Ashley stared at Kiefer in amazement. She felt as though she had been picked up, whirled around and set down again. Kiefer was going to stay on at the clinic.
As elated as she was over him staying, she didn’t know how she was going to survive seeing him every day and knowing there could never be more than friendship between them. Somehow she would have to come to terms with that.
The city council chairman said, “I don’t see how we can disagree with that offer. If Dr. Bradford wants to continue to run the clinic after what happened to him, then I don’t see how we can refuse to support it. The clinic is working to make Savannah a better place. A better place to live and visit. What’s good for Southriver would be good for Savannah.”
How like Alderman Henderson to posture to the positive. He was up for reelection at the end of the year. More than once he’d swung to whatever side had best suited him. Thankfully this time it was hers.
“I call for a vote,” Ashley said.
It passed unanimously and Ashley only half listened to what was discussed during the rest of the meeting. All she could think about was speaking to Kiefer. Trying to understand what he was doing. As soon as the meeting was over she headed directly to him.
She wanted to jump into his arms and kiss him but she settled for smiling. “Thank you so much for what you’re doing for the clinic.”
“I’m not doing it just for the clinic. Can we go somewhere to talk?”
He could take her anywhere. “I’d like that. Let me get my purse. I’ll be right back.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” He’d made the statement sound as if it had a deeper meaning.
As they walked out of the building Kiefer put his hand on the small of her back. A shiver went down her spine. She’d missed his touch. Any touch from him. They made their way to the parking deck.
“Did you mean what you said in there?” Ashley asked.
“Every word of it.” There was no sound of wavering in his voice.
“Good. Southriver appreciates it.”
Kiefer glanced at her. “I didn’t do it for Southriver. Well, maybe some of it, but mostly it’s for you.”
“Me?”
Was that disappointment in his eyes that she might not believe him? “Yes, you.”
Her pulse picked up speed. Did she dare hope? “Where have you been? I thought I’d never see you again.”
“Around. I had a few things I needed to get straight in my head, then some things that I needed to do,” he said almost too casually.
“I understand.”
He chuckled. “I don’t think you do. But I hope you will. Why don’t you follow me?”
“Where?”
“Just trust me, why don’t you?”
“Okay.”
Sometime later Kiefer pulled through the gate of the old mill they had looked at during the block party and parked in front of the doors. What were they doing here? He waited for her to join him.
“Why’re we at the old mill?”
“For that view.”
“How did you get permission to go in?”
He directed her inside and then toward the industrial elevator. “Didn’t have to. I own the place.”
“How? Why?”
He grinned then pulled the door open to the elevator shaft and pushed up the wire door to the elevator car. “You’re sure full of questions. But since you asked, I sold my apartment downtown. And bought this so I would have a place to live.”
“You did what?”
He closed the doors, pushed a button and they started moving up. “It was time to give up my passion for living in the past and concentrate on the future. Since I was going to be working in Southriver, it made sense to live close by. It would be easier for being on call. I’ve kind of become attached to the community anyway.”
“That does make sense.”
“How like you to understand the practicality of decisions.” The elevator stopped, he opened the doors and they stepped off. “Come this way.”
They were in an enormous open space with windows along the entire wall facing the river. The orange and pink of the evening sun streamed through them. Lines were drawn out on the floor and work was already being done to build walls.
Kiefer took her hand and steered her toward a staircase at the far end of the space.
She pulled at her hand. “I want to look around.”
“Later. We’ll miss the sunset if we don’t hurry.”
Together they climbed the metal stairs. At the top they stood on a landing and Kiefer pushed a door open and let her go out ahead of him. They were on the roof.
“It’s wonderful.” From here Ashley could see where the river ran into the ocean. Birds swarmed then flew off above the marshland. The wind made the saw grass wave gently back and forth. It was amazing. Made more so by Kiefer being there with her.
Not far away were the chairs, footstools and table that had been sitting on Kiefer’s balcony. A candle in a glass jar sat in the middle of the table.
“The only things I kept. Come sit.” He took her elbow.
They both settled into their chairs.
“This is wonderful. I know you’ll enjoy living here,” Ashley said, as she watched the colors of the setting sun change over the water. Over the next few minutes they sat in silence as night crept in on them. Unable to stand it any longer, Ashley had to ask. “Why did you decide to continue your work at the clinic? And live here?”
Kiefer said quietly, “Because this has become my home. When you have a gun pointed at you it doesn’t take long for you to realize what is important. You said very clearly and pointedly that I needed to move on and make some changes. This is my first step toward doing that.”
“I’m glad for you. You deserve happiness.”
“How’re you doing post-Marko?”
“It was hard for me to accept that he would do something like that. I’ve learned a few things about myself too. You were right—I need to be more careful. I fought so hard against my parents but I understand them better now. I do think I’ve been working to relieve my guilt where Lizzy was concerned. I don’t think I can ever give up being a crusader, as you call it, for the children in this community or trying to improve it, but I do realize that I need some balance in my life. I’m working on it.”
“I’m sure you will. I have complete confidence in you. And don’t give up being a crusader. The world needs more of your kind.”
“Thank you. That was nice of you to say.”
“Seems like we both have learned and accepted a few things in the last few weeks.”
Ashley smiled. “What’s the saying? ‘You’re never too old to learn something new’? You know this really is a magnificent view.”
“You could enjoy it every day. There’s plenty of room here.”
“Does the second floor have the same view as this?” She glanced at him. What was he asking?
“As far as I know. But I was thinking more of you having the upper floor.”
Hope soared in her. “But that should be yours.”
“It isn’t like you to be so dense. I want you to live with me. Actually, that isn’t correct.” Kiefer put his hand into his pocket and pulled something out then slid out of the chair to bend on one knee. He held out a ring. “I want you to marry me.”
Ashley held her breath. She couldn’t believe this was happening. Hadn’t dared to hope for the possibility.
“Ashley Marsh, I love you. Will you be my wife and share all the sunsets with me for the rest of our lives?”
She just looked at him, speechless. Was this a dream?
A flicker of doubt went through Kiefer’s eyes. This big, confident, intelligent man was unsure.
“What did you say?”
He shifted. �
�I asked you to marry me.”
“No, before that.”
He looked confused. “That I love you?”
“Yes. Could you say it again?”
He captured her gaze. All the sincerity of his heart was in his eyes. “I love you.”
“That’s better than any sunset I’ve ever seen. I love you too.” She leaned down and kissed him. When they finally broke apart she said, “You know, you don’t have to marry me. I know how you feel about marriage. That doesn’t change how we feel about each other.”
“Yes, I do. Because I want everyone to know you are mine. I know you would never betray me. You are faithful to those you care about. A commitment with you will last forever.”
“I’ll not fail you.”
“Nor I you. So you will marry me?”
“There’s just one more thing.”
Kiefer sighed. “Heavens, woman, it takes a lot to get you to say yes. What else?”
“About you being overprotective...”
“I’m going to try—”
She put her hand over his mouth. “We’ll work at a compromise, something we can both live with. I understand where you’re coming from, and as part of my love I’ll try very hard to not make you worry unduly.”
“As part of my love I’ll resist calling in the army when you are a minute late.”
She chuckled. “I would appreciate that. Now, if you’ll ask me that question again, I have an answer.”
“Ashley, you will make me the happiest man alive if you will marry me. Will you?”
“Just try to stop me.” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.
* * *
Two months later, Ashley stood in the doorway of the Tybee Island lighthouse. Her father reached out a hand to help her descend the steps. She lifted the long skirt of the flowing white wedding dress she’d fallen in love with the minute she’d seen it. She felt like a princess going to meet her prince. Kiefer certainly was hers.
Taking her father’s hand, she stepped down and placed her arm in the crook of his. Kiefer was waiting for her along with all their friends and family. Much of the community of Southriver had been invited to the wedding. Because of her position on the council, the media were also present. She didn’t care. The only person who mattered was Kiefer.
They’d chosen to have a simple wedding. No attendants. Just them. She’d surprised Kiefer with deciding on the lighthouse as the venue and they had agreed on a dusk ceremony, knowing how much they both enjoyed sunsets. As she walked across the grass and around the corner of the building, thoughts of how far they had come and what they had overcome went through her mind. She’d almost lost Kiefer. She would never take him for granted.
The large white tent came into sight. Kiefer would be waiting at the end of the white aisle runner. The man who would protect her, the man who would stand beside her and the man who would let her cry in his arms when she was hurt.
She and her father paused before entering the tent. Kiefer stood tall and handsome in his dark suit. A smile formed on his lips and his gaze held hers. If she hadn’t felt like a princess before, she did now. The love in his look was crystal clear.
Half an hour later she was Mrs. Kiefer Bradford.
The reception was every bit the party they had hoped for. Kiefer swung her around on the dance floor and Ashley giggled as he brought her close for a kiss. He couldn’t seem to stop touching her and she had no complaints about that.
“I love you. Do you know that?”
“I do. And I love you. Thank you for giving me this.” Meaning the wedding. Her happiness. Him.
“Hey, there, mind if I meet the bride?” A man who favored Kiefer stood beside him.
Kiefer let her go for the first time and enveloped the man in a bear hug then stepped back. “Jackson, my man, it’s so good to see you. I’m glad you could make it.”
“Wouldn’t have missed it.”
“Ashley, this is my cousin, Jackson Hilstead the Third.” Kiefer put emphasis on the last word. “You know—the one from California—Aunt Georgina’s son.”
Ashley smiled at Jackson. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’m glad you could be here. You’re the one who missed out on the name Kiefer.”
Jackson grinned. “Guilty as charged.” He shifted and put a hand on a pretty woman’s waist and brought her closer. “This is Charlotte Johnson.”
“Hello, Charlotte, we’re so glad to have you here,” Ashley said, as Kiefer and Jackson went into a deep discussion.
“You’re a beautiful bride,” Charlotte offered. “Gorgeous dress.”
“Thank you. I think anyone must look beautiful when they’re in love.”
Ashley noticed the other woman glance at Kiefer’s cousin. “I guess they are.”
“Is there another wedding planned in the near future?”
The men turned back to them before Charlotte could answer. She clearly had it bad for Jackson. Ashley recognized that look because she’d seen it in the mirror since she’d met Kiefer.
The men joined them again.
“Ashley, I want you to make Kiefer bring you out for a visit sometime soon,” Jackson said.
“We’ll put it on our calendar. It sounds like fun,” Ashley assured him.
Jackson glanced back. “I see Mother signaling to us. Better go see who else she wants us to meet.”
Kiefer and Jackson exchanged a hug again.
“That’s a woman in love,” Ashley said as Jackson and Charlotte moved away.
Kiefer kissed her. “You think everyone should be in love today.”
“That could be true but what I do know is that I love you.”
“And I love you.”
Ashley took his hand. “Want to go to the beach and watch the sunset with me?”
“Every day. For the rest of my life.”
* * * * *
ISBN: 978-1-474-03747-1
WHITE WEDDING FOR A SOUTHERN BELLE
© 2016 Susan Carlisle
Published in Great Britain 2016
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
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