Page 77 of Unbound

Raven pulls Lenny’s hair so she can see her face. “Why haveyoubeen acting weird?”

Fat tears that remind me of the rain rolling down the window I was staring at this morning break free from Lenny’s lashes as she blinks up at Raven. “Because I know he doesn’t want to marry me and he misses Nevaeh.”

“Did he say that?”

Lenny considers it and then shrugs one shoulder. “Well, no. Not exactly.”

“Well, then why do you believe it?”

“Because I’m an emotional basket case who spent the morning at the grave of her soon-to-be husband’s wife, asking for her blessing. And a bird shit on me. And it’s fucking raining.”

“In some countries raining on your wedding day symbolizes cleansing,” Mia notes, rubbing Lenny’s back. “Fresh starts. She’s telling you it’s okay to marry him. It’s your fresh start with the right man.”

“Okay but even if that’s true and the rain represents some sort of cleanse, it still doesn’t explain why the bird shit on me.”

Raven pulls out her cell phone from her pocket, types something, and then shoves the phone in her face. “It’s just another sign. It means good luck.”

Squinting her eyes, Lenny reads the article and then looks to Mia. “Okay, but you said he’s nervous. If he wants this, then why is he so nervous?”

“Sweetie, he’s only nervous because he loves you so much and wants to make you happy.”

I’m not even sure why, but it does nothing to help Lenny and she bursts into tears, again.

Mia looks at me, and then Raven when the bathroom door slams shut, Lenny on the other side of it. “Did I say something wrong?”

Raven growls. Actually growls. “What do you think, Mom? Sophie, go get Red.”

“What? Why me?” I point to myself in shock. I saw him downstairs earlier. He’s stressed enough.

“Because I don’t want to and you’re just standing there being absolutely no damn help so please go get Red.” Raven flops herself back on the bed, much like Lenny had done. “I’m freaking tired.”

DRAWING IN A heavy breath, I make my way downstairs to find Red. He’s not hard to find. All the guys are outside, trying to get the hay spread to soak up some of the mud and water in the backyard.

He’s over by the stage with Rawley. Pulling on my rubber boots by the door, I make my way outside to where they’re standing.

As I make my way to them, Rawley turns and smiles at me. Warmth finds my cheeks when he brushes away a drop of water on my face.

Red laughs at our interaction, but I think he can tell I’m out here for a purpose when I level him with a serious look. “We need you upstairs.Now.”

His eyes widen “Why?”

I hold up my thumb and forefinger pinching them together. “Well, we seem to have a tiny problem.”

He turns and immediately starts walking toward the house and I hurry to follow. Glancing over my shoulder, I watch Rawley, who then follows us.

Red tosses me a concerned glance over his shoulder. “What do you mean there’s a tiny problem? Is Lenny okay?”

“That’s the tiny problem. She’s locked herself in the bathroom and is convinced you don’t want to marry her because your mom may have let it slip you’re nervous.”

“What?” Red stops walking once we reach the deck, one foot on the step, his hand on the rail. “Seriously? She thinks I don’t want to marry her?”

I nod hesitantly, because I can tell there’s hurt flashing in his eyes.

The three of us make it upstairs and into the hallway where Red knocks on the bathroom door. “Lenny, open the door. Let me in so I can talk to you.”

“No!” she cries. “I can’t. It’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding and we don’t need any more bad luck. I was already shit on and it’s raining!”

“Shit on?” Red mouths to Raven when she comes out of the bedroom and leans into the wall, her arms crossed over her chest.

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