For the first time, Vicki seemed to notice the sparse remaining items on the shelves. “You’ve packed your things?”
I nodded.
“Did you take all your clothes?”
“Not all.”
Before I knew it, Vicki was in my closet.
I followed a step behind. “What are you…?”
Vicki turned with a grin, holding up a black gown I’d worn to a sorority dance. “I bet you’re sexier than shit in this.”
“I’ve never thought shit was sexy.”
“Come on, you know what I mean.”
I stepped toward her and ran the soft satin material through my fingertips. “I can’t say that I’ve always dreamed of getting married in black.”
“It’s an interruption, to buy us time. From what you’ve told me about Van, he wouldn’t pressure you into doing something you didn’t want to do.”
I wrapped my arms around my midsection. “I didn’t think he would.”
“You go freshen up as your mom said. Then convince Georgette you’re wearing the black gown. I promise your mom will want to intervene. I’ll get to Van and tell him to meet you up here. Say, in your old playroom. You two can work this out.”
“My mom is calling people to be guests, and if I have my way, I’ll be walking out on another wedding.”
Vicki stood erect. “Honey, it’s your wedding. You’re the only person who should get her way.”
“They’ll think I’m a spoiled brat.”
“Their opinions don’t matter.”
That brought a smile to my lips. “Van said the same thing.”
Vicki held the dress against her chest and tilted her head. “Tell me what you wanted.”
I bit my lower lip as I contemplated coming completely clean with my best friend. We didn’t have time for the long version, so I spoke fast. “Van and I met when he found me along the road. I’d been driving…” Even with the abbreviated version, I filled Vicki in on more than I had in the past. When I got to the end, I added, “That’s why I wanted to marry in the cabin. It’s our special place. From our first encounter to the magical Christmas. Vicki, that’s the man I fell in love with. Today, ever since he received a call, he’s seemed different. I know, I’m crazy. I can see him. I can touch him, but it’s all wrong. It’s like someone else has taken over his body.”
“Do you want to marry him?”
I looked down at the engagement ring on my finger. “I want to marry the man who rescued me in a snowstorm, the one who cut down a Christmas tree, who listens to me, who talks to me as if I’m not younger and inexperienced but as if I am capable of understanding, the one who explains things. I want to marrythatman.”
“Are you saying that you do want to marry him?”
“I’m not willing to marry him today. I want the cabin.” I took a deep breath and stepped back into the bedroom. “I’m a spoiled brat.”
My friend was at my side. “You know what you want.” Before I could respond, her smile grew. “And tell me why that’s bad. If a man was in your shoes, they’d say he was determined or strong-willed. Because you’re female, you’re spoiled. I call BS.” She reached for my shoulders. “What would Van do if he were determined?”
A smile curled my lips. “He’d convince me.”
“Then convince him, Jules. Tell him the wedding is on but in Ashland.”
Van
Stepping off the elevator into the entry to Wade Pharmaceutical’s executive office suite, I almost collided with Janie, Gregg McGrath’s assistant. From her open heavy coat and the way she was shuffling through her purse, she seemed to be on her way out.
Before I had the opportunity to speak, she looked up, her gaze meeting mine as her eyes opened wide. “Mr. Sherman, why are you here?”