There Goes the Groom Read Free

of her mother’s sage advice.
    Panic made her pulse jump, but Paul pulled her closer, and she glanced up and saw his eyes roving over her with such love that her fears faded like raindrops on hot pavement.
    Today was her day, and she refused to let her mother’s nagging voice or Kim’s fretting or her own traitorous insecurities ruin her Cinderella wedding.
    Pastor Joe, one of Paul’s college buddies who’d gotten his license over the Internet, cleared his throat.  “Today is a glorious day. Paul Pendergrass and Marci Turner have come together to recite their nuptials.”
    His tanned face glowed an orange shade in the candlelight service, and Marci almost broke into giggles. She laughed when she was nervous.
    Not good during a funeral but during a wedding was tolerable.
    Still, Paul frowned at her.
    Get a grip, Marci. This is a high-class wedding . Why, the wedding coordinator at the country club had even pulled strings to have a society columnist here to showcase their event!
    Although for some reason that escaped her, Paul hadn’t been very happy about that, and so far had avoided the woman.
    Her heart melted again. He was so kind but so modest.  He must not like all the attention.
    “And now it’s time for the recital of the couple’s vows.” Pastor Joe smiled and glanced across the room at the lace-draped seats filled with their friends. “But first as tradition holds, I must ask. Is there anyone here who has just reason to oppose this wedding? If so, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
    For a moment, Marci tensed, terrified all the exotic, rich, more educated worldly women from Paul’s past would fly out of the woodwork like bees and scream that they had to stop the wedding. But not a single gorgeous blond, sexy brunette or fiery redhead shot up from their seats.
    Although the crowd shifted restlessly. And a dark-haired man emerged from the white curtains to the side. He had the body of a linebacker and eyes so dark they looked black. He was also stalking toward them like some kind of predator.
    Her heart sputtered. What in the world was he doing? He almost looked as if he was going to protest.
    Impossible. No…he had to be part of the wait staff. But if there was a problem with the reception, couldn’t he wait until they said their I Dos?
    Pastor Joe shifted nervously, then jerked his head toward the man, his right eye twitching.
    Paul gripped her fingers so tightly she thought she heard one of the bones crack. And she could have sworn panic flared in his eyes.
    “Let’s move on then,” Pastor Joe said hurriedly.
    “No.” The big hulking guy threw up a hand.   “I can’t hold my peace.”
    Marci gasped. What in heaven’s name?
    “Paul?” she squeaked.
    “Paul Pendergrass and Marci Turner.” The man flashed a badge. “My name is Detective Cade Muller. You are under arrest for one hundred and ten counts of fraud.”
    Marci gaped at him in shock, then turned to Paul just as the detective yanked a pair of handcuffs from his belt.
    “This is a mistake,” she whispered. Surely her fiancé would clear this up in seconds. “Tell them, Paul.”
    But Paul was so pale he looked like he might faint. A second later, he leaned over and pecked her on the cheek, then mouthed the words, “Dammit, Marci, I told you not to run that picture in the paper!”
    With a jerk of his hand, he released her and took off running.
     
    *~*~*~*
     
    The son of a bitch was running.
    And leaving his bride behind.
    Coward.
    Marci hiked up her dress and started chasing after him.  “Paul, come back here!”
    “There goes the groom!” someone shouted.
    The crowd erupted into shouts and pandemonium. Cade vaulted in action, chasing after Marci who was chasing Pendergrass.
    The damn man wove through the crowd of blue-hairs who must have thought their prince charming was innocent, because they parted like the Red Sea creating a path for his escape, then seemed to gather and move in herds to block his way.
    “He is