by Seton, Cora
“You’re done?” Eric stepped forward but Melanie caught his arm.
“Enough. We’re going upstairs. Colt, get yourself together.” She led Eric firmly from the room without another word.
Heather shook her head. “You’re an idiot.” She followed the others out.
“Wait. Heather!”
Left alone, Colt had to admit she was right.
At least her sales were improving, Heather thought when she looked over her accounts at the store the next morning. After all the drama last night, she needed some good news, and the uptick was just what the doctor ordered. Ever since the night of the demonstration she’d noticed more men in the store, too. Tom Hennessey must have passed the word among the other contractors that Renfree’s still sold quality goods. She and Susan had worked out a schedule of demonstrations for the next couple of months based on the ideas the customers had come up with. Now she looked forward to seeing the results of Allison’s newsletters.
She’d also noticed that the women who attended the laminate flooring event kept coming back into the store as they carried out their renovations. She had a feeling that when they showed their friends what they’d done, she’d get more signups at future demonstrations.
If only the rest of her life was going anywhere near that well. Breakfast had been a strained affair, with Colt and Eric both sullen and angry. In the end, Melanie had snapped at them to grow up and get over it, but neither of them had apologized, or said much of anything. Heather knew she’d screwed up when she blurted out to Heloise her intention to marry Eric, and the men needed to get their acts together if they were going to pull this off. Meanwhile, she needed to get Mia up to speed on this latest twist. She picked up her phone and made the call she’d been dreading all morning.
“Mia? It’s Heather. How are you?” she said when Mia answered.
“Forget about me. How are you? Rose told me a crazy story about you and Colt marrying other people. What’s going on?”
Heather explained the whole strange sequence of events. “So, Colt’s going to marry someone else. And I’m going to pretend to.” They still hadn’t actually worked that part out. “We need to schedule a double wedding.” As she talked, she started a list on the pad of paper that sat next to her keyboard. Dress, flowers, invitations, tell Mom about Eric… She crossed off Eric and wrote George.
After a long pause, Mia said, “Who are you marrying?”
“A man named Eric Rutherford. Except he’ll be George Buckley when we marry.” She added, Get my head examined to the list.
“Oh, heck. You’ve dug yourselves a deep hole, haven’t you?”
“You’ve got that right.” Heather underlined that last item. “So do you think you can pull it off?”
“A double wedding in less than two weeks with a groom getting married under an assumed name? No problem!” Mia sighed. “Look, send me over all the details. Meanwhile, you and… wait—who’s marrying Colt?”
“Melanie Munroe.”
“Where do you get these people?”
“You don’t want to know.” She propped an elbow on the desk and leaned her forehead against her hand.
“Well, you and Melanie need to buy wedding dresses, pronto.”
“Already on it. What else?”
“Bring her to our meeting later today. I’ll get you both up to speed. How many guests will she want?”
“I’m not sure she’ll want any.”
“Well, thank God for small miracles.” Mia paused. “Sorry, that was mean.”
“Don’t apologize; we’ve thrown a wrench in your plans. We’re the ones who need to apologize.”
“Heather, I can make this happen, but are you sure you want me to?”
She appreciated what Mia was really asking. “I don’t want you to, but I need you to. We all do, or we’ll lose the ranch.”
“Oh, Heloise infuriates me! Who does she think—” Mia got herself under control. “Never mind. I’m sure you’ve already thought everything I’m about to say.”
“And more,” Heather agreed. “I have to go. Meet you at three-thirty at Linda’s?”
“Sounds good.”
Heather entered Ellie’s Bridals, a small boutique in the middle of town, at five to two and was greeted by the owner, who held a phone to her ear. Melanie came in a moment later, and when it became clear Ellie was tied up in a call that might take a while, they drifted toward the racks of dresses and began to look through them.
Heather had no idea how to choose a dress in which to marry a man she didn’t love. She didn’t know how she could stand to watch Melanie pick a dress in which to marry Colt, either. At least they’d be equally miserable. Judging by the looks they’d exchanged over the breakfast table this morning, Melanie and Eric were falling hard and fast for each other, and she knew Melanie didn’t relish marrying Colt any more than Heather wanted to watch her do it.
She wandered around the store, averting her eyes from any gown she might have wanted to wear when she married Colt—ones that suited her curves and would make her feel beautiful for the man she loved. Instead she focused on tea-length sheath dresses. Something plain and demure for a fake wedding—if it had to happen at all.
When she’d found four or five she thought might do, she let herself into one of the changing rooms, but when she came back out into the fitting area several minutes later, she nearly bumped into Camila. Ellie followed close behind her. Both women cocked their heads and looked her over.
“If you wear that to your wedding, I will shoot you,” Camila said.
“Camila’s right, Heather,” Ellie said. “It doesn’t suit you at all.”
“Fine. I’ll try something else.” Heather walked back into the changing room and picked out another slim, fitted tea-length gown. Struggling out of the first one and into the next, she presented herself to Camila and Ellie again.
“That’s the same dress!” Camila was indignant. The phone rang and Ellie bustled off, but from her expression Heather thought she agreed with Camila.
“No, it’s not.” Heather stepped closer. “And you know why I want something plain, so pipe down.” She’d called Camila right after her call to Mia and filled her in on everything that had happened.
“Right. To marry your fake fiancé. You know that’s ridiculous, don’t you? I can’t believe how complicated this has all gotten.”
“You can’t believe it? Try living it!”
The bells over the door to the store chimed and they both craned their necks to see who’d entered.
“That’s Regan,” Heather said, “so just leave it, okay? I refuse to buy anything fancy for this wedding.”
Melanie came around the racks of clothes with several dresses draped over her arm. She appraised Heather. “That looks sensible.”
Camila smacked a hand to her forehead. “You’re not supposed to wear something sensible to your wedding!”
“You are when you’re in our circumstances. I’ve got another one; want to try it?” Heather said to Melanie.
When Regan made her way to the fitting area a few minutes later, she held an armload of dresses. She arrived just as Melanie stepped out of her changing room in a sheath dress similar to the one Heather had on.
“No,” Regan said. “No, no, a thousand times no. Get those off right now. Both of you!”
“Told you,” Camila said.
“Here.” Regan shoved the dresses she carried into Melanie’s arms. “Go change. Heather, give me two minutes. I’ll find you something, too.”
The bells over the door chimed again.
“Regan, I’m not in the mood—”
“I don’t care. You’re going to try them on anyway.” Regan disappeared around a rack of dresses. A moment later they heard her greet Ella and Storm.
Camila leaned in closer. “You have to stop this before it goes any further.”
Heather didn’t have time to answer before Ella came around a rack and presented a gown. “This one is gorgeous! You have to try it on, H
eather.”
Storm followed her. “I have one for you, too.”
“What are you guys doing here?” Heather asked. Reluctantly, she took the dresses they gave her and let herself back into the changing room.
“We’re here to help you find a dress. You’re one of us, which means you need to look stunning,” Ella declared.
“Can’t let the family down, you know,” Regan chirped when she appeared again. She passed more dresses over the changing room door to Heather. Heather hung them all on hooks.
“But I’m not marrying Colt yet.”
“You will soon enough. We have standards to uphold. There’s a manual and everything,” Storm added.
“Really?” Heather asked, peeping over the door.
“No, not really.” Storm laughed at her. “There should be, though. Maybe we should start writing it.” She turned to Regan and Ella.
“Rule number one, we Hall wives stick together no matter what. That includes you, too, Melanie,” Regan said. “Come on, ladies, show us some dresses.”
Ellie rejoined them, beaming happily at the gathering of women. “This is more like it. I’ll bring out some bubbly!” She quickly headed off again. Camila was the only one who held back, her expression grim. Heather knew why and if she’d had any choice she would have left the boutique in a heartbeat, but while her circumstances were less than optimal, she couldn’t help but appreciate the way the other women had rallied around her. She needed all the friends she could get.
“Try on ours before she gets back,” Regan said to Heather. “Ellie always finds the perfect dress and then you won’t want to wear anything else.”
For the next twenty minutes Heather managed to forget her circumstances and give herself up to the fun of trying on beautiful gowns. She and Melanie took turns standing on the small raised dais Ellie had positioned in the center of the fitting area and looking at themselves reflected in the many mirrors surrounding them.
Melanie found a gown with a plain bodice and tiered skirt that made her look like a cross between a princess and a ballet dancer. With her lean body and graceful air she looked so elegant it brought tears to Heather’s eyes. None of her gowns made her feel quite so beautiful, but she told herself that was okay. Even if the dress she bought now was fancier than she’d planned, she wanted to save the very best one for her wedding to Colt.
Actually, she thought she’d seen the gown she’d wear someday to marry him. It hung by itself in one corner of the store. A corner she studiously avoided.
Once Melanie had chosen her gown, however, Ellie turned her attention to Heather and as if she could read her mind, she made a beeline to the gown and brought it back. “This is the one,” she said.
“I don’t think so.”
“Oh, that’s beautiful. Try it on,” Ella encouraged.
“She’s right; you have to try it,” Regan said.
Camila shrugged when Heather turned to her for support. “You might as well.”
Heather gave in, even though she knew it was a mistake.
The gown fit like it had been made for her. The bodice showed off her curves, just like she knew it would. The sweetheart neckline revealed a tasteful amount of cleavage and small off-the-shoulder sleeves gave the gown a dashing air. The skirt was full and flounced with a beautiful, lacy underskirt peeking out. When she exited the changing room all conversation stopped.
“Oh, Heather, it’s beautiful.” Regan looked misty and Storm clasped her hands. Heather stepped up onto the dais and took a look.
The dress was everything she’d hoped for. It transformed her from a practical single mother into a radiant bride. Her gaze met Melanie’s and she saw her own anguish reflected there.
“What do you think?”
When Melanie didn’t answer, Camila spoke up. “She’ll take it,” she said to Ellie. “Heather, you have to take it.”
Heather nodded slowly. She’d take it. But she refused to wear it to marry Eric. She’d sneak off to Silver Falls or even Billings to find another one.
She would only wear this dress when she married Colt.
Chapter Eighteen
‡
“Mia called. Autumn Cruz is coming with some cakes to try after dinner tonight,” Regan was saying to Heather when Colt met up with them at the base of the stairs a few days later. He was surprised to see Heather. Normally she worked at this time of the day. He was glad to hear that Autumn was coming over, though. She was married to Ethan Cruz, whom Colt had known as a child. Together they lived with several other couples on the Cruz ranch where Autumn ran a bed and breakfast. She was a phenomenal cook and was becoming known for her wedding cakes.
If she was bringing samples over for them to try, it meant the fake double wedding was still on. It had been touch and go for a couple of days, with him and Eric circling each other like dogs ready for a fight. He’d finally swallowed his pride and admitted he was out of line, however, after Heather persuaded him it wasn’t fair to punish Eric for doing his job well. After that, the tension had eased between them.
“Okay,” Heather said to Regan and smiled at Colt wanly. He waited until Regan headed back toward the kitchen.
“Everything all right?” he asked when they were alone.
“Not really. I… have a bit of a headache. I’m going to go lie down. Did Richard make it home from school?”
“He’s out in the barn helping with chores.”
“Good.” She started up the stairs.
Colt followed her. “You sure you’re okay?”
“It’s nothing. I just need a little rest.”
“You’re pale.”
“I told you; I have a headache.” She swallowed. “I don’t feel very well.”
“Are you going to be sick?”
“I don’t think so.” She didn’t look sure and Colt placed a protective hand on her waist as they walked upstairs.
“Come here.” He led her to his room.
“Colt, I said I’m tired.”
“You can rest right here.” He drew her down onto the bed and a thought struck him. “Is there a chance you’re pregnant?”
She shut her eyes a moment. “It’s far too early to know that. It’s only been a week. I’m just stressed out.”
“But it is possible.”
When she looked at him again, tears trembled on her lashes. “It’s possible, but I better not be. I don’t think I could stand it.”
He winced.
“You know why.” She touched his arm. “Not now. Not when you’re marrying Melanie.”
“I know. I wish to God I was marrying you.”
“Me, too.”
He hated how helpless he felt in the face of her misery. All he wanted to do was to spend his life making this woman happy. He couldn’t do that yet, but he needed to do something. Colt checked his watch. “I’ll be back in half an hour.”
“Where are you going?”
“To get a test.”
“But it’s way too early to tell.” She rose with him and followed him to the door.
“If it’s too early, then we’ll have it on hand for when the time is right.”
“I don’t think the time will ever be right.”
“Don’t say that.”
“I just—” She broke off. “I’m just tired. Drive safe, okay? There’s no rush.” She turned toward the stairway that led to the third floor. Colt watched her go and slowly trudged downstairs to the front door. He knew Heather had spent every spare moment this week planning the wedding. It had to be hard to put so much time into the sham marriage, especially since they still didn’t know how they’d pull it off. Mason and Zane had begun to look into fake identification for Eric, but no one wanted to take things that far.
For the thousandth time he wondered how things had ever gotten so out of control and wracked his brain for another way to solve their problems. Once again he failed to find one.
At the store he read every box to find a pregnancy test geared toward early results. By the t
ime he headed for home again, it was fully dark outside and he knew his brothers would wonder where he was. He ran up both flights of stairs the minute he got home, but when he opened Heather’s door, she was fast asleep, lying diagonally across her bed.
As much as he wanted to know the answer, he couldn’t make himself wake her. Instead, he set the box on the end of the bed and let himself out again quietly. Forcing himself to join his brothers to finish the chores, he tried to take his mind off of it, but with every breath the question remained. Was the woman he loved going to grow his child inside of her while he married someone else?
By the time they finished up, Colt was tight with anxiety, and when Austin bumped into him on their way out of the barn, he snapped, “Watch it!”
His brothers exchanged glances. “Everything all right?” Zane finally asked.
“No. It’s not all right. But there’s nothing for it, is there?” He strode ahead of the others around the outside of the house so he could leave his wet things in the front hall. There was no sign of Heather, but before he could go upstairs to look for her, Regan called, “Wash up everyone. Dinner’s on!”
Sometimes Ella and Austin ate in the bunkhouse where they’d made their home, but most nights they joined the rest of the family in the Hall. Someone had already set the long table, and while Colt hesitated, still eager to go find Heather, Ella spotted him. “Help carry the food in, would you?”
After washing up in the small bathroom at the rear of the house he joined the women in the kitchen and spent the next few minutes ferrying platters of chicken, potatoes, beans and rolls into the dining room. By the time he was done everyone had already sat down.
Except Heather.
“Where’s Mom?” Richard asked, grabbing a roll and quickly buttering it.
“I’ll go find her.” Finally, he’d get the privacy he needed to talk to her. Colt sped toward the stairs and climbed them two at a time.
She met him on the third floor. “I read the directions,” she said without preamble. “It’s too early to take the test.”
Something about the way she said it told him there was more. “But…”