“This is the new, spontaneous me, so why not now?” he beamed.
“You refuse to go dancing naked in the rain, but you’re willing to marry me on a whim?” I said, hoping he’d realize just how insane this idea was.
“Dancing naked in the rain?” Seth and Maggie spouted simultaneously.
“Long story,” Cole said to them. “And it’s not a whim, Lilah. As much as we’d like to think I’ve suddenly become spontaneous, we both know deep down I’m a work in progress in that area. We talked about getting married, maybe not tomorrow, but we have discussed it. We love each other, so why are we waiting? And don’t say your dad, because that’s not a good enough reason.” Cole pulled out the key, unlocking the cuffs. He picked up my beautiful ring from the half-wall and held it out to me.
“Lilah, will you marry me tomorrow?”
“You think because we’re married I won’t run?” This was insane.
“I think you won’t run because you say you won’t.”
“You just told Booker I was going to run,” I pointed out.
“Remember a while back I told you it’d take me some time to trust you again? Well, the moment has arrived. If you promise me you won’t run, then I’ll believe you.” Cole took my hand and placed the ring on my finger.
“Cole, this is crazy.”
“Lilah, will you marry me tomorrow?”
“I . . . ah . . . but . . . fine.” I slumped against the post.
“Don’t look too excited.” Cole scooped me up in his arms and kissed me. “I’m getting married in the morning!” he laughed. I wanted to cry. “Promise not to get mad, but I have to run over to the hospital and take care of some things. I’ll have to arrange for a honeymoon too.”
“We’re going on a honeymoon?”
“Yes. It will have to be short, with everything going on,” he said.
“Yes. Like my father coming into town to kill everyone.”
“We have two weeks before he gets here, remember?” Booker limped over and picked up the handcuffs, putting them back in his pocket.
“What happen to your leg, Book?” Maggie asked.
“Later,” he waved his hand nonchalantly.
“While you’re gone, Book and I will beef up the security system around here. No one will get past it when we’re done,” Seth vowed. “Maggie, maybe you can help Lilah pick out a dress?”
“We can go visit our friend Darth at the bridal shop. I’m sure she’ll remember us,” Maggie beamed.
“I’m sure.” I rolled my eyes, completely blown away at the absurdity of it all. I’d lost control. What sane man marries a girl whose father’s on his way to cause mass destruction? Maggie pulled me by the arm and dragged me out to her car. As we backed down the driveway, Seth came running out and jumped in the car.
“You’re coming wedding dress shopping?” Maggie asked.
“Sure. Why not? It’ll be fun,” he smiled pleasantly.
Yeah, right. He wasn’t looking forward to our shopping spree. “Did Cole send you?” I asked.
“No. Booker. Cole trusts that you won’t leave, Booker’s not so sure. He thinks you’ll try and go all heroic and ditch Mags.”
Smart man, that Booker.
“Yes, of course I remember you.” Darth smiled tightly as we looked through the dresses on a rack near the front. Seth decided to sit in the car, claiming he had to make some phone calls. I believed him. Not.
“Lilah’s getting married tomorrow. Do you have anything she can take with her today?”
Darth about fainted. Her mouth dropped open and she took two steps back. “There’ll be no time for alterations,” she warned.
“Yes, I realize that. Maybe something on the clearance rack?” I suggested.
“Naturally.” Darth rolled her eyes. “What type of dress are you looking for?”
“I don’t have a clue. It’s going to be an outdoor wedding,” I offered.
“Hmm. I think I may have something that’ll work.” While Darth scoured the discount rack, Maggie and I looked through the veils.
“What kind of dress did you wear the first time you got married?”
“Jeans and a t-shirt. We lived in a commune. We didn’t have anything fancy.”
“And you won’t this time. I’m sorry. Do you want me to talk to Cole and see about postponing this so we can do it right?” Maggie set down the veil she’d been holding.
“I don’t want to get married now because of my father, not because it’s going to be a simple ceremony,” I assured her. “Do you think you can convince Cole to wait?”
“If you want a full blown wedding, yes. If you want to run away, no, so I guess we keep looking for the right veil.”
Darth returned a few minutes later carrying a beautiful, lacey, tea-length gown with several tiers of lace and a ribbon around the middle. I hadn’t imagined a tea length gown, but at this point, beggars couldn’t be choosers. “It has corset ties so it will adjust to several sizes, thus avoiding the need for a tailor.” She handed me the dress, and I carefully took it and went into the dressing room. I smiled at my reflection after I slipped it on.
“What do you think, Mags?” I said, stepping out onto the platform with the three mirrors. I turned slowly to see the dress from all angles. The gown, though beautiful, just didn’t feel right. I tugged at the white silky ribbon tied around the waist.
“It’s lovely” Maggie said, somewhat hesitant.
“But?” I pressed
“I don’t know. It’s not quite right,” Maggie said, eyeing me up and down. “I got it.” She smiled and went over by the veils. I looked at the dress again in the mirrors.
“Dear, if I may,” Darth said adjusting my sash. “For someone about to be married, you seem a little down.”
Perceptive, Darth. I didn’t expect that from her.
“My father’s ill,” I said, which was true, though his physical illness paled in comparison to his mental illness.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sure when he sees his little princess walking down the aisle in this dress, he can’t help but feel better. You look beautiful.” Darth gave me a small hug, almost pushing me over the edge.
Maggie returned with a bold, orange silky ribbon in her hand. She untied the white one on the dress and replaced it with the orange one.
“Perfect.” She smiled broadly and spun me around to face the mirrors.
“I love it.” I turned in a tight circle, admiring the dress.
Darth agreed. “You look lovely, dear. I was going to suggest this veil,” she held up a pretty lace veil, “But truthfully, this dress doesn’t need a veil. If you were to put up these sections of your hair,” she pulled up a few strands of my hair and twisted them into a bun, “then take the twists Maggie used for her wedding, it would be lovely.”
Maggie nodded. “Agreed. I can’t wait to see Cole’s face when he sees you in this.”
I swallowed hard. “I guess I’m saying yes to the dress.” Maggie chuckled.
Darth put the dress in an apparel bag. Maggie added a few more rolls of orange and yellow ribbon, and we walked over to the cute florist shop next door called Flowers by Michelle.
“What do you think, Lilah?” Maggie held a collection of Gerber daisies up. The colors were beautiful. Bright pink, orange, and yellow, with dark greenery added for contrast.
“Those look amazing. How did you know I love Gerber daisies?”
She glanced at me. “You told me when we walked in here.”
“Sorry, Mags. My mind’s a million miles away. I thought I’d be long gone by now. Instead I’m getting married.” I looked over at Seth, who stood by the glass door, pretending to admire an arrangement of carnations in the window, but in reality he was watching for anything unusual. Clearly he knew nothing about flowers because no one admires carnations.
“Do you think Cole will wear his scrubs?” Maggie asked, looking at me in earnest before we both laughed out loud.
“I wouldn’t be surprised.” I picked
up another sprig of greenery and added it to Maggie’s bouquet. “Perfect.”
The shop’s owner, a pretty woman with dark hair and blue-green eyes, suggested different ribbon options with me to cover the stems as Maggie spoke with the manager, a tall girl named Katie, about getting a few flowers for tomorrow.
“That shouldn’t be a problem. Michelle, we have Gerbers coming in tomorrow morning at six, right?”
“Sure do. We can have them and this bouquet ready for you by ten,” Michelle smiled, holding out the flowers to me.
“Great. See you tomorrow at ten,” Maggie said, walking arm and arm with me out the door.
“We should probably call it a night.” Seth escorted us to the car. “I don’t think we’ll find many more businesses open now. It’s almost nine.”
“We’ll need to get some refreshments. I’ll run to Leo’s Bakery in the morning after I get the flowers,” Maggie said, making a note in her phone. “Is there anyone else you want to invite?”
“With my father out there somewhere I don’t want to risk anyone else getting hurt,” I said grimly.
“Booker’s sent out an alert with both your father and Payo’s photos,” Seth said. “We’ll get them. Besides, there’s no way he’s going to get here by tomorrow. They can’t risk flying, and like you said, they’ll have to travel at night.” Seth turned onto his street. A non-descript car sat parked across the street from his home. He nodded to the man sitting in the driver’s seat as we pulled in the driveway.
“Is that...” I’d just gotten rid of the tail and now it was back. I swallowed hard to keep my anger in check.
“It’s for your protection this time,” Seth said.
Maggie took the apparel bag and hung it on a door off the kitchen. She unzipped it and pulled the dress out, spreading the skirt to keep it from wrinkling. Seth locked the door and set the security code.
I turned and stomped over to the family room off the kitchen, dropping onto the couch. “So I’m a prisoner here. I open the door, that alarm starts screaming. If by some chance I get out the door, your detective will stop me. I’ve no choice in this.” My guilt took a back seat for the moment. I was trapped, forced into being here. Again, my choice was taken from me. Just like Daddy always did, just like Alan did that horrible day when I was eight. “Let me guess, you’ve disabled my car also, just in case I get past everything.”
“No, Lilah, these precautions are not to keep you here. They’re for your protection, and ours. If you want to leave, Cole has said emphatically that we’re not to stop you.” Seth walked over to me. “You’re free to go. But you’ll have no gun.”
“I can buy one. I don’t have a police record so it shouldn’t be a problem,” I said strongly.
“True, but I’m hoping you love Cole more than that. I’m hoping the mere thought of destroying the heart of possibly the kindest man I’ve ever known will be enough to make you think twice,” Seth said firmly, adding, “A man who’s just come through a very dangerous surgery, I might add.”
“You play dirty, Seth.”
He sat down on the couch. “Sometimes,” he said dryly. “So, do you want to see your room, or do I need to tell you my code so you don’t wake up the dead if you decide to sneak out? Remember, Booker installed this baby and I can guarantee you it will break every sound ordinance ever written.”
“I’m tired. I just want to get some sleep.” I rubbed the tight muscles of my shoulders.
“I’ll get you some PJ’s and show you the room.” Maggie took my arm and we went up the stairs. She led me to a nice room decorated in a masculine style, with a brown suede chair situated by the window and a deep blue comforter covering a queen size bed. Maggie left and returned quickly, carrying a set of light blue seersucker pajamas.
“Thanks, Mags, for everything, especially for believing in me when few did.”
“You’re welcome. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to get some sleep. I have a big day tomorrow. I’m getting a sister.” She smiled graciously.
She left me alone to change after setting a new toothbrush out for me in the small bathroom connected to the room. I stood looking in the mirror, trying to convince myself that the whole getting married tomorrow thing was not completely insane. I should be hours from here now, not planning a wedding.
But a small place deep inside me danced with joy. I was marrying a wonderful man tomorrow. A man the opposite of every man I’d ever known in my life. The joy of that couldn’t be squelched by fear of my father.
I crawled into bed, amazed at how well I could sleep knowing that a guard sat just outside the door protecting me.
Chapter 40
Cole held open the front door of Seth’s house and I stepped out into the beautiful sunshine. Maggie and Seth were already at Booker’s, decorating. I tucked the white garment bag with my wedding dress around my arm. “Ready?” he asked me.
“Yes, I am.” I stretched up and kissed him.
He took my hand. “You seemed to be in better spirits this morning.”
Nope. I was pulling on all my skills of deception, not wanting to spoil the moment for Cole. Fear and ecstasy were fighting a fierce battle inside me. “Are you sure about this, Cole?” I went directly to the passenger side of Cole’s car.
“Wait. Would you mind driving? I’ve got to get this book read before the wedding.” He winced as he said it.
“You’re still reading that book? It’s our wedding day.”
“I have to, Lilah. It’s important. Please?”
“Fine. But you’re not doing any work on the honeymoon,” I warned.
“Oh, I’ll be working on something.” He grabbed me and kissed my neck, growling playfully.
“We’d better get going. The ceremony’s at two.” I settled into the car and turned the radio’s volume down. “Did Seth tell you he got the pastor that married him and Maggie to perform the ceremony?”
“Hmm.”
He was already lost in his book, writing notes on a small pad and jotting down things in the margin. Just like this morning on the way to and from the courthouse. Booker got the waiver so we wouldn’t have to wait the usual twenty-four hours.
I found a Spanish station and salsaed my way to Booker’s. The music helped settle my nerves, for now, anyway.
Cole reached for the door when we arrived at Booker’s, but I stopped him with a hand on his leg. He turned to me. “Is something wrong? You haven’t changed your mind, have you?”
I flashed a temptress grin at him and shook my head. I wiggled my finger at him, signaling him to come closer. He leaned over the center console, his brow arched in curiosity. I carefully sunk my hands into his hair and pulled that hot mouth of his to mine, kissing him with every ounce of seduction I had in me. When I pulled away, his mouth hung open.
“If you want more of that, you’d best not bring the book on our honeymoon.” He nodded and slipped it into his back pocket when we got out. We walked arm in arm up to Booker’s side porch. He leaned in for another kiss. I put my hand to his mouth and shook my head. “Later,” I said with a wink.
“You’re killing me,” he complained. I opened the door as he tried again for a kiss, only this time I shook his hand instead. “Funny, Little Miss Tease.”
I blew him a kiss before turning around to find Maggie, Seth and Booker all looking at us, smiling. “Ah, hi.” My face burned red.
Maggie picked up some yellow ribbon and orange Gerber daisies and hid a smile behind them.
“Are the agents still here?” I asked nervously, looking out the back patio door. There lay my answer. Two men in suits stood off to the side.
“Yes. We’ve sighted your father. He’s still deep in Mexico, so you can stop worrying,” Seth assured me.
“Are your men following him?” I didn’t know if I wanted to hear the answer.
“No. He’s off our radar again. But we’ll get him. And yes, I’ve told my people to be careful with him because of his illness,” Booker assured me.
“Than
ks,” I said. “I know he doesn’t deserve your kindness, but I am grateful.”
“You really have to get ready.” Maggie tapped her watch. Cole kissed me on the cheek and helped everyone else pick up boxes of decorations and flowers as they headed to the backyard to finish preparing. Booker came back in to set the alarm.
I was halfway upstairs when he called me back down. “Lilah, I want to apologize for the way I’ve treated you. I wish I could make it up to you somehow.”
“Please don’t. I get it, I really do. If you’re serious about making it up to me, protect Cole. He’s pretty naïve when it comes to bad people. He gives everyone the benefit of the doubt. I can promise you that if my father figures that out, he’ll take advantage of it, big time.”
“Deal.”
“So you and I are good? You trust me?” I pressed.
He paused. “I’d be lying if I said I was a hundred percent on board, but I’m close,” he assured me. “It’s not you, Lilah. The problem’s me. I’m a jaded man. And for that I apologize also.” He gave me a cautious hug and left.
Maggie left some bubble bath for me and I soaked in the over-sized tub for a bit, trying not to think about anything but Cole.
I played with my hair, trying three different styles before finding one I thought Cole would like. I had to wiggle around carefully to keep from messing it up when I put my dress on. I checked it out in the full-length mirror on the bathroom door.
“¡Oh, madre! I wish you were here to see me.”
Maggie opened the bathroom door and came in. “You look beautiful,” she said, gently hugging me.
“Thanks.”
“Are you ready?” she asked, fixing a free-spirited curl.
“Yes. Very.” The words sent a calm through me. My twisted stomach settled and the feelings of nausea dissipated. I wanted this. I wanted to marry this wonderful man. I felt at peace. Maggie led me to the back door. “Since you don’t have anyone to walk you down the aisle, and Cole’s family isn’t here either, he suggested you two walk down the aisle together. What do you think?”