Harlequin's Shadow

Chapter 13: Riverside Rendezvous

When Neal arrived home, June greeted him at the door with the news that Sara had already arrived and the transformation was underway.

"Richard's with her now," she said. "He set up his studio in one of the guest bedrooms on the second floor."

"Did you see her dress? I gave her several suggestions based on clothes Kate wore."

June smiled. "Yes, I've seen it."

"And?"

Her eyes twinkled. "You'll just have to wait and see."

Neal started for the stairs, but unexpectedly June sprang in front of him and blocked the staircase. "You might as well forget about taking a sneak peek. Richard's locked the door."

"Why would he do something like that?"

"He doesn't want to ruin the effect when you see her for the first time."

Neal frowned at her. "Isn't he getting a bit carried away? It's not like she's my bride."

June chuckled. "It does bring back memories of when Vanessa was married. She used that same room to dress for her wedding at Riverside Church."

"I've seen the photos in your study. She was a beautiful bride. Your granddaughter Cindy looks a lot like her. Does Cindy have a boyfriend? "

"Not yet. I expect she'll be like her mother. Vanessa had so much fun being single"—June paused to give him a pointed look—"I used to despair that she'd never settle down. I'm glad Sara and Richard can use the room to keep the spirit alive, even if it's only for a fake date."

"I doubt Richard will be able to make Sara look much like Kate," Neal said, trying a new tact to pry details from her. "I warned Jones not to take close-ups of her face."

She didn't take the bait. "Good advice. Should he focus instead on your love-struck expression?"

"That's right. Will this do?" Neal took June's hand and gazed longingly at her, channeling the look of a sailor who returns to port after a year-long voyage on the high seas and spots his sweetheart on the dock.

"Oh, Neal," she sighed. "If I'd only known that's how you feel about me ..." The fantasy vanished when she began to laugh. "You're far too good at that. You should be required to carry a warning label for all women to be on their guard."

"No need to worry about Sara falling for me," he scoffed. "She knows it's just a game."

Neal headed upstairs to change, ignoring June's reproachful frown. She kept her eye on him, no doubt to make sure he didn't go astray. It would be child's play to pick the lock—and he was tempted—but she'd misread his intention.

It was a low blow to mention that the room had been used as a bridal dressing room. He hoped she hadn't told Sara. If everyone would just step back and ignore them, they might have a chance.

Any guilt about tricking June with the Clueless con was nullified by the bridal assault. His stomach dropped. Surely she hadn't left any issues of Modern Bride lying in the room.

What color dress had Sara picked? He'd suggested indigo—the color of midnight in a starlit sky. Kate had worn an indigo dress on one of their final evenings together. No trace of his former passion remained, but the memory was still bittersweet. He rummaged through his tie collection for the one he'd worn that night. Kate had bought it for him.

Sara had once commented how she wished they could take Doctor Who's TARDIS and travel back in time. Was that what he was doing? The thought was unsettling until he realized this was giving him a chance to say a final goodbye to those emotions.