Wedding at Willow Lake

by Mary Manners

  9

  It nearly killed Brody to know that he hadn’t been there to protect Cate. He should have taken the brunt of Bivens’s wrath. But, knowing what he knew about guys like Sam Bivens, it made perfect sense that he’d targeted Catherine instead. Brody should have seen it coming like a freight train roaring down the tracks. But he’d missed it—badly.

  Sitting in the hospital room, watching Cate sob as she recounted to the police what had happened, he knew he’d never let her down again. He meant what he said. He’d be there for her—always. Though several days had passed since her release from the hospital, Brody remained ever-vigilant.

  “Are you OK?” Catherine reached across the table to take his hand. Her pretty eyes were still shadowed with a hint of bruise, reminding Brody once again of his resolve to hold her close. “You’re not still thinking about what happened at the clinic, are you?”

  “How can I not think about it?” Brody glanced around the restaurant. They’d come back to Manny’s pizzeria because he knew it was Catherine’s favorite place, and there was something hugely comforting about the blend of tangy sauce, yeasty dough, and mozzarella cheese. Pinball machines played a cacophonous symphony from the back room and that was a comfort, as well. “He really hurt you, Cate.”

  “I know. But it’s over now. Sam Bivens will see nothing but a concrete cell for some time to come. He’s been extradited to Arizona. Who knew he had charges pending there, as well?”

  “Larder and the good old boys at the police department did a stellar job covering them up, but the truth is always exposed, eventually.”

  “John Larder will be gone soon, too. Despite his political connections, he’s been booted from the force.”

  “It’s about time.” Brody grimaced. “Way overdue.”

  Catherine squeezed his hand. “And, since you and Mason installed that new security system, Houdini himself couldn’t break in. I’m not going to let what happened keep me from living—or doing my job. The kids are counting on me.”

  “You’re pretty tough, you know.” Brody smiled at her. “That’s one of the reasons I fell in love with you.”

  “You love me, huh?”

  “Yes, I do.” He touched the fading bruise along her cheekbone. “I told you I’ve never stopped, and that’s the truth, Cate. If I could turn back the clock…”

  “You can’t, Brody. Neither of us can. You said you never stopped loving me. Well, it’s not fair for you to be the only one to lay your heart on the line—to put it all out there. I have a confession to make.”

  “You don’t have to go there, Cate.”

  “Yes, I do. That day, when you let me walk away, you were the strong one, Brody. By letting me go, you held on to me.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “We would have never made it. I knew it, and you knew it, too. But I was selfish because when I told you everything I knew with my head, I expected you to come after me, to argue and persuade. When you didn’t, my pride got the best of me. My heart knew what we had, but my head was too cautious, too reasonable. So I used my anger for fuel, and I tried my best to forget you.” She shook her head. “I couldn’t, though, no matter how hard I tried. You were always there…as I plowed through classes, made my rounds as an intern, broke ground on the clinic. I thought about you, and felt you as if you were right at my side.”

  “Maybe because I was there, in spirit.” He stroked a pair of fingers through her hair and leaned in to kiss her stitched forehead. “I felt you, too.”

  “Knowing that is enough.” She brushed her lips along his jaw, smoothed a palm over his scruffy cheek, brushing the stubble. “Yes, that’s just right.”

  “Did you get enough to eat? I think you lost a couple pounds, hanging around the hospital to babysit me. Is the pizza the way you like?”

  “It’s perfect.” To prove it he took a bite, though the sauce bit at his tangled stomach. Cate appeared to be getting over things without a hitch. He, on the other hand, would require a bit more time to bring his flashpoint of temper into check. But that was no excuse to ruin a beautiful summer afternoon—and the last free afternoon they had together before Catherine returned to her work at the clinic. It made Brody feel just a bit nostalgic. “You’re beautiful, Cate.”

  “I feel beautiful when I’m with you.” She smoothed a hand through her hair, and Brody guessed she remained self-conscious about the bare spot left by stitches. It would grow back eventually, but that would take time. In the meantime, she’d had the front trimmed into bangs that skimmed her forehead, framing her eyes. “Despite my newfound hair loss.”

  “I like your new hairstyle. Those cropped bangs make your eyes pop.”

  “Where’d you learn to talk like that?” Catherine burst into laughter. The carefree, tinkling sound was worth him sacrificing a bit of man-pride. “You’ve been brushing up on your smooth-talk, I see.”

  “Is it working?”

  “Hmm…” She lifted his hand to her lips to gently kiss each knuckle. “You be the judge.”

  ****

  Brody was there for her…Catherine felt it deep in her bones. The ‘event’ as she’d come to think of it, at the clinic, had tossed her world upside down. Whether alone or surrounded by people, she’d never felt unsafe at work—until now. The clinic was her haven, her special place where, even on a particularly bad day, she could find a modicum of peace.

  But now, in the throes of a single, irrevocable event, that peace had been shattered. But, somehow, having Brody near helped put the shattered pieces back together. His quiet faith was an inspiration to her. So, she kept a positive attitude, remained strong, and carried on, mainly because of his encouragement.

  She wondered how she’d lived for the past decade without him. If she thought about it hard enough, she realized she hadn’t really been living. There was a huge difference between getting through a day and enjoying that day. Brody, well, he certainly added to the enjoyment. Catherine stole covert glances at him while he wasn’t looking, drinking in the strong set of his jaw and the tenderness in his gaze. His hands, able and strong, made her heart sing with each gentle touch. Over all the days and seasons spent together, she’d come to read his moods as if they were her own.

  The truth stole her breath—she loved him.

  “Do you want to go for a walk?” Brody wiped pizza sauce from his lips and tossed his napkin onto his plate. “It’s too nice to stay indoors.”

  “I’d like that.” She drained her tea glass and reached for her purse. “After two days in the hospital, the fresh air is nice.”

  “Your headache gone for good now?”

  “Completely.” She paused at his side as he opened the door for her. “I feel fine.”

  “Up to a walk along Willow Lake, then?”

  “That sounds perfect.” Catherine slipped her purse strap over one shoulder. “The breeze is always cool along the water, and the wild honeysuckle is in bloom. I’ve always loved the scent of wild honeysuckle.”

  “I remember.” Brody tugged his truck keys from his pocket as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “You know, we’ve had some of our best times on that lake.”

  “Yes, we have.”

  “And I believe we’re due for some more…lots more.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Trust me, I know.”

  “I like the sound of that.” She reached for his hand as they started toward the truck. “Brody Simmons, you’re just full of wonderful surprises.”

  10

  “Can you believe it?” Catherine sighed at she leaned against the porch rail at the inn. Her hair was a glossy mass of silk as it kissed her waist beneath a sky exploding with starlight. Beyond the inn’s expansive yard, the lake shimmered and danced as water rippled. A gentle breeze carried the scent of wild lilacs in bloom along the forest’s edge as a grove of willows swayed in a balletic serenade. “Josie’s pregnant. Who would have thought it would happen so quickly? They’ve only been married a few months, but I’m so happy for her
and Mason.”

  “Yeah. Their announcement was a bit of a shocker, albeit a good one.” Brody eased in beside her and turned to drink in the commotion in the great room. Back-slaps for the guys, tears for the women as Josie’s belly became the focus of attention. Happiness reined all around; it was contagious. For the first time in a long time, he felt completely at peace. They’d all come full circle—almost. He aimed to place the final piece of that puzzle before the evening ended. “Soon the woods will be crawling with a new generation. So much out there to be found.”

  “It’s only fitting, don’t you think, to fill this place with children again? It’s been way too long since the lake has heard the sound of laughter.”

  “Ali had some good foresight, holding onto the inn when her parents were ready to sell it off. It couldn’t have been easy for her in the beginning, all alone here with all her memories. She’s tough…all of you are.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way. I can’t imagine anyone else living here, holding the reins.” Catherine leaned her elbows on the rail, propping her chin in upturned palms. “Ryder’s a perfect fit for her, don’t you think?”

  “They’re perfect for each other, as are Josie and Mason, Hunter and Maci.” Brody skimmed a hand over Catherine’s cheek. “Impressive, isn’t it?”

  “Like they’ve been programmed by GPS to find one another after so many years apart.”

  “Nice analogy.” Brody leaned in, nestling his arm against hers. “How’s your GPS?”

  “Why do you ask?”

  “Walk with me down to the lake?” He glanced back over his shoulder at the commotion just inside the French doors leading off of the deck. “I’d like to have you to myself for a bit.”

  “Do you think they’ll miss us?”

  “I guess we’ll find out.”

  ****

  Brody took her down to the lake by way of the long, winding drive along the boat house. Ryder had done a lot of work here and it showed. Water flowed over river rock to a backlit koi pond where fish, huge and magnificent, swam in a slow, intriguing dance. Ceramic planters of all sizes and shapes exploded with the color of wave petunias while a waterfall tinkled and splashed merrily. Lighting was soft and well-planned, adding an air of romance that only added to the beauty of a full moon.

  “I love the scent of lilacs.” Catherine breathed deeply, closing her eyes as she spun in a slow circle. Music drifted from the inn, a soft melody that had her swaying. “It reminds me of us…how we used to come down here in the summer and sun ourselves along the rocks.”

  “You sunned yourself. I watched.” Brody drew her close. “I couldn’t take my eyes off you, Cate. You used to pick the lilacs and weave them into your hair. It made me crazy, watching you.”

  “I didn’t know.” Her heart leapt at the thought. And all these years she’d thought he was just hanging out with the guys. Talk about naïve. “I thought you were too busy showing off with the guys—jumping from the bluffs and screaming like Tarzan from that rope swing you and Mason fashioned.”

  “Pretty good covert operation, don’t you think?” He smoothed back her hair and twined his fingers with hers. Bathed in moonlight, with the stars for an orchestra, he slipped into a slow two-step. “You were beautiful, Cate. You are beautiful.”

  “Keep that up, and you’re going to make me cry.”

  “Only if they’re happy tears.”

  “Oh, yes…only happy tears.”

  “In that case…” They danced, had their fill of dancing, before he finally murmured, “Sit down, Cate.”

  She slipped onto the bench that she knew Ryder had fashioned out of oak harvested himself from the surrounding forest.

  “I’d like to say something, if you don’t mind.” Brody’s eyes were so rich and round with love that they rivaled the brilliance of the full moon caressing the sleepy shore of Willow Lake.

  “I...” Suddenly her heart skittered, and the sky seemed to brighten.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too, Brody.”

  “Give me a minute here.” Brody’s voice grew husky as he knelt before her. “My presentation obviously needs a little work.

  “What? Oh, Brody…” She couldn’t say another word. Her heart had leapt into her throat.

  “Catherine Jones, I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, but loving you isn’t one of them. Loving you has never been one of them. I am impatient and short-tempered, and sometimes, as you so eloquently put it, even pompous—”

  “I’m sorry about that. I didn’t mean—”

  “My turn, so hush and listen.” He pressed a finger to her lips. “I have loved you since the first day I laid eyes on you and I’ve never, ever stopped. Nor will I.” He slipped his hand into the pocket of his jeans as his gaze held hers. True and steady. “I can’t imagine spending another day—another heartbeat—without you by my side.”

  “Brody…oh my!” Catherine’s pulse flew off the charts as Brody pulled a ring from his pocket and a diamond caught the light. “That’s the ring…the same ring. You kept it all these years.”

  “Of course I kept it.” He reached for her left hand. “Will you marry me, Cate?”

  “You kept the ring, Brody. Oh my goodness, I can’t believe you kept it! She threw her arms around him as the tears—happy tears—began to flow. “Yes, I’ll marry you. And I’ll love you forever, Brody Simmons. That’s a promise.”

  Cheers erupted from the inn’s deck, along with catcalls and whistles.

  “It’s about time you two came to your senses,” Ryder called. “Congratulations and welcome home, both of you!”

  “Now get back in here,” Josie added, “so we can celebrate.”

  Epilogue

  “You couldn’t have ordered a more perfect day for a wedding.” Ryder crossed over to Brody, grinning like a man who’d already survived the matrimonial firing squad and was proud of it. “Are you ready?”

  “I think I’m going to pass out.” Brody tugged at the collar of his tux as he leaned against the inn’s deck rail. In the field below, a small crowd settled into white wooden chairs that had been lined along the lake’s shore. Trees exploded in a rainbow of festive autumn hues, reflecting off the water in an impressive quilt of color. Ali, Maci, and Josie, dressed in stunning shades of hunter green, gathered just beneath the deck. Their laughter drifted as they waited with Catherine for the crowd to settle and the wedding music to begin. “This is it…the real deal. I’m going to be a husband.”

  “And one day down the road, most likely, you’ll become a daddy, too.”

  “Oh…” Brody grabbed the rail as the floor tilted. His heart began to thunder. “I’m strangling in this monkey suit.”

  “There’ll be none of that.” Ryder handed Brody a glass of iced tea. “Drink it and take a breath. This is the hardest part—the waiting.”

  “I’ve waited ten years…what’s a few more minutes?”

  “I know. Been there, done that, and let me tell you—it’s worth every minute of the infernal wait.”

  “Look at them…” Brody paused to chug the tea, draining the glass in one long gulp before he set it on the rail. “Three women with bellies like a progression of small mountains. Maci’s due any day, with Josie and Ali to follow.” It had been a surprise to all of them when Ryder and Ali announced they were expecting their second child. “Soon the inn will be crawling with a platoon of kids.”

  “As it should be.” Ryder grinned. “This place—the inn and the land surrounding it—was meant to be explored and filled with the squeals of children. Maybe you and Catherine will add to the army?”

  “Cate would be over the moon for that, and I’m good with it, too. But let’s get the ceremony over, first.”

  “Soon enough, my friend.” Ryder laughed and smacked him on the back. “There’s the music now. We’d better head down there. You don’t want to be late.”

  “Nope. You have the rings?”

  “Right here.” Ryder patted the breast pocket of
his tux. “Safe and sound.”

  They’d been safe and sound for a decade. Now, it was time to put both rings in their rightful place—on the marriage finger.

  Brody descended the steps and made his way to the head of the crowd, turning to face his friends as the music crescendoed. One by one Ali, Maci, and Josie appeared along with Ryder, Hunter and Mason through the inn’s French doors to flank him beneath the wedding arch Mason had constructed. A slight pause and then Catherine’s gaze met his as she, covered in a mist of veil, stepped through the doors.

  His heart soared and all thought fled—everything but his deep and pure love for her—as she floated toward him over a carpet of rose petals. The crowd seemed to disappear, leaving only the two of them as the distance between them closed. All the years of waiting—and hoping—melted away. He took her hands in his and sighed.

  Together, they’d finally made it home.

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