Page 71 of Wedding Bells in Silverwood

“The exact opposite. I’ve got hot feet.”

Holly laughed. “What?”

“I can’t wait to marry you.”

Giggling, Holly stood on her tiptoes and placed a kiss on Nick’s lips. “So youdolike my corny jokes?”

“Well, let’s not get carried away.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Today is a new day.

Holly stared into the mirror, her fingers running along the smooth material of the wedding dress her mother had brought from the Philippines. It really was stunning, and Holly felt proud to represent her heritage on this special occasion.

She turned her head to inspect her hair. It was swept up into an elegant twist that flattered her neck. Every strand was perfectly in place. Her veil—which she had luckily taken home before the boutique fire—was pinned to the back of her head, flowing down to the middle of her back. The Mason family brooch was on display on the front of her dress.

Her makeup was impeccable, and her white, satin shoes didn’t pinch her feet.

So far, so good.

Holding a hand to her stomach to still the jitters, she stepped out of the changing room and into the hall.

Her guests’ voices drifted up to her from the chateau’s entrance. Friends and family greeted each other, commented on how lovely the venue was, and exchanged small talk.

Holly kept out of sight in the upstairs hall. She paced back from the banister, taking slow breaths and ignoring the heavy beat of her heart.

Today is a good day.

Whispers found her ears. Spotting Rachel and Lucy at the end of the hall, Holly held her breath. Their set jaws and lowered brows triggered alarms in her head. The whispers were theirs, but when they noticed Holly, they stopped talking and straightened.

No, no, no. Today’s supposed to be a good day.

Holly walked toward them, the hold on her stomach tightening. “What? What is it?”

Several scenarios zipped through her mind. At the top of the list was the possibility that Nick had decided not to marry her.

“Oh, Holly.” Lucy smiled, all traces of apprehension gone. “You look beautiful.”

“Lucy, thank you, but please tell me what’s going on.”

Lucy looked at Rachel, seemingly lost for what to say.

Rachel gently took hold of Holly’s arm. “Don’t freak out, okay? Sheriff Barnes called to inform us that Grayson’s been spotted around Silverwood. Some citizens phoned in to report sightings, but Barnes’s officers couldn’t find him.”

“He’s eluding them,” Lucy added. “But they’ve got roadblocks set up on all the roads leading here, so I doubt he’ll get through.”

Holly didn’t agree. She knew Grayson would stop at nothing to see his plan through. But she didn’t want to get worked up.Think positive. “Okay. Okay.”

Lucy and Rachel exchanged a look.

Holly’s shoulders slumped. “There’s more?”

“Just a few delays.” Rachel shook her head. “Nothing you should stress about.”

“Delays?” Holly wrung her hands. “Tell me.”

“The florist called because someone tried to cancel the flower delivery.” Lucy put her hand up, palms facing Holly. “But it’s a good thing we know the florist, who also happens to be a guest. Melissa knew the wedding hadn’t been canceled. She alerted the shop anduncanceled the order. They should be delivering any minute now.”

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