Maddy’s Christmas Wedding (Little Duck Pond Cafe #37)

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

I woke next morning in the cottage to a crisp blue sky peeping through the curtains. It looked as if it was all set to be the perfect winter’s day.

But not perfect enough for me, I thought gloomily, as I turned on my side, pulled the duvet over my head and tried not to think about the fact that I could have been getting married the following day.

I hadn’t managed to reach Jack the night before so I’d no idea when he’d be arriving – or even if he’d be here in time to take me out for this special lunch. His boss, Damien, relied on Jack’s good will far too much, in my opinion. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Damien had asked him to pop into work this morning and finish off some project or other!

Reaching out an arm, I fumbled for my phone.

No texts. Great.

I could hear the others downstairs, chatting and laughing as they prepared breakfast but I wasn’t tempted to join them. For once, not even the aroma of bacon drifting up the stairs could galvanise me into action. I’d just stay under the duvet for a while, then I wouldn’t have to try and pretend I was fine about everything.

My throat ached and a tear trickled into the pillow.

I was annoyed at myself, as well as that stupid Moonbeam Castle Hotel! Because it shouldn’t matter that I wasn’t having the fabulous, glittering wedding reception of my dreams. If I was a less shallow person, I’d have said to Jack that I would marry him anyway, at the registry office, and to hell with everything else. Yes, it would be a huge waste of a gorgeous dress. But it was our marriage that was the important thing.

My heart beating fast, I sat up straight. It wasn’t too late, though, was it? We could still do it. We could still go to the registry office at eleven tomorrow and get married!

Then I remembered something and my heart sank.

No, of course we couldn’t. Because Jack, following my say-so, had phoned up and cancelled our slot at the registry office.

Bashing the pillow with frustration, I buried my face in it and did a silent scream.

How could everything have gone so wrong? All that planning and excitement for months beforehand. But the truth was that if I could have that registry office appointment back, I’d be along there like a shot tomorrow morning, dragging Jack if I had to, because really, all that mattered was Jack and I declaring our love and promising to spend our lives together . . . .

The volume of chatter downstairs seemed to have gone up a notch or two. It couldn’t be Jack. He always texted when he was leaving, if he was meeting me somewhere. Maybe Kate had called in and they were all talking about last night’s performance?

I gave the pillow another punch and pulled it over my head.

I’d stay here until all the excitement died down. Hopefully, they’d understand and leave me alone . . .

But a minute later, I groaned softly, hearing someone coming up the stairs. The door opened and I grunted from the depths of the duvet, ‘Morning. Do you mind if I sleep a bit longer? I don’t want to be rude but I’m not in the mood for any excitement today.’

There was a pause. Then a familiar voice said, ‘That’s a shame. When you consider what we’ve been planning for you.’

Jack?

Throwing off the duvet, I sat up straight and stared at him in amazement. ‘Hi! Sorry, I’m all dishevelled. I didn’t know when you’d be here.’

He was standing in the doorway, arms folded, leaning against the frame and smiling his lovely, lazy smile at me. ‘I like you dishevelled,’ he murmured.

‘You do? Well, in that case, you’re in for a treat this morning,’ I quipped, while attempting to flatten my wild hair.

Jack sat on the bed and took my hand. ‘I came early because I had a question I wanted to ask you.’

‘Oh. Right.’

He cleared his throat. ‘Um . . . will you marry me?’

I gave a nervous laugh. ‘Jack, I’m worried you’re losing your marbles because you’ve already asked me that. Quite a while ago now.’

He nodded. ‘I know I proposed to you. But this is a different kind of question.’

‘Go on.’ I stared at him, my heart beating faster.

He smiled and my heart flipped over at the love and warmth in his gorgeous blue eyes.

‘Will you marry me today?’ he said.