by Marie Force
Pushing the hair all the way back from her face, he gasped when he recognized Owen’s sister Katie, whom he’d met the night before.
“Katie! Jesus! Say something. Are you all right?”
She coughed and gagged and dry-heaved. Then she began to sob uncontrollably.
Christ, what the hell should he do?
“Katie, it’s Shane, Laura’s brother. Can you speak?”
She kept her eyes closed but wrapped her arm around her breasts. “Lost my top.”
“You almost lost your life! What were you doing so far out?”
“Riptide,” she said, panting softly as tears continued to flow down her cheeks. “Thought I was going to die.”
“So did I for a minute there.”
“I’m sorry. Panicked.”
“It’s okay,” he said, patting her shoulder awkwardly. “We’re both okay.”
“Thanks to you.”
“I’m glad I heard you.” Thinking of Owen losing his sister on a day that was supposed to be filled with happiness made Shane doubly grateful to have been in the right place at the right time. “Do you think you can walk?”
“I don’t know. I’m shaking like a leaf, and I’m half-naked.”
“Let me find my shirt. I’ll be right back.”
They’d landed quite a distance from where he’d started out, so he jogged down the beach on legs that trembled from the effort it had taken to swim to shore. He scooped up his shirt and towel and went back to where he’d left Katie.
“Here,” he said. “Put this on.”
She sat up and awkwardly worked her way into his T-shirt, which was huge on her. “You got quite an eyeful, huh?”
“I was far more worried about whether you were breathing than I was with ogling you.”
She crossed her arms over her chest.
“Do you need a hand up?”
Shaking her head, she began to cry again.
Even though neither of them had the time, he sat next to her on the sand. As her shoulders heaved with sobs, he had no idea what to do. Thinking about Owen and what a great friend he’d been over the last year had Shane putting his arm around Owen’s sister and offering whatever comfort he could.
“You’re all right, Katie. Everything’s all right.”
“I almost killed us both—on the day your sister is marrying my brother,” she said as sobs hiccupped through her.
“Since that would’ve thoroughly ruined their day, let’s just be glad it didn’t happen.”
“I’m so sorry,” she said between sobs. “I panicked. I was so scared. I’ve been swimming at this beach all my life and never had that happen.”
“No need to be sorry. All that matters is that we’re both safe. But we’re going to have bigger problems if we don’t get back to the hotel and get ready for the wedding.”
“Oh God! What time is it?”
He checked his watch. “Twenty minutes till five.”
“We have to go!”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you.” He got up and extended his hand to her.
She took his hand and let him pull her up, swaying when she got her legs under her.
Shane put his arm around her shoulders to steady her. “Take a second.”
She looked up at him with wet blue eyes. “You won’t tell anyone about this, will you?”
He experienced a profound feeling of protectiveness for a woman he’d only known for a day. But it seemed like it had been much longer, knowing what he did about how she’d grown up. She seemed fragile standing next to him with her hair matted to her head and her eyes translucent from tears.
She was Owen’s sister. Of course he felt protective toward her. He shook off the weird feelings and looked down at her. “I won’t tell anyone, but we should get going.”
Nodding, she began walking slowly toward the steep flight of stairs that led to the hotel. Her legs, he noticed, wobbled beneath her as she moved.
“How about a hand up the stairs?” he said.
“What do you mean?”
He turned his back to her. “Hop on.”
“Oh, I couldn’t. I’m fine. Honestly. I can do it.”
Shane blocked the stairs so she couldn’t proceed unless she let him help her.
“I said I could do it.”
“And I said I wanted to help you.”
“Haven’t you helped enough? You saved my life after all.”
“Yes, I did, so I would think that in your gratitude, you’d allow me to help you up the stairs. Now hop on.”
“Fine, but you have to put me down right away. I don’t want anyone to see me on your back.”
He glanced at her over his shoulder. “Why not? I’m not exactly a convicted felon.”
Her face fell, and he immediately realized what he’d said. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
“It’s fine. He is a convicted felon, and he should be. It’s just still kind of…new.”
“I’m sorry.”
She looked up at him. “Is the offer of a ride still good?”
“You bet.”
“Let’s do it, then.”
Shane hoisted her onto his back, and even though his own legs still felt rubbery from the shock of nearly drowning, he managed to get them both up the stairs without further incident. He deposited her on the deck and waited to make sure she was steady before he let her go.
“Everything all right?” a voice inquired from one of the chairs on the deck.
They spun around to find Katie’s grandmother watching them with keen interest in her wise eyes.
“Oh, Gran, you scared me. Yes, everything is fine. I fell asleep in the sun, and Shane was good enough to wake me. I’d better go hit the shower, or I’ll look frightful at the wedding.”
Shane wanted to tell her that there was no way she could ever look frightful, but he kept his mouth shut.
“I’ll see you shortly,” Katie said to both of them as she scampered inside.
Shane felt trapped by Adele’s intense gaze. “I’d…ah, I’d better go get ready, too, or Laura will be looking for me.” As one of Owen’s groomsmen, he should’ve been with the groom half an hour ago.
“I saw what happened down there.” She stood and came over to him. “I was about to call the rescue, but you beat me to it.” She crooked her finger at him to bring him closer to her and then kissed his cheek, leaving him flabbergasted. “Thank you, Shane. I don’t think this family would’ve survived losing our darling Katie, and I’m profoundly grateful for what you did.”
“Oh, um… I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
“Thank God for that. I won’t keep you. I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
“You won’t say anything, will you? We don’t want to upset Laura and Owen. Not today.”
“I won’t say a word other than thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m going to hit the shower and get ready.” Shane raced through the lobby and up the stairs to his room on the third floor. He shaved and showered in record time and donned the white linen shirt and khaki pants he’d been asked to wear as a member of the wedding party.
Emerging from his room ten minutes later, he encountered Katie in the hallway. Her hair had been washed and dried and hung in waves to her shoulders. She wore a floral dress that hugged all her curves and landed just above her knee, leaving her exceptional legs on full display.
“You clean up well,” she said, breaking the silence.
“So do you—and you clean up quickly.”
“I grew up with six siblings. I learned to be fast in the bathroom.”
“You feeling okay?” he asked.
“A little shaky but otherwise okay, all things considered. You?”
“Same.”
“Did I say thank you? I don’t recall if I ever said that, and I should have.”
“You did, and it’s fine. I’m glad I was there when you needed help.” He extended his arm to her. “H
ow about we try to forget about it and have a good time at the wedding?”
“Not sure I’ll ever forget it, but I’m all for having a good time at the wedding. The Lawry family is long overdue for a celebration.”
“Then let’s get to it.”
Laura stood alone in her apartment, taking in her reflection in the full-length mirror Sarah had unearthed from the basement. Her future mother-in-law had produced a wedding-day miracle. She’d used material cut from the back of the dress to fashion a halter that looked like it belonged there. The designer would have a heart attack if she ever saw what they’d done to her creation.
Laura turned and took a good long look at her back on full display, covered only by the filmy headpiece Sarah had fashioned from tulle she’d found in the attic. Her mother-in-law was astonishingly resourceful, which she had credited to years of making Halloween costumes for seven children.
Laura hadn’t planned to wear a headpiece, but she felt more comfortable with the tulle covering her exposed back.
A knock on the door preceded her father into the room. He stopped short at the sight of her. “Oh my goodness, love. Look at you.”
“Good?” she asked with a smile for her dad.
“Exceptional. I’ve never seen you look more beautiful. You’re positively glowing.”
“Thank you so much for marrying us, Daddy. You know I wanted you last time, but Justin’s mother pushed for the church.”
“I know, sweetheart, and I’m much more pleased to be performing this ceremony than I would’ve been about that one. I love Owen. He’s a man worthy of my beautiful daughter.”
“Yes, he is,” Laura said. “But don’t make me cry. I don’t want to be a mess at my own wedding.”
“You couldn’t possibly be a mess.” With his hands on her arms, he placed a tender kiss on her forehead. “Close your eyes so you won’t cry. I have something I want to tell you. Two things, actually.”
“You’re really going to do this to me, huh?”
“’Fraid so.”
Laura smiled at him and closed her eyes as directed.
“One, I love you so very much. You and your brother are the best part of my life, and I’m incredibly proud of both of you. And two, your mother would be, too. She would’ve loved Owen, and she would’ve loved the woman you grew up to be. I wanted you to know that.” The brush of his handkerchief under her eyes caught the tears that escaped despite her effort to contain them.
“Thank you for telling me that. I like to think she’d be proud of me.”
“She would be, honey. Definitely. Now, are you ready to get married?”
“I’m very ready.”
Frank extended his arm to her. “Then let’s get to it.”
Chapter 29
“Everybody out,” Sarah said as she walked into the sitting room where Owen had gathered with his groomsmen. In addition to Evan and Shane, Adam McCarthy and Sarah’s other sons, Josh and Jeff, made up the wedding party. Having all but one of her kids in the same place at the same time was a rare occurrence, and Sarah was loving every minute of it. “The mother of the groom wants a moment with her son.”
Now that their father’s trial was behind them, her kids had a lightness about them she’d never seen before. They laughed easier and smiled more often. It was like they finally had permission to be themselves now that Mark Lawry was out of their lives forever. She should’ve left him years ago, but hindsight was always twenty-twenty, and she was choosing to look forward rather than backward these days.
“You heard her,” Owen said to his wedding party. “Hit the beach. I’ll be right behind you.”
Each of them kissed Sarah’s cheek on the way out of the room. “What a handsome bunch of guys,” she said to Owen when they were alone.
“I feel shaggy and overgrown next to them.”
“You’re neither of those things. You’re gorgeous, and Laura is a lucky woman.”
“I’m the lucky one, Mom.”
“You both are, honey, and don’t ever forget it.”
“I won’t. You look great. I love your dress.”
“It’s not too much?” she asked of the frilly, revealing lavender dress Tiffany had talked her into.
“It’s perfect.”
“Your father never liked it when I showed any skin.” With a saucy grin and a wink, she added, “Charlie loves it.”
Owen put his hands over his ears. “I can’t hear you.”
She laughed at the face he made.
“All kidding aside, I’m so glad you’re happy with him. You deserve it more than anyone I know.”
“I deserve it as much as you do, my love. What do you say we give ourselves permission to be happy from here on out?”
“I’m on board with that.”
She picked up the one remaining coral rose boutonniere from the florist box on the table and held it up. “May I?”
“Please do. I had no idea what to do with that.”
“That’s what mothers are for.”
When the rose was in place on his white linen shirt, she flattened her hands on his chest. “I love you more than you’ll ever know. You and your little family and this magical hotel saved my life last year, and I’ll always be grateful.”
“We’re equally grateful to you, Mom. You showed up just when we needed you most.”
She smiled up at him. “Laura will be down any minute. How about you escort your mom to the beach.”
He kissed her cheek. “It would be my pleasure.”
The late-afternoon sun shone brightly as Owen accompanied his mother down the steep flight of stairs to the sand. Per Laura’s wishes, everyone was barefoot. Her mantra from the beginning had been to “keep it simple,” which had been just fine with him.
His beloved sisters, Julia, Katie and Cindy, came down with Julia carrying Holden. Though they were twins, Julia had dark hair and Katie was blonde, but they had blue eyes in common. Cindy’s hair was light brown, as were her eyes. She, Jeff and Julia favored their father’s side of the family, while the rest of them were blond like their mother. His sisters smiled brightly at him as Julia handed over the baby to him. Owen kissed and hugged them. He was so damned glad to see them.
Holden wore the same white shirt and khakis as the other men in the wedding party and took in the proceedings with a curious expression on his adorable face.
Evan was doing double duty as Owen’s best man while providing the music. The florist had placed two huge arrangements of tiger lilies, day lilies, daisies, roses and something Laura had told him was called “bird of paradise.” Owen had wondered about Laura’s decision to go with corals and oranges, but he had to admit the flowers were quite spectacular. He should’ve known Laura would get it just right. She always did. Their guests stood in a half circle around the flowers. Since the ceremony would be short and sweet, they’d skipped the bother of bringing chairs down to the beach.
The wedding party came down the stairs in pairs: Adam and Abby, Shane and Janey, Jeff and Stephanie, Josh and Maddie. As the maid of honor, Grace came down alone, and Owen watched Evan’s face light up at the sight of her. Evan never took his eyes off his fiancée as she made her way to them in a coral dress that clung to all her curves.
And then Laura appeared at the top of the stairs, her arm tucked into her father’s bent elbow, and everything else faded away. There was only her. There would only ever be her. Evan played an acoustic rendition of “Here Comes the Bride” as Laura came toward him, her gaze locked on his.
Owen couldn’t seem to breathe until she smiled, and the knot of nerves in his chest became a feeling of pure joy, the likes of which he’d never experienced quite so profoundly before. His Princess… His love. His life.
The time they’d spent together ran through his mind like the best movie he’d ever seen, from the day he’d first laid eyes on her at her cousin Janey’s wedding to finding her outside the Surf the next morning in the pouring rain to scooping her up off the bathroom floor when she’d been fe
lled by morning sickness during her pregnancy with Holden. He’d been by her side when she gave birth to Holden and on the day they discovered their “surprise” pregnancy was twins. She’d stood by his side through the nightmare of his mother being beaten by his father and provided unwavering support through his father’s trial.
Every minute he’d spent with her had been the best time he’d ever spent with anyone, and he couldn’t wait to have forever with her. They’d already had good times and bad, sickness and health. Today they would make official what had been in their hearts for nearly a year now.
Frank extended his hand to Owen.
Owen shook hands with his new father-in-law. In the time they’d known each other, Frank McCarthy had been more of a father to Owen than Mark Lawry had ever been.
Then Frank joined Laura’s and Owen’s hands, kissed his daughter and stepped up to the front of the assembled group. “It is my very great pleasure to welcome you all today to witness the marriage of my gorgeous, wonderful, sensational daughter Laura to the love of her life, Owen Lawry.
“Owen, I could not have handpicked a man better suited to my daughter. You’ve cared for her and Holden with unwavering love and tenderness, and I thank you for that. I sleep much better at night knowing my daughter is well and truly loved by a man I admire and respect.”
Frank’s heartfelt words had Owen blinking back tears.
Laura squeezed his hand and smiled at him, settling his emotions as only she could.
“Owen and Laura have chosen to recite their own vows. Owen?” Frank reached for his grandson, and Owen transferred Holden into Frank’s outstretched arms.
Laura handed her bouquet of orange flowers to Grace and then joined hands with Owen.
“I wasn’t expecting your father to make me cry,” Owen said, releasing her hand to brush at a tear on his cheek.
“He took me down earlier,” Laura said.
