Read Online The Meltdown Match (A Romance Novella) by Rachael Anderson - Free Book Online

breath. This was not the universe telling her that she shouldn’t marry Mitch or pick another wedding day. It was an unlucky coincidence. That’s all.
    Horribly unlucky.
    Her phone rang with Mitch’s ringtone, and Courtney quickly brought it to her ear. More than ever, she needed to hear his voice.
    “No, this is not a bad omen, and yes we’re still supposed to get married today,” Mitch said without preamble. “In fact, this is actually a good sign. It means our married life together will be full of surprises and never dull.”
    Courtney couldn’t help her answering smile. She loved that he knew where her crazy thoughts were headed—and that he still wanted to marry her in spite of them. More than that, he knew exactly what to say to erase the worried lines from her forehead.
    “I was just thinking the exact same thing,” she said.
    “Liar.”
    Her smile widened. “Okay, Mr. Know-it-all, where are we going to have the wedding now?”
    “Outside, near the lake, as planned. It’s already set up, and the food is under that gazebo thing you rented, so we’re good.”
    “So long as the food stays dry,” she said dryly.
    “Exactly.”
    Courtney rolled her eyes and looked down, picturing rain splattering all over her dress while her short train skidded across the muddy ground. What would her hair look like after a few minutes in this weather? Not like it did now, that was for sure.
    “But what about my dress?”
    “I don’t see a problem. It’s not like you’re planning to wear it again.” A pause. “Right?”
    “Well no, but—” It was beautiful and white and expensive, and Courtney didn’t want it to get muddy. She wanted it to look clean and perfect for the day her future daughter tried it on. Did she really have to explain that?
    “But what?”
    Courtney sighed. “My hair will go limp and the pictures will look awful.”
    “Oh please. You couldn’t look awful if you tried, and the pictures will give us a great story to tell our kids one day.”
    An almost hysterical laugh escaped Courtney’s mouth, mostly because she actually found herself considering his suggestion. She threw up her free hand and plopped down on her bed. “Okay fine, Mr. Cupid Man, let’s get married in the rain.”
    “That’s my girl. See you in an hour.” At least he’d let the Cupid comment slide.
    The phone went dead before Courtney could tell him she was only half serious. She frowned out the window once more before turning toward Hannah and her mother. “Looks like the outdoor wedding is still on.”
    “Sweet!” Hannah said at the same time her mother excused herself to make a few phone calls to track down some umbrellas.
    An hour later, Courtney found herself sitting in her dad’s car as he pulled into the mess of the designated parking area. She’d exchanged her satin heels for tennis shoes and stepped into the squishy mud, holding her dress high while her mother positioned a large, multi-colored beach umbrella over their heads.
    They squished their way to a large tent, where Courtney made her final preparations. Her mother cleaned off her shoes with wet wipes while Hannah fiddled with her hair. Thankfully, someone had brought a clear, plastic umbrella for Courtney’s father to carry down the aisle so they could dispense with the brightly colored one.
    In no time at all, her mother disappeared, the music started, and Hannah left the tent, carrying a bouquet of fresh wildflowers.
    Courtney’s dad held out his arm for his daughter. “Ready to go, sweet pea?”
    “As ready as I’ll ever be.” Her feet landed once more in the mud, and Courtney tried not to cringe as they made their way to the back of the crowd, where a live band huddled under a canopy and guests waited with various colored umbrellas. At least the wildflower garland looked lovely and hydrated.
    Through the drizzle and beneath her veil, Courtney’s eyes met Mitch’s. He stood at the front, looking beyond handsome wearing a black tux and