The woman spun toward her. A wicker basket dangled from the crook of her arm, and a long blond braid tumbled past one shoulder from beneath a floppy hat. She looked to be in her fifties. Could this be Brent’s mom?
She shoved her gear stick into park and cut the engine, her pulse pounding.
“Jackie,” the woman said with a stunned smile. “Close call. You almost hit me!” Despite her casual jeans and checkered shirt, the woman’s enormous rock of an engagement ring glimmered in the bright light, and silver bangles jangled on her wrist. “I’m Elsa Albright.”
So, she was Jackie’s future mother-in-law.
Eeep.
That’s all Hope needed—for the Albrights to think of the Webbs as reckless drivers. She hoisted herself up in the seat so she could speak over the top of the windshield. It was odd that Brent hadn’t told his mom about the change, but maybe he hadn’t had time.
“I’m so, so sorry, Mrs. Albright. And, actually, I’m not Ja—”
“Of course you aren’t.” Elsa skirted around the two-seater and popped open the passenger door, hopping right into the car. “Nobody’s used to navigating this narrow driveway.” She set her blueberry basket on the floor and leaned toward Hope.
“And now a proper introduction and a hug.”
Oomph. Elsa squeezed Hope so tightly a burst of air escaped from her lungs.
“I’m so thrilled to finally meet you.”
“Mrs. Albright—”
“Elsa, please.” She tucked a lock of Hope’s hair behind her ear. Then, she latched on to Hope’s chin, turning it from side to side. “Aren’t you pretty? Every bit as pretty as Brent said.”
Wait. “No—”
Elsa stopped her by patting her cheek. “No false modesty, now. Haven’t you heard?” Her brown eyes twinkled. “Brides are supposed to be beautiful.”
No. No, no, no. “I’m not—”
“What’s all the commotion out here?” a woman’s voice demanded.
Hope whipped her head around to see a stern older woman bulldozing her way toward them with her chin held high. From her haughty demeanor, Hope guessed she was the grandmother.
She rammed a hand loaded with gemstone rings against the driver-side door and sneered. “I see you decided to join us.”
Gah. This is what Jackie had to deal with for the rest of her life? “Actually, I—”
Margaret’s blue gaze was as cool as ice. “I’m surprised you could work us in.”
“Brent’s told us all about how busy you’ve been,” Elsa inserted nervously. “With that Maupin wedding?”
“Martin,” Hope said, dazed. This was not going the way she’d expected. She was under siege from all sides. At least Brent’s mom seemed nice enough, but Grandmother Margaret definitely wasn’t the warm-and-fuzzy type.
Far from it.
Elsa gave a short laugh, trying to downplay the situation. “Believe it or not, Margaret here thought you’d prioritize that wedding over this one.” She rolled her eyes like the idea was absurd, and Hope wanted to melt through the floor.
Jackie needed to show up and fix this.
“Now we know that’s not true, hmm?” Elsa grinned at Hope. “Here you are!”
“There she is.” A dark-haired guy in a black polo shirt and khakis ambled down the drive.
Hope nearly swallowed her tongue. Brent Albright was gorgeous as a teen, but as a man? She couldn’t breathe. In addition to the rugged-yet-refined-man thing he now had going, he walked with an easy stride that implied he was in command of his completely flawless body.
His smile, though…that’s what stole her breath away.
“Hello, sweetheart,” he said, gently nudging past Grandmother Margaret.
Hope’s breath hitched when she saw his unbelievably hot mouth dropping down toward hers. Wait. Was he going to kiss her?
“Brent!” she gasped, abruptly turning away. She could not kiss her sister’s fiancé.
No matter how exciting that had momentarily seemed.
He stumbled forward, his lips landing awkwardly on her cheek while his hands grasped her shoulders.
Hope’s world turned upside down, and her heart thundered as the pressure of his kiss lingered, his scent washing over her. He smelled like sand and sea and pine…and she had to resist wrapping her arms around his neck and yanking him into the car.
She broke into a sweat. This is not happening. I am not attracted to Jackie’s future husband! This was so incredibly twisted.
Not as twisted as Brent thinking she was Jackie, though. Shouldn’t he have some gut-level instinct about the woman he loved and was about to marry?
“Sorry about the display.” His whisper tickled her ear, and tingles raced down her spine.
Not good. Not good at all.
He shot a glance over his shoulder, meant for only her, and Hope got his meaning. They were playing the loving couple for his grandmother’s benefit. But why was it an act anyway?
She had to tell them she wasn’t Jackie now. Now, before it was too late. Her sister must not have gotten in touch with Brent, but Hope could explain things.
“In truth, I’m…er, not…” She tried to speak, but she got caught up in Brent’s heady stare. He had very dark eyes, maybe the darkest she’d ever seen. And, ooh, how they sparkled in the sunshine. “What I mean is…”
Desperate to regain her footing, she wrenched herself free of Brent’s gaze and turned to Elsa, who sat beside her in the passenger seat.
Brent’s mom’s immediate acceptance of her—no, Jackie—made her heart pound harder.
Elsa was trying so hard to be warm and welcoming, despite that fact that Hope had nearly flattened her in the driveway like a blueberry pancake.
Hope was at a total loss over what to do.
She’d told Jackie that this was impossible.
That she would no way in a million years impersonate her.
It was unethical and wrong.
And yet, she’d been helplessly cornered and suddenly had nowhere to turn…
An unnerving silence filled the air. She bit her bottom lip and peeked at Grandmother Margaret.
Sure enough, the older woman gave her the eye.
Hope prickled with agitation. How dare Grandmother Margaret judge her sister as not being good enough for Brent? That’s pretty obviously what she’d thought when she’d first challenged Jackie not to show up here. Now, she was being just plain mean. Acting surprised that she’d make time for her own wedding.