Colton

by Lori Wilde

  “Don’t bother,” she said, starting the motor. “I’ve been called worse things. As for reforming that boy, I believe you could sooner teach a pig to sing. Have a lovely wedding.”

  April sighed as she watched the golf cart putter away. For a while there, she’d actually thought she and Mrs. Turner were making some headway in the standing feud that seemed to be brewing between them. For a brief moment—too brief, in fact—they’d talked like neighbors instead of enemies.

  And now the moment had passed for her to make peace with Mrs. Turner, although it was questionable whether the older woman wanted to make peace. April didn’t like being at odds with anyone, but she felt helpless to change things.

  She turned at the touch of a hand on her shoulder.

  “Mrs. Turner?” Colton asked.

  April nodded. “This time it’s a problem with her titmice.”

  He pushed the hat back from his forehead and tried not to focus on the image that popped into his head. “Sounds serious. Maybe she should see a doctor.”

  “I don’t think a doctor can fix what’s ailing Bea Turner.”

  Nor could a doctor fix what was ailing Colton Radway. Only April possessed the cure, and he was determined that the wedding proceed according to plan.

  He swallowed hard, hoping April would understand why he would stop at nothing to have her. Hoping the ends would ultimately justify his means.

  “Come on,” he said, nudging her toward the bathhouse. “Let’s not let her or anything else ruin our special day. In another hour, you’re going to be Mrs. Radway.”

  “I’m keeping my name.”

  “You can’t,” he insisted. “You need to do the Mr. and Mrs. thing so people will believe we’re really married.”

  “Is that legal?”

  Colton paused a moment before answering and hoped she didn’t notice his hesitation. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” Holding the bathhouse door open for her, he said, “Your mother brought her wedding dress for you to wear.”

  April stopped in the open doorway. “I thought we were going to keep things casual.”

  “Go ahead and wear it.” When she started to resist, he added, “For the same reason you need to drop Hanson and start using Radway. People expect it. Besides, it’ll look nice with my tux.”

  April rolled her eyes. “You rented a tux for a wedding at a campground?”

  Colton knew what she was thinking. That she and Eddie hadn’t gone to this much trouble for their real marriage eighteen years ago. And that was one more reason he wanted to make their day special.

  “Don’t you think that’s a bit much?”

  Colton propped his foot against the bathhouse door to hold it open, and he took her hand in his. “It’s not every day a guy gets married,” he said, feigning the part of a tearful bride. “All I’m asking for is some nice clothes to wear, a few lousy flowers, and some pictures to remember it by.” He forced a dramatic sob and laid the back of his hand against his forehead. “Is that too much to ask for on the most special day of a guy’s life?”

  A toilet flushed, and a moment later Grandma Cole walked out. “You’re a lucky girl to get such a romantic husband,” she told April. “Let him have his way with the wedding, and you can have your way with him tonight.”

  April’s eyes widened as her sweet and proper grandmother shuffled past and headed toward the camp store.

  Colton grinned. “Sounds fair to me.” He let go of her hand and backed away from the door. “Earl’s not here yet, and nobody knows where he is. If he doesn’t arrive in the next half hour, I’m going to send someone out looking for him.”

  With that, he dashed over to the camp store. A second later, he popped his head out to find her still staring after him. “I’ll send Stella, Nicole, and Mother Joan to help you primp.”

  And then he was gone.

  “Mother Joan?” April muttered to herself. She had to have a talk with Colton. He was taking this marriage scheme far too seriously.

  By the time she was showered and dressed in the gown that had seen the marriages of her mother and niece, there was still no sign of Earl. By now, all the guests had arrived. Those who knew Earl well were speculating that he’d forgotten about the wedding or, at the very least, gotten lost along the way.

  The game room had been set up for the reception. A tall, tiered cake, made by their television-chef friend Jillian, towered over plates of ham biscuits, Danish wedding cookies, mints, and peanuts on a folding table. Her friends Lanie and Nixie helped finish setting up the refreshments and decorations. Since Maybelline had taken a strong interest in the refreshments, someone had led her outside to her doghouse. And now Aunt Charlotte was whisking curious children out of the room.

  April peeked outside at the picnic shelter where earlier she’d sat talking with Mrs. Turner. While she’d dressed in her wedding finery, the men had removed the picnic tables and set up folding chairs on the concrete floor. Crepe ribbons and accordion paper bells festooned the rafters.

  If this were a real wedding, April couldn’t have asked for a nicer one. Or a more beautiful day. There was nothing fancy about the planned ceremony. Most of the guests would be wearing the same shorts and tank tops they had donned for the reunion activities. The whole affair was simple and unpretentious, just like her and Colton.

  She felt a twinge of guilt that it all amounted to a huge pretense. But there was nothing make believe about the hearty congratulations and well wishes she and Colton had received from their family and friends. April was not a person to lie, and this deception did not sit well with her.

  “Don’t worry,” said Colton’s friend Boone Shelton. “I’m sure Earl will show up soon, and you’ll be married without a hitch.”

  April smiled, thinking about the irony in the man’s words. Married without a hitch. That was exactly what she wanted.

  Wasn’t it?

  She picked up the train of her gown and slung it over one arm to prevent barefooted children from stepping on it as they weaved in and out among the impatient adults.

  Maybe it’s a sign, she thought. If Earl didn’t show up, she could easily and gracefully put an end to this farce by refusing to reschedule it. She ought to have her head examined for considering such a foolish idea in the first place. Colton was usually the one to bail her out of unfortunate predicaments. This was the first time he’d ever talked her into one.

  “Hey, get out of here,” Nicole protested behind her. “You’re not supposed to see the bride before the wedding.”

  Colton waved away her objections. “I thought I saw a car coming. It might be Earl’s.”

  Many of the guests rushed to the windows, and a few stepped outside to watch the plume of dust grow closer as the car approached. But, as for April, her eyes were fixed on Colton.

  She’d never seen him look so handsome as he did now in the perfectly fitted tuxedo. Accustomed to seeing him in a work shirt and jeans or shorts, she let her eyes feast on the classic elegance he emanated today.

  It was obvious he’d tried to comb his hair into submission. His face was clean and tanned, marred only by a small razor nick along his jaw. The cut of the tux emphasized the broadness of his shoulders, and the royal blue cummerbund served to showcase his flat abdomen.

  It could have been April’s imagination, but he actually seemed taller than usual today.

  “It’s Earl,” Joan announced when the car was close enough to identify.

  A cheer went up from the crowd as the magistrate stepped out of his car and came inside.

  “Some idiot deputy stopped me,” her cousin told them by way of greeting. “For going five miles over the speed limit.”

  Colton and April looked at each other. “Deputy Dugg,” they said in unison.

  “Yeah, that was his name. I told him I was on my way to perform a wedding. He asked whose wedding, and when I gave him your names, he wrote me a ticket!”

  He patted his pants’ pockets, then his shirt, and pulled out a pair of bifoca
ls that he perched on his nose. Her cousin, though only five years older than she, was already condemned to wearing the glasses of the middle-aged, April noted. She rubbed the brown spot on her hand that was already turning darker under the springtime sun and gave thanks that she would be starting the family she wanted so much while there was still time left.

  “He even had the nerve to say something about making his quota,” Earl continued.

  Yep, that was definitely Alexander Dugg.

  “Well, enough of that,” said Joan with less than a full dose of sympathy for his plight. “Let’s get on with the wedding.”

  Mrs. Radway and Joan herded the guests out to the picnic shelter amid the grumbled protests of a couple of kids who didn’t want to leave the air-conditioned building.

  Out of habit of several years, Colton grabbed his Stetson hat and placed it on his head. Then, although it was probably against some rule of weddings, he took her hand and walked with her out to the picnic shelter. They waited together at the back of the group while everyone got seated.

  Still holding April’s hand, he turned to her. He’d seen this dress on Nicole the previous year, but he didn’t remember it looking so feminine or so small. The nipped waistline emphasized the gentle curve of April’s bosom and hips. It was all he could do to keep from tracing its outline with the palms of his hands.

  The veil framed her tanned face, emphasizing her large eyes that seemed to be glimmering with moisture.

  “Having second thoughts?” he asked.

  When she shook her head, the veil worked loose from her hair, and Colton reattached it with a white hairpin. “Me, neither,” he said, smoothing the veil and then resting his hands on her shoulders. “It seems I’ve been waiting my whole life for this moment.”

  April blinked. “Buddy, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you sounded like a real groom.”

  She nervously cleared her throat, and Colton realized he’d said too much. Perhaps it was guilt nibbling at his conscience, but he had to tell her before the ceremony.

  “April, I want you to know that I’m not just doing this as a favor to you.” His mouth suddenly went dry, and he licked his lips. “I care for you very much, and—”

  “I know,” she said, stopping him from going further. “You’re doing it for the campground.” She didn’t meet his eyes. “Don’t worry, Buddy. I won’t forget that this is an arrangement … for both of us.”

  “No, that’s not what I—”

  “It’s okay,” she insisted. “I understand.”

  That was the problem. She didn’t understand. The hell with subtlety—he may as well just blurt it out.

  “April, I love you, and I want you to marry me.” He doubted she’d misunderstand that. But, to make sure, he added, “For real.”

  She smiled, the expression touching every feature of her face. “I love you, too, Buddy, and I certainly intend to marry you. For real.”

  She had spoken the words louder than necessary, and now she leaned toward him to give him a quick hug. When she spoke again, her lips near his ear, her words came in a whisper.

  “Nice acting. You’re quite believable.”

  Not believable enough, unfortunately.

  When she pulled away from him, she nodded to the front of their makeshift chapel.

  A couple of Colton’s friends from college had brought a banjo and guitar and were plucking out “Close to You” with a bluegrass twang.

  Earl was saying something to Steven, who waved for Colton to come join him. April’s father took her hand from her faux fiancé’s with a whispered comment to Colton. “I think that’s your cue.”

  April smiled up at her father, glad that he and her mother had set aside their differences for the day. Stella and Nicole positioned themselves in front of them. They’d taken it upon themselves to shop for coordinating sundresses for the event. April had to admit the overall effect was quite romantic. And very believable. It was enough to give her very real wedding-day jitters.

  Colton’s friends started the processional with their stringed instruments, and her sister and niece began their walk up the aisle.

  Her father tucked her arm in his. “I’m so happy for you, honey,” he said. “Colton’s a good man. He’ll do right by you.”

  And once again April felt guilty for deceiving her loved ones. Before she could change her mind, the pickers changed to “Here Comes the Bride,” alternating between them in the style of “Dueling Banjos.”

  How appropriate, she thought as her emotions dueled within her.

  Her father started down the aisle, and April felt her panic rise. She was halfway there when she looked up and saw Colton watching her. Steven reached up to take the hat off the groom’s head and placed it on an empty chair at the front. She almost laughed at Colton’s startled reaction to the best man’s unexpected move, and she was relieved to find herself feeling much more relaxed. Once again, she thanked her lucky stars to have such a good friend that he was willing to make this sacrifice for her.

  Once her father passed her off to Colton, the ceremony went smoothly. Her make-believe bridegroom seemed as nervous as if this wedding were actually real, and April noticed that her knees shook when Earl asked if anyone objected to the wedding. She was half expecting someone to stand up and declare them frauds. Colton seemed to understand, and he squeezed her hand in his.

  When they had said their vows, Earl pronounced them husband and wife, and Colton kissed her. As he lowered his head to hers, he whispered so low that she almost missed it. “My wife.”

  With all the practice they’d had at the bridal shower, April thought she would have been used to his kisses by now. But this time was somehow different … and more special. It was ever so tender, and he held her in his arms with a sort of reverence. Even though she consciously knew it was all an act, it still made her feel treasured and precious. With her arms looped around his neck as she returned his kiss, April was overcome with the feeling that this couldn’t have been a better wedding if it were legitimate.

  “Oh, no! Rocky!” Jasmine cried.

  At the sound of squeals and chairs scraping, the spell of the kiss was broken. Both of them turned around to see what all the commotion was about.

  A furry gray blur bounded from person to person, ricocheting off shoulders and heads as skillfully as if he were leaping from treetop to treetop, the red leash dragging behind him. In his wake, women scrambled out of their seats, and men and children swung their arms in an attempt to stop the little dynamo. Unfortunately, that only fueled Rocky’s attempts to evade them.

  Matters got worse a moment later at the arrival of Maybelline who, with barks of delight, joined the fray.

  Colton helped subdue the dog while April ran after the squirrel. But the furry fellow seemed further agitated by her flowing veil. Whipping the headpiece off, April tossed it to her sister and proceeded to tree the creature on a support beam of the picnic shelter.

  Once he was safely in her arms, she cuddled the frightened animal to her chest.

  Colton returned a moment later after having secured Maybelline to the doghouse. He lightly stroked the squirrel’s head and then slipped an arm around April’s waist. The banjo and guitar cued the guests to return to their seats as April and Colton marched down the aisle together.

  April glanced up at the man beside her and saw that he was nonchalant about the disturbance.

  He caught her gaze and flashed her a warm smile. “Looks like our marriage is off to a ‘Rocky’ start.”

  7

  A rocky start didn’t begin to describe it.

  First, a bee was attracted to the hairspray that April was unaccustomed to wearing. When Jasmine had tried to swat it away from her hair, the agitated insect had stung April on the cheek.

  Then, as most of the guests were leaving, Colton’s uncle Al had taken his hearing aid out and couldn’t remember where he’d left it. Colton, April, and the remaining guests had spent more than an hour searching for it, only to have Uncle Al
discover it in his shirt pocket.

  And, of course, Deputy Dugg couldn’t resist giving them a wedding present...a ticket for littering when the soda cans someone tied to the back of their car broke loose on the road.

  And now, when they’d finally reached their hotel room after two and a half hours of driving and April was ready to claim one of the beds as her own, they opened the door to discover only one bed. A king-size bed.

  “We’re going to have to move to another room,” she said after they set their luggage down. “I’ll call the front desk.”

  “No.” Colton took the receiver from her hand and put it back on the phone. “If we change rooms, they’ll charge a different rate, and your mother will know about it when she gets her credit card receipt.”

  He was right. April looked around the room, but there was no sofa for one of them to sleep on. Besides the dresser and nightstand, there was a small round table with two upholstered chairs. She searched through her purse until she came up with a quarter.

  “Call it,” she said. “Heads or tails?”

  “What are you doing?”

  “Trying to decide who sleeps on the floor tonight.”

  “I don’t think so.” He caught the quarter as it spun in the air and pocketed it. “I’m not sleeping on the floor, and neither are you.”

  “Fine,” she said, pulling the covers back. “I hope you’re comfortable in the chair.”

  She could feel him watching her. She was already nervous about this setup, and his steady scrutiny was making it even worse. He stepped closer, and she tried to ignore him. Tried to ignore the tightness in her chest.

  He stilled her hands with his own and turned her toward him. “We can sleep together in this bed,” he told her calmly. “It’s no big deal.”

  “Buddy—”

  “We’re lifelong best friends. We know each other better than anyone else knows either of us. Heck, we’ve even seen each other topless.”

  April smiled at the memory. At preschool they used to splash together in the wading pool, and sometimes more than their shirts would come off. “Things have changed since then,” she reminded him.