Marry Me

by Kristin Wallace

  Great. “No, it’s all right,” Julia said, feeling as though she’d kicked a puppy. “I’m sure you’re much more efficient than I am. I’m just jealous.”

  “Then we’re even,” Amy said, in a conspiratorial tone. “I’ve been insane with jealousy of you.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you live so close to Seth, and you get to see him everyday. I couldn’t help noticing you two seem closer.”

  Oh, man, what had Amy seen at the wedding? Did she know about Seth dropping by Marry Me last night? “We get along, but there’s nothing romantic between us.”

  “Are you sure?” Amy asked, biting her lip. “When I saw you at Angela Jerome’s wedding, you looked pretty cozy.”

  “We’re friends,” Julia insisted. “That’s all.”

  Amy sighed in relief.

  Julia decided to probe. “You’ve got a thing for him, right?”

  A lovely flush of color stained Amy’s cheeks. “Is it that obvious?”

  “A little bit.”

  The blush deepened. “I’m such a fool. I’ve always been a complete idiot where he’s concerned. It’s just—”

  “Just what?”

  “I love him. I always have.”

  “Always?”

  “It seems like it anyway.”

  Julia leaned against the corner of the desk. “I remember him being a nerd.”

  “Oh, no! He was so sweet and shy. And kind.”

  “He’s a bit older than you.”

  “That was the problem. I was too young for him to notice me. Then he went away to school, and I grew up. I had these grand dreams that he’d come home one day, take one look at me, and fall instantly in love.”

  “Instead he brought someone else home.”

  Amy’s pretty, sky-blue eyes misted. “Right. So, I stuffed all those dreams down and tried to get over him. When Beth got sick, I prayed for her like everyone else. I hated the thought of Seth suffering.”

  “You really love him?” Julia asked. “It’s not a leftover schoolgirl crush?”

  “I wish. Don’t you think I’d rather be married with kids of my own, than pining for a man who’s never even looked at me?” Amy asked, eyes wide-eyed and innocent. “That’s why I got worried when I heard you were going to be living at Grace’s house. Then when I saw you at that wedding, I thought my worst fears were realized.”

  “What fears?”

  “That Seth would finally come out of mourning, only to fall in love with someone else.”

  A shiver ran up Julia’s spine like an icy finger. “I don’t think you have to worry about that.”

  “Oh, I realize how silly I was being now,” Amy said, with a dismissive laugh. “You two are so different.”

  That hurt. It was nothing more than Julia had said to herself over and over again, but having the truth confirmed was not pleasant. “Right.”

  “In any case, maybe now we can be friends,” Amy said.

  Friends with Amy Vining? Oh, yeah, it was a banner day for sure.

  ****

  Amy turned out to be something of a miracle worker. Her resources were endless. Someone needed an ice sculpture? She knew who made them. Needed two dozen, one-hundred-foot-long velvet sashes to drape down an aisle? She could find them. Or make them. Oh, yeah, she made the sashes. In under forty-eight hours.

  Plus, everyone loved her. Women, men, even little kids lit up when they saw her, like she was some fairy princess come to life. It was enough to make a person feel like the proverbial redheaded stepchild. If Amy wasn’t so nice all the time, Julia could have easily hated her. There hadn’t been evidence of the earlier hostility, either. In fact, ever since Amy had made the big confession about Seth, she’d acted like they were best friends.

  In any case, Amy’s competence came in handy as Julia and the crew made the final preparations for their next wedding on Saturday. Amy and Betsy were dispatched to the florist while Julia headed to Seth’s church to meet with the wedding coordinator. The rehearsal was tomorrow, and there were a million details to go over. At least it seemed that way.

  By the time Julia finished with the meeting, her brain was fried. Leaving the cramped broom closet that passed for the wedding coordinator’s office, she made her way through the silent hallways. Seth’s voice caught her attention near the open doors of the sanctuary. She stopped and looked inside, watching the figure on the stage for a moment before slipping into a pew in the back.

  He was mesmerizing. Almost like a different man. He was practicing his sermon, and from what she could tell, Seth was not the type of preacher who liked to stand in one place and orate. He paced and then paused for dramatic effect. He used his arms to punctuate an important point. He was forceful and passionate, and there was a power in him that was absolutely transfixing.

  And sexy as all get out.

  Which had to be the most un-pure thought to be having while sitting in a church. She shouldn’t be thinking about how all that passion could be transferred to other things.

  To keep the lightning bolt from striking her where she sat, Julia tried to focus on the words.

  “It’s a simple story. I know most of you have heard it a thousand times, but some of you have forgotten or refused to listen,” Seth said. “God created man, and he gave them everything they could ever want, but like greedy children they wanted more. They chose sin. But instead of turning his back, he embarked on the greatest rescue mission ever devised. A mission to rescue you.

  “He sent a Son. His only Son. To be tortured and killed for you. He sent in the cavalry, by sending his Son to the Cross. For God so loved the world. For God so loved you, and all you have to do is accept that love. You don’t have to do anything. Be anything. Just believe.”

  The tears that seemed to come much more freely in the last few weeks threatened to erupt again. Julia was filled with awe that the kid she once knew had grown into a man who could paint such a beautiful picture and touch hearts with a gesture. A look. A word. No matter how frustrated he got with certain members of his church, he’d clearly been born to preach.

  As if sensing a presence, Seth turned toward her. “Julia—”

  Her skin heated at his regard. “Please don’t stop on my account.”

  After a moment’s hesitation, he shook his head, almost as if he was coming out of a trance, and started walking down the aisle. “What are you doing here?”

  “I had to meet with your wedding coordinator. I heard you, so I came in.”

  “How long have you been here?” he asked, leaning back against the pew in front of her.

  “Long enough to know you’ve got an amazing gift. It’s a beautiful sermon.”

  A smile touched his lips. “Thank you.”

  “I’ve never heard you preach before,” Julia said, wishing she had the words to express her admiration. “You’re a different person. It’s like something powerful is pouring out from inside you.”

  “It is in a way, but it doesn’t come from me. I only speak the words. God puts them in the hearts of those who need to hear them the most.”

  “I think God would be proud of the words you speak.”

  “I think that’s the nicest compliment anyone has ever given me,” he said, his voice rough with emotion.

  The corner of her mouth kicked up. “You don’t get compliments too often?”

  “Remember the red soap dishes?” he asked, with a shake of his head. “And my music director? No, it’s always easy to complain.”

  “Of course it is.”

  “Actually, I have you to thank for my sermon,” he said, stuffing his hands in the pocket of his jeans.

  She blinked in astonishment. “Me?”

  “I imagined what I would say to get you to see.”

  “See what?”

  A brief hesitation followed as he searched her face. “Just see.”

  Julia’s finger traced the edge of the pew. “What if I can’t see what you do?”

  The unspoken question hung in the charged air
. How could they ever have a relationship if she couldn’t believe what he did?

  “I don’t know,” he said, sounding wistful.

  There had to be some way to back away from the cliff they were approaching. Maybe shock would work.

  “What you do is incredible,” she said. “It blows my mind, and frankly, it gets me hot.”

  The breath left his body so fast he nearly choked.

  Mission accomplished. “I know, it’s pretty twisted, let me tell you.” She grinned at his stunned expression.

  It took a few more attempts before he could speak clearly. “Who knew preaching was an aphrodisiac?”

  “It is when you do it,” she said, bending down to kiss his cheek.

  He turned his head at the last second, and their lips met. It was soft. Not like the more frantic kiss on the balcony, but somehow every bit as devastating.

  Julia jolted back, as if stung by a live wire. “Okay, that was—”

  “Yeah.”

  “I have to go,” she said, shaking her head to clear the fog. “I’ve got to wrap boutonnières.”

  “Huh?”

  “You take the flower and this green fern-like stuff and wrap the stems with green tape. Then you stick a pin through it and attach it to the men’s tuxedos. It’s a delicate procedure, but Amy Vining seems to be an expert at it, so we’re doing it. It’ll save the client a lot of money by not having the florist do it.”

  “Amy Vining is working for you?”

  “Yes, and she’s been a godsend, too. She’s amazing. She could probably host her own show on one of those home decorating networks.”

  “I’m glad you have some extra help.”

  “Yeah, if only she wasn’t so perky,” Julia grumbled. “Between Amy and Betsy I feel like a clumsy, redheaded giant.”

  He looped a red curl around his finger. “You’ve got quite a complex about petite blondes.”

  “Try not being one in this town.”

  “I thought we’d established you’re drop-dead gorgeous.”

  Oh, man a little heart pitter-pat. She almost fluttered her lashes like one of those cartoon characters when they spotted the handsome boy. “Did we establish that?”

  “I did anyway.”

  There it is again. Step away from the preacher, Julia!

  “I have to go,” she said again, taking a step back. “I hope you knock ‘em dead with that sermon. It’s beautiful.”

  “Thank you. You should come hear the whole thing in person.”

  “We’ll see.”

  A brow lifted as determination lit his features. “One of these days I’ll get you here.”

  “One can always dream,” she said, before hurrying away from temptation.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The day of Noelle Robinson’s wedding turned out to be picture perfect, with a sky so blue it almost hurt to look at it. Only a few puffy, white clouds marred the perfection. Julia took this as a good sign.

  Julia had spent a lovely morning with Roger at the country club. This time she’d brought Amy along, and sure enough, the stiff-necked manager melted like a wax candle under her cavity-producing sweetness.

  Once things looked well in hand, Julia left Amy in charge and headed over to Seth’s church, where Betsy was herding the wedding party. Julia hadn’t heard about any catastrophes from that end, so she could only assume everything was going according to plan. At least she hoped so. She knew for a fact that every groomsman and bridesmaid had been present and accounted for at the rehearsal last night.

  At the church, she found a parking space, jumped out and sprinted for the stairs. She had a hand on the door when someone called her name. She turned and saw a dark-haired man hurrying up the steps behind her. She recognized him as the brother of the groom. He was dressed in boxer shorts and a tuxedo shirt. Something about the odd attire caused her whole body to tense.

  “Hi,” Julia said. “Michael, right? Groom’s brother?”

  “Yeah, but right now I wish he wasn’t,” he said through clenched teeth.

  Oh, that look is not good. Not good at all. “Why?”

  Instead of answering, he held out a folded piece of paper. Julia stared at the sheet as if it were a rattlesnake coiled and waiting to strike. “What’s that?”

  Michael’s eyes turned black with rage. “It’s the reason I’m ready to disown my baby brother.”

  Every organ in her entire body constricted. “Please tell me that’s not what I think it is.”

  “Sorry.”

  Her hands started shaking. “He’s not coming, is he?”

  “No.”

  I’m gonna’ pass out. “What happened? He seemed fine last night. Nervous, but okay.”

  “He took off while I was in the shower. I came out and found this on the dresser.”

  “Where’s he gone?”

  “To find himself apparently,” Michael said, lips compressing into a thin, white line. “He claims he doesn’t love Noelle anymore, and that he’s not ready to settle down.”

  A bitter laugh escaped her. “Right. That’s always a good excuse. Did he take someone with him on this journey of exploration?”

  Michael winced in answer.

  “At least tell me it’s not a friend or relative.”

  After another long hesitation, he cleared his throat. “One of the bridesmaids.”

  Unbelievable. “Typical. And no one knows yet?”

  “No.”

  “Great,” she said, through gritted teeth. “Do you want to do the honors?”

  Now he looked ready to pass out. “I don’t think—”

  “Never mind,” she said, grabbing the note. “I’ll go, but I need you to call the country club and get Amy Vining on the phone. Tell her to stop everything and get over here. I’m going to need her to start making phone calls.”

  Michael looked like he was about throw up, but he nodded. “All right.”

  The walk to the bride’s room was the longest of her life. As Julia entered the church, the first person she saw was Seth coming out of the sanctuary.

  “Hi, Julia.” He took one look at her face and stopped dead. “Are you all right?”

  “No.”

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, reaching her side in two steps.

  The words wouldn’t even come yet. “Could you come with me?” she asked. “I have a feeling you might be needed.”

  Alarm flitted across his face. “Has someone been hurt? Doug?”

  Wordlessly, she waved the piece of paper in her hand.

  A harsh breath hissed through his teeth. “Oh…”

  They both started down the hall.

  Betsy spotted them first, and her face lit up. “Hi, Julia! Everything is right on schedule. Noelle is almost dressed. Everything fits, by the way. The photographer should be ready to go in about fifteen minutes.”

  Julia held up a hand. “Betsy, I need you to do something.”

  “What?”

  “Start calling people and tell them not to come. There’s not going to be a wedding today.”

  “What? But why?”

  Julia waved the little white flag again.

  The color instantly drained from Betsy’s face. “Oh, no. Oh, poor Noelle.”

  “Yeah, and I’ve got to go in there and tell her.”

  “I’ll go start making calls,” Betsy said.

  The bride’s room was once again a scene of chaos and confusion. Five women in maroon halter dresses performed a madcap ballet as they finished preparations. Noelle Robinson was today’s prima ballerina. She was already in her wedding gown. The pure, white dress had little, puffy sleeves, a demure, sweetheart neckline, a fitted waist and a full skirt embellished with what looked like a million tiny pearls.

  She looked like one of those figurines you’d see on top of the wedding cake. All at once Julia realized she was about to dash this young woman’s dreams.

  Seth stepped closer and settled his hands on her shoulders. “Do you want me to tell them?”

  “No,
I’ll do it.” She took a deep breath and cleared her throat. “I need to speak to Noelle. Alone.”

  Noelle giggled. “What? Has my father forgotten to pay a bill?”

  Julia searched the room until she found Noelle’s mother and silently pleaded for help. Mrs. Robinson took one look at Julia’s face and immediately started herding everyone else out.

  Once the room was clear, Mrs. Robinson turned. “Okay. Why don’t you tell us what’s going on?”

  For the first time Noelle started to look concerned. “Has something happened to Doug?” Her eyes widened. “There’s been an accident! Has he been hurt?”

  “Not exactly.”

  Mrs. Robinson was no dummy. Her jaw tightened, and a mother-bear expression entered her eyes. “Where is Doug?”

  Julia started to sweat. Why, oh why had she let herself get stuck with this job? “I don’t know how to tell you this other than to just say it. Doug won’t be coming today.”

  “What do you mean, he’s not coming?” Noelle asked.

  “He’s left town. I’m sorry.”

  “That can’t be,” Noelle said, shaking her head, as if she couldn’t have heard right. “He said last night… he told me how happy he was. There must be some mistake.”

  “I wish there was.”

  Julia held out Doug’s note, but Noelle only stared at it.

  Mrs. Robinson wasn’t so reticent. She snatched the paper, unfolded it and quickly skimmed over the words. Her lips pursed. “It’s true honey. He’s decided he can’t get married right now.”

  Noelle giggled with relief. “Oh, so it’s cold feet. If that’s all, we can wait.”

  “I don’t think waiting will help,” Mrs. Robinson said.

  Noelle’s cheeks paled. “Is there something else in his note? Something besides him having cold feet?”

  Mrs. Robinson raised anguished eyes to her daughter. “Oh, Noelle…”

  What remained of the softness disappeared from Noelle’s face. “Let me see.”

  “Honey, trust me. It’s best if you let it go.”

  “Mother, give it to me,” Noelle said, holding out her hand.

  Without another word, Mrs. Robinson handed over the paper.

  “He’s run away,” Noelle said in disbelief. “With Carrie. He ran away with my best friend. How can that be? She’s been here all day.”