She watched as Ben and Nichole, and their little family, walked down the aisle headed back toward the house. They stopped when they came to her and both hugged her.
"Thank you for everything," Nichole whispered in her ear.
"My pleasure," she said as the new family moved on, followed by their attendants.
Swiping a thumb over her cheek, she wiped away a stray tear as Gerald Walker followed his brother down the aisle. His eyes automatically darted to her, and a nervous grin curled up the corner of his mouth before he quickly looked away.
Ella couldn't blame him for being nervous around her. She'd broken his heart, crushed his plans, and belittled him in front of his family. Angry with herself, she felt heat rise in her cheeks. She was lucky to even be welcomed into their home, she thought.
But as Glenda Walker passed by her too, she reached out her hand and gave Ella's a squeeze and a friendly smile. Perhaps she was being too hard on herself. The Walkers hadn't pushed her out of their lives, she'd stepped back away from them out of respect. However, when they'd needed her expertise, they'd called on her. For that she'd been grateful. It was the least she could do for a family that had once embraced her as one of their own.
The reception would follow at Lydia Morgan's hall in town. She wondered if they'd notice if she didn't attend.
As the guests began to stroll out of the garden, she caught the eye of Nichole, the bride, who waved with a smile. Well, maybe they'd notice.
She was heading back into town anyway, she might as well stop by the hall. Wedding cake was always a good reason to attend a reception, that and Susan Walker's catering.
It would be worth the slight discomfort to celebrate the marriage of Ben Walker, whom she'd always admired, though she knew he didn't think much of her. Perhaps his mind had changed after she helped his wife go after the woman who had stolen her identity.
As Ella started her BMW which was parked down the road, she heard her name called from behind her. When she turned, she saw Gerald hurrying toward her.
"Hey, it might sound crazy, but can I get a ride into town with you? Cars are full, with gifts and the wedding party. I seem to be the odd man out," he said as he reached her.
She knew she was staring, and for the first time in her life seemed to be out of words.
"If you have other plans I can…"
"No, no," she stammered. "I can give you a ride. No problem."
Her heart hitched when he smiled that smile she'd seen so many times years ago. She was sure she'd never see it again aimed in her direction, but here he was.
Unsure of what to say next, Ella opened her car door and climbed in. When Gerald didn't open his door right away, she looked toward it to see him standing there motioning to unlock it.
"I'm sorry," she said as he climbed in. "I'm a little nervous being around you and your family today."
"You've been around my family for nearly nine months working with Nichole on her case. What's making you nervous now?"
She started the engine and the car roared to life. "I've spent that time with Nichole, not with Ben, or you, or the rest of your family. Gerald, I know how they all feel about me. I know what I did and I know…"
"You don't know anything," he interrupted with a bite in his voice. "I’ve got every right to be mad at you for the rest of my life."
"Yes, you do," she agreed, and noted to herself that she'd interrupted.
"But you know my family damn well enough to know that angry or not, they wouldn't treat you badly."
As she put the car in drive, and began to follow the other cars down the dirt road to town, she wrapped up the pity party she'd been having. Gerald was right. His family, including him, would never treat her poorly for her decisions.
"I'm sorry for all of that. I'm just nervous."
"I get it. I'm nervous too, but I don't want to be. We were friends for years so why not start out again as friends now?"
Ella bit down on her glossed lip. "You're sure you want to be my friend?"
"Are you getting resettled in town and trying to build your career?"
"Yes."
"Have you been gone long enough that some things have changed?"
"Yes."
"Are you divorced and trying to work through that in your head and in your heart?"
That stung, she thought, but she answered honestly. "Yes."
"Then it sounds like you could use a friend, so why not me? And you don't have to worry. I don't get to town too often, so I won't be one of those drop by and stand on your porch kind of friends. You don't have to open up to me and confess all your sins or desires. You don't have to defend any decision you've ever made. We can just consider ourselves friends."
As she slowed behind the car in front of her to give herself visibility from the dust being kicked up, she considered his offer. She missed Gerald Walker in every way, but mostly as her friend. That had been a huge loss when she'd turned down his marriage proposal.
"I'd like to be friends," she admitted. "I had considered not going to the reception. I thought I'd feel out of place."
"That would be a shame if you missed it."
"It seems as though I've missed my share of Walker weddings in the past few years. I can't say I saw that coming," she humored as he fidgeted with the radio, a habit he had when he'd get into her car.
"I don't think any of them thought they'd all be getting married. And now there are kids too. Who'd have thought."
Well, you and I had, she considered. We’d talked about marriage. We’d made plans. Oh, we were stupid and young and foolish, but we’d thought about it. And until the moment he'd asked her to marry him, she'd been right there with him making those plans. But she got spooked, and she landed in the arms of his best friend. Ex-best friend, she noted.
"They all seem very happy."
"They are. I guess there is someone for everyone," he offered as he found a song he liked, for the time being, and sat back in his seat. "So what about you? Are you dating anyone?"
Ella swallowed the lump in her throat. This drive was long enough without talking about dating with her ex.
"No. Not very interested in dating right now. My career is too important."
He nodded slowly, his gaze focused out the window. "It always was. You've done good for yourself.”
Important enough that she'd given it as one of the reasons for not marrying him.
"What about you? As the only eligible Walker bachelor left, I'm guessing women are falling at your feet."
He gave her a shrug. "My cousin Todd hasn't gotten hooked yet. I think we're both safe. We enjoy our casual relationships with ladies. No need to go get all serious. We're young, successful men. We might as well enjoy our freedom."
The lump in her throat was back and it threatened to choke her. It was time to change the small talk to something that wasn't going to kill her. She knew he had no intention of hurting her with the conversation at hand. He was just being friendly. When the wedding was over, he'd go his way and she'd go hers. Just like it had been since she'd walked out of his life. Only now, she had a kind of permission to openly talk to him as if nothing had ever happened.
She focused on the turn in the road, and the silence between them.
"So, what do you think of the Braves this year?"
About the Author
Bestselling Author Bernadette Marie is known for building families readers want to be part of. Her series The Keller Family has graced bestseller charts since its release in 2011. Since then she has authored and published over thirty books. The married mother of five sons promises romances with a Happily Ever After always…and says she can write it because she lives it.
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A chronic entrepreneur since opening her first salon at the age of twenty, Bernadette Marie established her own publishing house in 2011, 5 Prince Publishing, so that she could publish the books she liked to write and help make the dreams of other aspiring authors come true too. Believing there is a place for the fresh a
uthor's voice, she not only publishes but coaches others who wish to publish their work independently. Bernadette Marie is also the CEO of Illumination Author Events offering smaller intimate author/reader events as well as author services.
For more information
www.bernadettemarie.com
[email protected]
Other Titles
from 5 Prince Publishing
www.5princebooks.com
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Love and Loopholes Railyn Stone
Beginnings Bernadette Marie
Stevie Girl and the Phantom Student Ann Swann
Unite the Party Antony Soehner
Star Seer April Marcom
Totally Devoted E.M. Bannock
Bases Loaded Jena James
The Tea Shop Bernadette Marie
Walker Spirit Bernadette Marie
Remains in the Pond Ann Swann
Gather The Party Antony Soehner
Stevie-girl and the Phantom Pilot Ann Swann
Chasing Shadows Bernadette Marie
The MacBrides: Logan and RJ J.L. Petersen
Chasing Shadows Bernadette Marie
Never Saw It Coming Bernadette Marie
Blissful Disaster Amy L. Gale
Victory Bernadette Marie
Chasing Her Heart J. L. Petersen
Alone M.J. Kane
Hope in the Rain Sandy Sinnett
The Deja Vu House Doug Simpson
We Are From Atlantis Doug Simpson
Prez Lissa Jay
The Train Robbers James P Hanley
Walker Revenge Bernadette Marie
Lest We Aren’t Forgiven Railyn Stone
Broken Hearts M.O. Kenyan
Goodnight Kisses Wilhelmina Stolen
The Three Stones of Bethany April Marcom
Wanderlust Bernadette Marie
Holiday Past Jessica Dall
Christmas Blitz Amy Gale
Beginnings Page 22
