Amy sat across from the older pair, feeling more discouraged than when she’d thought of the meeting between them.
Finally, Henry broke her concentration. “What have we tried so far? Have we thought of every angle?”
Her grandmother gave a discouraging look. “I tried everything from giving you up to trying to burn the dress and the book. But nothing has worked.”
Henry put a hand to his chin as thought deep in thought. “Didn’t you say Amy was the only child born from a true-love union since the curse was put into place?”
Amy and her grandmother nodded in unison.
“Then that’s the answer. We need to figure out what she can do to break it. She’s our only hope. The longer we wait, the more Jake could be in jeopardy.”
That was the part that worried Amy. She couldn’t bear the weight of being the only hope for the situation. And she choked at the thought of the fate of Jake’s life being put upon her as well.
While her grandmother and Henry discussed the situation, Amy pulled out her Blackberry and did a Google search of Alison Marrietta, and came up with nothing. After trying to search for relatives of her, she gave up hope when she still found nothing. So the angle of finding Alison or a relative to reverse the curse was getting her nowhere. What was next? She had to think, but the cooing between Henry and her grandmother was too much of a distraction.
Amy managed to leave the booth and leave the diner unnoticed by the two, who seemed only to have eyes for each other.
The cold November air hit her cheeks like a slap across her face as she exited the diner. Almost as though it were an animated metaphor for her circumstances. Deep down in the back of her mind, she knew there was no way out of the predicament, and the longer she waited to end it with Jake, the harder it would be to spare his feelings. A tear slid down her cheek, turning to ice before it reached her chin. She plucked it away as if she could dismiss her feelings so easily. She determined she would rather be alone if she couldn’t marry Jake. She’d seen her grandparents happy together, and she knew how much her mother loved her stepfather. But she was not strong enough to settle for her second choice. Or was that the only way to endure the pain of her loss? She knew it wouldn’t matter which way she decided. No matter which way she decided, there would be pain and consequences.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Jonathon arrived promptly at seven o’clock. Amy was both dreading and welcoming his visit. She hadn’t had the chance to talk to Jake over the phone for more than ten minutes, and she was grateful he hadn’t caught on to her foul mood. Jonathon, however, knew her so well; he picked up on it the moment he looked at her.
He pulled her into his arms. “What’s wrong, Ames?”
Amy had forgotten that he didn’t have a clue as to the mess she’d gotten herself into. He didn’t know about Jake or the curse. Maybe this would be as easy as her grandmother had said it would be. She loved Jonathon. It wasn’t like he was a complete stranger. He was one of her best friends. She could settle for marrying him and turning off her feelings for Jake. Couldn’t she?
Amy shook her head, trying to play off her feelings, even though her heart felt like it was breaking into pieces; the other half in Chicago.
“Are you sure, Amy? You look stressed out.”
“It’s just been a very long week, that’s all.”
She wasn’t completely lying. Too much had happened this week; none of it good. Except her one and only night with Jake. She pasted a smile on her face and tried to change the subject.
“Do you mind if we have dinner here tonight? It’s so cold; I was hoping I wouldn’t have to go out.”
He hugged her and she tried not to pull away. “Anything you want to do tonight is fine with me. I’m a little tired myself, but I’m not really hungry. I was an hour ago when I was on the road so I stopped for a drive-thru burger. Sorry.”
She didn’t care. She knew they would do what they did most Friday nights; play board games. Amy went to the hall closet and pulled down the games from the shelf. Board games was just the distraction she needed, and it wouldn’t involve any in-depth discussions of any sort; a perfect night to pass the time. She wondered if this was what her Friday nights had in store for the rest of her life. She didn’t want to think about the lack of passion in her relationship because that would cause thoughts of the intense passion between her and Jake; and she didn’t want to think about Jake at all. If she let her mind wander to thoughts of Jake, she would have to explain her tears to Jonathon, and she was not in the mood for a confrontation of any sort.
When it was nearing midnight, Jonathon packed up the games and put them away on the closet shelf where he’d seen Amy retrieve them from. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and a promise to return in the morning so they could go to Starbucks. Amy suppressed a yawn as they said goodbye. She was grateful Jonathon would never stay past what he considered a “proper” hour. All she wanted to do was crawl in her bed and forget about her problems for a while.
****
By late afternoon, Amy felt so emotionally drained; she was ready for Jonathon’s visit to be over. She wanted to spend the rest of the weekend thinking of a way out of her mess before Jake returned. Even though she knew deep down she would have to break it off for his sake, she kept hoping for a miracle that could spare both of them the pain of it. At least she had one thing to look forward to next Tuesday: Emma was moving in and helping with the bookstore.
Amy let go of her thoughts for moment, and realized Jonathon had been studying her.
“I saw a nice little Italian bistro around the corner we might try for dinner tonight. I’m hungry for Italian, how about you?”
If you’re referring to Jake; I definitely have an appetite for him.
“That would be fine. I’ll get ready.”
Jonathon kissed her lightly on the mouth. “I’ll be back in an hour to pick you up.”
Great. How am I supposed to get through dinner with him at the bistro without thinking of Jake?
****
In the middle of dinner, Jake sent her a text. He was hoping to find out where she was so he could surprise her with the engagement ring he’d purchased in Chicago. He was so elated they would be officially engaged, he could hardly contain himself.
Amy discreetly sent him a return text.
I’m having dinner at the Bistro. Thinking of you…
She wasn’t lying. She was thinking about him so much it hurt. How could she be having dinner here with Jonathon when this was a special place for her and Jake? Problem was; she was torn, but couldn’t give Jonathon a good reason for turning him down when he asked her. He had no knowledge of her feelings for Jake, nor the significance the restaurant held for the two of them. Still, she felt guilty for being there with Jonathon, but she would have to swallow those feelings for the rest of her life. She had to somehow move past her feelings for Jake and concentrate on starting her life with Jonathon. It wouldn’t be easy, but she loved Jake enough to spare his life from the fate of the curse that plagued her family.
After dinner, Amy felt relief that she had made it through the night without falling apart. Just when she thought they were about to get the check and leave, a bottle of champagne arrived at their table and two violinists stood beside their table and played. Confused, Amy looked to Jonathon for answers. She sat in shock as she watched him push back in his seat and step beside her chair and kneel on one knee before her. Her heart caught in her throat when he reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a tiny box. Her eyes grew wide when he opened the box and she saw a platinum, princess-cut diamond ring resting in the box. Everything in her wanted to shrink back from him. She knew what was happening in her head, but her heart couldn’t grasp the thought. She didn’t even hear his proposal. She could see his lips forming the words, but the world around her had become a whirlwind of chaos; her brain struggling to catch up to the reality that lay before her. Like a drone, she nodded in agreement and watched without seeing as he placed the ring on
her finger.
Little did she know that Jake stood outside the bistro window, peering in through the glass; shock filling his heart. He steadied himself against the brick window sill, worried he would faint if she accepted the ring. He felt powerless to do anything but watch as the love of his life was being taken from him.
How can she accept his proposal when she’s already accepted mine?
He looked down at the black box he clenched in his fist, wondering if she thought he wasn’t serious because he hadn’t given her a ring yet. Surely she knew he hadn’t had time to purchase one yet. He’d told her intended to get one. Why had she betrayed him? Didn’t she really love him? He thought about the fact they hadn’t known each other very long, and he was painfully aware of her history with Jonathon, but that was no reason for her to accept his proposal. He’d asked her first. Didn’t that count for anything?
It took all his strength to leave the restaurant; to leave his beloved Amy with Jonathon and his ring he’d placed on her finger. His first instinct was to storm into the bistro and claim her as his own, but he wasn’t in the mood for making a bigger fool of himself. Amy had already done that for him. He buried his anger as he walked to his car, betrayal pricking his heart.
****
Amy hugged Jonathon goodbye Sunday evening after a late lunch at the diner across the street from the bookstore. It was all Amy could do not to jump out of her skin when the waitress asked if she wanted her usual booth. But when she eyed Jonathon, she sat them at a different booth. Amy was grateful Jonathon was putting coins in the jukebox at the time and hadn’t heard her. Jonathon had asked why they weren’t having brunch at the Bennington Mansion, forcing Amy to tell him Jake was in Chicago on business. She’d hoped to avoid the subject of Jake, but Jonathon went on about the Halloween party, oblivious to the pain he was inflicting on Amy’s heart.
****
Amy collapsed in her bed the moment she heard Jonathon’s car pull out of the alley behind her apartment. Her phone rested on her nightstand in vibrate mode. If it were to ring; she didn’t want to hear it. She wasn’t up for talking to Jake. She hadn’t heard from him all day, and had assumed he was busy with last-minute tie-ups with his business trip, and was in too much of a hurry to get back to Indiana to bother with calling her. She didn’t expect to see him until lunch tomorrow, knowing he would send her a quick text when he arrived home this evening. For now, that’s all she could handle from him. She knew if she spoke to him she would cry, and she wanted to tell him everything in person—not that she was looking forward to it.
Amy rolled over in her bed, mentally reviewing the tasks that she needed to accomplish if she was going to pull off a wedding in two weeks. With Emma arriving in two days, she would have help with the preparations, and it would serve as a good distraction from the pain of losing Jake. For that reason, she’d begged Jonathon to marry her in two weeks—long enough for her to plan a small family wedding—and not so long as to allow her time to change her mind. She had been clever in convincing him, telling him that would give her time to train Emma to take over the bookstore until they could get an apartment that was midway between both of their jobs. On paper it all seemed to be the perfect solution, but in her heart, she knew it was the wrong thing to do. Much to her dismay, there was nothing she could do to stop it.
****
In the morning, Amy saw a text from Jake letting her know he’d made it back to Indiana safely, but would be unable to meet her for lunch today. He’d sent the text against his better judgment, but had hoped to buy himself some time before confronting Amy about her indiscretion with Jonathon. In turn, Amy was glad to have more time to prepare for the pain she needed to cause him.
****
Four days passed with little word from Jake. Amy wondered why he was distancing himself, and tried to believe his text messages that apologized to her about being overly busy setting up a new plant in Chicago. He said he’d hoped to have a meal with her before he had to leave again for Chicago, but the day was wearing on, and she didn’t expect to hear from him. Only Jake knew why he was avoiding her. She hadn’t a clue he’d witnessed Jonathon’s proposal. If the truth be told, he was making it easy on Amy, who had thrown herself into wedding preparations with Emma, and was growing used to the idea of marrying Jonathon. At least enough that she felt she could get through the ceremony without completely falling apart.
Over the next few days, Amy ignored the few text messages that she received from Jake. Instead, she threw herself into her wedding preparations with vigor; feeling determined to make her marriage work. She was so oblivious to the world around her—except the glances exchanged between Emma and Jonathon. She sensed something was going on between them, but didn’t care enough to let it affect her decision. She’d made up her mind to marry Jonathon, and she would stick with it—especially with Jake removing himself from her life.
****
Before she realized, Amy was putting on the same dress she’d worn when she kissed Jake; the same dress they declared their love in; the same dress she’d worn when she agreed to marry him. She wondered if it was bad luck to wear the dress, but laughed it off, thinking her luck couldn’t be any worse than it was now. As the days had worn on, Jake’s correspondence with her had come to a halt. She could feel the separation between them stronger than ever, and wondered if he felt it too. It no longer mattered; soon she would be Jonathon’s wife. The thought made her feel dizzy, and she hoped she wouldn’t faint during the ceremony. She choked down tears, not wanting to ruin the wedding for Jonathon; despite the fact her heart was yearning for Jake.
Her grandmother walked into the bridal room at the church. “I can’t believe you wanted to wear that dress.”
“Did any of you wear it when you married your second choice?”
Her mother and grandmother looked at one another. “Come to think of it, no.”
Amy chuckled madly. “Then maybe this will break the curse and my daughter won’t have to suffer through this.”
The two women hugged Amy. “I hope you’re right.”
****
The preacher cleared his throat. “If anyone here knows of any reason these two should not be joined in holy matrimony; speak now, or forever hold your peace.”
I didn’t know they really say that at weddings.
Amy glanced nervously at Henry and her grandmother in the front row of the tiny church. She wanted to shout that she couldn’t marry Jonathon. That she was too much in love with Jake, and her heart ached for him, but she would forever hold her peace.
After a short pause, the preacher asked for the rings to bless them. When Jonathon took her hand to place the ring on her finger, he noticed how much her hand shook. His eyes met hers, and she tried to convey to him that she couldn’t marry him, but he somehow missed the signal. Just as he was about to slip the ring on her finger, Amy found her voice.
“I’m sorry, Jonathon, but I can’t marry you.”
Jonathon’s expression fell. “Why are you doing this now, Ames?”
She pushed the ring back toward him. “This ring doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to Emma, and so does your heart. I’ve seen the way you’ve looked at her this week. I know you love her.”
The color drained from Jonathon’s face. “I made a promise to you when we were just kids, and I intend to honor my word to you.”
Amy smiled at his loyalty. “I admire your loyalty, but you made that promise to me when we were just kids. I overheard Emma tell Cindy she was in love with you this morning, and I know you love her. She’s the one you should be marrying—not me.”
Jonathon’s expression softened as he looked beyond Amy to where Emma stood holding her bridal bouquet. Relief washed over Amy, and for the first time in a week, she knew she was finally doing the right thing.
Amy told Jonathon to stay put, while she grabbed hold of Emma. The two raced down the aisle and disappeared at the back of the church. She made a quick phone call to a friend of hers that worked in the magi
strate’s office at the courthouse. She was assured by her friend that as long as Jonathon and Emma filed a marriage certificate signed by the preacher with the court first thing Monday morning, everything would be legal.
Amy steered Emma toward the bridal room at the back of the church. “Quick. Change clothes with me.”
Emma’s face flushed. “Are you insane?”
Amy giggled. “Probably temporarily, but hurry up. There is no time to lose. We are the same size and you need a wedding dress to marry the man you love, and it just so happens that I’m wearing one. So move it little missy. You don’t want to keep your groom waiting.”
Emma hugged Amy, tears welling up in her hazel eyes. “Don’t cry. You don’t want your mascara to run. That wouldn’t make for a pretty bride.”
“Thank you, Amy. You’re the best friend I could ever ask for.”
“Thank me later by having a wonderful life and lots of kids with Jonathon.”
Her statement caused Emma to blush. “I will. I promise.”
****
Fifteen minutes later, Amy sent word for the organist to begin the wedding march again, and for everyone—especially Jonathon, to take their places back at the altar. She grabbed Emma’s mother who had been seated in the last pew with her new boyfriend. Since Emma’s father had died in a car accident when she was five years old, her mother was the logical solution to walk her down the aisle to meet her new husband, Jonathon.
A Secret in the Attic (Mystery/Suspense/Romance) Page 9