David(57)

When the priest came a minute later, we filed out of the room and into the church, taking our places at the altar. The organist began to play, and the congregation suddenly stood in one mass movement. Kirkland stepped to the center of the aisle and met with a pretty young redhead, a cousin of Kate’s, escorting her to the front of the church. Then it was my turn. I was escorting Mindy, a chubby little teenager who was so shy I thought she was going to run from the church during the rehearsal the day before. Her face was beet red today, but she managed to walk straight to me. But then I caught sight of Ricki behind her and I was the one who wanted to bolt.

Was it possible to love a woman so much that you couldn’t breathe every time you looked at her?

It took every ounce of willpower I had to turn away and escort poor Mindy to the front of the church.

Then it was Ash’s turn. Ricki walked proudly on his arm, and he leaned down to whisper something in her ear, causing her to shoot me a curious look. I had no idea what he’d said, but I was sure I would get an earful later.

And then Kate.

She was beautiful in her wedding dress. It was a simple white dress that had cap sleeves and a narrow waist, flowing down into a bell skirt just below her knees. Beautiful. And Donovan was clearly lost when he looked at her.

I winked at Ricki when I caught her eye, as we both watched the bride and groom step up to the priest. It would be our turn next.





Chapter 42




Ricki

There ceremony was beyond beautiful.

It wasn’t just, “do you take this woman” crap like it was on television. It was a full Mass complete with a double rosary, something I’d only seen once before at the wedding of a coworker years and years ago. Kate was radiant despite the tears rolling down her cheeks. And Donovan? There was no doubt in my mind that he was deeply in love with his bride.

“Kate, a tragedy broke us apart too many years ago to count. But a new tragedy brought us together and reminded us what it was we saw in each other to begin with. You are my friend, my lover, my confidant. I can’t imagine wanting to spend my life, have children, and walk into the future hand in hand with anyone but you.”

His vows broke my heart.

But then the sentimentality was over and it was time for fun.

The wedding reception was held in the ballroom of a local hotel. There was a live band and a dance floor and a four-course meal. It was elaborate but beautiful. Intimate but casual. I loved it.

“I want our reception to be just like this.”

David tugged me against his chest. “If that’s what you want.”

It was still difficult to get used to looking up at David. He was so much taller than I’d imagined he would be. I had thought it would be frightening. My stepfather often terrorized me by the sheer power of his height. So the idea of being with a man who was so much taller than me had always been something I wouldn’t even consider. I preferred my men to be weak in some way. David was anything but weak, even when he was in a wheelchair. It took our separation for me to finally realize that. He was still David—whether I had to look up at him or not.

We danced, our bodies moving together on the crowded dance floor as if we were alone in our own little world. No one could intrude on us. No one could come between us but ourselves, and I was pretty sure that wouldn’t happen again. Not any time soon, anyway.

We stayed until the groom cut the cake and the bride tossed her bouquet. And, guess what? I caught the bouquet. They said that the one to catch the bouquet was the next to be married. I guess it was convenient that David and I were already planning a winter wedding.

David watched his brother as the reception unfolded. I knew he was worried about him.

“He should find someone,” he said more than once, sometimes to me, sometimes under his breath. “He shouldn’t be alone.”

“You should use your amazing skills to find his fiancée,” I suggested almost offhandedly at one point. This light came on in David’s eyes.

“I should.”





Chapter 43




David

I could feel the curiosity in Ricki’s stare as I turned the car toward the opposite side of Santa Monica. She thought we were going home—my little cottage at the compound—unaware of the luggage I’d snuck into the back of the car before leaving for the wedding. I waited for her to ask, but much to her credit, she didn’t.

We pulled into the airport and drove straight to the tarmac.

“I thought Donovan and Kate were taking the private jet.”

“Ash arranged a special trip for them that didn’t require flying.” I reached over and took her hand, running my thumb over her engagement ring. “They’re going on a cruise…to Alaska of all places.”