Deadly Beginnings

by Jaycee Clark

  “Your fiancée? I noticed she wasn’t here,” she said for lack of anything better. Not having liked the woman she’d met at dinner in New York when she’d met Rick, she didn’t really care, but if Rick liked her and married her, then they’d be seeing a lot of each other. The woman had been practically appalled Kaitlyn was going to med school to work when she was marrying a Kinncaid.

  Rick gave her look, one that was all too similar to Jock’s when he wasn’t sure if she were teasing him or not.

  “What?”

  “She’s not my fiancée. I figured Jock would have told you.”

  Kaitlyn frowned, irritated she’d just stepped into that one. “No, no, he didn’t mention it. Mentioned he was glad you were smart. I was busy deciding on flowers I think. Sorry?”

  Rick shrugged and paced one way then the other. “What can I say, Kaitlyn, she wasn’t the one.”

  Kaitlyn had no idea what to say to that and started to follow him. “Well, as you pointed out earlier, there are lots of women here and—”

  “And they’re just like the one I let go. Good for a weekend, not for a wife. No.”

  Kaitlyn snorted a laugh.

  Rainey huffed. “Will you be still? You’re going to catch your train on something.”

  Kaitlyn got Rainey to be her matron of honor. It was fun getting ready, getting dressed. Her gown was not white, instead it was a shimmery emerald gown that faded into blues and purples along the back and into a small train. She’d had a hard time deciding on a veil and finally just went with the side pulled up and a burst of flowers on the side of her head. Not white. No, orchids, purple ones.

  Unconventional.

  She picked at the material as Rainey picked up and straightened the small train.

  “You both aren’t just being nice, are you? You’d tell me if something came up.”

  Rick crossed his arms. “I told him it would be like this. Man’s stubborn as a damned ox. He’s fine. You’re fine. You’re going to get married and have half a dozen kids after he builds more hotels and you become a heart doctor or something. Happily ever after and all that. Right now, there is a slight delay as we’re just waiting on an important guest who Jock’s adamant be here before the ceremony begins. Relax.”

  Rick walked to the front, whispered something to the small band there and then walked back to her as the band started up a song. Guests were starting to whisper.

  She turned to Rainey. “He’s not lying to me, is he?”

  Rainey watched Rick. “About the half a dozen kids, I hope so. About Jock or the wedding or the important guest? No.”

  “Finally!” Rick said as a limo pulled around from the front of the house.

  Kaitlyn waited to see who got out.

  Rick strode to the car and waited by the door. Grammy got out.

  “Grammy?” she whispered and then picked up the front of her dress, hurrying to her grandmother.

  She’d thought Grammy wasn’t coming; as badly as she wanted her here, she knew it was a long journey for the aging woman.

  Becky, Kaitlyn’s old nurse, though only fifteen years older than her, alighted next. Both women stood by the car looking around with the same expression Kaitlyn probably had on her own face the first time Jock brought her here.

  Both women were dressed to the nines.

  “Slow down! You’ll ruin your dress,” Rainey told her, trying to keep up.

  “I don’t care,” she said, laughing, tears stinging her eyes.

  She ran across the lawn to hug her grandmother. “You came!”

  “O’ course I came, dearin’. You’d not think I’d be missing my only granddaughter’s big day?”

  Kaitlyn looked to Rick and then Rainey. “The important guest?”

  Rick sighed. “My brother’s hopeless. He knew you wanted her here. Thus, she’s here. I see dire things in his future.”

  “Oh!”

  “Come on, Ricky, let’s give them a few minutes,” Rainey said, linking her arm through Rick’s and leading them on ahead.

  They all walked slowly back down the lawns toward the waiting guests.

  “You’ve all you need then?” her grandmother asked.

  She wrapped her arm through Grammy’s. “I do now.”

  “Oh.” Grammy patted her hand. “I meant what a bride needs.”

  “Well, between American traditions, and Irish ones and Scottish ones Jock’s told me of, my head’s all but full of them.” She stopped. “I have something old,” she said, showing her grandmother her parents’ wedding bands, which she’d strung on a bright blue ribbon and wrapped around her bouquet. “Something new is my dress and the emeralds Jock gave me.” She motioned to the teardrop necklace and earrings. “Blue is the ribbon, but I don’t have anything borrowed.”

  Grammy looked around and then shrugged, pulling a chain from around her neck.

  “Oh, no, Grammy.”

  “I insist. I like the idea of your family all with you today.”

  Kaitlyn watched as her grandmother took an old worn ring off the chain and handed it over. “It was y’granda’s. Put it on your blue ribbon.”

  Kaitlyn smiled and Rainey helped her thread another ring onto the ribbon.

  “Thank you, Grammy.” She kissed the older woman’s cheek.

  Turning, she saw that Jock was now standing near the pastor.

  “He’s waiting on you,” Grammy whispered.

  She smiled and laced her fingers with Grammy’s. They paused near the arbor.

  Grammy brushed Kaitlyn’s hair back off her forehead. “Just beautiful. Your father would be so proud of you.”

  “I hope so.”

  “And why wouldn’t he be, and your mum as well? Smart girl like you, you’re going after your dreams. Found a man who supports you in all you do and want to do?” She tsked. “You’ve the beginnings of a very lovely life, Kaitlyn. Count your blessings.”

  She kissed her grandmother’s cheek. “Always, Grammy.”

  Then she looked back down over the crowd and to Jock, who jerked his chin up at her and smiled.

  She couldn’t hold back her grin.

  “I best be finding my seat, then. Come along, Becky.”

  But Kaitlyn grabbed her hand. “Someone said my wedding ideas were unconventional.”

  Grammy only smiled at her. “You’ve always had a touch of unconventional to you. That shouldn’t bother you.”

  “It doesn’t, so with that . . .” She took a deep breath, hoping. “Well, the thing is, I don’t have anyone to walk me down the aisle.”

  “Ah, lass, I so wish your father was here.”

  Kaitlyn took a deep breath. “As do I, but that wasn’t what I . . . that is . . . Grammy, I want you to walk down the aisle with me.”

  Grammy pulled back a bit. “A woman giving another woman away?”

  Kaitlyn crossed her arms over her chest, her bouquet losing a petal in the process. “Yes.”

  Grammy laughed and hugged her again. “I’d love to, if you’re certain?”

  Kaitlyn grabbed her grandmother’s hand and they walked to the arch, where Rainey waited.

  The musicians started up and her grandmother gave her away to Jock Alasdair Kinncaid. The man was just too damned handsome in his black suit with a dark blue tie that matched his eyes. Eyes that never left her as she made her way to him.

  As they said their vows.

  As he kissed her.

  His eyes never left her all evening.

  • • •

  Jock was the happiest damned man alive.

  “Are you happy, Mrs. Kinncaid?” he asked, leaning into her.

  The woman on his arm wore his ring, was stunning in her jewel wedding gown, and she’d laughed and smiled all evening, a single dimpled smile that sparkled in her eyes. He’d been drawn time and again to the way the chain from her pendant curved over her collarbone. A collarbone he couldn’t wait to kiss, among other things.

  Little lights twinkled from the canopy of the large white tent they’d set up f
or the dinner and candles flickered on the tables scattered around. The other tent was ready and waiting for the dance to follow.

  The dinner was well under way and Broderick had already given his speech, as had Rainey.

  Jock stood and pulled up Kaitie to stand beside him.

  Kaitie smiled at him. “Jock, this is the best day!” She leaned up on her toes and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for everything, but thank you for understanding I needed Grammy.”

  He grinned down at her. “You’re welcome, love.”

  Jock picked up a fork and tinged it against the crystal glass until he’d gained everyone’s attention. He motioned to the waiters along the edge of the tent who held trays of champagne.

  He borrowed a mic from the band. “Please take a glass the waiters are bringing round and join us in a toast.”

  He waited.

  “Jock, what are you doing?” She shook her head at him, but he only winked at her and kissed her forehead.

  When most of the glasses were passed out he said, “I know you’ve heard the speeches from the best man and matron of honor, but I have something to say as well. And to me, to Kinncaids, it’s very important. It’s been a long tradition in the Kinncaid Clan to do something on our wedding days and on the births of our children. I don’t know when it started. Probably came over from the old country when the four brothers escaped hanging after the Uprising. My grandfather talked about how his grandfather did this and how his grandfather had done it. I know one day, our grandsons will as well. On special days, in our clan, we give thanks and toasts for the blessings gifted to us. Old families like ours have mottos and creeds and whatnots. Our family motto is This I’ll defend.” He turned to Kaitie. “Kaitlyn Kinncaid”—she grinned at the words—“love of my life, laughter in my soul. I give to you a pledge this day. As my lady, as my wife, you and our children,” he added, “are mine to hold. Mine to have. Mine to protect. So on this day, wife of mine, I give you my solemn vow: This I will always defend.”

  Tears shimmered in her eyes and she grabbed the mic away before he could kiss her. “Well, being a modern woman, Kinncaid, I vow that I will always stand at your side defending whatever it is we are given.”

  Cheers and whistles broke out as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her like he’d been dying to all evening.

  • • •

  The band had been playing for hours, first sporadically through the light dinner they’d offered guests, then through cutting the cake, through photos.

  The wooden floor was packed with dancers having a fabulous time. White twinkle lights floated from the canopy of the tent. Kaitie had said she hadn’t wanted stuffy music. She wanted fun. Fun she would have.

  “You, Kaitie lass, have taken my breath away more times this evening than I can count.”

  She gave him a sly smile, winking at him. “Just wait until later.”

  He laughed and danced slowly with her. “Beautiful, in so many ways.”

  “Well, same goes, handsome,” she said, lacing her fingers into the hair at his nape.

  “I have a present to give you,” he told her.

  “You do? What?” she asked, pulling back, or as much as he’d let her.

  He smiled down at her. “You have to wait until tomorrow. Though, I’ll give you a hint.”

  “A hint? That’s all I get? I must be losing my touch.”

  “It’s sort of blue.”

  “Sort of blue? How can something be sort of blue?” She shook her head. “What is sort of blue?”

  “Turquoise?”

  She tilted her head as he twirled her out and then back in. “Tell me.”

  “Well, to be honest, I got you more than one gift.”

  “Jock Kinncaid! We said no gifts.”

  “Did we?”

  “Yes! I said I didn’t want to do the gift thing, I didn’t have a clue what to get you. You have at least one of everything.”

  “You did say that, yes.” He spun them in a circle. “But I never agreed. Memory serves, I simply smiled at you. I thought you were cute.”

  “You always think I’m cute.”

  “Mostly, yes. I also think you’re beautiful, amazing, and often very irritating.”

  “But you love me anyway.”

  He stared at her. “I do, yes. I do. More than anything.”

  She settled against him and sighed. As the song wound down another one started. She leaned in and said, “My gift to you is better than any you’ve gotten me.”

  “Really? I thought you were against gifts.”

  “Well, things change.”

  She nodded and wiggled back as “One Fine Day” started and the dance floor filled quickly.

  “So tell me,” he said, jerking her to him and dancing her along the floor.

  She laughed. “I should make you wait, but I’ve waited already and I don’t think I can wait too much longer.”

  “Secrets, Kaitie?”

  “Oh, you’ll like this one. I think this is my favorite song. Because this is one fine day! The very, very best.”

  He pulled her closer and kissed her. “So, what did you get me?”

  “I think I should make you wait.”

  “Or you can tell me now and we’ll give each other our gifts in the morning.” After they’d had one hell of a wedding night.

  “Hmm. I can?” she said. “I don’t know that I like that idea.”

  “Kaitie.”

  “Well, I can tell you about it tonight, but I’m sorry, I can’t give it to you tomorrow.”

  “Why not?” he asked.

  She grinned up at him, then leaned closer. “Well, it won’t be ready by then.”

  “Ready?” He tilted his head and pulled her closer. “Just when will it be ready?” he asked, his heart beating faster.

  She licked her lips. “A while.”

  “Kaitlyn.”

  She grinned. “Jock.”

  He simply stared at her. “Kaitlyn.”

  She twirled away, but he pulled her back to him.

  Smiling, she leaned up and said softly, “Well, remember that night, when your protection . . . um . . . had a malfunction?”

  His rubber had busted.

  He stopped in the middle of the dance floor, holding her hands, and could only stare at her. “Kaitlyn?”

  “So, med school might have to wait. I don’t know yet and—”

  “Kaitlyn.”

  She sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Jock.”

  “You’re playing with me, and now, about this, is not the time.” His heart slammed in his chest.

  “Spoilsport.”

  Still he only looked at her.

  “Fine. You’re not just getting a wife today.”

  “I’m not?” He glanced down at her belly. “Are you certain?”

  “I went to the doctor three days ago while you had meetings. I’m pregnant, Jock.” She licked her lips, her eyes dancing, but wary.

  For a long minute he could only stare at her.

  Pregnant.

  A baby.

  His baby.

  Her baby.

  Their baby.

  “Jock?” she asked, her smile sliding away. “You said you wanted a big family. I thought. You said—”

  “A baby?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Well, as far as I’m aware humans have yet to breed anything other than humans and—”

  “A baby?” he whispered and pulled her closer, kissing her until they were both gasping for breath.

  “One Fine Day” continued to rock the dance floor.

  He lifted his head and looked into her happy yet wary green eyes. “A baby? We’re having a baby?”

  She nodded. “You’re happy?”

  “Happy?” He pulled her off her feet and swung her around laughing. “I didn’t think this day could get any better, but damn, Kaitie lass!” He kissed her again. “We’re having a baby,” he said softly.

  He laughed and danced her until the song ended. He pulled her to
him, tucking her close. “Kaitlyn Kinncaid, I love you!”

  “You better. We’re rather stuck together now.”

  He narrowed his eyes at her.

  “Fine. I love you, too, even as bossy as you are.”

  “I figured as much.”

  The band started up his song and she laughed.

  He wiggled his brows. “I told you this is our song.”

  Freddie and the Dreamers. “You were made for me . . .”

  And she was. Made for him. Carrying his child. A life they were starting together. He took her hand and led her onto the torch-lit lawns.

  For a moment he just held her, her back to his front. He moved her hair aside and leaned down, breathing in the clean scent, lightly floral from the soap she used. Jock kissed that patch of skin where her neck met her shoulder. She shivered.

  “I can’t believe you’re finally mine,” he muttered.

  “Me either,” she whispered.

  He sighed, turned her around and settled a hand over her lower belly. A baby.

  “You know, when we met at the lake I was reading Yeats, but ever since our weekend there, especially since you agreed to marry me in Ireland, it’s Keats that runs through my mind.”

  “Keats?”

  “I was so tired of it all, of them all . . .” He jerked his head toward the tent. “And then I saw you. At the lake . . .” He shook his head.

  “Okay, what does Keats have to do with us at the lake, Ireland?”

  He waited until her eyes met his. “‘I love you the more in that I believe you had liked me for my own sake and for nothing else.’”

  She smiled up at him, her hand cupping his jaw. “Poor Jock, beleaguered by the hordes of women wanting.”

  “Not me. None of them ever even saw me. They only saw or knew my name, my money, the house. But not you, never you. You were different from the first moment I saw you. I knew then, you were mine. When I got to know you, well, there was nothing short of God himself that would have made me let you go.”

  She picked up the hand he slightly rubbed on her stomach and kissed his palm. “My Jock. Just a man, but mine.”

  He smiled at her. “I thought you thought I was godly.”

  She snorted and leaned into his kiss. “Only in the bedroom.”

  “I can deal with that.”