For a moment it didn’t seem that she would manage a smile, but one appeared, if a little weak. “Yes, you’ve done a wonderful job, Darlene.”
Darlene sent a really warm smile to her new daughterin-law. “Thank you. I wanted it to be a special day for you both.”
Then it was a pity she had mentioned Drake, Tate thought, surprised that his mother and Gemma had hit it off so well. Of course, the two women didn’t know it, but they had a lot in common. Both of them had betrayed the men in their lives. Perhaps that’s why his mother had a soft spot for Gemma.
And perhaps Gemma sensed it.
#p#分页标题#e#
It would explain a lot.
Tate was grateful Bree chose that moment to come up to them carrying Nathan. He didn’t want to think about what had happened between Gemma and Drake. She was his wife now. There would be no opportunity for those two to get together in the future. He’d make damn sure of it.
Gemma went to lift Nathan out of Bree’s arms. “Here, let me hold him.” She tried to pretend she hadn’t heard Darlene and Tate talking about Drake. At least she now knew why the other man hadn’t attended. Thank God he hadn’t! She hadn’t wanted to see him on her wedding day, but she hadn’t dared mention him, or Tate might think she was interested.
She wasn’t.
Not at all.
Her sister-in-law stepped back with a cool smile. “No, Nathan’s fine. Besides, we don’t want you to dirty that beautiful dress.”
Gemma really didn’t care about a dress that was off the rack, in spite of the fact that she and Nathan could have easily lived a year on the same amount of money. “That’s okay, Bree.”
“No, I insist. Besides, you and Tate need to circulate.” It was a reminder of why this wedding was taking place. “I’m happy to look after my nephew.” Bree walked off with Nathan in her arms.
Under different circumstances, Gemma would have gone after her and taken back her son, but Nathan was chuckling as Bree bounced him on her hip, so Gemma let him be.
Anyway, Bree’s issues were with Gemma, not Nathan. When she had commented on it, Tate had said his family knew nothing about their previous relationship. He’d said she must be imagining it. But Gemma was aware they all blamed her for keeping Nathan from them—everyone except Tate’s mother, who was the only Chandler to show her some sympathy.
And Darlene had paid the price for it. Gemma had noticed some tension in the air. Even Tate showed a hint of reserve with his mother, though it wasn’t something Gemma could put her finger on.
Just then two older ladies came up to them. “Oh, it was a lovely ceremony.”
Gemma acknowledged that the Chandlers had pulled out all the stops to get the wedding arranged in such a short time. Needless to say, it was amazing what one could achieve when there was money to spare and family honor at stake.
“And so adorable how you gave your little boy a kiss on the cheek,” the other woman said. “That was so sweet.”
“Yes, that was inspired,” Tate drawled, his meaning obvious, at least to her, though she noted Darlene gave him a sharp look.
Gemma ignored him. “Thank you. I wanted Nathan to be a part of it all.”
“Well, you did that very well, my dear.”
“It’s good that he has both his parents now, don’t you think?” the other lady said without menace.
Before Gemma could speak, Darlene stepped in, shepherding them away. “There’s someone over there I want you both to meet.”
“I didn’t kiss Nathan for show,” Gemma hissed at Tate, “despite what you obviously think.”
“Really? You went above and beyond the call of duty with that one.”
“It wasn’t a duty.”
“So you say.”
“Drop dead, Tate,” she said, the words falling out of her mouth before she could stop them.
He actually looked amused. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
“Married and widowed to you on the same day? Sounds good to me.”
“You won’t be so smart when we’re alone later.”
Her heart stuttered. “Wh-what?”#p#分页标题#e#
He stilled, then looked away. “Nothing,” he muttered. “Not a thing.”
She had the feeling that, like her, he’d spoken without thought. It had been the kind of thing they’d used to say when they were lovers. They hadn’t discussed it, but she knew Tate would not let himself want her again. Their wedding kiss might have felt like a reunion for a few heartbeats, but neither of them would be caught out again.
More guests came up to them, and Gemma tried to act relaxed, but she was glad when Tate excused himself to speak to his grandmother and his father, who were holding court across the room. Bree approached them, and Tate lovingly scooped Nathan out of his sister’s arms, making Gemma’s heart lilt. She’d been watching Tate with Nathan these past ten days, and she had no doubt he loved his son. Nathan had grown used to Tate, too. They looked relaxed and comfortable together, these four generations of Chandlers.