Say I Do in Good Hope

by Cindy Kirk

  “Not my business. Not my fiancée.”

  “If she were?”

  Instead of answering, Kyle took another bite of waffle.

  “You think she should let Dan direct her actions.” Hot anger surged even as the intensity of the emotion puzzled her. “He’s the man. He should run the show.”

  Then it hit her. How many times had she heard those same words spew from her father’s mouth?

  Kyle finished off the slice of bacon. “Who said that?”

  “You did. Or that’s what you thought, anyway.” She flung the words like water from a glass.

  “Hey.” He reached across the table and took her hand, not letting go even when she pulled hard to free it. “What’s going on here?”

  Her heart beat quick and fast in her throat. She mentally flexed her fists for battle, then caught herself. Her irritation was with Lindsay, not with Kyle.

  “It’s Lindsay.” Eliza sagged in her chair. “I’m not sure what’s going on with her.”

  Being shut out so completely was something new…and it stung. She and Lindsay had been friends for years. All of a sudden, her friend had turned secretive. “She won’t discuss Owen. Or the wedding.”

  “Do you think she wants to call it off?”

  “The thought has crossed my mind.” Eliza shrugged. “I can’t believe it hasn’t crossed Dan’s mind, as well.”

  “People should just be honest.” Kyle shifted his attention to his plate but made no move to eat. “To drag it out isn’t fair to her…or to him.”

  Obviously thinking of his ex-fiancée, Eliza thought. “I’ll try to speak with her this evening. If she shows up.”

  Her phone rang just then, startling them both. Eliza glanced at the screen and frowned. “It’s Marigold.”

  She forced a smile into her voice. “Please tell me you’re not canceling.”

  “Just a little change in location.”

  “Whatever works for you.” Eliza slanted a look at Kyle.

  “Since Fin is back, I thought we could meet at her place.” Marigold paused. “We could have a wine and cheese party while I do hair.”

  Eliza considered. “I don’t see why that wouldn’t work.”

  “Because the weather is so nice, the guys could play basketball or something while we play. Maybe later we can grill out. Make a night of it.”

  The more the younger Bloom sister talked, the more it seemed as if this was about Marigold getting together with a couple of her sisters. Still, Lindsay was close to the entire Bloom family. This party of sorts might help ensure that the bride-to-be showed. “I’ll check with Lindsay and get back to you.”

  “Tell her to bring Dan—and Owen—if she wants,” Marigold added. “You bring Kyle. Is five too early?”

  “Sounds okay to me, but like I said, I need to check with Lindsay.”

  “While you’re here, you can scope out the barn.” As if uncertain of the outcome, Marigold sweetened the pot. “I know you have pictures of the different parties that have been held at Rakes Farm, but this way you can take another look. Kill two birds in one evening.”

  “I’ll be in touch.” Eliza ended the call and set down the phone.

  “Did she want to reschedule?”

  “You’ve wanted to hit Jeremy up about the DNA testing, right?”

  He nodded. Shrugged.

  “It looks like tonight may be your chance.”

  Chapter 20

  “Having both Owen and Dan here tonight should prove interesting.” Kyle wheeled the truck into a parking lot down the hill from the main house.

  Jeremy’s house was a massive structure, three stories tall with a porch that wrapped halfway around the front. Kyle admired the leaded glass above each window and the copper turret.

  The exterior colors of salmon, green and yellow somehow worked on this Victorian-style home. Kyle remembered the first time he’d driven up the winding drive. He’d glanced around and wondered what it might have been like to grow up here, among the acres of tart cherries and apples and pears.

  Instead, he’d grown up in the construction industry, tagging along to job sites with his father, operating a band saw before he could tie his shoes. He smiled. Good memories.

  “Inviting Owen got Lindsay to commit.” Eliza slanted a glance at Kyle. “I’m going to speak with her in the next few days. I want to make sure she’s still interested in taking part in the wedding competition.”

  Kyle gave a nod. He hoped when Eliza had that discussion with Lindsay, she’d encourage her friend to honestly look at her feelings for Dan. If those feelings had changed, Lindsay needed to tell Dan. Kyle remembered all too well what it had been like with Jessica. He’d been one of the last to know.

  If anyone could get Lindsay to come clean, it would be Eliza. That forthrightness was only one of the things he admired about her. If she didn’t like what you were doing, she said so, no beating around the bush. And she didn’t try to control the lives of her friends.

  Kyle’s feelings for her had only continued to grow. One of these days, he and Eliza would need to have their own discussion about feelings. But he couldn’t think about that now. In the pocket of his jacket was a small box.

  He’d already purchased the DNA kit so he’d brought it with him. But getting Jeremy’s cooperation no longer held the importance or the urgency it once had. Seeing Owen at his child’s funeral had reminded him, no matter what happened, he already had a father.

  “Do you know what card game Katherine and Lolo were talking about playing tonight?” Eliza asked when he opened her car door.

  “No clue.” He took her hand and inhaled the sultry scent of her perfume. “As always, you smell terrific. And look amazing.”

  When she smiled, Kyle gave in to impulse and pulled her to him. He wasn’t sure what to think when she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “This is nice.”

  “I like kissing you, too.”

  She gave a husky chuckle. “I was referring to how nice it is that you came with me tonight. The kissing is better than nice.”

  Lowering her arms, she stepped back and turned toward the house.

  She wasn’t getting away from him that easily. Reaching out, he captured her hand and gave it a swing. “Do you realize it’s been nearly a week since we’ve done anything more than hold hands?”

  “It’s difficult to find the privacy with your sister and my cousin in the house.”

  “We’re going to work harder to find the space.” He shot her a wink. “Even if it’s a kitchen meet at three o’clock in the morning.”

  She inclined her head, studied him. “I believe you’re serious.”

  “Text me the time and place. I’ll be there.”

  She laughed, a light sound filled with joy. “Be on the lookout for that text.”

  “What text?”

  From the way Eliza jolted, Kyle knew that Lindsay had taken them both by surprise.

  “Lindsay.” Eliza gave her friend a hug. “I’m so happy to see you.”

  Eliza turned to Dan with a surprisingly warm expression. “I’m glad you could make it, Dan.”

  “Hey, it’s my only chance to see my bride-to-be’s hair before the wedding. How could I miss it?” A smile might be on his lips, but Dan’s chuckle sounded strained.

  Kyle noticed the lines of tension around the minister’s eyes and felt a pang of sympathy. Those last few weeks before he and Jessica had broken up had been difficult.

  Though Kyle had realized that going their separate ways was for the best, he’d still second-guessed the rightness of it all. Kyle wondered if Dan would have difficulty letting go of Lindsay.

  “I should have worn the pink.” Eliza spoke, filling the sudden silence. She pointed to Lindsay, who wore a sweater in that color. “You should be wearing my clothes, I should be wearing yours.”

  Lindsay’s eyes filled with confusion. “You never wear that shade.”

  “I’ll be wearing it as a bridesmaid. Remember?”

  “You�
�re my maid of honor,” Lindsay insisted. “Ami is my matron of honor.”

  Though Eliza’s expression didn’t waver, Kyle knew she considered Lindsay to be her best friend. Undoubtedly, it rankled to be sharing the top spot with Ami.

  “We’ll all be wearing blush. You’ll be the one in black.” Eliza pursed her lips. “I’ll ask Marigold if it helps her if we’re wearing the right color today. Maybe it doesn’t matter.”

  Fin greeted them at the door, all smiles.

  Jeremy appeared seconds later, looking tan, relaxed and happy.

  Eliza smiled and hugged them both before turning toward Marigold.

  Jeremy approached him and Dan. “Glad you could both make it. Cade is on duty, and Beck and Ami are home with a sick baby, so it’ll be just us three guys.”

  Kyle cocked his head. “Is Owen coming?”

  “He couldn’t make it.” Dan answered before Jeremy could, his expression giving nothing away.

  “Let’s get out of the way and let the women do their work.” Jeremy gestured with one hand toward the back of the house.

  They’d taken only a couple of steps when Dan’s phone buzzed. Pulling it from his pocket, he expelled a breath. “It’s Mrs. Lyle. I need to take this.”

  The minister strode off in the direction of the front parlor, apparently in search of privacy for his call. Kyle continued with Jeremy. They were nearly to the door when Kyle said his brother’s name. Just his name. “Jeremy.”

  The mayor stopped and turned.

  Kyle reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small package. “Another DNA kit. Send it in, if you want. I won’t ask again. It’s your choice.”

  Jeremy lifted it from Kyle’s hand. “If the results show we’re brothers, you’ll need to speak with my dad.”

  “I will,” Kyle promised.

  Jeremy’s blue eyes, so like his own, sharpened. “My parents plan to be in town for the Ready, Set, Wed showcase. I’ll take the test, but if he’s your father, you have to agree to tell him then. If you don’t, I will.”

  Kyle nodded his agreement.

  Jeremy stepped to the kitchen counter, dropped the package in a drawer. “I’ll send it in tomorrow. Priority.”

  Kyle cleared his throat in an attempt to dislodge the lump trying to form. “Appreciate it.”

  Jeremy glanced back as if looking for Dan, then shrugged and opened the door.

  As he stepped outside, Kyle realized it wouldn’t be long until he knew the truth.

  For now, he’d enjoy some court action with the minister and the man he knew was his brother.

  Though Fin and the rest of the women did what they could to make the afternoon fun, Lindsay seemed to be spoiling for a fight.

  After enjoying a glass of wine, Marigold had barely started to work with Lindsay’s hair when the bride-to-be pushed up from the chair.

  “What’s the matter?” Concerned, Eliza set down her glass and crossed the room to her friend. “I thought you wanted to try the half-up, half-down style.”

  Lindsay flung out her hand. “We’re sitting here drinking wine, eating appetizers and talking about hairstyles while a little girl is dead and her father is decimated by grief.”

  A frown furrowed Marigold’s brows. “Mindy’s death, while certainly horrible, doesn’t mean we can’t—”

  Fin waved her sister silent with a sharp slice of her hand and a warning glance. She took several steps, stopping in front of Lindsay, who lifted her chin.

  The gesture and the look that flashed in Lindsay’s eyes told Eliza that Fin best tread carefully.

  “When Jeremy and I heard the news,” Fin paused and her voice thickened with emotion, “it was as if someone stabbed me in the heart. I adored Mindy. I loved her. I will grieve her passing until the day I die. I feel incredibly sorry for her father and for everyone else who loved her.”

  “Owen barely eats.” Tears spilled down Lindsay’s cheeks. “I asked him to come today. He said no.”

  “I lost my mother. You lost your father. We understand what it’s like to lose a parent. But the loss of a child is different.” Fin slipped her arm through Lindsay’s. “Let’s you and I take a walk outside. There’s a memorial garden I’d like to show you. Perhaps Owen might want to do something like that in Mindy’s memory.”

  Fin glanced at her little sister. “Why don’t you work on Eliza’s hair while we’re gone?”

  “We don’t really need—” Eliza stopped at the look Fin shot her and turned to Marigold. “It’s up to you.”

  “For me, let’s just plan on going with the half-up, half-down style.” Lindsay swiped away the tears. “It’s good enough.”

  Marigold waited until Lindsay and Fin left before speaking. “Did the bride-to-be really say she was okay with ‘good enough’?”

  Ignoring the tightness gripping her chest, Eliza dropped into the chair Lindsay had vacated. “That’s been her attitude about every part of this wedding. I’d chalk it up to the shock over losing Mindy and worry over Owen, but—”

  Though Eliza thought she knew what was going on with her longtime friend, that didn’t mean she had to voice her suspicions. Suspicions that might be way off the mark.

  She was glad she’d kept her mouth shut when Dan strolled into the room. When the minister appeared to notice it was just her and Marigold, he glanced around as if expecting his fiancée to magically appear. “Where’s Lindsay?”

  “She and Fin took a walk. You know how Lindsay enjoys flowers. Fin wanted to show her the gardens.” Marigold waved an airy hand. “We decided I’d work on Eliza’s hair first.”

  “The fresh air will be good for her.” Instead of heading outside to play basketball with the guys, Dan stuck his hands in his pockets. “This past week has been extremely difficult on her.”

  “How’s Owen?” Eliza decided she might as well mention the elephant in the room.

  Sympathy blanketed Marigold’s face. “Is there anything we can do for him?”

  “He’s coping.” Dan ran a hand across his face, looking even more weary than he had the second before.

  “Lindsay has been a good friend to him.”

  Eliza saw Dan’s jaw tighten at Marigold’s innocent comment.

  “The guys are playing ball out back,” Eliza reminded him.

  “Thanks.” Dan pivoted and left the room.

  “It’s time we got down to business.” Marigold eyed Eliza’s hair, then grinned impishly. “How crazy can I be?”

  “Think Couture Fashion Week in Chicago.”

  Marigold’s eyes lit up. She reached for her comb. “Hold on to your seat. This is going to be one wild ride.”

  Eliza studied herself in the mirror. The vintage hairstyle with pin curls styled into upswept rolls and an exaggerated side bang for volume suited her to perfection. Since Fin and Lindsay had yet to return by the time Marigold finished, they played with makeup.

  The lipstick they settled on was darker than what Eliza normally wore, and the foundation was lighter. “It pops.”

  “What can I say?” Marigold lifted her hands. “I’m brilliant.”

  “If you’re this brilliant with a bridesmaid, I can’t imagine what you’ll do with the bride.” Eliza pulled her gaze from the mirror. “Instead of the half-up, half-down, you could do something in the same vein for Lindsay?”

  Marigold tapped her lips with a finger. “I’m thinking vintage ’do’s for the entire wedding party.”

  Eliza forced her gaze away from the mirror. “It’s too bad Ami and Beck couldn’t be here this evening.”

  “Sarah Rose has a cold.” Marigold began picking up her combs and brushes and clips. “Everything in that household stops when the baby is under the weather.”

  Eliza froze. “Is the baby okay?”

  Marigold cocked her head. “That’s right. Ami mentioned you and Sarah Rose are BFFs.”

  “She’s a sweet baby.”

  “Who Ami says absolutely adores you.”

  “For some reason, she’s drawn to me. M
ust be my undeniable charm.”

  Marigold snorted out a laugh.

  “Ami was made for mothering.” Eliza tossed out the comment, ready to get off the hot seat.

  “What about you?” Marigold slanted her a sidelong look. “Any babies in your future?”

  Six months ago, heck, three months ago, Eliza could have honestly answered that she had no plans. But with Sarah Rose and yes, with Kyle coming into her life, she’d started thinking she might not be a bad mom after all.

  “I have to find the right guy first.” It was, Eliza thought, as if the vintage hairstyle had propelled her back into the Twilight Zone. What other explanation could there be for her having this discussion with Marigold?

  “What about Kyle?”

  Eliza leaned down to pick up two rollers that had fallen to the floor. She handed them to Marigold, kept her voice offhand. “What about him?”

  “Play it cool all you want.” Marigold’s lips lifted in an impish grin. “The looks between the two of you could melt a block of ice.”

  Eliza only shrugged.

  Two blond brows slammed together. “Tell me you’re not still carrying that torch for Jeremy?”

  “No. Absolutely not.” As Eliza said the words, she realized they were the truth. “He and Fin are perfect together. I’m happy for him. And for her.”

  Marigold’s expression relaxed. “You and Kyle appear perfectly suited.”

  “He’s from Kentucky,” Eliza reminded her. “Only here temporarily.”

  “True love finds you, even if you’re hiding under the bed.” Marigold slung an arm around Eliza’s shoulders. “Trust me. I know.”

  Chapter 21

  “What do you think?” Jeremy flipped the lights on in the barn. Though his arm was around his wife’s shoulders, his gaze kept returning to Eliza.

  Kyle wasn’t surprised. When Eliza and Marigold had stepped from the house, he’d missed an easy layup. Eliza, always beautiful, looked…gorgeous, amazing, fantastic. He couldn’t settle on one word.

  When Marigold mentioned the women were going to check out the barn, he was glad the guys decided to tag along.