A Summer Wedding at Cross Creek Inn

by Cheryl Holt

  If she had to pick one indication, it would be how Eric had referred to her as his babe. On several occasions, she’d asked him not to, but he’d ignored her. Hadn’t that been a sign of approaching disaster? Why hadn’t she noticed and scooted to safety?

  She was barefoot and wearing her wedding dress. It was such a beautiful gown, and prior to the chaos erupting, Amy had laid it out on the bed in her bedroom. All day, it had taunted her with what might have been. She’d finally tugged it on. Amy and Rachel had laughed and called her crazy, but hey! It was her wedding day. She could do whatever she wanted.

  She’d bought it with her own money. It was the only portion of the celebration she’d paid for herself, and it was a simple style, with form fitting lace that dropped to the floor and hugged her slender torso. There was no beading, no frippery or sparkles. It was modest and pretty, an ordinary dress for an ordinary girl that reminded her of who she really was.

  She viewed the gown—like the wedding—to have been cursed, so if she ever broke down in the future and decided to marry someone else, she’d never use it. Why not wear it for a few hours before she donated it to a thrift store?

  She spun too quickly and bumped into a table. She opened her eyes, needing to catch her balance. And . . . ?

  There was Alex, her partner in crime, standing on the other side of the patio. He strolled over, the interval happening in an odd slow motion, as if the universe was commanding her to make note of it. He didn’t stop until he was directly in front of her, and he flashed a grin that was unnerving.

  It was Eric’s grin, but not Eric’s grin too. The rough edges were rounded away, the narcissism and snobbishness missing, so he looked happy, friendly, and wonderful.

  “I heard there was a dejected bride out here,” he said.

  “There is an almost-bride, and she’s not dejected.”

  “She shouldn’t have to dance alone.”

  “I’ve been doing fine on my own.”

  He took the bottle from her and enjoyed a swig. “I was never a big fan of champagne.”

  She shrugged. “It’s suiting its purpose.”

  He put a hand on her waist and pulled her to him, so their torsos were touching. He grabbed an earbud and stuck it in his own ear, so they could both listen to the music—and dance to it. The song was about over when they started in, so they soon swayed to a halt.

  “There!” he said. “You got to dance on your wedding night. It wasn’t a complete waste.”

  “It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting though.”

  “It was probably more satisfying than the one you would have had with my brother.”

  “Probably.”

  “Although, in all fairness, I have to admit that he’s a very good dancer.”

  “He’s good at a lot of things.”

  “I’m nicer than him.”

  She chuckled. “More modest too.”

  “Definitely, and I’m quite a bit more loyal and trustworthy.”

  “Are those traits even possible for anyone in your family to exhibit?”

  “I inherited them from my mother.”

  “What did you inherit from your father?”

  “Not much.”

  “I wouldn’t want you to ever act like him. He’s kind of a dick.”

  “How are you feeling?” he asked.

  “Totally frozen on the inside.”

  “Will you begin to thaw out tomorrow?”

  “I hope so.”

  “I’m betting, once you do, you’ll be incredibly angry.”

  “Anger might be beneficial,” she said.

  “Are you flying to LA or Oregon?”

  “I’m heading to Oregon. I thought I should spend a few weeks at home.”

  “How would you like to drive there instead? With me.”

  She scowled. “Meaning what? You and me? In a car? Like a road trip?”

  “Yeah. We could rent a car and meander our way to the west coast.”

  “Hm . . . I don’t know.”

  “I haven’t been to the US in ages, and I haven’t taken a road trip in forever. It might be fun.”

  Her scowl deepened. “Are you hitting on me?”

  “Maybe.”

  “That’s sort of brazen, isn’t it? I’m a broken-hearted bride who was practically left at the altar. I’m not ready for some guy to hit on me.”

  “We’re not strangers though. We’ve been acquainted for . . . what? Three days? I feel like we’ve lived through a lifetime already.”

  She nodded. “Yes, it feels like that.”

  “You don’t have to decide immediately about the road trip,” he said. “You can think about it. I’m very patient, and I can wait for the correct answer. For now, let’s head to the bar.”

  “Why?”

  “Your guests are there and wishing you’d join them. They’re eager to gossip, commiserate, and tell you they never thought my brother was good enough for you.”

  “He wasn’t.”

  “He screwed up the wedding, but my dad paid for the champagne and munchies, so everybody is gobbling down his food and liquor. Shouldn’t we help them?”

  “I don’t want anybody to pity me. I couldn’t bear it.”

  “They won’t. I told you: They all thought Eric was an asshole.”

  “Why didn’t any of them mention it to me?”

  “You wouldn’t have believed them.”

  “No, I wouldn’t have,” she glumly said.

  “We should celebrate your failed wedding. We should revel in the fact that you dodged a bullet.”

  “You’re right about that.”

  He gestured to her gown. “You’re dressed for the evening. You can be the bride who wasn’t.”

  “Okay, but what will you be?”

  “I can stand in for the groom who’s no longer with us.”

  She snorted. “I guess you can pretend to be the groom, but don’t get any ideas.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  “After this fiasco, I’m never marrying. Ever.”

  He smirked, as if he knew something she didn’t, then he clasped her hand and led her to the bar.

  “I’ll miss you.”

  “I’ll miss you too.”

  Amy smiled at Josh, and he smiled back. That smile of his always caught her off guard.

  He was so handsome and fascinating. How had she—boring, worn-down, screwed-up Amy Layton—managed to entice him? It was a mystery she’d never be able to unravel.

  During their brief stay, the Inn had been packed with Jennifer’s friends who were all thin and gorgeous, but for some reason, he’d noticed her instead. She’d always be grateful that he’d shined his attention on her. It had helped her to recollect that there was a lot of pleasure to be had out in the real world, and her life didn’t have to be so hard and draining.

  She could move on and start over. She could forgive herself.

  They were in the Great Room, and she was about to climb into the limo that would take her to the airport in Aspen. It was a strange scene. Jennifer was having quite an intimate chat with Alex. His mom, Sharon, was off in a corner with Amy’s dad. Amy and Josh were huddled in another, and she thought it was wonderful that he’d come down to say goodbye.

  It was a courtesy she’d always cherish.

  “I had convinced myself that I’d hate this wedding,” he said, “but because I met you, it turned out to be perfect.”

  “That’s the sweetest comment you could have uttered.”

  “I’ll see you again someday. You understand that, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I understand. You’ve never been to Oregon.”

  “No, I haven’t, and there’s a first time for everything.”

  She couldn’t imagine him traveling to Portland though, and she would
n’t count on it or plan on it, but if he showed up, she’d be so glad.

  “You won’t be at the commune, right?” he said. “You’re leaving it? You can’t change your mind.”

  “I won’t change my mind. Once I’m back, I’ll spend a week or two there, then I’ll head home. I’ll be at my dad’s.”

  “Might I hope you’ll let him buy you a phone, so you can march into the new century?”

  “I’ll ask him the minute I have a chance.”

  “You have my number, so I expect to hear from you shortly.”

  “Where will you be? Have you decided?”

  “No, and I’m feeling very adrift, but then, I’m a vagabond. I don’t really live anywhere, so I guess I have to figure out where I’d like to end up.”

  “You’re about to retire, so you can do something else now—something better. I have no doubt.”

  “I will tell myself that’s true.”

  Their conversation wound down. They simply stared, cataloguing each other’s features so they wouldn’t forget later on.

  There were a thousand things she hadn’t told him, but they weren’t out in the wild west. This wasn’t the last occasion they’d ever speak. There were phones, computers, and airplanes. They would communicate in the future; she was sure of it.

  He’d claimed he was anxious to keep in touch, and again, she’d proceed with the belief that it would happen. Yet if it didn’t, she wouldn’t mourn or regret. She’d be happy for the small piece of him he’d chosen to share.

  A valet called, “Layton family? Your car is ready.”

  Josh clasped her hand and kissed the center of her palm. Then he pulled her into his arms and hugged her forever.

  “You take care of yourself,” he said as they drew apart.

  “I will.”

  “Leave that commune!” His tone was almost scolding. “Get on with your life.”

  “You too. Find the inner strength you need to retire. Let’s both walk down a smoother road.”

  “Get a phone!” he said, and they laughed quietly.

  He dipped in and kissed her, just a brush of his lips to hers, and they sighed with delight.

  “’Bye,” she said, and she spun away and hurried out to the driveway.

  He came out onto the steps, and she stopped next to the car and filled up her eyes with how gorgeous he was. He waved, she waved, then the valet helped her climb in. She didn’t glance back.

  “Is this weird or what?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Rachel gestured around the Great Room and said to Kyle, “It looks like everybody fell in love while we were here.”

  Kyle surveyed the various corners. Their dad and Sharon Kildare were huddled in one. Amy and Josh Taylor were in another. Jennifer and Alex Benjamin were in a third. That was the strangest sight. They seemed really close, as if they had been a couple rather than Jennifer and Alex’s brother.

  “You and I didn’t fall in love with anybody,” Kyle said.

  “Thank God.”

  “Are we lucky or unlucky?”

  “After what Jennifer went through with Eric, I think it makes us very, very lucky.”

  Kyle’s phone pinged, and he peeked down and smirked at the message.

  “Who is it from?” Rachel asked.

  “Lindsey Holliday.”

  “Why would she text you of all people?”

  “I guess she and I are buds now.”

  “You poor boy. What does she want?”

  He stuck out the device, so she could see the words Lindsey had sent: My mom is bat-shit crazy, and my life sucks worse than ever.

  “I agree about her mother,” Rachel said, “but Lindsey is rich and famous. By what measure can her life suck?”

  “She has a lot of problems.”

  “Will you reply?”

  “I shouldn’t, but I will.”

  He typed a response and had Rachel read it: Go to rehab. It’s an easy escape from your mom.

  Rachel scoffed. “Go to rehab? What sort of advice is that?”

  “She’s so screwed up, but then, she was raised by Dennis and Crystal Benjamin. How could she possibly be normal?”

  They shuddered at the notion of having Dennis and Crystal for parents, then they watched everyone chatting in poignant, almost desperate ways. It nearly had her wishing she’d met somebody so she could have had a wedding romance too, but then, she remembered sleazeball Eric.

  Guys could be such dicks.

  A valet poked his nose in and said, “Layton family? Your car is ready.”

  They started grabbing purses and carry-on bags, as Rachel muttered, “I can’t wait to get out of here.”

  “It wasn’t so bad.”

  “According to who?”

  “It’s a nice place, and I had fun. Well, except for Eric cheating on Jennifer with his stepmother. That wasn’t so great. And Lindsey was a pain in my ass from practically the first minute. Other than that . . .” His voice trailed off. “Okay, I take it back. I can’t wait to get out of here either.”

  “It will be a relief.”

  He peered over at her and said, “Have you thought about September? Will you come to Eugene and rent an apartment with me or what?”

  The prospect rattled her. Could she do it? Did she dare?

  As she gazed out at her family, it was clear they were all moving on with their lives. Shouldn’t she join them?

  “I will come to Eugene,” she said. “I’d like that very, very much.”

  “I’ll call you in thirty days.”

  “My fingers are crossed that you will.”

  Sharon was kicking herself for suggesting they have a thirty-day hiatus once they were lodged in their respective towns. Why had she imposed the delay? It had been a stupid idea.

  Greg pulled her into a hug, and they clung to each other so tightly they might have been shipwreck survivors who had just staggered to shore.

  “What if I can’t wait that long?” he asked.

  “What if I can’t either?” she said.

  “There’s not a referee to enforce the rule we set.”

  “Good thing.”

  “I’ll text you all morning,” he said, “and I’ll call you when I land in Portland.”

  “And I will do the same. I’ll text you while I’m traveling, and I’ll inform you when I’m home safe and sound in LA.”

  He studied her meticulously, cataloguing every detail. “I can’t request more time off work, but if you miss me, you can jump on a plane. It’s a quick flight up to Oregon. It’s not even two hours.”

  “Is that an open invitation?”

  “Definitely.”

  “If I knocked on your door, what would your kids think?”

  “My kids need to grow up and live their own lives—and they need to not worry so much about mine.”

  “You’re lucky they worry.”

  “I know.”

  They were in the Great Room at the Inn, dawdling as luggage was loaded in his limo. The moment of their parting had finally arrived. Various people were saying goodbye: Jennifer and Alex, Josh and Amy, her and Greg. Only Rachel and Kyle had avoided a wedding romance.

  She’d assumed it would be easy for her and Greg to have a fond farewell, but evidently, he meant much more to her than she’d realized. Tears flooded her eyes and dripped down her cheeks. He was a convenient man to have around, and he instantly produced a handkerchief and dabbed them away.

  “I might show up in Portland much earlier than you were imagining,” she said.

  “Is that suppose to be a bad thing?”

  Jennifer bustled over to interrupt them. Alex was with her, and to Sharon’s consternation, they were holding hands. She couldn’t hide a scowl. Wasn’t it too soon? And too . . . weird?

  “I have an
announcement,” Jennifer said.

  After the drama that had recently unfolded, Sharon and Greg braced. What might the blasted girl tell them?

  “What is it, peanut?” Greg said. “Please don’t give your father a heart attack.”

  “I’ll try not to.” Jennifer snorted. “I’m not flying out with you guys.”

  “What . . . ah . . . are you planning instead?” he asked somewhat nervously.

  Sharon’s pulse pounded in her chest. She was terrified they might be about to elope to Vegas. When Jennifer explained their scheme, it wasn’t quite that wild, but still, it was outrageous.

  “Alex and I are renting a car and driving to Oregon.”

  Greg was baffled and desperately devising an appropriate reply, so Sharon said to Alex, “What brought this on?”

  “Jennifer and I have become friends,” he said, “and we’ve discovered we have a lot in common. We wanted to wipe away some of the negative vibes we encountered here by arranging something fun and different. I suggested a road trip, and she thought it was a perfect idea.”

  “Oh.” It was Sharon’s turn to debate a reply. What should it be? No doubt any adverse comment would be unwelcome and ignored, but she pressed on. “Should you? Jennifer just suffered a huge shock, so she’s vulnerable. I’m not certain she should spend several days stuck in a car with you.”

  “I’m not vulnerable, Ms. Kildare,” Jennifer insisted. “I’m fine.”

  “Well, then,” Sharon said, “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  “We don’t!” Jennifer and Alex crowed in unison, proving that they’d grown very close, and they all laughed.

  The valet called that their limo was ready, and Alex said to Jennifer, “Should you grab your suitcase out of the trunk?”

  Jennifer flicked a thumb to the backpack she was carrying. “I have the stuff I need for the week, so I’m good.” She cast a sly glance at Sharon, then her dad, and she said to him, “You behave yourself.”

  “You behave yourself,” was Greg’s response.

  Father and daughter gave each other a tight hug, then Alex and Sharon did the same.

  “What will happen after you reach Oregon?” Sharon asked Alex as he pulled away.

  “I’m not sure. I’ll keep you posted. How about you?” He peeked at Greg. “Where will you be?”