Page 2 of The Runaway Bride's Vow

Finally, they both stood before the minister, who instructed them to hold hands. They turned to each other. She noticed that Josh was slow to take her hands in his own. When their fingers laced together, his grasp was lax. She clenched his hand tighter. Still, it felt as though he was trying to pull away.

As the minister spoke, her gaze went to Josh. He averted his gaze so she wasn’t able to see what he was thinking.

She turned her attention back to the minister as he said, “If anyone can show just cause why these two may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”

The minister paused as though he were actually waiting for someone to show just cause. Her heart beat quickly as the silence seemed to stretch out. Josh tapped her hand. When she looked at him, it was as though he wanted to say something. Now wasn’t the time. Still, his eyes widened as though whatever it was couldn’t wait.

She leaned toward him and whispered, “Can’t it wait?”

“No.” His tone was firm.

Her gaze briefly went to the congregation. They were all staring at them. She swallowed hard.

Before she could figure out what to do, Josh pulled away. What is he doing?

Her gaze moved to the minister. She whispered, “Could we have a moment?” When surprise flashed in the older man’s eyes, she added, “We’ll be right back.”

She grabbed Josh by the arm and led him to the little door off to the side of the pulpit that the choir used. She opened the door and stepped inside. There wasn’t much room because there was only a small landing before the steps to the downstairs.

“We have to make this quick.” She stared at him. “Everyone out there is wondering what is going on.”

When he spoke, his voice was soft. “I can’t do this.”

She strained to hear his words. “Can’t do what?”

He lowered his gaze. “Marry you.”

His words were like a smack in the face. What was she supposed to say to that? Words utterly failed her.

“I’m sorry, Brooke. I didn’t realize it until now. I… I just can’t.”

And then something happened that she hadn’t expected. She was able to take her first full breath since coming to the church. Her pulse was still racing, but each breath was easier.

His gaze caught hers. “You need to tell them.”

Surely she hadn’t heard him correctly. “Wait. What? Why me?”

“I… I can’t.”

Why was she not surprised? He made a point of avoiding stressful situations at all costs. Still, one of them had to say something and soon. When she turned and started toward the front of the church, he asked, “You’re going to do it?”

“One of us has to.” She moved swiftly until she was standing in front of all of the family and friends. Alone. A sea of confused looks focused on her. “There isn’t going to be wedding.”

“What?” someone in the back called out. “We can’t hear you.”

“There isn’t going to be a wedding!”

A shocked murmur swept through the church.

She didn’t wait for the inevitable questions. She turned and left. Once downstairs, she grabbed her purse, gathered her skirt, and rushed out the back door. Lucky for her, everyone was still inside the church, trying to figure out what was going on. She ran across the asphalt. It wasn’t easy to do in heels, but that didn’t stop her.

One of the benefits of living in a small town was that her apartment was close by. She pulled to a stop outside and rushed up the steps. Once inside her apartment, she struggled with the zipper on the wedding dress. Instead of it slipping off and pooling at her feet, she had to fight to lower it past her curvy hips.

When at last she’d shed all of the wedding stuff, she put on some comfy jeans and a T-shirt. She knew she couldn’t just skip town without a word, so she took a moment to write her mother a note. It was brief but to the point:

Mom,

I’m sorry. Please believe me that calling off the wedding was the right thing to do.

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