Race to the Altar

by Judy Duarte

  Chase pulled his arm free of the older man’s grip. “Thanks for the party.”

  “If you want to drive my car next season, you’ll at least stick around until after we eat.”

  The threat hung in the humidity, but it no longer seemed to matter. Nothing mattered except finding Molly.

  “I’m not sure what I want to do next season. But don’t threaten me, Gerald. It won’t work.” Chase reached into his pocket and pulled out his car keys. Then he sprinted toward his Corvette.

  Knowing Molly, she’d be driving like a little old lady on her way to an ice cream social, so he had no doubt he’d catch her—if he set his mind to it.

  Of course, he had no idea what he’d tell her when he did. Or whether she’d give a squat about anything he had to say.

  Hell, what would he say? He wasn’t sure. He’d probably start by telling her that he loved her. And that he wanted to work things out—somehow. Because without Molly in his life, the future wouldn’t be as bright as it had once seemed.

  When he reached the car, he took one last look at the ranch, at the people attending “his” party. People he didn’t really know, didn’t care to know.

  Molly, on the other hand, was the first person who’d gotten beneath his skin, rather than just touching the surface. And he didn’t want to lose her.

  Once in the car, he started the engine, then took off after her. He wasn’t sure if he’d be willing to give up racing for her. But he’d have to seriously consider it.

  The rain had begun to sprinkle steadily by the time he saw the Brighton Valley city limits sign. He’d made pretty good time, but he hadn’t caught up with her yet.

  Minutes later, he spotted an accident up ahead—at the intersection of Second and Main. A white pickup had struck a blue Honda…Oh, God. Was that Molly?

  His heart dropped to the pit of his stomach, and fear, the likes of which he’d never felt before, slammed into him. He hit the brakes, shifted into Park and ran toward her car.

  Molly sat in the idling vehicle, holding the steering wheel and trying to clear her head. The guy in the pickup was slumped over his dash, so something told her she’d gotten off more easily than he had.

  Somebody was going to have to call the paramedics, and she figured it would have to be her.

  Her head hurt where she’d bumped it, and her knee ached. But she was more concerned about the baby. It was so early in her pregnancy; anything could happen. Was it okay? Would she lose it?

  Her door swung open, and she turned to look at whoever had come to her aid. She’d planned to tell him or her to check on the other driver first, but when she spotted Chase, his expression clearly panicked, his face as pale as a ghost’s, her pounding heart nearly stopped.

  He’d followed her from the ranch?

  Tears welled in her eyes, and emotion balled in her throat.

  “Molly? Are you okay, honey?” His voice, soft and hesitant, was laden with something akin to fear, which set off a wave of emotion in her.

  She tried to speak, but she could hardly even nod. Instead, the tears rolled down her cheeks and she reached for him.

  He wrapped his arms around her and carefully helped her from the car. When he’d looked her over for injury and apparently determined she was whole, he said, “Hang on, honey. I need to check the other guy.”

  She nodded, glad that he was taking charge since her hands were trembling and her legs had turned to mush.

  Realizing that they’d need an ambulance, she returned to her car and reached for the cell phone in her purse. The hardest part was urging her uncooperative fingers to dial 911.

  Interestingly enough, she had the presence of mind to report the accident, telling the dispatcher which intersection they were in. Apparently medical training trumped fear. At least, it had in this case.

  She had no idea how long it was before she heard an ambulance in the distance. Three minutes, maybe?

  The driver of a minivan parked across the way jumped out of his car and joined Chase beside the pickup.

  Moments later Chase was back at her side. “I’d feel better if you went to the hospital and let a doctor look at that knot on your head.”

  Molly lifted her hand, felt a lump the size of a walnut. She figured it probably wasn’t serious, but she would agree to an examination because of the baby.

  One of the paramedics came over to check on her, a guy she’d seen on occasion at the E.R. The other one hurried toward the pickup.

  After a couple of moments, the paramedic said, “Why don’t we take you to the hospital as a precaution?”

  “Okay.” She wondered if she should mention the baby to him, but she didn’t want to say anything in front of Chase. Not that she was keeping it from him anymore. She just didn’t want him learning about it this way.

  When the medic went to confer with his partner, Chase reached for Molly’s hand, his fingers trembling, too. “You have no idea how scared I was when I realized it was your car in the intersection.”

  She gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “And you have no idea how surprised I was to see you here. When I left the ranch, I thought—”

  “You thought wrong. I don’t know how we’re going to work this out, Molly, but I swear to you we will. I love you. And when you’re not with me, a big part of me goes missing.”

  “I love you, too. And on the way home I had a chance to think about a lot of things. I’m sorry I gave you an ultimatum. It wasn’t fair. That doesn’t mean that I won’t be scared out of my mind each time you race, but I’m the one with the problem. And I’m willing to talk to a counselor about it.”

  He brushed a kiss across her brow. “I’ve never been afraid of losing anyone before, but I got a taste of what that felt like today. And I promise to try and be sensitive to your fears.”

  The paramedic, who’d been looking Molly over, returned and said, “I don’t think that head injury is serious, but we probably should let a doctor decide.”

  “Is the other driver okay?” Molly asked.

  “We think he may have suffered a seizure, which is why he ran the stop sign. But he’s conscious and talking.” The paramedic straightened. “The police will be here shortly, and they’ll arrange for the vehicles to be towed.” He glanced at Chase. “We’ll be going to Brighton Valley Medical Center. You can follow us if you want.”

  Chase appeared hesitant, as if he wasn’t sure if he wanted to go. And Molly could understand that, although she really didn’t want to be alone right now. Still, she had friends at the hospital, so she wasn’t as uneasy as she might have been before.

  “I can leave my car here and ride with you in the ambulance,” Chase said. “In fact, I’d rather do that.”

  Just the fact that he understood, that he wanted to help, made her smile. “I’ll be okay for the short trip to BVMC.”

  And she was.

  Minutes later, Molly and the other driver, a man in his late fifties, were loaded on gurneys and placed in the ambulance. It was weird being on the receiving end of medical treatment, but her biggest concern was for the baby.

  She hadn’t been pregnant very long, but she’d already grown comfortable with the idea. And now, knowing that Chase would be a part of her life, she was even more content.

  Once they’d gotten to the E.R., Mr. Jennings, the driver of the pickup, was whisked into treatment room one. And Molly was taken to bed three. She wasn’t sure where Chase was, but she knew he’d be here. And it gave her a solid sense of peace, a sense of knowing that everything would be okay—one way or another.

  As the privacy curtain was drawn back, Betsy approached Molly’s bed. “How’re you doing?”

  “Not too bad. I’m a little shaky. And I’m worried about the baby.”

  “Are you in pain?”

  “No.”

  “Are you experiencing any bleeding?”

  “No, I don’t think so.”

  After a brief exam, Betsy said, “You probably ought to take it easy for a day or two. Maybe go home and put
your feet up for the rest of the night. But I think the baby’s all right.”

  “What baby?” Chase asked as he stepped through the gap in the curtains.

  Molly turned to face the man she loved, the man with whom she had so much to talk over, so much to decide. “This isn’t the way I’d planned to tell you, Chase. But I’m pregnant.”

  “You are?” Confusion danced across his face. “When…?”

  “The first time, I think.”

  “But how…?”

  “Who knows how it happened?”

  Betsy chuckled softly. “I’ve got a pretty good idea how it happened.”

  Chase didn’t seem to catch the humor, as he furrowed his brow, apparently taking it all in.

  “I know this is a bit sudden and unexpected for you to wrap your mind around,” Molly said. “So if you’re not up to being a father, I’ll love the baby enough for both of us.”

  “It’s not that,” he said. “I’m just…speechless, I guess. But don’t worry about loving the baby for the two of us.” He lifted her hand and pressed a kiss along the top of her knuckles. “I’m going to be the best father a kid ever had.”

  Then, bending over her, he kissed her to seal the deal.

  When the paperwork had been completed, and a co-payment had been made, Molly was sent home.

  “I’ll bring the car around,” Chase said. “Are you going to be okay with that?”

  She knew he was talking about her riding with him, and she appreciated the fact that he understood. “Yes, I’ll be all right.”

  He took her by the hand and led her out the main entrance of the E.R., then stopped by a bench that was near the automatic doors. “Wait here for me. I won’t be long.”

  “Betsy gave me the name of a counselor,” she said, as she took a seat. “I’m going to call and make an appointment in the morning.”

  He nodded, as if pondering the wisdom in the statement, but she knew that he agreed. It was the right thing to do, the only thing to do.

  “I don’t want the baby to grow up to share my fear,” she added. “I’ve got to learn to let go, to trust that things will be all right.”

  “I’ll do everything in my power to always keep you and the baby safe.” Chase placed a hand on her cheek, and his gaze locked onto hers. “I think it might be a good idea if I talked to that counselor, too—at least, once or twice. I’ve been trying to prove something my entire life, something that was proven a long time ago.”

  Molly placed her hand over his, holding it against her face. Holding the bond that drew them together.

  “For what it’s worth,” Chase said, “I’ve decided not to drive for Gerald anymore.”

  “I hate doing that to you. I don’t want you to end up resenting me. Or resenting the baby.”

  “Right now, I can’t imagine that happening, Molly. I love you too much. And to be honest, just because I quit driving for Gerald doesn’t mean I’ll stop racing altogether. I could be offered another opportunity, and I might take it. That’s a decision I’ll have to make, although I’ll consider your feelings when I do. But for now, let’s just take things one step at a time.” Chase removed his hand from her cheek, then took off into the parking lot.

  Minutes later, he returned with the Corvette, the roar of the engine echoing in the night air.

  Molly was a little shaky climbing into the sports car, but she buckled up and settled into her seat. And this time, instead of hugging the door, she made a concentrated effort to look straight ahead, to relax and to place herself in Chase’s hands.

  She also chose to believe that he would do what he said he would, that he would watch out for her safety, as well as the baby’s.

  When they arrived at her house, he parked in the driveway, then got out of the car and opened the passenger door for her. He reached out a hand, and she took it.

  For the first time in her life, Molly felt as though she’d truly come home. The fears might remain a part of her for a while, but with Chase by her side, she knew she could tackle anything.

  “I’ve got an idea,” Chase said, as they walked to the door.

  “What’s that?”

  “After you’re off bed rest, I’m going to take you out on the road and teach you some defensive driving skills to help you feel more in control of the car.”

  “I’d like that.”

  She reached into her purse and withdrew the keys to the door. Then she handed them to him and waited for him to let them inside.

  “I’ll take care of feeding Rusty,” he said. “Why don’t you lie down and put your feet up like Dr. Nielson said.”

  “All right.”

  He led her into the bedroom and pulled back the covers. “You’re in good hands with me, Molly.”

  “I know.” She offered him a warm smile, then, while he went to take care of the cat, she undressed and put on a clean nightgown.

  She’d no more than climbed into bed when he returned.

  “I’m staying tonight,” he said.

  She smiled. “I’m glad.”

  “And I’m going to sleep with you,” he said. “But I won’t touch you. I won’t hurt you. I just want to be with you and the baby.”

  “You’re going to have to touch me a little,” she said, her eyes surely glimmering. “I sleep better when I’m wrapped in your arms.”

  His smile could have lit a darkened room. “I don’t know what the future will bring, Molly. But I love you. And no matter what happens, we’re going to be in it together.”

  He had that right.

  She lifted her arms, silently inviting him into her bed, into her life, into her future.

  Epilogue

  Molly stood before the mirror in the choir room of the Brighton Valley Community Church, adjusting her veil and making a last-minute check of her hair and dress.

  She noted the definite baby bump that stretched the front of her gown and couldn’t help running her hand along the bulge where her son or daughter grew. She’d tried to talk Chase into flying to Las Vegas to get married, just so she wouldn’t look like a blimp dressed in white lace, but he’d refused to hear of it.

  “You look beautiful pregnant,” he’d said. “And I want you to have a real wedding.”

  Betsy, who’d agreed to be her maid of honor, approached holding the bridal bouquet. “It’s time to go. Are you ready?”

  Molly turned to face her friend and smiled. “Sometimes it’s hard to believe that I’m going to be a wife and mother.”

  “If there’s anyone who deserves to be happy and to have a family of her own, it’s you, Molly.” Betsy gave her a hug, then handed her the bouquet of tulips, the stems bound together with a satin ribbon.

  “Thanks. You deserve someone special in your life, too, Betsy.”

  “Don’t worry about me. I have the hospital, my colleagues and my patients, so my life is full. Besides, I made a big mistake trusting the wrong man once before, and I’m not going to risk making another one.”

  “I’ve been learning a lot about risks lately,” Molly said. “And I’m beginning to realize that life was meant to be lived.”

  “Sounds like you’ve been listening to the therapist.”

  “Actually,” Molly said as she turned away from the mirror, “she’s given me some things to think about, as well as some tools that are working. But the person who has really made the biggest difference in my life and my attitude has been Chase. I don’t know if I told you this, but he’s been giving me driving lessons. He even took me to the race track the other day and had me make a few laps.”

  “Don’t tell me you’re going to take up racing,” the E.R. doctor said, a grin stretching across her face.

  Molly laughed. “No, of course not. But I do feel more competent behind the wheel now. I know that I’m in good hands when he drives, too.”

  “I’m so happy things are working out so well.”

  “Sometimes you just have to choose to trust someone, and I can’t think of a better person to trust than Chase.”
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  “Then let’s not keep him waiting.” Betsy opened the door and led Molly to the back of the small church, where their family and friends waited.

  The pews were filled, the altar adorned with blue and white hydrangeas.

  Molly was sorry her parents and brother weren’t able to be with her today, but her grandmother, who had been seated in the front row, had made it. And on top of that, Chase’s family had been wonderful. Both Molly and Grandma had been welcomed into the fold.

  Betsy nodded to the wedding coordinator, who in turn told the organist to start the music. Moments later, after Betsy started the march, Molly fell into step behind her. Everyone’s eyes were on Molly, but all she could do was to look at her groom, the man she would pledge her heart and her very life to.

  Chase stood as handsome as he’d ever been, his dark hair stylishly mussed, cheeks dimpled with a smile, eyes glimmering with what could only be love.

  Molly thought her heart would surely burst. She’d been given a second chance to have a family, and she was going to rise and snatch it, grasping the opportunity like the brass ring on a merry-go-round.

  As she reached the front of the church, the minister didn’t ask who gave her away. She and Chase had decided earlier that she would come to him freely and on her own, making a conscious decision to trust him with her heart.

  Chase reached out his hand, and she took it.

  “I love you,” he whispered.

  “I love you, too.”

  They turned to face the altar.

  “Dearly beloved,” the minister began as he joined their hearts and their lives forever.

  The service was short and sweet, and when they were pronounced husband and wife, they sealed their vows with a warm and loving kiss.

  Molly didn’t know what the future would hold, but whatever happened, they would face it together.

  The racing season had started already, and while several sponsors had approached Chase about driving their cars, he’d passed on it.

  “I’m not saying I’ll never race again,” he’d told Molly after the last offer, “but the truth is, I’m not sure it’s what I really want to do. And I’m not going to rush back into a situation where I have to live under someone’s thumb.”