The Gift of Love (Finding Love Book 9)

by Delaney Cameron

  “That’s easier said than done,” Jackson said. “Willow is hardly ever in one place long enough. At the moment, she’s on tour with Sage in Nevada.”

  “They have a tour stop in Atlanta sometime in July. It shouldn’t be too difficult to kidnap Lance and take him to the concert. Afterward, we can go backstage and introduce him to Willow.”

  “Is that all?” Jackson asked, laughing.

  “Nothing to it. What do you think, Leah?”

  “It might work, but you better keep these matchmaking plans to yourself. Summer isn’t very good at keeping secrets.”

  “That’s true.” Violet looked up at Jackson. “Are you on board?”

  “Do I have a choice?”

  “Not really.”

  “That’s what I thought. This should make for an interesting summer.”

  “Is someone talking about me?” Summer asked, sticking her head through the door.

  “We’re talking about the season,” Leah explained.

  “I’m much more exciting than that. I came to tell you guys that April and Barry are getting ready to leave. Garrett and I won’t be far behind.”

  Violet put away the last plate and folded up the towel. “Okay, okay. We’re coming.”

  Leah joined the others in the foyer to say goodbye. Within a few minutes, the noise and bustle of the last few hours was over. As if by tacit agreement, her parents disappeared into the kitchen, leaving her, Stratton and a sleepy Denver alone.

  “It’s time we got you to bed, darling,” she said, leaning over to kiss the top of Denver’s head. “My rowdy relatives have worn you out.”

  Stratton laughed as he swung Denver into his arms and followed her upstairs. “He’s not used to being around this many people.”

  “Mom just bought a new bed for the guestroom. You and Denver will be the first to sleep in it.”

  “That’s nice, but I doubt either one of us will have any trouble falling asleep.”

  Leah removed the throw pillows and turned down the covers. “It sounds like my family wore you out, too.”

  “In a good way. An evening like this would never happen with my parents. They’re intensely devoted to each other, but not as much to anyone else. Their interest in Sullivan, Jade and I has always been somewhat academic.”

  Leah didn’t know how to respond to that. Instead she busied herself getting Denver out of his play clothes and into his pajamas. That didn’t mean she forgot what Stratton said. His words went round and round in her head while she tossed and turned trying to go to sleep in the room she’d once shared with April.

  It wasn’t hard to understand why Stratton didn’t have much use for love. Between his parents and his ex-wife, he didn’t know what it was like to be loved to the exclusion of everything else. Would there ever come a time when he’d give her the chance to show him?

  Chapter Eleven

  Two weeks later Stratton and Leah were seated in the waiting area of the courthouse. On either side of them sat couples younger and embarrassingly more enthusiastic about being there. This wasn’t a scene he’d ever thought to be taking part in, and he could safely say the same for Leah. Someone of her romantic nature would never choose to be married with no one but a couple of strangers to serve as witnesses.

  He still believed this was the best way to handle their situation, but that didn’t stop him from feeling bad for the woman who’d agreed to take his name and be a mother to his son. At least what they were doing wasn’t permanent. At some point in the future, Leah would be free to meet and marry someone much more worthy of her than him.

  As predicted, her resignation from the clinic (and more precisely, the part about her involvement with him) had set off a swarm of rumors and speculation. As someone who didn’t want to know the intimate details of everyone he worked with, he couldn’t understand this level of interest in his affairs. Beyond the fact that he and Leah were getting married, what else was there to talk about?

  The one person whose joy in the proceedings couldn’t be doubted was Denver. Stratton had never seen his son so happy. It had been both gratifying and heartbreaking to listen to Denver make plans for a future he wouldn’t be around to enjoy. In an effort to make the marriage less like a business transaction, Stratton let Jade and Maria plan a small celebration. The two women spent yesterday preparing enough food to feed a crowd instead of the six people who would be there.

  Stratton’s glance shifted from the minute hand on the wall clock to Leah. She might not be marrying for the usual reasons, but she definitely looked the part of a bride. A very lovely one. The ivory dress hinted at enticing curves and brought out the intense blue of her eyes. He smiled slightly when he caught sight of the engagement ring on her finger. Its purchase had sparked a heated exchange between them two days earlier.

  Looking back, he conceded that giving it to her while she was hanging up clothes in their soon-to-be-shared dressing room hadn’t been the best time. Even if theirs wasn’t a romantic relationship, he should have planned things better. Women had all sorts of ideas about how certain events were supposed to be carried out.

  Maybe that’s why she looked at the jewelry box as if he was offering her a hand grenade. That was his first hint that he’d made a big mistake, but by then it was too late to change course. His second error was not telling her the real reason he wanted her to have the ring. Instead, he made up some rubbish about following tradition and keeping up appearances. He knew from the expression on her face that he was bungling the whole operation.

  She (correctly) pointed out that an engagement ring wasn’t necessary for a marriage in name only. This necessitated his use of emotional blackmail, something he would have preferred not to do. Asking her to wear it for Denver was beneath him, but it succeeded where everything else had failed. He’d been too thankful at the time to wonder why she teared up when he slid the ring on her finger. He was no wiser now.

  * * * * *

  As Leah and Stratton walked out into the late afternoon sunshine, her emotions were all over the place. On the one hand, she felt the wonder and awe that comes with marrying the one you love. On the other, she knew the misery and frustration of being unable to speak the words filling her heart.

  The ceremony itself seemed to go quickly, and yet she could vividly remember repeating her vows and hearing Stratton do the same. When they were pronounced man and wife, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. Their audience might have been disappointed by such a tame response from a newly married man, but Leah was relieved. She didn’t want her first kiss from Stratton to be in circumstances where he was just going through the motions. You didn’t get a second chance to do a first kiss. If and when she and Stratton did share such a moment, she wanted it to be something special; something neither of them would ever forget.

  “You made a beautiful bride, Mrs. Levy,” he said as he helped her into the truck.

  “Thank you, Mr. Levy or should I say Dr. Levy? You’re looking very handsome yourself.”

  He laughed as he removed his coat and laid it on the backseat. “Why does looking nice have to be so uncomfortable?”

  She waited until he joined her to answer. “I’m so used to being in scrubs and Crocs that when I wear high heels, my feet go into full protest mode.”

  “I don’t know how women can wear those things in the first place. They look like torture.”

  “For me, it’s pure vanity. I dislike being short.”

  “I see. Well, forget about that today and feel free to take off your shoes. I’ll be carrying you across the threshold soon enough.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “I don’t mind, and Denver will get a kick out of it.”

  Leah bit her lip to keep from laughing. There’s something every bride wants to hear on her wedding day. “We definitely don’t want to disappoint Denver.”

  He sent her a quick sideways glance. “I’m sorry. Did I put my foot in my mouth again?”

  “Not at all. I think we’re doing very w
ell all things considered.”

  “The credit for that goes mostly to you.”

  “Spoken like a new husband.”

  Stratton laughed as he drew up to the gate at the end of his driveway. “Then I’m doing something right for a change.”

  Leah smiled as the house came into view. Unlike many of its neighbors, the two-story dwelling was built in the Mediterranean style with peach-pink stucco, oversized arched windows, and a low-pitched, tiled roof. Numerous palm trees provided a splash of contrasting color as well as privacy. The most interesting feature about the house was a central courtyard with a colorful tiled floor, lush landscaping, and a fountain.

  “You have a beautiful home,” she said as they waited for the garage door to open.

  “According to the state of South Carolina, it’s your home, too.”

  Only for a while. Tears pricked her eyes as she remembered the event that would end this episode in her life. Not wanting Stratton to see her crying, she hurriedly unbuckled her seatbelt and reached down to get the ivory lace shoes she and Lydia spent an entire day in Columbia shopping for.

  Of all the people who knew about her marriage, Lydia had shown the least surprise. Make that no surprise at all. Apparently, she’d seen this coming a mile away because the ‘chemistry’ between Leah and Stratton was ‘off the charts’. Lydia’s chemistry meter needed tuning. It had divined Leah’s feelings well enough, but had clearly been wrong about Stratton’s.

  The sudden opening of the truck door startled her.

  “Ready for your trip across the threshold?” Stratton asked, smiling down at her.

  “Sure am,” she said. Seconds later when she was in his arms, his strong chin and stubble of dark beard just inches away, she knew she’d spoken too soon. She was nowhere near ready for what was to come.

  “It looks like it’s going to rain later,” he said as they made their way to the front door. “Hopefully it’ll hold off until after our little party. Jade and Maria decided to have our reception in the courtyard.”

  Before she could reply, the front door burst open and Denver appeared. “They’re here, Aunt Jade!” he shouted over his shoulder. “What are you doing, Daddy?”

  Stratton carried Leah into the foyer and set her gently on her feet. “Carrying your mommy into her new home.”

  Denver tilted his head to the side. “You didn’t do it yesterday. Or the day before.”

  “She wasn’t my wife yesterday or the day before.”

  The confused look on Denver’s face brought a smile to Leah’s, but in typical fashion, his attention quickly moved elsewhere. “Come see the cake, Mommy. It’s got a tiny man and woman on top. They’re supposed to be you and Daddy, but they don’t look like you. Aunt Jade says we have to pretend.”

  “Let me put on my shoes first,” she said, sitting down on what Denver called the dragon chair because of its clawed feet and intricately carved back.

  “Why are your legs so white, Mommy?”

  “I’m wearing panty hose.” She pulled the material away from her skin. “They’re kinda like really long socks.”

  He squinted up at Stratton. “Do you have any?”

  Stratton chuckled as he straightened his tie. “No, bud. Panty hose are for women.”

  “Like dresses and the stuff they put on their face?”

  “Exactly.”

  “Maria made pigs in the blanket and sausage balls.”

  Leah rose to her feet and held out her hand to him. “Good, because I’m starved.” Then she turned to Stratton and did the same. “What about you?”

  “I could eat a horse,” he said, taking her hand.

  Denver laughed as they made their way down the arched hallway. “We don’t eat horses, Daddy.”

  Leah’s eyes met Stratton’s. His were warm with admiration and gratitude. It wasn’t what she longed to see, but it still sent her spirits soaring. Maybe their budding friendship could grow into love. Stranger things had happened.

  Jade and Maria outdid themselves transforming the courtyard into a bridal wonderland. Although they were few in number, there was no lack of conversation, food or laughter. Leah didn’t forget it was her wedding day, but her primary focus was Denver. The eagerness with which he lapped up the attention she showered on him told her that no matter what happened down the road, this was where she was supposed to be.

  When it came time to cut the cake, Leah motioned Denver to join her and Stratton. Obeying her whispered suggestion, he plastered his father’s face with icing. Stratton didn’t retaliate in kind, but the gleam in his eyes warned Leah that her punishment had merely been postponed. It was an odd thing over which to get so much pleasure, but it made their relationship seem more like a real one.

  Once the party was over, Jade and Joel left to go check the progress on their own house, and Maria withdrew to the kitchen. This left Stratton, Leah and Denver free to spend time with Aristotle. This occupied them until it was Denver’s bedtime. Leah wasn’t surprised that it took longer than normal to get him settled for the night. It was well after ten by the time she and Stratton stood facing each other on the landing outside Denver’s room.

  “If you haven’t figured it out yet, you’re just what the doctor ordered.”

  “I’m glad,” she told him. “I want to be a good mother to him.”

  “You will. I have no doubt about that.” He reached out a hand to tuck some loose strands of hair behind her ear. “You look tired.”

  Leah resisted the urge to lean into his touch. “It’s not every day I get married.”

  “Or acquire a child who won’t let you out of his sight.”

  “I didn’t mind that at all.”

  “I hope you still feel that way at six a.m. when Denver wakes up.”

  “I’m an early riser myself.”

  “That means I’ll have to make sure I get into the bathroom first, otherwise I’ll be waiting around for an hour.”

  She crossed her arms. “If not more. You also might want to get some ear plugs. I sing in the shower, and I’m no Celine Dion.”

  He laughed as he turned toward the staircase. “You’re just one delightful surprise after another. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Goodnight, Stratton.”

  As she watched him disappear around the curve of the stairs, she sighed heavily. This was going to be a lot harder than she thought. Unlike other emotions, love wasn’t easy to hide. It begged to be expressed, longed to be heard, and didn’t take kindly to being ignored. What else could she expect from a force that was capable of uniting hearts and souls for eternity?

  * * * * *

  Stratton pushed aside the article he’d been trying to read for the last fifteen minutes and strode over to the French doors leading to the courtyard. He had an excellent view of the night sky as well as the reflection of the moon dancing off the water in the fountain. But he wasn’t looking at either of those things. His eyes were fixed on a window on the second floor. The only one with its light still on. Was Leah having trouble sleeping, too?

  There was a certain awkwardness attached to their situation that no amount of being sensible could completely erase. Even the most straightforward ideas ran into problems when put into practice. Stratton had a good idea what form his were going to take. Leah embodied most (if not all) of the qualities he admired in a woman. It wouldn’t be easy to resist the pull of attraction he felt for her.

  But he had to. For her sake. He couldn’t give her the love she sought. The love she deserved. Ultimately, he would fail her just as he’d failed Eva. And just as he was failing Sullivan, Charity, and Denver.

  Chapter Twelve

  Leah followed Stratton and Denver through the narrow opening leading to the deck of the USS Yorktown. The brightness of the sun after an hour or more exploring every nook and cranny of the lower levels of the aircraft carrier had her reaching for her sunglasses. Leah had hoped the three of them could meet up with Lance during this trip to Charleston, but her brother had already made plans to
attend a law school reunion in Virginia.

  Along with his father, Denver was crazy about anything related to flying. Leah was content to trail behind them listening to their animated conversation and taking pictures with her phone. Stratton’s knowledge of military aircraft proved he was more than a casual observer. It was something else she could add to the growing number of things she was learning about him.

  The only drawback in touring the navy vessels at Patriot’s Point was the steep metal ladders and tight passageways used to navigate the various levels. By the time they were entering the gift shop, Leah felt as if she’d run a marathon. Stratton’s suggestion that she wait for them in the café told her she hadn’t done a good job hiding her fatigue.

  Getting off her feet combined with a glass of raspberry lemonade worked wonders. From her table, she could see Denver and Stratton examining several scale models of various ships and planes. It was obvious from the look on the former’s face that he was negotiating with his father about what he could buy. Stratton had the resources to purchase half the contents of the store, and in his place, Leah would have bought anything Denver wanted. What was the point in withholding something from a child who wouldn’t be with them this time next year?

  When they joined her in the café, Leah admired the helicopter and fighter jet while trying not to frown in Stratton’s direction when she heard about the submarine and aircraft carrier Denver left behind. Wasn’t spoiling a child justified in a case like this? Her irritation continued to grow during the two-hour trip back to Myrtle Beach.

  Outside Stratton’s house, they ran into Jade and Joel. A quick exchange between brother and sister resulted in everyone piling into the truck for a visit to the construction site. To Leah’s eyes, not much had changed since the last time she’d been here, but she couldn’t help smiling at Joel’s enthusiasm as they moved through the downstairs rooms. It was obvious why he was so successful in his job as a public relations consultant. He could make even mundane things like insulation and plumbing sound interesting.

  Stratton’s hand drew her to a stop just as she was on the point of following the others upstairs. The contact didn’t last long, but it was enough to set her heart fluttering in her chest.