Page 61 of The Runaway Bride's Vow

Not waiting for the woman to say anything else, Brooke turned on her heel and started toward her car. She said a few hellos on the way. No one held her up, and in no time she reached her car—her very hot car. She started it, put down the windows and blasted the air conditioner. Thankfully, it cooled down quickly as she headed out of town to her sister’s place.

Candi lived on a large farm that her husband ran. Row after row of corn stood tall and proud. It was a good year for the farmers, which meant it was a good year for her family. She was happy for them. And happy she figured out that this life wasn’t for her. Nothing against it, it just wasn’t her.

She drove up to the large white farmhouse with blue shutters and a wraparound porch. In the background stood a large white barn with the doors wide open. People didn’t worry about crime around these parts. Besides, what were they going to steal in the barn? A rake? Or a shovel?

She made her way to the front door, which was open. She knocked on the screen door.

“Coming!” A minute later, her sister stepped up to the door. She didn’t smile, but she didn’t frown. “I was wondering when I’d see you.” She pushed open the door. “Come in.” Her sister turned away before she could hug her. “We can talk in the kitchen.”

Okay. So this was going to be just as awkward as she’d imagined. Brooke quietly followed her sister to the back of the house, where there was a large bright kitchen. The walls were painted a pale yellow, and the windows were trimmed with white ruffled curtains. It was cheery.

Her sister gestured to the table that sat off in the corner. “Have a seat. I’ll get us some coffee.”

Brooke swallowed hard. “It’s good to see you.”

Candi filled the coffeemaker with water. “How long are you in town for? Or are you moving back?”

Brooke gave a firm shake of her head. “I still have my job in California. And I really enjoy it.”

“You’re still planning weddings?”

She nodded. “Yes. I’m an assistant planner at the Perky Pink Wedding Company. I’ve learned so much being there.”

“Except how to have a successful wedding of your own.” The jab was swift and hit its mark.

“Hey, Candi, that’s not fair.”

Her sister turned to her with emotion glinting in her eyes. “You have to admit that you’re becoming a bit of a professional runaway bride.”

Brooke got to her feet. “I thought we could talk, but it appears that isn’t possible.”

When she turned to retrace her footsteps to the front door, her sister said, “Wait.” An awkward pause ensued. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. It’s just this situation hasn’t been easy. And you took off, so you didn’t have to deal with any of the fallout.”

Brooke turned around to see the pain reflected in her sister’s eyes. “I’m sorry what happened with the wedding affected you and your husband.”

“He’s Josh’s best friend. He was furious when you left Josh at the altar.”

“But I didn’t.”

Her sister blinked, but the confusion still showed in her eyes. “Yes, you did. I was there. Remember?”

“But I didn’t call off the wedding.”

Her sister’s forehead scrunched up. “Yes, you did.”

Brooke shook her head. “It was Josh. He called things off. I thought Mom would have told you.”

“What? Mom knew all of this time?”

Brooke shook her head. “I told her last night. I just thought she would have mentioned it to you. Maybe she was giving me a chance to do it.”

“I didn’t talk to her last night. I’m so confused. Anyway, back to the wedding. You’re the one that told everyone the wedding was off, and then you skipped town without a word to anyone, not even your family.”

“I told the guests because Josh refused to do it. I just never imagined he would tell everyone that I had dumped him.”

Her sister’s gaze searched hers. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

Brooke sighed. “Do you really think I’d lie about something like this?”

---