“I don’t know, but likely Cruella wanted to come and made him come, too.”
Kincade’s stepmother wasn’t really named Cruella, but as she was the mother of the evil stepcousins, I was pretty sure the name fit.
It was a pretty low-key event. Staff from the lodge showed us where everything would be set up in two day’s time, and we did a quick run-through of where everyone would be on the big day. My dad walked Gina down the aisle and then stood in for the officiant, which seemed to amuse him.
The rehearsal went well.
Dinner was good.
And then came the speeches.
From what I understood, there weren’t many customs about who spoke at a rehearsal dinner. Doug thanked us all for being part of the wedding and for sharing such a wonderful week with them. His parents spoke about how glad they were to have Gina, myself, and my parents as their new family members.
My parents weren’t brave enough to say anything, so it looked like the evening was over.
Then the Annas stood up.
My first thought was annoyance. They barely knew Gina, why should they speak at her rehearsal dinner? But that annoyance quickly changed to something else.
“Good evening,” Hanna said in her chirpiest voice. “We just wanted to say that we’re thrilled to be here tonight.”
Savanna took over. “Yes, we have nothing but warm wishes for the happy couple.” She scanned the room and then continued. “Unfortunately, it’s come to our attention that not everyone has Gina and Doug’s best interest at heart.”
That was an odd thing to say. I exchanged a look with Kincade, who was sitting on my right. Brock was on my left, with Jessie next to him.
Hanna spoke up again. “I’ve never been one to spread gossip, but as my aunt and uncle just said, we’re all family now. One big family. And sometimes, things can happen that tear families apart.”
Savanna nodded. “We think it’s best to get it out in the open now before the wedding.”
Kincade was angry. “What the fuck are they talking about?” He caught Doug’s eye, possibly using some kind of cousin telepathy.
Doug stood up. “Thank you, ladies, for sharing your thoughts on family. But I think it’s time to wrap things up for the evening—”
“We’d like that too,” Hanna interrupted. “But there’s something you need to know. You two, especially.” She indicated Doug and Gina where they sat at the front table.
“We were thrilled when you chose us to be bridesmaids,” Savanna said, smiling at Gina. Inwardly, I scoffed. Gina hadn’t been given a choice about that. “And we were looking forward to getting to know our fellow bridesmaid.” She nodded in my direction.
“Maid of honor,” Jessie whispered under his breath, and I gave him a quick but worried smile.
Hanna took over, and I wondered if they’d written out their entire speech and then divided it up. “Unfortunately, from the get-go, she avoided us. We tried to befriend her, but she wouldn’t have it. She wouldn’t even stay with us.”
My jaw dropped open as Savanna took up the thread. “At first, we thought it was because the bed wasn’t very good, but we got her a rollaway bed, and she still wouldn’t stay. In fact, she trashed it.”
“That’s not what happened,” Kincade called out, but I put my hand on his arm and warned him not to speak. The Annas were obviously up to something, and I was worried.
“It was obvious she was upset,” Savanna said. “Who could blame her? Her sister was marrying into an incredibly wealthy family while she didn’t even have a boyfriend.”
I stared at the evil women in front of me in horror. Beside me, Brock shifted angrily in his seat. Knowing he was about to come to my defense, I put my hand on his thigh and squeezed. “Please don’t,” I whispered. I had a feeling that if any of these men spoke up in my defense, it would make things worse.
“And then the best men showed up,” Hanna said with a flirtatious little smile. Then her smile faded. “And I think that Maddie thought that if her sister could bag one billionaire, she’d show her up by bagging two—or three.”
Doug tried again. “Ladies, I think we’ve heard enough.”
Savanna spoke over him. “I’m sure this comes as a shock to you, but Maddie’s been staying in their cabin—a cabin with only two beds—all week.”
A shocked silence followed that.
Then Gina stood up. “That’s not true. Maddie would never do that.”
Her confidence in me made my heart sink.
“Didn’t you see? Her golf cart was parked outside of their cabin this morning. Ask her where she’s been sleeping, because it isn’t with us.”
“Maddie?” Gina turned to me.
I got shakily to my feet, but I pushed down on Brock’s shoulder when he tried to do the same. “Please, just stay down,” I hissed to him and the others. Then I spoke to my sister. “I can explain. It’s not like they’ve said. Can we talk in private?”