“Why not?”
“Cliff’s already been left at the altar once. How is he going to feel if you back out?”
“Oh my gosh—I didn’t even think of that.” Her heart seized at the thought of the pain she’d cause him by leaving him at the church—er, barn. He’d been in such a dark place when they first met and so grumpy for so long after that. “Even if he doesn’t have feelings for me, calling the marriage off now could trigger some sort of traumatic memory.” She grabbed Sadie’s arm. “I can’t do that to him.”
“You’re not going to.” Sadie’s voice had the note of assurance that Diana needed.
Diana nodded. The only way to save Cliff from her rash decision-making and blatant misrepresentation of their relationship was to marry him. It was upside down and backwards, but somehow it made sense. “I’m going to do this. I’m going to marry him. If he wants to undo it later, that’s what we’ll do.”
Sadie slowed down. “What about you? Can you handle marrying him and then having it annulled?”
“I don’t know,” Diana whispered. “It’s a real possibility that I would be messed up.” She closed her eyes. “I’d rather I’m messed up than he is, though.”
Sadie hugged her from behind. “Then you know it’s really love.”
“Yeah.”
Chapter 21
Cliff
Cliff pressed his phone to his ear as he trudged along the driveway. He finally had a moment alone and cell service. He was about to call his parents when he chickened out and decided to call Asher instead.
“Ho ho ho,” Asher answered the phone.
His brother’s voice was as calming as a warm southern wind. Asher had a level head, whereas Cliff was off in Whoville agreeing to get married in a barn on Christmas. “You sound chipper for a guy stuck in a hospital today.”
“That’s because I’m getting off early.”
“How’d you swing that?” He tugged on his beard. Exactly how was he going to explain the last 24 hours?
“A Christmas miracle.”
Cliff decided to bite the bullet. “Good. If you hop on I-25, you might make it in time for my wedding.”
“Your what now?”
He groaned. “Remember that fake dating thing I told you about?”
“With Diana.” Asher’s brain was the faster and smarter out of the two of them. He knew exactly what Cliff was talking about but was slowing this all down for Cliff’s sake. Bless him.
“Yes. Well, things have escalated—you could say.”
“I’m getting in my car and headed that way—so start talking. I need something to keep me awake anyway.”
He talked. And then talked some more. He even shared light details about Mistletoe Mile and her great-grandparents and the 100-year anniversary. He talked about how much this meant to her parents and how the whole family was behind them getting married. “It’s like a force of nature, man—tearing through the house and sweeping up everyone in its wake.”
“Including you.”
“I guess.” He blew out a breath. Was that what was happening? Was he swept up in the moment? In Diana? In the idea of having the life he’d planned before that was ripped away in an instant?
“Do you want to marry Diana?”
Just hearing her name made Cliff feel all warm inside. She was everything he’d wanted in a wife—soft, smart, tender, loving, nurturing, and thoughtful. “Would you check me into a mental hospital if I said yes?”
Asher sighed. “No. But I’m not sure you’re ready for this. Wasn’t it just yesterday you said you were having a hard time acting like you were dating, and now you want to get married?”
“Was it yesterday? It’s all happened so fast, but it feels so natural.”
“You were supposed to pretend to like her. To practice your skills so you could start dating again. And then maybe, in a couple years, you could think about finding someone to spend your life with.”
“She’s already a part of my life. I just didn’t realize how much. And I can’t imagine not having her there. I’m afraid that if I call it off now, I’ll ruin any chance I’ll have of winning her heart.” A sense of desperation grabbed onto his rib cage. He could screw this up in a major way.
“So you’re going to gamble your future?”
“I know! I know it looks like that. I just … I’m in love with her.”
The line was silent.
“Did I lose you?” He pulled the phone away from his ear to check the screen. The call was still connected. “Hello?”
“Maybe,” Asher finally said, “she’s really the girl for you.”
Cliff sucked air through his teeth. “Why do you say that?” He needed some reassurance that he was not making the biggest mistake of his life.
“Because I thought it would be five years before you could say those words about another woman, and I thought I’d have to give you a pep talk to make it happen. But you just volunteered the information.”
“It’s the truth. And it’s deeper than anything I ever felt for Julianna. I can’t even believe I thought that was love.” He kicked a pile of snow. “This is so much more.”
Asher sighed again. “Do you need a best man?”
“Yes.” Cliff tipped his chin up and laughed. The thought of his brother standing next to him as he said “I do” to the girl of his dreams would make this the best Christmas of his life. “Get your butt here by five, or I’m replacing you with crazy Uncle Tom.”
Asher laughed. “Sounds like it’ll be a party. What are you going to tell Mom and Dad?”
“The truth. We weren’t planning on this, but the pieces fell into place. Do you think they’ll be upset?”
“Naw. They’ll be relieved. They’ve been more worried about you than I have. You sound happy—that’s all they want.”
“Thanks, bro. I’m calling them now.”
He gave Asher directions to the cabin and then called his parents. They were thrilled for him, though sad that they would miss the ceremony. He promised to take them out to dinner with Diana and provide proper instructions. Maybe they’d plan a small reception for close friends of the family. After the stress of his last wedding, they weren’t too eager to jump in again. He assured them that they would love Diana’s parents—they were good people. He could see David enjoying hours in a canoe when the lake thawed this spring.
As he hung up, he stroked his hand down his beard. Shoot. He couldn’t get married looking like an overgrown Brawny Man. He had to hurry up and shave, or he’d be late for his own wedding. He grinned, remembering Diana’s gift. She liked him just the way he was, so he’d keep the beard. But he’d trim it up and shape it to a length that would still tickle her cheek but make him look respectable. He hustled up the walk. He couldn’t wait to meet his bride.
Chapter 22
Diana
Pacing in a wedding gown with the three-foot lace train was impossible, but that didn’t stop Diana from trying. She tripped with each turn. Her dad watch, his eyes full of amusement. “I thought men were supposed to be the jittery ones.”
She managed a slight smile. The partitions in the barn had been put into place. The right side was set up as a bride’s room, complete with a fluffy couch and table for makeup. The center of the barn was lined with two rows of pews and the left wing was for the groomsmen.
“What are we waiting for?” She checked the clock on the wall. It was only a set of iron hands, no numbers, but she could tell they were five minutes past five.
“Cliff’s brother. He should be here any minute.” Dad worked on a splinter in his palm as he talked.
Diana stared. “When did he talk to his family?” Their only good excuse for calling this off was his absent parents. If Cliff made things right with them … then they were going to kiss as bride and groom in under a half hour. Her heart leapt to her throat and them plummeted to her toes. Or he’d not called, thinking that they could annul this without his mom or dad ever finding out. Either way, she was going to have to wal
k down that aisle, and she didn’t think her knees could hold up for that long, they shook so badly.
Dad glanced up and she nodded quickly, feeling the dozens of bobby pins in her hair tug at her scalp. Sadie made sure she could ride a tornado with this do and it would stay in place. The prelude music started, a signal to the guests that they should take their seats. The large barn doors were mostly closed to block out the sound of a late arrival pulling into the parking lot. She couldn’t imagine who else would show up—almost everyone she knew was in the barn.
“Ready?” Dad offered his arm.
She giggled nervously. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I was a little girl.” No matter what happened, she wanted to remember this time with her dad. He looked at her with that same indulgent smile he’d used during countless tea parties. Her eyes misted over, and she blinked furiously to save her mascara.
“Me too.” Dad wiped at his eyes and sniffed. “They say the first one’s the hardest and it gets easier from there, but this is just as bad as Sadie.” He sniffed again.
Diana nodded, knowing that she and her father had a special bond. He’d been the one she’d talk to about dates and boys over ice cream. Mom was always so dramatic about things, and Dad was like a calm lake. There were ripples for sure, but nothing made big waves. She tugged her veil over her face and smiled through the gauzy fabric. “Let’s go.”
“He’s a good man, Diana. You chose well.” Dad patted her hand.
“I know.” She warmed. Even if it was only for twelve hours, she and Cliff would be married. She’d be a wife and he’d be her husband. There was something special and wonderful about that. No matter what happened in the morning, she was going to cherish the time they had together, and she wouldn’t let anything spoil it.
They stepped out of the bride’s room, the fabric rustling gently. The water had worked wonders on the gown: the satin and lace were soft and had a beautiful aged patina.
Mom waited for them just behind the temporary walls that blocked her from view. She took a moment to arrange the train and air-kiss Diana through the veil. “Something borrowed,” she gave the veil a fluff. “Something old.” She pointed to the dress.
“And something new.” Diana lifted her arm to show the charm bracelet dangling there. Her heart melted every time she thought of Cliff bending over the display case to pick out two charms that reminded him of her.
“Perfect.” Mom smiled, dabbed at the corner of her eye, and then hurried around the partition and to her place on the front row.
Sadie stepped forward and handed her a simple bouquet of mistletoe.
“I love it.” Diana grinned. She hadn’t thought of flowers, but mistletoe was just the right touch, considering how she and Cliff shared their first kiss. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Sadie’s eyes misted over. Throwing caution to the wind, she threw her arms around her sister and hung on. “You look so beautiful. I’m so happy for you.”
Diana worked to control her own tears. It wouldn’t do to look like a racoon when Cliff lifted her veil.
Soft piano music started. “That’s my cue.” Sadie arranged her features into a soft, serene smile and rounded the corner at a steady gate.
“I hope I can make it to the front of the barn.” Diana pressed her hand to her stomach. “Before the butterflies kill me.”
Dad chuckled. “You’ll get one look at your groom and I’ll have to hold you back.”
She shook her head. She’d be lucky to survive this moment. The wedding march started, and the sound of over fifty people getting to their feet came to her ears. She breathed in deep, smelling pine and cinnamon. Neither were calming scents, and the butterflies took another lap.
Dad moved forward and she floated with him, not even sure her feet touched the floor. It was their turn to round the corner and begin the walk down the aisle. She did her best not to look at Cliff. She had this image in her head of him gazing adoringly at her, and she wanted it so much that she was afraid reality wouldn’t match up.
When Dad placed her hand in Cliff’s, she finally glanced up and gasped. “You shaved,” she whispered. His beard was there, but it was trimmed into a sexy look. She needed to breathe.
His shoulders shook in silent laughter as he lifted her veil. “I thought it was a good idea.”
A good idea? He was seven degrees hotter and melting her right where she stood. “You look good.”
He brushed his thumb over her chin. “You’re more beautiful than a snowflake.”
She sighed gustily. Could they get to the kiss-the-bride part now?
Cliff held tightly to her hand as Pastor Thomas took his place. Beside Cliff stood a man who could only be his brother. He had the same color of hair and the same gray eyes. He was thinner, smaller in the shoulders and grinning at her like he knew something she didn’t. She gave him a welcome smile, so glad he could be there to share in their moment.
The pastor started into the “We’re gathered …” speech, but Diana didn’t listen. Cliff’s gray eyes held hers, and she was falling, falling, falling into the love she found there. Whatever she’d imagined was nothing compared to the reality of this moment.
“If any of you have any reason these two …”
“I do.” Celine’s high voice rang through the rafters.
Like the needle being dragged across a record, time screamed to a stop. Diana cringed, clasping Cliff’s fingers like he’d evaporate into thin air or Celine would rip him away.
“I mean …” She cleared her throat. “I do.”
“Sit down!” Aunt Willow tugged on Celine’s arm. “You’re embarrassing yourself.”
And ruining my wedding! Diana wanted to scream. Her voice was caught in her throat, stuck there by the fear of her world unraveling.
“This is all a sham.” Celine threw her arm toward the front of the room. “They’re pretending to be in love so you two will get off her back.” She wrenched away from her mom and stormed into the middle of the aisle.
Cliff moved slightly so he was between Diana and Celine. She put her hand on his arm, hoping he didn’t run down the aisle to get away from her or her family.
Celine’s eyes blazed. She was warming to her tantrum—her righteous indignation fueling her forward. “And I don’t blame them. Every year, it’s the same thing. Why aren’t you married yet? What’s wrong with you? Why can’t you get a man? Well, I’m happy without a man in my life. I like not having to explain why I spent two hundred dollars on a pair of shoes. Okay?” She glared around the room. “Diana and I are fine being single.”
Aunt Willow flapped her hand. “Diana’s getting married, Celine.”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you—this is all fake.” She circled her hand, indicating Diana and Cliff. “They made the whole thing up!”
Mom slowly rose to standing. “Diana, is this true?”
Diana opened her mouth and then slammed it shut again. That was a multilayered question she wasn’t sure how to answer. “Which part?”
Cliff’s shoulders tightened.
“Did you lie about being engaged?” Mom asked outright.
Diana closed her eyes. The shame of what she’d done, of how she’d lied to the people she loved, washed over her. Hearing her crimes recounted in Celine’s acidic tone made them real. “Yes,” she said. She opened her eyes to face it all. “Cliff is my neighbor, my best friend. I asked him to come so you would think I had someone special in my life. Which I did. He’s very special to me.” She wanted to tell them all that she loved him. But she hadn’t even said those words to Cliff.
“And you went along with this?” Dad asked Cliff.
He nodded. “You have one special daughter, sir. I’d do anything for her.”
Tears began to roll down Mom’s cheeks. “Am I really that horrible?” A sob burst forth, and she covered her face. Several people gathered around her to offer comfort.
The family rose to their feet, unsure what they should do.
&nbs
p; Diana pressed cold fingers against her cheek. Her feet had gone numb too. She glanced at Cliff. He looked lost and regretful. She put her hand on his arm. He jolted it away and then immediately apologized with a look. “Bring up bad memories?” she tried to joke, but it came out flat.
He shook his head. “I never made it this far before.”
In the middle aisle, Celine shouted at her mom. “You’re such a nag! I can’t do anything right.”
“You need to grow up. Life isn’t about you!” Aunt Willow fired back.
That got the parents moving. They ushered their children out of the room. The kids begged to stay. Nothing was more entertaining to a child than a group of adults misbehaving.
Diana lifted her cheeks, but the smile just wouldn’t materialize. For the moment, she and Cliff were forgotten, but that wouldn’t last for long. “Listen, I have a long talk ahead with my parents. Maybe you should go.” She looked past him to Asher. “Can you give him a ride home?”
“I can. If that’s what he wants.” Asher checked with Cliff.
He looked deep into her eyes. “I’ll stay.”
She shook her head sadly and lifted a shoulder. “The jig is up.”
“But—” Something inside of him crumbled. She could see it all fall apart right here in front of her, and her heart reached for him.
But she had to let him go. She’d made a mess of them. There were so many layers to sort through—they needed time. Time together and time alone. And what waited for her, with her parents and family, wasn’t going to be pretty. She’d rather save him more trauma.
“You’ve done more than I could have ever asked—more than I wanted to ask.” Tears burned the back of her eyes, but she couldn’t let them fall, not in front of him. “Please, just go.”
He nodded.
Pastor Thomas pointed to the side door. “You can slip out that way.”
Her Totally Hot Forbidden Fake Fiance Page 10
