Page 23 of The Runaway Bride of Blitzen Bay (Blitzen Bay)

Chapter Twelve

NOELLE

December 22

Los Angeles, California

“What the hell were you thinking?” I whisper as the truck starts moving.

This is maybe the worst idea I’ve ever had. How bad does the situation have to be when escaping your wedding in the back of a stranger’s truck feels like the best option?

My gut’s telling me this was the right choice. I think it might be broken though. I mean, what if this Nash guy doesn’t stop the truck? What if he keeps driving to Mexico or something? For all I know, he’s going to kidnap me and take me for his bride.

I close my eyes to try to center my thoughts. Lola pops into my mind. She always tells me a person’s energy doesn’t lie. Nash has a calming energy. I could sense it immediately. He smiled at me so warmly that it almost melted the iceberg of stress that’s lodged in my chest. And when he put his hands around mine, my body relaxed like it does when I hear the ocean rippling onto the shore.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that he has beautiful soft green eyes. And why did I have the urge to run my fingers through his messy brown curls? I need to get it together. I just left one man at the altar. This is no time to be thinking about another one, especially a total stranger.

My teeth chatter as the wind pours through the cracks between the tarp and the sides of the truck. I pull his jacket over my face. It smells so good—kind of like cedar trees and soap. I want to sniff his hair to see if it smells like that, too. Steve’s hair always smells like my shampoo. He uses more of it than I do.

Steve. Yes. That’s who I should be thinking about. I feel so guilty. He’s not a bad guy. I loved him. Or do I still love him? Did I ever love him? I’m not even sure right now. I just know marrying him today was not the right thing to do. Maybe, I should have talked to him instead of running away, but I felt like an animal trapped in a corner. Everyone was moving in on me. I had to fight my way out.

Mom’s going to kill me—like I think she might literally kill me. She would definitely think it was justifiable. I know she’s screaming right now—at no one in particular—just screaming. Even though we’re at least a mile down the road, I swear I can hear her.

And Dad. Poor Dad. He’s probably hiding somewhere—from Mom and the world. When the drama starts, he always hides and lets Mom deal with the fallout.

I know I’ve disappointed everyone—well, everyone except me. Even though my mind’s still racing, my body finally feels calm. Once Kit picks me up, she’ll help me figure out what to do next. The only thing I know for sure is that I’m staying in California and I’m going to law school. Everything and everyone else needs to fit into that picture.

Now, I have to figure out how to get out of my current predicament. He’s driving really slowly. I wonder if I can open the tailgate and roll out. I think the bulk of my dress would probably protect me from injury.

As I’m considering my options, the truck stops. I hear him open his door. The panic starts to rise in my body again. I pull his jacket over my head—hoping I’ll disappear.

“You still in there?” I hear him say as he starts unhooking the tarp.

I hold my breath and close my eyes tightly.

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