Page 55 of The Runaway Bride's Vow

Words can’t even explain my regret that things ended like this. It isn’t what I want. You have to believe me.

I just wasn’t ready to get married. I tried to tell you, but you were so convincing on why there was no need to wait. I wanted to believe you—I tried to go along with what everyone wanted. Maybe I should have gone through with it, and then I wouldn’t be missing you so much.

Everything felt as though it was all planned out from the date of the wedding falling on a cancellation of the chapel to the wedding dress being one of three the boutique had in stock because there wasn’t enough time to order one.

I tried to fit into other people’s expectations before, and it hadn’t worked out. I don’t know why I thought this time would be any different. I guess it’s because I love you so much that I wanted to believe it would all work out.

And now that I’m back at my parents’ farm, I realize that I just couldn’t get married without them. I’ve spoken with my mother and things were awkward at first, but we both said things we’ve been holding back. I still have to speak to my father and sister. I have a feeling those conversations won’t be easy, but I hope to make things right again. If I ever do get married, I really need them there with me because I love them—even if they don’t agree with me about what makes for a happy future.

I also regret leaving without saying goodbye to Kaylie. Will you tell her how sorry I am and that I miss her. She’s a very special little girl. You are so lucky to be her father. Give her a hug for me.

I wish I was there to give you a hug too. I’m sure you wouldn’t want that now, and I can’t blame you.

I love you,

B

His vision blurred. He swiped at his eyes and blinked. He didn’t want to believe her. How was any of this his fault? Even after she hadn’t shown up, he’d chased after her, certain only something beyond her control would keep her from their wedding. He’d been such a fool.

He told himself she was only saying this stuff to make herself feel better. For starters, no one who loved someone just took off on the day of their wedding. She should have… What could she have done to make the news that she wasn’t ready to get married any better? He didn’t have any answers.

“What did she say?”

The sound of Dylan’s voice startled Logan from his thoughts. “Nothing.”

“Come on. She had to say something.”

He knew Dylan wasn’t going to give up until he told him something. And Logan needed someone to reassure him that he hadn’t pressured Brooke into the wedding.

“She said the wedding had been too quick.”

“Well, she does have a point. After all, you were going to get married a month after you proposed.”

Logan scowled at him. “But she could have said no.”

“Did you ask her if she wanted to get married then?”

Logan searched his memory and came up with a blank. Had he asked her? Surely he must have, but he also remembered how excited he’d been about marrying her. When he made up his mind about something, he was ready to do it right then. He didn’t have a lot of patience.

“Logan?” Dylan prodded him.

“Okay. Maybe there’s a chance I might have rushed things along, but it was only because I knew she was the right person for me. Boy, was I wrong about that.”

“And how does she feel about you?”

Logan hesitated as he replayed the words of her note in his mind. “She said she still cares about me.”

“Cares as in friends? Or did she use the L-word?”

Logan sighed. “Fine. She used the L-word. But how am I supposed to believe her when she ran out on me?”

“I don’t know. That’s something you’re going to have to figure out on your own. But if you still love her, you might want to hear her out.”

“I don’t know.” Some things couldn’t be repaired.

Dinnertime.

Brooke swallowed hard when her mother called her for dinner like she’d done a million times in the past. Only this time Brooke’s stomach shivered with nerves.

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