“What? Why didn’t you tell me?” Hope’s head reeled. She’d been falling in love—and making out—with a married man? What?
“What does it even matter if I get there in time?”
Hope anxiously fiddled with her hair, wrapping a strand of it around her finger. She couldn’t possibly tell Jackie she’d already kissed Brent. Much less that she’d fallen head over heels for him. “You’re right. I know you’re right.”
“Hang tight,” Jackie continued in a panic. “I’m going to do everything I can to fix this. Let’s just pray that flight at six goes off.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
Jackie paused in trepidation before replying. “There won’t be another one until tomorrow.”
Hope felt faint. “You’re not saying you’ll miss the wedding? Your own wedding, Jackie?”
“Let’s not go there,” she answered nervously. “We don’t want to jinx anything.”
…
By five o’clock, the gray skies had cleared, and a beautiful orange haze settled over the bay. Soft winds blew, and the setting sun dodged departing clouds, sending shimmering halos of light across the water. The view was breathtaking from the spot on the lawn where Eleanor had situated the altar, which was constructed from gauzy fabric draped from the enormous limb of a sturdy oak at the side of the yard that hugged the flower gardens.
Hope was embarrassed by the fluttering in her belly and the way her pulse raced as she stepped forward toward Brent, holding her homemade bouquet. She kept telling herself it was supposed to be Jackie partaking in this practice ceremony and not her. Yet she couldn’t help but believe that Brent wouldn’t be gazing at Jackie the same way he looked at her—like he was staring happily into his future.
Sally, Meredith, and Sofia stood off to one side, with Derrick and William on the other. Since the weather had improved and was predicted to hold for tomorrow, Eleanor’s crew had established seating for the immediate family and their twenty expected guests in the space between the back porch and firepit area. The chairs were strategically placed at an angle so as to provide a view of both the nuptials and the bay beyond the altar. Her mom, Parker, Elsa, Grandpa Chad, and Grandmother Margaret were all dressed nicely and seated in the front row.
Hope couldn’t imagine a more idyllic spot in which to get married. Jackie was so incredibly lucky to be marrying a guy like Brent. When she arrived in Blue Hill, Hope was going to have to step aside and let her do just that. As much as she wanted to blame Jackie for this duplicitous situation, Hope now saw that this entire fiasco was legitimately her fault.
When she’d told Jackie that no, she wouldn’t impersonate her, she should have stayed firm on that. She’d had dozens of opportunities to tell Brent and his family the truth since then, but she hadn’t. And, in her guilty heart, she knew why. She’d been attracted to Brent from the beginning, and when he’d appeared equally attracted to her, she couldn’t bear for the fantasy to end.
“So, this is where you’ll stand.” Eleanor gripped Hope’s shoulders and gently scooted her over. “Be sure to keep your body slightly turned toward the groom.”
Brent winked, and Hope’s face heated all over. Keeping her eyes on the groom definitely wouldn’t be an issue if she were the one marrying Brent. But that’s going to be Jackie’s job tomorrow, Hope reminded herself again and again and again. She peeked at her watch, privately fretting over Jackie’s flight, and Eleanor raised an eyebrow in disapproval.
“This will only take five more minutes,” she said. “We’re not going to run through the vows.”
“We’re not?” Brent asked.
“It’s best to keep that part special. You, of course, know the basic drill. The minister will ask you if you take Jackie to be your wife, and her if she takes you to be her husband. You’ll exchange rings.” She shot a look at Brent. “You have those?”
“Of course.” He cocked his chin at Derrick, who patted his jacket pocket.
“Got them right here.”
“Excellent, then.” Eleanor briskly patted Brent’s shoulders. “That’s all there is to it.” She carefully scanned the heavens. “Looks like the weather’s cooperating, too.”
Brent smiled at Hope. “Sounds like we’re all set.”
“Sounds like cocktail time,” Derrick said with a grin.
“I’ll drink to that.” Meredith grinned back, and Hope marveled to herself once again at how well they were getting along. She was also impressed by Meredith’s and her mom’s ability to keep her secret. She’d told them about Jackie’s latest delay, and both had groaned.
Eleanor nodded her goodbyes as the parents and grandparents stood from their chairs. “Won’t you stay and enjoy a drink with us?” Grandpa Chad asked graciously.
“No, thank you. Best not.” Eleanor packed her tablet away in her oversize purse, and Hope experienced a new burst of panic. What if that six o’clock flight did get canceled and Jackie couldn’t get here in time?
“Er…Eleanor?” she asked her quietly and out of the others’ earshot. “About tomorrow…”
“Yes. What about it?”
“It’s just that I’m terribly worried. Worried that my sister might not make the morning ceremony. She’s experiencing weather delays in air travel.”
“Now, that is a shame,” Eleanor said, not completely appearing concerned about it. “I always liked Hope.”
“Exactly. I mean, me, too. I love her, of course, and naturally want her here.”
“Sometimes these things can’t be helped. Sorry.” Eleanor fished her keys from her bag and strode toward the drive in a perfunctory manner. Hope chased after her, her anxiety levels rising.
“If she can’t… What I mean is, if Hope can’t make it somehow. I was wondering if there’s possibly any way to delay the wedding?”
Eleanor turned on her heel. “Delay?”
“Only by a couple of hours,” Hope explained. “Perhaps put it off until afternoon, if necessary? The reception food’s hearty. It could just as well work for dinner.”
“I don’t think so,” Eleanor said. Her gaze swept over Hope. “You of all people would understand how the logistics of a wedding are set in stone. The violinist has another engagement later in the day. So does the minister.” She waved a hand in frustration. “And don’t even get me started on the catering issues.”
“But—”
“No buts about it, I’m afraid.” She gave Hope a sympathetic look, but Hope suspected her compassion was fake. “The show must go on, as they say.”