Return of the Runaway Bride

by Donna Fasano

  Return of the

  Runaway Bride

  Donna Fasano

  Copyright © 2011, Donna J. Fasano

  All Rights Reserved

  This book may not be reproduced in any form,

  in whole or in part (beyond that copying permitted

  by U.S. Copyright Law, Section 107, " fair use" in

  teaching or research, Section 108, certain

  library copying, or in published media by

  reviewers in limited excerpt),

  without written permission from the author.

  Cover design, Rayna Januska

  Prologue

  "I need to slip down to the kitchen to check with the caterer. I'll be right back to pin on your veil. I won't be two minutes, promise." The woman hesitated at the door and gazed warmly at her daughter. Sudden emotion glistened in her eyes. "Oh, honey, you're going to make a beautiful bride."

  Savanna Langford watched the door of her bedroom close as her mother bustled out and then she took a deep, calming breath. Sitting down on the very edge of her bed so as not to crease the delicate double galloon lace covering her wedding gown, Savanna looked around the room that had sheltered both her and her dreams for all nineteen years of her life.

  The pale-green spread covering the bed was sumptuous and soft. The matching curtains ruffling in the gentle breeze allowed the perfect amount of sunlight to shine through the open window. White bookshelves held all the classic novels that should be read by a proper young woman. Everything surrounding her was neat, tidy, pristine. This was a perfect room, in a perfect house, where she'd spent her perfect youth growing up in a perfect world.

  And now the next phase of her life was soon to unfold before her. She was about to take part in the perfect wedding and marry the perfect man.

  That Daniel Walsh III was the perfect man was no secret. Everyone said so. Danny was loving, caring, kind and gentle. Not only that, but Miz Ida, owner of Watson's Kwik-E Mart, adamantly declared that he was the most handsome man in the county. And Savanna's father had boasted on more than one occasion that Danny would be an excellent provider once he finished his final year of law school and passed the bar. Yes, everyone agreed that Danny Walsh was the best catch in town.

  Savanna tipped her chin high and stared at the ceiling. "So what's wrong with me?" she murmured. She knew Danny was perfect, that was one reason why she loved him with all her heart and soul. She'd never met another man like him.

  Why, then, when she was about to embark on a lifelong journey with the man of her dreams, was she plagued with such doubt? Why, on what should be the happiest day of her life, did she feel as if she were being followed by an ominous thunder cloud?

  There was no denying the dark cloud. It had been hanging over her head now for two full weeks.

  She stood and paced the length of the room, twisting the fingers of both hands together this way and that.

  "It's nerves," she said in a firm, loud voice. "It's only nerves. Put it out of your head."

  Pressing a fist against her solar plexus, Savanna forced the tension from her trembling stomach and the distressing questions from her mind.

  "Here I am." Savanna's mother rushed into the room, stopped and flattened her palm against her chest. "Oh, my. I need to slow down and take a breath."

  A tender smile pulled at Savanna's mouth at the sight of her mother. "I know how hard you're working to make this a wonderful day for me, Mom," she said.

  It was so like her mother to overwork herself. Each and every birthday was made special, each holiday an elaborate affair, because Mrs. Langford fussed to make everything perfect for her husband and only child.

  Savanna's mother dismissed the compliment with a wave. "It's what being a mother is all about, honey. Now come. Sit." She patted the cushioned chair facing the mirrored vanity and fluffed the skirt of Savanna's gown after her daughter sat down.

  "You should see Danny." The woman's blue eyes twinkled. "He looks so handsome in his tux. That black suit brings out the best of his dark good looks." Smoothing her hand along one side of Savanna's blond, upswept hair, she commented, "It's a shame your friends couldn't be here for the wedding."

  "Maggie and Sharon left for school two weeks ago," Savanna said, a flash of sadness rushing through her at the thought of her friends who were now on the other side of the country. "And Josie was lucky to get an internship at that pharmaceutical company. With everyone just getting settled, it was too much to ask them to fly home again."

  Mrs. Langford cocked a wicked eyebrow at her daughter's reflection. "Well, if they could see Danny today, they'd simply swoon."

  Savanna laughed. "Swoon? Mom, no one 'swoons' anymore."

  "Oh, yes, they do." Her lips quirked in a perky smile. "They just call it something else."

  Savanna thought her mother was probably right; if her friends had been sitting downstairs, they most likely would have been swooning at the sight of Danny in a tux. But then the sight of Danny, no matter what his attire, had driven her high school friends crazy ever since he'd first shown an interest in Savanna. Maggie would consistently turn three shades of red, and Sharon would giggle herself silly. Josie, on the other hand, had always been pea green with envy because Savanna was involved with a "college man."

  And now those same friends she'd graduated with were off seeking their destinies at colleges and corporations across the country. A small frown creased her brow as the black cloud of doubt billowed and thickened and hovered closer than ever.

  "Oh, I forgot to tell you. Danny's parents arrived while I was downstairs." Savanna's mother gently shook out the folds of the gossamer veil. "They're with your father. I've never seen Daniel and Susan happier. And your father's floating around down there with a smile on his face that's a mile wide."

  As she watched the reflection of her mother arranging the white, lacy panels of French silk tulle over her head, Savanna struggled to breathe. She supposed this match between herself and Danny had been a given from the very beginning…to her friends, her parents, Danny's family, even to Danny himself. And that had never bothered her before. So why did she find the thought so claustrophobic now?

  Mrs. Langford positioned the stiff, satin-covered band on her daughter's head and began to pin it securely in place.

  "You're going to make a wonderful wife," she said. "And your father and I can't wait to be grandparents."

  But Savanna wasn't listening; she was concentrating on sorting out the feelings churning inside her.

  Danny's attentions had always flattered her, had always made her feel special. His touch excited her, his kisses made her tremble. Being with him, she felt protected and secure. Danny would keep her safe, just as safe as she'd always been here at home, living with her parents.

  As if she were a mind reader, Mrs. Langford said, "After today you'll have no worries." Her mother chattered on, not noticing Savanna's silence. "As the wife of a lawyer, your future will be set. I can't find the words to express just how happy I am. This is what your dad and I always planned for you."

  As the words echoed in her head, Savanna's mind reeled. Her eyes widened a fraction as a realization struck her with force—everything had been planned for her. Every single aspect of her life had been mapped out by those who loved her. She'd always been sheltered, kept perfectly safe from the outside world. Never had she been touched by unpleasantness of any kind, never had she faced a problem alone.

  Savanna struggled to remember one time in all her nineteen years when she had encountered and tackled an obstacle on her own, one time when she had overcome a challenge single-handed. The fact that she couldn't recall even one instance was mind-boggling.

  "Mother…" Savanna's voice was raspy with dry emo
tion. "I can't do this."

  Mrs. Langford continued to fuss with the headpiece. "Can't do what, honey?" she asked blithely.

  "I can't marry Danny."

  "Of course you can." For several seconds, Mrs. Langford kept pinning the delicate veiling material, but Savanna's prolonged silence made her glance up. After studying her daughter's expression, she must have read the panic there, for her tone changed dramatically as she straightened and asked, "What do you mean you can't marry Danny?"

  Savanna squeezed her eyes shut. "I don't know what I mean. It's hard to put in to words. I'm feeling something, and I'm not sure what it is." Her eyes were pleading for understanding when she looked up. "Something just isn't right."

  "Don't be silly," her mother reproved. "You love Danny."

  Twisting around to face her mother, Savanna said, "Of course I love him. He's wonderful."

  "He is," her mother agreed, her voice suddenly tight. "And he'll take care of you. It's what your father and I want for you. It's what everyone wants for you, Savanna."

  But was that what she wanted for herself? For someone to care for her for the rest of her days? The questions whirled inside her head, and Savanna was surprised by the tears that prickled her eyelids.

  By marrying Danny was she merely fulfilling everyone else's expectations of what was best for her? If she did marry him, how would she ever know what she, Savanna Langford, was capable of achieving? How would she know what challenges might be awaiting her out in the world?

  Who am I? she wondered. What do I want for myself? The questions rocked her to her very foundation. She had never asked that of herself before.

  She might not know the answers to any of the questions that were rearing up in her mind, but she did know that she couldn't possibly commit herself to Danny until she had the chance to at least ponder them.

  Immediately she reached up and began pulling at the pins that held the headpiece in place.

  "Savanna, stop that," her mother demanded.

  The two of them engaged in what would have been a comical bout, as one plucked out hairpins and the other tried to snatch the pins and put them back into place. But there was nothing funny about the despair pushing Savanna to the brink of hysteria.

  "Mother!" Frustrated by the game, Savanna stood so quickly the chair toppled over.

  Mrs. Langford scowled. "You're being silly, Savanna. This is nothing but an attack of pre-wedding jitters." She stooped down and picked up the pins that had fallen to the floor. "It's usually the groom who gets cold feet."

  "I cannot do this." Savanna's unflinching gaze made it evident that she was utterly serious.

  Mrs. Langford stood and planted her hands on her trim hips. "The minister has arrived. The guests are assembled. Everyone is waiting for the bride's entrance." She cocked her head. "The bride is you, Savanna."

  Savanna swallowed and tipped up her chin a fraction. "I need to talk to Danny."

  Mrs. Langford's lips pursed so tightly that they paled under her sheer lipstick. After a long, tense moment, she said, "All right. I'll go find him. I only hope he can talk some sense into you."

  After the door closed firmly, leaving her alone with her doubts and questions, Savanna wondered what on earth she was going to say to Danny. How could she explain her feelings? How could she make him understand when she didn't understand herself?

  Fear and confusion gripped her with an icy hand and she buried her face in her open palms. "What are you doing?" she murmured.

  There was a soft knock at the door. "Savanna?"

  A familiar warmth rippled through her at the sound of Danny's deep, rich voice.

  "Danny!" Her urgent whisper was nearly choked off by a sob as she pulled open the door.

  The very sight of him calmed her and she drank in the comfort his presence never failed to give. The smile that tilted his lips gave her strength and she tried valiantly to return a smile of her own.

  "You're beautiful," he said. "But with all the superstition about bad luck, are you sure it's safe for me to see you before the ceremony?"

  His jesting tone told her that he didn't realize the extent of her emotional state. Maybe it was better that he didn't know the turmoil she was feeling. What she needed to do was explain to him in clear, logical terms the chaos that was twisting around in her brain. The contradiction in terms nearly made her laugh aloud. Instead she took a deep breath.

  "Danny," she began. It hurt to say his name, knowing what she was about to tell him. "I'm afraid I can't do this."

  He took her hands in his and held them securely. The feel of his skin on hers was stirring. All she wanted to do was drift deeper into his protective embrace. No, her mind screamed. Not now.

  "Savanna, everything's going to be all right. You'll see, as soon as we..."

  His voice trailed off as she began to shake her head. She pulled her hands from his grasp and stepped back. She couldn't touch him and think clearly at the same time.

  "You don't understand," she said. "I'm afraid."

  "I know you are."

  She saw his dark eyes fill with compassion and love.

  God, why can't I get this right? 'Afraid' wasn't the word she'd meant to say. Anxiety swept through her, settling in the pit of her stomach where it churned, slowly and steadily.

  "Listen," he said, "I'll go down and tell everyone that we need some time." He reached out and gently cupped her elbow. "Say, an hour? That will give us time to talk." He chuckled. "Time for us to gather up your courage."

  "But-"

  "It's okay," he told her. "Dad can break open the champagne early. There'll be no harm in that, now will there?" He gave her a charming, lopsided grin.

  Hope budded like a rose inside Savanna. Looking at Danny so confident and assured, she wondered how she had ever doubted that he couldn't make everything right.

  He went over and uprighted the chair, leading her with him. "Now you sit down and relax." He settled her in the seat, leaned close and caressed her cheek with his strong, smooth fingers. "It's going to be all right, Savanna. I promise."

  His lips were warm and moist as he pressed them against hers. "I'll be right back with a glass of bubbly." He grinned. "And then I'll remind you of all those dreams we made. That'll ease your nerves." He kissed her softly on the mouth.

  When Savanna was alone she sat in the warm cocoon of security in which Danny had left her wrapped. She didn't need to worry. Everything was going to be just fine, perfect even.

  Those two tiny words sent an icy prickle chasing up her spine. The shadowy cloud of apprehension that descended was thick enough to smother her.

  "Oh, God!" The words ripped from her throat like a torturing claw as she ran toward her closet and wrenched out the suitcase she'd so carefully packed for her two week honeymoon.

  She snatched the bridal veil from her head, barely wincing as the pins snagged then pulled free from her hair. She reached behind her to rip at the back of her gown, and a dozen dainty pearl buttons bounced soundlessly on the plush carpet.

  Chapter One

  Six years later

  Welcome to Fulton, Virginia. The wooden sign was weathered, but the letters were bright with fresh paint. Savanna had been in high school when the town council had voted to create the quaint welcome area with its cheery greeting and evergreen shrubs. She remembered that the Ladies' Auxiliary had always been responsible for manicuring the mound, and the crimson begonias and deep purple petunias were proof that the Ladies were still taking the job seriously.

  As she crossed the town limit, Savanna released one hand from the steering wheel and reached up to massage her neck. Ever since she'd decided to return to her hometown, trepidation had coiled inside her tighter and tighter. It had been six years since she'd left behind everything important in her life, her friends, her family, the man she loved.

  "No," she murmured, refusing to dwell on unpleasant thoughts. There would be plenty of time to deal with all that. In fact, that's exactly why she had returned to Fulton. But for the mo
ment, Savanna wanted to enjoy her homecoming, savor the sights and sounds of the town in which she'd spent her youth. The place she'd missed so desperately.

  As she passed familiar scenes, the Bowl-A-Rama, Garvy's Service Station and Bob's Barber Shop with its red-and-white swirled column still spinning, the long years melted away until it could have been just yesterday that she'd driven out of town as if the hounds of hell were on her scent.

  Savanna stopped at the red light and closed her eyes. She shivered in spite of the warm, southern sun as icy doubt brought cold, realistic questions. Would the folks in town be happy to see her? Would they welcome her with open arms? Or turn their backs on her because of "the big scandal," as Savanna had come to name that episode of her life? The older residents worried her most, the ones whose memories were sure to be razor sharp and as clear as the lenses in their reading glasses.

  And how would Daniel and Susan Walsh respond to her return? Would they see her long enough for her to explain her reasons for running away from marrying their son? They had to, Savanna thought. They simply had to.

  Danny flashed into her mind and a band of apprehension tightened across her chest. How on earth was she ever going to face him? How was she going to make him understand what…

  "Please stop." She spoke the words loud and clear. All these questions would drive her insane. Take one problem at a time, Savanna, she told herself.

  She crossed the intersection and caught sight of Watson's Kwik-E Mart. "E for efficient. E for economical. And don't forget Kwik." Mr. Watson had come up with the marketing campaign all on his own, and he'd kept a copy of the neatly cut-out newspaper ad tacked behind the checkout counter.

  On impulse, Savanna made a sharp left into the parking lot and turned off the car's engine. The lesson of facing her problems head-on was one Savanna had learned quickly after leaving Fulton. If she wanted answers to her anxious questions...

  "There's no better time to find out than right now," she said. She got out of her car and walked toward the shop's entrance. Inhaling deeply, she thrust back her shoulders and pushed open the glass door.