Page 119 of First Bride to Fall
She shut her door, and Grant hung his head, slumping against the wheel.
He looked up in time to see her enter her cottage and close the front door.
Well, that was that. He’d met his goal. He was a free man by his birthday.
Somehow, though, he didn’t think he was going to feel like celebrating.
…
Nell waited to text her sisters until after communicating with Aidan.
Hey Aidan, it’s Nell.
So guess what? It’s me!
I’m your lucky bride.
He wrote back ten minutes later.
Very pleased. How soon can you get here?
She’d already checked the airlines, and the first available flight was on Thursday. She texted him the flight information, asking if that would work.
Brilliant, yes. I’ll send a car to get you.
A car, of course.
Maybe it had been too much to hope that he’d want to meet her himself. But that was okay. At least he hadn’t sounded disappointed that she was the one coming.
The sooner she married Aidan the better, so they could get this merger done with. There was no sense in putting Bearberry Brews and her parents’ home at further risk by dragging this out until the last minute. What if something went wrong and the paperwork didn’t go through in time? No. Much better safe than sorry.
She texted her sisters next.
I have news. Meet me at my cottage after work?
Misty answered immediately.
Yay! Are you married?
Nell’s heart sank.
Not yet.
Charlotte joined in a few minutes later.
We’ll be there! Can’t wait to hear.
A short time later, her sisters arrived at her cottage.
“No, Nell. We can’t let you do this.” Charlotte began pacing around Nell’s tiny living room. She held a full champagne flute. She and Misty had arrived with prosecco and both had popped it open the moment they walked in the door, shoving a skinny glass into Nell’s hand and offering her hugs and congratulations.
Until she’d informed them directly that she was marrying Aidan.
“Maybe it’s not up to you?” Nell sat on the old piano bench matching the piano she’d inherited from her grandmother. None of the Delaneys played, but Nell was sentimental about family things, figuring someone in their lineage might take it up someday. She’d considered having the piano shipped to London, then decided it was best leaving it here. She could always rent her cottage out furnished.
Misty gawked at Nell from the futon. “You’re not seriously going to hop on a plane?” Charlotte finally gave up on her pacing and sat beside Misty.
The more they protested, the more Nell decided that she’d made the right choice. She was doing this for them and the family. “I’m sure notswimmingto London, and boats are too slow.”
