Marry Me

by Kristin Wallace

  “You scared me to death.”

  “I couldn’t resist,” he said. “I came in to check out the leftovers, and I saw you skulking around at the living room door.”

  “I wasn’t skulking.”

  “What were you doing then?”

  “It’s not like they were passing state secrets,” she said, drawing herself up to full height. “I was curious.”

  He arched a single brow. “About Grace’s Bible study? I didn’t think you were interested in religion.”

  “I’m not.”

  “Just interested enough to listen in at the door?”

  Julia glared at him again. “Maybe, but I’m still not buying into the whole God thing.”

  “I know, I know,” he said, holding up his hand in surrender. “You’re much too logical to believe in things like faith and love.”

  She ignored the sarcasm. “Love is a nice concept, but I’m not sure it exists outside of movies and novels. I’ve certainly never seen proof of it.”

  “Never?”

  “No.”

  Even as she said it, a picture of Todd and Annie flashed through her mind.

  Seth must have noticed the change in her expression because his own gaze sharpened. “Something come to mind?”

  “Do you know Annie Truman and Todd Baldwin?” she asked, looking away.

  “Sure. They’re members. I’ve counseled them since the accident. They’re an extraordinary couple.”

  “I’m planning their wedding.”

  “They certainly do represent the picture of true love. Makes you rethink your “love doesn’t exist” motto, doesn’t it?”

  Julia sputtered, trying to think of a cutting remark, but even she couldn’t deny Annie and Todd had something rare.

  “It’s all right to let yourself believe in something, Julia,” Seth said, in an extremely gentle voice, like an animal rescue activist trying to calm a wild bird.

  “What is it you think I should believe in?”

  “You could believe Grace and Sarah love you, and always have. You could believe there is a God who loves you, too. You could believe you’re an amazing woman who deserves His love.”

  He’d drawn closer during his speech until he was standing directly in front of her, and just like at the park that first day, their blasted soundtrack started up again. He must have heard the music too because she saw, rather than heard, his quick, indrawn breath. As if in a trance, he reached out and twined a lock of her hair around his fingers. The touch seemed to transfer from his hand right to her scalp.

  Voices cut through the stillness. The Bible study had finished. In an instant, Seth moved across the room. All four women came to an abrupt halt when they realized the kitchen was already occupied. So abrupt they ended up banging into one another like characters in a slapstick comedy. Varying degrees of the same curious stare flashed across their faces.

  Julia recognized Sarah’s mother-in-law, who looked interested if a bit puzzled. Grace’s neighbor, Mary-Ellen Carter, was among the group, and she was definitely on the scent of gossip. Julia could see the woman’s nose twitch as she sniffed for a tidbit.

  Julia’s gaze switched to the last member of the group. This one was a stranger. A hostile stranger. Then she realized the beady-eyed, edge of insanity stare seemed familiar. She absolutely recognized the store window display get-up. De-age the woman by about thirty years, and she’d be looking at Amy Vining.

  Which explained why the woman looked as though she wanted to plunge a knife in Julia’s back. No doubt Mrs. Vining knew about her daughter’s obsession and figured Julia was the competition.

  “Well, hello,” Grace said. “I didn’t know you two were home.”

  Seth leaned against the counter. “I came to scrounge in your refrigerator and found Julia already here.”

  Grace smiled. “I’m glad you got a chance to visit. Julia, I think you know everyone here, except for Sylvia Vining. I believe you met her daughters, Meredith and Amy.”

  Hunch confirmed, Julia held out her hand. “Yes, I have met them.”

  Mrs. Vining’s glare was worthy of a queen, but deeply engrained Southern manners compelled her to take the offered hand.

  Man, the woman sure knew how to drop the temperature in a room, Julia thought. No wonder Meredith had been so anxious to get away.

  “I wasn’t aware you had met Meredith,” Mrs. Vining said.

  “She’s planning the music for a wedding we’re doing. We hit it off, and I met her for breakfast the other day. You must be so proud of all she’s accomplished. Such a rare talent.”

  Mrs. Vining practically quivered with rage. “Of course I’m proud of Meredith. Both of my daughters are accomplished. Amy is going to be an example in the community one day.”

  “How nice for her.”

  “Young people like my daughter and Seth will be the beacons of leadership for the next generation.”

  Julia glanced at Seth, who looked a little dazed at the prospect of being a “beacon of leadership”. Her gaze flitted back to the Bible brigade, in time to see the other women roll their eyes in unison. Something told her Mrs. Vining had made such grandiose statements before.

  Grace broke into the awkward silence. “Well, ladies, it was delightful as always.”

  The women took this as their cue and filed out the back door.

  “Sorry about Sylvia,” Grace said, once her friends were gone. “She’s always been a bit too involved in Amy’s life.”

  “From what Meredith said it’s more like an obsession. I’m sure it’s a big reason why she left in the first place.”

  “It’s unfortunate when a parent favors one child so heavily over another,” Grace said, not bothering to deny the assertion. “Anyway, I left plates for you both in the refrigerator. All you have to do is heat them up. I’m off to check on John, then I’m going to bed. You two carry on with whatever you were doing.”

  The last line was delivered with a little wink, which made Julia shudder. Surely Grace didn’t know what was going on in here before she came in.

  Grace paused for a moment. “And Julia?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Next time, come on in and join us in the Bible study,” she said as she slipped through the doorway.

  On second thought, Grace probably did know.

  Julia glanced at Seth, but he wouldn’t look at her. Instead, he went to the refrigerator and pulled out the two prepared plates. He shoved one in the microwave and punched out numbers in a quick staccato motion. Then he stood there with his arms folded across his chest watching the revolving dish.

  The microwave dinged and he repeated the same procedure with the second plate. He still didn’t pull his gaze away from the appliance.

  “What’s gotten into you?” Julia asked.

  “Nothing.” His voice was as blunt as his fingers.

  “Are you mad at me?”

  “No.”

  “Are you mad at yourself then?”

  His head swung around, and she reared back a little at his harsh expression. “I think it’s probably best if we don’t talk about this right now.” He picked up the first plate and headed for the back door. “Your dinner will be ready in a minute.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “My apartment. Tell Grace I’ll bring her plate back in the morning.”

  “Wait—”

  The only sound was the crack of the screen door as it slammed shut.

  Chapter Nine

  Seth’s goal for the day. Avoid Julia Richardson at all cost. Whatever had possessed him to touch her last night? It may have only been a lock of hair, but he’d crossed a line. Now he knew what it felt like to feel the silky strands curl around his fingers. Dangerous knowledge for a man who’d been alone as long as he had. He had a sneaking suspicion all those people who kept trying to fix him up knew something he hadn’t even wanted to acknowledge.

  Being attracted to Julia wasn’t the problem. No, the real problem was he liked her. Even the sarcasm had begu
n to grow on him. She was smart, funny, and in her own way, caring. Not to mention perceptive. He couldn’t forget her uncanny ability to see right into his soul.

  There was a primordial soup of guilt and frustration, along with an unhealthy dose of overactive hormones, swimming around inside him at this point. Guilt because he somehow felt as if he were betraying Beth, and frustration that the person responsible for the hormone surge was wrong for him in every conceivable way. All of which had sparked a killer rage.

  As he drove to the park the next morning, he fought to contain the tide. He hoped the weekly basketball game with the guys would help take the edge off. He figured any type of physical activity at this point might help.

  He was the last to arrive. Ethan Thomas and Eric were already warming up, and Meredith’s fiancé, Brian Lawson, was stretching out.

  “Late again, Rev,” Ethan called out, as he leaped into the air and dunked the basketball with ease.

  “You know the Devil doesn’t follow an exact schedule,” he retorted.

  Ethan launched the ball at Seth’s chest. Seth caught it. Barely.

  “Whose soul were you saving this time?” Brian asked, as he straightened.

  Seth propelled the ball toward his friend. Brian didn’t miss a beat, turning to make a shot, which bounced off the rim and rolled away. Watching him chase after it gave Seth enormous satisfaction.

  “I bet I know why he was late,” Eric said. “Probably dreaming about his enticing new neighbor.”

  Everyone shut up.

  “What enticing new neighbor?” Ethan asked.

  You know, friends were highly overrated, Seth thought. In-laws, too.

  Eric used his telepathic power and somehow seemed to sense the joke wasn’t a joke. “Sarah’s stepsister. She’s helping out with Marry Me until the baby comes.”

  “Oh, Julia,” Brian said, with a nod of recognition. “Meredith told me about meeting her. They hit it off.”

  “And she’s hot?” Ethan asked, directing the question at Seth.

  Seth kept his lips shut.

  Ethan turned to Eric. “How hot?”

  “If this were World War II you’d probably hang a poster of her on the wall.”

  “Right next door?” Brian said, with a teasing grin. “You’re not lucky. You’re blessed.”

  “You shouldn’t even be looking at other women,” Seth said, scowling at Sarah’s husband.

  Eric shrugged. “I’ve still got eyes.”

  “Well, keep them to yourself. Can we play now? I don’t know about you clowns, but I have important things to do today.”

  All three of them shared knowing looks.

  “He’s going down,” Ethan said.

  Eric chuckled. “Like a sinker.”

  “Welcome back, my friend,” Brian said.

  If Seth had known he was going to get this kind of grief he’d have gone straight to the church where there was always someone willing to take him to task. “Did any of you consider it might not be a good thing to get tangled up with her?”

  Brian’s eyes danced. “It can never be a bad thing to get tangled up with a good woman.”

  “I say tangle away,” Ethan said.

  “Even if she’s not staying and doesn’t believe in anything I do? Even if she’s difficult and troubled and so afraid of commitment she’d run the other way screaming before tying herself down to anyone? Even if she’s nothing like Beth?”

  “Beth is gone,” Eric said, using the voice he practiced with the troubled kids he helped. The same tone Seth himself used when counseling other people.

  “I know,” Seth said, his voice sharp and tight. “I’m aware she’s gone, every second of my life.”

  Seth looked at Ethan for help. Surely the other widower in the group would understand. Ethan knew what it was like to lie in bed alone at night, looking at an empty space.

  Except Ethan was nodding like the rest of them. “I know, but maybe it’s time. It doesn’t have to be Julia, but perhaps it’s time for someone.” He paused and then smiled. “Although God did put a gorgeous woman fifty feet away for a reason, so I wouldn’t ignore that.”

  Was it time? Or was he simply having an early midlife crisis? Either option promised a lot more sleepless nights.

  Chapter Ten

  Julia didn’t see Seth again over the next several days. Not at breakfast, and certainly not at night. He even managed to always be on the other side of the room during her next wedding, which he officiated.

  Thankfully, she had someone to distract her. Two someone’s to be precise, though one would most certainly prove to be the biggest challenge of Julia’s short career in wedding planning.

  The challenge was named Catherine Manning.

  Julia supposed every small town had its ordinary citizens and local royalty. In Covington Falls, the reigning monarchs were the Mannings. Edward Manning III was the current mayor. Covington Falls didn’t have term limits so The Third had held the office for the last ten years. He was also the fourth Manning to be elected mayor, making the family a political dynasty.

  Catherine was the mayor’s wife, and rounding out the royal family was their only daughter, Laurel. Laurel was the reason Julia would most likely have a nervous breakdown in the near future. Princess Manning was getting married, and since Sarah was ensconced in bed, Julia now had to plan the wedding of the century.

  The assignment for the day was to pick a venue for the ceremony. Julia actually didn’t have much to say in the matter, as Catherine Manning had already decided nothing would do but Hadden Acres. The Antebellum plantation home sat on two fabulously lush acres outside of town. Julia had to admit the mansion was certainly worthy of the occasion, with its white marble façade, majestic columns, and wide verandah.

  As she walked the grounds with the Mannings, Julia reflected she might enjoy planning a wedding here if it weren’t for the client. She could deal with Laurel. Not only was she a living, breathing fairytale character, she was also quiet, sweet, and slightly dim. Of course, she didn’t need to do much talking when her mother was around.

  Oh yeah, Mamma was going to be a big problem. The mayor’s wife could give Sylvia Vining lessons in how to deliver the how-is-it-possible-you’re-breathing-the-same-air-as-me stare.

  La Manning was delivering said stare now, as a matter of fact.

  “I do hope you realize how important this day is to Laurel,” Mrs. Manning said, coming to a stop in front of the fountain in the English-inspired north garden. “I had my misgivings about choosing Sarah Austin’s establishment in the first place. Laurel had her heart set on obtaining the services of Victoria Wasserman-Smith in Atlanta, the most sought-after wedding planner in the South, but Edward insisted we needed to do our part to support Covington Falls’ local talent, such as it is.”

  Julia wondered if a speechwriter had penned that little bit of condescension.

  “What a nice gesture,” Julia said, staring at the woman’s perfectly arranged chignon. Julia didn’t think a single hair had moved all morning. Same with the forehead. Seemed freezing facial nerves had made its way to Covington Falls, too.

  Catherine nodded. “I am not above making sacrifices in order to benefit our town. However, I have to tell you, I am troubled by this latest turn of events. Even though Sarah is certainly not a sophisticate, she is most accomplished in this arena. This trouble with her baby is most inconvenient.”

  Julia gripped her clipboard tight, fighting the urge to whack Mrs. Manning over the head with it. Julia deliberately took a deep, calming breath. It wouldn’t do to physically assault Sarah’s biggest client.

  “It’s a trying time for all of us,” she said, through clenched teeth.

  “Yes, it’s so difficult on my nerves.”

  On the other hand, Sarah would probably be relieved not to have to deal with this woman ever again, Julia thought.

  “Still, the most important thing is Sarah’s baby,” Julia said, a kill-her-with-kindness smile firmly in place. “I’m here to ensure La
urel’s wedding goes off as planned.”

  “I’m glad we understand each other. There is nothing more important to me than my daughter. I want her wedding to be perfect. I will tolerate nothing less.”

  “I understand, Mrs. Manning.”

  For a moment, their eyes met. Then Mrs. Manning offered a satisfied smile. “Good. Now, have you had any luck finding doves?”

  ****

  The question of the day: Where was one supposed to find white doves? Julia had heard movies used animal wranglers. She wondered if there was such a thing as a dove wrangler?

  Julia trudged home, utterly exhausted from a day spent with the Mannings. As usual, she went around to the back door. She was reaching for the handle when she heard music coming from somewhere above her head. She walked around the side of the house until she could see the garage. The apartment above it had a small, narrow balcony, and Seth was standing there.

  Julia stepped off the porch. For a moment neither of them spoke.

  “Feels like we’re reenacting a famous tragedy,” she called out.

  “Except we’ve got it backward,” Seth said, with a grin. “Juliet was the one on the balcony.”

  She shrugged. “Pretty fitting, considering the screwed up nature of our relationship.”

  “Do we have a relationship now?”

  “A weird one for sure.”

  Another awkward silence. The charged moment in Grace’s kitchen and his week’s worth of avoidance was heavy between them.

  Oh, forget it, she thought and started to turn. “If you want to be alone, I can go back—”

  “No, it’s all right. Come on up.”

  There was no way she should be doing this, but Julia started up the stairs anyway. “You’re not going to leap off the balcony if I get too close, are you?”

  ”No, I’m not that much of a chicken,” he said, even as he backed up a step.

  She reached the landing. “But you are a bit of one?”

  “Where you’re concerned, absolutely.”

  “Why?”

  “You know why,” he said. “You felt it, too.”