The Man You'll Marry by Debbie Macomber

doing?” Mark asked as she began pushing the moped. It made for slow progress; the bulky machine was far more difficult to transport under her own power than she’d expected. At this rate, she’d be lucky to return it by nightfall.
    “I’m taking the bike back to the place where I rented it.”
    “That’s ridiculous.”
    “Do you have any better ideas?” she asked in a reasonable tone of voice. “I don’t understand what you’re doing here in the first place,” she said, sounding far calmer than she felt. “You should be with Janet.”
    “Who?” he demanded. He tried to take the moped away from her and push it himself, but she wouldn’t let go.
    “The woman you’re going to marry. Remember?”
    “Her name is Janice and as I said before, the engagement’s unofficial.”
    “That doesn’t answer my question. You should be with her on a beautiful spring day like this.”
    Mark frowned. “Janice couldn’t get away. She had an important meeting with a client—she’s a lawyer. Listen, quit being so stubborn, I’m stronger than you. Let me push the bike.”
    Shelly hesitated; his offer was tempting. She hadn’t gone more than a few feet and already her side ached.She pressed one hand against her hip and straightened, her decision made. “Thanks, but no thanks,” she answered flatly. “By the way, it’s Aunt Milly who sent me the wedding dress, not Aunt Martha, so if we’re going to get names straight, let’s start there.”
    Mark rolled his eyes skyward, as though he’d reached the end of his limited patience. “Fine, I’ll apologize for what I said back there. I didn’t mean to insult you.”
    “I didn’t follow you,” she said.
    “I know, but I didn’t follow you, either.”
    Shelly nodded, deciding she believed him.
    “Then how do you explain that we’ve inadvertently bumped into each other twice in the last week?” Mark asked. “The odds of that happening have got to be phenomenal.”
    “I know it sounds crazy, but…I’m afraid it’s the dress,” Shelly mumbled.
    “The wedding dress?” Mark repeated.
    “I’m really embarrassed about all this. I’m not sure I believe any of it myself. And I do apologize, especially since there’s been an apparent mix-up….”
    “Why’s that?” Mark asked.
    “Well…because you’re involved with Janice. I’m sure the two of you are a perfect match and you’ll have a marvelous life together.”
    “What makes you assume that?”
    His question caught her off guard. “Well, because…didn’t you just tell me you’re about to become officially engaged?”
    “Yes,” he muttered.
    Although she was reluctant to admit it, Shelly found pushing the moped extremely taxing, so she stopped to rest for a moment. “Listen,” she said a little breathlessly, “there’s no need for you to walk with me. Why don’t you just go on ahead?”
    “There most definitely is a need,” Mark answered sharply. He didn’t seem too pleased with her suggestion. “I’m not going to desert you now.”
    “Oh, Mark, honestly, you don’t have to be such a gentleman.”
    “You don’t like gentlemen?”
    “Of course I do—but it’s one of the reasons you and I would never get along for any length of time. You’re very sweet, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t need anyone to rescue me.”
    “Forgive me for saying so, but you do appear to need rescuing.” The look he gave her implied that he was referring to more than the moped.
    “I was the one foolish enough to get the engine wet,” she said brightly, ignoring his comment. “So I should be the one to deal with the consequences.”
    Mark waited a moment, as if debating whether to continue arguing. “Fine, if that’s the way you feel,” he said finally, straddling his moped and starting the engine, which roared to life with sickening ease. “I hope you don’t tire out too quickly.”
    “I’ll be okay,” she said, hardly able to believe he was actually going to abandon her.
    “I hope