by C. J. Thomas
Mom nodded with parted lips. The lines on her face were as confused as I felt.
I reached to the other side of the door and unhooked the stallion black cocktail dress I’d decided on.
Mom reached out and took the hem of the dress between her fingers. “Sienna, sweetheart, I understand the fear you’re feeling.” She held the dress up and took it off its hanger. “Marriage is a big commitment.”
She unzipped the back and handed me the dress. I took it out of her grasp, turned to the bench, and lowered my bottom onto it. Leaning forward, I rested my elbows on my knees, hanging my head between. I hadn’t meant to snap at Mom. She was only trying to help. This was too much. She was right; I was afraid.
Mom lowered herself down next to me and rubbed my back. “I was only twenty when I married your father.”
“How did you know, Mom?” I turned my head to her.
She looked forward with wide, unblinking eyes. “I just knew.”
My heart ached, my emotions dull. I wasn’t sure about anything, but if I was the reason Dad didn’t win his election I could never live with myself. I didn’t have any doubts until Gary hit me, but now I knew.
Mom rolled her gaze over to me. “Are you second-guessing your decision?”
“I don’t want to make a mistake.”
Mom exhaled a deep breath. “I took Barb and her granddaughter to the florist this afternoon.”
I rolled my neck to Mom, thinking of little Molly the flower girl.
Mom’s eyes sparkled. “Molly is thrilled that you chose her to be part of the ceremony.”
I felt my lips tug gently at the thought of Molly tossing flowers down the aisle.
Mom stood and pulled me to my feet. She spun me so I faced the mirror. Taking the white pearl necklace off the counter, she clasped it around my neck.
As she stood over my shoulder, I couldn’t look at her without imagining myself at her age. A woman who’d endured so much. A mother to one child and who miscarried several others. She raised her family in the spotlight and supported her husband throughout his political career. Sacrificed it all for us. As I mentally reviewed the list of my mother’s accomplishments, I wasn’t sure that I had it in me to be a strong.
Reaching behind her, she took the black sheath dress and told me to put it on. “Your father is proud of you, Sienna.”
“I know,” I murmured as I bent over and slipped into my dress.
“The day you called to share the news of your engagement was the happiest I have seen him.” Mom’s eyes glittered with her own pride. “We were both happy for you.”
“Mom, what are you getting at?”
“The next day, your father was on the phone sharing the good news with his friends.”
“You mean his political donors.”
“Who are his friends.” Mom’s lips tightened. “There are hundreds of people coming to see you walk down that aisle. Many of them traveling from out of state.”
The knot in my belly tightened. I didn’t want to let anyone down, but this was my life. I could no longer see a future with the man I was supposed to marry.
“Marriage is a ceremony for new and old vows alike, to remind us to make the commitment to family.”
I swallowed hard, feeling the pressure mounting. It was too much to bear and I wondered for how much longer I would be able to hold up the weight of expectation before it came collapsing down. My core temperature spiked and suddenly I felt pellets of sweat forming on my brow. “Mom, I think Gary isn’t being honest with me.”
Mom froze before craning her neck.
“I think he’s been seeing his ex.” Turning on a heel, I faced her. “I don’t know what to make of it.”
Mom’s gaze fell to my mouth.
“We’ve been together for so long, then suddenly, just weeks before I’m supposed to give my life to him, he starts acting weird.” I stopped rambling when I noticed Mom had stopped listening. She was finally really looking at me. Seeing me.
“What happened?” Her hand lifted to my busted lip.
I ducked my head and turned away. Feeling my knees threaten to give out, I fought back the tears, not wanting to break down in front of my mom. Just as I was about to tell her what happened, she turned me upside-down. “We’re going to have to cover that up for the photos.”
Inside, I collapsed.
Appearance meant more to her than anything else. How could I tell her what happened if all she cared about was how this weekend would look to outsiders?
Lifting her hands to my shoulder, Mom looked me in the eye and asked, “Do you love Gary?”
I stared into her round gaze with watery eyes, beginning to shake my head. No.
Mom’s fingers tightened on my flesh and my chin trembled as the first tear fell.
A knock on the bedroom door made us both blink.
The corners of Mom’s eyes twitched with hesitation before she turned her head toward my bedroom door. I knew she’d heard what I said—knew that this was more than cold feet.
I pulled away and wiped my cheeks dry just as the door opened and my father stood in the door. “Are we ready?”
I couldn’t look at him. Didn’t want him to see me like this, knowing he’d made his decision clear to me last night. Mom spoke for me and told him that we would be down in two minutes.
When Dad left the room, I turned back to Mom.
Unease flashed over her eyes. It was clear she didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t blame her. This should have happened a week ago at the latest. Instead, we were two nights away from the inevitable when I was admitting the cold, hard truth.
Mom stepped forward and gave me a hug. “We’ll talk more about this later.”
The moment she was gone, I started to hyperventilate. My gummy eyelids felt heavy and there was a scratch in my throat that wouldn’t go away. After calming myself down, I checked my makeup to make sure it hadn’t run and met my parents in the waiting limo out front.
Dad was busy discussing his campaign, speaking of donors and poll numbers, when I took my spot on the far bench. Mom kept glancing in my direction. I didn’t miss that she was making sure I was keeping face in time of turmoil. It was the Day way. Always had been, always would be. Nothing ever changed.
Hugging my stomach, I turned to the window.
Knowing I would be facing Gary, I prepared myself with what it was I was going to say. He was the last person I wanted to see tonight.
“Sienna, did you hear what I said?”
I turned to find Dad staring with raised brows. “Huh?”
He rolled his eyes to Mom with a smirk. “I told you she wasn’t listening.”
“Your father has invited a couple journalists tonight.” Mom’s voice was calm, collected.
I barely reacted. It hadn’t occurred to me before now, but I wasn’t surprised to learn the news. My father would do anything to get his name in the paper. “Okay.”
Dad continued to talk about all the stuff I didn’t care about. None of this was about me. It was about my parents, Gary’s family, and the perception the public would have of what our family was like. Friendly, relatable, the kind of stuff to inspire voters to side with Senator Day and secure another term in office.
My mind drifted to Trevor.
I missed his simplicity, wished that I could have promised to see him again. Each moment I got closer to my wedding, the chances of that happening grew smaller.
The sun hovered over the mountains to the west and I was frightened of the prospect of marrying the wrong man. If I was being completely honest with myself, I was even more terrified to fly into the arms of another. I just wanted to be alone, take a trip somewhere far away so I could reconnect with myself and figure out my next step.
The limo slowed as we pulled to the front of Dad’s favorite steakhouse.
Gary was standing alone, waiting like he had been given a heads-up to our estimated time of arrival. I could only stare and wonder what he had been up to since the last time we talked.
/>
The limo stopped and the driver opened the back door.
Dad exited first. I was close on his heel, followed my Mom.
Dad stepped to Gary and I watched them shake hands, hearing Gary mention his parents were already waiting inside. Pride swelled both their faces and I wished that I could feel the same level of excitement as everyone else. But I couldn’t.
Mom looped her arm around my waist as if worried I might fall. “You’ll do fine tonight, honey,” she said quietly, close to my ear as she led me to Gary.
Gary smiled at Mom before focusing his attention on me.
His eyes traveled over me, and my body went cold.
His deceitful smile couldn’t fool me. The way he was looking at me with a deep dimpled grin might have been one of his best features, but it did little when it came to actually forgiving him for what he’d done to hurt me.
“Let’s get some drinks and begin celebrating.” Dad reached for Mom’s hand.
Playing the obedient daughter, I hooked my arm in the crook of Gary’s and asked, “Did you miss me?”
A part of me hoped that he would say he did. At least then I could get through tonight before having to worry about the rehearsal dinner tomorrow. Instead, he looked away and started walking to the glass-door entrance without even bothering to lie to me and say the words I so desperately needed to hear.
He opened the door and let me enter first. “Where were you today?”
“I’m not going to do this now,” he said under his breath as his mother came rushing toward us with extended arms.
“Sienna.” Gary’s mother hugged me. “My future daughter-in-law. How are you?”
“I’m good.”
When she pulled back, her eyes caught my lip. She couldn’t mention it without being rude, but I wondered if she knew that it was a gift from her son. How could she? “I’m so happy. So happy for both of you.” She shifted her gaze between us. “Come. Let’s celebrate. Dad has already ordered starters.”
Gary held on to my hand with a tight and uncomfortable grip I couldn’t escape. “Were you with your groomsmen?”
He flicked his annoyed gaze to me. “Just like I told you.”
I tugged on his arm, getting him to stop. “Then why can’t you tell me about it?”
“Because there is nothing to tell.” Gary released my hand and moved to where our fathers were already talking over drinks.
He was hiding something. I could only assume that he’d visited his ex.
I stood frozen in place as the room spun around me. Everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves but me. This party wasn’t for me. It was for them. When Gary’s Mom flicked her eyes to me, I faked a smile but it was so tight I was sure she could tell it was forced.
Needing a drink, I moved to the table and took a wine glass for myself. Mom came to stand next to me. “Mrs. Sycuro just gave me the final guest list.”
“Final? I thought that was finalized long ago?”
“You know how things can change.” Mom handed me the list.
I unfolded the piece of paper and quickly read through the names. Everything seemed to be as it was the last time I had looked. Then, suddenly, my finger stopped halfway down the line.
Foster x 3.
My heart raced as I snapped my eyes up to Mom. “Which of the Fosters?”
“Oh, I can never remember all the brothers’ names, but I’m sure Cooper is one of the three coming.” Mom curled her lips over the rim of her glass as she peered at Dad.
My eyes flicked back to the list. “Why am I just learning of this now?”
Dad clinked his glass with a butter knife, beginning a toast.
Mom took the paper out of my hands and said, “The Fosters are good people. Nolan will be with Sophia, so whoever the third is, I’m sure that he’ll be more than happy to celebrate with you.”
Dad looked at me as he talked. “To two beautifully young,” the parents laughed, “people coming together in love and matrimony.”
Gary slid up next to me, snaking his hand around my waist. Pulling me close to his side, my muscles tightened and my veins constricted, slowing the blood flowing through my body.
My head spun and I couldn’t breathe.
Dad’s mouth was moving but I couldn’t hear his words.
Suddenly, Gary leaned down and planted his lips over mine just as the camera flashed.
21
Trevor
I stared at the clock.
The hands had barely moved since the last time I looked.
This last hour of the day was going to kill me. I needed it to be 6PM. And fast.
Turning my attention back to my computer screen, I tried to focus on the gas leases Nolan had sent me via email. The data and descriptions glazed my eyes as I tried my best to focus on anything but Sienna. I couldn’t get her out of my head. Something about her departure felt off. It didn’t sit well with me. I almost felt like she knew something about me that she didn’t want to share.
I leaned back in my chair, biting the pen cap, wondering what it could be.
We didn’t have a history for her to know anything that wasn’t already public information. Our family kept our names clean, weren’t associated with drama that would bring unnecessary attention our way. And my secrets were kept close to my heart. Which got me thinking about how I could trust those soft brown eyes of hers.
I tossed the pen down on my desk and glanced back to the clock. “Fuck,” I grumbled.
Letting out a heavy sigh, I was feeling restless. Just when I thought I’d found someone trustworthy enough to tell my secrets to, she turned and walked away.
Taking a sip of water, I felt a headache beginning to form in the front of my brain.
It was like Sienna knew what I was thinking about sharing. She asked and I couldn’t say. When I thought back to her walking the walls of my garage, her interest in my military service had to be her reason for staying cautious.
My eyes rolled to the clock. The minutes ticked by like hours and I wasn’t any closer to my 6PM meeting with the private investigator.
Evan knocked on my door and I welcomed the distraction. “Mind if I come in?”
I waved him in. “Be my guest.”
He smiled beneath his cowboy hat and hurried over to the empty seat across from me. I tipped forward in my chair, bringing my elbows to the desk. “How did you like the Mustang?”
He whistled. “Loved it. Are you sure it’s not for sale?”
I laughed.
His brows squished. “Though I swear there was a smell of a woman in there.”
I locked my gaze with his. Maintaining my poker face I remained silent, not wanting to admit my guilt to a cousin who I knew would never shut up about it if the truth came out.
“Funny thing was,” he leaned back in his chair and crossed his ankle over his knee, “there was a take-out bag on the back floor.” He flicked his eyes to me.
“Your point?”
“It should have smelled like burgers.” He gave a curt nod. “Then,” he wagged his accusatory finger at me, “when I opened it up, there were two half-eaten meals still inside.”
“So I was saving the other half for later.” I shrugged.
He lifted a brow and sucked back an uneasy breath. “Who the hell eats two halves of a burger and calls it one?”
Turning my head to my computer screen, I said, “I do.”
Evan dropped his foot back to the floor and leaned his large body across my desk. “Tell me.” His eyes knowingly sparkled. “What’s her name?”
Without looking him in the eye, I muttered, “I don’t want to talk about it.”
He fell back into his seat and huffed. “I didn’t mention it to Noah, but I saw that look you two shared at your garage.” A knowing look flashed over his face. “There is someone you’re not telling me about.”
“Did you come here to grill me about who I’m dating,” I cast my gaze to the three-ring binder he was holding, “or to discuss the ranch you want to purc
hase?”
“What’s up with you Colorado Fosters?” The crease between his dark brows deepened. “Not one of you wants to talk about the women they love?”
“I’m kind of busy here.” I pointed to my computer screen.
“Fine. You want to discuss ranches?” He set his binder on the table and opened it up. “Here are the two I narrowed it down to.”
Turning the binder to face me, Evan explained each in great detail. He shared the square footage, amenities, acreage, views, stables and barns. I nodded my head, only half listening to what he was so excited to share, and by the time he was finished pitching me on his decision he said, “Which one catches your attention most?”
I leaned back and clasped my hands over my stomach. “I like it here in the city.”
He tossed up his hands. “Jesus, it’s like I’m talking to a wall.”
I lowered my head. “I might not be the best person to ask.”
Evan flopped his arms back onto my desk. “I’ve already talked it over with both Noah and Nolan.”
“And what did they say?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m asking for your opinion.”
“I like the one on the right?”
Evan glanced down to the pages the binder was opened to. “That’s the same as the one on the left.”
“You know you should ask? Charlotte. She’s the one with an eye for detail.” I lifted my gaze to meet his. “She decorated our place in Vail. Have you been there?”
“Probably.” Evan tapped his fingers on the desk. “Anyway, I’ve already talked with her.” He angled his head back to me. “She’s in the Springs busy with a new line she’s starting.”
“Sorry, cousin. Wish I could be more help to you.” I turned back to my computer, clicking the mouse a couple of times, pretending to work.
Evan flipped to the back. “Actually, you can. Look here.” He turned the binder back to me, “This is all the heavy equipment that comes with the purchase.”
I extended my fingers and pulled the binder closer. “Of which ranch?”
“There are similarities in both, but some I can purchase myself if need be.”
As I browsed the heavy equipment, we discussed common things to look out for. I told him questions he definitely needed to ask, and the more I explained the kinds of common repairs he’d most certainly face at some point in their lifetime, Evan said, “Listen to you, man.” He clapped his hands together. “I need you there with me. I don’t know half of what you know.” He stabbed his finger at an excavator. “And this stuff isn’t cheap.”
