Saved by the Bride (Wedding Fever (Carina))

by Lowe, Fiona

  But that’s implicit in an affair and you’re not family.

  The thought failed to reassure her.

  As if on cue, her phone chirped, announcing an incoming message, and she pulled it out of her pocket. Reading the liquid display, she hugged a smile to herself. “He says midafternoon tomorrow.”

  “Perfect. If you’d asked me a few weeks ago if I wanted to be laid up with a severely sprained ankle, I would have said ‘no.’ But it’s giving me extra time with Bridey and Finn, and I had a lovely afternoon with Hank last weekend.”

  “I’m glad it’s all working out for you.” Annika could feel water dripping onto her leg through the paper and she slid open the glass door.

  “Finn doesn’t say much about his life, Annika, but I know for a fact you’re the first woman he’s ever brought to the cabin.”

  “Well, he didn’t really bring me. I pretty much arrived uninvited when I lost my rental accommodation and he refused to let me stay at the warehouse.”

  “As it should be. I did try to raise him to think of others but he mostly thinks of work. Sean and I didn’t give him the best example of marital harmony.”

  Annika didn’t know what to say to this except, “I imagine divorce is tough on everyone.”

  “I do hope my son is treating you as well you deserve.”

  Her mouth fell open and this time nothing came out.

  “You’re dripping water on the floor, dear.” Kathleen picked up her book and started reading, signaling the end of the conversation.

  Annika tripped over the sliding door flange as she walked out.

  * * *

  Bridey didn’t have to weigh herself to know she’d lost five pounds. Her face looked longer and her engagement ring spun loosely on her finger.

  “I’ve made your favorite.” Esther slid an enormous slice of pie across the counter—deep lemony-yellow custard and a decadent amount of meringue, complete with a hint of a golden brown on the fluffy peaks. “Eat.”

  Bridey plunged her fork into the pie knowing it would be filled with the wonderful combination of sugary sweet and sharp tangy taste, but when it reached her mouth it lost its flavor. She pushed the plate away. “Just coffee, Esther.”

  The housekeeper rolled her eyes. “Whatever it is that’s bothering you must be catastrophic if you’re not eating my pie.”

  Bridey closed her eyes and thought about the brief and tension-filled phone calls she’d shared with Hank all week. She’d called on Sunday night and apologized for not waiting until he’d had breakfast before starting the wedding discussion. He’d said, “Thank you, Bridey.”

  Nothing else. Nothing about the wedding, nothing about how he’d been less tolerant due to being hungover, not even an “I’m sorry too”—absolutely nothing.

  What did it mean? She felt like she was tiptoeing through a minefield and their conversations—if you could call them that—had been filled with distance and long pauses. Unable to face talking about wedding venues again because she was worried it would bring them back to the argument, she’d sent him an email telling him she’d chosen the InterContinental. His reply had been, “Okay.” Four small letters that bruised her heart.

  She didn’t know what to think and she didn’t know what to do. Every time she mentioned the wedding to Hank during their evening phone call, she pictured his face tightening and his eyes closing as if the thought of marrying her was akin to torture. Her mother had actively tried to talk to her about the plans two or three times this week, but her interest and enthusiasm had stung like salt in an open wound. When Kathleen had asked her what was wrong, she couldn’t voice the dread-filled words that constantly crawled through her and she’d fled from the cottage.

  Now she accepted the coffee mug that Esther had slid across the counter and went for a general answer. “I miss Hank.”

  “He was here five days ago.” Esther briskly filled the sink with hot, soapy water.

  That’s not what I mean. He’s been missing since we got engaged. “I know.”

  “And?”

  And I think he’s regretting the idea of marrying me. “And...I don’t know. Last weekend he seemed different.”

  Esther stilled her hands on the edge of the sink. “Honey, he looked exhausted last weekend and, believe me, after two weeks of stress a man is rarely communicative.”

  Ignoring the memories of the strained phone calls during the week, Bridey clung on to this bit of news like a personal floatation device in a stormy sea. “You think he was just tired?”

  “That man was asleep on his feet.” Esther scrubbed the large lasagna dish. “The drama at the plant’s over now. Your Hank’s going to be arriving soon, so stop your moping and go put on a pretty dress. Your father’s hosting a party tonight and it’s perfect weather for dancing under the stars.”

  She dreamily thought of how Hank expertly spun her around the floor at their engagement party. “Hank can dance.”

  Esther smiled. “I noticed. He even made me feel light on my feet.”

  Bridey stood up feeling a lot happier. Esther always had the best advice and if Bridey had been thinking more clearly earlier in the week, she’d have talked to her a lot sooner. She thought about the new backless dress she’d bought and smiled. It had a bodice that hugged her tight, accenting all the right curves in all the right places before floating out from the waist in layers and layers of gauzy chiffon. It would knock Hank’s socks off and hopefully a lot more than that. She instantly pulled out her phone. This weekend she wasn’t leaving anything to chance. She didn’t care if there were comments and winks. This time she and Hank were going to stay in town at the motel and have mind-blowing sex, no matter what.

  Esther inclined her head and the faint buzz of the helicopter got increasingly louder. “Sounds like you don’t have to wait any longer.”

  A whoop of delight spun through her. She gave Esther a kiss and ran out to the helipad, excitement simmering. The shiny, black machine with its enormous rotors lowered down neatly onto the big, white H, and then with a slow whine the engine noise died away. The pilot opened the doors and Finn stepped out with a smile and a wave, which Bridey returned as she gazed beyond him.

  He gave her a hug. “Hey, sis, where’s Annika?”

  She distractedly returned his hug. “I’m guessing the office or the studio. She’s almost as much of a workaholic as you are.”

  Finn grinned, pulled out his phone and started to walk toward the house.

  Bridey bounced up and down on the balls of her feet and held her breath. Hank would be out next. Hank would stride over to her, swing her up in his arms, kiss her on the lips and say, “I’ve missed you so much. Let’s never argue again.”

  The sun reflected a golden haze as Hank disembarked but instead of walking toward her, he immediately turned back toward the helicopter and extended his arm inside as if he was assisting someone else.

  Had some of her father’s guests flown up? She’d thought the party was for the neighbors but she hadn’t actually inquired given that her mind had been elsewhere.

  She watched in jaw-dropping astonishment as one by one, Hank’s parents alighted from the helicopter.

  “Bridey.” Marion walked toward her with open arms. “Surprise.”

  Stunned, she hugged the older woman and tried to catch Hank’s eye but he was standing next to his father and pointing somethin
g out on the helicopter.

  Marion hooked her arm through Bridey’s. “We were so sorry to miss your party and very touched that your father invited us up this weekend.”

  “Dad invited you?” As she tried to absorb that bit of news, she glanced over her shoulder at Hank.

  He crossed the short distance between them and kissed her on the cheek as if she was his sister. “Hello, Bridey.”

  Before she could say anything, Bob’s voice hailed him. “Hank, come on back. The pilot’s offering us a seat in the cockpit.”

  Marion shook her head and with a conspiratorial air, she leaned into Bridey. “Boys and their machines.”

  Bridey could see herself about to be separated from Hank and there was no way was she allowing that to happen. “Actually, Marion, I love helicopters.”

  “I expect you do having grown up around them but it’s all new to Bob and Hank.” Her future mother-in-law patted her hand. “Let’s leave them alone to talk engines and we’ll have a lovely, cozy chat about the wedding.”

  No!

  Bridey opened her mouth to suggest a counter plan but her brain drained at Hank’s wide mouth curving into a quiet smile—the one she’d fallen in love with the day she met him. A silent sigh wove through her and she knew that Esther’s prediction was correct. Hank was here and everything was going to be all right.

  “If you’re talking weddings,” Hank said, “then I’m definitely staying with Dad.” He walked off with a wave.

  The fear that had been momentarily waylaid by her conversation with Esther, barreled back into Bridey with the force of a tsunami, making her sway on her feet.

  “Oh my. Is that the house?” Marion’s eyes lit up and she tugged on Bridey’s arm and started walking. “I’d love a tour.”

  Bridey had no choice but to follow.

  * * *

  Had Kathleen’s ankle allowed it, she would have been pacing. As it didn’t, she sat stabbing a cross-stitch sampler with a needle and thread, but she was unpicking more than she was keeping. Tonight, Sean was throwing a small party for Bridey’s future in-laws and she was going. She shouldn’t be nervous. Last night she’d faced down the beast of her anxiety and spent an hour with Dana and Sean. Logan had implored her to go to his cookout and without Bridey or Finn in attendance, she’d had to summon all her courage to go. Although she’d only stayed an hour and had spent a lot of it chatting with Logan, she’d unexpectedly enjoyed herself.

  Sitting down with Dana had seemed surreal and they hadn’t done much more than discuss the weather. Dana had inquired politely about the Art Institute program and Kathleen in turn had asked about Dana’s children’s charity. To an outsider it would have sounded like polite, social chitchat but it had been so much more than that—it was a new beginning. Sure, at the start, she’d felt on edge but it had faded quickly once she recognized in Dana a mutual desire to find a level of connection they could both feel comfortable with. What that was exactly, she wasn’t certain.

  A rap sounded on the glass and she looked up in surprise as it was too early for the quad bike transportation to the party. Dana stood on the other side of the glass with a traveler coffee cup in her hand and a nervous look on her face.

  Kathleen thought she probably wore the same look. She waved and called out, “Come in.”

  Dana gave a tentative smile and slid open the door. “Hello, Kathleen.”

  Hostess Kathleen kicked in. “Hello, Dana. Have a seat. That coffee smells good.”

  “It’s hazelnut. My guilty pleasure. Sean says it’s...” Dana trailed off and her face pinked up.

  “‘A poor excuse for coffee.’” Kathleen finished the sentence. “A poor excuse being anything that Sean doesn’t like.”

  Dana nodded. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have mentioned—”

  “Don’t be sorry. You’re married to Sean and of course you’re going to mention him in conversation. You’ve made a better success of things with him than I did.”

  Dana shrugged. “Perhaps I was lucky enough to meet him when he was finally ready to settle down.”

  “And you didn’t have to get married.” Kathleen smiled. “Thankfully, there was another wife in between us which means you and I have no reason to dislike each other.” She fiddled with her own coffee cup and decided on honesty. “Although, you should know that I envy you Kylemore. A lot.”

  Dana met her gaze. “I understand. I love this place too.”

  Kathleen could see and hear the truth of Dana’s statement and she made herself give this warm woman the compliment she deserved. “You’ve done a wonderful job with the garden.”

  “Thank you.” Dana’s smile lost some of its tentativeness. “I guess you put yourself into this cottage like I’ve put myself into the garden. I know a part of me would shrivel if I had to leave it behind.”

  Kathleen’s hand tightened on the sampler. “I felt like I’d lost a limb.” She blew out a long breath. “I’m very sorry I was so rude to you at Bridey’s engagement when you offered me the use of the cottage. It’s just it brought back a lot of unhappy memories which, ironically, my sprained ankle has made me face.”

  “We’re just glad you’re here,” Dana said simply.

  They lapsed into silence that combined fledgling companionship with a thousand unasked questions.

  Dana lowered her cup. “I guess you’re wondering why I’m here. It’s Bridey.”

  Kathleen frowned. “What about Bridey?”

  Dana sucked in a breath. “I know things can get fraught a few weeks before a wedding but she’s at the early planning stages and—”

  “She’s already flipping out.”

  “Yes. I’m so glad you’ve noticed too.”

  “I’ve tried to talk about it with her but she’s not saying anything, but that’s not unusual with Bridey. She tends to hold everything in.” She sighed and voiced a hard truth. “Or perhaps she just holds it in with me. Have you asked her about her extreme focus on all the minutiae?”

  “I wanted to check with you first.”

  Gratitude rushed in. “Thank you for that consideration. Please do ask her because she might tell you more. I just want her to be happy. I want both my children to be happy.”

  Dana nodded. “So do I.”

  * * *

  It was getting late and the jazz band Sean had hired for the evening shifted down a gear. Finn pulled Annika in close as the slow number started and the saxophone crooned its long and sexy lament. Not that they were on the dance floor any more—he’d danced her away from it during a fast set and they’d taken off their shoes and wandered hand in hand along the shoreline until they’d reached the base of the tree house, which was a good distance away from the main house. The moon was waning but it was a clear night and its milky light danced on the water.

  He leaned against the tree, breathing in her scent of wildflowers with a hint of Indian ink, and loving the touch of her against him. He’d missed that so much that he’d flown home midweek just so he could have her warm, relaxed and sleeping body snuggled in against his. Sex with Annika had exceeded his wildest dreams and, not that he had anything against the comfort of making love with her in his bed, but he also knew how she loved it when they gave in to the rush of getting naked where they stood.

  With that in mind, he’d spent the week organizing something for Annika and he’d needed some time before dinner to check the arrangements, so today he’d been the one hurrying Hank along so they could leave Chicago on time. It wa
s going to be the perfect end to a huge but fulfilling week. Everything was finally back on an even keel at the Illinois plant, and all their customers were happy. Finn was in a celebratory mood and returning to the lake had never felt so good. Even so, he’d kept Annika close at dinner, expecting the usual fireworks seeing as Sean and Kathleen were within a ten-foot radius of each other. But that had been the biggest surprise of the night.

  He wound strands of her hair around his finger loving the idea that he didn’t have to leave the lake or Annika anytime soon, and the weeks between now and Labor Day stretched out before them to be enjoyed. “You might not realize it but tonight you witnessed a miracle.”

  She lifted her head and smiled at him. “And what was that?”

  “My mother and father managed to sit down at a table and share a meal without any cutting remarks or rapid-fire put-downs. Bridey and I are in shock.”

  Slight reproach filled her eyes. “You’re exaggerating, right? With Hank’s parents visiting, of course they’re going to be civil.”

  He shook his head. “Sean and Kathleen set the record for post-divorce public scenes no matter who was present including a very well-known New York billionaire. We barely got through the engagement party so tonight was not only bewildering but totally unexpected.”

  Her fingers played with the cotton of his sleeve. “I hope for all your sakes it’s a new beginning.”

  A bristle of unease prickled him. “Things are fine the way they are.”

  Her brows rose but all she said was, “It was nice of Sean to throw a mini party tonight so the Neiquests got a feel for the party they missed.”

  Tension started to coil in his belly like a snake. “I think you’ll find it was Dana’s idea.”