Page 60 of The Runaway Bride's Vow

“I just arrived yesterday.” Talk about your awkward moments. She knew she could take this conversation one of two ways—dredging up the past or making a fresh start. She chose the latter. “How are you doing?”

“Good. In fact, I just got engaged again. You wouldn’t know her. She’s new to town.”

“I’m happy for you.” She was surprised to find that she truly meant it.

“Thanks. And how are you? Didn’t I hear that you’re getting married too?”

She glanced down at the diamond ring that still adorned her finger. She really didn’t want to get into the mess she’d made of her relationship with Logan, so she said, “Yes. He’s a great guy.”

“Looks like it all worked out for both of us.” Twin lines formed between his brows. “I need to apologize to you.”

She decided to play dumb. “About what?”

“First, for calling off the wedding at the last possible moment. I… I thought I could go through with it but realized it wouldn’t be fair to either of us. And second because I let everyone assume you called off the wedding.”

She wanted to point out that his lack of omission had been hard on her family. She really wanted to lay into him and tell him that it was cowardly. But then she realized she couldn’t accuse him of taking the easy way out of an awkward situation when she’d done something similar.

“It’s all in the past.” As the words crossed her lips, it surprised even her. “Let’s just leave it there.”

He blinked. “Are you serious?” When she nodded, he said, “I thought for sure you’d be yelling at me.”

She shrugged. “I’ve done a lot of growing this past year. I still have a lot to learn, but I don’t think holding onto past grudges helps anyone.”

For the first time since she’d run into him, Josh smiled. It was one of those smiles that made his eyes twinkle and used to make her stomach dip. This time it did nothing for her but make her think of Logan and how much she missed him and his smiles.

“Well, I should be going,” Brooke said. “I’m hoping to catch up with my sister when she gets off work.”

He nodded in understanding. “It was good seeing you. Congrats on the wedding.”

His well-intended words poked at the hole in her heart. She struggled not to let the pain show on her face. “Thank you. Congrats to you too.”

She couldn’t walk away fast enough. It wasn’t Josh who bothered her. In fact, their reunion had been much easier than she’d ever imagined it would be. At last, she had finally completely, and totally closed that chapter of her life.

The part that bothered her was putting on a show that her life was perfect when it was anything but perfect. Her pride had refused to allow her to let on that she’d made the biggest mistake of her life. The weight of what she’d done by walking away from Logan settled on her shoulders. Was there any way she could ever repair her relationship with Logan?

No.

The ominous answer echoed in her mind. She thought of the letters she’d been writing him. She still hadn’t heard one word from him. Right there was her answer.

Chapter Twenty

Was she fooling herself?

Did she really think some emails would convince Logan to give her another chance?

Brooke was in such deep thought about her situation with Logan that she nearly walked past the bank. If it hadn’t been for someone exiting the bank and causing Brooke to pause, she might very well still be walking with no particular destination in mind.

“Brooke?” Mrs. Walters gazed over the black rims of her glasses. “It is you. What are you doing here?”

The question sounded too much like an accusation. Brooke stifled a sigh. Mrs. Walters was the town’s biggest gossip. She decided to ignore the woman’s pointed question. “Good afternoon.”

When she tried to go around the short woman, Mrs. Walters said, “You don’t want to go in there. They’re closing for the day.”

Brooke stepped back. There was no getting around the woman, who refused to move. “If you’ll excuse me. I’m here to see my sister.”

“Oh, dear, Candace already left for the day.” Mrs. Walters gave her a strange look. “I thought you would have known that.”

Refusing to let this busybody read more into the situation than was there, she said, “I ran into someone and we talked.” Not a lie. “And now I’m late. Thank you for letting me know.”

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