Page 27 of The One Before

Anne clears her throat and looks at her notes, as though she’s searching for the right words. “You’re right. Finding a good man is the most important part. Everything else is secondary.”

Anne pushes forward the folder she’s brought. As I flip through the pictures, she answers more questions. The more we talk, the more it feels like a conversation, not an interview. Anne isn’t trying to impress me; she wants to please. She’s managed to remind me that our wedding is about Coop and me, not Josephine or the latest trends inBridesmagazine.

“I realize it’s a struggle to travel here each time we make plans,” I say, seeing our hour together is nearly over. “I don’t mind traveling to Knoxville, if that would make things easier on your behalf.”

“It seems there aren’t many decisions left to be made. I don’t foresee us needing many sessions. Besides, it’s nice to leave the city, even if it’s only for the afternoon.” She smiles. Anne has kind, almond-shaped eyes and a narrow nose. Her charm is more apparent now than it was at the beginning of our meeting.

“When is the next time you can come to Whisper Falls?”

“Would next Thursday work? That will give me time to contact florists. Maybe we could choose centerpieces?”

“Sounds great.” My chest fills with joy at the idea we’re finally moving forward and making decisions. This wedding, which for several weeks has seemed stalled midair, is happening.

Anne puts the notebook back into her purse. “Does this mean you’d like my help in coordinating your big day?”

“I think we have a similar understanding of what I’d like. I’d love for you to be a part of it.”

“Thank you.” Anne smiles from ear to ear. I think this yes means more to her than it would have to the other women. They would have flaunted their Douglas family win. Anne seems happy she is enough. “I’m delighted to get to know you.”

I follow Anne to the door and watch her leave. This time when I return to the living room, I feel satisfied. This might be the first decision I’ve made since moving to Whisper Falls that I know is right.

Nineteen

Helena

Finally, something is working out. I got the job. There were a lot of ways this could have blown up in my face. My mission could have easily ended before it began, but, for once, I think fortune is on my side. Fate wants me to get involved. The universe wants to finally right all the wrongs.

Whisper Falls is a gossipy town. After a few days of frequenting Nectar and other high-traffic establishments, I caught wind Josephine Douglas was searching for event planners.Her golden boy was getting married, people said. Whisper natives weren’t surprised one bit she was passing over local options in favor of a wedding consultant in Knoxville. That’s what sparked my idea, as far-fetched as it might have seemed.

I baited at least a dozen wedding planners before one took a bite. Anne Richards not only confirmed she was meeting with the future Mrs. Douglas; she provided all the information I needed.

“You’ll be in Whisper Falls this weekend?” I asked Anne over the phone, posing as one of Josephine Douglas’ house managers.

“This weekend?” Anne sounded flustered and annoyed. “I thought our consultation was this Friday at two.”

“There must have been a mix-up,” I said. “Ms. Sharpe booked all of her appointments for this Saturday.”

“I won’t be able to make it then. I’m available Monday if Ms. Sharpe—”

“I’m incredibly sorry, but decisions will need to be made quickly. The wedding is only three months away, as is. I’m sure you understand.”

Anne didn’t sound very understanding when she hung up the phone. She, like the other planners Josephine contacted, must know this is a high-dollar affair. My aim wasn’t to inconvenience Anne; she was simply the first planner on my list to admit she had an appointment in Whisper Falls. She gave me all the details I needed to pose as her from that point forward.

From the cramped corners of a place called Computers and Coffee, I researched Anne’s website. I printed off a few pictures from recent events and added them to a folder. My cover would be blown immediately if I didn’t create some kind of backstory. Thankfully, an event planner wasn’t much of a stretch. Believe it or not, I was once known for orchestrating fabulous parties, back when I was younger and less bitter. After my daughter’s death, I could no longer muster the enthusiasm. And yet here I am, polishing up the best parts of the old me, for Madison.

I arrived during Anne’s appointed time slot. For a moment, I didn’t know if I could go through with it. I feared Madison might figure me out, know I was some fraud with an ulterior agenda. Then I reminded myself Madison had no reason to suspect anything. As long as there weren’t any other members of the Douglas family present, I’d be fine. Josephine would remember my face; Madison couldn’t pick me or Anne out of a crowd.

My confidence plummeted when I walked inside the house. Standing in Cooper Douglas’ foyer was almost too much to bear. My eyes scanned the new furniture that filled their living room. According to the gossipers in Whisper, Josephine Douglas had dropped a ghastly amount of money at some place called Turner’s to furnish this place. For a brief moment, I wanted to stampede into the living room and break every vase, use the shards to carve into the fabric of their new sectional. Why should he get all this normalcy? Why does he deserve a beautiful home and a darling bride-to-be?

I reeled my thoughts from that dark tunnel, focusing instead on her. On Madison Sharpe. She’s blonde and beautiful and pretty much all the things you’d expect a guy like Cooper Douglas to tie down. Boy, has he tied her down! She’s all about her new little life in Whisper Falls, using her induction to the Douglas clan to her advantage. I’m guessing that’s why she didn’t even try to find employment. Why is it women these days are so ready to throw away their own value for a man? My girl wasn’t like that.

At the same time, I don’t think she’s oblivious to the monster with whom she shares her bed. Her eyes are too bright and her smile too wide. Beneath her cheery façade, I sense a layer of insecurity. Loneliness, perhaps. It takes a truly lonely person to spot another. I guess that’s what happens when you trade in your entire life for a shiny ring! It won’t take long to build a rapport with her, I can tell.

Of course, I’d sound like an absolute crazy person if I revealed my true intentions during our first visit. I need to build a bond first. Make her know she can trust me. Trust is vital if I want her to believe a word I say, and she needs to believe me. That’s the only way I can turn her against Cooper.

So I listened as she talked about flowers and colors and candles. I’d assumed she’d desire a reception in some barn followed by a photography session in an itchy cornfield. That’s the aesthetic these days, according to my research. Madison is different from the girls around here though; it’s hard to say for the moment whether that works in my favor.

I’ll humor her during our next visit by bringing flowers. I’ll print off more pictures, and maybe we can even sample a menu or two. I’ll help her plan the wedding of her dreams because that’s what she needs from me right now. In the end, none of it will matter. Because there’s no way in hell this wedding will happen. I’ll make sure of that.

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