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wagon.”
    “I’ll handle it.”
    “Ame, don’t make this any worse than it is.”
    “How could it get worse?”
    Chad groaned. “Famous last words.”
    When they were dressed and went outside, the sheriff motioned them forward. “Let’s head into the business district of Honeymoon Hills, folks.”
    Chad’s brows rose.
    “You plan to arrest us, then?” He kept his hand on Amelia’s back as they walked to the waiting police car.
    “Nope. While you were getting dressed, I called your grandfather. He backed your story and he’s on his way with your”—he shot a look at Amelia—“ friend’s grandfather.”
    Relief flowed through him and Chad hung back while the sheriff opened the back of the car and Amelia slid in. “Then there’s no need for you to give us a lift into town. We can wait here if that’s okay. There’s plenty of room in the car with our grandfathers. We can ride to the airport with them.”
    “Airport? That’s not the plan.” The sheriff leaned against the open door, crossing his arms over the top.
    Chad frowned, not understanding. “Then what’s going on?”
    “We’re meeting your grandfathers at the wedding chapel in the main square of Honeymoon Hills, where the two of you will be married.”

Chapter Six
    When they were on their way into town, the sheriff passed a cell phone back to Chad. “Your grandfather wants you to call him.”
    Chad dialed quickly and Amelia watched his expression change from astonishment to anger and finally resignation. “So that’s it, then? They won’t listen to reason?”
    When he finished the call, he passed the phone back to the sheriff and muttered in disbelief. “There’s no way out.”
    “What? No way out?” Amelia asked in alarm.
    “Claire’s gone. She left after I called her at the rest area when we were on our way up here.”
    Amelia tried to hide the glee she felt at his announcement. He didn’t see it now, but in the end, not marrying Claire would be the best thing that happened. She touched the back of his hand. “I’m sorry.”
    He turned to her, pinning her with a hard stare. “Not as sorry as you’re going to be.”
    “What?”
    “You and I are getting married.”
    She laughed and bumped his shoulder. “That’s funny.” Her laughter faded when his stare didn’t waver. “You’re not being serious?”
    “Painfully serious.”
    Amelia gasped. “Why? What? You and me? Not even.”
    “My grandfather explained that the board convened a special meeting. They’re trying to oust him as we speak and appoint someone to take his place. If I don’t take control of the company, for the first time in fifty years, Walker Industries will be run by someone outside of the family.”
    “How does me marrying you help?”
    “Despite what the board is doing, my grandfather won’t give me the shares unless I do. He’s willing to let go of the company if I don’t marry.”
    “No! Your grandfather can’t be that controlling. I’ve known him for years.”
    “Yes.”
    “Chad…I can’t…we can’t…”
    “I don’t have a choice if I want to save the company. And since Claire’s taking off is your fault, you owe me your help. You and I are getting married today.”
    Going to get married? Amelia leaned her back against the seat and closed her eyes, feeling as if she’d set an avalanche of events in motion and couldn’t get out of the way in time.
    She could hear Chad’s deep breaths beside her, a habit he had when he was trying to make sure he didn’t say something he would later regret.
    “I can’t believe this. Now what?”
    Rubbing her forehead, Amelia said, “Well, I noticed the doors aren’t locked. When we’re at a stop sign or a traffic light, we can bust out of here and make a run for it.”
    He whipped his head around to stare at her. “Run from the sheriff? Are you serious? You want to become fugitives from Mayberry?”
    When she nodded her head, he added, “How can you joke about this?”
    “Because I