t have to walk down the aisle on crutches.
Annie had stayed in Perth to be with her father till he was released from hospital and when the Care Assistant arrived to continue her father’s care till after the wedding, Annie returned to the ranch to find Dawn crying softly on her balcony.
“Dawn, whatever is the matter?” She said bending down to give her friend a hug. “Are you in pain?”
Dawn knew in her heart she could not tell her secret to Annie. There was no one she could tell and so she lied, even though cupid’s arrow stabbed her till she bled.
“Dawn, please tell me what’s wrong. Is there anything I can do for you, anything I can get for you?”
“Oh Annie, I’m going to have to walk down the aisle on crutches after all, and I didn’t even ride a horse or lasso a damn calf.”
“Dawn, I’m sure we will be able to make you look as graceful and beautiful on your crutches. Can’t understand how you did that much damage to your ankle when it got caught in the seat belt.”
“I think it just got worse because I tried to walk on it and now the doc says I need to keep it up and rest it completely over the next few days if I want the swelling to go down.” Dawn sighed and thumped her thigh with her fist. “Annie, do you think people would get angry if we postponed the wedding for another week or two till I can walk properly again?”
“I have no idea Dawn. Is that really what you want to do?”
“Well yes, I have been …. Sort of thinking about it …. For a while now. My dress just does not suit crutches and I really want to be able to wear my new white satin heels too.”
Annie studied her friend’s face and then asked, “Dawn, forgive me for asking, but are you getting cold feet, now that your wedding day is just a week away?”
Dawn’s momentary silence spoke volumes to Annie. She pulled up a chair next to Dawn and spoke as gently as she could, “Dawn, if you’re having second thoughts, then maybe you should be talking to Luke? Maybe having a heart to heart with him will help settle your doubts.”
“Oh Annie, we haven’t known each other long, yet you seem to be able to see right through me. I really don’t know if it’s just wedding nerves …..” Dawn sighed heavily and a tear rolled down her cheek.
Annie dug in her pocket for a tissue and offered it to Dawn. Annie was stunned when Dawn burst into tears.
“I …. Don’t know …. I just …. Don’t know ….. If I love Luke … I love him … but I don’t think ….. I’m in love with him.” Dawn stammered between sobs.
Annie looked at her friend in total disbelief, “What are you saying Dawn?”
Dawn sat up straight and looked at Annie, “I don’t think I want to marry Luke.”
“Wow …. Dawn, have you told anyone else how you feel?”
“No Annie, I haven’t, you’re the only one.”
“Oh boy….. Dawn, I don’t know what to say. Maybe you should talk to Luke and tell him how you feel. Maybe you can both come to some sort of agreement to wait a few more months or even another year perhaps.”
Dawn dried her tears and after blowing her nose she surprised Annie when she said, “If I can throw this tissue into the bin without missing then I will ask Luke if we can wait till next year. But if I miss, then you need to help me pack and take me to the station today, before anyone gets home.”
“What?” Annie asked, totally confused.
Dawn tossed the tissue as hard as she could to the bin and missed it completely. They both watched as it sailed through the railings of the balcony and disappeared.
Annie stared at Dawn, “Now what?” She asked, her fingers fidgeting with the strap of her wrist watch. She stood up and walked to the railing and looked over. “It’s on the floor ….. Your tissue is on the floor.”
Dawn laughed hysterically, “Annie it’s not going to bounce back up into the bin, no matter how hard you want it too.”
“Dawnie, what are you going to do. I haven’t known you long, but if cutting up your first wedding dress is anything to go by …… I can just imagine, actually no I can’t, not really.”
“Annie, don’t fuss so, I just need to get away for a while. I need space, time …. to think things through.” Dawn said, pointing to her head.
“Don’t you think you should talk to your family first, or maybe even Luke.”
“No, Annie. I need to do this on my own. Getting married to Luke is a very serious commitment and I need to be right in my own head that it’s really what I want and not what everybody expects.”
Annie stared at Dawn, biting the inside of her cheek; she nervously waited to hear what Dawn had in mind.
“Annie, are you my friend, my BFF?”
Annie nodded.
“Well then, all I ask of my BFF is to help me pack a suitcase and take me to the station before my family get back from branding the cows. It’s not too much to ask is it?”
The colour drained from Annie’s face. She just knew this would be trouble, big trouble and she was right slap bang in the middle of it all.
“Most importantly Annie, you can’t tell a soul, not my Dad, my brothers or even Luke. You have to promise me on your Father’s life.”
“Dawn, that’s not fair. You can’t use my Dad. What if something goes wrong and I have to tell someone?”
“Oh, alright then, just pinkie swear you won’t tell anyone. I promise to keep in touch with you though, so you know I’m okay all the time.”
They linked pinkie fingers and Annie promised to keep her secret, but only if Dawn promised to keep in contact with her every day.
YOU ARE READING
DAWN PAIGE GREY Young Adult Romance
RomanceA dark haired beauty stands tall in a satin white wedding dress. Her deep brown eyes stare back at her. Is this really what she wants? Was the overbearing influence of her brother's, the reason she found herself standing in this dressing room, tryin...
