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Which was why Grace had begged her parents not to pay for this wedding. She’d have been happy eloping with the boy who was already like a son to them. But her parents had insisted. She was their only daughter, and it was their duty and pleasure to host a party celebrating her joyful union.
They’d compromised by hosting it at her childhood home on Duff Island. Friends and family would provide food, and the only cost came from the flowers and landscaping on the lawn that sloped prettily down to the ocean.
After all her parents had done to make this a special day, Grace wouldn’t let the cost of a chamber trio stress them out. “Hey, Mom. It’s time for mother-of-the-bride pictures. Why don’t you let me handle this, and you go get your glam on?” She reached for her mom’s phone.
“No, you’re not paying for the music that walks you down the aisle at your own wedding.”
She gave her mom a look.Let’s not make the musician any more uncomfortable than she already is.Besides, the amount wouldn’t make a dent in Grace’s account. She’d been saving since she was a little girl. What had started out as a silly fantasy of owning her own bakery had turned into a possible down payment on a house.
Reluctantly, her mom handed the phone over. She waited as Grace logged into her bank account and transferred the money. “There you go.” She smiled at the musician. “I’ll see you out there in ten minutes.” But just as she went to log out, she noticed a flash of red.It didn’t go through.What the hell?She showed it to her mom. “That’s not possible. Hang on.” She checked her bank balance. “One hundred dollars?”
What in the world?
“That’s what’s in mine.” Her mom clasped her hands together so tightly the knuckles turned white.
Fear sent a sting through her body. “What’s happening?”
“Listen, it’s your wedding day.” The musician backed away. “We can settle up tomorrow.” She smiled and then headed down the stairs.
“I’m so sorry,” Grace called. “We’re going to pay you.” But really, she didn’t know that.
Because all their money was gone.
Gone.
With a vise around her lungs, she couldn’t take a full breath. Once the woman was out of sight, Grace turned to her mom. “What’s happening? How are both of our accounts empty?”
“I don’t know. Could there be a glitch in the system?”
“That doesn’t make any sense. Oh, my God.” She couldn’t believe it. She was so shaken, she couldn’t think.
“Hang on. Check your most recent transfers.”
“Right. Of course.” Grace tapped the screen, and when she saw her fiancé’s name, the bottom dropped out of her world.
“What? Grace, what is it?” Her mom grabbed the phone back. Reading the name, her forehead creased. “I don’t understand. Did he need it to pay for the honeymoon?”
“You think our week in Paris is going to cost a hundred and fifty thousand dollars?”
Shock and confusion gripped her mom’s features. “Why would he do this?”
She didn’t know, but she’d sure as hell find out. “Mom, how much did you have in your account?”
“Not much. Don’t worry about us.”
“Don’t worry? My fiancéstolefrom you. Tell me how much.”
“We had fifteen grand.”
“Thank you.” Lifting the weighty skirt, she hightailed it down the hallway to her oldest brother’s bedroom. She barged right in and addressed the six groomsmen. “Everyone out.” Their surprised expressions broke through the anger.This isn’t their fault. “Sorry. Could you please give me a moment alone with—” She couldn’t say his name. Couldn’t even look at him.
Fortunately, she didn’t need to because the men filed out and shut the door.
Alone with her fiancé, she rushed over to him. “What have you done with my parent’s money?”
Ian had grown up a few houses over, so she’d known him most of his life. When his mom’s business blew up and they got rich, they moved into a mansion, but they’d never left the island. They were good people. They respected their roots and valued friendships.
Loyalty, honor…that’s how Ian was raised.
