Before Today Read online

  Megan seemed confused. “Brooke didn’t sneeze all through our wedding ceremony and we were surrounded by flowers.”

  Levi wasn’t sure what to say. Covering up his slightly exaggerated half-truth wasn’t going to be easy. “Maybe they weren’t the type of flowers that make her nose itchy.”

  Brooke sighed.

  He hoped she was about to let him off the hook.

  “It’s okay, Levi. I’ll be all right.”

  “Are you sure? If you don’t want to be part of the bouquet toss, I’m sure Megan will understand.” He glanced at Megan’s stubborn scowl. Maybe not.

  “It will take two minutes,” Megan huffed. “It’s the highlight of the evening for most of the single women.”

  Levi didn’t miss the slight emphasis on the word, ‘most’ and neither did Brooke.

  Twin spots of color appeared on her cheeks.

  Megan gave Brooke’s hand a firm tug. “Come on. It won’t take long.”

  Brooke bit her bottom lip. “And I can stand wherever I like?”

  “You can stand anywhere that’s within throwing distance of the bouquet.”

  Levi didn’t say a word. If this backfired, he didn’t want Brooke telling him it was his fault because he’d talked her into supporting Megan.

  “And it will only take two minutes?”

  “At the tops,” Megan assured her. Sensing imminent victory, Megan yanked Brooke’s hand even harder. “We can’t put it off any longer. Come with me before the other women organize their own bouquet toss.

  Brooke sent him a helpless look before following Megan.

  Their interesting night had just turned into something even better. And if Brooke survived the next few minutes, it could be the perfect ending to a day of surprises.

  The following morning, Brooke was busy making marshmallow when Sam stumbled through the back door.

  “Next time I go to the general store, I’m buying you a new doormat. I nearly tripped over your old one again.”

  “That’s what you say each time you come here.”

  Sam took off her jacket and sat on a kitchen stool. “I guess I don’t go to the general store as often as I should. How’s the superstar bouquet catcher feeling?”

  Brooke scowled at the flowers sitting on the windowsill. “The bouquet shouldn’t have landed anywhere near me. At least fifteen other women were waiting to catch it.”

  “I’ve always thought Megan had eyes in the back of her head. Her uncanny ability to find you in a crowd of excited females wasn’t normal.”

  “I think William had something to do with it.” Brooke had seen him making strange hand signals to his new wife. At the time, she’d thought it was cute. It wasn’t so cute when the bouquet flew straight toward her head. “Why didn’t you join me?”

  Sam waved her left hand in the air. “My engagement ring protects me from evil forces. I didn’t want to jinx someone else’s opportunity for a happy-ever-after moment.”

  Brooke squeezed raspberry sauce on a layer of marshmallow. “A bunch of flowers will give someone hay fever, not a happy ever after moment.”

  “You’re like the Christmas Grinch of weddings. What did Levi think when you caught the bouquet?”

  “He laughed.” Brooke still couldn’t believe what had happened. She had purposely hidden behind someone who was taller than she was. At the time, it seemed like a great strategy, except she hadn’t seen where the bouquet was heading. When it collided with her head, she got such a fright that she tripped on the hem of her dress and almost flattened the person behind her.

  “I took a photo.”

  Brooke didn’t trust Sam’s smug smile. “You’d better show me before your cell phone mysteriously disappears.”

  “It’s not that bad. I was thinking of sending it into the local newspaper for their weekly, ‘create a caption’ column.”

  She didn’t need to study the photo for long to realize it was horrendous. Sam had taken the photo just as Brooke was collapsing on the woman behind her. At least the bouquet partially covered her face.

  “Don’t send the photo into the newspaper. It will ruin my reputation.”

  Sam grinned. “You can’t see your face.”

  “But everyone at the wedding knows it was me.”

  “I think it’s a great photo. It’s like poetry in motion.”

  “Bad poetry,” Brooke muttered.

  Someone knocked on the back door.

  Sam looked over Brooke’s shoulder and smiled. “We were just talking about you.”

  Levi frowned. “I hope it was a good story.”

  “The best.”

  Before Brooke could grab the cell phone, Sam showed Levi the photo. His grin did nothing to make her feel better.

  “Nice photo.”

  Brooke handed Levi the pan with the left-over marshmallow inside. “It’s horrible. The young girl behind me looks terrified.”

  “So would I if a stranger was about to land on top of me,” Sam said. “How come Levi gets the off-cuts?”

  Levi bit into a piece of fluffy marshmallow. “Because I’m special.”

  Sam leaned across the counter. “You’re also kind and super-friendly. And super-friendly people always share their marshmallow.”

  With a heartfelt sigh, Levi passed Sam the pan. Before she could take a piece, he pulled it away. “Will you forward me a copy of Brooke’s photo?”

  Brooke gasped. “No. You don’t need a copy. No one does.”

  Sam frowned. “It’s not a bad photo. It’s got character.”

  She sent Sam a pleading look. “Delete it. Please.”

  Levi cleared his throat and pushed the pan of marshmallow closer to Sam.

  “It’s just as well one of us is being incredibly mature.” Sam slid her phone into her pocket. “I’m not going to delete it because it’s a great photo. And I won’t share it with anyone except Levi, because he has the left-over marshmallow.

  Brooke sent her so-called friends a withering glance. “I’m the one who made the marshmallow.”

  “And it’s delicious,” Levi said as he licked his fingers.

  Heat spiraled through Brooke’s traitorous body. “You’re supposed to be on my side. We almost missed—” Brooke’s gaze shot to Sam.

  “It’s okay,” Sam said. “A little birdie already told me you were seen on the back of a Harley, driving around Sapphire Bay.”

  Brooke had wondered how long it would take Sam to find out about the motorcycle ride. She hadn’t said anything during the reception in case her friends jumped to the wrong conclusion. “I was hoping to miss the bridal bouquet toss, but Megan postponed it until I came back.”

  Sam turned to Levi. “And what do you have to say about kidnapping a bridesmaid?”

  “It was almost as much fun as watching Brooke catch the bouquet.”

  Brooke picked up a bowl of flaked chocolate and spread it across the raspberry sauce. It was just as well she had a sense of humor. Otherwise, Sam and Levi would be smothered in thick, white marshmallow.

  Levi grinned. “I don’t think Brooke likes us very much at the moment.”

  Sam nudged his arm. “Do you think she’ll give us a cup of coffee?”

  “It would be great with the marshmallow. But I think we’ll have to make it ourselves.”

  Brooke’s eyes narrowed. “If you want something to do, you could cut the fudge sitting on the counter.”

  Levi licked his misbehaving lips. “Is it Russian fudge?”

  “It might be,” Brooke muttered.

  “I need to do some work upstairs. But if I finish the staircase to the attic, would you save me a piece?”

  Sam turned on the coffeepot. “I thought you’d come to say hello to Brooke, not work.”

  “Someone has to do it,” Levi said. “Besides, I knew Brooke was making marshmallow.”

  Sam smiled. “Well, it’s just as well I’m a workaholic, too. How about we make coffee, then while you’re finishing the staircase, Levi, I’ll help Brooke with the fudge
.”

  “Sounds like a plan to me.”

  Brooke leaned against the counter. “Although I appreciate you being here, neither of you should be working.”

  “I’m not working,” Sam said with a mischievous smile. “I’m spending time with my friends and eating marshmallow. Besides, Levi promised to take me for a ride on his Harley.”

  “It’s true,” Levi said when Brooke looked at him. “Your friends drive a hard bargain.”

  “Friends? How many people are you taking for rides?”

  “Only Megan and me,” Sam said quickly. “All we had to do was promise not to post your photo on Facebook.”

  Brooke could have kissed Levi. He’d been looking out for her all along. “Thank you.”

  He sent her a shy grin. “Megan might have also promised to make me a chocolate cake when she gets back from her honeymoon.”

  Brooke wasn’t worried about the deal Levi had made. She was just grateful he’d stopped her friends from sending the photo to anyone else. “I guess we’d better have a cup of coffee.”

  As Levi and Sam moved around the kitchen, Brooke wondered what she’d done to deserve such wonderful friends. Even if Sam had taken a terrible photo of her.

  Levi lifted his arms above his head and stretched. It was taking longer than he thought to finish the staircase from Brooke’s apartment to the attic. The previous stairs were okay if you weren’t going between the floors too often. But now that they were converting the attic into livable space, a new staircase was important. It would provide easy access to the extra rooms, and make the remodeled area look as though it was always meant to be there.

  His goal today had been to finish attaching the handrail and spindles and, hopefully, paint a layer of undercoat on the wood. He glanced at his watch. With the last spindle glued and nailed into place, he should be ready to start painting soon.

  “This is amazing.” Brooke stood at the base of the stairs, admiring what he’d done.

  He put down his hammer and smiled. “I’m glad you like it.”

  “I didn’t realize it would make such a difference to the light coming into this side the room.”

  Because this side of the building didn’t have any external windows, the architect had suggested adding skylights to the roof. Not only would they let sunlight into the attic, but also into the main living area on the first floor.

  Brooke stood on the bottom stair and looked around her apartment. “I was worried the staircase would take up too much room. But it’s perfect.”

  “The stairs are slightly wider than usual, but it makes more of a statement. Have you finished making the candy?”

  “I have. Sam left a few minutes ago. She wanted me to say goodbye to you and remind you about her motorcycle ride.”

  “I won’t forget.” Not when Sam had already reminded him at least three times.

  “How much longer are you planning on working?”

  Levi studied the staircase. “I should be finished in about two hours.”

  “You can’t work for that long. It’s Sunday.”

  “If I don’t undercoat the wood today, it will be impossible to do it when everyone’s using the stairs.”

  “I could help. After I bought this building, I painted my apartment by myself. And, even if I do say so myself, I did a pretty good job.”

  Levi frowned. “I’m not worried about your painting experience, but I am worried about you. You’ve already spent a lot of time working in the kitchen. Don’t you want a break before you start work tomorrow?”

  “If we both work on the stairs, we’ll be finished in no time at all. And if we’re fast, we could watch the boat races on Flathead Lake.”

  Levi’s heart melted. Brooke never complained about the amount of work she had to do to make her business a success or the hours she spent helping other people. He admired her boundless energy and positive way of looking at the world. He just hoped she didn’t do too much and burn herself out.

  “Come on, Levi. I know you like spending time by the lake.”

  “I should say no, but you probably wouldn’t listen to me anyway.” He knelt on a canvas sheet beside the staircase. “I’ve got extra rollers and paint trays. We just need to sweep the stairs to get rid of the dust.”

  Brooke picked up a broom. “Your wish is my command.” And with a cheeky grin, she started sweeping the stairs.

  Levi wasn’t sure what to do with her. Anyone with half a brain would grab Brooke around the waist and never let go. But he’d tried that once before, and it had failed miserably.

  Maybe he’d be luckier the second time around. Or maybe not.

  Chapter 13

  By the time Brooke and Levi returned from the lake, it was late afternoon. Even though the boat races had finished more than an hour ago, there were still a lot of families on the shore, sitting on the grass and enjoying the heat of the sun.

  “That was wonderful,” Brooke said. “And so much better than working in my apartment.”

  “I can’t believe there were so many boats on the water.”

  “People come from all over the country to enjoy Flathead Lake. There’s another regatta in Big Fork next weekend. I can almost guarantee that most of the people who came to Sapphire Bay will be going there.”

  “I guess it’s part of what happens when you live in a small town.”

  “And when you live on the shore of an amazing lake,” Brooke added. She waited with Levi on the sidewalk while a line of cars and trucks drove past.

  A little girl waved from one of the vehicles and Brooke waved back. “Do you ever look at strangers and wonder what their lives are like?”

  Levi smiled. “Not usually. Why?”

  “The world is such a small place, but everyone is so different. I used to imagine what my life would be like if I’d been born in India or China. Or what would have happened if I’d returned to Phoenix and continued nursing.”

  With a rueful grin, Levi pulled her across the road. “I don’t know what your life would have been like, but you wouldn’t be standing beside me with paint-splattered hair.”

  Brooke smiled. “It’s not too bad.”

  “I should have given you my spare baseball cap.”

  “It will eventually wash out.”

  “Or grow out,” he said half-seriously.

  Brooke poked Levi in the ribs. “I checked the paint can. It’s water-based undercoat, so I’m fine.”

  “We’ll see. But don’t be surprised if you still look like a snowman next week.” Levi stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and peered down the street. “Is that your mom and dad?”

  Brooke held her hand above her eyes and squinted into the sunlight. Her eyes widened when she realized Levi was right. Her mom and dad were standing outside her candy store. “What are they doing here?”

  “If I had to take a random guess, I’d say they’re looking for you.”

  Her heart pounded as her parents headed toward the general store. “Dad wanted me to spend some time with them in Phoenix. I never expected to see them here.”

  Levi wrapped his hand around hers. “They must be tired of waiting for you. Let’s go and say hello.”

  She didn’t move. “What if they don’t like my candy store?”

  “As soon as they taste your fudge, they’ll know you made the right decision.” Levi frowned. “It will be okay.”

  Brooke wasn’t so sure. Even after talking with her dad, she was still worried her parents would think she was wasting her time and their money.

  “If I were you,” Levi said. “I’d want to speak to my parents before Mabel does. She’s a nice person, but she likes to gossip.”

  Brooke wiped her hands on the sides of her jeans. Mabel thought she knew everything that was happening in Sapphire Bay. And what she didn’t know, she made up.

  “You’re right,” she said to Levi. “I’ve kept a low profile, but even that has its own dangers. If you appear too normal, Mabel looks for any chink in your armor. I’d better make sure
Mom and Dad have some backup.” And with Levi beside her, Brooke set off down the street.

  She never thought she’d be rescuing her mom and dad, but then she’d never imagined them visiting Sapphire Bay.

  Brooke followed Levi into the general store.

  He sent her an encouraging smile, but it didn’t make the nerves jumping inside her stomach any easier to handle. Although she’d talked to her parents on the phone, she hadn’t seen them for more than a year. It had been so long that she didn’t know what to say, how to show them how much she’d changed.

  Her mom stood at the end of an aisle, looking at locally made jars of jam. Virginia Johnson was tall and slim, with silvery-blond hair that sat just above her shoulders. Brooke had always admired the way her mom could fit into any social situation. It didn’t matter if they were helping at a church fair or eating in a fancy restaurant, she always looked elegant and calm.

  As she placed a jar of jam in a shopping cart, Virginia turned and saw Brooke. “Oh, my goodness!” She rushed down the aisle, wrapping Brooke in a big hug. “We thought you must have gone away for the day.”

  “I was watching the boat races with Levi. It’s great to see you.”

  “We should have called first, but the airfares were on sale and we decided to visit. I wish you’d told us more about Sapphire Bay. It’s such a lovely town.”

  Relief washed through Brooke. Even though her parents said they understood why she couldn’t fly home, her mom’s excitement reduced her niggling sense of guilt.

  “She didn’t tell us about Sapphire Bay because she might have been worried we’d move here,” Brooke’s dad said, walking toward her. “It must be my turn for a hug.”

  Brooke wrapped her arms around her dad’s waist. Even though this visit was unexpected, it felt good to have them close. “Did you fly into Polson?”

  “We did. Apart from a half-hour delay when we left Phoenix, the flight was great.” Karl looked over Brooke’s shoulder and grinned. “It’s good to see you, Levi.”

  While her mom and dad hugged Levi, Brooke took a deep breath, forcing herself to relax. There were so many reasons why it was the perfect time for her parents to visit. She needed to focus on those and not worry about what she’d say to them or how badly she’d let them down.