Going to the Chapel: A Novella by Rita Herron Page A

that.” Levi scrubbed a hand over the back of his neck again, his face flushing with sweat.
    Izzy’s heart squeezed. She must be overwhelming him.
    “Levi, are you all right?”
    He nodded, but a hint of green colored his skin.
    Worry made her reach out to touch him. “Do you need to sit down?”
    He shook his head and inched toward the door. “I think we should head back now.”
    “Of course.” She led the way outside. The cool winter air swirled around her, the trees shivering in the wind. Dead leaves crunched beneath her heels, the bare tree branches swaying.
    He paused to look up at her as they reached his SUV, and she offered him an encouraging smile. “I’m sorry I’m throwing so much at you. I know wedding details can be overwhelming.”
    “Yes, I didn’t realize there was so much to think about.”
    “Don’t worry, Levi,” Izzy said with a smile. “That’s what I’m here for. To make your life easier.”

    Make his life easier? She had done the exact opposite. Her questions triggered every instinct to run.
    And he wasn’t even getting married.
    Worse, there was probably a special chamber in hell designed to torture sinners who lied in church.
    Dammit, he couldn’t wait to leave the magical little chapel behind.
    Magical? No . . . that was part of her BS, an attempt to sell the business of weddings.
    But she was pretty convincing. For God’s sake, he’d actually thought he’d heard angels singing in the front of that little church. And the sunlight had created a radiant halo of colors across the sanctuary that did look magical.
    With her imagination, perhaps Izzy had been the brains behind Ray’s scheme. Not that she needed brains. That silky hair, satiny voice, and those beguiling eyes could seduce a man into doing anything.
    She touched his hand as he reached for the steering wheel, sending a spark of heat through him.
    “Tonight, think about the menu you want for the reception,” she said as he started down the mountain. “Daisy will compile some menu choices for you to look at. Again, we can serve traditional food or if you want a theme like Mexican or Italian, we can make that happen as well.”
    What he wanted was to find out more about her and Ray.
    But he had to figure out a way to extract that information without drawing suspicion.
    “We could arrange a tasting tomorrow if you want.”
    “Sure.” Maybe sometime between now and then he’d think of a way to work his questions into the conversation.
    “Elsa is going to be so happy.” Izzy squeezed his arm, and he nearly lost control of the car and skimmed the guardrail.
    Sparks flew as the edge of the ridge stared up at him.
    “Levi!” Izzy squealed.
    He jerked the car back into his lane, but the mile drop-off to the ravine below shook him up. One simple touch of Lizzie’s hand had nearly sent him plunging to his death. What would happen if he made love to her?
    He didn’t dare let her touch him again.
    She seemed shaken as well, and turned to look out the window while he forced his eyes back onto the road and his hands to remain at ten and two on the steering wheel.
    Thankfully, the ride back to One Stop Weddings took less than five minutes. When they arrived, he parked, his gaze straying to the window dressing of a bride in an off-the-shoulder antique dress. For a moment, Izzy’s face flashed on the mannequin.
    He blinked to clear the image. What the hell was wrong with him?
    The warmth of her hand as she squeezed his arm jolted him back to reality.
    “Levi, what you’re doing for your fiancée is amazing. The way you love her . . . I can tell your marriage is going to last.”
    Guilt shot through him at the sincerity in her tone. But he reminded himself that Izzy Sassafras was a liar, a cheat, and a thief.
    She climbed out, and he watched her hips sway as she tugged her scarf around her and rushed into the bridal shop.
    Dammit, he couldn’t let her get to him. Couldn’t believe a word she said.
    Could