Chapter 6: Deals and Gifts

6

So the marriage swap was decided.

Both families started prepping for the weddings.

The house filled with the buzz of planners, florists, and cake tastings. Invitations went out, and neighbors speculated in whispers at the grocery store checkout lines.

Caleb was still overseas and would only return the day before the wedding.

But unexpectedly, before the wedding, Derek showed up with a whole parade of people, carrying boxes.

Dad greeted him with a smile. "Derek, why are you here again? Didn’t you already send the engagement gifts?"

He stood on the porch in a pressed polo, putting on his best Southern hospitality. No one else in the family knew about the swap—just Mom, Aubrey, and her mother. The secret felt heavy, like a summer thundercloud.

Only my mom, Aubrey, and her mom knew about the marriage swap. No one else was told, for fear of complications.

Aubrey and her mom were even more afraid the plan would fall through, so they would never tell anyone.

Derek paused, looking a little embarrassed.

"Mr. Parker, you misunderstand. These aren’t engagement gifts for Natalie, but wedding gifts for Aubrey."

Derek looked at Aubrey, who had just arrived, his gaze gentle. "Aubrey, are you feeling better? You still look a little pale. If you finish the medicine I brought, let me know and I’ll go back to Savannah for more."

He spoke softly, with a concern he’d never shown me, and the gesture stung—medicine and gifts as if to erase the past.

"You saved my life. If you ever have trouble after marrying into Caleb’s family, just tell me. I’ll come help you."

Aubrey’s cheeks flushed. Seeing the mountain of gifts, she quickly waved her hands.

"Derek, this is too much. I can’t accept it."

She glanced at me, hesitated, and lowered her head. "Besides, Natalie will be mad."

Her words sounded innocent, but her eyes sparkled with secret triumph.