When he rested an arm along the back of her chair, Cat sensed the sideways glances of the male guests. Being on display to strangers was nothing new but, surrounded by family, she resented the invasive curiosity.
Of course, it bothered her that one particularly handsome blond carpenter paid no attention to her. But the fact that she detected Hank’s indifference bothered her most of all.
Puzzling, then, that she couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. She watched him pull out a chair for the woman with whom he’d been chatting earlier.
She drained the contents of her water glass, letting one small ice cube flow into her mouth. When Hank’s face lit with laughter from something that other woman said, Cat ground the ice cube to bits. Stop staring!
As the waiters began serving the first course—a spicy gazpacho soup—her father adjusted his tie, stood up, and tapped his butter knife against the rim of his wineglass. On cue, the guests quieted down.
“I know the best man traditionally toasts the bride and groom, but I’ve asked Jackson to allow me the honor this evening.” His deep voice resonated throughout the tent. Cat’s father smiled at the wedding guests before settling a soft gaze on David. “No father has ever been prouder of a son than I have always been of you. You’ve lived your life with purpose, integrity, and principle, and you’ve been rewarded with the love of a woman who has always had the rare courage to be herself.”
Despite their troubles, David remained their father’s golden child, and now Vivi would enjoy some of that favor. Cat couldn’t deny any of the things her father said about the couple, but it stung to never be on the receiving end of such high praise.
“Vivi, you’ve been part of this family since childhood,” her father continued. “If David’s mother could be here with us tonight, her eyes would be shining to see you two as husband and wife. She predicted it long before anyone other than you thought it possible. On her behalf, I’d like to present you with this gift.”
He removed a small ring box from his jacket pocket. Inside sat Cat’s mother’s simple diamond-and-emerald band. Cat could barely believe two and a half years had passed since her death.
Recollections of her mother’s face and voice saturated her consciousness, drowning her in a sea of nostalgia and longing. When the fine hairs on her arms rose, she glanced around the party hoping to catch a glimpse of her mom’s loving eyes, but then tucked her chin for being so foolish.
Her father plucked the ring from the box and took Vivi’s trembling hand in his own. “I bought this ring for Graciela to commemorate David’s birth. She wore it every day until she died. She’d planned to give it to his wife one day, and I’m certain she couldn’t be more pleased than to see it find a home on your finger. Welcome to our family, officially this time.” He kissed Vivi’s hand. She surprised him by springing from her chair and embracing him. Tears streamed down her cheeks, leaving streaks of mascara in their wake.
Cat squirmed with empathy at her undemonstrative father’s awkward attempt to hug his sobbing daughter-in-law. She glanced at David as he tried to hide his flushed cheeks and watery eyes. The sight of her stoic brother coming undone formed another lump in her throat.
Like him, Cat shunned overly sentimental spectacles, especially in public. She sucked down another glass of champagne and blinked until the stinging behind her eyes subsided.
Some of the guests seemed to be searching the family table, probably expecting to hear Vivi’s dad’s father-of-the-bride speech. Oh, shoot. The drunkard was passed out in his room.
Cat toyed with the pearl necklace lying on her collarbone, mild perspiration dotting her forehead, as she considered how to spare Vivi discomfort. Before she could formulate a plan, Hank stood at his table with a glass in hand.
Surely all the other women in the room were now taking stock of his perfectly symmetrical features—the horizontal brows, straight nose, square jawline, and sinfully formed lips.
“Unfortunately, Mr. LeBrun wasn’t feeling well this evening, so he retired early. Before he left, he told me David had been watching out for Vivi for most of her life, so he knew she was in good hands now, and would be in the future. I’m pretty sure he’d appreciate my sharing his thoughts with all of you, and welcoming David to his family. I’ve had the privilege to get to know Vivi this past year, and it’s fair to say David is a lucky and wise man.”
When Hank’s clear green eyes lingered on Cat, she tensed with awareness. He paused, as if he wanted to say more, but then he didn’t. Instead, he raised his glass. “To David and Vivi.”