The Fake Engagement

“How are you liking Westcliffe, Eliza?” Greg asked.

“It’s a wonderful place. I like it.”

“Have you two set a date yet?” Lydia asked.

“Wedding preparations are the worst,” Scarlett said.

“You didn’t mind organizing our wedding,” Andrew said, reaching across the table to touch his wife’s hand.

They shared a moment, and she felt lucky enough to merely watch them.

“How is your mother handling all the preparations?” Marsha asked.

Lies. More lies.

“Er, she’s not. I’ve decided to do it myself.” She glanced at Preston.

“When do you think the wedding will be taking place?” Greg asked.

“December,” they both said in unison.

She kept her gaze on Preston, surprised they said the same thing.

“Wow, you always wanted a December wedding, didn’t you, Preston?” Trudy asked.

“I guess it is one of the many reasons we’re so well-suited,” Eliza said.

This was kind of creepy. She always wanted a wedding in winter. The hope of getting married in freshly fallen snow. It just seemed so romantic to her.

Everyone would be freezing their asses off, but she would be drunk on love and happiness.

The food slowly lost its appeal.

“Have you thought about getting married here?” Marsha asked. “We could really do this place up nice for you all. It would be so nice. None of you would want for anything.” She clapped her hands and gasped. “I could help you. If you want, you could give me your parents’ number and I’ll talk to them about getting them out here.”

Eliza panicked.

“We haven’t told Eliza’s parents yet,” Preston said.

More gazes were on them.

“You haven’t told her parents that you’re engaged?” Greg asked.

This was turning into a disaster.

“Because Preston is my boss, and well, I’m his employee, my parents … they have … er … standards.”

“We don’t want them to disapprove of me before we give them chance to get to know me,” Preston said. “We have a plan to tell them, don’t we, darling?”

“Yep. Totally, yes.”

“Speaking of family. What are your plans for Thanksgiving?” Marsha asked. “I’ve already got the turkeys on order. We’ve arranged our schedules. Can I be putting you two on the list as well? I sure hope so, because you haven’t spent Thanksgiving with us in so long.” His mother pouted.

“We haven’t thought that far ahead.” Preston looked toward her. “What about your folks?”

“Juliet, Mackenzie, and I, we tend to, er, go to my folks for Thanksgiving. If you remember, this year, you’re coming along so we can tell them our big news.”

“Yes, that’s exactly what we’re doing. Completely planned.”

They weren’t going to be engaged by Thanksgiving. This was all a big mistake.

She finished her plate of food, declining any offer of seconds. The appetite she had when she sat at the table had long gone.

When the ladies got to their feet to clear away the dishes, she did the same, following suit. Carrying the plates into the kitchen, she noticed Marsha and Scarlett were nowhere in sight.

“Those kids make so much mess. It amazes me they even eat anything,” Lydia said. “I’m going to clean up the potatoes on the floor. I’ll be right back.”

“How are you holding up?” Grace asked.

They were rinsing the dishes before placing them in the dishwasher.

“How do you mean?”

“I know it can be a little hectic with all of us. This is a big moment for his parents, you know. Fifty years together. I hope Kian and I make it that long.”

“You don’t think you will?” Eliza asked.

“Oh, I do. Being with him, it’s like the best ride as a kid. He is everything. I never believed in love, but he made me fall for him. Of course, seeing his parents, well, that is a whole new situation. They are like dynamite. The love between them, even after all this time. Growing up, kids, they were like two rocks. Don’t you think?”

“They are really something,” she said. Eliza had seen the way the two looked at each other, and it was truly an amazing sight. It was what all couples should aspire to be like.

Scarlett and Marsha chose that moment to come into the kitchen.

“We know it’s too early in the planning stage, but this has been passed down to every single bride to wear on their wedding day to a Boone,” Marsha said. “Scarlett still had it, and now it’s time for you.”

A gold bracelet with blue stones glinted at her.

It was a delicate piece of jewelry, stunning.

Eliza gasped. “I cannot have that.”

“Nonsense. Every bride feels this way, and you do not have to worry about a thing. Hold out your wrist.”

She tried to refuse a second and a third time, but Marsha wasn’t hearing any of it.

The bracelet was slid on her wrist, the clasp locked. It was a nice fit, not too loose.

“So this is the something borrowed and something blue,” Marsha said. “Welcome to the family.”

****

Preston had clocked the bracelet.