30. Charlie
30
M y heart is in my throat in a way that makes me think I’ll never take another breath. I stand by the canvas curtain, knowing it’s useless against catching me if I fall.
Noah strides toward me, his expression blank. When he’s fully closed the distance between us, he stops. “Then we’d better get out there.”
I manage to nod but don’t move.
He glances at my feet. “Can you walk?”
I nod once and turn toward the crowd settling into chairs. My eyes are dry, but everything is a blur.
On the first step, my heel gets caught in the grass. I’ve been walking on this damn field all morning and now it gets stuck?
Noah takes my hand and I grip him for support as I yank it out, cursing. “I can walk,” I assure, tugging myself out of his grip.
I didn’t expect him to actually release me, so when he does, I lose balance and bump into someone behind me.
“Oh, excuse me,” I breathe.
“My goodness, dear. Are you alright?” A soft female voice is in my ear, and I turn.
I blink at her familiar features. And then remember where I last saw this face. In the article claiming she was dead. Her hair is dark, almost black, not auburn like Pepper’s. Her skin not as pale as we all remember.
“Mrs. Woods?”
She blinks, stepping back. “No—no. I’m uh…”
“It’s alright,” Noah says softly behind me. “We know who you are. We’ve been looking for you.”
She shakes her head, taking another step back. “You have me confused with someone else.”
“Emma?” The deep voice in front of us is Mr. Reeves.
The woman gasps and there’s a hint of relief behind it. “Aiden.”
Their embrace is friendly and quick before Aiden pulls back. “Is he with you?”
She shakes her head. “It’s too risky.”
“Say no more. We’re glad you’re here.”
She blinks back at us cautiously when he closes her into our circle. “You remember my son, Noah?”
“He’s not the one marrying my daughter today…” she asks, and it’s almost a question as she glances at Noah’s protective grip on my arm.
“No.” Aiden answers. “That would be my other son, Chase.”
She nods. “Harvey told me it was a Reeves but didn’t remember the first name. Just that a pretty blonde came by claiming she was my daughter.”
I chance a glance at Noah, who gives me a small squeeze in response.
“Can I see her?”
“I’ll take you to her tent,” I offer. “I’m Charlie.”
Her eyes are warm with recognition. “Charlotte. Sara’s girl.”
I nod and offer my hand. “The ceremony is starting soon, we should hurry.”
“I’ll go find Chase,” Aiden mutters.
“I’ll hold off the band,” Noah offers.
“Wait,” Emma calls. “If anyone asks…”
“You’re her Aunt Robin,” Aiden finishes.
She smiles with a sigh of relief. “Robin. Yes.”
I walk slowly and wordlessly with Pepper’s mother across the field. Afraid one wrong move would send the woman running in the other direction.
“It’s so beautiful,” Emma whispers.
I take in the view from her perspective, and it truly is a stunning setup.
The bridal suite is elegantly decorated with soft pink roses and white lace. I spent the morning ensuring every detail was perfect. Every ribbon tied, every white rose in place. Now, I find myself standing at the entrance of the tent, my heart pounding with the only thing that will really matter at the end of the day.
“Are you ready?” I whisper with a shaky breath.
She gives me a warm smile. “Absolutely.”
We step inside. The air is thick with the scent of flowers and sweet perfume. Pepper is in her shimmery ivory gown. It's an A line design with a fully beaded torso and open V in the back.
She's facing the mirror, struggling with the veil and her mother's tiara. “There you are,” she whines and turns. “Can you help me with—”
Her eyes widen as they fall on the woman she lost nearly a decade ago.
Emma swallows back tears. “I’d love to help you with that, sweetheart.”
The veil slips from Pepper's fingers. “Mom?” Her voice is just above a breath, barely audible over the pounding of my heart.
Emma nods. Her voice trembling as she steps closer. “It’s me.”
Pepper closes the distance between them in a heartbeat. “I’m dreaming,” she sobs, tears streaming down her cheeks. “This is a dream isn’t it?”
“Oh, sweetheart, I’ve missed you like you wouldn’t believe.” Emma’s voice is heavy with regret and…maybe a little anger?
My best friend pulls back, scanning the woman's features head to toe. “You’re here. You came. How did you know? Where have you been? Where’s—”
Emma shakes her head, pressing her finger to her daughter's lips. “Today, I’m your Aunt Robin.” She waits for understanding before sliding her finger down. “Your… uncle couldn’t come this time, but he sends his love. And…he’ll see you soon.”
Pepper nods in acceptance. "Whatever you need to stay safe."
Relief washes over Emma and she starts to adjust the tiara into Pepper's hair. “I received a message from one of the few people who know how to reach us. He said a little lady with blonde hair stopped by with a gentleman. She claimed to be my daughter.”
Pepper frowns in confusion, then looks at me.
I take a step back. “I’ll give you two some space.”
“Charlie—” She lifts her gown and races over, wrapping her arms around me. “This is the best wedding gift,” she whispers in my ear.
I nod, drying my tears. “Noah is stalling, but you need to get out there soon,” I tell her quietly.
“It’s okay,” Emma assures Pepper. “I’m staying for the whole thing and then…" she shrugs shyly. "I could use a place to stay tonight and maybe catch up?”
Pepper nods but I can see the disappointment in her eyes knowing her mother will be leaving again. “You’ll stay with us. For as long as you need.”
Aiden is outside the tent. Looking like an unsolicited bodyguard. “Emma, I’ll take you to your seat.”
She takes his arm. Aiden gives us a curt nod, letting us know she’s safe with him.
Noah and I walk down the aisle quietly and part at the arch to take our place. The tension is heavy but I don’t think either of us is in the headspace to think about an out-of-control white lie. Not with the people we care most about getting married in a matter of minutes and the thing we’d all hoped for—worked toward— has come true.
At least temporarily from the sound of it.
Aiden and Emma are in the front row. Emma is wearing dark aviator glasses that look like the ones Aiden was wearing earlier. I smile at them just as the band changes to a traditional tune and the crowd stands.
Chase’s blue eyes glisten and my heart skips as I follow his gaze. Pepper stands at the end of the white rose-petaled aisle. I notice Emma whisper something to Aiden and he touches her hand before standing. Then walks up the aisle holding his arm out for Pepper. She smiles beautifully and takes it. Aiden walks her down, giving her away to his son and my throat clogs again with fresh tears.
I don’t think they’re supposed to do this until later, but Pepper wraps her arms around her groom like she can’t help herself and he doesn’t mind it one bit. The crowd is a mixture of laughs and awe before they part. He swipes at her tears and they exchange a few murmured words before the officiant starts.
I swallow and suck in a breath.
It shouldn’t be this difficult. It shouldn’t be this… heart-wrenching. Love is supposed to be two people who find each other and for better or worse, through fire and hell…fight to be together.
When Pepper was about to marry Troy Mayfield for the second time, Chase hopped on his motorcycle and got his girl back.
Meanwhile, I’ve been obsessing over the same man who walked away from me for something… something I let myself regret for way too long.
I wipe at my tears, ignoring Noah’s pained expression. It’s amazing he could be so cold one moment and then look like all he wants to do is hold me the next.
I watch my best friend and the love of her life seal their vows with a kiss.
I deserve this.
Love. Unconditional love. I deserve my second chance.
With…or without Noah.
I manage to avoid him for the first hour of the reception. Especially since I spent most of it checking the weather on my phone because it looks like it's going to pour any moment.
Which can't be right. I've been checking all week and it's supposed to be clear skies.
"Will you stop looking at your phone?" Levi swipes it from my fingers and sets it on the table before lifting me off the chair. "Dance with me."
I follow him onto the dance floor. "You don't dance."
He twirls me in place and catches my hand like an expert. "Wow."
He smirks. "Last time I danced was at my wedding."
"I don't believe it."
"What's the deal with you and Noah today? It have anything to do with that hockey player that looks like a Viking? You know I told him to go set the guy straight."
I scoff. "Thanks for that."
"What's wrong? What'd my brother do this time?"
I sigh, resigned. "It's not your brother. It's me. I'm a mess. Always getting myself in trouble and it's like I'm self-sabotaging, you know?"
"No," he answers plainly.
I motion to the happy couple. "We're not as simple as everyone else. Because I complicate everything."
Levi nods, towering over me as we dance. "Pretty sure you've got that all wrong."
Thunder rolls in the distance.
"Shit." My eyes dart back to Chase and Pepper, who are laughing with a group of friends. "Didn't they hear that?" I watch as the staff starts to clear the tables. "Oh no."
"Relax. Just talked to Dad, we're moving this to the Inn for whoever wants to join."
"But we're barely halfway through the reception."
Drops of rain start to come down and Chase leads Pepper out from under the tent onto the grassy field.
"What are they doing?" I watch them both laugh in the rain. Pepper partly screaming as Chase pulls her into his arms.
"They're married. Her…aunt is here. They're surrounded by people who care about them. A little rain isn't going to ruin that. Besides, I'm pretty sure at this point, they want a smaller crowd if you know what I mean."
I look at Emma, who's relishing her daughter's happiness. What a relief it must be for her to finally see Pepper after so many years of wondering if she was alright.
"See you at the Inn in thirty?" Levi steps back, still holding my hand until I answer him.
I shake my head. "I don't think so. I'm going to stay here and make sure we get everything cleaned up."
"We'll take care of that. Why don't you go on home and join us later if you're up for it."
I nod. "Thanks for the dance, Levi." Lifting my dress, I turn and pick up my purse from my seat.
Levi's green light for me to leave is like a godsend. Because I can't sit back and pretend to be having a great time when I've spent the last three weeks walking myself into a trap with Noah again.