“Look at that view.” Carly slowed the car.

  “Why don’t you pull off? Looks like one of those scenic parking stops is up ahead.” Damien motioned forward.

  She nodded, surprised he even offered. He seemed so intent on getting to Kalispell early. Following his plans. They’d actually left Oregon in the dark of the morning. O’dark thirty! However, when he explained it was to get to Montana while it was still daylight, she didn’t object. Not when he offered her first sleeping rights. Now the sight before her completely enthralled her and made the early rising worth it.

  The Rockies stood sentry behind the lake and the sky—it was endless. It was majestic. No wonder Montana was known as “big sky country.”

  Lord, I know You’re here. Please show Yourself to Damien. Help him trust in You to provide and take care of all his needs. Oh, and Lord, help him truly relax. Thanks and amen.

  Carly leaned her head back, staring up into the sky. Slowly she turned in a circle, taking it all in.

  “You really enjoy the outdoors, huh?” Damien asked.

  His voice came out solemnly as if he understood the majesty of the moment. She nodded, intent on being quiet and breathing it all in. She inhaled and slowly exhaled, feeling the last vestiges of travel leaving her weary body. Today had been brutal, but this sight alone more than made up for the long hours in the car.

  She wasn’t sure how long they stood there, but eventually the temperature got to her. Montana was a lot colder than San Francisco. “I’m ready, you?”

  “Yeah.” He smiled at her. “How about I drive the rest of the way?”

  “Sure.” She shrugged a shoulder and headed back for the car.

  Soon, popular hotel chains in Kalispell dotted the landscape. Carly was kind of surprised to see so many of them. She loved how most of them resembled lodges. When in Rome.

  They passed signs of an airport and for a brief moment, a twinge of guilt pricked her. This trip would have been a lot quicker if they flew. Yet just the thought of getting into one of those death traps made her stomach roll in protest and fear.

  Besides, weren’t they having fun? Damien had turned out to be a good conversationalist. Although they appeared to be complete opposites by outward appearances, their experiences had created a common threat between them. Neither her nor Damien wanted to suffer or go without in this world. Certainly not if they could help it. Only real difference between them was Carly could be content to let God be the ultimate ruler. Something she knew Damien refused to do.

  If only.

  She blinked in confusion. Was she interested in him? Sure he had the looks...okay, who was she kidding? He had them in spades, but something else held her back. Was it just his relationship with God or something more?

  You’re scared.

  “Something more,” she murmured.

  “What did you say?”

  “Oh, nothing.” A false smile covered her lips as she glanced at him then quickly away. He was too insightful. Time to change my thoughts. “So what’s the plan?”

  Damien let out an audible sigh. “Tomorrow we file for their marriage certificate. You have the necessary paperwork, right?”

  She nodded, then gave a verbal confirmation.

  “Great. So we’ll get the certificate and then head on over to the proxy service. I wrote their name, number, and address down. They’re willing to record it for Adam and Brenda and file the paperwork for us. As soon as everything is all done, we’ll hit the road.”

  Her heart dipped in disappointment. Carly wasn’t sure what she expected. It’s not like this was supposed to be some great vacation, just a favor for two people who wanted to be together. “Sounds good.” Her words fell flat even to her ears.

  “You okay, Carly?” Damien laid a hand on her arm.

  Heat uncoiled, spreading in warmth on her skin. She shoved the thought away. All thoughts of Damien as anything but an acquaintance. “Just tired.” It wasn’t a lie, but not the complete truth either.

  SOMETHING WAS WRONG with Carly. Damien wanted to push, but it wasn’t his place. Still the voice inside his head wouldn’t relent. “Are you sure everything’s okay?”

  Regret flashed in her black eyes.

  That made no sense. What could she regret? “Carly?”

  She shrugged and stared out the window.

  Whatever was going on, he couldn’t leave it like this. He caught the sign for the hotel and turned into the parking lot. Think, Damien! What could he say before they got out of the car and parted ways? Something to cheer her up. Maybe they could explore Kalispell. Damien could prove he was capable of flexing their schedule.

  The lightbulb clicked on. It was the schedule. She probably wanted to spend more time here than he’d allowed for. After all, this week was her spring break. “Hey, maybe we could go find something fun to do after the proxy wedding. We could always leave Tuesday.”

  She whirled around in her seat, hope blooming in her cheeks. “Really?”

  Yes, if you’ll just keep looking at me like that. He blinked. “Yeah. We’ll relax before we have to get back in the car.”

  “Thank you,” she replied softly. She squeezed his hand and an electric shock jolted through him.

  Thankfully, he’d already parked the car, otherwise he might have crashed. He stared at her hand on his. Her very soft, warm hand. The urge to hold her overwhelmed him. He intertwined his fingers with hers and met her gaze. “You’re welcome.”

  Her cheeks turned rosy.

  She looked beautiful and vulnerable. “How about dinner tonight?” he asked softly.

  She nodded in agreement.

  “See you at six?”

  “All right.”

  Damien squeezed her hand one last time and let go. A whoosh of air escaped as he got out of the car. His hands shook slightly. I’m losing my mind over a woman. Lord, help me.

  His eyes sprang open, surprised at the quick plea. Would he finally acknowledge the One he believed abandoned him all those years ago? Wasn’t God the reason he grew up poor and was slowly left by every person who claimed to love him?

  Frustration hit him in waves. He wanted to shout, let the pent-up emotions out, but he needed to be calm right now. Carly had no idea the storm that stirred within him. She had her idea that life was hunky-dory and that everyone should just relax and go with the flow.

  Life taught him a completely different lesson.

  Then again, maybe Carly wasn’t completely carefree as she led him to believe. Hadn’t she tucked her skills away in some high school? Teaching art because it was safer than making a living as an artist. No risk involved despite the obvious talent she’d been blessed with.

  They were certainly a pair.

  Chapter Seven

  Damien was taking her to dinner. Carly grinned in anticipation. That simple request for her company erased her fears now, proving them unfounded. She thought for sure Damien would balk at the chance to take in the sights Kalispell had to offer. There was a deeper appeal the town offered than the flash of the California hills. The quiet countryside soothed her soul.

  She did a slow turn, keeping her eyes on her reflection in the hotel mirror. She’d paired black, wide-legged pants with a white long-sleeve shirt. A wide red belt cinched in at her waist completed the look. Still the woman inside of her screamed for a chance to wear a dress on a date. The problem: she only brought one and that was for the wedding. How was she supposed to know that Damien would break his rules and take her out? She shook her head. Bad planning.

  A knock at the door broke through her thoughts. Here goes, Carly girl. She inhaled, then opened the door, her breath suspended at the sight of Damien.

  His broad shoulders were encased in a blue cashmere sweater. The color brightened up his brown eyes and made her heart pitter patter.

  “You look gorgeous,” he said.

  She grinned, “Likewise. No suit?”

  Damien chuckled and shook his head. He offered her his arm. “Shall we?”

  “Oh, we shall.” She winked and walked with him down the hall.

  Her stomach dipped and turned as his cologne wrapped around her, a hint of spice that was purely elemental. She wished she could move in closer. When had a man moved her so? It was as if he had some sort of pull over her. He wasn’t even her type. She didn’t date suits, no matter how many of them asked for her number.

  Yet her gut said Damien was different. Sure he seemed stuffy, but today he’d shown his rules didn’t dictate his life. She pulled herself from her thoughts. “Where are we going?”

  “I was going to pick a local favorite.” He looked her over. “However, you look gorgeous so I’m not sure I should settle for casual.”

  Heat filled her face and she was sure her cheeks relayed her feelings. “Local’s fine.” She swallowed. Why had her voice come out husky? Hopefully he wouldn’t read into it.

  Judging by the darkening of his warm brown eyes, he was on the same wavelength. Suddenly the elevator felt entirely too small and too warm.

  The ding of the elevator broke up their staring contest.

  He gestured for her to exit before him. “You’re sure casual is all right?”

  “Definitely. I’m usually a casual type of girl.” Plus, she wanted to see where he’d picked.

  “Great, then I found the perfect spot.”

  When they pulled up to their destination, Carly’s mouth dropped open in amazement. A soda parlor. She took in the sight of Damien’s dinner pick. Kalispell had an old-fashioned soda parlor.

  Damien held the door open for. Her pulse beat with excitement as she took in the old-fashioned décor. A sign advised them to seat themselves, so Damien led them to the back corner, with a view of the whole parlor.

  She picked up a menu, left in the middle of the table. “I’m starved.”

  “Then we’ve come to the right place.”

  Carly noted the variety of burgers, fries and toppings, and an array of sweets. “Oh, man, I’m so gaining a pound or two.”

  A gleam lit in Damien’s eyes. “Then I’ll join you.”

  He’d probably look good fat. She rolled her eyes at the thought. Was she that smitten that she would think that?

  She thought of how Damien had pulled out her chair and waited for her to take a seat. Oh yeah. It wasn’t just the looks, but his charm and consideration.

  DAMIEN WATCHED CARLY’S expression as she perused the menu. “How come you’re still single?”

  She was a beautiful woman who seemed to have it all together. Why wasn’t she at least dating someone?

  Her shoulder raised in an I-don’t-know fashion. “Probably because I don’t date.”

  “Interesting. Explain.” He took a sip of his chocolate milkshake.

  A pained expression crossed her face. “Dating leads to marriage and I’m not the marrying kind.”

  His eyebrows rose in surprise.

  “What, never thought you’d hear a woman say that, huh?”

  My thoughts exactly. He hedged. “I didn’t say that.”

  “No, but you thought it.” She pointed her spoon at him before dipping it into her shake.

  She’d gotten an Oreo one, which actually surprised him. Seemed to tame for her. His thoughts refocused as she began talking.

  “My parents had a rocky marriage. I’m not in a hurry to repeat the experience. Surely you get that since you’ve been through a divorce.”

  “I do.” Yet, the thought of Carly never marrying bothered him. Why do you care?

  “Do you think you’ll marry again?”

  Not until I met you. His face flamed. “Only God knows.” Why was he bringing God into the equation?

  “That’s true. I haven’t really talked to Him about marriage.”

  “Why? I figured you would talk to Him about everything.” He sat back, trying to dissect the quandry she presented.

  “Maybe I’m scared of His answer.”

  “Scared He’ll say yes?”

  “Or agree with me.”

  He gaped. “Why would Him agreeing with you scare you?”

  “Then it means I’m unlovable.”

  “No.” He sat forward, shaking his head vehemently. “You’re not unlovable. You’re smart, talented, not to mention gorgeous. You just haven’t met the right man.”

  She glanced away, her cheeks turning bright. He didn’t want her to brush his words off. For some reason, it mattered to him what she believed about herself. “Carly, look at me.”

  Her wary gaze met his. “No one is unlovable in God’s eyes. Our parents’ choices do not determine our future. We can rise above them and make a better life. Live a better way.”

  He sat back stunned as the revelation of what he said echoed in his heart. All the time, he’d been letting his mother’s choices dictate how he lived life. He was as guilty as Carly. And punishing God for it.

  Damien gulped. He had a lot to talk about with God when he was alone.

  “How do we do better? Aren’t we doomed to repeat their mistakes?”

  “Have you repeated any yet?”

  She bit her lip and then slowly shook her head.

  “Then, there you go.”

  He reached out and squeezed her hand. “You’ll find someone.” Damien inhaled as he realized he wanted to be that someone. He needed to change the subject. Things were moving too fast.

  “Next topic?” Carly asked, hesitantly.

  “Yes.” Should he ask? “I’ve got to admit, I really want to know why you don’t fly.”

  A groan slipped her lips. “It’s not something I share.”

  “I get that.” He met her gaze. “I won’t repeat it.”

  Her eyes searched his and then she bit her lip. “Okay.” She took a deep breath. “When I was seven, my parents and I were on our way to Disney World. I wanted to go to Disneyland, but they kept insisting Disney World was better.”

  She started twirling the straw wrapper. “Midway during the flight, my mom accused my dad of flirting with the flight attendant. They began to argue. I was seated in the middle of them, my dad in the aisle seat. As their voices rose, the pilot hit a pocket of turbulence.”

  Damien tensed, the hairs of his neck raising. He didn’t like the sound of that.

  “I got scared and tried to grab hold of their hands. They were so engrossed in their argument that they shrugged me off and continued to bicker back and forth.” Her voice lowered to a whisper. “Then the plane dove and my butt rose off the seat. I realized too late I didn’t have my seatbelt on.”

  Oh no. His insides froze at the terror in her voice. It was like she was reliving the moment all over again. Indignation rose at the carelessness of her parents, who’d been so wrapped up in an argument they’d scarred their daughter for life.

  “It wasn’t until the oxygen masks popped out that they realized I wasn’t buckled. I flew in the air, but my father caught me before I hit my head on anything.” She smoothed her hair from her face. “When we landed, they argued over who left me unbuckled. I haven’t flown since.”

  His heart turned over. “I’m so sorry you went through that.”

  “Yeah well, that’s life isn’t it? Can’t escape the bad anymore than you can make the good permanent.”

  “Still.” He offered a smile. “Thank you for sharing with me.”

  “Thanks for listening.”

  A server arrived with their food and conversation became muted. Damien thought about what he knew about Carly. She really did seem like an amazing woman. How she could be so dedicated to her friend, taking a road trip to Montana, and knowing how she was raised. Well, he was impressed and wanted to know more about her.

  Chapter Eight

  Carly couldn’t believe they were about to exchange vows. She looked at the building of the proxy wedding service from her spot in the passenger seat. The building was nondescript. Nothing special about the brown brick or tinted windows. It looked like a regular place of business.

  Brenda had found the proxy wedding service via email. Apparently the company could have provided designated proxies, but Brenda and Adam were adamant. They wanted Carly and Damien to stand in for them.

  Now, she and Damien simply had to exit the car and perform a ceremony for the sake of love. The things we do for friends. She thought about last night, how she’d poured her heart out to him. He’d been so attentive, listening and never interrupting. At the end, he’d simply held her hand and offered a willing ear. It had been almost freeing...not enough for her to ride an airplane, of course.

  Damien opened her car door. As she got out, she laid a hand to her stomach. It had been doing the tango since she awoke. Could she really exchange vows with Damien under the pretense that they were Brenda and Adam? Why had Carly let her friend’s proclamation of love get her into this mess?

  She glanced over at Damien. Did he have second thoughts about giving in to their friends’ demands? Carly popped her knuckles as they went through the business doors. Damien looked over as the sound echoed in the quiet building.

  “Nervous?” he asked softly.

  She nodded.

  “Remember, it’s for them. It won’t affect us any.” He took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze.

  “Okay,” she murmured. Somehow, she didn’t believe him.

  They stepped up to the receptionist’s desk.

  “Hi, we’re here to be proxy stand-ins,” Damien stated.

  “Fantastic. I’m Belle. I’ll let Linda know you’re here. What’s your name?” Belle smiled when Damien gave her the information. “Great, Mr. Nichols. Have a seat and they’ll be right with you.”

  Carly stared at the lace pattern on the bodice of her white summer dress. Maybe she should have worn a non-bridal color. Everything seemed in cahoots to make her think of a real wedding. The bright sky outside looked like the heavens knew what they were up to and had paved the way. It had even reached 65 degrees, which was apparently warm for April in Montana. Now all she had to do was get through the ceremony. The recorded ceremony.

  She shook her head. For some strange reason, her best friend wanted a recorded ceremony. Why would Brenda and Adam want to have a video of their two best friends marrying on their own wedding day? What would they do...show it to their children and tell of the day they got married via proxies?

 

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