each of them. “We are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. This is a rather unusual union. But this young couple has a lot in their favor.
“Preston and Mandy have a friendship spanning more than a dozen years. They’ve worked side-by-side, been there for each other, and they have the support of friends and family. While I know they are entering into this marriage with one goal, I can assure you I’ve seen many epic loves begin with far less in their favor.”
His words brought several chuckles. Preston gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and Mandy tried to ignore the heat climbing her neck. Mandy didn’t miss that Pastor Dan had uttered the same words written in Granny’s letter: Epic love. I don’t believe in epic loves, God. Especially not for me. But I don’t want Preston or I to get hurt. Please be in this marriage and guide us. I think we’re going to need it.
Mandy focused on Pastor Dan’s words and tried to steady the pounding of her heart.
“If there are no objections—” he paused for a few moments before continuing, “then let us begin.” Pastor Dan gave each of them a smile.
Mandy listened as Preston repeated his vows, his eyes never leaving hers. When it came time for her to do the same, her throat felt thick with emotions. This was something she had sworn she’d never do. Yet here she stood, pledging forever to Preston. His expression had such peace, such hope, in it. Did hers reflect the same emotions? She may not have hope that they’d actually find the “epic love” everyone kept talking about. But she did trust him, and that’s what she drew on as she spoke her vows.
They exchanged the simple wedding bands they’d chosen the other day. Preston had promised he’d buy her something prettier, but she assured him she preferred the shiny band.
As he slid the warm metal onto her finger, everything they promised each other became exceedingly real.
“With the power vested in me by the state of Texas and our almighty God, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
To Mandy’s relief, Pastor Dan didn’t include, “You may kiss the bride,” and the clapping from around them buffered the missing sentiment. Preston surprised her by lifting her hand and dropping a light kiss to her knuckles. When he looked into her eyes, the combination of kindness and something else she didn’t recognize, sent Mandy’s heart into a series of cartwheels.
He released her hand as hugs were exchanged all around. Mrs. Yarrow embraced Mandy with a tearful, “Welcome to the family, sweetheart.”
Family.
Tears threatened and Mandy’s throat constricted as all the implications of that word crashed into her at once. She had a new family. According to God and the law of men, Preston was now her family. And her grandparents, the only family she’d had until now, were gone. They should’ve been here for this. Were they smiling down from heaven right now? Were they happy with her decision?
Preston’s laugh snagged her attention. He seemed at ease visiting with everyone. When he caught her gaze, he offered her one of the sweetest smiles she had ever seen. The realization of what he’d given up for her hit Mandy like a brick. He’d promised her forever, even though he knew it would be a marriage without affection or intimacy. Why would he agree to something like that? It sounded crazy, even to her. Unless he hoped things would change—that she’d change.
What had she done? The weight of her emotions pressed down on her until drawing a breath was almost more than she could bear.
~
Preston was visiting with Pastor Dan when he saw Mandy standing alone near the tree. No one else seemed to notice the small change in his new bride’s demeanor, but Preston was on immediate alert. He was about to go to her when Mom intercepted. “The photographer was wondering if the two of you would like a picture together.”
When Mom had said they wanted to pay for a photographer, Preston objected. But she assured him that one day, their marriage would be more than it was now, and that Mandy would be glad she had photos to remember it by. Preston had agreed, but had not found the chance to talk to Mandy about it himself.
“Let me ask her.”
He stepped beside Mandy and put an arm around her waist. “Hey, you okay?” Her lashes lifted, and the grief in her eyes mixed with something else he couldn’t identify. The combination caused him to tighten his hold on her. “Your grandparents?” She nodded. “I miss them, too. They should be here. They’d want to be here. I know they are watching over you right now.” God, please ease Mandy’s grief, even just a little. Fill her with the peace only You can grant. Help me to know what I can do to make things easier for her.
Mandy took a steadying breath and gave another little nod. She turned her head toward the others.
Preston let go of her but reached for her hand. “Don’t worry about everyone else. They all understand how hard this must be for you.” He hesitated. What he wanted to do was get her back to the house where she could have a few minutes to breathe. He knew she wouldn’t leave yet, though. Not with his family and her friends still there. “My mom wondered if you’d like the photographer to take a few pictures of us and the wedding party before he leaves. If you’d rather not, we’ll all understand.”
“It’s okay. That’ll be fine.” Mandy used her hands to smooth her hair and brush invisible wrinkles out of her dress. “It was kind of your mom to hire him,” she responded, although her expression belied her words. She looked down at her bridal gown. “Besides, this may be the last time I ever wear a dress. You know what they say: It didn’t happen without pictures to prove it.”
He chuckled. “You look beautiful no matter what you wear. But for the record? You make that dress look good.”
Mandy ducked her head, a smile on her face. “Thank you. It was nice of Tricia to let me borrow it.”
“We’ll take a few pictures, all go back to the house to eat some of Jade’s cake, and then hopefully things will quiet down.”
“That’ll be good.”
He held an arm out for her. “You going to be okay?”
She slipped her hand into the crook of his arm and lifted her chin. “Of course.” And with that, Mandy’s usual determination was firmly in place again.
Preston didn’t understand how she maintained the emotional control she exhibited so often. Everyone had their limits, and poor Mandy would reach hers, eventually. He only hoped he could be there to help her and support her when she did.
Chapter Seven
A mini celebration followed the wedding ceremony, and then Raven, Tricia, and Pastor Dan left. Mr. and Mrs. Yarrow helped Preston bring some of his belongings from his apartment over to the B&B.
Mandy stood in the doorway of what used to be Papa’s study. It was a spacious room with a large walk-in closet and a big window looking out over the front yard. It also happened to be the room across from her own. Granny’s was a little larger and one door down from hers, but Mandy hadn’t had the courage to clean it out yet, and Preston insisted he didn’t mind.
These three rooms were upstairs on one side of the house while the three rooms they normally rented out were on the other. There was a large bathroom on both sides as well, plus a private one attached to Granny’s room.
Preston had walked his parents out to their car. She heard his footsteps coming down the hall and stop. “You sure you don’t mind me taking this room?” His deep voice came from right behind her.
He’d asked the question three times now. Mandy hated there was something in the way she acted that prompted him to continue seeking confirmation of her decision.
“I’m sure. It’s crazy how much can change in a year, isn’t it?” She didn’t expect an answer. She surveyed his room with the bed, dresser, and small stack of boxes. “Is this all you have? You can store anything else in the workshop if it won’t fit in here.” She turned to look at him.
“There’s nothing else. I sold everything I didn’t have space for. This place has all the furniture it needs, which meant the couch and dining room table had to go. I
don’t mind. It’ll give us a little extra money to work with when it comes to opening the woodworking business.”
His use of the word “us” made Mandy frown and warmed her all at the same time. He already considered them to be one unit. She hoped he wouldn’t regret the whole thing in a year or two when their arrangement was still exactly like it was now.
They might be married. She may be Mrs. Mandy Yarrow. That didn’t mean she was willing to surrender her heart, especially knowing firsthand how easily the fragile organ could be crushed into a million pieces.
Preston would have to be content with being partners when it came to their last name and the businesses. She intended to keep everything else firmly in the friend zone.
He pointed down the hall. “Are any guests staying tonight?”
“Yes, all three rooms are rented out, can you believe it? One is a wildlife photographer who said she’ll only be in to sleep and for breakfast. The other is a family of four. The kids are staying in one room and the parents in the other.” She glanced at her watch. “I think they went into town to see a movie at the old theater tonight.”
He seemed unsure. “I have to admit, this will take some getting used to. I’ve been living in my apartment on my own for a while, so all the people going in and out of here will be interesting.”
Since Granny died, Mandy had been eating all meals except for breakfast on her own in the kitchen. Having someone else to eat with had a lot of appeal. “If it helps, it’ll take some adjusting on my part, too. I tend to eat lunch and dinner when I feel like it…”
“I’ll follow your lead. I don’t want to be in the way.” He leaned against the opposite doorframe not far from Mandy. “I figure I’ll use next week to take inventory of the equipment in the workshop and draw up a business plan. While I’d love to jump in and build something, I want to do this right.” He paused, as though searching for the words to say. “I don’t want to step on any toes. If there’s anything I can help with here in the B&B, please let me know.”
His offer seemed genuine, and Mandy gave him a little smile. “Sounds like a plan. Likewise, with the workshop. If I can do anything, please tell me. I’m not familiar with the equipment, other than watching Papa sometimes.”
They regarded each other for several moments before Mandy lowered her gaze and backed away from the room. “I’ll leave you to get settled. Your mom brought a casserole and salad over for dinner tonight. I figured we could have that if it sounds good.”
“Sure.”
“About six?”
“That works.”
She gave him a little wave and headed back downstairs. Well, that wasn’t awkward at all.
Mandy looked for something to do to keep her mind occupied, but Jade and Elise had not only done their jobs, they’d made certain everything else was good to go. That left Mandy with nothing to do but wipe clean counters or straighten up the living room in case some of the guests came through. Truthfully, it would’ve been easier if the place had been left a mess. Mandy would rather be furiously cleaning. It was moments like these, when the quiet crept in, that she hated being alone. Except she wasn’t completely alone, was she? She was married now, and had no idea what to expect. Would things change, or would they pretty much remain the same? She wasn’t sure which one would be easier.
~
Preston had spent a great deal of time at the Hudson Bed & Breakfast growing up it was practically a second home to him. But working outside, having cookies in the kitchen, and helping Mr. Hudson in the workshop was one thing.
It was different to walk upstairs to a bedroom that was now his when he never would’ve dared to step foot on the second level of the home before. He kept thinking Mrs. Hudson would ask him what he was doing and suggest he go back downstairs again.
Couple that with the idea he might run into guests on his way up or down added another level of weird. Obviously, people got used to it. Mr. and Mrs. Hudson, along with Mandy, lived most of their lives with strangers in their midst. But right now, Preston felt like he ought to tiptoe to keep from disturbing anyone.
He chuckled despite himself. Hopefully, he’d feel more at home before too long.
Preston changed shirts, washed up, and headed downstairs. The smell of Mom’s beef and cheese enchiladas filled the air. He found Mandy in the kitchen, reaching above her head for some plates in one cabinet.
“Here, let me.” Preston grabbed two of the plates, their smooth surfaces cool to the touch. “These cabinets are surprisingly high.”
Mandy motioned to a foot stool on the other side of the room. “Granny had to use that for almost everything. She never complained, though.” A wistful smile teased her lips. “I don’t have to use it nearly as often. But you…” She looked at him. “Well, you have no problem reaching much of anything, do you?”
What did she think of his height? Growing up, it’d often come in handy for getting things she couldn’t quite reach. Then again, she’d also been frustrated when they’d race to see who climbed a tree first. Every time he won, she’d claim it was because he cheated, being so tall and all. He smiled at the memory. “Where do you want me to put these?”
She hesitated. “I’ve been eating in here, but we can go to the dining room if you’d prefer.”
“Nope, this is good.” He set the plates down in front of the two chairs arranged side-by-side at the bar in the middle of the kitchen. “You know, this is where I sat when your grandmother gave me cookies or muffins. I always thought it was sweet of her to share like she did.”
“Yeah. That was Granny.” Mandy turned away from him before he could see her face.
He hoped she was doing okay and having him there wasn’t making things harder. That was the last thing he wanted. “Is there anything else I can get for you?”
“We should be good.” By the time she returned with the salad and forks, her expression was firmly in neutral.
“Do you want me to pray?” A single nod said she did, and he said a prayer over their food. The next few moments were spent in general conversation as they filled their plates.
Mandy pointed to her enchiladas with her fork. “These are great. I’ll have to remember to tell your mom.”
“She can make some mean Mexican food.” Preston took a bite of salad and washed it down with a drink of ice water.
More silence.
Preston cringed. “This is weird.”
Mandy slumped with a sigh of relief. “Really weird.”
They both laughed a little.
Preston put his fork down. “Look, Mandy. I’m your friend. A ring on your finger, no matter what brought it around, doesn’t change that fact. It never will.” He held his arms out wide. “Think of me as the live-in fix-it guy. I can take care of the B&B’s landscape like normal, and I’m here in case of an emergency repair 24/7. No having to wait until the next day.”
“That’s true. Hopefully, this will be easier on you. No more working two jobs in different locations. I still don’t know how you managed that.”
“You do what you have to do.” He shrugged as she nodded. That was one trait they both had in common. No matter what life threw at them, they did what needed to be done. The fact they sat here, married, was evidence of that. Maybe now that they were working together, some of that wouldn’t be as hard. “It’s a relief to not have to haul wood twenty times a day. Or eat by myself every evening.”
A little smile tugged at her lips. “Not eating by myself would be nice. And on the nights we don’t have guests, I won’t freak out sleeping in this house alone. I swear this place feels haunted by a million ghosts when no one else is here.”
They looked at each other for a few moments, and Preston wished he knew what was going through her pretty head. Her posture suggested she was relaxing, but her eyes still looked guarded. Preston finally spoke. “Then you can add ‘ghost slayer’ to the list of my duties.”
That got a little chuckle out of her. “Works for me.”
“Friends, then?
”
“Friends.”
“Good.” He leaned over and bumped her shoulder with his and then chortled when she struggled to not fall out of her chair.
The sparkle in her eyes mixed with determination, which was more like the normal Mandy he was used to seeing. He winked at her, and they both continued their meal.
A few moments later, her phone rang. Mandy fished it out of her pocket and scowled a little as she hit the button to answer the call. “Hudson Bed & Breakfast. How can I help you?”
Preston could barely make out the low tenor of the caller, and none of the words spoken. Mandy opened her mouth two or three times to respond, but it was clear she wasn’t given a chance to get a word in edgewise. A look of annoyance passed over her face, and she finally broke into the one-sided conversation.
“I’m sorry, but your source of information was incorrect. The B&B is not for sale.” Another round of talking on the other end of the call began. This time, Mandy cut him off in seconds. “The offer makes no difference. I’m not selling this place. Please make a note so other people in your company don’t call me as well.” With that, she hung up. She shoved the offending phone back into her pocket and stared wearily at the food on her plate.
“People are still trying to buy this place?”
“I’m getting several calls a day. Two companies called multiple times as though harassing me will change my mind.” She jabbed her fork into the enchilada but then left it there. “Does this happen to everyone who loses a family member and has a business? There ought to be laws in place to prevent this kind of thing.” Her annoyance faded to sadness as she scooped a bite into her mouth.
“I had no idea they were bothering you like that. Next time any of those companies call back, hand the phone to me. I’ll make sure they don’t call you again.”
Her eyes met his with uncertainty. She thought about it a moment before agreeing. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. The dust will settle, Mandy. I promise.”
Preston knew there would be rough days ahead as she mourned the loss of her family. He hoped his presence somehow made it all a little better. He watched her for a moment and embraced the surge of protectiveness washing over him. The woman he had loved for much of his life needed him, whether she’d admit it or not. Show me how I can help, God. Mandy’s been through so much. Help her come out on the other side of this even stronger than before. Make our relationship stronger, too.
Marrying Mandy (Brides of Clearwater Book 1) Page 6