Page 115 of Hideaway Heart

I froze. Was she going to blame me for his leaving?

“And I was proud of you,” she finished.

My throat closed up. “Thanks, Mama. I was proud of me too.”

“And I think you’re right. Next time he tries to come home, we lock the doors and turn on the alarm. I need to at leasttryto respect myself more.”

“I think so too.”

“You might have to remind me I said this.”

I laughed through a sniffle. “I can do that.”

She kissed the top of my head. “Did Xander leave?”

“Yeah.”

“You okay?”

“I’m okay.”

“He seems like a good man.”

“He is the best kind of man.”

“Are you in love with him?”

“Madly.”

She laughed softly. “I can tell. So he’ll be back?”

“I certainly hope so. And how would you like to go up to Michigan sometime and see where he lives? Cherry Tree Harbor is a beautiful town. I think you’d love it.”

“But what about the bears? And the gray rat snakes?”

“Never saw a single one.”

“Okay, then. I guess that sounds nice.”

“It will be.” I gave her arm one final squeeze and stood up. “Now I better get some caffeine in me. It’s going to be a long day.”

“Caffeine!” My mother looked horrified. “That will make your skin dehydrated and saggy. You don’t want that today. Let me make you some herbal tea instead.”

“Okay, Mama.” I smiled and sat down again. “I’d like that.”

* * *

The rest of the morning and afternoon passed in a blur. I showered, shaved, shampooed, conditioned, exfoliated, masked, and moisturized. The glam squad showed up and did my nails, hair, and makeup. The designer’s assistant and my stylist helped me into the stunning silver dress. The emerald and diamond jewelry I’d been loaned for the occasion sparkled around my wrist, at my throat, in my ears.

A few minutes to four, I took a final look in the mirror. I was happy with what I saw in the glass. My hair flowed down over my shoulders in big, loose waves. My green eyes popped from beneath dramatically long false lashes. My skin looked luminous, my cheeks bright. My lips were painted a deep cherry red. “Well?” I asked the team. “What do you guys think?”

“Perfection,” said Kayla.

“You look gorgeous.” Jess smiled. “Xander is going to see pictures and lose his mind.”

I met her eyes in the glass. While the glam squad performed their magic, I’d told her and Kayla about my conversation with Xander, and how we’d agreed to try to make it work between us. “Thank you.”

My mom entered the room. “Duke is here,” she said. Then she looked at me and gasped. “Oh, baby. You look so beautiful.”