“Follow me.” David gunned it and sped into the forest.
Cliff scrambled onto the machine sitting next to him. It started easily enough, and he headed out into the woods with a man who thought he was going to be his father-in-law.
His eyes wandered longingly to the open trails around him. Maybe if he got lost in the woods and wasn’t found in time, they’d forget about the wedding.
Diana’s worried and disappointed face came to his mind. He couldn’t do that to her. He knew what it felt like to be tossed aside. Even if the engagement was fake, he’d hurt her. She had a heart softer than freshly fallen snow. With a sigh, he set his course. For better or worse, he’d have to play along until he had a chance to talk to Diana.
Chapter 18
Diana
“It’s so delicate.” Diana barely dared breathe as she stepped into the hundred-year-old dress.
“It’s sturdier than it looks.” Mom helped tug it down. “Grandma Lola didn’t have your boobs.”
Sadie giggled. “She probably wore a corset.”
“Nonsense—she was a modern woman.” Mom swatted away Sadie’s giggles like she had when the girls were teens. “I’ve had the dress treated by a preservationist. I’ll have to do it again after your wedding. Try not to sweat in it, will you?”
Diana’s laugh was as uncomfortable as the itchy lace at her arms. “What did he use? A vat of starch? This isn’t going to give me hives, is it?”
Mom stepped back and looked her over. The thickly piled carpet muffled all movements except the crinkling sound of the fabric. It was like sheets of paper being crumpled into balls. “The sound is an issue. I’ll send him a text and see if he has any tips.” She went for her phone on the dresser.
“Maybe it’s a sign,” Diana ventured. “If the dress isn’t going to work, I shouldn’t be getting married today.”
Mom’s shoulders fell. “You can’t let this stop you.” Diana could see the hopes, dreams, and excitement at seeing her daughter married on the hundredth anniversary of her grandparents’ wedding slough off of her like an expensive fur coat. Mom squared her shoulders. “I’m texting the restorationist.”
Sadie got off the bed and came to put both her hands on Diana’s shoulders. “You’ve got cold feet. That’s totally normal. I did when I got married. And look how good that turned out.”
“But—” Diana searched for a way to come clean.
“You love Cliff, don’t you?” Sadie looked deep into her eyes.
Diana nodded. “I do. I love him. But—”
“Then there are no ‘buts.’ Every time you think about backing out, lean on that love. Draw it up inside of you and hold on to it, and all your fears will melt away.”
Not all my fears. She couldn’t possibly explain that her biggest fear was that she would scare away the man she wanted to marry with a wedding.
Mom’s phone dinged. “He said to spritz it with water and let it dry and it will relax.” She smiled, hugging her phone. “See? It’s meant to be.”
Diana held back her moan. She needed to talk to Cliff—needed to find out what was in his heart. And she needed to find a way to cancel this wedding—stat. She’d get out of the dress, put on her clothes, and kidnap him right away.
Mom and Sadie worked to get her out of the stiff satin and lace. The dress was gorgeous, the lace hand-made. How Grandma Lola managed to make such a beautiful dress in less than a month was a miracle by itself. While Mom and Sadie were in the bathroom with a spray bottle, she dressed and slipped out the door, running for the kitchen.
Sadie was already caught up in the whole don’t see the groom before the ceremony thing, and she’d do all she could to keep the two of them apart. In the kitchen, she found the preteen, teen, and early-twenty-something guys having a suds fight. They paused when they saw her, sharing looks that asked who was going to take the fall.
“Where’s Cliff?” she asked quietly.
Most of them shrugged.
Bryson popped up from behind the island. “Dad took him to get firewood.” He dropped quickly as a wet sponge flew his direction.
She threw her hands in the air. “I need to talk to him.” No one paid her any attention as they went back to their in-house water fight.
She scowled and stomped off to her room. She needed to wash her hair. But mostly, she needed a warm shower. The bathroom was the only place she was likely to get any privacy, and she needed some time to think.
Chapter 19
Cliff
Cliff rolled a heavy log behind the sled and then patted it. “Is this going to be enough?”
David slapped his leather gloves together. “That’ll make about fifteen nice-sized logs.” They worked together to tie it off to the back of the snowmobile so David could drag it back to the woodshed. “I bought a log splitter last year.” He puffed with pride.
Cliff grinned. David was a man who enjoyed his toys. He took care of his machines, getting them regularly serviced so they ran properly.
He pulled off his beanie and swiped at his forehead. “You know, Cliff, my wife can get excited about things. She gets an idea in her head and wants to plow forward. It’s one of the things I love about her. When I wanted to strike out on my own and start my company, she was right there beside me—a force of nature. She was better at sealing deals than I was, because she believed in me.”
Cliff nodded. “I’ve noticed that about her.”
David laughed. “She’s got her heart set on this wedding happening tonight.”
Here was his chance. “About that …”
“I can’t let it happen—”
Cliff breathed deeply. Finally, someone who could see his side of things.
“—unless I know for certain that you love my daughter.”
“I—Wait. You’re not calling off the wedding?”
“I might. All you have to do is tell me you’re not in love with Diana.” He put his hand on Cliff’s shoulder and made eye contact. “Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t love her or won’t love her for forever, and I’ll make it all stop.”
Cliff searched his soul. He could make the wedding go away. He could continue to keep his past buried deep where it wouldn’t haunt him. He could stop the wheels that were gaining speed underneath him and carrying him and Diana to the altar. All he had to do was … lie. “I love her, sir. I love her more than I’ve loved any other human being before. She’s the best part of my life.”
David’s eyes twinkled. “Then I’d better get you back so you can get dressed for your wedding.”
Cliff’s heart sank. “I still need to call my family.”
David climbed onto the snowmobile. “Then we definitely need to get you back into cell service. They may still call the whole thing off. And if that happens, then I’m going to have to find a way to make it up to my wife.” He smiled widely, letting Cliff know there was a way out of this without burning bridges. Thankfully, Diana’s family was considerate enough to put their plans on hold for his parents.
Julianna’s family hadn’t been that kind. They’d bulldozed his parents in almost every decision. As energetic as the Dalagar clan could be when they got an idea in their head, they weren’t bullies. In fact, his parents would like them—a lot. They’d fit right in during the holiday kerfuffle. Maybe next year things would be different.
Who was he kidding? The plan was to fake a breakup after the holidays so Diana would be here next year with a fake broken heart. If he left the cabin without a bride, he wouldn’t be coming back.
Chapter 20
Diana
Diana rushed into Cliff’s room and shut the door behind her. This wasn’t a time to worry about his sensitivities to being alone with her. She needed answers.
He turned, and their eyes caught and held—heat building between them. Her soul tore in two. One half needed to have a conversation; the other needed to bury her fingers in his hair and kiss him until she forgot her name.
“We can’t go through with this,”
she blurted at the same time he said, “We have to get married.”
She cocked her head. “What did you say?”
He crossed the room and took both her hands. “Listen, do you think it would be such a bad thing if—”
“Aha!” Sadie jumped into the room Batman style, her arms spread. “Caught ya!”
Diana jumped. “What in the world?”
“Come on—I told you, no seeing the groom.” She grabbed one of Diana’s hands from Cliff. “But I’ll make an exception for opening presents. The kids won’t wait, and Mom will freak out if you miss it.”
Diana gritted her teeth. Her sister was fast becoming a thorn in her side. But there was no way around opening presents. “We’re coming.”
Sadie flipped her hair over her shoulder. “I was told not to come back without you.”
“You’re so annoying!” Diana shoved her toward the door but followed in her wake. Cliff still held her other hand, and she hoped he wouldn’t let go. His thumb brushed her palm and she whimpered with desire, quickly covering it with a cough.
In the gathering room, the tree lights were on and barely visible in the early afternoon sunlight. Kids bounced on their knees, scooting closer and closer to the mound of presents. The old folks were settled on the couches, enjoying watching the young ones.
“Finally.” Mom leveled with her a look. “I think it’s Troy’s turn to be Santa and hand out presents this year.” She motioned for him to get started. The gifts were all in a jumble and didn’t come out in any specific order, so no one knew who would be next. After the first five were handed out, chaos descended. Troy called out the names he read off tags and passed gifts out as fast as he could. Wrapping paper and bows piled up. Hugs were handed out and received. It was pandemonium.
Diana opened the gift from her parents. It was a set of mixing bowls and decorating bags and tips. She smiled and showed it to Cliff. “Now I can make even more cupcakes.”
He hugged her to his side, letting his arm linger across her shoulders. “I look forward to it.”
A second later, Troy called her name again. Confused, she leaned over the top of Roy and his Lego world quickly taking shape to retrieve a smaller box. She checked the tag and then flipped on Cliff, her heart thundering. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”
He smiled, his eyes sparkling. “I didn’t have to, but I saw this a while back and thought of you.”
She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Then I’m sure I’m going to love it.” With a feeling of glee, she ripped open the wrapping paper and found a large velvet box. It was too big for a ring, not that she was expecting one, but part of her was hoping … she couldn’t deny that. She pried open the lid and found a sterling silver charm bracelet with two charms: a unicorn and a cupcake. “Cliff.” She melted into his chest, still holding the jewelry. The name on the inside of the box was high-end. He couldn’t have just seen this at any old store. He had to have been in a jewelry shop. “When? How?”
He undid the latch and wrapped it around her wrist. “Last September. That Saturday you dropped off cinnamon rolls so I’d have something decent for breakfast.”
She laughed, thinking about how she’d heard him pour cereal the week before and felt bad. Her family always had something scrumptious to start their day, her mom often getting up before the sun to start the day off right. She could just picture this strong man over there with a tiny bowl of Cheerios, and it stirred a desire inside of her to take care of him. As she’d walked away, her bracelet caught on her sweater and broke, spilling beads across the sidewalk. She’d brushed it off because she really didn’t care about the jewelry. But Cliff had been worried. And he’d gone out and bought her this beautiful replacement.
She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. “Thank you,” she breathed against his mouth, loving the smell of him that surrounded her.
He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “You’re welcome.”
“Cliff,” called David.
His eyebrows went up.
She giggled. “You’re not the only one who went shopping.” While he accepted his box, she admired the charms. They were so cute. The cupcake even had pink frosting on it.
He sat back down and gave her a rueful smile before tearing into the paper. “A flannel shirt?” He lifted it out of the box.
She grinned. “I told you, I like you just the way you are.” She fingered the soft fabric. “And you don’t have a blue one.”
He bear-hugged her, encasing her completely in his arms. She sighed happily. “I don’t deserve you, Diana.”
She tipped her head, bringing their mouths closer together. So far, she’d started every good kiss they’d had. She really wanted him to start this one, so she waited. He traced his finger down the side of her face before slowly, so slowly, lowering his mouth to cover hers. Where her kisses had been hungry and quick, which he’d matched desire for desire, his kiss was slower, deliberate, and achingly tender. Oh, she could get used to kisses like that.
“Ahem!” Sadie stood in front of them. She continued once she had their full attention, which took a moment because Diana buried her face in Cliff’s neck, feeling his beard tickle her cheek. “It’s time to get you bride-ified! Mom recruited Celine to help get the dress ready since she has so much experience with fashion.” She clapped and bounced on her toes. “I have the perfect idea for your hair, and Mom found her veil.” She clamped her hand over her mouth. “I probably should leave some things a surprise for the groom. Come on.” She motioned for Diana to go with her.
Diana reluctantly extracted herself from Cliff’s embrace. She trailed her fingers down his arm as she moved. Goose bumps rose on his skin, and she silently thrilled at the physical evidence that she had an effect on him.
Once they were in the master suite, she jumped up and down. “I’m getting married!”
Sadie joined her in the jumping. “I know!” They dissolved into giggles.
When the euphoria wore off, reality started to seep in. Cliff hadn’t called his family. This whole thing could go south in a phone call.
He’d been so wonderful today. So sweet. So loving. Everything she’d ever wanted. Surely if he had reservations about getting married, he would have said so. Hadn’t he blurted out that they should go through with the ceremony? She thought back to that one moment in his room when no one was around. Yes, that’s what he’d said. He said they should get married.
Her stomach swirled with happy butterflies. On their wings was a dream of the life she’d share with Cliff. He could move into her condo, or she’d move into his. She didn’t care which. They would wake up each morning in one another’s arms and share kisses and giggles before getting ready for work. She’d pump him full of home-made foods, and he’d spoil her with I love yous.
Sadie unloaded her makeup bag on the dresser. She’d dragged in a barstool earlier and set up flat irons, curling wands, and a variety of styling products lined up like nutcrackers.
Diana settled into the chair and swallowed. The charms on her wrist tickled her skin, making her think of the way Cliff brushed his thumb over her palm. She rubbed her hands together, wondering what tomorrow would look like. They were getting married today.
Married. For real.
The ceremony would be beautiful—of that she had no doubt. But what was going to happen tomorrow? It could be uncomfortable at best and ugly at worst. She didn’t want ugly with Cliff.
“Stop chewing your nail.” Sadie swatted her hand away from her mouth. “You haven’t done that in years. What is going on? Earlier you had cold feet. Now you look positively ill.”
Diana dropped her chin to her chest. “I’m a mess.”
“Spill, but lift your head, because I need to get this product in there.” She rubbed a cream between her hands and began working it into Diana’s tresses.
“Where’s Mom?” Diana asked first.
“She’s cleaning up wrapping paper in the gathering room.”
“Okay.” D
iana shifted, getting more comfortable. She let it all spill out: the whole inviting Cliff because she didn’t want him alone for the holiday, letting Mom believe they were more than friends, and falling in love with him.
“Girl—no wonder you’re a mess.” Sadie ran the flat iron over a section of Diana’s hair.
“I think he loves me too, but I don’t know if he’s going along with all this to keep up the farce or what. And every time I go to ask him, you drop in and tell me not to be alone with the groom.” She swatted at her sister, probably harder than she should have.
Sadie dodged it. “Sorry! I didn’t know.”
“No one does.”
“Not no one.” Celine came out of the bathroom, a spray bottle in her hand. “I can’t believe you, Diana. I counted on you being here for me this year, and you abandoned me.”
Diana shared a quick she’s crazy look with Sadie.
Celine glared. “I understood because you’d fallen in love, but knowing you lied—that’s despicable.”
Diana jumped to her feet, earning her a quick tug to her hair, as her sister wasn’t quite done sectioning it off. “Celine, please, please don’t tell anyone. I’m not even sure what’s going on with Cliff.”
Celine set the spray bottle on the dresser. “I need to go for a walk.”
Diana’s hands shook. “This is bad. This is so, so bad.”
Sadie pushed her back in the chair. “You can’t worry about her right now. We need to get your hair done, and I haven’t even started on your nails.”
Diana slumped. Celine was like a time bomb. She’d been testy all weekend and was one ornament short of a decorated tree. Cliff seemed on board with everything, but he hadn’t actually said he loved her. And to top that off, she was in love with him. Which meant that she was standing on the edge of something either wonderful or terribly heartbreaking. “I need to call this off.”
“You can’t.” Sadie’s answer was so fast, so matter-of-fact, that it paused Diana’s anxiety. Her older sister had a way of sounding so authoritative when she wanted to.
Her Totally Hot Forbidden Fake Fiance Page 9
