Page 23 of The Holiday Grump
“I want my girl home, no matter what.”
The line from the article echoed in my mind, now sounding vaguely threatening.
We’d parted without any closure, with me running to catch an Uber, the veil still attached to my hair. I’d been too much of a coward to face him and too paralyzed by terror to even write a note. And now he was waiting for me to come home? It made no sense.
Spencer had been running late with a hair emergency. He was so particular about his hair. I’d been left waiting at the back of the church with my sister. Holly had seen something in me that went beyond the usual jitters. She’d found a thread and pulled it.
Suddenly, I knew with absolute certainty that I couldn’t go through with the wedding.
Holly smuggled me out, and within forty-eight hours, I’d boarded my first cruise ship. I changed my phone number and figured Spence would get the message. Over time, he’d realize I’d done him a favor and be grateful.
I’d carried on in my happy bubble, believing my own lies, until Felicity had shown me that article. I’d kept busy all morning, trying not to think about it. But I had to face reality. Leaving Spencer at the altar wasn’t only my biggest embarrassment. It was his biggest humiliation. And men like him didn’t forgive humiliation. Whether he regarded me as lost property or wanted revenge, he was on a mission.
And here I was, back in Maine, making friends, wearing bright colors, and drawing attention.
I was a fool, and I had to get back on the ocean.
CHAPTER 9
Fredrik
Iwrestled open the bookstore door, cursing under my breath. I’d managed to offend her. I’d made assumptions about her ex without any solid evidence. For all I knew, she still loved the man, and my questions only strengthened that loyalty.
Maybe Felicity was right. I was turning into our grandfather. Not the nice one who donated his corduroys to me, but the crank who’d choked to death alone in his house.
“Fredrik!”
I jumped at my sister’s voice. She sat behind the counter, still wrapped in her coat and wool hat, snowflakes clinging to her sleeve.
“What are you doing here?” I demanded, leaning on the doorway.
“What did you bring me?” She leaned over the table tosnatch the paper bag from my hand and peeked inside. “Whoopie pie!”
“Go ahead,” I said. I’d already given the other two to Noelle and eaten my chicken pastry on the way back.
“Thanks!” She took a big bite. “I’m so mad right now. Someone stole my favorite gloves, so I had to go shopping. It’s like a crime wave.”
“Or maybe someone just borrowed them.”
Felicity liked her thingsjust so, but her staff were looser, misplacing supplies and even “accidentally” eating her lunch. Which counted as a crime wave in Hideaway Harbor.
I took off my coat and threw it over the desk.
Felicity gobbled up the pie, then eyed my window. “You need to put up lights this year. Maybe a wreath. This place looks glum.”
“Why are you here?” I asked again. “I thought you already cleaned.”
“Oh, I did,” she said brightly. “With the help of your new, super cute neighbor. Who also happens to be a famous runaway bride.”
I tried not to bite, but my intrigue flickered.Famous?
Felicity’s eyes sparkled. “Oh, goodie. Youareinterested. Just ask. I’ll tell you. I know you won’t spread it, and you need to watch out for her.”
She knew how to appeal to my sense of duty instead of curiosity.
“What?” I asked, gritting my teeth.
She leaned in, lowering her voice. “Last Christmas, Noelle was about to marry Spencer Alford. Biggest wedding in Maine. Huge.”
