Spring Fling Kitty: The Hart Family (Have A Hart Book 3)

by Rachelle Ayala

  “At least you’re alive,” her mother said. “But what’s this about a wedding? And you want me to come to Reno?”

  “I don’t want you to miss the best day of my life.”

  “But, sweetheart, you barely know this guy. Isn’t he engaged to your sister, and you’re doing some kind of special project for her?”

  Urgh, trust her mother to mention nagging details. Nadine closed her eyes and counted to three.

  “It’s not happening anymore. Connor and I both decided it was the wrong thing to do.”

  “Wait, so you’re going to do this naturally?” Her mother’s voice raised to an alarming level. “Nadine, I know what you’re up to. I found the test kits in your bedroom. You’re trying to get pregnant. That explains the two thousand dollars. So help me here. Why are you marrying Connor? Is it because you slept with him already?”

  “No, Mom. We didn’t. We found out we love each other.”

  “That doesn’t mean you should get married right away. Your dad and I loved each other too, but he still married Elaine’s mother.”

  Nadine’s stomach tightened and clamped in on itself. She was not going to let her mother guilt her out of this. She peeked at Connor, knowing he could hear her end of the conversation, but then, she had nothing to hide from him.

  “I’m marrying Connor precisely so I won’t be put aside. This is different. He’s not going to cheat with you know who. He’s calling it off.”

  “When? After the wedding?” Now her mother’s voice was ballistic, and she was sure Connor could hear every word. “Nadine. He’ll never give up on that doctor girlfriend of his. Your father came by looking for you and when I mentioned Connor coming here to inspect the apartment and flirting with you, he went on a tirade. He told me everything about Connor Hart and how determined he was to get Elaine back after she repeatedly stomped on his heart, showed him the door, and get this, she even pretended to have sex with his best friend to get him to give up on her. That man is obsessed with Elaine, and a little weekend fling isn’t going to change anything. Your father doesn’t trust that smooth talking fire chief as far as he can spit, and he told me the last thing he wants is for his daughter to marry that black-hearted Connor Hart.”

  “He must be referring to his precious Elaine. He doesn’t care about me one bit, so it won’t matter if I marry the black heart as you say.”

  “Stop what you’re saying,” her mother cried. “Have I taught you so little? Cheaters never change, and if he’s cheating on Elaine with you, he’ll cheat on you with her or someone else.”

  “Urrr.” Nadine wanted to throw the phone across the room. “He’s not a cheater. He’s my true love, and if you don’t show up to the Wildwood Flower Lodge by suppertime, Connor and I will be married without you.”

  Nothing came over the phone line but heavy and upset breathing. Nothing went over the line but angry huffs.

  Finally, her mother said. “Do you want your father to come to the wedding?”

  “No. Not if he alerts Elaine.”

  “See? That’s where you’re wrong. Connor should break it off with Elaine first before he marries you.”

  “He would have, except he doesn’t want to do it over the phone.”

  “Very well,” her mother said. “I’ll come. Is there anything you want me to bring? Any jewelry, something old, something borrowed, something blue?”

  “Yes, thanks, Mom.” Nadine listed off the items she wanted. “You’ll love Connor. I promise you, and we’re not making a mistake.”

  “I hope not. You know how much I love you, and if you truly believe he’ll make you happy, then yes, I’ll be happy too.”

  “Thanks, Mom. I love you, too. It’ll be okay. I know it will.” She hung up and took a deep, cleansing breath, turning to Connor. “That went almost well.”

  Connor leaned over and kissed her forehead, rubbing her back. “The important thing is she’s coming.”

  “I’ve no secrets from you. She thinks you should break it off with Elaine first.” Nadine snuggled into his chest. “But I’m afraid she’ll ruin our wedding.”

  “She won’t, because I’ll call her last minute. I did want to do the honorable thing and break up with her in person, but there was no way I wanted to go back to San Francisco with this hanging over our heads. I didn’t want you to worry a single minute that we won’t be together, so I followed my heart and proposed to you. If you think this is wrong, we can still go back.”

  “Is that what you want to do?” She stared into his deep blue eyes. “Because this is just wild and crazy enough, and I don’t know. I feel sorry for Elaine, but I’m also pissed at her for everything she did to you. Am I being the bad one here?”

  He shook his head firmly. “You’re not the bad one here. You’re everything good to me. I love wild and crazy, and I can’t wait to pledge myself to you. Don’t worry. I’ll let Elaine know. She might even be happy to be let off the hook. Sometimes I think she only wanted me back to prove a point, or maybe it’s to get attention from your dad. She told me that was the disaster for her—planning her wedding to me, like I’m some kind of freak or bad guy.”

  “I know. That’s what she said to me—that a fireman’s a guy to have fun with, not to be serious about.”

  “See?” Connor tipped her chin up. “There’s no reason for me to go back to her, even if you weren’t around.”

  “Then there’s no going back.” She moved her hands on his chest. “When I paint, I make strong commitments. I use color, texture, and big, broad strokes to make a statement. I’m open to change though, which is why I allow myself to paint over my work. But I only paint over something I might like, but don’t love. When I find something I love, I hang onto it. You. Connor Hart. I will never, ever paint over you.”

  “I will never pass over you, either. There’s no one but you. Remember that.” He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against hers. Almost prayerfully, he whispered, “What did I ever do to deserve a treasure like you?”

  While Nadine took Cinder for a walk to explore the wooded lot for wedding locations, Connor called his parents. It was a Sunday morning and they would be having breakfast and preparing to go to church. He could picture the entire family gathered around the table. Cait would be frying eggs, and Jenna, the fashion designer, would prepare a low-calorie health drink for herself. Meanwhile, his schoolteacher sister, Melisa, could be alone, depending on if her boyfriend, Rob, the guy who’d play-acted at sleeping with Elaine, had shifts in the emergency room or not.

  His other best buddy, Larry, would most likely be taking his basset hound, Harley, for a walk and then fixing him a dish of goodies in the garage, since Mom was allergic to dogs.

  Dad would still have a newspaper, and his youngest brother, Dale, could possibly be home from Berkeley or not. Grady, his middle brother, would be absent since he was somewhere in the Southern Hemisphere fighting wild fires as a smoke jumper.

  Screwing up his courage, he entered his home phone number.

  “Hello?” It was his mother.

  “Hey, Mom.”

  “Connor! Where are you? What’s been going on? Elaine stopped by last night. She says her sister took off with her Mercedes and crashed into your truck at the cabin. We’ve been going crazy here. When we call you, your phone’s ringing in your room. Why’s her sister at your place? Are you all right? Larry’s packed the van and we’re getting ready to head out to the cabin. Rob’s coming along too, in case anyone needs medical attention. Oh, and how’s the sister? Is she okay?”

  “Mom, Mom, Mom!” he shouted until she paused to let him speak. “We’re not at the cabin anymore. We’re in Reno at the Wildwood Flower Lodge, and we’re getting married. Please bring your diamond ring, the one you said you’d give to me for my true love.”

  There. Since she went on a tirade, he had no time for explanations.

  But, as he should have known, she wasn’t going to let this go easily.

  “Connor Niall Hart. I’m putting you on speake
r. Everyone’s here and we all want to hear what you’re up to.”

  “Everyone? Including Elaine?”

  Crap. This was turning into a disaster. He’d never in a million years thought Elaine would turn up at his house, but then again, she must have been worried about him.

  “Of course she’s not here any longer,” his mother said. “She and her dad and brother are headed to the cabin to catch you two in the act.”

  “In the act? Of what?” Connor bellowed, startling Greyheart who scampered off the bed and crouched under the TV stand.

  “Connor, how could you take advantage of her?”

  “How old is the sister? Elaine says she’s young and naïve.”

  “Not if she stole Elaine’s car she isn’t.”

  “Wait, wait. You haven’t compromised her, have you?”

  “That’s why he wants to marry her, because he has.”

  A cacophony of his sisters’ comments interspersed with his mother. “Connor! How could you?”

  “I didn’t do anything wrong,” Connor yelled. “I’m asking you all to my wedding, and if you don’t want to come, then don’t say I didn’t ask.”

  Another outburst of female voices squawked like a henhouse waking up to a convention of foxes.

  “Let me speak to him,” his other buddy, Brian’s voice crowded to the front. Wait. Brian was actually spending time with the family? This had to be serious.

  “Quiet, quiet,” Cait commanded in the background. “Let’s hear what Connor has to say.”

  “Okay, bud,” Brian said. “Here’s what’s going down. Elaine claims her sister stole her car, crashed into your truck, and is trying to get pregnant so she can make her father worried. Now you wonder why your mother and sisters are climbing the walls?”

  “She didn’t steal the car. Elaine lent it to her and wanted her to get to know me so I can be convinced to get her pregnant.” Connor dragged his fingers through his hair. “But that’s not what happened. We’re not going to get pregnant, and Elaine’s not in the picture anymore. Nadine and I are getting married instead.”

  “Pregnant? You’re getting her pregnant?”

  “Wait? What’s this about Elaine not in the picture?”

  “Everyone, calm down,” Brian said, with Cait assisting. He continued once everyone was silent. “Does Elaine know? Because this is serious. Elaine wants to call the authorities and report her car stolen. She says the only reason Nadine is trying to get together with you is because she’s upset her father’s kicking her and her mother out of their apartment. She wants to get back at her father by pissing him off and stealing you away from her.”

  “This can’t be true,” Connor said. “Her father hates me. Why would he care if Nadine supposedly stole me from Elaine? Besides, Elaine’s lying. Nadine would never be so underhanded and conniving. How could she steal the car if Elaine handed her the keys?”

  “That’s not what Elaine’s saying,” Brian warned. “She says she let her sister have the keys to her apartment so she could start moving in. When she came home from work, her Mercedes was gone. She then realized she couldn’t meet you at your weekend getaway, and when she called your cell, you didn’t pick up because you’d agreed to an electronics-free romantic weekend.”

  “How well do you really know Nadine?” his mother chimed in. “How do you know she’s not taking you for a ride? She seems pretty underhanded if she’s stealing you from her sister.”

  “She’s not stealing me from anyone,” Connor said. “We’re in love, and if you don’t believe me, then don’t come to the wedding.”

  “Connor!” his father’s voice boomed. “I didn’t raise you to be a scoundrel like this. Man up and do the right thing. Call off this wedding and come home.”

  Anger exploded and Connor jumped off the bed, clenching his fists. “Something’s not adding up. Did Elaine tell you about the surrogacy deal? Did she tell you she’s paying Nadine to have my baby so she can start a family with me? That I’m having doubts and she wants to shove Nadine on me and convince me she’s the perfect candidate?”

  “I knew it.” Cait’s voice shrieked over all the others. “Brian, didn’t I tell you that’s what they were up to? Connor was talking about an assist that Nadine was going to give him and Elaine, but he wouldn’t tell me what. I knew it was a bad idea.”

  “A baby? They’re having a baby?” His mother was turning hysterical and would have a heart attack if he didn’t calm her down.

  “No, we’re not. We’re not going through with it. Can’t anyone understand what I’m saying?” Connor shouted to be heard above the din. “I’m through with Elaine and I’m marrying Nadine. Today.”

  “Why today?” his father persisted. “What’s the rush?”

  “Because Nadine’s my heart, and I’m not waiting another minute to make it legal. Mom, Dad, everyone, this is it. This is my wedding day, and I hope you can be a part of it.”

  “I tag best man,” Brian said.

  “Wait, what about me?” Larry’s voice made itself known.

  “Rob’s here too,” Rob Reed piped in. “Although I understand if you don’t want me around.”

  “You kidding?” Connor wanted to reach across the phone line and hug his buddy. “If you hadn’t pulled that stunt with Elaine, I would have never realized how wrong she is for me. It might have taken me ten years, a railroaded engagement, and a surrogate mother deal to make me realize it, but you did me a favor.”

  “Maybe, but it was still wrong, and if it helps, I believe Nadine’s side of the story. Knowing Elaine, she probably set her sister up for this. Maybe she wanted to save money from the fertility center.” Rob, who was Elaine’s friend, was the best confirmation he could get that Elaine was up to another one of her schemes.

  “You’re right. She was monitoring Nadine’s temperature with an ovulation app,” Connor said. “I wouldn’t put it past her. But everyone, I want you all to know right now, I didn’t touch her in that way. We fell in love, and we’re going to do the right thing by getting married. She’s still a virgin, and I intend to keep it that way.”

  “Thank the saints.” His mother sighed loudly. “What are we waiting for? Let’s get in the van.”

  “Don’t forget my sheepskin jacket, my Stetson, …” Connor listed all the things he wanted them to bring. “And most importantly, your diamond ring.”

  “Well, heck, we need wedding rings,” Larry said. “What kind of best man would I be if I didn’t score up some for you?”

  “We need a bachelor party,” Brian cut in. “But I guess it’ll have to be at the firehouse when you get back.”

  “Well, being the emergency doctor,” Rob said. “I’ll have your back and be there in case anyone gets bitten by a rattlesnake or twists their ankle.”

  “Oh, my, I’m the mother of the groom,” his mother cried. “I’m going to faint. What am I to wear?”

  “It’ll be country casual,” Connor said. “Nadine’s wearing a dress she tie-dyed with fiery colors, calfskin boots, and a large belt with a silver buckle. Turquoise trimmed straw hat.”

  “Great. We’re on our way,” his father said. “Like we always say, heart comes first.”

  “Heart comes first,” everyone cheered. “Go Hart Family! Whoop, whoop, whoop!”

  “Or lub-dub, lub-dub, lub-dub,” came Rob’s dry wit right before they hung up.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Nadine and Connor followed the minister through a wooden gate and hiked across the meadow toward a bubbling creek.

  “We had a lot of rain this winter,” the minister explained. “It might not be easy to find a spot where we can stand on stepping stones without getting wet.”

  “I’m game,” Nadine said. “That’s why I’ll be wearing boots. Instead of a bouquet, I’ll be holding my kitten, so he won’t get wet either. Right, Mr. Greyheart?”

  She gave her cat a snuggle. He was such a sweet ball of fluff and it was thanks to him that she’d met Connor in the first place.

 
“Same here, but let’s see what you have.” Connor let Cinder tug on the leash as she sampled all sorts of interesting scents from the plants and fence posts.

  They trudged on, past a grove of sweet smelling pine trees and crooked oaks. The stream bounced over rocks and fallen logs, trickling delightfully as they followed it upstream. Soon, they came to an area covered with a canopy of tall trees where the water had spread into a small pool.

  Looking up, it was as if they were in a wooden cathedral made of branches and pine needles. The sudden hush of the surrounding birds and rustling of leaves made Nadine feel as if she were stepping on holy ground.

  “It’s so peaceful here,” Nadine said. She walked forward, holding Greyheart. “The creek is barely speaking, but very much alive.”

  She spotted a scattering of rocks leading over the shallow creek bed and stepped over them.

  “The trees are old,” the minister said. “This is far enough from the road to be private. I’ve never thought of marrying anyone in the middle of a creek, but it’s perfect.”

  Cinder barked, her tail wagging wildly and bounced against the leash.

  “You want to check it out, don’t you girl?” Connor let Cinder loose from her leash, and she promptly jumped into the creek, splashing and wiggling.

  “It’s beautiful.” Connor stepped over the rocks to Nadine’s side. “And perfect, like you, Nadine.”

  She blushed again, and put her hand in his jacket pocket. “I can’t wait. What’s next?”

  “You two apply for the marriage license,” the minister said. “I’m sure you folks are of age and have driver’s licenses. Then you select a package, set a time, and we’ll go ahead and do this. What kind of music would you like? We have a gentleman and his wife, Joey and Jo, who play mandolin and mountain dulcimer. Would folk and bluegrass be good?”

  “Of course it would,” Nadine said. “But I’m not sure of a song for us. I don’t like the ending of Wildwood Flower, even though it’s my mother’s favorite song.”