His Love Match. Shirley Hailstock

intention of allowing it to happen in front of a dozen women, most of whom did not know the circumstances that had led to the needling.

      Scott remembered a time when they were all single and had no intention of marrying. Then one by one, they fell off the wagon. He was the last unmarried soul on that wagon, and while the guys often complained about their wives, they loved them and wouldn’t trade their new lives to return to the old ones. Of course, now that they were in their thirties, their days of drinking and bar hopping all night had morphed into attending nursery school plays and walks in the playground. Occasionally they’d get together for the male bonding ritual in front of a big-screen television as their favorite teams vied for dominance on a Sunday afternoon, but at night they returned to the woman they loved.

      Scott’s transformation had been to the sky. Although he’d learn to fly as a child, accompanying his father on trips, Scott had made a career of flying. While piloting wasn’t a sport, pilots were like athletes. They aged out early and needed a second career. He’d decided on his, but one woman stood in his way. And that woman stood at the back of the cathedral.

      “Stand over here,” Father Ryan said, indicating a space inside the gated nave. “The best man should stand next to you.”

      One of the groomsmen separated himself and followed Scott.

      “Clark?” Diana called. “Remember to let Bill know the two of you will enter from that door in the back. She pointed to the door on the right side of the nave. “Father Ryan will lead you out.”

      Clark nodded and the two men assumed their positions.

      “Now, the bride.” Diana turned to the bridesmaids, who were fanned out in front of the bar separating the nave and sanctuary. “Who’ll stand in for the bride? She can’t do it. Bad luck, so the story goes.”

      As the woman looked from one to the other, they each refused to step forward.

      “Ladies, there is no legend related to standing in for the bride.”

      “Diana, you can do it?” Jennifer said. She checked the time, and Scott understood she was keeping everyone on schedule. Not only was Jennifer a numbers fanatic, but watches could be set by her plans.

      “I can’t,” Diana protested.

      Scott stared directly at her. She wasn’t looking at him, but he wondered if his agreement to stand in for Bill had anything to do with her not wanting to be Jennifer’s surrogate.

      “Someone do it,” Jennifer ordered. “We don’t want an overcooked dinner.” Jennifer lifted the bouquet of flowers Diana came in with and stared at the group. Slowly they each shook their head. Eventually, she came to Diana.

      “All right,” she said, taking the flowers and her place at the end of the aisle.

      As Diana headed down, Father Ryan gestured for the two men to come forward and take their places. Scott had a clear view of Diana as she started down the aisle. She came toward him. She was beautiful. Gone were the baggy jeans and unkempt hair that, aided by a book, hiding her face from view during their college days. She wore designer clothes, trendy shoes. If Scott hadn’t seen her a few months ago when he’d come to negotiate her office lease, he’d have sworn the two women weren’t one and the same.

      She floated down the aisle. Scott’s eyes saw the church as it would be, bathed under the yellow glow of candlelight, a white lace gown and Diana as the bride coming toward him.

      Him! he shook himself. He wasn’t marrying Diana and she wasn’t the bride. This was make-believe, and his imagination was working on Stress Level One if his thoughts continued along their present course. He looked at her again, checking to see if her eyes were on him and if by some telepathic relay she’d heard his thoughts.

      She wasn’t looking at him, but she was smiling. Her staccato steps keeping time to the rhythm of the “Wedding March.” Jennifer smiled at her from the front pew. The groomsmen looked at her with appraisal in their eyes. Scott stepped forward as she came to the bar. He wanted to take her arm and pull her close to his side. The groom wouldn’t do that tomorrow. He stood close to her, blocking any view the other groomsmen might have.

      “I won’t go through the vows,” Father Ryan said. “At this point tomorrow, I’ll be the first to congratulate the bride and groom.” He glanced at Jennifer. “Then you will kiss and turn to go up the aisle.” He paused a moment, confirming the procedure with Scott before remembering to look at Jennifer. “Okay?”

      Jennifer nodded.

      “Not quite,” Scott replied. All eyes focused on him. He took the flowers from Diana and handed them to Jennifer. Then facing Diana he put his hands on her waist and pulled her toward him. She didn’t know what he planned to do until his mouth was on hers. She went rigid for a moment then she relaxed. Her mouth tasted good, chasing away his logical thought processes. She opened her mouth and his tongue swept forward. He felt her hands take his elbows. The fabric of her sweater brushed against his fingertips, a movement as erogenous as his wet mouth sweeping over hers. Her hands began a slow climb, but stopped when someone behind them cleared her throat. It was like a spark to his brain. Logic returned and Scott pushed at her arms. Quickly he ended contact. “Now, we turn and walk up the aisle.” He didn’t recognize his voice. Then taking her hand, he started toward the rear of the church.

      Diana dropped his hand when they were out of earshot of anyone else. “Don’t you ever do that again,” she hissed.

      Like a quick-change artist, she walked back to the congregation. All heads and all eyes were on her, but the silence in the cavernous cathedral was like a tomb.

      “Father Ryan, is there any other instruction?” Diana asked, her voice strained. It gave Scott a joyous feeling to know that she had been affected by what had happened between them. His action wasn’t impulsive and he enjoyed having Diana in his arms, but to provide such a public display was not his style.

      “Only, good luck tomorrow,” Father Ryan said.

      Everyone smiled and seemed to relax. Diana could hear their sighs.

      “Then I’ll say good-night.” Diana turned to Jennifer and gave her a wide smile. She didn’t know if Jennifer was trying to put her at ease after Scott’s kiss, but she was grateful for the apparent relaxation in the atmosphere. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

      Jennifer smiled and Diana moved up the aisle.

      “Jennifer, Diana has to go to dinner with us,” Scott said. “It’ll throw the numbers off if she doesn’t go.”

      “Oh no,” Diana protested. “I’ve just returned from Montana. I’m tired and I need to get some rest. Tomorrow is an important day. And Bill will be at the restaurant. The numbers will work.”

      “Not a problem,” Jennifer agreed. “See you in the morning.”

      Diana moved to leave. Scott stood in the middle of the aisle. “If you’ve just returned from a plane ride, you must be hungry. Surely you can eat before you leave.”

      It was no secret to anyone in the church that Scott wanted her to go with him. He didn’t care what they thought. The groomsmen smiled and gave him their silent approval. The bridesmaids only looked stunned.

      “I’ll get something at home,” Diana told them. Her voice hadn’t returned to its normal level yet.

      She pushed past him and continued up the long aisle. Scott watched her go. But he wasn’t finished with her. He’d wondered about her for two days. Why would the computer choose her for him?

      He needed to find out. He was going to find out.

      Chapter 3

      Diana shut her refrigerator door with a sigh. There was nothing to eat in there that didn’t require thawing and at least an hour of cooking time. She was hungry now.

      She would have gone to dinner with the party if Scott hadn’t thrown her off balance with