Branded for You(72)

As Christine and Todd came down the aisle, Ryan put his arm around Megan’s shoulders and held her close to him. She tilted her head to look up at him and he kissed her smile.

When he drew away, she slipped her arm around his waist as the newly married couple passed them and stepped through the huge double doors to their new life just waiting for them.

Megan caught sight of Bart on the other side of the aisle and noted that he was watching her and wearing a frown. When her eyes met his, she realized she had no feelings of any kind. No feelings of pain or dislike. She felt…nothing. Bart was a part of a distant life, a past that had healed. She smiled and turned away, but she could still feel his gaze on her.

The reception was being held in a hall just off the church and she walked hand in hand with Ryan to the huge hall decorated in vivid blues, the wedding colors, and white. Paper bells and streamers hung from the ceiling and tables were decorated with white and blue bouquets.

A live band was in one corner and the music started just as Ryan and Megan walked into the hall. Ryan took her into his arms and swept her onto the dance floor. Megan wore a lovely royal purple dress that swirled around her ankles as they danced.

She laughed and looked up at him. “You know more than country dancing. I had no idea.”

He gave her a grin. “I’m full of surprises, honey.”

She smiled back at him. “Yes, you are.”

They spent the evening dancing and talking with Megan’s ex-in-laws. They hugged Megan and seemed genuinely pleased to see her again and to meet Ryan.

As they danced around the hall, she caught glimpses of Bart watching her. She ignored him and focused on Ryan and the happiness that filled her heart.

After another dance, Megan excused herself to go to the ladies’ room. She took a tube of lipstick out of her purse and looked at her reflection in the mirror as she freshened up her makeup. The door to the room squeaked and from her side vision she saw Bart’s girlfriend, Barb, walk in.

Megan put her lipstick back into her purse. When she looked up, Barb was standing beside her, startling Megan.

Barb was a blonde bombshell with a beautiful figure and face. There was a time when Megan would have been envious of the woman, but those days were long gone. She wouldn’t trade her life for anything now. Besides, Barb had Bart. Megan figured she would have felt sorry for Barb if the woman hadn’t had an affair with her husband. They deserved each other.

But then again, Barb actually had done Megan a big favor.

“Megan, right?” Barb cocked her head.

“Yes,” Megan said. “And you’re Barb.”

The woman gave a nod. “Tell me what happened between you two.”

“Really?” Megan blinked at her in surprise. “You, of course.”

Barb frowned. “What other things were there that made your marriage bad? Because it wasn’t good, was it.” She said the last as a statement, not a question.

Megan paused. “I really don’t want to talk about it. That’s ancient history.”

“I want to know.” Barb clenched her hand on the countertop. “Did he call you names or verbally abuse you in other ways?”

Megan adjusted her purse on her shoulder. “Listen, Barb, that’s ancient history for me.”

“Well, it’s not for me.” Barb’s eyes looked red—either from anger or tears, Megan wasn’t sure.

“Like I said,” Megan repeated, “ancient history.”

Barb gave a nod. “I thought so. That’s the kind of bastard he is.”

“I concluded a while ago that Bart isn’t going to change,” Megan said. “Bart is Bart. I’m sorry to tell you that, but I suspect you know it already.”

Barb spun and marched out of the bathroom, anger on her features.

Megan shook her head. “That was weird,” she said under her breath.

As she walked back into the hall she saw Barb snatch her purse and her shawl from the chair beside the one Bart was occupying.

His chair nearly toppled as he got to his feet in a rush. Barb kept her voice down but it was clear she was furious with Bart. She turned and stormed out of the hall with Bart hurrying after her.

Megan mentally shrugged and went back to Ryan who handed her a cup of punch.

Moments later, Bart returned and strode to where Megan stood with Ryan. Bart ignored Ryan. To Megan he said, “What did you say to Barb?”

Megan studied him. “I said nothing to her. If you’re having problems, it’s your doing, Bart, not mine. Now please excuse us.”

Bart’s face was red. He stepped closer to Megan and opened his mouth, probably to spout some kind of insult, but Ryan stepped between them.

“Excuse us,” Ryan echoed. He put his arm around Megan’s shoulders and escorted her onto the dance floor. It was a slow dance and he held her close.