Goody Two Shoes (Invertary 2)

Mitch held up his hands helplessly. “How should I know?”

Yep. Josh was screwed.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Kirsty fussed with the back of Caroline’s wedding gown. “You are stunning. Perfect in every way.”

Caroline looked down at the beautiful dress and matching designer shoes—they were stunning. She was just along for the ride. All she’d added to the ensemble was a pair of pearl earrings that had belonged to her mother, and a comb with heather in her hair. Plain. Simple. Just like her. The music started. A string quartet shipped in from Edinburgh played the traditional Pachelbel’s Canon in D. Josh got a say in the rest of the music for their wedding, but Caroline wanted something traditional to start.

“Okay.” Kirsty stared at her. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“We can still make a run for it.”

“I know. I’m doing this.”

Kirsty chewed her bottom lip. At last, she nodded, turned and walked down the aisle. Caroline waited the allotted time to follow. Her mind wasn’t on her actions, and she was grateful that the wedding planner had insisted that they have a rehearsal the evening before. She took a deep breath as faces turned to look at her. People smiled and stood. Caroline kept her eyes forward. She clutched her bouquet of flowers tightly. Her mind was so blocked she couldn’t even name the flowers in it. Heather. There was definitely heather.

In fact, there was purple heather everywhere. The wedding planner had done a wonderful job decorating the old church. There were bunches of heather and white roses attached to the end of each pew. Two huge displays of purple and white flowers bracketed the front of the church. Soft purple lighting had been added to the columns that held up the balcony, making them glow in a dreamlike way. It was beautiful. Pity she couldn’t concentrate enough to admire any of it.

She spotted Helen, who was standing in the aisle. Andrew gripped her and pulled her back. Helen smiled while she dabbed at her eyes. And then Caroline saw Josh. The air left her lungs in a whoosh. She tripped over her dress, but righted herself quickly. Josh pinned her with his translucent blue gaze. His smile was wide and confident. His broad shoulders were perfectly accentuated by the cut of his suit. He was stunning.

And she was going to marry him.

Breathe. Just. Breathe. The church was as stuffy as the castle had been. If Caroline could have dragged her eyes away from Josh, she would have checked to see if any windows were open. She wanted to tug at her dress, but instead clenched her bouquet until her fingers ached.

A lifetime later, she made it to the front of the church. Josh reached for her hand.

“You are beautiful, baby,” he whispered against her cheek. “I could eat you all up.” She looked up at him. “Later,” he promised, making her stomach spin.

She was doing the right thing. She’d promised. She always kept her promises. Breathe. Just breathe.

The minister cleared his throat. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here, in the sight of God…”

Caroline didn’t hear anything else. Josh squeezed her hand. His smile was warm and reassuring. Her heart beat so hard within her chest she felt like it was trying to escape. Josh seemed calm and unaffected. Caroline’s palms began to sweat. She’d been to plenty of weddings. She didn’t remember any of them taking this long. And where the heck was all the air?

The minister’s voice broke into her thoughts. “…If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together—let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”

Josh looked over his shoulder and grinned cheekily at their guests. There was a smattering of laughter.

Then a voice rang out. “I have just cause.”

Caroline’s heart actually stopped. Josh made a growling sound beside her. Mitch shot Josh a worried look. They all turned towards the voice at the back of the church. Danny stepped out from behind a pillar.

“What the hell?” Josh said.

“Language!” the minister snapped at him. “You’re in the house of God.”

Josh gave him a scathing look. “That is my stalker. He shouldn’t be here, let alone making an objection.”

Caroline watched as Danny strode towards the front of the church. He was wearing his ever-present black suit and tie. Lake and his men started jogging towards the man.

“You can’t marry him.” Danny’s voice wavered, as though he wasn’t quite in control of it. “He’s an impostor, Caroline. He has you all fooled. I’m Josh McInnes. I’m the one who loves you. You need to get rid of him and marry me before it’s too late.”

There was a ripple of murmured shock and amusement.

“Oh, man, he’s finally lost the plot.” Mitch patted Josh on the back.