Goody Two Shoes (Invertary 2)

She stepped back from the tiny bathroom window, where she’d been watching the mass of people prepare for the day.

“I can’t do this.” She held on to the porcelain sink and stared at her reflection. “No. I can do this. Of course I can do this. I promised to do this.” She rested her forehead on the cool glass of the mirror. “No. I can’t do this.”

There was a knock at the door. “Caroline, are you coming out of there sometime today? I’ve still got your makeup and hair to do. It’s only five hours to the wedding. We have to hurry.”

Caroline groaned. And not the good kind of groan she’d taken to making any time she was around Josh. That man had turned her into a sex addict. She’d even consulted her stolen books to see if there was a chapter on the subject. There wasn’t. She’d tried investigating it on the internet while Josh was asleep, but the sites her search brought up made her unplug the computer from the web and pray for forgiveness.

“Caroline?”

Any minute now, Kirsty would fetch Lake to kick down the door.

“I’ll be out in a minute. I’m just…” Her mind went blank. She’d already showered. There was no other reason to spend twenty minutes in the bathroom. At least, none she wanted to use as an excuse.

Kirsty sighed loud enough to be heard through the solid wooden door.

“Something is wrong. If you don’t come out and tell me what this minute, I’m going to fetch Lake.”

“You are so predictable.” Caroline took a deep breath and opened the door.

She was wearing a new lingerie set that Kirsty had brought over for her. A white satin corset with lavender velvet bows and matching thong. Caroline tugged at the corset. She couldn’t breathe. It must be too tight. She needed air. There wasn’t enough air in the room. She walked past a worried Kirsty to open one of the turret’s windows.

“What on earth?”

Kirsty came over to stand beside her.

Caroline pointed. “There are tartan sheep all around the marquee. Where the heck did they come from?” She looked closer. “Oh for goodness’ sake, they’re pooping everywhere. I’m going to talk to the wedding planner. This was not on the list I made for her.”

She marched towards the door.

Kirsty ran to stand in front of her. “You are not going anywhere. Not

until you tell me what’s going on in that head of yours.”

Caroline folded her arms. “I’ll tell you once I get back. I need to sort out the sheep problem first.”

“No you don’t. The sheep are a gift from the domino boys. They had the Donaldson twins dye them.”

“Did they buy the sheep?”

Kirsty sported her best innocent look. It wasn’t good enough.

“We can’t have stolen sheep at our wedding. I need to deal with this.”

Kirsty stepped in front of her. “In your underwear?”

Caroline looked down at herself. The wind went out of her. She turned and flopped onto the armchair nestled into the bay window. Kirsty crouched in front of her.

“What’s wrong, honey? Please tell me so that I can help you.”

The concern in her best friend’s eyes made Caroline’s heart ache. She chewed her bottom lip.

“I’m not sure if I’m making a mistake or not.” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.

“It’s not too late to stop the wedding.” Kirsty’s eyes were sympathetic, but the set of her mouth was determined. Caroline was in no doubt her friend would wade out into the crowd to put an end to this day—if that was what Caroline wanted.

“No. I need to go through with it. I promised.” She threw back her head and covered her face with her hands. “It’s just…I’ve fallen in love with him and I’m afraid I’ll spend my life married to a man who doesn’t love me back.”

There was silence for a minute. “I don’t understand, sweetie. You didn’t seem to mind that this was a loveless arrangement when you made it.”