Caught on Camera

Chapter 14, Scene 1, Part 25

Chapter 14

Gone With the Dog

Scene 1

Mickey grabbed the hand without the bouquet and pulled Rachel behind an old oak. His pained expression telegraphed she was in for it, no mistake. For long seconds he merely searched her flushed face, mute.

She bit her lip, avoided perceptive dark eyes that missed nothing, held her breath awaiting the accusation. The flowers in her bouquet shuddered in a shaking hand. She shoved it behind her back, willing the hidden smartphone not to dislodge and fall out at her feet. 

Unable to bear the suspense any longer, Rachel quavered, "What is it?"

"You're one of a kind, Rachel." At her worried frown, he clarified, "You're not fake like these Hollywood girls. You're the real deal."

"Nothing fake about these babies." Rachel ducked her chin to her minuscule breasts.

He chuckled. "Did I mention funny?" He enfolded her free hand in both of his, leaned in, his firm, delicious lips a breath from hers. "Beautiful, talented, intelligent, funny, you have the entire package."

Rachel snorted. No one had ever said those words to her. No one. Ever.

"I mean it." He cleared his throat, hastily surveyed the area to ensure privacy. "I've been thinking about us."

"Us?" she squeaked with unabashed surprise. She met his eyes at last. No laugh lines crinkled the corners. He appeared serious.

"After this weekend."

"After the weekend?" she repeated like a moron.

"Our future," he explained patiently.

Her jaw dropped. "Together?"

"Well, not immediately," he amended, thinking aloud. "You'll have to be accepted at a film school in L.A., apply for a student visa, move out to California in September." He dropped a quick kiss on lips parted in astonishment. "I believe in you, Rachel. I don't want us to end tomorrow when I jump on that plane. I want to explore a relationship. How about you?"

Dumbfounded, her head whirled. The words I'm not who you think I am. I'm a broke chambermaid swirled up her throat. Firmly clamped jaws stymied their escape. Her eyes filmed with tears that mourned the impossible future Mickey dangled like a happy ending in a Hollywood movie.

"What are you feeling, Rach?" Mickey raised her hand, kissed work-reddened skin. "Tell me."

What am I feeling? Dumbfounded, she had no words to express the powerful emotions dueling in her heart. Longing warred with guilt. Mickey'd drop her in a micro second if he ever discovered the deception. Gods willing she'd fool him for one more day. Longer than that? Unthinkable.

"Yoo-hoo. Mickey. Rachel. I've been searching everywhere." The wedding planner's strident soprano warbled from the carpet a short distance from the oak tree. She waved them over.

Rachel blew out a tremulous breath. Whew. Saved from manufacturing another lie by the wedding planner's timely arrival.

"We'll resume this conversation later," Mickey vowed.

The planner had already collected Wade and Asta. When Mickey and Rachel joined the small group, the middle-aged woman pointed to the granite slope at the far end of the beach. "The wedding party is due at the Rockery scenic outlook for the formal wedding photo shoot. Follow the stone dust path along the beach wall and wait for the bride and groom."