Because Rachel was walking towards him. Rachel, in a wispy, floating silk gown of all the colours in the rainbow. With her hair floating free. With a bouquet of simple white frangipani. She looked stunning. She looked...
Like Rachel.
Hugo was escorting her. He was smiling and smiling—but Rachel wasn’t smiling. She was looking overwhelmed, he thought, as though the enormity of what she was doing was suddenly overtaking her.
And, with a flash of insight, he thought, She’s done this before. She’s taken these vows.
The marriage celebrant was waiting, a friend of Maud’s who’d flown from Darwin. She was beaming.
Everyone was beaming but the bride.
In a moment it’d start. Rachel would be asked to make the vows she’d made before, and suddenly Finn knew why she was hesitating. Memories were superimposing themselves—memories that had no place to be here.
It wasn’t this place. The memories here were good. It was the service itself, the words...
Words she’d tried to mean before.
This time was different.
He had to make it different.
Instinctively he stepped forward and took her hand, and then turned so they were facing the small group of people they knew and loved. He pressed her hand, and then he spoke.
‘In a moment Dorothy will ask us to make some vows,’ he said, partly to their friends, but mostly talking to Rachel. He was talking to the woman he loved. ‘We’ve decided we’ll take those vows, and we will mean them. But, before we do...I have one of my own to add.’
He tugged Rachel towards him, he met her questioning gaze and he smiled at her.
‘I ask all here to witness,’ he said slowly, seriously, ‘that if I ever knowingly hurt this woman who I love with all my heart, then I give full and open permission for Hugo to transfer me to one barren Kimberley island with nothing but one rain jacket and one waddy. And I’ll sign a document to swear it, this very day.’
There was a ripple of laughter. The tension faded from Rachel’s face and he saw the first trace of a smile.
‘I swear,’ he repeated. ‘My love, I swear it. I will never hurt you.’
‘My honourable scoundrel,’ she whispered. ‘Oh, Finn, of course you won’t hurt me.’
‘And you?’ he asked. ‘Is there anything you’d like to say before we ask Dorothy to do her bit?’
‘I’d ask to come with you,’ she said softly. ‘On any island you’re ever left on. Because, left alone, I doubt you could even handle a waddy. Or put up flags. So maybe we should just agree not to hurt.’
‘I’m cool with that,’ he said. ‘So I believe it’s a bargain, made before witnesses. And now I need to ask you...Rachel Cotton, do you trust me enough to want Dorothy to marry us?’
‘I’m happy to carry on,’ Dorothy said mildly. ‘When you’re ready.’
And Rachel looked directly into his face and what she saw there made her smile. It wasn’t laughter, though. It was something far, far deeper, and it was something that promised to last a lifetime.
Her smile widened. She smiled and she smiled, as a bride should on her wedding day.
‘I’m ready,’ she whispered as the shadows disappeared to nothing. Only joy remained. ‘I’m ready for whatever life throws at us. I’m ready for rainbows, Finn Kinnard; for anything as long as we’re together.’
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt of Single Dad's Holiday Wedding by Patricia Thayer!
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CHAPTER ONE
SHE still wasn’t sure if coming here was a good idea.
Lorelei Hutchinson drove along First Street to the downtown area of the small community of Destiny, Colorado. She reached the historic square and parked her rental car in an angled spot by a huge three-tiered fountain. The centerpiece of the brick-lined plaza was trimmed with a hedge and benches for visitors. A pathway led to a park where children were playing.
She got out, wrapped her coat sweater tighter against the cold autumn temperature and walked closer to watch the water cascade over the marble structure. After nearly twenty years many of her memories had faded, but some were just as vivid as if they’d happened yesterday.
One Christmas she remembered the fountain water was red, the giant tree decorated with multicolored lights and ornaments and everyone singing carols. She had a family then.
A rush of emotions hit her when she recalled being in this exact spot, holding her father’s hand as he took her to the park swings. One of the rare occasions she’d spent time with the man. He’d always been too busy building his empire. Too busy for his wife and daughter. So many times she had wanted just a little of his attention, his love. She never got it.
Now it was too late. Lyle Hutchinson was gone.
With a cleansing breath, she turned toward the rows of storefront buildings. She smiled. Not many towns had this step-back-into-the-nineteen-thirties look, but it seemed that Destiny was thriving.
The wind blew dried leaves as she crossed the two-lane street and strolled past Clark’s Hardware Store and Save More Pharmacy, where her mother took her for candy and ice cream cones as a child. A good memory. She sure could use some of those right now.
There was a new addition to the block, a bridal shop called Rocky Mountain Bridal Shop. She kept walking, past an antiques store toward a law office with the name Paige Keenan Larkin, Attorney at Law, stenciled on the glass.
She paused at the door to the office. This was her father’s town, not hers. Lyle Hutchinson had made sure of that. That was why she needed someone on her side. She pushed the door open and a bell tinkled as she walked into the reception area.
The light coming through the windows of the storefront office illuminated the high ceilings and hardwood floors that smelled of polish and age, but also gave off a homey feeling.
She heard the sound of high heels against the bare floors as a petite woman came down the long hall. She had dark brown hair worn in a blunt cut that brushed her shoulders. A white tailored blouse tucked into a black shirt gave her a professional look.
A bright smile appeared. “Lorelei Hutchinson? I’m Paige Larkin. Welcome home.”
* * *
After exchanging pleasantries, Lori was ushered into a small conference room to find a middle-aged man seated at the head of the table, going through a folder. No doubt, her father’s attorney.
He saw her and stood. “Lorelei Hutchinson, I’m Dennis Bradley.”
She shook his offered hand. “Mr. Bradley.”
When the lawyer phoned her last week, and told her of her father’s sudden death and that she’d been mentioned in his will, she was shocked about both. She hadn’t seen or talked with her father since she’d been seven years old.
All Lori was hoping for now was that she could come into town today, sign any papers for Lyle’s will and leave tomorrow.
The middle-aged attorney began, “First of all, Lorelei, I want to express my condolences for your loss. Ly
le wasn’t only my business associate, but my friend, too.” He glanced at Paige and back at her. “I agreed to see you today knowing your reluctance. Your father wanted the formal reading of his will at Hutchinson House tomorrow.”
Great. Not the plans she had. “Mr. Bradley, as you know, I haven’t seen my father in years. I’m not sure why you insisted I come here.” He’d sent her the airline ticket and reserved a rental car. “If Lyle Hutchinson left me anything, couldn’t you have sent it to me?”
The man frowned. “As I explained on the phone, Ms. Hutchinson, you’re Lyle’s sole heir.” He shook his head. “And that’s all I’m at liberty to say until tomorrow at the reading of the will. Please just stay until then. Believe me, it will benefit not only you, but this town.”
Before she could comprehend or react to the news, the door opened and another man walked into the room. He looked her over and said, “So the prodigal daughter finally made it to town.”
The big man had a rough edge to him, his dark hair a little on the shaggy side. He was dressed in charcoal trousers and a collared shirt, minus the tie. His hooded blue-eyed gaze fringed by spiky black lashes didn’t waver from her.
Paige stood. “Jace, you shouldn’t be here. This is a private meeting between me and my client.”
He didn’t retreat. “I just wanted to make sure she doesn’t take the money and run. Lyle had obligations he needed to fulfill before that happens.”
Lori wasn’t sure how to handle this—Jace’s attack. But having heard of her father’s shrewd business deals, she wasn’t surprised by the man’s anger.
“I’m Lorelei Hutchinson, Mr....”
He stepped closer. “Yeager. Jace Yeager. Your father and I were partners on a construction project until I realized Lyle pulled one over on me.”
“Jace,” Bradley warned. “Work stopped because of Lyle’s death.”
The man made a snorting sound. “It wouldn’t have if Lyle had put his share of money into the business account in the first place.” He glared at Lori. “Sorry if my impatience bothers you, but I’ve been waiting nearly three weeks and so have my men.”
“Be patient a little while longer,” Bradley told him. “Everything should be resolved tomorrow.”
That didn’t appease Mr. Yeager. “You don’t understand. I can’t keep the project site shut down indefinitely, or I go broke.” He turned that heated look on her and she oddly felt a stirring. “It seems tomorrow you’re coming into all the money. I want you to know that a chunk of that belongs to me.”
Lori fought a gasp. “Look, Mr. Yeager, I don’t know anything about your partnership with Lyle, but I’ll have Paige look into it.”
Jace Yeager had to work hard to keep himself under control. Okay, so he wasn’t doing a very good job. When he’d heard that Lorelei Hutchinson was coming today, he only saw red. Was she going to stroll in here, grab her daddy’s money and take off? He wasn’t going to be on the losing end with a woman again.
Not when his business was on the chopping block, along with his and Cassie’s future. Just about every dime he had was wrapped up in this project. And it was already coming to the end of October as it was, with only bad weather on the horizon. It needed to be completed without any more delays.
Jace looked over Lyle’s daughter. The pretty blonde with big brown eyes stared back at him. She had a clean-scrubbed look with a dusting of freckles across her nose, and very little makeup.
Okay, she wasn’t what he expected, but he’d been wrong about women before. And the last thing he wanted to do was work for her. After his ex-wife, he wasn’t going to let another woman have all the control.
He looked at Bradley. “What does Lyle’s will say?”
“It won’t be read until tomorrow.”
Lori saw Jace Yeager’s frustration, and felt obligated to say, “Maybe then we’ll have some news about the project.”
He glared. “There’s no doubt I will. I might not have your father’s money, Ms. Hutchinson, but I’ll fight to keep what’s mine.”
Jace Yeager turned and stormed out right past a tall redheaded woman who was rushing in. “Oh, dear,” she said, “I was hoping I could get here in time.” Her green eyes lit up when she saw Lori. “Hi, I’m Morgan Keenan Hilliard.”
“Lori Hutchinson,” Lori said as she went to shake Morgan’s hand.
“It’s nice to meet you. As mayor, I wanted to be here to welcome you back to town, and to try and slow down Jace. Not an easy job.”
Since Paige and Bradley had their heads together going over papers, they walked out into the hall. “I’m not sure if you remember me.”
“I remember a lot about Destiny. Like you and your sisters. You were a little older than I was in school, but everyone knew about the Keenan girls.”
Morgan smiled. “And of course being Lyle’s daughter, everyone knew of you, too. I hope you have good memories of our town.”
Except for her parents’ marriage falling apart, along with her childhood. “Mostly, especially the decorated Christmas tree in the square. Do you still do that?”
Morgan smiled. “Oh, yes and it’s grown bigger and better every year.” She paused. “Our mom said you have a reservation at the inn for tonight.”
She nodded. “I don’t feel right about staying at the house.”
The redhead gripped her hand. “You don’t have to explain. I only want your visit here to be as pleasant as possible. If there is anything else, any details about your father’s funeral.”
Lori quickly shook her head. “Not now.”
Morgan quickly changed the subject. “Look, I know Jace isn’t giving you a very good impression at the moment, but he’s having some trouble with the Mountain Heritage complex.”
“I take it my father was involved in it, too.”
Morgan waved her hand. “We can save that discussion for another time. You need to rest after your trip. Be warned, Mom will ask you to dinner...with the family.”
Lori wasn’t really up to it. She wanted a room and a bed, and to make a quick call back home to her sister.
Morgan must have sensed it. “It’s only the family and no business, or probing questions. We’ll probably bore you to death talking about kids.”
Lori relaxed. She truly didn’t want to think about what would happen tomorrow.
“You’re right. That’s what I need tonight.”
* * *
That evening as Jace was driving to the Keenan Inn, he came to the conclusion that he’d blown his chance earlier today. He tapped his fist against the steering wheel, angry about the entire mess.
“Daaad, you’re not listening.”
Jace looked in the rearview mirror to the backseat. “What, sweetie?”
“Do I look all right?”
He glanced over his shoulder. His daughter, Cassandra Marie Yeager, was a pretty girl. She had on stretchy jean pants that covered coltish long legs and a pink sweater that had ruffles around the hem. Her long blond hair had curled around her face with a few tiny braids. Something she’d talked him into helping with.
“You look nice. But you always do.”
“We’re going to Ellie’s grandmother’s house. Ellie Larkin is my best friend.”
“I think she’ll like your outfit.”
“What about my hair?”
“Honey, I’ve always loved your blond curls. The braids are a nice touch.”
That brought a big smile to her face and a tightening in his throat.
All he ever wanted was for her to be happy.
When they’d moved here six months ago, it hadn’t been easy for her. He still only had temporary custody of his daughter. It was supposed to be only during the time when her mother remarried a guy from England. Jace had different plans. He wanted to make Cassie’s life here with him permanent. Optimistic that could happen, he went out and bought a run-down house with horse property. Although it needed a lot of work, it felt like the perfect home for them. A couple horses helped coax his seven-year-old daughter into adjusting a little faster to their new life.
A life away from a mother who’d planned to take his Cassie off to Europe. He was so afraid that his little girl would end up in boarding school and he’d only get to see her on holidays.
No, he wouldn’t let that happen. A product of the foster care system himself, he’d always longed for a home and family. It hadn’t worked out with ex-wife Shelly, and that mistake cost him dearly—a big divorce settlement that had nearly wiped him out. Jace hadn’t cared about the money, not if he got his daughter. He only hoped they weren’t going to be homeless anytime soon.
His thoughts turned to Lorelei Hutchinson. He didn’t like how he reacted to her. Why had she angered him so much? He knew why. She had nothing to do with Lyle’s business dealings. But she was due to inherit a lot of money tomorrow, and he could be handed the shaft at the same time. It could cost him everything that mattered. His daughter. No, he wouldn’t let that happen.
He pulled up in front of the beautiful three-story Victorian home painted dove-gray with white shutters and trim. The Keenan Inn was a historical landmark, a bed-and-breakfast that was also the home of Tim and Claire Keenan. Jace had heard the story about how three tiny girls had been left with them to raise as their own. That would be Morgan, Paige and Leah. After college all three returned to Destiny to marry and raise their own families.
Right now there was someone else staying in the inn—Lorelei Hutchinson. Somehow he had to convince her that this downtown project needed to move forward. Not only for him, but also for Destiny.
A Bride For The Maverick Millionaire (Journey Through The Outback #2) Page 17
