It Had to Be Them (An It Had to Be Novel Book 4)

by Tamra Baumann

  “Then we’ll just have to make this work no matter what.”

  Just as she was about to say something, his grandmother opened the door and announced, “The results are in!”

  Kline held up a finger to indicate to Ben’s grandmother that she needed a second. Kline stood at a crossroads about the election results. Which path should she take? No matter what she chose, this was it. No going back.

  One option would be to ask Mrs. Anderson not to announce the results and forfeit to Ben’s father. Then she and Ben could move to Denver and be together. Or, another option was to stay in Anderson Butte, do what she set out to do if she won, and see Ben only on the weekends for a very long year if he couldn’t get out of the contract.

  She whispered to Ben. “I want to come home. For good. No matter if I win or not. I want to teach here and be near my family. Are you okay with that? Even if it means things will suck for the first year if you can’t get out of the contract?”

  He nodded. “Yep. We’ll work it out.”

  Sam squeezed through the crowd. “Sorry I’m late! Here, Ben.”

  Ben held out his hand for the piece of paper Sam waved and said, “I asked the hospital personnel director to intercept my contract before the president got a chance to sign it. I owe the guy a weeklong stay here for him and his family.” He held up the pages and tore them in two. “I’m fired before I’m hired. We can stay now. But I need to ask Kline a question.”

  The whole diner went library quiet.

  Kline’s heart skipped a beat when she realized what booth they were sitting in. The same one as when he’d asked her to marry him before. When the jukebox played the exact same song that had been playing while he proposed the last time, she couldn’t stop the mile-wide smile that stretched her lips. “But do you think we should wait to find out if I won?” she teased.

  “I think you’ll want to hear this first.” Ben slid out of the booth and onto one knee. Then he pulled out her engagement ring box and tilted the lid. It took all she had not to reach out, snatch the ring, and slide it back on her finger where it had belonged for over ten years.

  “But I take being the mayor pretty seriously, Ben.”

  He shrugged and snapped the box closed. “Okay. I guess this can wait.”

  As the crowd groaned, Ben’s grandmother said, “You’re gonna give me a heart attack here with all the anticipation. Ask her already!”

  “That’s up to Kline.” Ben grinned at her. “Which is it?”

  “In the interest of everyone’s health, I think you’d better ask your question.” Her hands shook with excitement as she laid them in his outstretched palms. That his were slightly moist with nerves melted her heart. It was shaping up to be the best day of her life. Win or lose the election.

  Ben cleared his throat. “Kline, I’ve loved you all my life. I know I come with lots of meddling family, and patients who sometimes call me away during dinner, but I’d like nothing better than to know you’ll be there for me when I come home. Because as much as I’ve tried to make my house a home, it never felt like one until the other day when you were standing beside me in it. So will you marry me, Kline? Flaws and all?”

  All eyes in the room shifted to her.

  She’d come back to the US to lay down some roots, to make a home, and couldn’t think of a better life than one with Ben in it.

  Nodding, because it was hard to speak, she finally croaked out, “Yes!”

  When Ben slid her ring on, the dam burst. She wrapped her arms around him and whispered in his ear, “I will always be there for you, Ben. And I can’t wait to get started with the rest of our lives. Together.”

  “Me too.” He kissed her so tenderly it made her start crying all over again. When he leaned away, he said, “Now we should probably find out if I’ll be living with the mayor of Anderson Butte.”

  “’Kay.” Kline blinked away her tears as everyone slowly settled down. “Okay, Mrs. Anderson, so what’s the news? Good or bad?”

  “The news is looking good for me. I won Gloria’s pot. I knew you two were so stubborn that it’d take a few weeks for you to work things out. And now it looks like I’ve got myself a new relative and Anderson Butte has got a new mayor! Congratulations, Kline. You won!”

  Kline found herself pitched high into the air and on many shoulders as Ben’s father stomped out the door. She almost felt sorry for the guy. But not enough to withdraw. She was going to make some big changes in town.

  Ben’s uncle called out, “Let’s go back to my place. Drinks are on the house!”

  Kline was carried by her new constituents the block or so to Brewsters. She looked over her shoulder and found Ben as he walked close behind and smiled sweetly at her.

  She smiled too, and drew in a deep breath of cold, fresh air, grateful her mother had tricked her into coming back. Because for the first time in her life, she finally felt like she was home. With Ben. Right where she belonged.

  On a cold Saturday in January, Kline stood before the mirror in Ben’s oversize bathroom wearing her big terry cloth robe and feeling a bit sick to her stomach as she was about to take on the job of mayor. The distillery was going to be moved, Ben’s clinic was going to be built, and the birds would be saved, so she was pleased with that. But now to learn how to run a whole town when Ben’s dad wasn’t speaking to either of them.

  She lifted a hand to brush back her hair and smiled at the way the bright light made the diamond on her left hand sparkle.

  She’d worn the same ring when she’d been in college, anticipating her big fairy-tale wedding day, but now she just wanted to get married and get busy having kids. They’d waited long enough. She’d rather just do something quick and get it over with. But Ben said he was only getting married once and wanted the whole deal, a big celebration, with everyone in town, dancing and partying long into the night.

  Then they’d fly somewhere warm that had private huts and sandy beaches where they could make love whenever they wanted for an entire week. Nobody to interrupt their meals with family drama, no medical emergencies, just the two of them. The time alone together trumped the wedding part to her by far.

  Their wedding was the one big thing she and Ben disagreed on—every other day—and why they couldn’t settle on a date. When he’d asked if she’d trust him to take care of all the details, she’d agreed, but now there was a new complication and she needed to talk him into moving a tad quicker.

  Ben appeared behind her in his brand-new suit that fit like it was made just for him and wrapped his hands around her waist. “Ready for the big day, Mayor Grant?”

  She nodded. “I hope your dad changes his mind and comes. I could really use his advice on a few things. This not talking to us can’t be good for the town. Or his heart.” She hated how Ben’s father had cut Ben off too. It obviously hurt Ben and she hated to see him sad.

  “About that.” Ben’s jaw clenched. “You remember that I went to see him a few weeks ago and we talked? I had to promise him something to get him there. I’m not sure you’re going to like it at first, but please give it a chance. And know, it’s you I was thinking of when I promised it. If you absolutely don’t want to do it, the deal is off. No harm, no foul.”

  Her eyes narrowed in the reflection of the mirror before them. “What deal?”

  He nibbled on her neck and made her shiver. “It’s a surprise.” His lips moved to her jaw and made their way to her earlobe. He whispered, “One that I think will make many of your new constituents happy. It’s all about the greater good, right?” His mouth found hers and he slowly turned her body so she was pressed against his hard, sexy-in-a-suit one. He kissed her sweetly, and wasn’t fooling her for a second.

  She ended his attempt to distract her with a nip to his bottom lip. “Your theme song in life should be all about the greater good, Ben. Now go away and let me finish dressing.”

  He stood right where he was and let his hands wander all over her curves. “I love what a good sport you are, Kline. Have I told yo
u that lately?”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, “No. And for your sake, I hope whatever you’ve cooked up doesn’t end you up on the couch tonight.”

  Ben chuckled. “It’s still my house. You can’t make me sleep on the couch until you marry me.”

  “I can make wedding plans this afternoon. We can be co-owners of this lovely home by the end of next week. Just say the word.”

  “No thanks. I’m on top of it.” He patted her rear end. Then his phone buzzed in his pocket.

  Of course. Just when she was ready to try to get the whole wedding thing settled.

  “Saved by the cell.” She smacked his sexy butt in return. “Give me ten minutes and we’re out of here.”

  “’Kay.” He laid a quick kiss on her lips, then took his call.

  By the time Kline was ready, Ben’s phone had buzzed with five more texts and he’d excused himself to take two more calls. It was a Saturday, for goodness’ sake. Couldn’t everyone leave the man alone for one day? Shaking her head, she grabbed her coat and was about to put it on when Ben appeared by her side and took it from her.

  He held it out to help her into it. “Sorry about that. This is your big day. I promise I’ll do my best not to run off and spoil it.”

  “Thank you.” She wrapped her scarf around her neck. “But if it’s a medical emergency, I’ll understand.”

  Sam appeared in the hallway from the guest room. She’d said she wouldn’t miss the chance to see a Grant take office in Anderson Butte. “I’m on call for Ben today if anything comes up.”

  Ben crooked his arm for Kline to take. “See? I’m all yours now.”

  “Perfect.” Kline would bet a buck that wouldn’t last long, but she appreciated the thought.

  When they pulled up in front of the high school the parking lot was packed. Kline grabbed her cell from her purse to be sure they weren’t late. They were thirty minutes early, just as Ben’s grandmother had instructed. “Wow. It looks like almost everyone in town has come out for this.”

  After Ben helped her out of the car, they climbed the front steps and headed for the auditorium. Before they got there, Ben’s grandmother, her mom, and his sisters all rounded the corner. Casey said, “About time. Let’s go. We have to hurry and get you changed!”

  Changed? Kline turned to Ben. “What’s going on?”

  Ben smiled sheepishly as the women surrounded them. “You told me to handle this and I know the auditorium isn’t the most romantic location, but if you agree, I have these.” Ben pulled two boarding passes from his inside pocket. “Tahiti. For ten whole days, starting tomorrow.”

  Tahiti? “Wait a minute. I can’t be sworn in as mayor and then leave town the next day.”

  “Not even for your honeymoon?”

  “Honeymoon? Are we getting married today? That’s the deal you struck with your father?”

  Ben nodded. “Right before the swearing-in.”

  Ben’s grandmother held up a piece of paper. “I got myself all ordained online just so we could pull this off. Casey took care of the rest. You don’t have to do a thing, Kline, but say I do.”

  “This makes no sense. Your dad can’t stand me, Ben. Why would us getting married get him to come today?” She crossed her arms. “What’s really going on here?”

  Ben’s grandmother said, “This was my idea, Kline. I hate Ben and Mitch not talking and we’ve always had an Anderson run this town—”

  “Oh, now I get it.” Kline cut her off. “You marry us and then I become an Anderson, before I take office? That way Ben’s dad can calm down because an Anderson will still be running the town?”

  All the women nodded.

  “And Sam, you’re here to take over for Ben while we’re on our honeymoon, right?”

  “Yep. A working vacation.” Sam chuckled. “Kline, you look a little dubious. But let them show you the dress first, and I think you’ll start to see this is the perfect solution.”

  Kline turned to Ben. “You could’ve just taken me up on my offer to go to the courthouse in Denver last month and had the same result.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “I know. But this way, my dad can come too. You know his pride would’ve never allowed him to show up to our wedding otherwise, and it means a lot to me to have my only parent here today.”

  When Ben’s voice cracked with emotion, it made her eyes mist. The mayor was a jackass, but Ben still loved him. It was probably one of the many reasons she loved Ben. “How did you pull all of this off behind my back?”

  He smiled. “Everyone in town wanted to be a part of this day so badly that they’ve all kept this a secret from you for weeks, Kline. They love you. And I do too. So what do you say?”

  Kline glanced at her mother, who was nodding her head along with Ben’s sisters and Sam. Finally Ruth thumped her cane and said, “Make up your mind, Kline. I’m getting older by the second here. And I’m hungry for some damned cake!”

  “Thank you for doing all of this for us, Ben.” She leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed him. “It sounds perfect. See you out there.”

  Kline let the Anderson girls and her mother drag her to an empty classroom, where all sorts of makeup was scattered about and tons of shoes were lined up to choose from. Tara was fluffing the most beautiful lace wedding dress Kline had ever laid eyes on. “Wow,” was all Kline could squeak out, she was so impressed.

  Tara carefully pulled the dress off the hanger and laid it across Kline’s arms. “This is Ryan’s and my wedding gift to you, Kline.”

  Kline shook her head as she studied the intricate beading and gold thread details. “This is too much, Tara. I can’t—”

  Meg appeared with a matching veil. “Yes, you can. Now stop crying or your eyes will be all red and puffy. Here.” She stuck out the gossamer material with the same beading.

  Casey swatted her sister’s arm. “Be careful, Meg. It’s delicate, not a pair of jeans, for goodness’ sake.”

  Meg rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Let’s just get the show on the road, please. The natives are getting restless.”

  Kline smiled at the playful bickering that continued the whole time they dressed her and did her makeup.

  This is what having sisters must be like.

  She turned to see her mom blinking back happy tears and it made Kline want to cry all over again.

  Kline asked Tara, who had her hands in Kline’s hair, putting it up, “Is Ryan standing up with Ben?”

  She nodded. “He asked Josh and Zane too.”

  That meant Kline needed three. “Since we’re all going to be sisters now, will you guys do me the honor of being my bridesmaids?”

  Meg said, “About time you caught on and asked us, Kline. Geez.”

  It was almost time, and Ben still hadn’t seen his father. He hadn’t promised he’d come, just that he’d think about it. Ben paced in the hallway as he waited.

  Ryan joined him all decked out in his new suit and leaned against a locker. “He’ll be here.”

  Ben shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. What’s important is that Kline is happy about all of this.”

  “It does matter. That’s why I stopped by his house this morning and threatened to quit if he didn’t show. As I was walking out his front door, Casey showed up to tell Dad the same thing. Meg called him last night. He’ll be here.”

  His father couldn’t run his businesses without all of their help and he knew it. That they’d do that for him made Ben’s throat clog up a little. “Thanks.”

  Zane and Josh showed up with big grins on their faces. Josh said, “All ready, buddy?”

  Ben glanced out the front doors one last time and then nodded. He’d done all he could do. If his father didn’t show, it’d be his loss. “Let’s do this!”

  Ben opened the double doors leading to the auditorium and stood in the back until his grandmother gave the signal. Then he walked up the white runner someone had laid that covered the length of the center aisle.

&nb
sp; When he got to the raised platform up front, he gave his grandmother a peck on the cheek and then turned around to face the crowd. Seats on both sides of the aisle were filled to capacity with Grants, Andersons, and all the rest happily mixed in with each other.

  The music changed as the rear doors opened again and his niece and nephew started toward him. Haley held a basket of flower petals and threw them with wild abandon. Ty, looking sharp in his new suit, walked beside her carting the rings and looking like he’d rather be just about anywhere else. It made Ben smile. Screw his dad. He’d not let him ruin the wedding.

  It was getting hard to breathe as the music got louder and Meg and Josh started up the aisle. Meg, the town’s tomboy mischief-maker, had given Ben many sleepless nights in her youth, but now she was married to a great guy and had two fantastic kids. There were times he thought she’d never get her act together, but to see her now, with her hair actually up, makeup on, and that same sly grin on her face warmed his heart. Casey was right—he needed to stop babying Meg.

  Meg went to the other side of the dais and Josh joined Ben, as Ryan and Tara started up the aisle. Ryan, so shy Ben worried he’d never get over the girl who’d broken his heart in high school and be happy again, walked beside his beautiful fiancée, Tara, the one woman able to make Ryan want to speak in complete sentences. Ryan and Tara looked happy, and that made Ben glad.

  Next came Casey and Zane. Ben would’ve never guessed that Casey, the one who’d stayed home from college to help him raise Ryan and Meg, the Goody Two-shoes of the family, would be the one who was engaged to a bad-boy rock star. It was finally Casey’s turn to put herself first and allow herself the joy written all over her and Zane’s faces.

  Yeah, Kline was right. His job was done. They were all just fine. Who needed his father? He wasn’t the one responsible for Ben’s sibs turning out so well. That was Ben and Casey’s achievement, so his father could go straight to—

  His father and Sue Ann slipped in a side door and quickly sat in front beside Kline’s mother. After they were settled, his father glanced Ben’s way and hitched his chin. The closest thing he’d get to his father’s approval. It’d have to be enough.