A Life Unexpected: Holly Nather Book One (Holly Nather Series) by Sara Daniell Page A

figured out with Lana and her parents before we talk about getting married. Plus, you haven’t met my parents. I—”
    “We don’t have to get married now! We can be engaged, and then once it is all figured out, we can proceed with the wedding. When you are ready.” Oh my god, he is being serious.
    My heart skips a couple beats, and I’m at a loss for words. My mind tells me I’m not ready for this, but my heart screams yes. Our marriage would create peace. It’s okay that I don’t love him because I feel so strongly for him. I’m sure it won’t take long and I will love him. Maybe. My heart speaks before my head can. This is the right thing to do. “Okay.”
    “Really?!”
    “Yes. It’s the right thing to do, Luke. We’ll create peace.”
    “I want you to love me, Holly.”
    “I will.”
    “Promise?”
    I nod even though I know I can’t promise that.
    “I should go. Lana will be wondering where I am.” Before he leaves, he says, “There are clothes for you in the closet. My mother had the maids go shopping.” I smile and nod my head.
    Before getting out of the tub, I look at my left ring finger. I imagine a ring being there that symbolizes the status of being Luke’s forever. What did I just agree to? Holly you are so stupid! After attempting to convince myself that I made the right decision, I get out of the bathtub. I brush my teeth and wrap myself in a bath robe. I put my hair up in a towel and walk over to the large closet. There is nothing but dresses in here! I am so not a dress person. Great….
    I pick out the plainest dress I can find, which is black, strapless and goes to my knees. It is really fitted and shiny. I find a curling iron and curl spirals in my hair. I quickly put on some makeup and then open another drawer which has all kinds of jewelry in it. I put on the prettiest diamond earrings that dangle just below my earlobes and a silver necklace with a bright purple stone that hangs from it. I then go to find a pair of shoes—sadly, all heels. This really sucks . I put on a pair of black heels. I’m going to fall a million times. Or more.
    I walk out the door to go find Luke, but he is already standing in the hall waiting for me. His mouth drops to the floor. I either look hideous or he likes what he sees. He starts to kiss me, but I quickly push him away.
    “Now cousin, don’t you know that it’s not okay to be intimate with your family?” I say teasing him and laughing. “Besides we are out in the open you idiot!” I say as I punch him in the arm.
    He rubs his arm and laughs. “You have a way of making me forget things.”
    I roll my eyes. “So, what do you want to do?”
    He looks at me with a mischievous expression. Oh, I know what he is thinking…dirty minded prince. “Not that, Luke…. Seriously , what do you want to do?”
    “Lana is in the library reading, and she really wanted to talk to you more once you were done getting ready.”
    I slump my shoulders. “Seriously?” To my disappointment, we walk down stairs and go to the library. He opens two big wooden doors, and as soon as Lana sees us, she closes her book and stands up to greet us.
    “Luke, I would like to speak to Natalie alone. You know, Girl talk,” she says with a weird smile on her face.
    Luke gives me an, I’m sorry, look. “Sure. I’ll be out back, playing football with the guys if you need me.” He looks at me for a brief moment and then leaves. This is ominous. Did he really just leave me alone with her? Defenseless? I mean, I get why he did. We can’t give her a reason to question who I am. I want to start biting my nonexistent nails, but that would probably be a dead giveaway that I’m not a cousin of the royal family.
    “Sit down,” She says, sounding rather bitchy. I sit down and keep trying to wipe away the non-existent wrinkles from my dress. I wish she would stop looking at me like she’s going to eat me for dinner.
    “Natalie…..Hmmm…Why can I not sense your magic? I have