by Meg Benjamin
Her father gave her a dry smile. “Time to go get the bride ready for her long walk. I’ll talk to you later, chica.”
“Right.” Kit turned toward the sound of feet as the bridesmaids and groomsmen trooped her way.
The three Toleffson wives who were bridesmaids seemed to shimmer in the late afternoon light, their dresses glistening around them like jewels. Their husbands stood beside them, looking like tuxedo-clad lumberjacks. They also looked as if they’d all prefer to be doing other things with their brides that evening rather than standing around the event center in formal clothes.
Pete Toleffson squinted toward the room, running a finger around the collar of his tuxedo shirt. “We got a full house?”
“Looks like it.” Kit fluffed Janie’s skirt where it had gotten slightly crushed, then helped Jess smooth the ribbons on her bouquet.
“Wonder looks like he’s going to pass out,” Lars Toleffson muttered.
“He wouldn’t dare.” Janie peered toward the front of the room. “He’s not going to give Allie any excuse to postpone the wedding again.”
Kit glanced toward where the groom stood with the judge who was going to conduct the ceremony. Wonder looked more pale than she’d ever seen him look before, and considering that he was already one of the palest men she knew, that was saying something. Cal Toleffson, his best man, was standing close enough to catch him if worse came to worst. Of course, Kit reflected, if Wonder really did faint, the worst for him would be the merciless ribbing he’d take about it after the ceremony was over, assuming he could be revived for long enough to repeat his vows.
She heard a step behind her and saw Allie and Docia walk into the hall, along with her father. Allie held tightly onto her brother’s arm as she chewed on her lower lip. Kit’s father gave his baby sister a slightly patronizing smile. He had, after all, been married for over thirty years now.
Kit took a quick breath. “Ready?”
Allie nodded. She looked gorgeous in her soft flowing jersey, a circlet of white roses in her short dark hair. She also looked almost as nervous as Wonder. Papi smiled down at her, then glanced at Kit, his gaze suddenly bright again.
No, no, no. No tears, damn it. I don’t have time. Kit turned back toward the room and raised her hand to the string quartet at the front. The Toleffsons, male and female, began to proceed down the aisle to the strains of Vivaldi. Docia winked at her, fluffing out her matron of honor bouquet. “Courage, kid,” she whispered. “It’s almost over.”
It’s almost over. Unexpectedly, Kit’s eyes pricked with tears again. The wedding had taken up a lot of her waking energy for the last few weeks. She had no idea what would take its place.
Maybe Nando. She pushed that thought ruthlessly from her mind. Maybe later. Or maybe not. One problem at a time, Catarina.
Docia paced decorously down the aisle by herself, grinning widely. Aunt Allie and Papi stepped forward as Docia reached the front of the room. Papi glanced Kit’s way again just for a moment, his eyes warm, and then they began their own procession. The audience stood as they walked down the aisle, and Kit smiled. Allie really did look lovely. And the wedding really was going to take place.
And that was all she was going to think about. For now.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Nando had juggled a lot of schedules to do it, but he got to the Woodrose around seven. Theoretically, he was still on duty until six, but he’d talked Delaney into starting his shift early so he could change and get to the inn. He hadn’t been able to make it for the ceremony, but he could at least make it to the reception.
He wanted to dance with Kit. He also wanted to tell her he loved her and wanted her to stay with him. The I love you part was easy. He figured the Stay with me part would be the killer.
He fingered his tie nervously. He hated wearing suits because he suspected they made him look like a twelve-year-old heading for communion. Still, if wearing a suit and tie was what it took to get Kit to take him seriously, he’d wear suits and ties for the rest of his life.
For the first few moments after he stepped into the Rose, he didn’t see her. He hadn’t realized they were using the restaurant for the reception until he got there, maybe an indication of the importance Joe LeBlanc and the kitchen staff put on the whole event. The room was full of people—some he knew but many he didn’t. They lounged in the banquettes and at the linen-covered tables. The buffet included some of the most tantalizing food he’d ever seen, plus a spectacular wedding cake. Even he had to admit it—LeBlanc was good, and so was Allie.
He glanced around the room, trying to find Kit. Konigsburgers were everywhere, along with a lot of people who had to be related to Allie and Kit. He even recognized a couple of faces from television cooking shows. The Toleffson brothers, including the chief, loomed over most of the other guests, like mile markers, while their wives flitted around the room like jewel-toned butterflies. He took a deep breath. He’d never met Kit’s parents; now was probably the right time.
The chief caught his eye, motioning with his head toward the side of the room.
Nando approached him cautiously. He hoped this wouldn’t be a conversation about why he was at the Rose instead of driving the cruiser around the streets of Konigsburg. And he hoped the chief hadn’t found anything new for him to do right now.
Toleffson turned away from the rest of the guests, pitching his voice so that only Nando could hear. “I made a couple of phone calls and got lucky. One of the Rangers is a coin collector.”
“What did he say?”
“He thinks it may be an 1878-S Seated Liberty. Less than a hundred in circulation.”
Nando narrowed his eyes. “Worth how much?”
“One went for $185,000 at auction a few years ago.”
He blew out a quick breath. “How the hell did Brody get hold of one?”
The chief shrugged. “Brody’s not talking, but according to the Ranger, one was reported stolen in Dallas a few years ago. Owner collected on his insurance too.”
“You think he and Brody had a scam going?”
“Either that or Brody stole it. Or lifted it from the original thief.” Toleffson grimaced. “Anything’s possible with Brody. Let’s just say he probably didn’t come by it honestly.”
“Must have pissed him off to leave it when he took off the last time.”
“Must have. But he did leave it. Until he ran out of money after the Rangers closed out his accounts.”
“And then he got dumb.” He pictured Brody again, aiming his pistol at Allie, ready to run back to whatever rock he’d been hiding under.
“That he did.” Toleffson’s lips spread in a slow grin. “Nice job you did with this, Nando. I’d say nobody’s going to have any questions about you being assistant chief now.”
“Thanks.” Nando took another surreptitious glance around the room.
“Enjoy the reception.” Toleffson gave him a quick nod before he walked back to where his wife was standing with her sisters-in-law. The smile she gave him could have lit the room without benefit of chandeliers. The chief was clearly going to enjoy the reception himself, no matter what happened to Nando.
He turned back, looking for Kit again. Allie sat at the front table, resplendent in her white dress. Beside her, Wonder looked a little woozy, but someone had found him a Spaten. At least he wasn’t drinking champagne. With any luck, one of the Toleffsons would drive him and Allie to wherever they were going tonight.
Nando did a quick survey of the rest of the crowd and stopped.
Kit was talking to Joe LeBlanc next to the buffet table. She wore a dress the color of an evening sky, her midnight hair hanging down to brush her shoulders, her earrings glittering like stars against the darkness. LeBlanc said something that made her laugh, and Nando began to work his way across the room.
Not that he thought LeBlanc would try anything. On the other hand…
Before he could reach her, Kit turned and walked through a door at the side of the room, waving to a waiter.
Nando gritted his teeth in frustration.
LeBlanc glanced at him as he came alongside, his lips spreading in a dry grin. “She just went to check on the wine supplies. I told her we had plenty but she wanted to see for herself. She’ll be back.”
Nando blew out a breath. “Thanks. I’ll wait for her.”
“Shouldn’t be long. The DJ’s due to start playing music in a few minutes back in the Damask Room, and she said she needed to check his play list.” LeBlanc narrowed his eyes. “I’ve been meaning to ask this for a while, but I’m going to do it now because we’re in the middle of a crowd and because Kit’s going to be back in the room any minute. I figure you can’t take a swing at me right here.”
Nando stared at him. “What?”
LeBlanc narrowed his eyes. “Are you serious about her?”
Nando blinked. “What the hell business is it of yours?”
“None.” LeBlanc shrugged. “Except she’s a friend. And if you’re not serious about her, you’re likely to hurt her. And if you hurt her, I’d have to hurt you and you might punch my lights out if I tried it. I just want to make sure my insurance will cover that.”
Nando stared a moment longer, then gave up and shook his head. “I’m as serious as a coma. I don’t supposed you’ve asked her if she’s serious about me.”
“I don’t have to. Here she comes. Just take a look.”
Nando watched her face for a moment, the rush of light when she saw him standing there. Assuming she was looking at him rather than LeBlanc.
Screw that.
He knew where she was looking, and it simultaneously warmed him to his toes and scared the life out of him. He was responsible for that. All that. He had to live up to it somehow. He only hoped he could.
LeBlanc wasn’t the only one who’d go after him if he hurt her. Hell, he’d beat himself up if he did.
“Hey,” Kit said softly as she stepped to his side. “You made it.”
“Excuse me.” LeBlanc gave them both a faintly sour smile. “I think my presence is urgently needed in the kitchen.”
Nando was only dimly aware that he was no longer at his elbow. “You look amazing.”
“Thanks.” Kit’s smile widened. “You look pretty terrific yourself. Can you stay?”
“Stay?” He frowned, trying to process whatever she was asking. “Oh, you mean stay here. Sure. Delaney’s taking over.”
Behind them music began to play, some eighties power band that he only vaguely remembered. “Damn,” Kit muttered, “I didn’t get a chance to check his set list.”
“Hey.” He ran his index finger along the line of her jaw. “You’re off duty now. You got them to the altar. Now you can relax, right?” He moved his hands to her waist. “Dance with me.”
She stared up at him, her eyes like dark seas. “I can do that,” she whispered.
She moved her hands to his shoulders, feeling the press of his palms against her hip bones along with a rush of delight she had no business feeling. In his black suit and burgundy tie he seemed dark and dangerous, like a high-stakes gambler looking for a game. The stakes between them could hardly be higher, but it wasn’t a game exactly, at least she didn’t think so.
The DJ had switched to something disco, with a thumping beat. Nando ignored the new music, sliding his arms tighter around her, pressing his cheek against her hair. She could smell the faint cinnamon spice of his aftershave. They swayed gently at the side of the room while other people moved past them to get to the dance floor.
“Nando?” Kit whispered after a moment.
“Mmm?”
“Let’s get out of here.”
He stared down at her, his eyes darkening. “Where did you have in mind?”
She felt a jolt of heat all the way to her knees. Steady, Catarina. “Just the terrace for now.”
“Okay.” He turned to unlatch the French doors behind them, then took her hand as they stepped out to the flagstone terrace facing the green hills. The lawn rolled down to the distant white graveled drive. For a moment, she found herself wondering who’d take care of it now that Mr. Didrikson no longer existed.
A few people were scattered here and there in lawn chairs, one or two couples cuddled together in the wrought iron chaises, ignoring the effect of twisted ironwork on the human body.
“Where are we going?” Nando asked.
Kit slowed, glancing around the rolling green lawn. “To tell you the truth, I’m not sure. I just knew if I stayed in there, I’d go on being a wedding planner, and I was ready to stop.” She smiled up at him, then away, not ready to get the full force of those dark eyes again quite yet.
Nando took a quick survey of the lawn, then started to walk toward the edge of the golf course. There was a small pavilion at the top of one of the hills just beyond the garden, its peaked roof barely visible over the tops of the ornamental trees. The latticed sides were shaded by rose bushes. Kit followed him up the stairs, hoping fervently that they weren’t about to interrupt someone’s garden tête-à-tête.
Fortunately no one else seemed to be looking for a secluded spot at the moment. Nando dropped down on one of the upholstered benches that ran around the edge, pulling her down beside him. He smiled, brushing her hair back from her forehead. “You did good work with that wedding, chica. I know it was a pain in the ass while you were doing it, but it looks like it all came together in the end.”
“It did, didn’t it?” She smiled. “Maybe I’m not as bad at event planning as I thought.”
“I’d say you were a champ.” He glanced back at the restaurant terrace. “Damn. We should have snagged a bottle of champagne before we took off.”
She shook her head, sighing. “I’m sick of champagne. I’ve been drinking it all week. If I never see another bottle, I’ll be a happy woman.”
He stared out at the green hills for a long moment, then turned back to her, his dark gaze meeting hers again. “Yeah, well, I’m hoping you’ll move out of this anti-champagne phase.”
“Why?” She felt a jitter of nerves. Something about his expression made her feel wary all of a sudden.
“Because I’d like to serve it at our wedding.”
Kit’s heart was suddenly thumping so hard she thought he must be able to hear it. Her stomach clenched, something between terror and delight. “Are you proposing?”
He watched her for a moment. “Are you ready for me to do that?”
She blinked, feeling the slight clench of anxiety in her chest. “I’m not sure.”
He shook his head. “Then not yet. If you’re not ready to hear a proposal, I don’t want to scare you off. I just wanted you to know the thought is there, with me.”
“The thought.” She licked her lips. “Okay, the thought’s in my head too.”
He frowned. “Meaning?”
“Meaning I love you.” She took a deep breath, staring at her toes, her hands clenching beside her. All or nothing, Catarina. Time to step off the edge. “I’ve loved you since I met you, since you walked into Cedar Creek Winery while I was pouring wine for a bunch of tourists. And I still do. And if I were to marry anyone I want it to be you. It will be you as far as I’m concerned.”
“Okay. Good to know.” He nodded slowly, sliding his arm around her shoulders and pulling her against his side.
She could feel the warmth of his skin through his shirt, the thumping of his heart beneath the hand she pressed against his chest. She leaned back against him. “So now what? I mean, I think we’re both kind of tiptoeing around here, like we’re afraid something will blow up.”
He nodded. “That’s about right. I want this so much. I want you so much. I’m afraid I’ll jinx it if I say the wrong thing.” He took a breath. “I’ll make you a deal. From now on, I’ll tell you what I want and how I feel. If you’re pissed at me because of it, you’ll tell me. And we’ll move on from there. Together.”
Kit closed her eyes, feeling the rush of giddiness like wine in her blood. “Fair enough.”
“Okay,” he
repeated, taking another deep breath. “Here’s what I want, then. I want to be with you. Spend time with you. If you’re not ready to get married yet, I can live with that. But I don’t want to be apart while you’re deciding when we’ll do it.”
She cleared her throat, trying to slow her thumping pulse. “Being together would work.” She leaned back to look at him, letting her lips edge up into a grin. “I just agreed to rent Allie’s place until she’s ready to sell. Knowing Allie, that could be a while. Maybe by then I could buy it myself.”
His forehead furrowed. “Allie’s not going to sell the house after she moves in with Wonder?”
She shrugged. “Not right away. We’re supposed to talk about things like rent when she comes back from her honeymoon.”
He narrowed his eyes. “So you’ve got a house of your own?”
Kit managed to ignore the clenching in her chest. “Looks like it. For a while anyway.”
He nodded slowly. “It’s a nice house. I wouldn’t mind living there. And I get a little salary boost with the assistant chief job. I can definitely cover the rent.”
She stared at him blankly. “You mean the two of us? Living together?” She felt another rush of terror and delight somewhere around her stomach.
“There or at the apartment,” he said slowly. “Or in a tent. Or in the backseat of a fifty-seven Mercury. I just want to be with you, Catarina, wherever you want.”
“Okay.” She ran her fingertips across his cheek. “I want that too. Aunt Allie’s would work. We’ll figure it out.”
He pulled her closer, one hand cupping the back of her head as he stared down at her. “I love you, Catarina. Now, then, always. Okay?”
She closed her eyes, turning her mouth up to his for a kiss. She tasted sweetness, spice, warmth. Nando. Her Nando. Now, then, always. Yes.
For a moment, they clung together, arms wrapped tight. And then he pulled back again. “Okay?”
“Okay.” She smiled. “Very okay. The most okay thing that’s happened to me for at least the last month. Maybe ever.” She glanced back toward the terrace. More couples had moved outside to the grass now, dancing to the music that echoed softly through the French doors. She leaned her forehead against his shoulder again. “Maybe we should go back inside.”
