A Wedding In December. Sarah Morgan

dealing with Sally, the alarm bells in Katie’s head were deafening. “No one is perfect. If he seems perfect, it’s either because he’s working hard to hide something, or that you haven’t been with him long enough to see his flaws. Remember Sam.”

      “I just told you I’m getting married, and you have to mention Sam? Do you really think it’s good timing?”

      “You adored Sam. And, by the way, you thought he was The One, right up until the point you discovered he’d slept with two of your friends.”

      “People sometimes behave badly. It’s a fact of life.”

      “You’re excusing him?”

      “No, but we were at college. People go a little crazy at college.”

      “He hurt you, Rosie. You cried so hard it triggered the worst asthma attack you’d ever had. I will never forget that crazy drive to Oxford. And lying to Mum, because you begged me not to tell her.” Her mother knew less than fifty percent of the things that had happened to Rosie since she’d left home. Sometimes Katie felt the burden of that. She saw the unfiltered version of Rosie’s life.

      “I didn’t want to worry her. I’ve done more than enough of that in my lifetime.”

      “And then there was—what was his name? James. He insisted you paid whenever you were together.”

      “He didn’t have much money.”

      “He was a leech.” She’d had to lend Rosie money, but she didn’t mention that. It wasn’t about money. It was about judgment.

      “Dan is different.” Rosie was stubborn. “You’ll see it the moment you meet him.”

      “Great. When can I meet him?” The sooner the better as far as she was concerned. Engagements could be broken, couldn’t they? Relationships ended all the time, particularly Rosie’s.

      “That’s why I’m phoning. We’re getting married at Christmas, right here in Aspen. Can you think of anything more romantic? Blue skies and snow.”

      “This Christmas? The Christmas that is happening in less than a month? Are you kidding me?”

      “Why is everyone so surprised?”

      “Because generally you’re given more than a few weeks notice for a wedding and you’ve only known him for a couple of months.” An image of Sally’s bruised, tear-drenched face slid into her brain. There were no signs. No clues. “Does Mum know?”

      “I called her first. She was thrilled. So was Dad.”

      Katie was fairly sure her mother would have had an anxiety attack. “What’s the hurry? Why not wait a while?”

      “Because we don’t want to wait! We want to do this as soon as possible. And I really want you to be there. But don’t bring the doom and gloom.”

      “Sorry.” Katie swallowed. The last thing she wanted was to hurt her sister. “It’s been a tough few weeks at work, that’s all. Ignore me. Of course I’ll be at your wedding. You’re not only my sister, you’re my best friend. I wouldn’t miss it for anything. Forgive me.”

      “There’s nothing to forgive. I know you’re looking out for me.” Rosie’s voice was soft and warm and her generous response made Katie feel worse.

      Her sister’s capacity to forgive human frailty was both her strength and her weakness. It made her vulnerable to every loser and user that crossed her path.

      Was Dan one of those?

      “What’s the plan? Do I have to book somewhere to stay?” The thought of making travel plans drained the last of her energy. “What about Mum and Dad?”

      “They’re coming, too, of course. And everything is arranged apart from your flight. Dan’s family own this amazing place in the mountains. It will be the best vacation you’ve ever had.”

      Katie had been dreading Christmas. She’d been wondering how she was going to hold it together during all that family time. Usually she loved it. She loved sleeping late and eating her mother’s amazing food. She loved catching up with her dad and hearing about his work. But everything was different now. Her life had changed forever on a dark, rainy night a few weeks before.

      And now she felt exhausted. Could she honestly fly to Aspen and put on a happy face?

      “When would you want us to fly out?”

      “The wedding will be on Christmas Eve, so we thought you should all come a week before so you have time to get to know Dan and his family. Then you can stay over Christmas and fly back before the New Year, or whenever you like. Oh, Katie, I’m so excited! I can’t decide between a horse-drawn sleigh and a husky ride for the guests.”

      “Well, don’t ache your brain on my account. I’m perfectly happy walking.”

      “They have feet of snow here already. It’s a winter wonderland. You might not find it so easy to walk.”

      “Walking is one of the few things I excel at. I’ve had years of practice.”

      “I want you to be my bridesmaid. Maid of honor. Call it whatever you like.”

      Katie didn’t want to call it anything. Why couldn’t her sister see that this wedding was a massive mistake?

      “Are you sure? I’ll probably leave a muddy footprint on your dress. I don’t know much about weddings.” She knew even less about the duties of a maid of honor, but presumably they didn’t include being a killjoy.

      “All you have to do is smile and help me out. You’ll be able to resuscitate Mum if she has a panic attack on the plane. I feel bad that I’m ruining her family Christmas. You know how important it is to her to have everyone together. I miss you. We haven’t spoken in ages. I was even starting to wonder if you were avoiding me.”

      “That’s ridiculous. Busy, that’s all.”

       Tell her what happened to you. Tell her that you feel as if the world is crumbling round you.

      Rosie, she knew, would be horrified. Knowing her kind-hearted sister, she’d probably jump on the first plane and fly over.

      Katie blinked. She was the one who looked out for Rosie, not the other way around.

      She was Rosie’s rock and her support. And never had Rosie needed her support and counsel as much as now.

      Right there and then she made a decision.

      Forget Christmas. Forget relaxation. Forget figuring out her own issues.

      Her first priority was to stop her little sister making a massive mistake that would end in misery.

      “I wouldn’t miss the wedding for anything.” She needed to meet Dan in person and figure out a way to save her sister from herself. And if she managed it early on in the week, then they might still all be home in time to spend Christmas in Honeysuckle Cottage.

      With luck, her mother would be too focused on Rosie to notice that anything was wrong with Katie. “I can’t wait to be Bridesmaid of Honor, or whatever the correct title is. Don’t dress me in purple polyester, that’s all I ask. I don’t want static shock. And don’t spend too much money.” Because this wedding isn’t happening. She turned as the door opened and Mike walked into the room. “I need to go. I’m at work.”

      “I’m proud of you. Katie. I tell everyone my big sister is a doctor.”

       Big sister is falling apart.

      She was a fraud. “Go. Have fun, but not so much fun you forget your inhalers.”

      “Katie—”

      “I know. I’m the inhaler police. Party. Live life. I’ll call you tomorrow.” She ended the call and slid her feet back into her shoes.