Read Online Three Weddings and a Dress by Mary Martinez - Free Book Online Page A

see what the sign at the next destination would be. One hundred and sixteenth street, good God she was almost to Harlem.
    She was going the wrong way.
    The doors slid open, and she hustled off, Cecelia looked around warily. She was so out of her element, and the last thing she wanted was for the wolves to circle.
    Doing the sensible thing, which she really should have done before boarding in the first place, she read the map on the wall.
    Okay, go up and over to the entrance across the street to catch the train going toward where she really wanted to be.  
    Now that she knew she was going in the right direction, she found a seat and carefully watched each street name as it flashed by. Why wasn’t the train stopping at each?
    She turned to the woman reading. “Excuse me?”
    The woman ignored her. As annoyance gripped her, she noticed the earphone in the other woman’s ear. Raising her voice a fraction higher, she tried again.
    She turned toward Cecelia with a questioning look, “Yes?”
    “Do you know if we’re on an express train?”
    “Yes, we are. Where do you need to be?”
    “111 Centre Street.”
    A blonde eyebrow rose. “Oh you’ll have a bit of a walk. It’s right between stops. You’ll need to get off at either Canal Street or City Hall.”
    “Thank you.”
    The woman gave her a brief once over. “Are you here on business?” Apparently assuming she was from out of town.    
    Cecelia decided technically it wasn’t lying to say, “Yes.” After all, they were conducting the business of changing her name legally.
    There were papers to fill out.
    “Good luck then.” Without another word she shoved the earpiece back in and opened her book. Cecelia successfully dismissed.
    A few minutes later she climbed up the steps to encounter Canal Street and start the trek to Centre. Her watch told her she probably would receive a lecture when she met Fanny. It was almost ten thirty, an hour and a half late.
    She was new at this subway stuff. She’d get the hang of it.
    Hopefully sooner rather than later.
    Good thing she’d worn sensible shoes instead of her usual heels. She loved to walk, and she’d missed her morning workouts the past few days with all the preparations for her new life.
    Looking up at the street sign, she frowned, Mulberry? Shouldn’t she have come to Centre? Raising her gaze she looked both ways up and down the street and realized she’d walked in the wrong direction. At least she’d figured it out on her own and hadn’t had to ask. Tack on another five minutes to her tardiness. Good grief, maybe today hadn’t been the day to try the subway. A taxi would have been faster.
    Why hadn’t Fanny called to check on her? She stopped, and another person collided into her, his muttered word choice ringing in her ears.

Dear Diary;
    Going to the Church
    After Cecelia left on her first adventure to the subway, I stared at her bags, forlornly sitting by the door. I should be happy. This is the time when the bride is giddy with the knowledge that the next day she’d be married to her true love.
    Not my bride, she’s off making plans to scrap the wedding. Truly, I am happy for Cecelia. She’ll have new life happenings.And I would be sent back to Heidi, where I know I’ll be taken care of and loved.
    Still I felt dejected, like the bags on the floor. I had such expectations the morning Heidi placed me center stage. My soul mate would see me, fall in love and we’d live happily ever-after.
    I remember how disappointed and yes, I was angry. The ribbons along my lace burned in chagrin at the fact my bride picked me, the first dress she saw. She didn’t want me, Bella, she just wanted to go through the motions.
    Now, I know she’s fallen in love with me. She cares for me as much as I care for her. After all, if she didn’t, she wouldn’t talk to me or dance me around the room. Nor would she promise to take me home.
    I am very worried about her though. She had a lot to accomplish today, and the