Page 21 of Desperate Vows

“A man dragged me into an alleyway, and let’s just say… his intentions were less than pure. Lucas stopped him, and by some miracle, he never had the chance to do that to another child.” She smiled. “Lucas took me home. Ma and Pa took one look at me, hugged me, and shortly after, adopted me.”

A swell of pride filled my chest. The man who rescued her was going to marry me. That sweet story didn’t dissolve all my misgivings, but it sure helped. “I’m glad he found you, and they loved you.”

“They did. They gave me what I thought I’d lost—a happy childhood.” It was the first time I sensed real emotion from her. She looked at me. “I owe Lucas more than just my life, so know that if you hurt him, there is nowhere you can hide from me.”

This woman would kill me slowly. Message received. “I don’t think you have to worry about that,” I said softly. Maybe she didn’t realize that the sand was quickly slipping from my hourglass.

The moment I found out about that trust fund, I knew my father was most likely going to kill me. I’d been an annoyance since I was very young. It seemed logical to assume once he had what he wanted, he’d no longer keep me around.

Lucas had formed an alliance with him. Even if he didn’t want to hurt me, he had his family to think of, and I wasn’t delusional enough to think I would be counted in that number.

“Ms. Benoit!” A woman strode from the back. “I’m Sarah Wallace. I’m so sorry to keep you waiting.” She shook my hand furiously. My horrible name preceded me, apparently.

“It’s okay.” I turned to Thea. “This… this is my sister-in-law-to-be, Thea.”

They shook hands, and we were led to a table filled with more samples. It was a rushed wedding to a man I barely knew, but there was the little girl in me who had dreamed of a prince that seemed to take control.

I’d called my father’s secretary that morning and asked her to send over a guest list since she took care of that sort of thing for him. Once all was said and done, I’d ordered ivory-colored invitations embossed with a cyan blue, the color of the Greek flag. It had cost extra, but I didn’t care.

Thea and I left, walked a few blocks, and dipped into a cake shop. What I found interesting was how she seemed to be enjoying herself. Actually, I found myself enjoying the process. Thea in no way took my mom’s place, but I was grateful she was here.

She seemed a little surprised when I requested a sponge cake soaked in a syrup of water, sugar, and orange blossoms and a dessert table of koufeta—a traditional wedding favor of sugared almonds. The baker’s phone rang, and she looked at me apologetically.

“Go ahead and take it,” I told her.

“Thank you.” She quickly excused herself.

Thea eyed me.

“What?”

“You can order anything you like, and you choose something Greek.” There was suspicion in her tone. “And traditional Greek wedding favors.”

Shrugging, I fidgeted with the end of my braid. “It’s Lucas’s wedding, too.”

“You’re French. No crepes, or…”

“I prefer other things.”

Before she could respond, the baker returned, and we finished up. I was dreading the next stop, the wedding dress boutique. As we entered, I rubbed the spot over my heart and worked to hold back tears. I felt petulant, wanting to stomp my feet and demanding that God give my mom back. It wasn’t fair.

The shop bell rang, and in walked Helen.

The dam burst as tears flowed. “How did you know?”

She gathered me in a hug. “Thea thought I might enjoy dress shopping with you.” She looked at Thea. “The cake tasting would have been wonderful too, I bet.”

Lucas’s sister grinned. “You said that you’re trying to watch your figure, and if I love you, I’d help you resist temptation. I did exactly as you asked.”

“When have you ever done as you were asked?”

She leveled her gaze at Helen. “There’s a first time for everything.”

Helen released me, grabbed a tissue from a nearby table, and wiped my face. “We can’t cry until we find the one.”

I was both surprised and relieved that she didn’t ask about my mother. I guess somehow it’d gotten back to her. Whoever had told her, I appreciated it. Talking about my mom would grind this dress shopping to a stop.

A bridal assistant appeared. “I’m Shanna. How may I help you?”

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