by Everly West
She had visited the church earlier today. She prayed for a miracle, but she knew none would be forthcoming. Her fate was sealed, and today she would be wedded to a man she didn’t love.
Now, the empty church would be filled to overflowing with Boston’s elite as well as close friends of her family.
Candelabras cast a romantic glow over the pews adorned with terracotta and white chrysanthemums tied in place by cream-colored satin ribbons. It was the wedding every girl dreamed about—except her. She would be happy with a justice of the peace inside the Grand Union Hotel as long as she was with...did it matter?
A knock at the door signaled her time was up. Arielle drew a deep breath and cast another look into the mirror. She tried to smile, just to see if she could pull off the happy bride look. She shook her head in disgust. She would just have to work harder because she would not disappoint her parents.
Another knock at the door and a male voice called to her from the other side, “Flowers for the bride.” The man’s voice was garbled.
“Flowers? I already have my bridal bouquet.” Perhaps Max had sent them as a gesture of his commitment. “Just a moment,” she called out. She found her reticle and pulled a coin out for the tip. She answered the door to see a man standing in the doorway behind a gigantic bouquet of flowers. “Oh, my. Well, do come in. Set them on that table there next to the door,” she instructed.
“Yes, ma’am,” he mumbled from behind the huge bouquet. The man stepped inside the room and set the flowers on the table as she directed. Then, he turned and locked the door behind him.
A shiver of anxiety pulsed through her body. “See here, sir. What’s the meaning of this?” she edged closer to the brocade bell rope to call for help. She had only taken two steps when the man turned around and faced her. Recognition hit her low in the belly and points further south. “Caleb,” she breathed.
“Arielle. I had to come.”
She was so happy to see him, and yet he had no right to be here. “How dare you show your face around here. I’ll have my father toss you out on your ear, you despicable, lying cheat.”
“And I would deserve that, but please hear me out. I promise I’ll leave if you will just let me try to explain why things happened as they did.”
Arielle’s heart raced in her chest. “There’s nothing you can say that will change the fact that you lied to me. You are a married man. Period.” She clung to her indignation at his betrayal. It was the only thing keeping her from running into his arms. She turned away from him because looking at his handsome features hurt too much knowing in a few short minutes, she would be marrying another man.
“Do it then and be gone. I’m getting married in a few moments and my father will be coming for me. It would not bode well for you to be in my bedroom when he does.”
“I’ll be quick about it.” Caleb approached her. “Can we sit? Just for the time it will take me to tell you my story.” His blue eyes held her gaze. Unable to look away, she nodded and sat on the settee. He took his seat beside her.
“Arielle, I know what I did was wrong. I knew it then and I know it now. I have no defense other than I was in a bad place. The day we met at the train station was the day I found out my wife had sent my little girl on a train with a woman I didn’t know with a note that tried to explain why. She said she wasn’t cut out to be a rancher’s wife.
“I had a little girl and a blossoming horse ranch. Both needed my full and undivided attention.”
“So you lied to get my help,” she pointed out.
“Yes, I did. I mean I didn’t set out to deceive you. You were in the school that day and I just assumed you were a working-class woman who wouldn’t be opposed to a good job for good wages. If I had known who you really were—”
“You would never have put my reputation at risk.”
“I would have gone elsewhere to find a caretaker for Melody,” he admitted. “I am an honorable man even if my actions deny that fact. I would never have asked a gently raised woman, such as yourself, to risk your reputation had I known...”
She felt a twinge of guilt. She had had several opportunities to tell him the truth about herself—and her money—
but she had failed to tell the truth too. Perhaps she had played a small part in Caleb’s deception. If she had told him who she was the day he came to the school looking for help instead of letting him believe she was a teacher there, none of the events that led them to this moment would have happened.
Tears stung her eyes and her heart ached with regret. “Caleb, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you who I was. If I had, maybe things would be different, but as it is, it’s too late for us.”
He pulled her into his arms and crushed her body against him. “Is it too late, Arielle? You aren’t married yet. We could leave right now and...”
Arielle took a deep breath for the courage she needed to say no. “But you are married, Caleb. And I could never disappoint my parents by running away with you on my wedding day. It’s too late. For us.”
“No, it isn’t too late. I’m not married. Not anymore.”
Arielle wanted to believe him, but he had lied to her before.
“Truly, I am no longer married. The day Victoria arrived in Laramie, I ran into Levi’s friend, Judge Baker. I asked him for a favor, and he obliged. He drew up the divorce decree and had it filed by an attorney friend of his in St. Louis. Then, he called in a favor from a judge that heard the case and the entire process was expedited. As of two weeks ago, I’m a single man.”
“Caleb, I’m really happy for you. And I so wish things could be different for us, but I’m getting married today. It’s too late.”
Her heart nearly broke in two at the realization of how close she had come to having her happy-ever-after with the man she loved and his precious little daughter.
A knock at the door startled them both. Her sister strode into the room and stopped short when she saw Caleb. “Arielle, what is going on here? Who is this man?”
“Arianne, please close the door. Quickly.” Her sister complied and stood guard. Arielle didn’t know whether she was preventing someone from coming in—or going out.
“This is Caleb Montgomery, the man I told you about.” She offered by way of explanation.
“You mean the cowboy. So this is the man you fell in love with in Laramie.” Arianne walked closer and studied the two of them carefully.
“Yes, this is my cowboy. At least, he was.”
“And you love him, Arielle?” Her sister asked.
She turned to look at Caleb. Did it matter? She was getting married to Maximillian Dubois. That was her fate. “Yes, I do love him, but it is too late for us, Arianne.”
Her sister frowned in deep thought. “Not necessarily, dear sister.”
Arielle studied her twin sister in return. “Arianne, I fear you are up to something. Father will be here any moment to escort me to the wedding chapel. I cannot disappoint him as much as I would love to steal away—” She turned and looked at Caleb. “—with my cowboy Prince Charming.” Tears stung.
“Not true. Father will be here to escort Maximillian’s bride down the aisle.” She could see her sister’s brain churning and the wheels turning.
“What are you up to?”
Arianne looked between the two of them for another minute. “Mr. Montgomery, do you love my sister with all your heart, and will you always put her first in your life, no matter what?”
Caleb answered without faltering, “I love her with every ounce of life in my body. I will always put her needs before my own. Always and forever.”
Arielle turned to Caleb and he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Arianne’s discreet cough brought them back to the reality of their situation. “What can it matter now? Father will be here—”
Arianne shook her head. “Stop saying that. It does matter. Your happiness matters to me, dear sister. Now, Mr. Montgomery. Leave us. We have work to do and time is running thin.”
Caleb turned to her and
kissed her as if he were saying goodbye. “I will always love you, Arielle.”
Arianne pulled him away from her and toward the door. “Right. Right. We know. You two love each other. Now get out and wait outside.”
Arianne pushed him out the door locking it behind him. “Get out of that dress.”
“What?” Arielle was stunned at her sister’s machinations.
“I said get out of that dress. Don’t dawdle either. Father will be here in moments.”
Arielle did as her sister instructed. “What are you doing, Arianne?”
“I’m giving you a chance to live your fairy tale ending, sister.” Arianne had already stepped out of her bridesmaid dress and handed it to Arielle.
“But I can’t let you make this kind of sacrifice.” As much as Arielle wanted to be with Caleb, she wouldn’t use her sister to get it.
“There’s no sacrifice. I told you recently that I had met someone.” She unbuttoned the back of Arielle’s wedding dress.
“Yes. You did say something of the sort.”
“Well, it turns out the mystery man is none other than your betrothed, Max.”
Arielle turned in shock at her sister’s admission. “You’ve been seeing Maximillian Dubois? Does father know this?”
“No, Max thinks I’m you. So, why not take this little charade one step farther? He gets what he wants-a Dufossé bride. You get to be with your cowboy in Laramie. And I…well I get to have Max.”
“But he thinks you are me. Are you certain you can marry him knowing he wants someone else?”
“He only thinks he wants you. He’ll want me in time. Now quick, put on my dress.” Her sister slipped into the beautiful bridal gown that she wore only moments before. Arielle buttoned the back. “There, see? No one will know the difference. Now touch up my hair.”
Arielle tucked the stray strands of hair back into the elaborate hair braid when a knock on the door nearly sent her to her knees.
“Calm down, sister. All is under control.” Arianne winked at her and reached for the bridal bouquet on the dresser. “Come in.”
Their father walked into the room looking exceptionally handsome in his crisp white shirt and tailored formal suit. “Are you ready for your big day?”
They both answered simultaneously, “Yes, Father.”
Arielle kissed her twin sister and hugged her close so she could whisper in her ear. “Thank you, my dear sweet sister. I hope you find your happiness too.”
Arianne hugged her back and whispered to her, “I will. As you are well aware, I’m a very practical young woman, and I have deduced that Max and I will be very happy together.”
“What are you whispering about?” Father stepped up and wrapped Arianne’s hand around his arm. “There will be time enough for secrets later. We have a very impatient groom waiting.”
Arielle followed Arianne and their father down the hall, and into the foyer at the back of the church. She straightened the veil and train of her former wedding dress and then stood ready for the procession to begin.
A nod from the minister and the organist played the wedding march. Arielle walked down the aisle pretending to be her sister. She took her place at the front of the church and cast a nervous glance around the room afraid any moment someone would recognize their deception. She cut a quick look to the bridegroom, but he only had eyes for her sister pretending to be her.
Nothing seemed out of order and she began to relax. Another glance around the room and she stopped short. There, on the back row, was Caleb. He wasn’t staring at the bride. He was watching her. When their eyes met, he grinned. She smiled back.
The wedding march interrupted her thoughts and she watched her radiant sister walk down the aisle with their father. Arianne’s face was covered by the thin gauzy lace. Arielle’s heart thudded so loud she was certain the reverend could hear.
Soon, the ceremony ended and the moment of truth arrived. Max lifted the veiled, frowned at her sister for a moment and then leaned in to give her the ceremonial kiss between a husband and his new wife. Arielle let out a breath of relief. For a moment there, she thought perhaps he had guessed their deception.
The music played and her sister and Max walked up the aisle together smiling as though it was the happiest day of their lives.
She followed them up the aisle toward the reception hall until a familiar voice whispered from behind her. Caleb.
“The carriage is waiting behind the church. Meet me there when you can.”
She nodded her understanding and kept pace with the crowd until she could duck out the side door. She knew her parents would be quite angry with her and her sister, but in time, they would come around because they understood what it meant to be in love.
Arielle rushed outside with only the fading September sunset lighting her way. She rounded the corner of the church saw him waiting for her. Her real-life Prince Charming. She ran to him and their future of a happy-ever-after.
Epilogue
Six months later
Arielle tried to roll over, but the bed was full. On her right side, was her handsome husband, hair mussed from sleep. The sight of which still took her breath away. Regrettably, she could do nothing about the stirrings he caused within her because on her left side was her sleeping little angel. The storms last night had frightened her into their bed. Arielle smiled at her bed partners. She didn’t mind at all.
She lay back in the big soft bed and thought back to her return to Laramie. Judge Baker had married them as soon as they arrived. Eva and Levi were there as witnesses, as well as being family. And of course, Melody was front and center of the whole ceremony.
Arielle had been so nervous Melody wouldn’t forgive her for leaving, but after a slight hesitation, the little girl gave Arielle the biggest hug her little arms could manage. Then she announced to everyone that she was going to be the flower girl. Just when Arielle thought she couldn’t possibly hold anymore happiness inside, Caleb brought her home. His home was now their home. Her life truly had turned into the fairy tale she had always dreamed about.
Just then her belly moved, reminding her that her life was complete. She lay a gentle hand on her belly where the baby moved. The baby would arrive by early to mid-June. She hoped it was a boy, but another little girl to care for would be wonderful too. Either way, she was deliriously happy—thanks to her sister.
A twinge of worry kicked among her happy thoughts like a cloud of dust on a troubled horizon. Arianne had written to her only twice since the imposter bride had wed the groom last September. She reported all was proceeding according to her plans, but something about her letters worried Arielle. It wasn’t what her sister was saying, it was what she wasn’t saying that worried Arielle.
Arianne had written to tell her she had told their parents about their deception shortly after the wedding ceremony. “I didn’t feel it good form to allow our parents to worry over the sudden disappearance of one of their daughters. Father threatened to have a heart attack, which of course he did nothing of the kind. Mother didn’t seem surprised at all. I think she knew all along and just wants her children to be happy.
“They have both promised to remain silent for the time being. They fear Max will seek his retribution against us all, but it truth, he hasn’t shown himself to be the vindictive sort. I just hope that fact holds true when he learns I’m not you. He may decide to have me thrown in jail for being an imposter.”
“What are you thinking about this morning?” Arielle’s skin heated with desire at the sound of her husband’s sleepy voice.
“Just thinking about my sister and wondering if she is as happy as I am.”
Caleb turned in the bed and faced her. His fingers tucked pieces of hair that had escaped her braid behind her ear. His touch created a slow burn and had her trying to figure out how to get Melody out of their bed without waking her. She turned toward him, her eyes caressing his handsome face.
“You keep looking at me like that and I’m gonna have to move our sleeping
daughter up to her own room.” He leaned in and kissed her. She could feel his desire for her under the bedsheets.
“Get moving. I’ll be waiting for you when you get back.”
Dear Reader,
While the kids nap, I write and the Ladies Club of Laramie has been keeping me busy. Next up is the final story of my twin sisters, Arielle and Arianne and their cousin, Eva.
As a new author I would really appreciate your support by leaving a review, following me on BookBub, sign up for my newsletter and check out my Facebook page and website.
Until next time,
Everly West
Sweet Western Historicals
The Ladies Club of Laramie
The Rebellious Bride-Book One
The Obstinate Bride-Book Two
The Wagered Bride-Book Three
The Reluctant Bride-Book Four
The Eager Bride-Book Five
The Bashful Bride-Book Six
The Adventurous Bride -Book Seven
The Unconventional Bride-Book Eight
The Wanted Bride-Book Nine
The Deceptive Bride-Book Ten
The Imposter Bride-The Last Book in the series
Release Date: November 29, 2019
Other series by Everly West
Angel Creek Christmas Brides
Sequel coming Christmas 2019
Revisit the warm and welcoming mountain town of Angel Creek in Montana Territory where love, laughter and life happens to its inhabitants in ways that can only be described as Christmas Miracles.
The End
