The afternoon was perfect for a wedding, currently sunny and mild, with no hint of rain in the forecast until after the ceremony. Staring out the bride’s room window at the blooming dogwood trees that lined the church lawn, Tara Bentley had the urge to check her to-do list to see if “achieve a perfect day” was somewhere on the page.
Everything she had so meticulously planned had fallen into place with ease. Her dress fit perfectly. The white tulip bouquet brought out the delicate floral pattern of the lace in her veil. Her wavy hair had, for once, cooperated when the hairdresser straightened it and twisted it into a sleek chignon low at the back of her head, where the snowy veil provided a striking contrast. And she was ten minutes ahead of schedule, which gave Tara a few moments to simply breathe and think about what came next.
Robert. He came next. Robert James Mallory III, successful lawyer and all-around Mr. Perfect. Literally.
Two years ago, as her midtwenties suddenly became her almost-thirties, Tara had written out her list of perfect traits for a potential mate. It hadn’t been a particularly long list—she might be hyperorganized and prone to overpreparing, but she wasn’t a robot. People weren’t ever really perfect, so her list included only things that would be deal breakers.
Things like honesty. Hard work. Respect for her mind. Ambition. And, okay, a few bonus wishes, like a man who was good-looking, fit and amusing.
Three dates with Robert Mallory, and Tara knew she’d met the man who ticked off every item on her checklist. Now she was less than an hour from marrying him.
“I’m so happy,” she told the green-eyed woman who stared back at her in the full-length mirror by the vanity table.
Her reflection looked skeptical.
Dang it.
She turned away from the mirror and sat on the small vanity bench, taking care not to wrinkle her wedding dress. Without planning it, she snaked out her hand and snagged the cell phone lying next to her makeup bag. She gave the lock screen a quick swipe and hit the first number on her speed dial.
A familiar, growly voice answered on the second ring, his soft drawl as warm as a fuzzy blanket on a cold Kentucky night. “Shouldn’t you be practicing your vows?”
“Owen, am I making a mistake?”
Owen Stiles was quiet for a second. When he spoke again, the lightness of his earlier tone had disappeared. “What’s happened?”
The serious tone of his voice made her stomach hurt. What was she doing, dragging poor Owen into her self-doubts? As if he hadn’t already suffered half a lifetime of being her sounding board and shoulder to cry on.
“Nothing. Forget I said anything. See you soon.” She ended the call and set the phone on the vanity table again.
A few seconds later, the phone trilled, sliding sideways on the table with the vibration. Tara didn’t even look at the display. She knew who it was. She picked up the phone. “Owen, I told you it’s nothing.”
“If you’re wondering if you made a mistake, it’s not nothing. Are you in the bride’s room?”
“Owen—”
His rumbly voice deepened. “I’ll be there in two minutes.”
“Owen, don’t.” Her voice rose in frustration. “Please. Just stay where you are. Everything is fine.”
There was a long pause before he spoke again. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. Today is absolutely perfect. Beautiful weather, the sanctuary is gorgeous, my dress fits perfectly and I’m marrying the most perfect man in the world. Nothing can possibly be wrong on a day like this.” She stared at the bride in the vanity-table mirror, defiance glaring from her green eyes.
“If you’re sure.” Owen didn’t sound convinced.
“I’ll see you at the altar.” She hung up the phone again and set it in front of her, her hand flattened against the display.
“Nothing will go wrong,” she said to the woman in the mirror.
The bride stared back at her, unconvinced.
It was just cold feet. Everybody got cold feet, right?
This was where having a mom around would have come in handy. Orphanhood sucked. Her mom had died when she was small, and her father had never remarried before his death three years ago. Not that Dale Bentley would have been much help on a day like today. “Suck it up, soldier,” she muttered aloud, mimicking her father’s gravelly growl. “Make a decision and stick to it.”
Man, she missed the old sergeant. He’d have known what to make of Robert. He’d have known whether or not Tara really loved the man or if she loved the idea of him instead.
That was the sticking point, wasn’t it? She just wasn’t sure she loved the man she was less than an hour away from marrying.
She pushed to her feet. What in the world was she doing getting married if she wasn’t sure she loved the man? Had she lost her mind? Was she so addicted to her stupid lists that she trusted them over her own heart?
She had to tell Robert what she was feeling. Talk to him, let him try to talk her out of it. Then she’d know, wouldn’t she?
You already know, Tara. Listen to your gut.
Maybe she already knew, but either way, she had to tell Robert. And now, before it was too late.
She was halfway to the door when a knock sounded from the other side. She crossed to the door and leaned her ear close. “Yes?”
The voice from the other side was male and unfamiliar. “Ms. Bentley? There’s a package outside we need you to sign for.”
“A package?” Sent here, to the church? That was strange. “I’m not expecting anything.”
“I don’t know, ma’am. It’s just for you and it requires a signature. You want me to tell them to send it back?”
“No,” she said quickly, curiosity overcoming her impatience. Maybe a distraction was just what she needed to get her head out of her navel for a few minutes. Robert would still be on the other end of the church with his groomsmen, so it wasn’t like he’d accidentally get a peek at her dress before the wedding, right?
Assuming there was even going to be a wedding...
Stop it. Just go see what the package is. One thing at a time.
She opened the door to a tall, broad-shouldered man wearing a blue polo shirt and khaki pants. “Hi,” she said, feeling a little sheepish as he took in her seed pearl–studded dress and tulle veil. “It’s my wedding day.”
“I see that.” He nodded toward the door down the hall that led to the church’s parking lot. “Out here.”
She followed him down the hall and out the door, taking care as she crossed the threshold
