Ciara stood in the front row, ready to wrestle all the other girls. We’d been talking a lot about our relationships and what we expected from our boyfriends, and she’d clearly said she was hoping Aidan would propose soon. I was sure she wanted to catch the bouquet in the hope it’d give him a push in the right direction.
I stood a few steps behind Ciara, desperately wanting to fade in the background, as I always did. I hated having people’s eyes on me—being the center of attention had never been something I’d liked. I scanned the guests scattered around the big room, and when my eyes locked with David’s, everybody else disappeared. I couldn’t see or hear anyone else. It was just he, smiling at me and raising his thumbs, mouthing, go, girl! as if I were just about to take part in a race or something. I smiled back, feeling reassured, and didn’t even hear Kathy count backwards. I turned toward the commotion just in time for the bouquet to fall into my hands.
I let out a gasp just as the other girls, including Ciara, let out various annoyed sounds. My cheeks flushed red hot, and my first reaction was to toss it to someone else, as if it were on fire. I looked up from the bunch of white roses and saw all eyes, including the waiting staffs’, were on me. I wanted the ground to swallow me whole.
“That’s brilliant!” Kathy clapped her hands and came toward me with open arms. I wondered if she’d take offense if I asked her to take the bouquet back, and maybe toss it again to make someone else happy.
“Ah, dude. Now you’re in trouble!”
I recognized Chris’s American accent and cringed, not wanting to see David’s reaction to his comment. What if he felt trapped or thought I’d planned all this with his sister so that he’d feel forced to do something he didn’t want to?
I turned to where David was; I needed to gauge his reaction, but before I could even scan the room his hands were on my cheeks and his lips on mine. His quick but gentle kiss slowed the wild beating of my heart down to a normal rate, and I felt a little reassured.
“I didn’t mean to—”
His lips on mine again cut me off, and when a loud cheer came from the guests, he pulled away and chuckled against my mouth.
“Great catch, baby,” he whispered in my ear, then he stole the bouquet from my hand and with a shout, lifted it like a trophy, while he wrapped his arm around my waist. Everyone cheered as if he’d just won the gold medal, and I couldn’t help laughing at how he’d managed to pull me out of the embarrassing situation. I was sure he’d known exactly how I was feeling and he’d done it all just to save me from it.
Music started in the adjoining room and everyone moved toward the dance floor, forgetting about us. David placed a soft kiss on my cheek. “You’re welcome.”
“You know this is only a silly superstition, right? I mean, you don’t have to feel forced to do anything or get scared or—”
“You mean you don’t want to marry me?” he asked, wide-eyed and bringing a hand to his heart. I blushed hard and he chuckled. I’d marry him tomorrow, if he asked me—but I obviously wasn’t going to admit that and scare him off. “Relax, baby. It’s just a bunch of flowers. I promise I won’t be running in the other direction when you turn around.”
He kissed the tip of my nose, then moved down to my lips where he lingered a little, seeing as we’d been left alone in the room.
“Glad to hear that.” I smiled against his lips and pulled back a little. “I don’t really want to start looking for another boyfriend just yet.”
He moved away from me with raised eyebrows, feigning indignation, but as soon as I walked past him giggling, he playfully slapped my butt.
“You’ll be looking for another boyfriend over my dead body, woman.”
I giggled again, then turned and took his hand, pulling him toward the room where nearly everyone was swaying on the dance floor. I was hoping he’d ask me to dance, pull me into his arms and hold me close but he led me to a set of chairs by the dance floor instead. He sat, put the bouquet on an empty chair next to his, then pulled me down onto his lap, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder. Oh, well, this won’t be so bad either.
After the current song ended, Mr. O’Hagan, who’d been dancing with the bride, came over to us and smiled while extending his hand toward me.
“Mind if I steal this beautiful lady for a dance, Son?”
David chuckled, his warm breath tickling my neck. “We’re not in the sixties anymore, Dad. Women can make their own decisions, ya know?”
I swatted his thigh. “I sure can make my own decisions so yes, I’d love to dance with you, Ronan. Thank you for inviting me.”
It still felt a little weird to address David’s parents by their first names, but they were adamant I felt like a member of their family and had insisted until I’d finally stopped calling them Mr. and Mrs. O’Hagan every time I saw them.
I took his hand and stood up, stuck out my tongue at David, and followed Ronan onto the dance floor. A slow Sinatra song started and I let him lead me around, twirling me and catching me just like a professional dancer.
“You have quite fabulous moves,” I said when he pulled me close again. He chuckled.
“Beth insisted we take dance lessons before we got married. I didn’t really look forward to that, but love can make you do funny things. Like learning to dance when you have two left feet.” He pushed me away and twirled me around, pulling me back before I’d even realized what had happened.
“Are you saying I should enroll David in a dance school?”
He laughed. “Dunno about that, but I have to say my boy’s pretty smitten about you so maybe he’d go. I dare say he might even jump off a cliff if you asked.”
Heat flushed my cheeks, and I chuckled nervously.
“I haven’t seen him this happy ever since the accident, you know? He looks . . . he looks as if he’s finally at peace with himself, as if all the demons that were haunting him after Declan’s death have finally gone to rest.” He twirled me one last time as the song approached the end and dipped me, making me gasp in surprise before I let out a laugh.
When he pulled me up, he was smiling. “Thank you for bringing my boy back from wherever he’d gone. Beth and I thought we’d never see him truly happy again.”
He winked, took an exaggerated and very old-fashioned bow, and spun around, looking for his wife. I stood speechless on the dance floor for a moment, pondering his words. Whenever I’d seen him, he’d always been a very quiet man, and the last thing I’d expected was to have such a conversation with him. His words had filled my heart with warmth and happiness. I was truly blessed to have become part of such a wonderful family; I hoped with all my heart I’d never have to leave them.
Chapter Twenty-eight
David
I sat in a secluded corner of the room, sipping a glass of sparkling white wine and looked at my family members laughing and having fun on the dance floor. It was heart-warming to finally see true happiness shining on their faces after all the months that grief and despair had hovered over our family, weighing down our hearts like rocks in our pockets.
After losing Declan and thinking Kathy would be paralyzed for the rest of her life, our lives had been ripped apart, and even though we’d known we’d had to keep living, none of us had found any real happiness ever since that bloody January day—not until Declan had come back to help Kathy and she’d told us how he’d healed her.
As I watched my little sister dancing with her husband—gee, it sounded so weird to call him that—I realized that this was more than any of us would’ve thought possible after the accident.
Today was a celebration of Kathy and Colin’s love, but it was also a celebration for our family—that was why Kathy had picked May 10th, the day of Declan’s birthday, as her wedding day. She’d wanted this event to be as much about him as about her; even though we’d gotten on with our lives, none of us had forgotten him, the wonderful person he’d been and the way he’d touched all of us, even after he was gone.
&nb
sp; My throat had constricted during my quick speech and I’d cut it short, raising the glass in a toast to Declan’s birthday because I was afraid I’d start bawling in front of everyone. It didn’t matter how many months had passed, or that I knew he was happy where he was: I still missed him and still needed him by my side.
Kathy laughed when Colin lifted her off the floor and twirled her around once, her arms wrapped around his neck, the soft layers of her ivory gown flowing like petals. The blissful smile on both their faces left no space for doubt: my hopelessly romantic sister had finally achieved her happily-ever-after, and I couldn’t help wondering if I was headed the right way for my own personal one.
The velvet jewelry box was burning a hole in my pocket. I’d been carrying it around for a few days now, and I was waiting for the perfect moment to propose. Was it too soon? Maybe in some people’s eyes it would look a little rushed, but to my family and to Claire I was pretty sure it would feel just right. I’d never had the slightest intention of proposing to Michelle, and never until I’d met Claire had I believed in soul mates and things happening for a reason, in spite of what my brother had taught me after his death.
Never had I been surer of something than I was now. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with this cute, nerdy redhead who had stolen my heart from the moment she’d crashed into me. I wanted to wake up next to her every day, enjoy romantic dinners, go on holiday somewhere warm where she’d have to wear a bikini and show off her amazing body, spend weekends snuggled up on the couch watching a movie and eating popcorn, and drive with her up to County Sligo and visit Kathy and Colin, then explore the area.
I wanted beautiful babies with her same gorgeous hair and maybe my eyes. If only a few months ago someone had told me I’d be planning to get married and start a family with a girl I’d known all of eight months, I would’ve laughed in their face. But Claire made it all worth it—everything felt different when it came to her.
I wondered if Declan would be happy I’d finally grown up and was ready to settle down, or if he’d think this was too soon. Thinking of what had happened only a few minutes ago, I had a feeling my brother had somehow maneuvered the whole thing so that the bouquet would land in Claire’s hands, thus giving me a push the only way he could from where he was now. I could only hope this was his blessing to us.
I watched as Claire danced with my father and I felt a silly pang of jealousy hit me. Neanderthal as it sounded, I didn’t want anyone to touch her, hold her or be that close to her. I’d never felt like this with any of my previous girlfriends, and this was yet more evidence of how deep my feelings for Claire ran.
My father dipped her, making her laugh, then he took a bow and made a beeline for my mother. Claire turned and I smiled at her from my chair, curling my finger in a come-hither gesture. I watched as she sashayed toward me, her hips swaying sexily, and the curls that had escaped her intricate hairdo bouncing like soft springs. My heart filled with warmth and love, and if I’d had the slightest doubt before it was gone now. I loved her with every breath and every beat of my heart, and I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, showering her with love and attention, showing her just how special she was. I only had to pop the question now, and make sure she’d say yes.
“Aren’t you going to ask me to dance?” She smirked at me and I rolled my eyes at her teasing. We’d talked about dancing when we’d found out that Kathy and Colin had taken dance lessons for the wedding, and I’d told her I was a real klutz when I was on the dance floor.
“You asked for it. Don’t come complaining because I stepped on your toes.” I stood up, taking the hand she had stretched out toward me, and dragged her onto the dance floor, stomping my feet as if I were going to the gallows. Honestly, though, I couldn’t wait to hold her close to me while we swayed to a slow song—I didn’t really need to know how to waltz, right?
I pulled her close to my chest with one hand and placed the other hand on the small of her back, where the silk of her dress gave way to her velvety skin. She shivered as my fingers grazed her bare skin, and I smiled.
“Have I told you how sexy you look in this dress?” I whispered in her ear. She shuddered again and goosebumps covered her arms. The Neanderthal in me gave a loud roar, happy to see how I affected her.
“Um . . . about twenty or thirty times, I think.” I could hear the smile in her voice, and I was positive she’d given an inward eye-roll at my comment.
“As much as I love you in this dress, I have to admit I’ve been fantasizing all day about the moment I’ll peel it off you tonight.”
She giggled against my chest and pulled slightly back to look at me. Her eyes were alight with amusement. She was so beautiful I thought my heart would burst at any time.
“I’m glad I didn’t place a bet with your sisters, or I’d be broke now.” I frowned, and her smile turned cheeky. “Maggie and Kathy both thought you’d probably be thinking more about taking it off me than how I looked in it.”
I laughed. “Seems like my sisters know me well.”
She nodded, and rested her cheek back against my chest. I spent the rest of the song enjoying the feel of her warm, slim body against mine, grazing her back every now and then and feeling a jolt of pleasure every time she shivered against my touch.
Yep, definitely can’t wait for tonight.
I managed to dance through the whole song without stepping on her lovely, turquoise-polished toes, and sighed dramatically when the song was over, wiping my brow with the back of my hand in mock relief.
She laughed and I took her hand, pulling her off the dance floor toward the big windows that led into the garden. I needed to be alone with her and finally make my move—the one that would change our lives, as we knew them. Even though she’d looked flabbergasted when the bouquet had fallen into her hands, I knew she wasn’t against marriage and wanted one for herself one day. I was positive she wouldn’t spin on her heels and run away the moment I proposed. Well, at least I hoped I was right.
“Come with me. Let’s go for a stroll.”
Her eyes widened and she stopped in her tracks. “In these killer heels? Do you want to see me face-plant into the gravel? I’ve already pushed my luck too far today.”
I placed a soft kiss against her temple and pulled her close to my side, wrapping my arm around her waist.
“Don’t worry. I’ll look after you and make sure you stay upright.”
We walked out into the huge garden that was bathed in the afternoon sun. The sky was a deep shade of blue and was dotted with scattered fluffy clouds, a typical Irish spring day. The smell of wet grass and flowers in bloom hit my nostrils and I was brought back to my childhood days, when Declan and I used to run through the fields with our friends.
Now’s not the time for sad thoughts, O’Hagan. Focus on the task at hand.
We strolled along the gravel path, passing by geometrical flowerbeds, taking in the beautiful sights all around us. Claire wobbled a little every now and then; I had no idea how Maggie had convinced her to wear those heels, but I was sure after today she’d probably put them back into their box and forget about them. Then again, she could always wear them for me in her bedroom, with some sexy, lacy lingerie and . . .
“It’s such a perfect day for a wedding. Kathy’s been really lucky.” Claire let out a sigh of contentment, pulling me out of my dirty thoughts. She looked at me with a heart-warming smile that made me feel all giddy, like a teenager on his first date. I nodded, and my throat constricted with emotion. Why was I suddenly turning into a jelly-legged mess?
“I’m the lucky one, ’cause I’ve got you,” I blurted out in a dreamy tone that didn’t sound like my own voice at all.
Her smile widened and she took my hands, bringing them to her lips. “We’re both lucky to have met each other. Some people go all their lives without knowing what it feels like to be truly loved. I’ve only had to wait twenty-four years, after all, and look what a hunk I’ve caught.”
I chuckled, and the
knot in my stomach slowly eased as I pulled her flush to me. She let go of my hands, and I wrapped both my arms around her waist. She rested her cheek against my shoulder and everything felt just right. I felt complete, and I knew I wouldn’t need anyone or anything else to be happy, if Claire was with me.
“I’m going to check out a house on Monday. Can you come along?”
“A house?” She pulled back just a little so she could look at me. I met her quizzical stare, and my resolve crumbled just a little. Maybe I was running too fast? “I thought you were looking for a bachelor pad?”
I shrugged and let go of my hold on her. “Well, um . . . I thought . . . since I’m moving I might as well look for something permanent and, well, with the income from my new job I can afford to go for something a little bigger, a place that could come in handy when I decide to start a family.”
“When you . . . start a family?” Her eyes widened, and I couldn’t help the grin that broke across my face. Okay, this was my cue to come clean.
“Yeah, you know, since you’re around and all, I was wondering . . .” I cleared my throat, and my voice wobbled a little.
I took a step back from her, pulled out the small, black velvet box from the inside pocket of my jacket and went down on one knee, opening it so she could see the ring I’d carefully chosen for her. “What are you doing for the rest of your life, Claire?”
Her jaw dropped and she brought a hand to her mouth, while a veil of tears filled her eyes, making them sparkle against the sunlight. I truly hoped they were happy tears, otherwise I’d punch myself for ruining things because I’d been too eager to let her know she was the one.
“Are you . . . is this . . . um . . .” She swallowed and blinked a couple of times, causing a tear to spill over.
“Yeah, I guess I’m asking you to marry me, beautiful girl.” My eyes locked with hers and I found my answer there. With the sunlight shining on her face they’d turned a warm shade of caramel, and even though they glistened with emotion, the smile on her face that made them crinkle at the corners assured me those in her eyes were definitely happy tears. “I know maybe it seems a little too soon but we know just too well how unexpectedly life can change, and if I have to be completely honest, I don’t need to wait another year or two to know you’re the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. I’ve known from the moment I kissed you for the first time that I’d never love anyone else the way I love you. We’ve got a once-in-a-lifetime love, and I don’t want to waste another moment. Besides,” I continued, giving her a wink and one of my cheeky grins I knew she loved, “you caught the bouquet, so we need to get married before the year is through. It’s bad luck to break this tradition.”
Saved by an Angel Page 25
