by Kay Correll
“Pretty jammed up right now, can it wait?” Jamie glanced up from his desk. “I’m running down the checklist for the wedding.”
“No, it can’t wait.” She entered the office and closed the door behind her.
“Okay, what’s so important?” Jamie’s eyes shone with a bit of aggravation for the interruption. She knew him well. He was trying to keep himself busy today. More than busy. So he could ignore what was really going on.
“I think you should tell her.”
“Tell who, what?”
“Tell Cindy.” She pinned him with her best mother stare over the top of her glasses.
Oh, good. It still worked—her son squirmed a bit in his chair.
“Tell her what?” He kept pretending he had no idea what she was saying.
“Have you told her how you feel about her? I can see it. Anyone can see it. If you don’t tell her now, it’s going to be too late.”
Jamie sat still as a statue then let out a long whoosh of air. “Mom, she’s getting married today.”
“You don’t see George looking at her the way you look at her, do you?”
“I can’t just go up to her and blurt out my feelings.”
“Why not? What do you have to lose?”
“Some things are better kept to yourself.” Jamie had his stubborn, I-won’t-change-my-mind look plastered on his face.
“Some things aren’t.” Susan sat in the chair across from her son. “Sometimes you have to risk it, to take a leap of faith. It’s worth it if you find real love.”
“I assume you’re not talking about Russell.”
Susan flashed a wry smile at her son. “No, not Russell. But your father, he was my true love. I thought I could make myself care about Russell like I did your father. You saw how well that worked. I did try with Russell, I did. I’m afraid that Cindy is making the same mistake as I did. Marrying for the wrong reasons.”
“I never did know what you saw in Russell.”
“Russell was safe. I had you to consider and support.”
“You never should have married him for my sake.”
“It wasn’t only for you. It was… well, it seemed like the right decision at the time. I never could make Russell happy or live up to his expectations.”
“Neither of us could. Nothing I did was good enough, I could never please him.”
“I know, and I’m sorry for that. At least you know that I’ve always been proud of you.”
Jamie gave her a small smile. “Thanks, Mom.”
“And now you should listen to my advice. True love is the real reason to get married. The kind where you can hardly stand to be apart. Where your heart trips when you see them.” Susan sighed. “I had that with your father.”
Susan leaned forward. “I just want to point out that people marry for a lot of reasons… or just happen into a marriage because of timing or family pressure or wanting a child. But the really lucky people in this world find someone who can be their best friend, support them when times get rough, be there for them and with them. Love them unconditionally.” Susan stood up and walked behind the desk and kissed her son on top of his head. “That kind of marriage, that kind of happiness, that’s what I want for you.”
She turned and headed for the door. “So I think you should take that risk and tell Cindy how you feel. Take a chance that you’ll find that kind of happiness.”
* * *
Jamie sat at his desk, staring off into space after his mother left. She was right. Probably. He should go talk to Cindy and tell her how he felt. George was never going to make her happy. He was going to cheat his way through their marriage. George was that guy, Jamie just knew it.
But it was Cindy’s decision to marry him or not. Not his.
But if he didn’t at least go tell her how he felt… took the risk… would he regret it his whole life?
He looked up to see Bella standing in the doorway.
“Things going okay? Anything I can help you with?” Bella smiled at him, then a frown creased her brow. “You okay? You look… like you’ve seen a ghost or gone through an earthquake… or something.”
Jamie let out a bitter laugh. “My mother’s been here with motherly advice. She wants me to take a risk. To tell someone the truth.”
“She wants you to tell Cindy how you feel about her?”
Jamie looked up in surprise. “How did you know?”
Bella laughed. “I’ve known since the first time I saw you two together. The way you look at her. The comfortable way you two are with each other.”
“But she’s marrying George.”
“That’s the plan for today.”
“But she saw him kissing someone else last night. And still… she didn’t confront him. She just let it go.”
Bella arched one eyebrow. “That’s a bit of a shocker. Well, not so much about George. He’s a ladies’ man, through and through. He looks at them and undresses them with his eyes. He’s that type. Knew it the first time I met him, too. I’m surprised Cindy didn’t go deck him, though.”
Jamie sighed in frustration. “I thought for sure she’d kick him to the curb. But as far as I know, everything is still on for her wedding.”
“So, are you going to go talk to Cindy?”
Jamie pushed away from his desk and stood up. “I don’t know. I don’t think so. I mean, the one thing she wanted was a perfect wedding. Somehow, I don’t think that includes another man professing his feelings for her.”
“You might regret it if you don’t at least try.”
“I might… but I feel like Cindy needs to make the decision to marry George or not… decide if he’s right or not… without me interfering. I want her to come to that decision on her own.”
“You have a point there.”
“I just don’t think it’s the right time for me to speak up.”
“As long as you realize, it’s now or forever hold your peace.” Bella turned and walked out of his office.
He stared out his window, more confused than ever.
Forever hold his peace.
* * *
Bella knocked on the door to Cindy’s room. She heard some noise inside, then the door opened. Cindy’s eyes were swollen and it was obvious she’d been crying.
She also was wearing the most exquisite diamond necklace with her tank top and shorts.
“Oh, Cindy. Are you okay?”
“Just peachy.” Cindy walked back and plopped on the bed. “I’m pretty sure George has cheated on me, more than once, actually, and I’ve just ignored it. I caught him kissing someone last night… which my mother and Vanessa insist was just a last night of bachelorhood thing. But… I’m just so confused.”
“I’m sorry.” Bella sat on the bed next to Cindy and let her talk.
“And George gave me this lovely note and this beautiful necklace today.” Cindy touched the diamonds encircling her neck. “Yet… I just feel like… running away. Which is ridiculous because he’s actually the perfect match for me.”
“Is he? Well, I’ll tell you something. I married the first time because it was expected of me. Married the guy I dated through high school and I’m glad I did, because I got two great boys out of that marriage. But we were so wrong for each other. He wanted me to be something and someone I just… wasn’t. I couldn’t ever quite measure up in his eyes.” Bella reached out and touched Cindy’s hand. “But I’ll tell you something else. Then I found my Owen. He is my everything. My best friend. And one look from him makes me melt. He’s my biggest cheerleader and staunch supporter of anything I try. Even cooking—I’m terrible at it—and he just smiles and eats it and says it’s great. I can’t imagine going through life without him. My heart swells inside just thinking about him. That…that is what real love is like.”
Cindy looked at Bella with troubled eyes. “That’s what I always imagined marriage would be like. I imagined my wedding would be so perfect. And now…” Cindy looked away. “I don’t know what to do.”
�
�Only you can make that decision. You need to listen to what your heart tells you.” Bella hugged Cindy. “I feel like we’ve become friends this week. I wished you lived in Comfort Crossing. You’d love my friends Jenny and Becky Lee.”
“You know, I feel closer to you than anyone I’ve invited to this wedding. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me this week, and thank you for being my friend.”
Bella stood up. “You let me know if I can do anything. Let me know what you decide. I support any decision you make.”
Chapter 18
Vanessa and the bridesmaids left the dressing room and Cindy stood in front of the mirror, looking at her reflection. She circled slowly in the wedding dress her sister and mother had chosen for her, in the heels that were as uncomfortable as they were ridiculous for walking down a sandy aisle.
She looked at the dress with its sleek lines and tight fit. She hated everything about it. She hated the updo the hairdresser had starched into place. She hated the too dark eye shadow the makeup artist had applied and reached over for a tissue to wipe it from her eyelids.
Yet, she knew that she looked like just the bride that George wanted in this dress, with this fashionable hairdo, with the flashy makeup and designer shoes.
Only… it wasn’t her. This woman in the mirror was some figment of everyone else’s imagination.
A bride befitting a business merger, just like George had said.
But that wasn’t what she wanted.
She didn’t want a husband who cheated on her and ignored her, who made fun of her when she tripped. She didn’t want to feel like she needed George so she could feel like she fit in.
With a growing realization, she acknowledged the fact she didn’t care if she fit in anymore. She’d tried so hard to fit into a life that she really didn’t even want to have. Tried to make herself into the person her mother wanted her to be… only Cindy didn’t want to be that person.
She leaned down and slipped off the ridiculous shoes.
She heard a knock at the door and crossed the room to open it.
“Dad.”
“Oh, Cynthia, you look so beautiful, so elegant…” Her father paused and crinkled his brow. “And so… uncomfortable.”
“I…” Cindy couldn’t even find the words. “Dad, I’m sorry. It’s all wrong. So very, very wrong.”
Her father stood silently for a moment then reached out for her hand. “You know, sweetheart, I’ve lived with this silly fear that you’d marry someone who wasn’t worthy of you. When George came along, I was so pleased. I like the man. He fits in well. But you know, I don’t think he is worthy of you. I can’t abide a cheater and I’m pretty sure he is one. I admit to sometimes looking for worthiness in the wrong places. I want nothing more than your happiness. So you do what you have to do.”
Her father gave her a hug. A hug. She couldn’t remember the last time he’d hugged her. Or spoken that honestly with her.
“Dad, that means so much to me. Your support.”
“Your mother and Vanessa can be an overwhelming force, I know that very well. I should have stood up to them more with their constant haranguing of you over the years.” He let out a long sigh. “It’s sometimes just easier not to cross your mother, though. I do love her. I think she means well in her own way. It just makes our marriage run smoother if I go along with her. But I should have put an end to this nonsense of picking on you all these years. I’m sorry. You’ve grown up into this wonderful, strong woman. You are kind-hearted, funny, and full of light. You go find the life and the love that you want and deserve.”
That’s probably the longest speech she’d heard her father give outside of the boardroom. She placed her hand on his arm. “Dad, I’m ready to walk down the aisle.”
“You’re sure?”
“I am positive.” Cindy straightened her shoulders. She and her father walked out of the room and she motioned to Bella. The music started playing. She kissed her father’s cheek, then determinedly placed one foot in front of the other and walked down to the beginning of the aisle. The aisle with the carefully laid out white chairs, the painstakingly picked out flowers—even if they weren’t what her mother wanted—and the precisely tied bows on each chairback. And yet, none of those things mattered to her anymore. How silly to think any of those things were a really big deal, to think they made the perfect wedding.
They stopped at the start of the aisle and she kissed her father. “Daddy, I’m walking in alone.”
She took a step up towards George.
* * *
Jamie’s heart plummeted in his chest and he clenched his fists as he watched Cindy walk down the aisle. Alone. Where the heck was her father? The music echoed in his brain, taunting him, laughing at him.
Jamie knew he had not much to offer Cindy. Not like the moneyed background she came from. He had only the life at the inn, his friendship… and his love. But, he’d wanted her to make her own decision about George, without interfering. It appeared she’d made up her mind. She was walking down the aisle straight toward George.
He now knew how the term “heart-breaking” came to be, because he was sure his heart was shattering into little pieces in his chest.
Should he interrupt the wedding when the preacher asks “does anyone object to this marriage?” Do they even have that in weddings anymore?
He stared at the scene and couldn’t make himself look away. An agonizing emptiness settled over him, almost knocking him to his knees. The sun slipped behind a cloud, plunging the wedding scene into the sweet relief of shade.
Jamie watched in agony, each step of Cindy’s taking her further away from him and drowning him in the loneliness that was his future.
Cindy stepped up under the arbor, directly in front of George. The music tapered off. She turned and gave her flowers to Vanessa, and pivoted back to her fiancé.
She looked at him for a just a moment, then reached up and slapped George right across the face.
A gasp went up from the gathered wedding guests.
“Cynthia.” Cindy’s mother’s voice could be heard above the murmurs.
George reached up and grabbed her wrist. “What the heck do you think you’re doing?” He glanced quickly at the stunned guests and then back to Cindy. “You’re making a spectacle.”
He pulled Cindy closer, still with an iron grasp on her arm. She tried to pull her arm free, but he’d have none of it. “Cynthia, pull it together.”
Cindy’s father strode down the aisle. “George, let go of my daughter.”
George looked at Cindy’s father in surprise, and dropped Cindy’s wrist.
“Cindy, you’re embarrassing everyone. What do you think you’re doing?” George demanded.
“I’m leaving you at the altar, George. This—how did you put it to that waitress—this business deal, that’s right. Well, this is one business deal that isn’t going to work out.”
“You can’t do this. You’ll be sorry.” George took a step forward. Jamie couldn’t stand back any longer and strode down the center aisle. George spun on him as he approached. “This is all your doing, isn’t it? You talked her out of it.”
“It isn’t Jamie’s doing. It’s mine.” Cindy stood toe to toe with George. “Now we can have this conversation here, in front of everyone, or we can step inside.”
“You can’t just decide not to marry me, you little fool.”
“I already did. I won’t marry you. You don’t love me.” Cindy turned away from him. “Oh, and you’re a cheater. I won’t marry a cheater.”
Cindy’s father wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “I think it best if you left now, George.”
George glared at Cindy’s father.
Jamie smiled at Cindy’s father, then grinned at George. His heart soared.
“This is going to get messy when we get back to Lexington.” George hissed.
“My boy, bring it on.” Cindy’s father turned his back on George.
George nodded to his groomsmen and they all s
trode off into the inn.
Cindy’s father turned to the guests. “Well, well. This isn’t exactly how we had the evening planned, now was it? But I’m so proud of my daughter right now. A man always wants what is best for his daughter. She’s proven that she’s the strong, independent woman I’d always hoped to raise. Anyone who cares to join us, there is a wonderful dinner inside for all.”
Cindy’s mother stalked up to the front. “What is going on? Cynthia, have you lost your mind? Henry, what is this nonsense you’re spouting? We’ll be the laughingstock of Lexington.”
“So be it if we are. But I’m betting that most of Lexington knows exactly the type of man George is. I was just too foolish to really see him, to see what he was truly like. He would never have made our daughter happy.”
“But all our friends.” Mrs. Pearson’s voice rose in a panic.
“Our real friends will want the best for our daughter,” Henry said firmly.
“I love you, Dad.” Cindy reached over and kissed her father’s check.
The man chuckled. “You should. It appears I’ve just paid for the most expensive break-up party ever.”
Chapter 19
A handful of the wedding guests did stay and enjoy the food at the reception, but most of them left. Cindy asked Susan to make arrangements to send the leftover food to the food pantry and the homeless shelter in the city.
Cindy escaped upstairs, away from her mother and sister and the questioning glances of the wedding guests. She changed out of the wedding dress she never liked, not a bit, and into a simple sundress. She slipped out the side door and headed for Lighthouse Point. No better place to watch the sunset and let this day end and get behind her.
Far behind her.
She strolled along the water’s edge and felt at peace for the first time in a very long time. She’d made the right decision, she knew that. Possibly she should have made it sooner, but she’d been unable to see what was right there in front of her. George didn’t love her, he wanted a profitable merger. She wanted more. So much more.
