“Do I really? Does anyone? None of us deserve to be loved. That’s why it’s so special. We don’t do anything to earn it. The people who love us give it freely.”
“Fine, you deserve romance, then. You deserve hearts and flowers. After the way you’ve spent your life taking care of everyone around you and making things special for everyone else, you deserve a man who’ll do that for you.”
Caroline let out a long, heavy breath. “I don’t need that stuff.” She clenched her fists with determination. “Ignore my moaning. This is a case of pre-wedding jitters. Everyone gets them. Heck, Josh is probably going through exactly the same thing right now.” She stood up and tugged at the corset. The window was open, but where was the air? “I need to be realistic. I’m thirty-one. I want a family. Josh is promising me one. He’s promising a glamorous life. Not that I want a glamorous life, but it was nice of him to offer. At the very least, I’ll never have to worry about paying bills. It’s a good deal. He’ll be kind to me. And he’s great in bed.” Caroline flushed. “I didn’t mean to say that out loud.” She stopped dead. “What if he goes off me? I’m a novelty right now, but what if he decides he wants other women? If he doesn’t love me, what’s to stop him?”
She bent over and gasped for air. Why, oh why, was she getting married on the hottest day Scotland had seen in a hundred years? There was no blooming air!
Kirsty rubbed her back. “Take slow breaths. Everything is going to be okay.”
“I need to get out of this corset. It’s strangling me.”
“I don’t think it’s the corset, sweetie, but I have other lingerie sets for you to try. We’ll find something that feels comfortable.”
“Yes. Different underwear. That will fix everything.” Caroline gave her best friend a grateful smile.
“Normally, I would totally agree with you, but in this case, I’m thinking not so much.”
Caroline frowned. “Just get me out of this thing. I need to get ready. I’m getting married in less than five hours.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” Kirsty mumbled as she dug around in the huge bag full of lingerie she’d brought with her.
Josh was rocking his tux—even if he did say so himself. He looked around the packed church and felt smug. He was getting married. Not only that, he was getting married to Caroline Patterson. He’d hit the jackpot. He was a walking advertisement for why you should get your best friend to find you a wife. It was the best idea he’d ever had. He was a damn genius.
As he stood at the front of the church, he eyed the packed pews. His side of the building was full of friends and distant family members. There were a few famous faces, but nothing along the lines of some celebrity weddings. Josh liked to think he’d invited only those he actually considered friends, and not just anyone he thought should be there.
He wished he could say the same of Caroline. She’d felt it was her obligation to invite practically everyone in town. While his side of the room sat in a dignified manner, quietly chatting. Caroline’s side of the room was raucous. Not only that, but he could see folk pointing at his more famous friends, and he could have sworn at least one person was sneaking photos.
Caroline had given Lake strict instructions about confiscating cameras and phones. Josh signalled to Lake, who was dressed in a black suit and shades. He had a wire tucked discreetly around the back of his ear, and Josh saw him talk into his wrist once or twice. You would have thought he was guarding the president.
Lake strode over to Josh like a man on a mission. “What?”
“Some of the Invertary mob have cameras.”
“Who?” He was a man of few words.
“The one in tartan.”
Lake hitched one eyebrow. “Is that supposed to be funny? Point out one person on that side of the church who isn’t wearing something tartan.”
Yeah, he had a point. “Four rows in, three people along.”
“Better.” He strode off.
“Nervous?” Mitch came up beside Josh.
“Nope.”
“Second thoughts?”
“No way.”
“Any worries about your future at all?” Josh eyed his friend. Mitch shrugged. “You wouldn’t let me organise a bachelor party. I’m trying to be a good best man here.”
Josh looked at the ceiling of the church, asking quietly for patience. “I am absolutely convinced I’m doing the right thing. Is that what you want to hear?”
“Fine.” Mitch sighed. “Ten minutes to showtime. You’d better give me the rings.”
Everything within Josh stilled.
Mitch sucked in a breath. “Seriously, tell me you have the rings.”
Josh smiled nervously.
“Holy crap, you didn’t even order the damn things, did you?” Mitch’s voice was gaining volume.
“Shh!” Josh hissed. “And stop cursing. We’re in a church and I’d rather not get struck by lightning on my wedding day.”
“You’re gonna get struck with a lot more than that if you don’t have a ring when Caroline gets here. She is going to be seriously pissed. It was your one job. How could you forget your one job?”
“It wasn’t one job. I organised the honeymoon.”
“Technically your PA organised the honeymoon. You spent all of twenty seconds on the phone telling her where you want to go.”
He had a point. “What are we going to do?”
Mitch cast a glance at the altar. “Pray?”
“Yeah, smartass, apart from that?”
“We have to borrow some. Come on, let’s talk to your parents.”
They strode over to Josh’s parents with smiles plastered to their faces. No need for anyone to suspect a problem.
“We need to borrow your rings,” Josh whispered.
His mum stared at him for a minute before swatting him on the arm. Hard. “You forgot the rings? How could you forget the rings? Send someone to the castle for them. We’ll wait. It shouldn’t take long.”
Josh looked at his shoes. “I forgot to buy them. I need to borrow yours.”
His mum looked like she wanted to hit him again. His dad stopped her, but started laughing at the same time, which didn’t help.
“You can’t borrow mine,” his mum hissed. “I haven’t been able to get them off for years.”
“And I don’t have one.” His dad wiggled his bare ring finger. “Never did like rings.”
Josh eyed his parents. They were very cosy. His father had his arm wrapped around his mom’s shoulders. He pointed at them. “Is this for show or is the divorce off?”
“It’s off.” His dad looked pretty pleased with himself.
His mother scowled up at him. “No it isn’t. I’m keeping it in reserve in case you slack off and go back to your boring old ways.”
“We’ll talk about this later, woman.” He gave her a look that made his mum blush.
“I like our talks,” she said coyly.
His father grinned, and Josh had a sudden urge to vomit.
Lake stepped into Josh’s peripheral vision. “Caroline has arrived. Time to take your position.”
Josh shared a look with Mitch. “I am so screwed. Can you even get married without rings?”
Mitch held up his hands helplessly. “How should I know?”
Yep. Josh was screwed.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Kirsty fussed with the back of Caroline’s wedding gown. “You are stunning. Perfect in every way.”
Caroline looked down at the beautiful dress and matching designer shoes—they were stunning. She was just along for the ride. All she’d added to the ensemble was a pair of pearl earrings that had belonged to her mother, and a comb with heather in her hair. Plain. Simple. Just like her. The music started. A string quartet shipped in from Edinburgh played the traditional Pachelbel’s Canon in D. Josh got a say in the rest of the music for their wedding, but Caroline wanted something traditional to start.
“Okay.” Kirsty stared at her. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“We can still make a run for it.”
“I know. I’m doing this.”
Kirsty chewed her bottom lip. At last, she nodded, turned and walked down the aisle. Caroline waited the allotted time to follow. Her mind wasn’t on her actions, and she was grateful that the wedding planner had insisted that they have a rehearsal the evening before. She took a deep breath as faces turned to look at her. People smiled and stood. Caroline kept her eyes forward. She clutched her bouquet of flowers tightly. Her mind was so blocked she couldn’t even name the flowers in it. Heather. There was definitely heather.
In fact, there was purple heather everywhere. The wedding planner had done a wonderful job decorating the old church. There were bunches of heather and white roses attached to the end of each pew. Two huge displays of purple and white flowers bracketed the front of the church. Soft purple lighting had been added to the columns that held up the balcony, making them glow in a dreamlike way. It was beautiful. Pity she couldn’t concentrate enough to admire any of it.
She spotted Helen, who was standing in the aisle. Andrew gripped her and pulled her back. Helen smiled while she dabbed at her eyes. And then Caroline saw Josh. The air left her lungs in a whoosh. She tripped over her dress, but righted herself quickly. Josh pinned her with his translucent blue gaze. His smile was wide and confident. His broad shoulders were perfectly accentuated by the cut of his suit. He was stunning.
And she was going to marry him.
Breathe. Just. Breathe. The church was as stuffy as the castle had been. If Caroline could have dragged her eyes away from Josh, she would have checked to see if any windows were open. She wanted to tug at her dress, but instead clenched her bouquet until her fingers ached.
A lifetime later, she made it to the front of the church. Josh reached for her hand.
“You are beautiful, baby,” he whispered against her cheek. “I could eat you all up.” She looked up at him. “Later,” he promised, making her stomach spin.
She was doing the right thing. She’d promised. She always kept her promises. Breathe. Just breathe.
The minister cleared his throat. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here, in the sight of God…”
Caroline didn’t hear anything else. Josh squeezed her hand. His smile was warm and reassuring. Her heart beat so hard within her chest she felt like it was trying to escape. Josh seemed calm and unaffected. Caroline’s palms began to sweat. She’d been to plenty of weddings. She didn’t remember any of them taking this long. And where the heck was all the air?
The minister’s voice broke into her thoughts. “…If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together—let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”
Josh looked over his shoulder and grinned cheekily at their guests. There was a smattering of laughter.
Then a voice rang out. “I have just cause.”
Caroline’s heart actually stopped. Josh made a growling sound beside her. Mitch shot Josh a worried look. They all turned towards the voice at the back of the church. Danny stepped out from behind a pillar.
“What the hell?” Josh said.
“Language!” the minister snapped at him. “You’re in the house of God.”
Josh gave him a scathing look. “That is my stalker. He shouldn’t be here, let alone making an objection.”
Caroline watched as Danny strode towards the front of the church. He was wearing his ever-present black suit and tie. Lake and his men started jogging towards the man.
“You can’t marry him.” Danny’s voice wavered, as though he wasn’t quite in control of it. “He’s an impostor, Caroline. He has you all fooled. I’m Josh McInnes. I’m the one who loves you. You need to get rid of him and marry me before it’s too late.”
There was a ripple of murmured shock and amusement.
“Oh, man, he’s finally lost the plot.” Mitch patted Josh on the back.
Lake grabbed Danny’s arm and spoke quietly into his ear.
Danny shook his head violently. He struggled in Lake’s hold. His arms flailing wildly.
“Don’t let them take me,” Danny shouted. “I love you, Caroline. I want to marry you. You belong to me.”
Caroline watched in horror as the tribute singer was dragged away, one man on each side of him, his heels squeaking on the wooden floor. Some people were smiling after him, as though it was a show put on for the crowd. Other people seemed shocked and upset for the man. Caroline found that she was shaking slightly.
“It’s okay.” Josh wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “I’ll make sure he gets the treatment he needs. This has been a long time coming.”
As reassuring as that was, Caroline couldn’t stop the words repeating in her head. Danny, a man who didn’t know her, was shouting that he loved her. Words she’d never heard from Josh. Nausea assaulted her. Everything was off kilter. Nothing made sense.
I made a promise. Everything will be okay.
The vicar cleared his throat. “Anybody else got an objection?” The crowd laughed along with him. It was all good-natured fun.
Until another voice piped up. “I object. Anybody with a brain would object to this farce.”
Caroline closed her eyes. This was not happening. She opened them to find her ex-assistant Beth making her way along a pew, stepping on people’s toes as she went.
“Sit down and stop making a fool of yourself,” Betty called to her.
Beth ignored the woman. Josh turned to the minister. “Do we have to allow this? I don’t even know that woman.”
“She has to have her say, son.” From the way the vicar shook his head, it was clear he wasn’t impressed either.
Beth was in the aisle now. She stormed towards the platform they were standing on. Stopping right in front of Caroline. She was dressed in a red glittering mini-dress that was far too sexy for a wedding and had an over-large red handbag slung over her shoulder. She tottered in heels Caroline couldn’t have even stood in.
“You.” Beth pointed at Caroline with clear abhorrence. “You don’t deserve Josh.”
Warning bells went off in Caroline’s head. Those were the words painted on her wall. She took a step back from Beth.
Beth took a step forward. “You are a horrible person. And Josh needs someone nicer.”
“That’s enough,” the minister barked. “That is not a valid objection. Get back to your seat. Better yet. Get out. You obviously aren’t in the spirit of the occasion.”
Beth smirked at him. “Like I care what you think.” She turned back to Caroline. “You don’t deserve Josh. You shouldn’t get to marry someone like him. You’re boring and grey. Everything about you is grey. There’s nothing there to attract a man like Josh. You’re just like your dull, old-fashioned clothes.”
“That’s more than enough.” Josh stepped towards her. Lake was still dealing with Danny. Josh turned to Mitch. “Deal with this.”
Mitch shot Beth a look filled with disgust. “My pleasure.” He took a step towards the woman.
“You’re wearing the wrong colour,” Beth spat at Caroline. “It should be grey. Like you.”
She reached into her oversized bag and came out with a bottle.
Caroline’s mouth fell open as everything happened at once. Josh and Mitch lunged at Beth. Helen screamed. Beth smiled the nastiest smile Caroline had ever seen. The crowd gasped in unison.
And then the bottle exploded. Grey paint shot out. All over Caroline’s beautiful dress.
“Fantastic!” a man shouted. There were flashes. Caroline looked in the direction of Beth’s date. Pyro? The paparazzi photographer from London was at her wedding? With Beth? And he was taking photos? Photos of the most humiliating day Caroline had ever had. Caroline felt the room sway. A hand held her arm. Kirsty. Kirsty was there.
Lake came rushing into the church, followed closely by Officer Donaldson.
“Marry me,” Beth was screaming as Mitch held her hands tight behind her back. She fought against him. Fought
to get to Josh. “Marry me. I’ll be good to you. I won’t bitch at you. I won’t boss you around. I won’t be all stiff and formal. You don’t want to marry her. It’ll be like sleeping beside an old wooden plank. I’ll treat you right. Marry me.”
Josh shouted at the police, “The guy with her, her date, he’s paparazzi.”
Pyro laughed loudly. “Suck it up, Joshy boy. These pictures are going to finance my holiday home in the Riviera.”
Caroline watched as Josh’s fists clenched. He took a step towards the laughing photographer. The minister put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. “You’re needed elsewhere, son.” The two men gave her a look she couldn’t decipher.
Pyro jumped over the pews, pushing people out of his way. He ran for the back of the church. The police followed. Lake handed a still-screaming Beth over to some of his men before chasing after the photographer. They disappeared out of the door that led to the church hall.
“Marry me!” Beth looked feral as she fought against the men holding her. “Don’t marry that bitch. She’s unlovable. Everybody knows that. Her heart is a stone. You can’t love her. It’s not possible. Marry me!”
Everyone watched in stunned shock as a sobbing and screaming Beth was removed from the church.
Suddenly there was silence.
And then every eye in the room turned to Caroline.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Josh sucked in a breath. He ran a hand over his face. Caroline was rooted to the spot on the platform beside him. Her back was straight. Her shoulders back. Her eyes were wide. And her skin was so pale it was practically blue. Kirsty stood beside her, patting her arm, murmuring words that he doubted Caroline could hear.
Her white dress was spattered with grey paint. It dripped from the skirt, making a puddle on the floor. Caroline just stood there. Staring at nothing.
Josh moved to her. “It’s okay.” He softened his voice even though he wanted to throw back his head and roar. “It’s okay.” He put his hands on her shoulders and stepped in closer to hold her.
Goody Two Shoes (Invertary Book 2) Page 29
