The Perfect Arrangement by Katie Ganshert Read Free Book Online

She ordered well in advance and picked up the flowers straight from the shop. Too bad Alyssa hadn’t hired Lily.
    â€œAlyssa, the wedding is this Saturday. I can get the boutonnieres and the corsages, but I’m not sure about the daffodils. I already made the order.” And the centerpiece arrangements were already under way.
    Alyssa’s eyes welled with tears.
    Maybe if she were a mean bridezilla I could have stuck to my guns. The tears, however, did me in. “I’ll see what I can do. I’m sure my vendor can bring in a special order.”
    Alyssa melted with relief. “Oh, thank you!”
    I pointed my rag at her. “But no more changing your mind.”
    â€œI promise I won’t!”
    The door swung open with a jingle and a swoosh. William breezed inside like a thundercloud—all dark and ominous. He nodded hello to Alyssa, then turned to me. “Can I have a word?”
    â€œUm, sure.”
    Looking between us, Alyssa waved good-bye and slipped outside.
    William watched her go, then rounded on me as soon as the door closed. “Did you go to school today to talk to Bridget?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œShe called me in tears this afternoon, saying you accused her of cheating.”
    â€œI never accused her of anything. I simply told Bridget what I saw the evening you proposed to her. That’s all.”
    â€œThis is why you’ve been acting so funny, isn’t it?”
    â€œYes.”
    William pushed his hands through his hair. It was a stress-induced mannerism inherited from our father. “You’re getting the wrong impression of my fiancée.”
    â€œWhy don’t you give me the right one, then?”
    â€œShe was having dinner with an old family friend on Monday night. They grew up together. The two are practically brother and sister. He surprised her with an unexpected visit and he’s an affectionate guy. It wasn’t anything.”
    The phone rang—a shrill, sharp sound that filled up the silence between us. I let it go to the answering machine.
    â€œWilliam, if that’s true, then why did Bridget lie about being in Apple Creek on Monday night? She looked me straight in the eyes and said it wasn’t her.” The whole thing reeked of guilt.
    â€œBecause she panicked. You caught her off guard when you showed up the way you did. She went from thinking something bad had happened to me to thinking you wouldn’t believe her. She made a mistake.”
    I stared at William, wishing I could untie this knot of dread in my gut, wishing I could dispel my doubts.
    â€œI’m not a baby anymore, Ames. I trust Bridget.” He set his hands on the counter. “I need you to trust me.”

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Date: Thu, Sep 24, 2015 4:12 p.m.
Subject: The Man Who Knew Too Much
    Dear Amelia,
    In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how much this suspense is killing me. I am dying a slow death here, Amelia. Please put me out of my misery. How did things go with Bridget and your brother?
    If you’ve decided I know too much already and you aren’t comfortable sharing any more, please let me know. I promise I’ll understand. I just need to know whether or not I should continue checking my e-mail with the expectation of finding something from you. Needing closure is one of my faults, I’m afraid. And so, apparently, is nosiness.
    Best,
    Nate
    â€œThere are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
—C. S. Lewis

    From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Date: Thu, Sep 24, 2015 9:15 p.m.
Subject: Re: The Man Who Knew Too Much
    Dear Nate,
    I’m so sorry for keeping you in such suspense. I promise it wasn’t thoughtlessness on my part. The truth is that I’ve been terribly busy.
    The homecoming dance is this Saturday, so I’ve been up to my eyeballs in