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Riley walked down the aisle as an instrumental version of Can’t Help Falling in Love played over the sound system. She glanced across the audience to see if Blake was in attendance, but she didn’t see him. Not that she was surprised after what had happened last night.
She’d had a flurry of text messages from him this morning, but she hadn’t read them. She didn’t want any lies or excuses. It seemed like the best way to keep it together today was to turn off her phone, so that’s what she’d done.
She took her place at the front, next to Brooke and felt her sister’s eyes on her. She refused to make eye contact. Last night when she’d gotten to Kate’s, she’d decided it best not to tell anyone about what had transpired at Blake’s. Today was about Kate and Drew, and Riley intended to keep it that way.
But she could tell Brooke knew something was up. It was only a matter of time before she spilled all to her older sister.
The Wedding March began to play and everyone in the chapel stood.
Kate beamed as she walked down the aisle on the arm of Riley’s dad. Kate had asked her uncle Bobby to give her away since her own dad had passed away, and he’d readily agreed.
Dad winked at Riley as he and Kate made their way to the front.
Riley glanced over at Drew. The love on his face as he watched his bride join him brought tears to her eyes. Would anyone ever look at her like that?
She took Kate’s bouquet so Kate and Drew could join hands.
They’d written their own vows, and Riley couldn’t help but smile. The two of them had gone through rocky times and had even spent more than a decade without seeing each other. Yet, here there were—pledging to love, honor, and cherish one another for the rest of their lives.
Riley wondered if there were some things that couples just couldn’t come back from—and if lying about previous relationships might be one of those.
Because no matter how much she tried, she couldn’t imagine getting past what she’d encountered last night.
“Do you take this man to be your husband?” the preacher asked Kate. “To have and to hold from this day forward?”
Kate nodded. “I do.”
“The rings, please.”
Riley handed Kate the wedding band she’d been holding.
Kate’s face was the picture of happiness.
Once the rings were exchanged, Kate and Drew were pronounced husband and wife.
“You may now kiss your bride,” the preacher said to Drew.
Riley turned to glance at her sisters.
Brooke wiped away tears and Olivia smiled like a Miss America contestant.
It was nice to be back together again.
In addition to delicious cake and punch, the reception had a coffee bar. Grant Ward had provided several of the Beanery’s best flavors. Riley poured a cup of coffee and took it back to the table where Brooke and Olivia sat.
“The coffee bar idea was brilliant,” she said. “If I ever have a wedding, I may have to steal it.”
“Of course you’ll have a wedding,” Olivia said, rolling her eyes. “I’ve barely seen you over the past week because you’ve been so tied up with Blake.”
Brooke grinned. “Maybe she’s been standing right next to you but you haven’t noticed because you’ve been so glued to your phone.”
Olivia wrinkled her nose. “I’m waiting to hear back about Happily Ever After. My friend in New York who submitted me has been trying to find out if I’m in.”
“And how about you?” asked Riley. She wanted to keep the conversation from turning to her relationship with Blake. “What gives with this guy who was supposed to be your wedding date?”
Now it was Olivia who looked uncomfortable. “Sebastian had an audition. There was no way I was going to force him to fly all the way to Idaho and miss it.”
“He’s an actor?” Brooke asked. They’d been hard-pressed to get any details out of Olivia about her social life.
“Well, he did a national commercial. Do you remember seeing the one for the allergy medicine where the giant flower chases the sneezing guy through the park?”
“So, he was the guy?” Riley asked.
“No. The flower.” Olivia glared at them as the giggles started. “Don’t laugh. Everyone has to start somewhere.”
Brooke regained her composure first. “You are right. That is quite an accomplishment.”
“I’ll bet his parents are so proud,” Riley teased, sending Brooke into another fit of giggles.
“You guys are mean.” Olivia stuck her tongue out at them and then joined in their laughter. “Man, it’s good to be back with the two of you again.”
“It’s good to have you back,” said Riley.
“Maybe you could start visiting more frequently. You don’t want your nephew to grow up barely knowing you.”
“I know, I know. I guess . . .I guess I just kind of got caught up with career stuff.” Olivia looked from Brooke to Riley. “I’ll do better. Of course, if I end up appearing on Happily Ever After and I make it to the final few girls, we’ll film here and you guys will be on TV, too. Won’t that be fun?”
“Ooh, I can hardly wait,” Brooke said in a monotone. She shook her head at Olivia’s scowl. “Kidding. If that’s really what you want, we’ll be supportive.” She stood up and smoothed her bridesmaid dress. “I need to go get River. Mom wanted him to sit with her and Dad so they could show him off to their friends. But we’re almost at naptime and I don’t want them to have to deal with a fussy baby.”
As she hurried off, Riley couldn’t help but wonder how Blake was handling things with Hope. Did he have any experience with a baby? Riley had babysat some in high school, and she kept River from time to time. But she couldn’t imagine the trauma to a child Hope’s age when she woke up in a strange place with a strange person.
“Earth to Riley.” Olivia tapped on the table. “Is everything okay? I feel like you’re a million miles away.”
Riley shrugged. “I’m fine.”
“You know you can talk to me. About anything.”
Riley smiled. “I know. And I appreciate it more than you know.” She complained sometimes about Olivia’s flair for drama, but at her core, her sister had a heart of gold.
“Well if you change your mind, you know where I am. At least for another day.”
“Hold on. Do I detect a hint of homesickness? Has Arcadia Valley gotten underneath your skin?”
“It’s possible that this trip has shown me how much I miss it here. You have a good thing going here. The town is booming, I adore the restaurants, and the community is just so fun. I’ve been having a blast at the farmers market.” She shrugged. “Don’t get me wrong, I love New York. But there’s something about a smaller town that’s just so charming.”
“Is this from the heart or are you practicing your Happily Ever After voice over?” Riley asked with a grin.
Olivia rolled her eyes. “I’m serious. Although now that you mention it, that did sound pretty good. Maybe I should write it down.”
The rest of the reception passed in a blur, and soon it was time to see the happy couple off on their honeymoon. Kate and Drew ran out to Kate’s waiting SUV and everyone cheered.
“I’m so happy for them,” Brooke said. She hoisted a sleeping River to her other side. “But I need to get this sweet boy home.”
Riley nodded. “I’m going to run home and change and then swing by the shelter. There are a couple of dogs there I want to check in on.”
Brooke caught her arm. “At some point are you going to tell me where Blake was today? Last night he hit it off with the whole family. And today he’s MIA.”
“Yeah. I’ll tell you about it. But not today.” She smiled. “Soon, though.”
“Love you, Sis.” Brooke waved and headed toward her car.
Twenty minutes later, Riley had scrubbed the makeup from her face and replaced her fancy bridesmaid dress for yoga pants and an old Arcadia Valley High School t-shirt. She pulled into the parking lot of the shelter, not surprised to see Vera’s old Volkswagen Beetle in the back.
“Hey, Vera!” she called as she entered.
Vera poked her head out of her office. “What are you doing in today? I was just about to lock the front door and start shutting things down.” She came out of her office, a smile on her face. “But I’m glad to see you. There are two big pups who will be glad to get some attention.”
Riley grinned. “Yeah, I thought so. After I had so much luck placing Bear, I’m hopeful I’ll find homes for them too. Although you know me, I’d love to place them together.” The lab mix and German Shepherd mix had been found together and appeared to be good friends.
“You can’t keep them just so they can stay together,” Vera said.
Riley blushed. “What makes you think I was even considering it?”
Vera gave her a knowing look. “Because I know how you think. You can hardly bear for them to be apart so you’re going to do whatever it takes to put them in a home together. Even if it means it’s your home.” She grinned. “I don’t think Cocoa would like that too well. Or Dottie.” She raised an eyebrow. “I’m assuming Mr. Farley’s cat has taken up a permanent residence.”
Riley sighed. “Okay. You’re right. I’ve been trying to figure out how I could possibly make it work to take them home with me. But between Cocoa and Dottie, plus the animals who are boarding with me this week, my yard is a little full.
Vera patted her on the back. “Just focus on finding the right home for them. You never know—you might find a family who has plenty of space who’d love to give those sweet boys a home.”
“I hope so.” Riley knelt to the kennel the dogs shared and rubbed the lab’s nose through the small space.
“Is there something else going on?” Vera asked. “You seem a little down.”
Riley stood up and smoothed her t-shirt. “It’s nothing.”
Vera laughed. “In my many years of life experience, when someone has that expression on their face and claims ‘nothing’ is wrong, it means something is. You don’t have to tell me though.”
“Things just went badly with me and Blake.”
Vera furrowed her brow. “It seemed like the two of you were on the right track. What happened?”
Riley filled her in on what had happened after the rehearsal dinner. It felt good to finally tell someone, especially someone like Vera who always gave her good solid advice. “I guess it’s no surprise. I chose wrong, just like my birth mom chose wrong. I think poor judgment is in my DNA.”
Vera shook her head. “I think you put way too much stock in DNA. You are your own person, with your own opinions and the ability to make your own choices—choices that have been influenced by a good family and your own beliefs.”
“I wish I could believe you are right. But what if you’re not?”
“So what are you going to do? Continue to second guess yourself about every relationship? Not have anything to do with Blake before you even give him a chance to talk to you about it?”
Riley shrugged. “What can he say? I mean, I should have kept more of a distance I think. Then I wouldn’t be in this situation.” Her heart hurt. She’d never experienced this kind of heartbreak before. Sure, she’d dated some in high school and college, but she’d never really let herself fall. Not until now. And she couldn’t decide which pain was worse—feeling betrayed by Blake or knowing she couldn’t see him again.
Vera put her head in her hands for a long moment. Finally, she looked up, resolve on her face. “Riley, I have to tell you something.”
“What is it?”
“I’m your grandmother.”
And with that simple sentence, Riley’s world was rocked for the second time in as many days. She grasped for the nearest chair and sank into it, stunned.