A couple of people over the years had suggested that, with her height and cheekbones, she ought to be a model, but she’d figured they were hallucinating. Now she could kind of see their point, although she would never have the patience to pose for hours in front of a camera.
Oh, who was she kidding? Being tall and slim didn’t make you a model. You had to be beautiful, too.
Amy made a face at herself in the mirror. She was just her plain old self, nothing more and nothing less. Besides, she enjoyed helping people through her work and she doubted she’d ever get that much satisfaction from standing around preening.
The jangle of the doorbell made her jump. How did he get here so fast? she wondered as she went to let him in.
With his blond hair still wet from the shower, Quent looked so sexy he set her pulse racing. Beneath his open suit jacket, the tailored blue shirt clung to a damp spot on his flat stomach, highlighting the breadth of his chest and the narrowness of his hips. Amy almost dared to reach out and button the coat for him, but she was afraid she might start undoing his shirt instead.
He gave a low whistle as he regarded her. “What a knockout!”
“It’s the hat,” Amy said. “And the color. Aren’t they terrific?”
“Not to mention the woman who’s wearing them,” Quent replied. “But if you say so, of course, it’s the hat that bowled me over.”
His kidding restored her confidence. When he opened the door and took her elbow to help her step up into his SUV, Amy refrained from cracking a joke about not being a helpless old lady yet.
“If you keep this up, I might let you whisk me away to Paris,” she teased. “Like one of my many boyfriends.”
Quent’s mouth twitched, but she couldn’t tell whether he was almost smiling or almost frowning. “Did Rob invite you on a trip?”
“Rob?” she asked. “When would he find time to take a break? And please start the car! I’m in a hurry.”
“Sorry.” He got behind the wheel and pulled onto the road. “The way you said that, I wondered if you had a specific boyfriend in mind.”
Amy couldn’t believe the suspicion that cropped up. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous!”
“Of course not.”
“I was,” she admitted.
Quent cast her a droll look. “Care to tell me who inspired this unwarranted emotion?”
“Natalie’s sister,” Amy said. “The luscious blonde.”
“You mean the chatterbox?”
She laughed. “Perspectives vary, I see.”
“Now that we’re ’fessing up, I’ll admit I was wondering how you came to attend the party with Rob.” Quent zipped through the light Saturday traffic.
“Natalie put me up to inviting him,” Amy admitted. “I’m glad I did.” Hearing no response, she explained, “He met lots of new people and I think it helped him feel more comfortable at Doctors Circle. Not everyone is as outgoing as you are.”
“No sparks?” Quent asked. “No bongo drums thrumming in the background? No sweaty palms?”
“Especially no sweaty palms.” He had been jealous! Outside, Amy could have sworn she heard birds singing.
She almost wished they weren’t going to a wedding. She wanted to walk on the beach with Quent and dig her toes into the sand. They could buy fried clams at a snack shack and carry them to her condo, nice and snug now that she had a new roof. They wouldn’t even have to worry about getting sand in the carpet, since it was going to be replaced next week.
Quent careened into the church parking lot and halted in front of the double doors. “Delivering you as promised, milady,” he said.
“Thank you.” Impulsively, Amy leaned over to kiss him. Her hat bumped his head, startling them both. As she reached to adjust it, Quent pulled her close and kissed her with lingering sweetness.
She melted like chocolate in the sun. All she wanted was to taste his mouth, to feel his strong hands tighten on her waist, to go home with Quent and forget everything else.
Someone thumped on the glass and they sprang apart. Amy felt her cheeks grow hot. “Who was that?” She peered outside, but their tormenter had already gone into the church.
“I guess this is kind of a public place,” Quent said. “I’m glad we did that, though.”
“Me, too.” Her blood racing, Amy hurried outside and into the foyer.
In a side room, she found the bride, breathtaking in a storybook white gown and a hat trimmed with feathers. The high waist and flowing skirt not only reinforced the impression of old-fashioned charm, they also disguised her pregnancy.
With their different heights and coloring, Heather and Candy each brought an individual sense of style to the turquoise dress. Angie had opted for a silver mother-of-the-bride suit adorned with a blue-green scarf.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” Amy told them all. “My car went on a mission of mercy.”
“All’s well that ends well,” Natalie said.
“We heard Quent was bringing you,” Heather added. “How’s that going?”
“How’s what going?” Amy asked.
“Oh, come on!” Candy scoffed. “He practically tripped over his feet getting to you at the dinner last night. I was afraid for a minute he might deck that guy you brought.”
“Quent was in a hurry to reach the food,” Amy said. “He worked the late shift, which meant he was starving.”
“I don’t believe a word of it.” Angie gave her daughter a broad wink. “Throw her the bouquet. Take my word for it. She’ll be the next to marry.”
At last the bride shooed them all into the empty vestibule. Candy stuck her head into the sanctuary and signaled the organist that they were ready.
Although she’d known the church’s choir was going to sing today, Amy hadn’t been prepared for the swelling impact of voices as they launched into the processional. Thank goodness Candy was going first, because she needed a moment to clear her eyes.
Heather went second, followed by Amy. The airy church had been transformed into a fairy-tale setting by masses of silver-trimmed white and turquoise flowers. The music, exquisitely sung, lifted her spirits until Amy might have been floating.
Familiar faces smiled at her from the pews. As Amy paced down the aisle, she picked out Quent immediately. He sat to one side next to a likable, peppery hospital board member named Noreen McLanahan.
A shaft of sunshine through a side window bathed his strong face, which came alive as his eyes met hers. Amy felt his gaze travel down her body, awakening a swelling sensitivity in her breasts. She remembered her fantasy of walking down the aisle toward him in her own wedding gown. If only it were true. If only tonight were their wedding night…
He bowed his head to listen to a remark from his elderly companion, and the contact was broken. At the front of the church, Amy took her place beside Heather.
The organist segued into the bridal march. On her mother’s arm, Natalie stepped into view.
The bride glided majestically between the rows of well-wishers, her attention fixed on the man who waited for her. There really was something magical about a wedding, Amy thought, watching joy radiate between the husband-and wife-to-be.
They were perfect for each other. With all her heart, she hoped that someday she might know that same happiness, that sense of coming home.
It was later in the service, when the choir began to sing “Climb Every Mountain,” that she lost the battle with her tears. Amy let them flow. There was no reason to be embarrassed when half the congregation was weeping, too.
The vows were said and the rings exchanged. The couple turned to face their guests.
“May I present to you Dr. and Mrs. Patrick Barr!” said the pastor. Applause erupted from the onlookers.
Quent was clapping with the best of them. Beside him, Mrs. McLanahan jumped to her feet—not achieving much increase in stature, since she was so short—and topped the noise with a wolf whistle.
Patrick and Natalie burst out laughing. With a wave to the elderly woman,
they strode up the aisle and out of sight.
As at the rehearsal, Amy was paired with Kent Lincoln, Mike’s younger son. The six-year-old performed his task of groomsman solemnly, marching beside her with considerably more decorum than his eight-year-old brother who, ahead of them, tugged Heather into a near-lope.
Outside, limousines carried the bridal party to the Barr mansion a few blocks away. As they traced the curving driveway, Amy saw that the trees had been strung with Christmas lights, not yet aglow this early in the day. The front of the mansion, including the rounded roof of the portico, was hung with green wreaths and red and silver bows.
Christmas was still three weeks away. Amy didn’t mind starting the celebration early, though. In fact, she loved it.
Once the limo halted in front of the house, they emerged into brisk afternoon sunshine. Inside, an enormous Christmas tree dominated the huge entryway with white lights, glass ornaments and—the bridesmaids began chuckling—silken bunnies hanging among the branches.
“Those weren’t here last year!” Heather exclaimed. “Natalie’s adding her touch, and I like it.”
Ribbons, bows, draped fabric and ornaments gave the rest of the large entrance chamber and the grand staircase a sumptuous air. Through double doors, Amy saw champagne flowing from a fountain in the living room. Waiters circulated with hors d’oeuvres and champagne flutes as workers set up a buffet table.
Across the room, Natalie clapped her hands for attention. “Okay, guys, let’s form a receiving line!”
They barely had time to queue up before the guests began arriving. A short time later, Quent helped Noreen McLanahan inside and stood beside her, waiting to shake hands.
Usually, Noreen had enough pep to volunteer at the hospital gift shop in addition to being a donor and board member, but obviously she wasn’t up to par today. Amy was pleased that Quent had taken the older woman under his wing.
When they reached her, he shook Amy’s hand firmly and held it longer than necessary. “I’m glad we were able to get you to the church on time. You added a lot to the ceremony.”
“Me?” Amy shook her head. “Bridesmaids are just set decoration for the bride.”
“I’d like to see a few more brides around here,” said Noreen. “Even on my not-so-good days, you can’t keep me home when there’s a wedding.”
“We’ve been joking about who’s going to catch the bridal bouquet,” Amy told her. “No one’s taking any bets.”
She noticed that Quent’s mouth was ajar. Surely he didn’t think she was dropping a hint! That would be ridiculous, considering how he’d beaten a retreat when they started to get close. To forestall a possible awkward moment, she turned and introduced Noreen to Alana.
“You’re as pretty as your sister,” Noreen told her. “But I see you’re already wearing a ring. I guess I can’t get you married off.”
“You’re way too late for that,” Alana agreed.
Other guests required Amy’s attention. By the time she found a free moment, Quent and Noreen had disappeared.
More and more people arrived, including some city officials. Since they were customarily invited to Patrick’s Christmas open house, they had been included today as well.
Heather stretched up and whispered in Amy’s ear, “Guess who just got here?”
She checked the end of the line, which was growing shorter. “If it isn’t our favorite chief of police!”
There’d been speculation as to whether Finn Sorrell would show up this year. For one thing, he was the brother of Spencer Sorrell, the doctor who’d retired suddenly after trying to make trouble for Patrick.
In addition, Finn was known for having given Natalie’s family a hard time whenever he came across them. Although they were good people, they’d had a few minor run-ins with the law, which had been enough to make Finn and Spencer both look down their noses at Natalie and her mother.
However, the Barr open house was a highlight of the season in Serene Beach. The mayor and the school board president, among others, were sure to be here, and the police chief knew that if he didn’t show up, others would assume he hadn’t been invited.
His high forehead shining beneath the bright lights, Finn stood with his wife on his arm, waiting his turn to shake hands. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Heather said. “I’m not sure whether I’d rather see him force himself to be nice to Natalie and Angie, or see Patrick throw him bodily out the door.”
“My, aren’t you in a feisty mood!” Amy said.
“I can’t stand people who pick on anyone who’s at a disadvantage, the way Finn and Sorrell used to bully Natalie,” Heather responded. “I know what it’s like to be the person that people point to as a bad example.”
It was hard to picture Heather in that situation, now that she was a successful obstetrician, but Amy knew the Moms in Training complained of suffering such insults. “Old wounds take a long time to heal, don’t they?”
“You’ve got that right!”
Finn and his wife passed down the line, stiff smiles pasted to their mouths. Amy and Heather couldn’t resist peering around to watch them tender their best wishes to the bride and her mother.
The police chief made a slight bow and introduced his wife. She hovered nervously as if unsure whether to curtsey.
“Everything went smoothly,” Amy murmured, relieved. “I’m glad to see the chief finally learned some manners.”
“There’s nothing like a generous helping of humble pie,” Heather said. “Maybe he’ll be more careful who he picks on in the future.”
Bernie, who always co-hosted the Barr open house, came to tell the bridesmaids they were free to go eat now. From her broad grin, anyone could see she was delighted about her brother’s marriage.
Amy wandered through the mansion, enjoying the sumptuous decorations and the high spirits of the partygoers. Beautiful as this place was, though, she knew that if she were lucky enough to marry Quent, she wouldn’t care where they lived.
When she spotted him standing near the terrace doors in the living room, enjoying the sunlit view of the harbor, Amy’s throat tightened. She loved the strength of his jawline and the rebellious tuft of blond hair working its way upright at the crown of his head.
Well, she’d better not stand here with her heart in her eyes. There was enough gossip already going around Doctors Circle, and no doubt there’d be even more after their kissing scene in front of the church.
She filled a plate at the buffet. When she reached the dessert table, Quent materialized beside her, having already managed to snag his own food.
“I hear a rumor that there are vacant seats in the den,” he told her. “Care to sit down?”
“Are you kidding?” Amy said. “My feet are killing me.” Even the best-fitting high-heeled sandals began to hurt after a while.
Quent accompanied her into the oversize den, where a second Christmas tree sparkled in one corner. On the couch, Noreen held court between Dr. Dudley Fingger and Endowment Fund donor Alfred LoBianco. Both men were laughing at her witticisms.
“Isn’t she amazing?” Quent held a chair for Amy, then perched on a folding chair beside her.
“I hope I’m that sharp when I reach her age,” she said.
“I wish I were that sharp now!” The two of them shared a smile.
A rush of happiness swept over Amy. She felt utterly contented right this minute, being here with Quent. She didn’t want to think about the future or the past, about where this might lead or whether she’d be a fraud if she caught Natalie’s bouquet. She just wanted to stay next to Quent.
So, naturally, his cell phone rang. It was an occupational hazard of being a doctor, she reflected ruefully as he answered.
“Dr. Ladd.” His easygoing expression vanished. “Slow down, Greg. What’s going on?”
Greg, Amy remembered, was his nephew. How old had he said the boy was? She had the impression he was awfully young to be telephoning his uncle.
A moment later, Quent sai
d, “I’ll be there as soon as I can. You know it takes an hour and a half, but I’ll step on it. Greg, you have to act like a grown-up until I get there or until Lucy or your baby-sitter comes back. Try to make your sister laugh so she’ll stop crying, okay? I’m sure your aunt will be there any minute. I’m on my way.” After a few more reassurances, he rang off.
“What’s wrong?” Amy asked.
“I’m sorry, but I have to go.” He set his plate on an end table. “Greg’s aunt went running and left the kids with a teenage neighbor named Jenny. For some reason, she’s gone outside and they’re alone. Thank goodness Greg remembered how to speed-dial my number.”
He was already on his feet. Amy rose, too. “Should you call the police?”
“I hate to do that. It’ll get Lucy in trouble and this isn’t exactly her fault.” Quent clenched his teeth, obviously torn. “But if they’re in danger, I should, shouldn’t I?”
“You could call back in five minutes and see if they’re still alone,” Amy said.
He nodded, relieved. “That’s a good idea. Meanwhile, I’ve got to hit the road. I can’t afford to wait.”
“I’m coming, too.” She spoke without thinking, and more loudly than she’d intended. Suddenly she realized everyone in the room was watching.
When Quent hesitated, Amy’s heart sank. She’d over-stepped the bounds and made a fool of herself.
Worse than that, Quent was going to keep her out of what was obviously an important part of his life. She didn’t intend to let him.
Chapter Ten
He had no right to drag Amy away from the wedding celebration, especially since she was one of the bridesmaids, Quent thought. Whatever happened to his niece and nephew, it wasn’t her problem.
But he preferred not to be separated from her today. Their kiss had resounded through his entire being, reminding him that his feelings on Saturday night hadn’t been an aberration at all.
He might not be ready to take on a serious relationship. He certainly didn’t want to lure her from her busy, fulfilling life into a relationship that might deteriorate into misunderstandings and resentments, as had happened with his parents and, he gathered, with hers as well.
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