Best of My Love (Fool's Gold, #20)

“I can guess. She’s scared. We were getting more and more involved and she couldn’t handle that. Or maybe she knew that I’d fallen in love with her and it freaked her out.”


Nick stumbled to a stop, then stared at him. “You’re what?” He held up his hand. “Never mind. I don’t want to hear you say it again.” He swore. “Are you sure?”

“Yup. She’s the one. I love her.”

The more he said it, the better he felt. Loving Shelby was the best thing he’d ever done. It was right.

“How much time are you giving her?”

“I don’t know. I don’t want to rush her, but I don’t want her thinking I’m not interested. Maybe a couple more days.” He didn’t have a plan so much as a feeling. When it was right, he would know.

“I have no idea what to say to you,” Nick admitted. “You’re a braver man than me.”

“I can’t take credit for being brave. When it comes to Shelby, I don’t have a choice. Turns out she’s the one.”

Nick looked both intrigued and terrified. “Good luck with that.”

“Thanks.” Aidan saw the back of the truck was filled with boxes. “You heading out?”

“Driving to Happily Inc. tomorrow. I’ve shipped most of my stuff already. I’m ready to get out of here.”

And then there was one. Aidan wondered what it said about his family that he was the only brother to want to stay in Fool’s Gold. Del had taken off years before and the twins weren’t coming back anytime soon.

“You’ll need to come visit me,” his brother told him. “Hell, if things work out with Shelby, come to Happily Inc. to get married. It’s the country’s best destination wedding spot.”

Aidan grinned. “Tell you what. If Shelby and I work things out, I promise we’ll come there to get married.”

“Shelby might want a say in that.”

“She might, but I’m pretty sure I can charm her into seeing things my way.”

Or so he hoped. Because not having her as his wife was something he refused to consider.

“You take care,” Nick told him. “Don’t let the bastard get you down.”

“He won’t bother with me.”

Ceallach was only interested in the talented brothers.

Aidan slapped Nick on the back. “For what it’s worth, I think you’re making the right decision. You need to get out of here and figure it all out. Just don’t be a stranger.”

“I won’t. I promise. Good luck with Shelby. Let me know when she says yes.”

“I will.”

She would say yes, he told himself. She had to. She was the love of his life and without her, the world was a cold and dark place.

*

“THIS IS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS,” Shelby complained.

“You said you wanted help,” Madeline pointed out. “I’m helping.”

“This isn’t what I had in mind.”

“Then you should have been more specific when you called.”

Her friend didn’t sound the least bit concerned about Shelby’s reservations. In fact, she pointed to the center of the oversized dressing room and said, “Take off your clothes” in a very stern voice.

“Talk about stupid,” Shelby grumbled, but she did as Madeline insisted. She pulled off her T-shirt and let her jeans fall to the floor before kicking them aside. “Happy?”

“Not yet.”

They were in the largest dressing room at Paper Moon. When Shelby called Madeline and asked if they could talk, Madeline had suggested Shelby come by the store. At the time she’d thought it was because her friend couldn’t get away from work. Now she knew that Madeline had something else in mind.

“You’re very petite,” her friend said as she took a white lace wedding gown off a hanger. “And delicately built. The trick is to wear the dress and not the other way around. Which is harder for your figure type.”

“I don’t see what trying on a wedding dress has to do with anything,” Shelby said. “I need to talk to you.”

“And we will talk. But you have to put this dress on first. Come on, Shelby. How can it hurt?”

She wasn’t sure, but the potential for pain seemed right there. She looked from the dress to her friend’s very determined face, then sighed.

“Fine,” she grumbled. “I’ll try it on. I’m sure I’ll look like an idiot, but I’ll do it anyway.”

“That’s my cheerful friend. Always looking on the bright side. Now, with a dress like this, you don’t pull it over your head. You step into it.”

Shelby did as requested. The dress was lined with a cool, smooth material—maybe silk. Madeline pulled it up around her and Shelby slipped her arms into the long, lace sleeves.

The dress had a fitted bodice and was covered entirely with lace. The back formed about a three-foot train. The style was simple and elegant.

“Not yet,” Madeline said, when Shelby started to turn toward the door.

Madeline pinned up her hair, then attached a short veil. “Now you can look.”