Maybe he should have left well enough alone, but it was inevitable Maisey would find out the secret he still kept, sooner or later. But he liked her. Truly liked her. For the last three years since Lisa’s death, he?d more or less pushed away the need for a woman in his life. And with each soul-destroying year that passed, the loneliness of coming home to an empty house and a regular message on his answering machine from his now former in-laws became grating.
The last thing he wanted was to hurt his in-laws. They’d lost a daughter, just as he lost a wife. He knew they were a bit obsessive—especially his former mother-in-law—about keeping him in the family fold, but Thanksgiving became too much. His plan had been to spend the afternoon and early evening with them, and head over to spend the remainder of the holiday with Maisey. Unfortunately for Sean, and likely his budding relationship with Maisey, it didn’t work out that way.
It started off as an ordinary visit, and then a surprise fix-up with the daughter of a friend of a friend. It soon became painfully apparent that his former in-laws had chosen a suitable new wife for him. The day progressed into an uncomfortable, unhappy holiday for all involved. After a somewhat unpleasant exchange of words after the prospective new wife left, Sean prepared to leave, when his former mother-in-law developed sudden chest pains and begged him to accompany her to the hospital. An emergency room visit lasted six hours, and culminated with his mother-in-law receiving a complete clean bill of health.
Now, as he stood at the doorstep of the home of Maisey Gates, he continued to search his mind as he had done all morning, for the words to explain his no-show at her house the evening before without even a phone call of explanation.
The look on her face when she opened the door spoke volumes. “What do you want?” she demanded.
“Can I come in and explain? Then if you want me gone, I’ll go.”
“Listen Sean, let me make this simple for you. You stand me up once, you don’t get a second chance. I didn’t even merit a phone call.”
He?d expected this reaction from her. Before he could try one more time to explain, there was a flurry of movement behind her. Obviously, there would be no Christmas tree shopping and decorating today.
“I don’t have time for this, Sean. When you didn’t show up last night, I figured today was off as well. The Elegant Bride Direct blog called to ask if they could do the interview and photo shoot today, and I agreed. They want me to put on the dress, and they have hair and makeup people here. I need the exposure for my business, more than I need weak excuses from you. I expected more from a police officer.”
Now, that stung.
Before he could say anything, a woman came up behind Maisey and rested her hands on her shoulders. “I’m sorry, doll, I don’t want to rush you, but we’re on a tight schedule, and by tight schedule, I mean we are all anxious to do a little Black Friday shopping followed by some much deserved cocktails,” she said with a giggle in her voice.
“I’ll be right there, Blythe.”
“Maisey, can I call you back later?” he whispered.
Suddenly, the woman popped her head back over Maisey’s shoulder. “Sorry again, doll. You.” She looked directly at him. “You.”
“Me?” he asked.
“What are you, like a thirty-four long? Please say you’re a thirty-four long.”
It took a minute to process what she was asking. Oh, his trouser size. “Close enough,” he said, unable to fathom a plausible reason why she needed his measurements.
Blythe turned Maisey toward her. “You know this guy, right?”
“No, he’s just some random psycho off the street.” She lied with such ease, he actually blushed. “Yes, I know him,” she finally admitted. “He’s just leaving.”
Blythe dissolved into laughter. “You are a little monster, Maisey, I like that!”
Maisey didn’t look at all amused by Blythe’s little comment, or the fact he was still standing in her doorway.
“But seriously,” Blythe began. “If you can fit the wardrobe, I would love to have you in the photos with Maisey. You know, a little bride and groom action. You just have to look in love. Our readers like to see a couple in action versus just the bride.”
Don’t. Maisey mouthed the word to him just as a group of people carrying Christmas trees, decorations, tables, and boxes of all sizes, wandered up the driveway.
Blythe clapped her hands. “Let’s go! Chop! Chop! Upstairs and set up. We’re on a very tight schedule.” She turned back to him. “So…?”
He didn’t want to play groom in a bunch of happy-happy photos that would be blasted out to who knew how many people around the world. At least his friends and work associates didn’t read wedding blogs. Not that he knew of. If it helped Maisey’s business and eased some of his guilt and her anger, he was willing to put on the show. Afterward, they could walk away from each other. He would be sorry for it all to end, as he was just getting to know Maisey, and what he did know he was already crazy about. “I’ll do it. If Maisey agrees.”
“You don’t have to do this,” she said with a sigh that rattled her entire body.