Janine was so busy, the days and nights soon blended together and she lost all track of time. There were so many things to do—fittings and organizing caterers and inviting guests—that for the next five days she didn’t talk to Zach even once.

The day before the ceremony, the garden was bustling with activity. Mrs. McCormick was supervising the men who were assembling the wedding canopy and setting up tables and chairs.

Exhausted, Janine wandered outside and glanced up at the bold blue sky, praying the sunshine would hold for at least another day. The lawn was lush and green, and freshly mowed. The roses were in bloom, perfuming the air with their rich fragrance.

“Janine.”

She recognized his voice immediately. She turned to discover Zach striding purposefullly toward her, and her heart reacted of its own accord. Janine felt as though they’d been apart for a year instead of just a few days. She wore jeans and an old university sweatshirt and wished she’d chosen something less casual. In contrast, Zach was strikingly formal, dressed in a handsome pin-striped suit and dark tie. She was willing to admit she didn’t know him as well as she should—as well as a woman who was about to become his wife. His habits, his likes and dislikes, were a mystery to her, yet those details seemed minor. It was the inner Zach she was coming to understand. Everything she’d learned assured her she’d made the right decision.

“Hello,” she called, walking toward him. She saw that he looked as tired as she felt. Obviously he’d been busy, too, although the wedding preparations had been left to her.

They met halfway and stopped abruptly, gazing at each other. Zach didn’t hug her or make any effort to touch her.

“How are you holding up?” he asked.

“Fine,” she answered. “How about you?”

“I’ll live.” He glanced over at the activity near the rose garden and sighed. “Is there someplace we can talk privately?”

“Sure.” Janine’s heart leapt to her throat at his sober tone. “Is everything all right?”

He reassured her with a quick nod. “Of course.”

“I don’t think anyone’s in the kitchen.”

“Good.” Hand at her elbow, he guided her toward the house. She pulled out a chair with trembling fingers and sat down at the oak table. As he lowered himself into a chair opposite her, she gripped the edge of the table. His eyes had never seemed darker. “Tomorrow’s the day.”

He said this as if he expected it to come as a shock to her. It didn’t—but she understood what he was saying. Time was closing in on them, and if they wanted to back out, it would have to be now.

“Believe me, I know,” she said, and her fingers tightened on the table. “Have you had a change of heart?”

“Have you?”

“No, but then again, I haven’t had much time to think.”

“I’ve done nothing but think about this wedding,” Zach said, raking his hands through his hair.