Runaway Bride Read online

  ***

  Lexie adjusted the umbrella she’d rented so the sunlight wouldn’t hit her laptop. The beach had always been her favorite place, and now that she could write here, it was even more enjoyable. Except for one thing. She kept pulling her cell phone out of her pocket and dialing her mother’s number. Each time, right before she selected the call option, she put the phone back. It should have gotten easier to call her mom as time went on, but it didn’t. If anything, it was harder.

  What was she supposed to say? That she was sorry she married Mark instead of Nick? But she wasn’t sorry. She loved Mark. Every day that she was with him, she loved him more and more. So no, she wouldn’t apologize for marrying him. But she could see how not telling her mother first hadn’t been the right decision. At the time, she hadn’t wanted her mother to talk her out of it. Still, she could have left a note or…or…something.

  “Hi, Lexie.”

  Eyes wide, she looked up from where she was sitting on her fold-out chair. “Nick?” Of all the people she expected to run into at the beach, he was the last one on the list, especially since he hadn’t been there the entire time she’d known him.

  “Surprise,” he wryly stated and motioned to the towel she had rolled up next to her. “Mind if I sit on that?”

  Unsure of what he wanted to talk to her about, she nodded. He couldn’t be happy with her. She figured she would have to deal with her mother sooner or later, but she never imagined she’d have to see him again. Clearing her throat as he smoothed out the towel, she closed her laptop and turned her attention to him. “Did you get your ring back?”

  He sat on the towel. “Yes, I did. And I got your letter. I thought about writing but wanted to talk to you in person. I remember you came to this beach a lot. I’ve only been able to stop here twice, but you weren’t here before. I’m glad I finally caught up with you.”

  “Yeah, well, I haven’t been by as often as I usually am. I’ve been busy.” She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “I didn’t intend to fall in love with Mark. It just happened, and I-”

  He held his hand up to stop her. “You don’t owe me an explanation. I know why you ran off with him.”

  Right. Because she’d already written it down for him with her apology.

  “I don’t blame you, Lexie.”

  Surprised, she shifted in her chair and studied his expression to see if he meant it. “You don’t?”

  “No. I wasn’t an attentive boyfriend. Sure, I went through the motions. I took you on dates and sent gifts when appropriate, but I was never truly there for you.”

  She didn’t know what to say to that. All she could do was watch him and wait for him to continue.

  “You tried to talk to me. That day at the restaurant when you asked me why I wanted to marry you. You remember that day?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “I gave you weak answers. Those were answers any smart woman would have run from. I had convinced myself that how I felt about you wasn’t important. I was only looking at the kind of woman who would impress my superiors and you fit the bill.” With a wince, he added, “Would you get upset if I admit I was relieved when you ran off to marry Mark?”

  She shook her head and smiled. “No. In fact, I’m glad. We can go our separate ways and be on good terms.”

  “I’m happy we got the chance to clear things up.” He rose to his feet and shook out her towel before he rolled it back up. “Congratulations.”

  “Thanks.” As he turned to walk away, she called out, “Hey Nick?”

  Stopping, he glanced back at her. “Yes?”

  “How did my mom react when she heard the news?”

  “After she fainted, she insisted on apologizing to every guest. Your father eventually took her home.”

  Well, at least her mom hadn’t been crying or screaming. Considering the circumstances, it was the best reaction she could hope for.

  “I told her not to worry about it. It was for the best,” he said.

  As he walked away, Lexie pulled out her cell phone and dialed her mom’s number. She bit her lower lip, her finger hovering over the “call” button. She thought of telling her mother that Nick had stopped to talk to her and said everything was alright. But then she thought better of it and put her phone back in her purse. Somehow mentioning Nick didn’t seem right, especially since her mom had her heart set on her marrying him. With a sigh, she opened the lid of the laptop and forced her mind back to her writing.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Two weeks later

  Friday afternoon

  “Wait a minute,” Caitlyn said as she parked the minivan in front of a large condo. She caught sight of her parents’ car and turned to Chris. “I thought we were coming here to spend time with Mark and Lexie.”

  Chris shifted in his seat and offered her a tentative smile. “We are. They decided to rent a condo for the weekend so we could have a fun time together.” He cleared his throat. “You know, so we can…do things together.”

  She noted he was blinking faster than usual, something that signaled there was more to this getaway than he was telling her. After she shifted the car into park, she turned to face him and leaned forward, narrowing her eyes at him.

  He gulped and let out an uneasy chuckle. “Don’t you want to spend time with them?”

  “Is it really only going to be them, or is there something you’re not telling me?” She continued to stare at him, willing him to tell her the truth.

  His eyes widened and sweat trickled down his forehead. A minute passed before he broke down. “Okay. There’s something I didn’t tell you.”

  Finally! Forcing her tone to be sweet, she asked, “And what would that be, honey?”

  He winced, his smile weak. “Mark sort of invited a couple more people over.”

  “And who are these people?”

  “Your parents,” he whispered.

  “Why would you agree to this?” she demanded. “Do you really think I want to spend an entire weekend with my mother?”

  “No.”

  “You lied to me.”

  “I know. I’m sorry, Caitlyn. I’ve been feeling bad about it ever since Mark made the arrangements.”

  “That’s why you’ve been acting strange. I thought I was imagining it.” That and eating everything she could get her hands on had distracted her. “Why did you lie to me?”

  “Because I knew you wouldn’t come if I told you the truth.”

  “You got that right.” She turned back to the wheel and shifted the gear into ‘reverse’. “We’re going home.”

  “No.” He reached over and shifted the car back into ‘park’. “Are you happy with things as they are? Do you want the rift between you and your mom to continue for the rest of your lives?”

  “Chris, my mom has been impossible to deal with ever since I can remember.”

  “And as long as we keep avoiding the issue, it’s not going to get any better. Mark and I want to get you, Lexie, and your mom together to get everything resolved.”

  She groaned and shook her head. “You can’t just snap your fingers and make everything better. You’re wonderful, Chris. Really, you are, but you’re also naïve. You don’t understand how complicated relationships are.”

  “Or maybe they’re not as complicated as you think. You’re right. I am naïve. There are many things I don’t understand on this world. But I know what it’s like growing up without a family. I grew up in a dorm with other boys. We each had our own room and though we made friends, it wasn’t the same as living with people who love you. When I married you, I had a place where I belonged, a place where I’m loved. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could go to your parents’ house without dreading it? Wouldn’t it be nice if after our daughter is born, we’d be happy to see your parents come to the hospital to see her?”

  Caitlyn grimaced. “Why do you have to bring up your past on Pandoran?” Her hand settled on her stomach where her baby offered a gentle kick. She couldn’t blame Chris for wantin
g a happy family. The least she could do was make an effort. “Okay. I’ll go in there.” She nodded toward the condo. “But don’t be disappointed when things don’t work out.”

  Smiling, he rubbed her back. “That’s all I ask. If after this weekend, things are the same between you and your mom, I’ll never ask you to spend time with her again.”

  “Promise?”

  “Yes.”

  Feeling a little better about the ordeal, she turned off the ignition. “Alright. Let’s get this over with.”

  ***

  Lexie glanced up from where she sat on the balcony overlooking the Gulf of Mexico as Mark opened the sliding glass door. “Are Caitlyn and Chris here?” she asked, straightening in her chair.

  He shut the door, pulled up a chair and sat next to her. “Not yet.”

  “Did you want some strawberry lemonade?” She reached for the pitcher resting on the table and got ready to pour him a glass.

  “No.”

  She settled back in her chair and studied his expression. If she was right, he was about to tell her something he wasn’t sure she’d like. “What is it?”

  He took her hand in his. “Promise me you’ll hear me out before you get upset.”

  Though she grew hesitant, she smiled. “Alright.”

  “I didn’t just invite Caitlyn and Chris here for this weekend.” He paused. “I also invited your parents.”

  She glanced at the glass door but didn’t see her parents in the living room. “Are they here?”

  “Yeah. They’re putting their things in the third bedroom. I asked them to give me a few minutes to talk to you. Look,” he sighed, “I know I caused the tension between you and your mom. I also know that even if things weren’t perfect between you two, you were close. I don’t want that to go away.”

  “It’s not you, Mark. I just never had the courage to tell her what I wanted. I don’t know what to say to her.”

  “That’s why I thought this weekend would be good. Not just for you and her but for everyone. I thought if we rented this condo, it would be a good place to come together in neutral territory.”

  “You mentioned this being good for everyone. Did you invite Blake, too?”

  “Okay. Maybe not everyone. I only invited your parents, Caitlyn, and Chris. Blake gets along with everyone.”

  She chuckled. “He does. He has nothing to worry about.”

  “Do you mind?”

  “No. I need to talk to her.” She took a deep breath then ventured, “Does she look like she’s upset?”

  “No. But your dad is doing all the talking.”

  “And Caitlyn and Chris are coming?”

  “They should be here any minute.”

  She gulped to settle her nerves and stood up. Thankfully, Caitlyn and Chris would be here soon. It would help ease the tension. He got up from his chair and opened the sliding glass door for her. She wiped her clammy hands on her skirt and walked into the spacious living room.

  From the third bedroom, she heard her father telling her mother how upscale the condo was, something her mother was bound to like. Lexie had to admit Mark knew what he was doing when he chose this condo. It had all the amenities she enjoyed and was close to all the places she loved. Someone knocked on the door and she guessed it was Caitlyn and Chris.

  “I’ll get it,” Mark told her and hurried to the door.

  Her gaze went to the third bedroom. As much as she wanted to know what her mother was doing, she didn’t dare go in the room. She cleared her throat and pressed her hand against her chest, aware of the rapid beating of her heart. Thank goodness Caitlyn and Chris were here. Now she understood why her sister never showed up at their parents’ house unless other people were going to be there. It was easier to be in an awkward situation if other people were around.

  Mark opened the door. “Hey, guys. I’m glad you could make it.”

  Lexie envied how calm he was in tense situations. She looked at Caitlyn and Chris. Caitlyn had a strained smile on her face, and Chris picked up the suitcase they had brought with them.

  “I hear you invited my parents,” Caitlyn quietly said, her gaze darting across the room.

  “Yeah,” Mark replied as he waved them in. “They’re unpacking their things. I thought it’d be nice to have a relaxing weekend.”

  Chris followed her into the living room. “Where should we unpack?”

  Mark motioned to the hallway. “Your bedroom is the second one on the left.”

  “Great,” she muttered, snatching the suitcase from Chris. “I’ll do that while Chris stays out here.”

  As Caitlyn rushed to the safety of the bedroom, Lexie walked over to Mark. She couldn’t blame Caitlyn for putting off the inevitable with their mother. But she felt as if she had put it off long enough. Now, it was a matter of waiting for her mother and father to come out to the living room.

  “This is a fancy place,” Chris said as he scanned the living room and adjoining kitchen.

  “Yeah, well, I thought it’d be a good thing if we were all comfortable,” Mark replied, rubbing the small of Lexie’s back. “At least as comfortable as possible, given the circumstances.”

  Chris whistled and headed over to the sliding glass door. “The balcony is huge! It looks like it can fit twenty people.”

  “If you squeezed them all out there, yes, but I wouldn’t advise it.”

  “And what a view of the water! I can see why you picked this place. Mind if I step outside and smell the air that is fresh?”

  Mark shot Lexie an amused grin then told Chris, “I think you mean, ‘smell the fresh air’. And yes, you can.”

  “I’ll never understand the expressions people on this planet use,” Chris said as he opened the door and stepped onto the balcony.

  After he shut the door, Mark gave Lexie a kiss. “What would your parents like to drink?”

  “I think iced raspberry tea would be a good choice for today, especially since it’s so hot outside.”

  “Iced raspberry tea it is.” He opened the refrigerator door and took the pitcher to the counter. “Think anyone will want the lemonade on the deck?”

  “Maybe.”

  She turned her attention to the third bedroom. Her mind scrambled for something she might say to her mom. Clasping her trembling hands together, she slowly left the kitchen and stopped when she reached the living room. She wasn’t sure if she should sit in one of the chairs or on the couch. Where would her mother want to sit? In the past, they’d always sat together on a couch, but given the circumstances, she wasn’t sure what she should do.

  Mark came out of the kitchen, carrying the pitcher of tea and glasses on a tray. He set it on the coffee table in front of the couch and rubbed his hands together. “I think that’s everything.”

  Just as she nodded, her father emerged from the bedroom, followed by her mother.

  “Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad.” Mark gestured to the couch. “Make yourselves at home. We’re glad you could make it. We have an exciting weekend planned.” He looked at her mom. “I got a deluxe spa package for you, Lexie and Caitlyn to use tomorrow. And when you’re done, I hear we’re within walking distance of some of the finest stores and restaurants.” His attention went back to Lexie and her dad. “I also took the liberty of buying tickets to a symphony. I understand that everyone enjoys music?”

  While her dad gave an enthusiastic nod, Lexie glanced at her mother, who didn’t seem to want to voice her opinion either way. Lexie never thought she’d miss hearing her mom’s opinion on anything, but right now, she wished she knew what was going through her mind.

  “Then tomorrow evening, we’ll see Oklahoma,” Mark continued. “I haven’t seen it before, but I hear it has some humor and romance in it. It’ll also be my first time seeing a musical.”

  Lexie’s eyebrows rose in surprise. Just how did Mark know that her mom loved Oklahoma? Her gaze darted to her dad who seemed pleased by the weekend’s itinerary. She wondered if her dad had a hand in planning it? It wouldn’t surprise her
if he did. She ventured a glance in her mother’s direction, and when she made eye contact with her, her mother quickly looked away.

  “Please, have a seat,” Mark offered.

  A slight panic gripped her, but Mark patted the chair, a silent encouragement to sit there. Despite her apprehension, she did and watched as her parents sat on the couch.

  Mark poured the tea into the glasses. “The weather’s supposed to be nice all weekend. We can even relax on the beach if you want?” He glanced Lexie’s way, and realizing he’d planned the weekend getaway on the beach for her sake, she smiled.

  “While the women are out at the spa and shopping tomorrow, what are the men doing?” her father asked.

  Mark handed a glass of tea to Lexie, her dad and her mom. “I wouldn’t mind heading over to the pizza place two blocks from here. It has billiard tables. I’d like to see how well Chris plays against me.”

  Her father chuckled. “Sounds like an interesting challenge.”

  Chris opened the sliding glass door and entered the room with a glass of lemonade in his hand. “This stuff is good. What’s it called?”

  “Strawberry lemonade,” Mark replied.

  Chris shut the door and walked over to them. “Huh. What will they think of next? People on this world are sure creative.”

  Lexie’s gaze turned to her mom whose eyes grew wide. No doubt her mom was wondering why Chris said such a strange thing.

  “Hi, Jed. Hi, Mrs. Rogers.” Chris turned to Mark. “Has Caitlyn been out here yet?”

  “No, not yet,” Mark said. “Do you want to get her?”

  “Yeah, I better.”

  As Chris headed for the hallway, Mark sat in the chair next to Lexie. “We’re glad you came.”

  Lexie cleared her throat and shot another tentative glance in her mother’s direction. “Yes, we are.”

  Her mother turned her eyes toward her and Lexie thought she detected a hopeful spark in them.

  “We’re happy to be here,” her dad said. “And it sounds like you have everything planned. All we have to do is enjoy ourselves, right Rachel?”