“You and Jaxon? You have a trip planned this weekend? We’re supposed to go on a honeymoon to Mexico.”
“I thought he’d already talked to you about it. He said he was going to bring you along and you could operate the sag-wagon.”
“This is all wrong.” Tears stung Elyssa’s eyes. “Nothing’s going right. This is all a big mistake. I’m calling off the wedding.”
“Elyssa, you’re over-reacting again. Your cell phone’s ringing. It’s probably Jaxon calling right now. Just talk to him, and let him explain.” Scotty gave a solicitous pat on her arm.
Elyssa ignored the incessant ringing. It was Jaxon’s special ring tone, but she didn’t feel like talking to him right now. She had to get away. She started running, blinded by her tears. On and on she ran. Over and over the phone rang. Surely he would give up eventually. I never want to see him again. Finally, the ringing stopped. She collapsed onto the ground, falling into a deep, exhausted sleep.
*****
Jaxon fretted all the way to A Rose in Bloom. Why wasn’t Elyssa answering her cell phone? The morning of the wedding, she should be home getting ready. Haunting memories of the previous break-in passed through his mind, horrifying images. Please God, let her be okay.
He used his key to open the front door, relieved to find no sign of forced entry. “Elyssa!” The lights were still off in the shop, so he bounded up the stairway. “Elyssa!” He called out, banging on the door with his fist. No answer. “Elyssa!”
With a trembling hand, he turned the knob, opening the door. He spotted her, lying motionless in the bed, her blond hair splayed in glorious disarray across her pillow, her soft lips parted as if she were preparing to speak. His chest tightened. Is she dead?
As he approached, he saw her chest rising and falling with slow breaths, and he felt the tension ooze from his body. Thank God!
“Elyssa. Elyssa.” He brushed her hair off her face, but she didn’t respond. With a gentle shake to her shoulder, he bent to kiss her face, relishing the privilege of seeing her eyes the moment she awoke. It’s the last morning I’ll ever have to wake up without her beside me. “Wake up, Elyssa Rose. Tomorrow, I’ll kiss you awake as Elyssa McCall.”
She groaned, but her eyes remained glued shut. Jaxon put a bit more vigor into his shake and spoke in her ear. “Elyssa. Wake up. You’re late, Sweetie. You’ve got to wake up.”
Her lids cracked open as a deep furrow appeared between her brows. Opening wider, her blue almond-shaped eyes focused on his face. “Jaxon.”
Does she sound angry? Oh, I forgot she’s not a morning person. “Good morning. I’m sorry I invaded your room, but I was worried when you didn’t answer your phone. If I hadn’t been panicking, I would’ve brought you some coffee.”
“Ha! You were worried, huh?” Her expression was as caustic as her tone. “Maybe you should have thought of that before you planned your big mountain biking trip with Scotty.”
“What trip?”
“Don’t play innocent with me—Scotty told me all about it. But the two of you can go by yourselves. I have no interest in driving the sag-wagon while the two of you go on your bike trek.” She sat up in the bed, jabbing her finger at him with obvious fury.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but we need to get going. The photographer was expecting you an hour ago and your aunt is frantic.”
“I’m not going.”
“What?”
“You heard me—the wedding’s off. And it’s just as well, since the flowers were going to be pink carnations.”
“Carnations? I thought you were having roses. And what do you mean the wedding’s off?”
“It’s off!” She pushed up on her elbows, glaring at him with narrowed eyes. “Or maybe you and Scotty can get married, since you were planning to honeymoon together instead of going to Mexico with me.”
“What are you talking about? Why would I go anywhere with Scotty instead of going on our honeymoon?”
“That’s what I want to know!”
“But I’m not going anywhere with Scotty. I don’t know what he told you, but I promise I’m not skipping our honeymoon. He must’ve been teasing you.”
“Oh yeah? Then why did you call Sadie and tell her you were going to be late?”
“I didn’t call Sadie. Why would I call Sadie?”
“Because you were picking up your bike from the repair shop, and you were going to be late to the wedding.”
“My bike isn’t in the repair shop, and I didn’t call Sadie. And I’m not going to be late to the wedding. I’m telling you, someone’s playing a practical joke or something, and it’s not very funny. When did you hear all of this? After the rehearsal dinner last night? Did Scotty and Sadie call you this morning?”