An Engagement in Seattle - Debbie Macomber [123]
“It shouldn’t be this hard,” Lesley wailed to her no-nonsense neighbor.
“You’re right. It shouldn’t,” Daisy agreed. She stood next to Lesley’s refrigerator, one hand on her hip. “Look at it this way. You could let Chase go back to Alaska alone and spend the next year or two being lied to, manipulated and emotionally abused by a jerk. Or,” she added with a lazy smile, “you could marry a terrific man who adores you.”
“Chase doesn’t adore me.”
“Maybe not, but he is crazy about you.”
“I’m not even sure that’s true.”
“Haven’t you got eyes in your head?” Daisy asked sarcastically. “He chose you out of hundreds of women.”
“Not exactly…”
“Listen, if you want to argue with someone, let me bring in the boys. They’re much better at it than either of us. I don’t have time to play silly games with you. I’m calling this the way I see it. If you want to mess up your life, that’s your choice.”
“I don’t,” Lesley insisted.
“Then why don’t you phone Chase? You said he was waiting to hear from you.”
“I know, but…”
“Is there always going to be a but with you?” Daisy demanded impatiently. “Now, call the man before I get really mad.”
Smiling, Lesley reached for the phone. She prayed she was doing the right thing. After wrestling all night with the decision, she got up and tearfully called Daisy, sobbing out her sorry tale. Daisy, who was already late for her classes, had listened intently. She seemed to know exactly what Lesley should do. She made it all sound so straightforward, so easy. It should’ve been, but it wasn’t, even now with the phone pressed to her ear.
“Hello.”
“Chase, it’s Lesley. I’m sorry to phone so early, but I thought you’d want to know as soon as possible.”
There was a slight hesitation before he spoke. “It would simplify matters.”
“I…want to go through with the marriage this evening.”
“You’re sure?”
He had to ask. Why couldn’t he just have left it alone? “Yes, I’m sure.” Her voice shook as if she was on the verge of tears.
Daisy took the receiver from her hand. “She knows what she’s doing, Chase. Now don’t you worry, I’ll have her to the church on time.” Whatever Chase said made Daisy laugh. After a couple of minutes, she replaced the receiver. “You going to make it through the day without changing your mind?”
“I…don’t have any choice, do I?”
“None. If you stand that man up at the altar, I’m going to murder you and marry him myself. The boys would be thrilled.”
Lesley laughed. “All right. I’ll see you back here at four. Don’t be late, Daisy, I’m going to need all the support I can get.”
“What if Tony calls you?”
“He probably will, but fortunately I don’t plan on being here. I’ve got a million things to do and I don’t intend to waste a single moment on Tony Field.”
“Good.” Daisy beamed her a bright smile and was out the door a moment later.
Being nervous came as a surprise to Chase. He’d expected to stand before the preacher he’d hired and repeat his vows without a qualm. He had no doubts, no regrets about making Lesley his bride. Just nerves.
When she and her close friends, including Daisy and sons, arrived at the hotel for the simple wedding ceremony, Chase hadn’t been able to take his eyes off her. He’d never seen a more beautiful woman. He’d rented a tuxedo, although what had prompted that was beyond his comprehension. The tie felt like it was strangling him and the cummerbund reminded him of the time he’d broken his ribs. He knew Lesley would be pleased, though, and when she smiled at him, he was glad he’d made the effort.
She’d chosen a soft peach dress, overlaid with white lace. She didn’t wear a veil but a pretty pearl headpiece with white silk flowers. The bouquet of white baby roses was clutched in her hands.
Lesley had tried to call her mother and stepfather, wherever they were, but their cell phone wasn’t on. Apparently that was typical. Chase reassured her again that they’d tell them later, perhaps arrange to see them in the fall. He, too, was without family—he’d told her only that his parents had died, nothing