Page 45 of The Runaway Bride's Vow

“No, Mom. Something is very right. I’m getting married.”

There was a distinct pause. “You’re marrying Logan? We haven’t even met him yet.”

Brooke felt bad about not introducing Logan and Kaylie to her family, but it wasn’t that easy when your family lived more than a thousand miles away. “Mom, you have to understand that it’s not easy when you live so far away.”

“Brooke, I’m not the one that lives far away. You’re the one that abandoned your family and moved to California.” There was a hard edge to her mother’s words mingled with tones of sadness.

“I’m sorry, Mom. But I promise you’ll meet him very soon.”

“I would like that. So would your father and sister.”

She glanced through the big glass window of the coffee shop. Her gaze met Logan’s. She could tell he was wondering whom she was speaking to. She would tell him later. “I have to go. Some people are waiting for me.”

“Okay. Congratulations.”

“Thanks, Mom. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

She disconnected the call. Perhaps calling her mother had been a mistake. Her joy had been doused with a layer of guilt. Someday soon she had to make things right with her family—before the wedding. She wanted to start her married life on a good note.

Chapter Fourteen

The time had come to share the news…

The next day Logan called his best friend, Dylan, and asked him to meet up at the coffeehouse while Brooke called her friends. They were all getting together at one o’clock for the big announcement. Last night, Brooke had asked Selena to keep their engagement a secret until they had a chance to tell their group of friends.

Next Logan went to pick up Kaylie from Margie’s place. His ex had agreed to let him have their daughter for the day as long as she was back in time for dinner. They had plans with Margie’s boyfriend.

While Kaylie gathered a few of her things, he told Margie about their engagement and she offered him a quick congratulations. It wasn’t exactly filled with warmth, but he’d take what she’d offered.

In the pickup, he told Kaylie the news. There was a bit of explaining that had to be done for a four-year-old to understand. Once she learned that Brooke was going to be a permanent part of their lives, she was excited.

He couldn’t believe how well things were turning out. It was like ever since Brooke had stepped into his life, she’d rolled back the clouds that seemed to follow him everywhere and let the sun shine bright. He couldn’t remember ever being happier.

As far as he was concerned, they couldn’t get married soon enough. He was serious. He couldn’t think of any reason they should wait.

He swung by Brooke’s apartment to pick her up. As she sat next to him, she admired her ring. He was so relieved she liked it. When he’d been in the jewelry store, he had no idea what he was looking for. Perhaps he should have paid more attention to the type of jewelry she wore, but there’d been no time for that.

In the end, the sales woman had helped him narrow down the rings to just a few. Then he’d spent another half hour hemming and hawing over them, trying to decide which of them Brooke would want to wear. In the end, he appeared to have made the right decision.

From the backseat of his pickup, Kaylie asked numerous questions—why this and why that. Brooke displayed an abundance of patience as she tried to answer all of his daughter’s questions. He couldn’t help but think Brooke was relieved when they arrived at the coffee shop and Kaylie became distracted with questions about what she could get to drink. His daughter never lacked for questions. She was constantly asking why this or why that. Some say it’s a sign of intelligence; if that were the case, his little girl was going to be a genius.

As they made their way to the entrance, Kaylie was in the middle with both Brooke and himself holding her hands. He heard Kaylie ask, “Will you be my mommy?”

Brooke stopped walking and knelt down in front of Kaylie. “You already have a mommy, but I will be your friend. Would you like that?”

Kaylie nodded her head.

He loved the way Brooke was so good with his daughter. She really cared about Kaylie and her feelings. He honestly never thought he’d find someone who would fit into his life so well. All it took was one spilled coffee, and everything had changed for all three of them.

Once inside Lacy’s, he immediately spotted their group of friends. They were gathered around a couple of tables in the corner. Clara was the first one to spot them and waved them over.

He glanced at Brooke. “Are you ready for this?”

She smiled and nodded. “I am.”

They made their way over to the table, and everyone said hi to Kaylie, who was all smiles at the attention. Then the eyes turned to them.

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