Accidentally Married (22 page)

Chapter 23

J
ared heaved the bags of
luggage up on the short platform. The woman behind the counter adorned the handles with the white airport stickers. Madison fidgeted with her purse strap. Jared didn’t blame her for being nervous. She was taking a trip to Hawaii with someone she’d only met a couple weeks ago. But he was determined to be the perfect gentleman. She needn’t worry. He’d get two separate rooms at the hotel, to make her feel at ease.

This would be perfect. Give them time to get to know each other better, while having the stress of family out of the way. They didn’t have to act like a couple anymore. And this would give him the perfect chance to see if Madison had any real feelings for him.

“You’re all checked in, sir.” The woman handed them their boarding passes. “Gate 13, Terminal B. You’d better hurry. You don’t have much time.”

Jared took Madison’s hand and led her down the walkway.

“I really should tell you something before we get on the plane.” Madison stepped out of the flow of traffic and pulled him over to the wall. “It’s important.”

He searched her eyes. “What is it? Do you get air sick?”

She shook her head. “No, nothing like that. It’s about Irene…and Jimmy.”

Confusion set in. What was she mumbling about Irene and Jimmy? Didn’t she know the plane was about to leave? They had to get on, or they’d miss their flight. “Can it hold for a few minutes, while we run to catch our plane?”

She shook her head, and blinked like she was going to cry.

Good heavens. Were her hormones going to be on overdrive this whole trip? He took her hands in his. “Okay, then, tell me.”

She drew in a ragged breath, then let it out. Agonizing seconds ticked by. He tried not to look at the clock on the wall. She frowned. “I don’t know how to say this.”

“Quickly?”

Her face told him that wasn’t going to happen. “Irene has this thing. A suspicion or something. She thinks she knows things. Then she acts accordingly.”

She kept talking but her words made no sense. Why couldn’t she tell him this after they boarded the plane? They still needed to get through security. He waited another minute for her to get to the point, but when she still hadn’t told him, he held up his hand. “Stop. Can you tell me while we wait in line up there?”

She blinked, nodded, and then exhaled. “Fine. I’ll tell you later.”

“Great.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her down the path to security.

Madison opened her eyes to sunlight, filtering through the window of her hotel room. Compared to the guest bed at Jared’s house, this bed was hard and uncomfortable. Or maybe it was the fact that even though they were married, Jared was sleeping in the other room. She sighed.

She’d tried to tell him, but he hadn’t been listening. He’d been too worried about catching the plane. They’d rushed to security, only to be held up by a little old man taking his time waving his wand over people. He must have been a hundred years old. She wasn’t sure what he’d do if anyone pushed their way through. Throw his wand at them?

And then once they were on the flight, there hadn’t been enough privacy. Their connecting flight had been delayed in California, but they had ended up dozing in uncomfortable airport chairs while they waited. By the time they finally arrived in Honolulu it was the next evening, and they’d been exhausted. When they checked into the hotel, Jared had explained to the man behind the counter they needed two rooms.

He drew his eyebrows together and spoke in broken English. “But you have honeymoon suite, yes?”

Jared nodded. “Yes, but we’d like to change that to two rooms.”

The man’s gaze bounced between the two of them. “Ah, I see. First quarrel. I give you lover’s spat special. Two rooms, one door connecting them.” He wiggled his eyebrows up and down.

Jared smiled. “Fine.”

As soon as they’d gotten into their rooms, she’d changed and plopped down on the bed, asleep in a few seconds. Now she lay staring at the ceiling, wondering what she was going to do. How strange to think she and Jared were married, and he was in the other room without a clue. A stab of guilt shot through her. She couldn’t put it off any longer. She had to tell Jared today. But what if he got mad when he found out the truth?

She rolled out of bed, padded over to the bathroom, and turned on the hot shower. It didn’t matter if he got angry. They were married, and she couldn’t keep the truth from him. That would be wrong.

The shower invigorated her, made her feel alive and excited to spend the day with Jared. She pushed the thought of telling him away. She’d gauge his mood and tell him when she felt it most appropriate.

As she was fixing her hair, a knock came on the door that adjoined their two rooms. Madison opened it. Jared leaned against the door frame in a casual manner, his arms folded, looking like he’d stepped out of a cologne advertisement. She took a whiff. Yep. Definitely an expensive cologne advertisement.

His muscles bulged under his light button-down shirt, and she had to raise her eyes to his face to keep from staring. His cool grey eyes caught her gaze, and she struggled to breathe. Dang, she had married well.

“Hey,” she said, suddenly shy.

His eyes sparkled. “Enjoying your vacation so far?”

She could only nod.

“What would you like to do today?”

“I have no idea. I’ve never been here before.”

Jared pushed himself off the door jamb and took a couple of steps toward her. “There’s the memorial at Pearl Harbor.”

She wrinkled her nose. “War is depressing.”

Jared nodded. “There’s a wonderful museum full of Hawaiian history.”

“Hmm, isn’t there something we can do outdoors?”

He took another step closer. She could feel the heat from his body. If he leaned over, they’d be kissing. His lips twitched. “We’re in Hawaii. There’s plenty to do outdoors.”

“Then let’s go spend the day in nature.” On impulse, she reached up and mussed up his hair.

“What’d you do that for?”

“You needed a little less ‘CEO’ and a little more ‘I’m on vacation.’”

His hands snaked around her and pulled her to him. “And you need a little ‘keep my hands to myself.’”

They stood for a moment, staring into each other’s eyes before Jared leaned over and brushed his lips on hers. The kiss was quick and over before she knew it. He let go and stepped back. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” And in her mind she said, “We can kiss. We’re married.” But the words stuck in her throat and wouldn’t come out her lips.

Chapter 24

T
hey ended up spending the
day at Manoa Falls, walking the trails and taking countless photos. Madison’s heart warmed as she watched Jared loosen up and enjoy the cool breeze and beauty nature provided.

As they ate dinner in a restaurant along the beach, Madison realized it had been a near perfect day. The only problem was the fact Madison hadn’t yet told Jared.

Her stomach churned, and nerves tingled in her chest. She couldn’t wait any longer. Jared sat across from her, a slight smile on his lips. He’d never be in a better mood. She needed to spill it, like ripping off a band-aid.

He stood and offered her his hand. “Would you like to walk along the beach with me?”

She nodded. This was it. She took his hand and followed him down the sandy path. The soft waves reflected a calm she didn’t feel. Turning to him, she took a deep breath. “I have something to tell you.”

His eyebrow raised quizzically. “What is it?”

She looked out over the ocean, the sun painting the perfect backdrop. Best to simply spill it. “We’re married. For real.”

His eyes widened in surprise. “How is that possible?”

“Jimmy went online and got ordained as a minister.”

He picked her up and spun her around. “My dreams have come true.”

At least, that’s how it happened in her head.

She blinked, realizing he was still standing there, holding out his hand, waiting for her to answer him. “Sure, we can go for a walk on the beach.”

She took his hand for real, warmth spreading up her arm. Maybe things would go as she had imagined. Well, he probably wouldn’t say the corny ‘my dreams have come true’ line, but she’d take about anything above him freaking and screaming at her.

The sound of sea gulls carried over the cool evening air. The sunset cast purple and pink hues over the ocean. The faint smell of rain mixed with grilled meat and fresh flowers wafted in the breeze. Jared smiled down at her. “What are your plans when we get back to Crimson Ridge?”

Madison shrugged. She couldn’t say, “Move in with you, have a few babies, live forever in marital bliss.” So, instead, she said, “Look for a job, I guess.” She laughed, but it came out nervous and strained. She wiped her sweaty hands on her jeans.

“I suppose eventually you’ll go back to California and give acting another shot, huh?”

She raised an eyebrow. What was he doing? Did he want her to leave? “That’s my goal,” was all she could say.

Pursuing her acting career hadn’t been on her mind lately. But now that he brought it up, she wondered what the future would look like if they did decide to stay married. Would Jared move to California? Or would he expect her to give up her dreams and stay in Crimson Ridge with him?

A silence settled between them, and Jared seemed lost in thought. Now was the time. She couldn’t go on without telling him. She gathered up her courage and turned to him. “We need to talk.”

They stopped walking and faced each other. He entwined his fingers with hers. A light breeze blew his hair. “Sure. What’s on your mind?”

She stared into his eyes. Did she imagine it, or did his gaze hold the same love she felt? She could only hope he took the news well. A deep breath, and she spoke. “Irene found out.”

He lifted one eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“She found out we weren’t really engaged. They all did, actually. Your whole family knew.” Her heart beat a painful rhythm against her ribcage.

The loving expression melted from his face, and he clenched his jaw. “How do you know?”

“Jimmy told me. Irene called him last week.” The next part caught in her throat, but she forced it out. “She asked him to go online and get ordained so the ceremony would be real. He did, and it was.”

His eyes hardened, and he stiffened. “What are you saying?”

“We’re married, Jared. For real.”

He dropped her hand and stepped back like she’d caught on fire. His eyes narrowed. “And you knew?”

This wasn’t going as planned. She shook her head. “No. I mean, yes, but I didn’t know it when we were going through the ceremony. Jimmy told me after the dance.”

Anger poured off him in waves. “And when were you going to tell me?” he shouted.

Madison looked around. Several other couples glanced their way. “Let’s not discuss this here,” she said in a low voice.

“No, I think this is the perfect place to discuss this. What right did they have to decide something like this? And what right did you have to keep it from me?”

Pain stabbed through her. “I tried to tell you. In the airport.”

He pointed an accusing finger at her. “You should have told me right after you found out. At the wedding.”

He was right. She should have. She had no defense. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, tears falling down her cheeks.

Jared swore under his breath and raked his hand through his hair. Then he rounded on her. “What about you? Aren’t you upset?”