Reclaiming Katie

by Gardner, M. L.

  "I think you should. We could work some red into it to make it match."

  "She'll look like a candy cane," Sarah said with a grin.

  Vicky turned to the wall of displayed veils. "Oh, which one?"

  "That one is nice." Katie pointed to a smaller veil, more like a poof of tulle behind a tiara, with a small netted piece that pulled down over the face. “We could put a few red poppies in the tulle."

  The attendant pulled it down and set it on Vicky's head. "Very nice, Ma'am."

  Vicky looked to her daughters for approval. Both gave a thumbs up. With an exaggerated shiver, Vicky pulled the veil off. "Let's get changed. This is so nerve-wracking, I need some ice cream."

  Katie sat poking her hot fudge sundae with her spoon. Jacob would love this. In fact, he and the Judge were probably sitting at the kitchen table sharing a pint right now. She was frowning and her mother touched her chin. "Everything will work out, Katie."

  Faking a smile, she said, "Sure it will."

  Even more pressing than her aching heart was the lawsuit she had been forced into by the Johnson's.

  "How's the store coming along?"

  "It's slow work but coming together. I should be able to open in a couple weeks. Did you hear from the bank?" She felt horrible having her mother mortgage her house, but nothing less would provide the funds for a powerful enough legal team to keep her son.

  "Not yet. But the Judge did."

  Katie groaned. "He didn't have to do that. He's not even my stepfather yet."

  "He will be in forty-eight hours." Vicky grinned. "He wants to help. And he knows better than most what it's going to take to fight this. And more importantly, win."

  Fighting to win...it's what she wished Will were doing right now. His silence hurt more than the initial shock of discovering his wealth. But for her to go crawling back, begging for another chance, well, even if her pride would allow her to do it, it would seem she had a change of heart for the money.

  And there was still the little issue of him keeping the whole truth from her in the first place. Though, the more she thought about it, the more she could understand why. She'd started to distance herself from the fleeting thought that he wanted her meager proceeds from the house and a room full of dusty old things. Either way she looked at it, money and love didn't mix.

  "Tell me you un-invited Will from the wedding."

  Vicky cringed. "The Judge didn't want to."

  "Why not? He'll mortgage his house but he won't help me avoid having a terribly uncomfortable evening?"

  "No, it's not that." She put down her spoon and folded her hands. "He's an old romantic fart, Katie. He seems to think that once the reception starts, and the drinks and music start flowing, that you two will start talking and maybe patch things up. Wonderfully romantic things have a tendency to happen at wedding receptions, you know." She waggled her eyebrows. "Besides, he has to have two men stand for him. There's no one else."

  "What about Ian?"

  "He'll be out of town," Sarah said.

  "Well, he has to know one other man in this county. And, what if it doesn't go the way Mr. Romantic has planned?"

  "Then Stephen is prepared to step in and keep you from looking like a wallflower."

  Katie looked like she wanted to dump her sundae on her mother's head. Sarah giggled beside her, licking her spoon.

  "Mother, I am not interested in Stephen in the least."

  "I know that. The Judge knows that, too. But he also knows that Stephen is smitten and should the soft lights and music not do the trick, a bit of jealousy never hurt." Her eyes sparkled with her grin.

  "Please stay out of my love life, Mother." She covered her face with her hand. The thought of Stephen and Will having to stand next to each other during the ceremony was almost laughable. How terribly, unbelievably awkward. She'd be so glad when this was all over.

  Sarah looked over at Katie's sundae. "Are you gonna eat that?"

  The night before the wedding, Vicky and Katie were both nervous wrecks. Vicky's excited nerves had her chattering away, laughing and taking several drinks over dinner to calm her nerves. Sarah stayed the night, insisting on doting on Jacob while Katie was wracked with mingled dread lined with a sliver of hope. She took two sleeping pills and excused herself to bed early. Tucking herself in with yet another book on running a small business, she was sure the combination of pills and painfully boring reading would have her asleep in no time.

  As her head began to nod, she heard a clamoring outside. Something hit the side of the house. It hadn't been cloudy or windy before, and Katie prayed that it wouldn't rain on her mother's wedding day. She walked clumsily to the window and pushed it up.

  "Ack!" She jumped back and so did Will, nearly losing his balance and falling down to the first floor. "What are you doing?" she asked, crossing her arms over the front of her nightgown.

  "I came to talk to you," he said, getting a good grip on the window sill.

  "And you didn't think to use the front door?"

  "I did. Your mother said you went to bed."

  "And if she sees you she's going to think someone is breaking in and she'll call the cops. Or shoot you."

  His smile made her breath catch. "Who do you think loaned me the ladder."

  "Ooh, I told her to stay out of my business," Katie growled. She was easily distracted by the strong smell of cologne. The kind she liked. He must have put on half a bottle. It washed past her and filled her room. She felt dizzy, partly from the intoxicating scent and partly from the pills, now working strongly in her system.

  "I came to ask you a question. Just one question. And then I'll go."

  "And what is that?"

  "Give me the first dance at the reception tomorrow. I don't care if you don't speak to me the rest of the time, just dance with me first. Not Stephen." He flexed his jaw, not enjoying even saying his name.

  "And what if I say no?"

  "Then I'll cut in on you two and take it anyway."

  "You wouldn't cause a scene at my mother's wedding!"

  "I want the first dance and I won't leave until you promise me that I won't have to make a scene to get it."

  "I thought you were mad at me."

  "I was. But maybe now you can understand where I was coming from. If you were guarded over a house and some antiques, regardless of how you felt about me, imagine how I felt over millions?"

  She nodded and averted her eyes, still ashamed to have let that insecurity take a serious root in her mind.

  She could smell sweet berries on his breath. "You've been drinking?"

  "A few glasses. Me, your soon to be step-father, a few of his friends." He wrinkled his nose, "And Stephen. We took the Judge out for dinner and a few drinks. Very toned down and respectable for a bachelor party. I snuck away early to talk to you."

  "To beat Stephen to the punch, you mean."

  He shrugged, unashamed. "I had this amazing moment of clarity. You are hurt and angry for my not telling you the whole truth. But that rumor about me helped you see how I might have been hesitant. At least I hope it did. I thought tomorrow we could start over and if I could just get you to give me one dance, and hear me out, let me tell you every detail...you might take me back." He was a sweet, humble, drunken fool and Katie tried not to grin.

  He reached in the window for her hand and she took a step back. For them to touch, him woozy with wine and her guard down and falling over from sleep aids, would be a mistake. She'd have him in her bed in a second, and she knew it.

  She eyed him up and down for a moment. "Fine. I'll give you one dance."

  "The first dance. Before Stephen."

  "Fine," she said, pretending to be more grudging than she really was. The whole room was starting to spin. The only thing she could manage to focus on, were his eyes and that caused her heart to flutter and flop.

  "And you have to listen to what I have to say through the whole song."

  "You said just one question."

  "It was a question
with a stipulation," he grinned. "What else are we going to do, stare in opposite directions the whole time?"

  "Fine, I'll listen."

  "And then I'll take your apology." She stepped forward and grabbed the legs of the ladder, threatening to shove. "Don't push your luck, Will Anderson."

  He grabbed her hand and pulled her close. His lips hovered a fraction of an inch from hers. His breath was warm and sweet.

  "I'll see you tomorrow." He stretched and placed a warm kiss on her forehead. She stood with her eyes closed and fists clenched.

  When she opened them, he was gone.

  Erin and her small entourage from Haute Hair showed up early and turned the kitchen into glamour central, first sitting a very peaked Sarah down to do her hair. Vicky, clad in nothing but her slip and stockings walked in looking too calm; too subdued.

  "Are you okay, Mom?"

  "I was so nervous I nearly threw up in the shower." She gave Katie a guilty grin. "I took two Valium. I'll be fine."

  "On an empty stomach? You'll be lucky to remember your vows!" Katie shook her head at her and the knock on the door sent Vicky scurrying for her robe.

  It was a long morning of door knocking, with the caterers setting up the food tables, the party service arranging the chairs, the florist delivering the flowers and bouquets, decorating the small arch at the end of the red walk.

  Erin did Vicky's hair last, decorating it with sprigs of red baby's breath and setting the veil on her head.

  "All done," she announced, standing back to admire her work. The three women stood in the kitchen, clad in robes and silk stocking feet, with elegant, romantic matching updo's. "We'll do make up in the last hour," she said. "If you want to eat, now is a good time to do it."

  Katie devoured a sandwich, Vicky nibbled at a muffin and Sarah hovered near the sink looking very green and trying not to breathe through her nose.

  "You alright, honey?" Vicky asked.

  "I should be fine." No sooner did she say the words, she leaned over the sink and gagged.

  "Oh, no." Katie's eyes darted to her mother, who looked panicked. "I'm sure she'll be fine when it comes time to walk down the aisle," she said quietly and looked back down at her sandwich. "Wait, she is walking with Stephen, right?"

  Vicky grinned. "Yes, of course."

  It neared late afternoon when Erin shooed everyone upstairs to dress. One by one, she draped them carefully and she and her assistant began applying make-up. Sarah got up four times to stand over the sink.

  "This is so miserable," she panted. Katie rubbed her back and looked at her mother.

  "We might need to think of a plan B."

  Vicky's brows were tightly knit as she thought. Then it resolved itself in her mind.

  "Okay, here's what we're going to do. No walking down the aisle. Not for her, anyway. She and the men can just go stand by the arch. Katie, you can walk me down the aisle. It won't be much of a show, but it'll keep Sarah standing still."

  "What? How can you not have a procession?"

  "It'll be fine, Katie." She looked down at her red dress. "This isn't traditional, why should the procession be, either?"

  Sarah looked back from the sink, grateful. "I'm sorry, Mom."

  Guests began arriving and Helen stood out front, directing them along the flower lined path to the back yard. The chatter could be heard in the kitchen and Vicky shot several nervous glances toward the backyard.

  "It'll be fine, Mom. Relax."

  Katie's ears picked up the distinct sound of Will's truck. Peeking out the front room window she watched him get out of his truck; stunning in his tuxedo. Her heart gave a hard thud that left her breathless. The Judge exited the passenger seat, closed the door and stopped to straighten his jacket. Will looked back and smiled, waving him forward. Katie watched them until they disappeared around the side of the house. Then she let out a deep sigh. Her heart battled with her head. Love fought logic. Acceptable secrets verses traitorous lies. Soon her head was spinning and when her mother called, she nearly lost her balance turning toward her.

  "It's almost time," Vicky said with a shaky smile, holding out her hand.

  The guests were seated, Sarah stood next to the alter with her bouquet, and Will and Stephen stood next to the Judge. All had their backs turned, looking down, hands clasped in front of them. Classical music echoed across the yard. Helen, Vicky and Katie gathered by the doors, out of view from the guests. Erin jumped between each of them, perfecting strands of hair, touching up make up. Finally, she stepped back and nodded her head.

  "You're ready."

  She and Helen opened the doors and the crowd turned in unison. Katie's eyes went directly to Will. The bridal march started and Vicky grabbed Katie's arm.

  "Don't fall on me now," Katie teased. All the guests stood. They stepped forward slowly. About half way up the aisle, the Judge, Will and Stephen turned around.

  Will held Jacob, who was chewing on the ring pillow, in his arms.

  "Where's the preacher?" Katie asked.

  "We aren't having a preacher."

  "Then who is going to marry you?"

  Vicky looked over and smiled. "The Judge."

  "He can't marry you and himself!" Katie hissed.

  "He's going to marry you, Katie. You and Will."

  She stopped dead in her tracks, eyes wide, staring at her mother.

  She just smiled. Sarah stood up straight, no longer needing to put on the charade of sickness and grinned.

  Will stood smiling as well, stepping up into the groom's spot, bouncing Jacob lightly on his arm.

  "Before you decide whether or not to continue down the aisle, there are a few people who would like to say something," Will said. There was a shuffling as all the guests sat down.

  A man in his late twenties stood up. "I'm Eric. I grew up with Will. He was honest in how he told you he was brought up. It wasn't anything special. And I can tell you that knowing him since we were little, when he got the inheritance from his parents, it didn't change him any. He's still the same old Will. He stayed honest and humble and didn't become fake and shallow like so many people do. It was a shock when his folks died and left him and his sister all that money. A shock to him and the whole town. And he's had a number of people try to take advantage of his good nature and good fortune. I've never known him to lie. And I've never known him to hurt another living soul, if he could help it." He nodded and sat down.

  A few rows from the front, two people helped a very elderly woman to her feet. She turned to Katie, straightened her hat and jacket and stood as straight as she could. Someone pointed in Katie's direction and when the old woman's eyes found her, she smiled.

  "There you are, dear. I am Vera, Stella's grandmother." She adjusted her spectacles and resumed her prim stance. "Stella is a whore, my dear. A gold digger. She was only interested in Will for the money he had. Before that, she hadn’t any interest in him at all. She truly is the family black sheep and it shames me to say it in public, but it's true. When Will called me and told me what trouble her chasing him has caused, well, I just had to come here myself and tell you the truth." She sat back down slowly as a smile crept over Katie's face.

  Three men clad in business suits stood next. A tall, thin man with wire rimmed glasses spoke for the group. "We are from Simmons, Dunham and Clauge. Attorneys at Law. We have been retained by Mr. Anderson to represent you in the custody case involving your ex-father in law. Your decision to marry Mr. Anderson has no bearing on our services. They have been prepaid and we stand ready and waiting to begin your case." A proud smile spread across his face. "And we have not lost a case in ten years, ma'am." With a formal nod, the trio sat down again.

  The last one to stand was Will's sister. She looked near bursting with excitement.

  "My brother loves you." She held up a small stack of letters. "He wrote me all the time about you. You can read them if you like. In these letters he talks about how hard he fell and how he wrestled with the decision to tell you or not about the i
nheritance. Every time he got ready to, something came up. He just didn't want to lose you, Katie. I've never seen him so happy." She started to say more but stopped, looked back at Will and sat down.

  Katie's eyes met Will's. He smiled and held his hand out. Jacob was still, clutching the pillow and staring at his mother. Katie took a deep breath. Her mind knew these things to be true; fear and doubt faded away.

  She took a small step and the bridal march began again. Will closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them, Katie stood before him, smiling with tears in her eyes. He handed Jacob to Vicky.

  "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" The Judge asked.

  "I do," Vicky said proudly and placed Katie's hand in Will's, kissed her cheek and stood next to Sarah.

  “Now,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. “Let’s do this right this time.”

  The Judge began a simple ceremony, thanking everyone for coming and thanking Katie for continuing down the aisle. Will was the first to repeat his vows.

  "I, William Robert Anderson, take you, Katie Lynn Emery, to be my beloved wife, to have and to hold, to honor you, to treasure you, to be at your side in sorrow and in joy, in the good times, and in the bad, for richer or poorer and to love and cherish you and only you. I promise you this from my heart, for all the days of my life."

  Katie repeated hers with a shaky voice, holding Will's hands tightly for balance, one tear slipping down her cheek.

  "The rings please?" Vicky stepped forward and Jacob held out a slobbery ring pillow.

  "This was my mother's," Will whispered as he untied it. "She'd want you to wear it."

  He slipped it on her finger; it fit perfectly. Then he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.

  She took his ring from the pillow and nearly dropped it for her trembling hands.

  "Was this your father's?" she whispered.

  "No, he never wore jewelry. I picked this out yesterday." He grinned.

  "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."