“No buts. Rose is right. This could be your early wedding gift or late engagement present. By the way, where is your ring?” Hope asks.
Panic seizes me when Kristy picks up my hand and turns it side to side and says, “Zane, I can’t freaking believe you got a marriage license before an engagement ring.”
My gaze shoots to Zane, who’s looking at me. “I’m getting it today.”
The sincerity in his voice has shivers coursing through my body.
13
ZANE
Once Clementine arrived after breakfast, Kristy sent me out of the house. They told me I can’t see Vienna’s dress before the wedding. For a second, everyone’s excitement feels so real.
Because it is, you fuckhead.
It’s the two of us who are faking it. Everyone else is as genuine as they can be. My sisters sincerely want Vienna to be in their circle. A feeling of guilt snakes up my spine, but I try to push it away. There’s a reason we’re doing this. As if I need more encouragement, my phone rings. It’s the hospital.
“Mr. Teager. I’m calling from the Cherrywood Hospital. Your wife’s number is not reachable and your number is the preferred contact. We have a biopsy date for Mrs. Teager. The first possible date is this coming Monday, two days from today.”
“T-two days?” I rake a hand through my hair and turn my head toward my cabin, where Vienna is trying on wedding dresses. “Can we d-do this after Th-Thursday?”
“Um—” The nurse pauses, and I hear the clicking sound of her keyboard. “The next available date would be in three weeks. But, Mr. Teager, Dr. Allen recommended next Monday.”
I release a deep sigh before confirming with her. “We’ll be th-there.”
I jump down the porch and get inside my car. My insides tremble and hands shake as a sense of helplessness hits me. I recall Vienna’s tearstained face as she worried about the hospital cutting her hair for the biopsy procedure.
I don’t know how to fix this for her, make this less painful.
This is your first test, Zane.
Throughout her illness, we’ll be hit by such situations. I have to do something to keep her smiling.
I crank up the car and call Lukas. “I need t-to buy an engagement r-ring for Vienna.”
“And why are you calling me instead of your married brothers who would be better fitting for this matter?”
“Because along with th-their expertise, they’ll bring their inter-rrogation. I’ll have to ans-swer why we got a mar-rriage license before I even propos-sed to her and all that shit.”
“Hmm. So what do you want me to do?”
“Come w-with me. I’ve found a r-reputable jeweler in Cher-rrywood, but it feels w-weird to go alone.”
“Why don’t you come to St. Peppers? There are many more showrooms here.”
“Why d-do I get the feeling you d-don’t like th-this town? Except for Rose’s d-dinners, you always find an excuse to s-stay away from here. What ar-re you hiding?”
“Not everyone has a secret bride.” He chuckles, but I can feel the anxiety behind his words. Before I can prod more, he says, “Send me the address. I’m already in the area.”
I shoot Lukas a text and give one last look to the cabin before driving away.
* * *
“How d-did you get here so s-soon?” I ask after parking my car and walking toward Luke. He’s leaning against the hood of his SUV, sunglasses covering his eyes against the morning sun.
“I told you I was nearby.” He shrugs, already marching toward the jewelry store.
A prickling feeling that he’s hiding something dawns on me, but before I can dwell more, I’m warmly greeted in the shop. I discovered this is one of the oldest family-owned jewelry stores in the town.