Debra Burroughs - Paradise Valley 02.5 - The Edge of Lies by Debra Burroughs Page B

away on business. She wasn’t shy about telling Emily that he wasn’t at all what she had expected.
    “Of course, he’s coming.” Emily caught herself crossing her fingers as she stood in her wedding gown, nervously waiting. Feeling foolish, she uncrossed them and folded her arms instead.
    As a specialist for a global security company, Evan often took off on a moment’s notice to places all over the world. Emily knew this, and she was okay with it, but this was their wedding day. Couldn’t he have said no this time?
    “What kind of business takes precedence over his own wedding?” Susan shook her head in disgust. “Is he out chasing bad guys or something?”
    “I don’t think he chases bad guys, Sis. He protects people—high-powered people.”
    “You two haven’t been dating that long. What do you really know about this guy?”
    “Don’t be silly, I know plenty. Evan is a good man and he loves me. You’ve been watching too many spy movies.”
    “Maybe you’re right,” Susan breathed a laugh, “but you can’t deny that martini-drinking playboy in those movies is drop-dead sexy.”
    Emily smiled at the thought. “I can’t argue with you there.”
    Susan’s voice turned serious. “Honey, are you sure you’re ready for a man like Evan. You’re still so young.”
    “I’m already twenty-two. It’s not like I’m a kid.”
    “In some ways, maybe.”
    “Don’t worry, Sis, I’m plenty old enough to be getting married, and I’m sure Evan will be here. Brian told me he saw a dark sedan on the side of the road on his way out here. It was probably an airport limo with a groom-to-be sitting in the back seat, struggling with his bowtie.” Emily put her hand on her sister’s elbow and urged her toward the door. “I just need you to go out there and stall. Please.”
    Susan grimaced at her sister for a moment. “If that man stands you up…”
    Emily turned back to the window and gazed out over the expansive lawn that was surrounded by a beautiful stand of cherry trees in full bloom. Her eyes drifted farther, trying to get a glimpse of the distant road, hoping for a flash of black against the blue horizon.
    She sighed. “He won’t. I’m sure of it.”
    ~*~
    With her honey-blonde hair neatly coifed into a sophisticated chignon, accented with a pearl-encrusted comb, Emily stood pensively in the vestibule of the charming little stone chapel. Her strapless gown flowed softly to the floor with several layers of white chiffon. She grasped firmly onto her brother-in-law’s arm with one hand, a bouquet of red Gerber daisies in the other, anxiously waiting for the wedding to begin.
    “Where is Susan?” Emily asked. She hadn’t seen her sister since she’d begged her to stall. “It’s past time to start.”
    “Don’t worry, I’m sure she’s here someplace,” Brian replied, patting her hand as it hugged his arm. “Probably giving someone orders, somewhere in the church.”
    As the matron of honor, Susan had to go in first. Where could she be? The music was playing and, no doubt, the guests were getting restless.
    Emily hoped when the doors opened that she would find Evan standing at the front with the minister and his best man. “Can you take a peek inside, Brian? See if Evan is there?”
    “Sure.” He opened the door a crack and peered in. “Sorry, not even the minister is down front.”
    “Maybe he’s in the back room with them, waiting for the signal to begin.” Panic began to creep up Emily’s neck.
    The sound of heels clicking on the wood floor drew Emily’s and Brian’s attention to the left hall. In a flurry of soft yellow organza, with Emily’s cell phone in her hand, Susan came rushing down the hallway toward them. Her face looked flushed and panicked.
    “This doesn’t look good,” Emily muttered.
    “I was passing the bride’s room,” Susan said, looking more serious than usual, “and I heard your phone ringing, Em. I answered it, thinking it might be about