In a Moon Smile Read Online Free PDF Page B

panted for hours, to shove Piper, America’s next top model from her womb.
    “Chesney?” Obviously frustrated and on the verge of irritation, Madelyn studied her daughter with a sharp expression on her face. Chesney’s heart quivered. Hell hath no fury like an irritated Madelyn.
    Throw her a crumb before she unravels. Hurry. Quick. Think. Be Charlotte for a moment. Save your damn self.
    “We reserved the string quartet. Did I tell you? And the odd little lady who plays a harp changed her schedule so she could provide music during seating.”
    That’s what you wanted, Mom. Not what I wanted. In fact, I wanted to tie the knot on a cruise ship. By the way, all of that Princess Di fluff you insisted on will be cancelled since Jack won’t marry me. I should be the one saying that I won’t marry him. But I wasn’t the one who said it first. I wish I had been. But I wasn’t. Can you believe you raised such a weak daughter when you are a Statue of Liberty?
    Madelyn noticeably relaxed and nodded. Her eyes were bright with excitement.
    “You’ve done an incredible job planning a magnificent wedding, dear.”
    “You’re the one who deserves the credit,” Chesney said tightly since this was true. Madelyn would not allow Chesney to make any of the decisions. It was Madelyn’s way or the highway. Not just about the wedding but everything else, too. Chesney finally removed the embedded diamond from her cheek, aware that her skin burned now where the ring stabbed her face. She placed her sock feet on the floor and curled her hands into a tightly folded mess on top of her knees. Madelyn chose every single something for the wedding, even Chesney’s dress. Even though Chesney was in love with the dress, the point was that she had no voice in her own wedding plans. She would have been just as happy on a sunny beach, saying her vows while wearing a simple sundress.
    “Mom, please,” Chesney had whispered when they were at the bridal shop. “I don’t need all that sparkly embellishment. I definitely don’t need three veils hanging over my head like I’m the only virgin left in the world, slowly bringing my hymen to the altar.”
    Actually , I haven’t had a hymen since that sweaty four-second experience in the back seat of Ian Komanski’s Camaro back in high school.
    But Madelyn stood firm. She reminded Chesney that Jack expected an amazingly beautiful bride to float toward him wearing all those gorgeous veils. Charlotte had gently elbowed her sister in the ribs. “She won’t give up. Just let her have her way, Chez.”
    Charlotte absolutely did know what she was talking about, especially since their mother also planned Charlotte’s wedding, even selecting the dinner menu and the cake.
    “The wedding is less than one month away,” Madelyn’s voice made Chesney’s eyes sting with unwanted tears. “Chesney darling, your father and I just want everything to be absolutely perfect for your wedding day. We are so very happy for you and Jack.”
    “ Umm-humm ,” Chesney managed as her stomach began to knot. If her mother continued to talk about the damn wedding, Chesney feared she might projectile vomit across the fancy living room. If she could find an antacid, she would quickly crush it into a powder and snort it right on top of that shiny coffee table. Guilt was an oily texture gurgling in Chesney’s throat. She could not look at her mother. She was doing everything possible to avoid a big cry fest.
    “It’s so exciting,” Madelyn said cheerfully. “Charlotte and Cooper were married in the spring. And that was a breathtaking day. Your wedding, your lovely, winter wedding will be just as beautiful, but in an entirely different way. That’s one reason why I’m so happy you girls chose different seasons. My photographs of each wedding will be stunning.”
    Charlotte and I chose the seasons? Are you kidding? The only decision you allowed either of us to make was what kind of panties to wear under the bridal