ARKANSAS WEDDINGS: THREE-IN-ONE COLLECTION

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  “A unique name for a unique lady.”

  There was that word again. She wanted to roll her eyes, especially after what had happened back at her apartment between them.

  “It must have been nice having a sibling.”

  “Painful, too.” Her teeth sank into her bottom lip.

  “You didn’t get along?”

  “We were extremely close.” So close that when one of them went through something bad, the other ached, too. And there was a lot of bad stuff. Her mind transported to the distant memory. “When I was ten, Mom’s boyfriend raped Savannah. She was twelve and he was coming after me next, but Mom got home in time to stop him.”

  Ryler’s sharp intake of breath shook her back to the present.

  “I didn’t mean to tell you that. It just sort of popped out. I’ve never told anyone.”

  “Did the pervert go to jail?”

  Closing her eyes, she nodded. “DHS almost took us away. But my sister and I didn’t want to be separated, so we lied about how stable Mom was and what good care she took of us.”

  After that, she seemed to pay more attention to them. “Savannah was in therapy for years, but she’s happily married now and raising my”—panic clamped Shell’s mouth closed—“my nephew, with another on the way.”

  Gleeful laughter echoed from next door.

  His hands balled into fists. “Did any of your mom’s other boyfriends ever try anything?”

  “When I was seventeen, but I hit him in the head with a beer bottle and jabbed the broken neck of it at him until he left.” He didn’t come back and Mom blamed Shell.

  Ryler touched her hand.

  “You crossed the line.” She grinned.

  “No child should be raised like that.” Ryler swallowed hard.

  “I left after that. Savannah had just gotten married and I lived with her and her husband for about a year and finished high school.”

  “Did you ever see your mom again?”

  “No, but she calls Savannah every time she lands in jail.” Shell picked at a hangnail and flinched when it got into the quick. “All her years of hard living took a toll on her looks, so she turned to other means of making her living. She’s been arrested for solicitation numerous times and lately drugs. Solicitation. Isn’t that a harmless-sounding word? I can’t say that I’ve been a saint, but I never did that and I’ve never drank or done drugs.”

  Ryler squeezed her hand. “You learned too young that most men only want sex, and you confused that with love. I haven’t been a saint either, but I only loved once. And too late, I realized she didn’t love me.”

  Could he be talking about her? Or someone else? Her lips twitched and she pressed her hand to her mouth.

  “Sex doesn’t equal love, Shell. Don’t let anybody tell you it does. I’m sorry if I ever made you feel used.”

  No. That last bit about making her feel used proved he’d never loved her. If only he could.

  “I’m hot.” She pressed her wrist against the sweat beading her brow. “I mean—it’s hot out here.”

  “If you don’t mind me rifling through your house, I’ll get you a glass of tea.”

  “Sounds great.”

  “Then we’ll talk about Darrell’s latest idea about the front waterfall.” He disappeared through the door.

  Why had she told him all that? What a day. Her first funeral. Her first rejection. Her first confession.

  Maybe it was the calming balcony. His soothing presence. The whir of power tools assuring no one would overhear the conversation.

  Or maybe loving him brought out her vulnerable side.

  At least she hadn’t confessed everything.

  Ryler stared at the white foam of water cascading down the jutting rocks into the blue-green pool below.

  Beside him, standing on a natural balcony, where numerous couples had recited their wedding vows, Shell gazed out over the falls. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

  Not as beautiful as she was. The only woman he’d ever loved, and he’d almost told her the truth two days ago.

  A slight breeze blew her hair in a silken tumble. Red nails peeped at him from matching high-heeled sandals. Her jeans had a hole in the knee, giving him a tantalizing glimpse of her leg now and then. Her red top, edged with white lace, set off her tanned skin. One delicate hand gripped the railing. If he moved his fingers over a couple of inches, he could touch her.

  Emotions tumbled within him as violently as the gush of water over the falls.

  Concentrate.

  “Darrell wants the Romance Waterfalls in the front yard of the B&B?”

  “On a much smaller scale, of course. I thought it might help if you saw the real thing.”

  He couldn’t care less about the falls. All he cared about was the woman standing so close to him. He wanted the chance to kiss her again. To show her what a real kiss could be. He’d blown it the other day.

  Next time, it would be less about passion. More about love and respect. Like he’d never kissed anyone. Despite their past intimacies, with her, it hadn’t been all sex. At least not for him.

  Her laugh made him dizzy. Her fighting spirit made him want to fight for her. Her strength made him feel invincible.

  He wanted more from her. A lifetime?

  “It’ll take months and make this job last forever.”

  “I’ve got time.” He swatted at a persistent gnat.

  Time to win her heart.

  “Yeah, well, I don’t. All I want is to finish this job and go home.”

  “I’ll work as quickly as I can. You’ll be here another six weeks anyway, working on the interior.”

  How had she woven her silken web around his heart so completely? So quickly? Her wounded soul cried out to him. Begging for a healing love. And for the first time, he felt he had it to give. And for the first time, he was certain, if he could win her love, she’d never abandon him.

  She needed a real love as much as he did. If only he could fill the hole in her heart. He’d lost her once, and couldn’t stand to think of losing her again.

  “Hello?” She punched his shoulder.

  “Hmm.”

  “What do you think?”

  “About what?”

  “About how long will this take?”

  How could she be so unaffected, when he could barely breathe with her so near? Because she didn’t feel the same way. What was he thinking? She’d already abandoned him once.

  He cleared his throat. “I’ll take plenty of pictures and see what I can come up with. An extra month or so should complete the whole project.”

  A regret-filled sigh escaped her.

  Obviously, she was looking forward to him wrapping up and leaving her alone.

  She turned away from the railing. “What are those droopy lavender flowers on the fence where we first came in?”

  “Wisteria. It’s a vine.”

  “I think we need some at the B&B.”

  “I’ll see what I can do. They don’t bloom very long, but they’re very fragrant.”

  “And pretty. Let’s walk down to the bottom, so we can get the full scope of the waterfall.”

  As she started down the natural stone steps, he grabbed her hand. “Watch your step.” Electricity shot up his arm. Any excuse just to touch her again. However fleeting their time together might be.

  Shell clutched the chain of the swing with one hand and leaned forward to peer through the newly installed balcony railing. The last day of a long workweek.

  Playing in the dirt as usual, Ryler whistled a happy tune while spreading black plastic sheeting where the falls would go in the front yard. A pile of large natural rocks waited.

  The terra-cotta scalloped edging and matching stepping-stones led to the fountain, surrounded by numerous rosebushes and plants. Pink, red, yellow, orange, and purple wilted blossoms soaked up the sunlight, struggling with their new home. But Ryler promised he could coax them to life.

  Closing her eyes, she leaned her temple against the hand clutching
the chain. Try as she might, she couldn’t forget the heat of his kiss, the feel of his arms around her, the respect he’d treated her with.

  She just wanted to go home.

  To Chance.

  Away from Ryler.

  Oh, for this job to end, this constant contact with him to be over, these odd feelings he stirred within her to stop.

  But instead their time together had been extended.

  Power tools created a constant buzz and whir in the background. Shell heard the noise in her sleep. There was something relaxing about the sound.

  “If you’re asleep, I hate to wake you.”

  Shell jumped.

  Sylvie Kroft stood in the doorway of the landing. “I’m sorry. I hated to let you get a crick in your neck.”

  “I wasn’t asleep. Just thinking.” Shell reached under her hair to unfasten the pearls. “I forgot to give you these. I’ve been a nervous wreck about them and decided the safest place for them was around my neck. I wasn’t trying to keep them.”

  “I know that, dear, and that’s not why I came.” Sylvie took the necklace, tucked it in her handbag, and sat next to Shell. “I saw how upset you were when you left the funeral the other day, and I haven’t seen you since. So, I thought I should check on you.”

  “I’ve never attended a funeral before. I didn’t know you were supposed to walk by the casket.” Her voice cracked. “I couldn’t do it.”

  “Barbaric practice if you ask me.” Sylvie’s nose scrunched. “So hard on the family. And in my busybody days, I used to go to funerals just to see how good or bad people looked. I told Martin to close my casket and seal it shut whenever it’s my turn.”

  Shell shivered. Where will you spend eternity?

  The power tools stopped in unison. Quitting time.

  A child’s giggle echoed in the sudden silence.

  Another shiver sent goose bumps over Shell.

  “That must be tough. Listening to the tinkling laughter of a child on a daily basis.”

  Shell frowned. Could Sylvie know?

  “I know your baby died and I’m truly sorry. Though my son lived, I know what it feels like to lose a child.”

  Tears singed Shell’s eyes. “How did you know?” Or think she knew.

  “I never told anyone about your loss.” Sylvie patted her arm. “That’s not gossip fodder, even for a former gossip-maven like me. I assume it was a miscarriage, but you should be able to have other children. What did the doctor say?”

  “I think that’s enough.” Ryler’s steely voice came from the doorway.

  “I’m not trying to stir up any trouble.” Sylvie jumped up. “Since I was once forced to give up a child, I thought I could help Shell.”

  “It’s not helping and it’s time for you to go. Shell’s had enough drama lately.”

  Shell wiped a tear. “She didn’t mean anything, Ryler. Sylvie’s been very kind to me.”

  “It’s okay. I should go. Truly, I only want to help.” Sylvie patted Shell’s arm and turned toward the house.

  “I just bet you do,” Ryler snarled at the retreating woman’s back.

  “What was that about?”

  “I’ve heard all about her. She’s not being nice. She’s digging for ammo to use against you.”

  “I don’t think so. I honestly think she wanted to help. Did you know she has another son and she doesn’t even know where he is? Her parents made her give him up.”

  Ryler ran a hand through his hair. “That’s her take on it.”

  “I’ve seen the pain in her eyes. Her arms ache to hug him.” Shell hugged herself. She knew the ache Sylvie spoke of. “She thought our experiences were similar enough that we might mourn together.”

  “We’re clearing out,” the foreman called from beneath the balcony. “See ya in the morning.”

  “Thanks.” Ryler waved.

  He turned back toward her. “I’m sorry about your baby. I didn’t know.”

  Shell tried to hold back the tears, but they rimmed her lashes. She’d already had one meltdown in front of him in the short time he’d been back in her life. She blinked several times, but her vision didn’t clear.

  As the last of the convoy of work trucks pulled out of the drive, Ryler sat beside her and pulled her into his arms once more.

  In his arms, she could no longer hold it together. Her shoulders shook and sobs knifed through her. She wanted to tell him everything, but what would he think of her?

  Pulling away from him, she stood, and walked toward the railing. “He’s alive.”

  “What?”

  Wiping her tears with the back of her hand, she turned to face him. “My son didn’t die.”

  Ryler’s gaze narrowed. “Where is he? Why does Sylvie think he died?”

  “It’s a long story.”

  “I’ve got time.”

  Might as well tell him all of it. She stared down the long drive toward the church. “When I first met Wade, he was engaged to Adrea. He was an alcoholic but had been sober for two years.”

  “They broke up and you helped him pick up the pieces?”

  “I wish.” She shook her head, disgusted. “I broke them up. She came to see him and I was supposed to hide in his bedroom, but I made sure she saw me.”

  He frowned, disappointment written all over his face.

  But he loved her. Not me. And he couldn’t get over her. “They were supposed to get married on Valentine’s Day. Instead”—she trembled—“he went on a binge, ran a red light, and had a head-on collision.”

  “Was anyone hurt?”

  “Grayson Sterling and his first wife, Sara, were in the other car. She died.”

  Ryler winced.

  “Wade left the scene, didn’t tell a soul he was responsible, and asked me to move with him to his aunt’s in Missouri.”

  “Did he tell you what happened?”

  “Not at first. He ran to Missouri supposedly so we could start over. A few years later, I found out I was pregnant. I guess he wanted a clean slate, so he confessed.” Which freaked me out. “I left, but he followed me back here. At that point, I just wanted him out of my life, so I told him I’d aborted the baby.”

  Ryler’s jaw clenched. “But you didn’t.”

  “I planned to, but I couldn’t do it.”

  “I’m glad.” He squeezed her hand.

  “Me, too.” She closed her eyes. “Anyway, Wade made a confession at the church, then shot himself in the head. He’s been in a vegetative state in the nursing home ever since.”

  “And your son?”

  “My sister’s raising him.”

  “You gave him away?” Dropping her hand, Ryler backed away from her. His accusing green eyes sliced through her.

  She cowered under his gaze. She’d been wrong about him. She’d thought he was different, but he was just like everyone else in this judgmental town.

  Shaking his head, Ryler whirled around and stalked to the door. He slammed it behind him so hard she thought surely the glass would break. It didn’t. But her heart did.

  Ryler flicked his turn signal on, needing a sane presence. No cars sat in the post office lot. He parked and killed the engine.

  Half a day lost, dealing with Shell. And she was just like his mother. She’d thrown her son away. An inconvenience. At least she’d let him live.

  How could he have been such a fool? He’d sworn off women. Vowed he’d never let anyone near his heart ever again. But Shell had crooked her finger and he’d fallen over himself to get close to her all over again.

  He should have known he couldn’t trust her when she’d so easily taken up with Sylvie. Two of a kind. He opened the truck door and climbed out.

  Laken was the only sane one in the family. How had she turned out okay?

  A blast of humid air propelled him inside. He inserted the key into his mailbox and pulled out a handful of bills then continued to the clerk station.

  “Hey. How are you today?” Her bright smile couldn’t calm the storm in his soul.
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br />   “Okay.”

  She tapped her chin with her fingernail. “You don’t seem okay.”

  “How’s Collin? Did he and Jill work things out? I haven’t managed to catch him home lately.”

  “They’re fine. He said you gave him advice that worked.”

  “Good. She seemed like a nice lady.” He shuffled the mail in his hand. “Can I ask you a question that’s really none of my business?”

  “You can ask. I may not answer.”

  “Why does Brady live with you and Hayden?”

  Laken nibbled on the inside of her lip. “After his sister’s death, Hayden became Brady’s guardian. Collin didn’t know Brady existed until last year. He blew into town intent on moving Brady to California with him. Collin’s always been a bit on the selfish side.” She raised her hands up, palms toward him. “But I didn’t say that.”

  Ryler grinned. “I didn’t hear a thing.”

  A relieved smile tugged at her mouth. “He’s changed, though. God’s changing him, and he finally realized how unhappy Brady was with the idea and relented.”

  “So why doesn’t he live with Collin now?”

  “Collin usually doesn’t get home from work until seven each evening, while Hayden and I are home shortly after five.” She tapped the countertop with a fingernail. “This is weird. I’m spilling my guts and I hardly know you. Yet, somehow I feel comfortable with you.”

  “I’m glad.” He could barely push the words through his constricted throat, as the truth lurked on the tip of his tongue.

  “Might as well keep spilling. Hayden and I are talking about me quitting work when the baby comes.” A blush crept into her cheeks as she patted her stomach. “We just found out. You’re the first person to know outside of family and close friends.”

  His throat swelled even more. Outside of family. His little sister was pregnant. “Now see, that’s what parents are supposed to do. They’re supposed to do what’s best for their child. Not give them to someone else to raise.”

  She frowned. “You think Collin should work less and Brady should live with him?”