Backstage Romance: An Austen-Inspired Romantic Comedy Box Set by Gigi Blume (ebook reader with highlighter txt) 📕

her father’s arm while Jane fluffed the wedding dress. Lady, our Cocker Spaniel, was the ring bearer. Just fake rings, though. My brother was in place where the groom is supposed to go. A little fidgety. Stern face. There was his best friend, Bing, at his side, anxiously waiting for the women to emerge—particularly Jane. We were all wondering when that wedding would occur. Bing proposed to Jane a year ago.

The quartet of musicians began playing Oh What A Circus from Evita. (Don’t ask.) Then the wedding coordinator ushered us out. I never knew where to cast my eyes while walking down the aisle. Same thing happened when I was a bridesmaid for my friend Lisa. At least the bride could look at the groom. I didn’t have that. I couldn’t very well look at the minister. Awkward. If I looked left and right, smiling at the wedding guests, I’d be tempted to do the windshield wiper princess wave. Wipe, wipe, wipe...show off the dirt.

Beth’s little sister Mary went before me. She was too busy concentrating on her feet. Step, touch. Step, touch. Yeeeah. I wasn’t going to do that. No way. I decided I’d act all casual.

Just taking a stroll on the veranda. With a bouquet of flowers. La ti da.

I focused on the view beyond the terrace. The hill leading up to our property. It was a beautiful, clear evening. A little chilly for California, but after getting stranded in Nebraska, this was balmy. I winked at Will the last second before taking my spot next to Mary. That relaxed his face a bit. I almost got a smile out of him. Then the music swelled, Beth appeared looking radiant, and my brother’s face morphed into sunshine incarnate.

It was a special day. I wanted to soak it all up and tuck these little moments in my memories. For my sake and for my parents. I imagined they were there in spirit. The minister began his dearly beloved speech. Beth’s dad handed her off to Will with a handshake. Her mom cried.

I was really trying to pay attention to the ceremony without letting my mind wander to thoughts of Wyatt. What was wrong with me? It was one of my family’s most important life events and here I was throwing myself a pity party. I looked out across the vast lawns of Pemberley for just a second. The security detail were up to something. Congregating with their golf carts. I focused back on the wedding. Bing was digging in his pocket for the rings. A few people chuckled when he pretended he lost them. Lady gently tapped at his pant leg with her furry paw. Everyone awwwwed.

I caught more movement in the corner of my eye. The security guys again, moving around excitedly. They looked like little plastic figurines from where I stood.

Will and Beth had the rings now, ready to slide them on each other’s fingers. My brother was all smiles and sappy eyes.

Beth, it is with all my love that I give you this ring...

Muffled shouts echoed from down below. The guys were yelling at someone. I couldn’t see past where the driveway curved down the hill, but just behind the trees, I thought I made out the outline of a Winnebago. The Winnebago. The security guards rushed behind the trees. I craned my neck but lost sight of them. Then, a figure of a man emerged on the roof of the motor home, waving frantically with both arms. Wyatt. Was he still trying to get his story? He was shouting something at the house.

I take you for now and for always...

One of the security guards was on the roof of the RV now, trying to coax Wyatt down. That made Wyatt wave his arms more desperately, jumping up and down. He shouted louder. It sounded like my name.

“Georgia! Georgia!”

Oh, my goodness. This was his grand gesture? Here. At my brother’s wedding. On a Winnebago. My mouth hinged open and I glanced back at my brother to see if he’d noticed the commotion going on. He was too focused on Beth. I tried to casually slice my hand across my throat in the universal gesture to cut it out. Wyatt was too far away to see. I motioned a little bigger. Then bigger until my arm flew in a grand swiping motion, almost smacking Mary in the face. The security guy had Wyatt in a police hold, hands behind his back.

“Georgia!” he cried even louder than before. “I looove you!”

I felt a hundred eyeballs on me as I watched the guard shuffle Wyatt off. I glanced over to see Will glaring down at the lawns, stormy eyes a fierce blue. Then he turned to me and said, “Is that Ice Boy?”

I nodded, red-faced with mortification. Little Georgia Ruins Things take three.

Clap.

Will ticked his head at Ephraim, our groundskeeper, (who over the years had become more like a cousin we pay to do things) and in a flash he slipped down the back staircase. When I looked back to find Wyatt, all I saw were a couple of golf carts driving back toward the house.

Will cleared his throat. “Shall we continue?”

The minister straightened and humorously addressed the wedding guests, “This is why I never ask if anyone objects.”

That earned him a few giggles. Then he pronounced the couple man and wife. They kissed, everyone applauded, and the Wyatt fiasco was quickly forgotten. By most everyone except me—and Stella—who arched a severe eyebrow at me.

As soon as we processed down the aisle and through the glass doors, Beth took me by the hand, stared squarely in my eyes, and said, “Go.”

“I’m sorry I ruined your wedding,” I sobbed.

“You didn’t ruin anything. Now go get your man.”

I turned my gaze to my brother expecting to see his stern frowny face. But he smiled softly and nodded, agreeing with his wife.

His wife. Gah! So cool.

I gave them both air kisses and took off in search of Wyatt. The RV was still