Page 8 of Drowning Her

“Call it a security deposit.” She wiped her nose on the back of her hand. “We’ve got nothing to lose, right?” She smeared a plumping gloss on her lips, then zipped her clutch. I checked the bottom of my heels, making sure they were cleanish. “Buttheydo. Your future husband’s family? They’ve got something they’re trying to hide. Otherwise, this arranged marriage wouldn’t be a thing. Use it to your advantage before they use you.”

Bambi had always been a bit clueless, even when we were still in high school, but when it came to certain things, she’d have these strokes of genius, like this.

“You can’t let that happen with this guy,” she said, her eyes begging. She was talking about Green, how he had gotten us to fall for him. Then cornered us.

I rolled my eyes, the guilt from leaving her rushing back. “Maybe I should call it off.”

She shoved my shoulder. “I will push you down the aisle if I have to.”

She was right. I needed to do this. “But what about you? And Green?”

She shrugged. “We’ll survive. We always do.”

“I’ll come back for you.”

“Don’t worry about me,” she said, squeezing my hand. “Worry about yourself.”

Chapter 3

Maisie

One week later,everything had changed. The Feldman Farm was a ranch in Crown Creek, the area next toPierce. And now, it was my new home—my wedding and move-in day wrapped into one. The farm had been decorated to rustic perfection—bronze-colored tablecloths with blush sashes, woodsy furniture, even hay bales placed to obstruct the view of the equipment. Laced with light pink hydrangeas and burgundy roses, the stage area was like a romantic fairytale. The decorations, the dress, the jewelry—every detail fit for royalty. My older sister was supposed to get a wedding like this. Not me.

As promised, the father—Forrest—had removed me from my situation, giving Green enough money to be content. But the Feldmans made sure that Green knew they were keeping an eye on him. Which, when it came to Green, held little weight. He didn’t scare easily.

“Are you ready for your jewelry, Miss Maisie?” the maid asked. I smiled. I had forgotten that she was there. It still stunned me that I had a maid to myself.Apparently, she worked for Forrest; my fiancé didn’t want anyone near his home. We were getting ready for the ceremony at the main house, Forrest’s home.

“Is there anything you can tell me about the family?” I asked. A shy smile crept across her face. “What am I getting myself into, exactly?”

“I don’t know. I just clean for them. Other occasional duties, like this.”

She was obviously hiding something, but I didn’t press it. She presented the diamond necklace, the gems sparkling in the natural light. I lowered myself. She clasped it around my neck. Next were the earrings, which I did myself.

“You look perfect,” the maid said. My heart filled up with guilt. Bambi always said things like that. I hated that I was here and she was stuck with Green.

“Thank you,” I said.

I stared out the bay window. White pine trees lined the sides of the gates, separating the pastures. A barn on one side, storage space on the other. Metal fences decorated with flowers. There were so many people mingling with each other that I almost expected to see my family there, huddling in the corner, my parents afraid of embarrassing themselves around rich people, and Fiona, my older sister, no doubt being courted by an endless stream of hopeless men. But even if I had invited them, I doubted they would have come. We didn’t have a great relationship, even before I left. Fiona was the perfect one; I was the daughter who screwed everything up. Every older couple that I saw, every set of grown and young children, was a reminder that my side of the audience would be filled, but not by my family.

I didn’t need support like that on my wedding day. It was an arranged marriage, not love. And Bambi was myfamily. She was the only person who was there for me, even when I ruined everything.

“I need some fresh air,” I explained to the maid. I let myself out of the back door.

A bird chirped in the distance, an annoying song, but I took a deep breath, trying to relax. The lace bodice of my dress was extremely snug, not allowing a full breath, but the a-line flattered my figure. Forrest had sent someone to take measurements, but I was still impressed that the dress fit perfectly.

Still, it was risky being outside. I picked up the train. Dirt already dotted the hem.

“Screw it,” I muttered. It was just a dress. I could still sell it later. I dropped the lining, letting the rocks and dirt clump on the edges. This dress probably cost more than Green had spent on Bambi and me combined in the last five years, but it was still only fabric. Money was a way to survive. You didn’t spend it on crap like this.

A man breathed in beside me. I startled. My future husband’s nostrils flared. A plain black suit jacket hugged his shoulders, accented with a plain tie. He must not have cared about fashion either. A plain black suit for him, and a seriously overpriced wedding dress for me.

“What are you doing here?” I asked. I immediately flushed with heat. That was a dumb question. This was his father’s house, his family’s property, and this was his—our?—wedding day. “I mean, what are you doingback here?” I corrected.

He snickered, tossing his head to the side. He was going to ignore me, then.

“Well, I guess I’m right,” I said. “Nothing I say will be good enough for a real answer, huh?” I glowered at him.Was he ever genuine? Bambi was right; the Feldmans were hiding something.

“Wilder,” he said.

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