Free Lucky Charm by Marie Astor

engaged. Well, now Aunt Edwina would have her misgivings confirmed and no doubt would gloat on the news.
    “ I don't want to drag it out for too long . T he sooner we tell them, the sooner it will be over. I bet Meredith is going to be most upset . S he's put so much energy into this wedding. She even offered to bake the cake. ”
    “ Oh, no! I completely forgot. I swear I'm losing my mind these days! ”
    “ What's wrong, Mom? ”
    “ Meredith was supposed to come over today . S he was all excited about this new recipe for your wedding cake. She's supposed to be over at three. ” Mrs. Green looked up at the clock on the wall . I t was a quarter to three. As if on cue, the doorbell rang.
    “ And , of course , she's early . S he's always early. ” Mrs. Green threw her hands up in desperation. “ Annabel, go hide in your old room, and I'll tell her that something has come up. ”
    Annabel felt herself smile for the first time since last night . T he situation was starting to resemble a family sitcom.
    “ It's okay , Mom. Don't panic . I think I can handle Meredith. ”
    “ Are you sure? Just say the word , and I'll get rid of her. ”
    “ Positive. ”

Chapter 9
     
     
    Her back perfectly straight, Mrs. Green marched to the front door. From the kitchen , Annabel could hear her mother exchanging pleasantries with Meredith. Breathe , she thought . H ow bad could this be? Of all people , Meredith was bound to understand her . B y now she probably wished she had called off her own wedding to Doug all those years ago.
    “ Annabel! What a surprise! ” Meredith ambled into the kitchen. She was carrying a huge parcel that obscured her face from view almost entirely. “ Where should I put the cake, Aunt Jane? ”
    “ On the counter is fine. ”
    “ It might not fit over there, ” Meredith objected . “I wouldn't want my masterpiece to tumble on the floor! ” Meredith carefully placed the bundle on the kitchen table. “ Just wait till you see it, Annabel . Y ou will be blown away. ”
    “ Meredith, just wait a minute... ” But before Mrs. Green could finish her sentence, Meredith took off the package cover with a flare, akin to a magician introducing a circus trick.               “ It’s vanilla cake with butter cream and pistachio marzipan, ” Meredith announced proudly.
    The cake was indeed magnificent . It was a three-tiered concoction of white cream with a delicate trim of pale-green pistachio marzipan. On top there was a tiny sculpture of a Precious Moments couple dressed as a bride and groom.
    “ I could always change the top ornament to something more traditional, ” Meredith added hurriedly.
    “ Meredith, I think you're getting ahead of things, ” Mrs. Green began.
    “ It's okay , Mom, ” Annabel cut in.
    “ Of course , you don't have to decide right now, ” Meredith added chirpily, oblivious to the heavy tension that filled the kitchen. “ I understand that it's a big decision, but I just wanted you to have another option to consider. How about we have a taste right now? ” Meredith offered.
    “ Meredith, it's a beautiful cake, ” Annabel started, her voice shaky despite her resolve to stay calm . T he sight of the wedding cake reminded her of the day she went shopping with Meredith . I t was only a few day s ago , and she and Jeremy had still been together then, but now it seemed like centuries ago. “ There won’t be a wedding. ”
    “ What? Did I hear you right? ” Meredith's flailed her arms , akin to a ruffled hen.
    “ Yes, you heard me right. ” Annabel did her best to contain a sigh. “ Jeremy and I broke up. ”
    “ When did this happen? ”
    “ Last night. ”
    “ Well, why? The two of you have been together for so long! ”
    “ Look, Meredith, now is probably not the best time to rehash this,” Mrs. Green cut in as she placed her hand on Meredith's shoulder. “Suffice it to say, Annabel had a change of heart . S he has her reasons for it .”
    “ What