The next two days passed in a whirl, between the fitting for the gown and overseeing the last-minute arrangements, Lacey didn't have much time for anything. Then the day came when her family was to arrive, the day before the wedding.

Lacey had tried to tell Julien that she was Thorn Taregan's stepdaughter and not his blood, but they were both so busy that there wasn't time.

"Julien, I have to tell you something before they get here," Lacey said, standing beside him in the foyer, ...