“The show,” Hope repeated, recalling her earlier acting role as Jackie and thinking about how much huger the consequences were now. “Sure.”
Hope’s phone emitted the alert tone, signaling she’d received at text, and Hope dashed for her clutch, which rested on one of the rear chairs. She heard Eleanor start her engine as she stared down at Jackie’s message and her entire world caved in.
All flights canceled for tonight and tomorrow.
We’ll have to swap in Boston. Will email a plan.
So sorry, Hopie. You’re a champ.
…
Ava, Meredith, and Hope went to freshen up in the carriage house before the group departed for dinner. That’s when Hope dropped the bombshell on the other two regarding Jackie’s latest text. “I’m sorry, guys,” she said wearily as they entered the kitchen. “But I’m afraid I’ve got bad news.”
Meredith gasped. “Don’t say it.”
“Jackie’s not going to make the wedding.”
Ava completely paled, and Meredith raked her hands through her curls. “Ay dios mio, I told you not to say it. No, no, no. This can’t be true.”
“How can this be?” Ava asked. “What happened?”
“Those really bad storms haven’t lifted. Nothing’s landing in Boston. Boat service out of Nantucket’s been suspended, too.”
“So, what’s going to happen?” Ava’s mouth hung open. “You’re marrying Brent?”
“He’s already married,” Hope spouted in a rush. “On paper—to Jackie.”
Meredith slapped her forehead. “The marriage license. That’s right. I remember Jackie saying something about going to get it, but that was weeks ago.”
Ava perplexedly eyed Hope. “Oh, dear.”
“Is this what Jackie wants?” Meredith asked, sounding incredulous. “For you to act as her during the ceremony?”
Hope nodded, feeling faint. “We’re making the switch in Boston. At the airport, before Brent and Jackie leave on their honeymoon.
“Hope—wait.” Ava held up her hands. “This is too much.”
Hope felt like this great big snowball had been rolling for so long she was about to get crushed under its enormous weight. “Everything’s all ready to go, Mom. The preparations…the caterers…the clergy. And—this time—the delay really isn’t Jackie’s fault. She couldn’t help the weather.”
Meredith sighed and crossed her arms. “So, you’re going through with it? The reception, the wedding night, everything?”
“Er, probably not everything. I’ll find a way to navigate the wedding night and day.”
Ava and Meredith swapped incredulous looks.
“Seriously,” Hope said in her defense. “Would either of you want to tell them? Talk to Brent and all the Albrights and tell them the truth right now?”
“No.” Meredith’s shoulders sagged, and then she frowned. “Not really.”
“Oh, dear,” Ava said again. “Oh, dear. Oh, dear. Oh, dear.”
Meredith blew out a hard breath and held up her hands. “This is nuts, but I’m here for you. Here for you and Jackie.”
“What about Brent?” A tear glistened in the corner of Ava’s eye, and seeing her mom get emotional made her feel emotional, too.
“If I’d never come to Blue Hill, he would have married Jackie anyway. He already made his decision, Mom. A long time ago.”
Ava sighed dejectedly. “I suppose that’s true. I only wish…”
“Wish what?”
Her mom’s eyes glimmered. “That things had worked out differently.”
“Yeah. Me, too.”
…
Later, at the restaurant, Hope stared around the room at all the happy faces, thinking about how close she’d gotten to everyone. Now, she was deceiving them all in a most unforgiveable way. But what was her alternative? Ruining the special occasion they’d all worked extra hard to support? That would prove a major slap in the face, and Hope understood she couldn’t do that to any of them—above all to Brent.
Maybe this would all be okay. Jackie and Brent were legally married, anyway, and that’s precisely what Brent wanted. This wedding week in Maine was about showing their commitment to each other and creating happy memories with the family for everyone to look back on. Hope wouldn’t rob them of those moments of joy.
It would be selfish of her—and heartless.
Tougher to keep up the ruse until she met up with Jackie in Boston and they switched back. But—for the benefit of Brent and his family—that’s what Hope was steeling herself to do.
She forced a bright smile and turned to Brent. “I love chicken parmigiana,” she said, responding to his comment about her menu selection. “So, I thought… Why not?”
“Why not, indeed.” Brent toasted her with his glass, and she clinked her glass to his. “I can’t believe this is really happening. Just think. By this time tomorrow, we’ll be husband and wife. In the way that you wanted, sweetheart. With the vows, the rings…”
He stared down at her ring finger. “Grandmother Margaret’s ring. Did Meredith bring it?”
Hope forced a pouty frown. “I’m so sorry. She tried. But the jeweler had…”
Meredith, who was sitting on Hope’s other side, leaned toward Brent. “A death in the family.”
“Oh, no.”
“Very sudden.” Meredith nodded. “They closed for the rest of the week.”
“What rotten luck.”
Hope’s face steamed as she took a swallow of wine. “Yeah. Terrible.”
Derrick, who had seen them toasting, held up his glass. “I think a toast is in order,” he said, “to all of those who’ve gathered here from near and far to join in this happy occasion. Including those of us who arrived a bit late.” He tipped his glass toward Meredith, and her eyebrows twitched.
“You know what they say,” she announced brightly, holding up her wine. “Better late than never.”
“Hear, hear,” Grandpa Chad called, saluting Meredith and also Ava.
“It’s true,” Elsa chimed in. “We’re just so glad everyone could make it.” Her face fell in a frown. “Except for Hope.” She turned guilty eyes on the wedding couple. “We’re all so sorry about that. Do you think there’s any way she still might get here?”