Free Rocky Mountain Wife by Kate Darby Page B

friends oohed appreciatively as she buttoned the bodice. When she caught her reflection in the mirror, her jaw dropped. She didn’t look like herself at all.
    “You’re exquisite,” Georgia breathed, moving in to pin the cameo on Claire’s collar.
    “Breathtaking.” Lucy fussed with a few strands of Claire’s hair, curling them around her fingers. “Joshua Reed isn’t going to know what hit him.”
    “He’ll be in love with you on sight if he isn’t already.” Josie gave a romantic sigh as she stepped in to drape the necklace around Claire’s neck. “I’m hoping you’ll find love again.”
    As her friends chattered encouragingly, speculating whether Joshua was already smitten with her, Claire did her best to smile. Inside, her heart broke. She remembered another wedding day full of excitement and hope and buoyant joy. Anticipation had buzzed in her stomach. She’d wanted to be Clay’s wife so badly. Sweet love for him had filled her heart, brimming over.
    All the grief in her heart ached now, squeezing hard like a fist.
    “Joshua is here!” Ma’s voice sang up the stairwell. “He’s just pulling up.”
    “Good thing, because she’s just about ready.” Lucy leaned in, setting the little lace hat carefully on Claire’s head and pinning it into place. “I like a man who’s prompt. It means he’s courteous and responsible.”
    “Either that or he’s just eager to marry our lovely Claire.” Georgia unfolded one of the lace gloves.
    Claire took it, shaking her head. “He’s eager for the land. He’s been working on it for days.”
    “I hear you’ve been working on it with him.” Lucy stepped back, studying Claire’s reflection in the mirror. “That’s it. You’re absolutely perfect. Oh, look at you in that dress. It brings back memories.”
    “Of you and John’s wedding day.” Claire knew. She tugged on the gloves and stood, smoothing the dainty skirt. Love lost was agony, and the cruelest part was that life went on. The world turned without mercy, untroubled by deep, crippling loss. She clasped her hands together, wishing she knew what to say or how to feel. She just couldn’t get rid of the hollow feeling in her stomach.
    “Clay would understand,” Lucy whispered in her ear. “He would want you to do what’s best for Ivy.”
    “I know.” Tears burned behind her eyes.
    Love was the reason she was marrying a stranger. Love for Ivy, for Clay and for the love that still lingered in this house from times past. She took one last look at her reflection in the mirror. The elegant dress and accessories definitely made her look like a bride, but she did not feel like one. Not at all. Her palms went damp beneath the fine lace of the gloves, and her stomach fluttered nervously.
    She did not want to do this. She did not want to become anyone’s wife but Clay’s. But she gathered her courage, thanked her friends and headed downstairs. In the foyer, she gave them each a kiss on the cheek. She’d known them for so long, and as much as she’d always treasured their friendship, she’d never appreciated them more than now. Lucy’s eyes shone with both sadness and hope. Georgia swiped a tear from her cheek and smiled. Josie glowed with happiness.
    The firestorm that had swept through the countryside had been devastating. It had taken so much from them all. But no disaster was strong enough to take what truly mattered. Love was stronger. Friendship was stronger, too.
    “I love you, Claire.” Ma opened the door. Her eyes pinched with understanding, for she too knew the pain of loss, but her nod was encouraging.
    “Good luck, Claire!” Georgia called out.
    “Best wishes,” Lucy said.
    “It’s going to turn out just fine,” Josie reassured her. “So go marry that man.”
    Claire’s throat tightened. A lump settled above her windpipe so she couldn’t speak. She nodded, stepping onto the porch with shaky legs. She swore she felt a brush on her shoulder, the warmth of a reassuring