Page 18 of Love Under Review

Joking, Danielle said, “Why did you want to get married up here again?”

“Because of that.” Becca’s arm moved over the scenery as they made it to the crest of the hill. Danielle hadn’t taken the time to get a good look at the landscape the day before, as she’d been focused on getting everything ready. But as she looked up at the reds, oranges, and yellows, she couldn’t help but feel a measure of peace.

It was idyllic for a wedding, even if that wedding wasn’t Danielle’s.

They left the bride at the end of a trail of white petals. Dottie Watkins handed Becca and Danielle bouquets of lilies, and Mayor Watkins extended his arm to the bride. Susie found a seat toward the middle of the rows of chairs, and Danielle stepped down the aisle behind the two bridesmaids, the sound of the portable keyboard someone had brought out to play music helping her rhythm.

Danielle stepped into position in front of the gazebo and décor, looking down to swipe off a few pieces of mud that had caught onto her dress. She held her bouquet and looked out over the crowd, smiling at all the familiar faces and some she didn’t recognize.

As Becca walked down the aisle, Danielle turned to see Colton’s face, and while he looked like a man in love, her attention caught on the man standing behind him. Liam Pearson. Where was Tanner? Wasn’t he the best man?

She studied his face, several similarities sticking out between him and Kara, and she felt guilty once again. Had he come to Sage Creek from New York because of the diagnosis? It would be hard to keep a secret from the town for that long, and she’d only just had the cancer removed a few days before.

Liam turned to look in Danielle’s direction and gave her a lazy smile, and she turned her gaze, not willing to break down all the walls she’d set up for herself.

Becca made it to the front of the aisle and handed Danielle her bouquet before turning toward Colton, pulling Danielle away from investigating and back to the present.

Pastor Thurgood opened a book and started to read in his monotone voice. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in this beautiful location to celebrate the union of Colton Maxfield and Rebecca Taylor.”

That was as far as Danielle made it before a fly started buzzing in her ear. She tried to swat at it with force but also so that the world watching the scene to her left wouldn’t be distracted by her actions. Time and time again, the fly danced around her face, and she wished she could take off her shoe and swat at it. It finally left her alone, and as she watched her friend pledge her life to love the man in front of her, Danielle suddenly wished for the distraction again.

Being the maid of honor when she was so set on avoiding relationships was a lot harder than she’d imagined.

Taking in slow, deep breaths, Danielle tried to focus on what was going on in the ceremony. “Do you, Colton, take Rebecca to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health…”

“With this ring, I thee wed.” Becca’s voice was all Danielle could hear, and she was grateful the ceremony was nearing its end. The day was unseasonably warm, and Danielle was ready to move out of the line of the rays of sun.

The pastor said, “You may now kiss the bride.”

The two of them bent together, and while Danielle was grateful Becca had found someone to love, she couldn’t bear to watch them kiss. She’d never been able to watch kisses on TV, let alone in real life. Sure, she’d been kissed several times, but kissing itself was so intimate that it felt like spying.

She focused on a large rock poking out of the ground to her side until the crowd cheered and clapped, signaling the time to look forward once again.

Danielle handed Becca her bouquet and watched as her best friend and her husband walked down the aisle. Things would never be the same. She wouldn’t be able to pop into Sage Creek anymore and have unlimited time with Becca. Her friend would have other responsibilities and obligations now that she was hitched. The feeling left a hollow chasm in Danielle’s chest, and she worked to take in a breath.

“I believe it’s our turn to follow the bride and groom,” Liam’s soft voice said, his outstretched arm coming into view.

Danielle looked up at him, doing her best to fight back all the emotions building inside. Reaching her hand up, she wrapped it through his arm and let him lead her down the aisle and into the grove of trees leading back to the town.

“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice soft once again.

Danielle licked her lips, the heat suddenly making her thirsty. “Yes, it’s just different when people get married. It’s like everything you knew before will never be the same again.”

“True. I’ve known Colton for, like, six months,” he said, a bright smile on his face again with the small joke, “and he’s a really good guy.” He paused again, and she could feel his curiosity as he opened and closed his mouth a few times.

She dropped her hand once they were through the trees and walking down the dirt path. “Out with it,” she said when he didn’t say anything.

He looked at her with a mixture of surprise and amusement. “I just noticed you didn’t stare at the couple while they were kissing. I thought watching mushy love stories and happy endings was something all girls loved to do.”

Danielle shook her head and focused on the ground in front of her, hoping she wouldn’t trip with him next to her. Being at his side seemed to put her body on edge, and she needed to put on the brakes before things got out of hand.

“I like all that stuff. I did buy four romance novels from you the other day.” She laughed at him, wishing the charge of air between them would stop increasing. It was hard to concentrate. “I just—I don’t know. It’s weird watching other people kiss; don’t you think?” She raised an eyebrow and smiled when Liam started laughing. That wasn’t the only reason, but she wasn’t ready to go too deep into her beliefs about a relationship and marriage.

“I guess I’d never really thought about it, but that could be a good point for our joint article.” He flashed her a smile, and Danielle turned her head, not wanting to stare.

After making it to the bottom of the path, she shook her head. “No, just like you said, most women like to watch stuff like that, and I do not. We’ll need something better, something that will get the town talking.”

“A true journalist. How long do you think you’ll be in town?” It might have been some strange wish, but Danielle thought she saw more than curiosity in his face when he asked the question.

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