by Robyn Neeley
“And what about all the cupcakes you’ve been feeding me lately?” Caitlin came up beside Josh, crossing her arms.
Abby sighed her defeat. “I might have tried a little kiss and make up enchantment. What? Is it so wrong that I wanted the mother and father of my nephew and nieces, who are obviously in love with each other, to reunite?” She paused, pressing her finger to her lips in thought. “I’ve got to go,” she said abruptly.
Caitlin watched as she bolted out of the boutique, wondering what that was all about. “Well, glad those mysteries are solved. I really didn’t know if my waistline could take any more cupcakes,” she attempted a joke, her gaze resting on Josh. “You know it’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding.”
“Good thing I’m not the groom.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked away.
She bit her lip. Okay, she deserved that. “Joshua, I can explain everyth—”
“Stop. Just tell me why you’re doing this?”
She smiled. “Because it’s the only way. I need to do this for Mar—”
“You’re willing to take another man’s name.”
“That’s not what I’m do—”
“I thought we were in this together.”
Irritation began to bubble up inside her. He could stop cutting her off any time now. “Josh, we are, and if you would stop interrupting and just listen.”
Josh raked his hand through his hair. “Caitlin, I wasn’t even gone two days, and now you really are getting married to my best friend. This drama that you constantly spin—when does it stop?”
The nerve that struck caused her eyes to water. “I thought that you of all people would understand, but instead you want to start a fight.” She shook her head. “And do I need to remind you that it was your idea for me to marry Adam in the first place?”
“That was never my idea, and the last time I checked we agreed that you were only pretending. I missed the part where you ordered your cake, put on your dress, and said ‘I do’ to him.”
“I should have called you. I know. It’s just everything happened so fast.”
“Caitlin, you shouldn’t be in that dress. I don’t care what Mary said to you. I was handling things. I asked you to stay away from the theater until I got back. Was that so hard to do?”
Caitlin threw her palm up in the air. “Stop right there. First of all, you will never tell me what to do, Josh Stevens. Second, this isn’t about Mary or Adam or anyone else in this damn town living or dead.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I think this is about you wrestling with your feelings for me. You say you’ve had strong feelings for me for years, but not once did you ever clue me in. And I think I finally know why. You’re ashamed of how you feel.”
“That’s what you think?”
She sighed, shaking her head. “I think that you held onto a crush. I can’t be the woman you want me to be. I need you to fall in love with me . . . not your fantasy of me.”
Josh turned and stared out the window. “Maybe you’re right.” He headed for the front, but stopped. “Give my congratulations to Adam.” And with that, he headed out the door.
Caitlin watched as Josh disappeared from sight. How could he walk away like that? She didn’t want to be right. She took a deep breath and turned back toward the mirror. “Do not cry. Do not cry,” Caitlin said to her reflection, but it was a loss as her eyes filled up.
Tonight, she would become Mrs. Caitlin Reed. If she was doing what she knew deep in her heart to be the right thing, why did it hurt so much?
19
Josh drank his beer and stared out the window at the theater. Abby, Emma, his parents, Aunt Sheila—he’d watched every one of his family members file in.
The fight with Caitlin in the bridal boutique was still fresh on his mind. He did love her, and he did believe in her.
He loved everything about the smart, feisty, beautiful woman. All of her, whether she was sharing a laugh with him and the kids or slapping him across the face for a comment he more than deserved.
Adam’s truck pulled up to the theater and Josh narrowed his eyes as he watched his buddy get out and stand on the curb. He was in a jacket and tie. At least he dressed up for this occasion. Josh picked up his bottle and sipped back the urge to storm over there and wring Adam’s neck.
Just then, Aunt Sheila dashed out of the theater with his mother. They appeared to be laughing at something Adam said. Then, his mom reached out and straightened his tie before the two escorted him in.
That did it. Josh slammed the bottle down. That should be his tie, not Adam’s that his mother helped adjust. This wedding was a sham and it was not going to happen. He left a twenty on the table to cover his drink and tip and headed out of the bar. It took him seconds to storm across the street and push through the glass doors. Once in, he was greeted by Brandon and Jason, both wearing sports jackets.
“I hear there’s a wedding going on in here,” he said flatly.
“Hey, why don’t you hang out with us?” Brandon asked and headed behind the refreshments counter. “We brought beer.”
Josh shook his head. “I’m good. So how come you two aren’t in the auditorium?”
“Emma and Abby both thought we might bring in bad karma given our reporting background—the whole reason and logic thing.” Brandon chuckled, but then grew serious. “The bride looks gorgeous.”
Josh smiled because that was certainly true. “I know. I saw her earlier this evening.”
Jason patted his back. “I know this is all awkward but have faith in Caitlin.”
Those words rang in Josh’s ears. He did have faith in her; he’d just temporarily lost it. He wouldn’t make that mistake again. Before he could respond, Abby walked into the lobby and kissed him on the cheek. “Josh, I’m so glad you are here.”
“I forgot to tell you earlier how pretty you look.”
Abby twirled in her flowy lavender dress. “Thank you.” She looped her arm with his. “Let’s head in. The show’s about to start.”
“So it hasn’t happened yet?” he asked as they headed down the hallway, hoping he wasn’t too late. He noticed that Mary’s photo had been returned to the wall.
“Not yet.” Abby let go of his arm and opened the auditorium door. “After you.”
Josh breathed a sigh of relief and headed in.
The auditorium was dimly lit, and there was not one wedding attendee to be found. Mary’s seat was also empty. What’s going on? Where did Adam, his mother, and Aunt Sheila go? Where was the bride?
“Where’s Caitlin?” His gaze rested on the stage where different size white candles had been set up on burgundy skirted tables, creating a beautiful soft glow. It would be romantic if it was his wedding.
“Josh!” Emma emerged from the projection booth wearing the same pretty lavender dress his sister had on. In her hands, the infamous blue box.
“What are you doing with that?”
“I’m just the messenger.” She handed it to him. “Don’t open it until after the show.”
Josh looked at Emma, then Abby. “What show? Where is Caitlin?”
Abby grabbed his arm. “Stop asking questions and take your seat. She’ll be right here.”
“Who?”
“Your theater companion, of course. Now, sit your butt down so we can get started.”
“Fine.” He took his regular seat and placed the blue box on his lap, staring down at the lid, he traced the outline if his name and Caitlin’s. How did everything get so messed up?
Abby gave his shoulders a squeeze. “Enjoy the movie.”
“Wait. What movie?” He twisted in his chair, but Abby ignored him and raced up the aisle.
Josh stared at the blank screen. What about the wedding? What the hell was going on?
“Hello, handsome.”
Josh turned again to see Mary in front of him. She had on a wedding dress, but it wasn’t the same as Caitlin’s. This one had a lacy top and long sleeves, vintage
looking. Her hair was pulled back off her face and, to his surprise, no longer soaked. “You look beautiful, Mary.”
“Thank you. I just love weddings, don’t you?”
Not when the love of his life was marrying his best friend. Speaking of the two, where were they?
“She’ll be here soon,” she answered his unspoken question.
“Who?”
“You know who.” She slid past him and took her seat. “The woman you came to see perform up there.” She pointed to the stage. “On opening night. The same reason I came here so many years ago for my own love’s premiere.”
Josh could feel his cheeks warm with embarrassment. He’d traveled in a snowstorm seven hours to see Caitlin perform. “You remember that?”
“Your sister reminded me.”
“You talked to Abby?”
“Yes.” She looked over her shoulder up at the projection booth. “Hit it, Red.”
“You got it, Grandma Stevens’s bestie,” Abby called down.
Mary chuckled. “I thought I was picking up your twenty-first century slang, but I’m not sure what a ‘bestie’ is.”
Josh shook his head, utterly confused. “She can see you?”
“Yes. It’s a spell I’ve been working on to reveal myself to anyone who believes. It took me a few tries. Caitlin and Adam could only hear my voice.”
“About that . . .”
Mary went on, “But you have a special gift since you could see me without the spell.”
Josh rose from his seat, holding the blue box. He really didn’t care about his special gift, and he didn’t want to watch Caitlin’s grandfather again. “Listen, Mary. I know how much you love this movie and all, but I can’t really do this right now. I just want to say good-bye and tell you that I hope you will cross over soon because no one deserves to be parted from their soul mate for eternity.” His heart dropped and anchored in his stomach at the weight of those words.
“I couldn’t agree more.” She smiled. “Let’s watch one last time for old times’ sake.”
Josh sat back down. Fine. He’d watch the movie . . . again. Then he was finding Caitlin. The lights lowered and he concentrated on the screen.
It finally lit up and Josh couldn’t help but laugh. “Kiss and Make Up Starring Josh Stevens and Caitlin Reynolds” appeared on the screen next to their baby pictures.
Mary leaned in. “I told Abby you should have top billing.”
“That’s very kind of you. Care to fill me in on what you and my sister have been up to because this has her name written all over it?”
“Just watch.”
So that’s what he did. What proceeded was a series of pictures of Caitlin and Josh growing up followed by dozens of pictures and short video clips of the kids, no doubt courtesy of his mother. Suddenly, Josh’s senior picture flashed on the screen.
Josh looked over at a grinning Mary. “You find my hairstyle funny?”
“I remember that haircut.” She laughed. “I also remember the first time you took this seat. We watched From Here to Eternity together. I’m sorry for what I’ve done . . .” Her voice drifted.
“Insisting Caitlin marry Adam?”
“Yes.”
“Does she have to?” He took a deep breath, waiting for her response.
Ignoring his question, she pointed to the blank screen. “This is the best part.”
Josh stared ahead. He guessed he had his answer.
As laughter came through the speakers. A teenage Caitlin appeared on screen in her cheerleading uniform, sitting in a circle on a grassy lawn with her squad. They were all talking about the upcoming homecoming football game.
Joshua shook his head. He remembered that night. This must have been filmed before she slapped him. He wanted to go back in time and slap himself, too.
“Caitlin. It’s your turn. Truth or dare?” asked one of the cheerleaders who might have been Bethany Wilson. She had much higher hair back then.
“Truth.” Caitlin brought her knees to her chest.
“Because there’s no way she’s going to do a dare,” Bridget’s voice came from behind the camera.
“Shut up. It’s not that.” Caitlin shrugged her shoulders. “I have nothing to hide.”
The girls all giggled and Caitlin reached for her blue and white pompoms. Josh smiled, remembering how beautiful she was even back then. Her long, wavy brown hair swept into a high ponytail.
“Okay, here’s your question,” Bridget started, the camera zoomed right in on Caitlin’s face. “Of all the boys at Buttermilk High, which one would you marry?”
Caitlin smiled shyly and looked away.
“Come on, Caitlin,” Bethany goaded.
Caitlin pulled her knees to her chest and buried her face.
“Play the game. Is it Michael?” Bridget asked.
“No.” She looked up and smiled into the camera. “It would be Joshua Stevens.”
Bethany jumped up at that news. “Well, there he is. Hey, Josh,” she called out. “Caitlin has something to tell you.”
Josh’s mouth dropped as the screen went dark. He glanced over at Mary, but she had disappeared.
Remembering Emma’s instructions to open the blue box, he pulled off the lid. In it was a single ivory notecard. He flipped the card open. Truth. His heart melted at the single word.
Smiling, he rose from his seat and Adam met him in the aisle. “Great movie, right?”
“Were you in on this?” he asked his buddy.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Adam laughed and reached into his pant pocket. “You’ll need these.” He handed him two gold bands. “Now, go get your girl. She’s outside.”
Josh glanced down at the two bands in his palm. “But what about Mary?”
Abby came out of the projection booth and answered that question. “Don’t you worry about that. It’s going to happen. Mary needs a real couple in love to reunite. Once I explained that Adam and Caitlin weren’t that couple, she realized her spell wouldn’t work.”
She pointed to his and Caitlin’s names on the box still in his hands. “She needs that couple to reunite. Caitlin was the person at the inn the night we found the box who hadn’t reunited with the man she’s loved since high school, setting off the spell. It’s why your names appeared on the enchanted box in the first place.” She grinned, obviously pleased with herself for all she’d figured out and grabbed his arm. “Now, would you please go outside and reunite with her so everyone that is in love can finally be together?”
She didn’t have to ask him twice. Josh emerged from the theater and headed around back. His heart skipped a beat as his eyes took in the moon and stars shining brightly on the beautiful white tent that had been set up in the parking lot.
Inside, Caitlin beamed in her wedding gown, sharing a laugh with all of their family and friends. She was holding Lily, while Jacob and Cassie were both being rocked by his parents.
“Joshua! Did you like the movie?” She handed Lily over to her mother.
“It was quite a classic.” He smirked.
She put her hands on her hips. “Are you saying I’m outdated?”
“Not at all.” He reached for her hands, lacing them through his. “The ending was quite a stunner.” Bringing her hand up to his lips, he kissed her soft knuckles. “I’m sorry for what I said all those years ago. I didn’t know.”
She squeezed his hands. “Well, you do now. I love you, Joshua Stevens. I loved the broody boy in high school that put me in my place, and I love the man and father you’ve become.”
He smiled over at their triplets.
“And I know we need to obtain a marriage license before this is legal, and since I just got one today with Adam, I’m hoping we can do it later in the week.” She leaned in, whispering, “Town gossip and all. But I need you to know that you are my one true love.”
Josh smiled down at the woman whom he would be spending the rest of his life with. “It has always been you, Caitlin. I am so in love with you
, and I can’t wait to start our lives together.” He glanced over at his kids in the laps of their grandparents. “And raise our beautiful children here in Buttermilk Falls.”
He pulled out the wedding bands. They’d do it later this week legally, but tonight would be just as memorable. “Truth,” he whispered, sliding the wedding band on her finger.
“Truth.” She beamed, sliding his wedding band on.
“Kiss your bride!” Adam called out.
Smiling, Josh did exactly that. As they kissed, a rush went through him and they broke apart. From the look on Caitlin’s face, she’d felt it, too.
“Mary,” she whispered.
Joshua grabbed Caitlin’s hand as they dashed out of the tent, rounded the corner, and headed into the theater.
Abby, Emma, his mother, and Aunt Sheila on their heels and Caitlin motioned for them to follow her up to the balcony. As they stepped in and peered below, Josh’s jaw dropped. Down below, a wedding was taking place on the candlelit stage between two ghostly figures.
He drew Caitlin in, wrapping his arms around her.
“Oh, my God!” Abby’s hand went to her mouth in disbelief as they all peered over the balcony at the ghostly vision of Grandma Stevens who stood behind Mary, blowing her family a kiss.
“Grandma.” Emma reached for Aunt Sheila’s hand.
“Best show ever,” Josh whispered into Caitlin’s ear, and she nodded her agreement.
It happened so quickly, but there wasn’t a dry eye on the balcony as they watched Mary cross over to her happily ever after with her new husband and childhood best friend.
20
“Someone’s got to try to try it.” Caitlin pushed the blue box across the Sugar Spoon’s pink countertop in Emma’s direction.
“And it’s not going to be me, Caitlin Stevens.” Emma stood her ground behind the pink counter, Abby by her side. “Not after the last time. If anyone but your new husband’s name appears in your batter, I’m a dead woman.”
“Damn straight.” Josh wrapped his arms around Caitlin’s middle and pulled her in close, kissing her exposed neck. They really needed to get to the part in the night where he’d remove her beautiful white gown, yet here they were at the Sugar Spoon trying to decide who among their wedding party would stir the fresh batter Emma prepared only moments ago.
