Page 89 of Wedding Season
Amber’s assistant stepped forward. “You all should continue with the fashion show while we take care of Ms. Turner.”
“Lucy, no,” Amber protested.
“You don’t want to be photographed the way you look now,” Lucy said quietly. “If the show goes on, it will be a good distraction. They can explain that you were called away for an emergency. Trust me, Amber. No one should see you right now.”
“Fine.” Amber groaned as she raked her nails up the back of her leg. “Someone get all these lookie-loos away from me.”
Mariella placed a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “Heather, take the models outside the tent.”
“It’s starting to rain.”
“Then make it quick.” Mariella raised two fingers to her lips and let out a shrill whistle. “Everyone is going to follow Heather. New plan...you’ll all take the stage at the same time. Bring your umbrellas. Keep smiling as Heather describes the story behind the collection. No one talks to the press. Got it?”
Her friends and neighbors nodded and dutifully headed for the tent’s side opening. She could hear raindrops starting to pelt the roof and prayed that the worst of the storm would hold off just a few minutes longer.
Ryan and Meredith rushed in as the rest of the models were leaving. “I’m Dr. Sorensen. Can you tell me what’s going on?”
“I’m dying,” Amber wailed again.
Alex moved closer to Mariella, a look of quiet desperation etched onto his features. She wanted to reach for his hand but didn’t dare. Not with what she knew she had to do.
“She’s itchy and burning,” Lucy clarified. “It doesn’t seem to be as bad as it was a few minutes ago.”
“Let’s get you out of those clothes,” Ryan said. “The first thing we need to do is figure out the cause of—”
“I’m the cause.” Mariella cleared her throat when her voice broke. It was more than her voice. Her heart felt as though it were breaking in two.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
ALEXLISTENEDTOMariella’s words through the tunnel of sound in his head. White noise that he hoped could block out the soul-crushing reality of what she was saying.
“I told you she was a nightmare,” Amber said, scratching with one hand as she jammed the wide-brimmed hat her assistant handed her low on her head with the other.
“Ms. Turner,” Ryan said in a tone Alex imagined he used to placate agitated patients in the hospital. “You should head back to your house and shower. I’ll call in a prescription for topical cream in case you have any lingering issues. Your assistant has my cell phone number. Don’t hesitate to call if things aren’t improving.”
Amber sighed. “I already feel better knowing that my injuries—” she clutched a hand to her chest “—won’t be fatal.”
Alex heard Meredith snort while Mariella’s features remained expressionless. What the hell had she been thinking? What in the world was she thinking now?
“Yes,” Ryan agreed with a frown. “Your reaction to itch powder is uncomfortable but not potentially life-threatening.”
“Will I have any lasting nerve damage, Doctor?” Amber had gone full-on Academy Award mode.
Ryan shook his head. “No.”
“That’s a relief after being the victim of some lunatic woman with a vendetta against me.” She wagged a finger in Mariella’s direction. “You should be ashamed of yourself, and you can bet that I’m going to—”
“You aren’t going to say a word,” Alex told his former fiancée. He hated that Mariella had done this and, even more, that she didn’t try to defend herself against Amber’s verbal assault.
He wanted her to say something. Anything that might explain why she’d been reckless and foolish when they were so close to the end of the weekend.
Everything he wanted had been within his grasp, but in the span of a few cracks of thunder, it was gone.
Even so, he wasn’t going to let Amber hurt Mariella more than she’d already done to herself. They didn’t need Amber Turner’s punishment when Mariella could take care of that all on her own.
“Why shouldn’t I expose her for the psychopath she is?” Amber demanded.
“Things have changed since our wedding day,” he said calmly. “I’ve changed. Right after you and Jacques went on your little love tour, I talked to a number of your former conquests. I don’t think you want me to get into the sordid details now.” He inclined his head toward Meredith and Ryan, who looked as uncomfortable as he felt. “But if one word of this situation is breathed in the press or social media, I will blow you up, Amber.”
