A Little Texas (23 page)

She’d made her decision. For better or worse.

She had no clue if Rick would have her. Or want to pursue anything other than friendship with her. He’d once said right before they’d made love that he would always be her friend. Always care about her. Well, she was about to test the truth of his words.

She approached the center, which was now awash in flowering Hawthorne bushes. Only one person stood on the porch—an older Hispanic man, who held a cigarette between his lips and nodded when she smiled at him. Heck. Even her smile felt nervous.

“They’re in there. Already started,” he said.

Kate nodded and opened the door.

The first sound she heard was her heart thumping against her ribs. Then she heard a woman singing a Barbra Streisand song that she could never remember the name of but had to do with love being like an easy chair. And she realized it was Vera singing.

The vaulted main room of the center was filled with folding chairs placed in five even rows, on either side of a center aisle. Every chair was filled, and a few people stood at the back. Justus’s wheelchair was parked at the end of the last row, and though she could only see the side of his face, she could tell he was enchanted with the way his wife sang the ballad. Everyone’s attention was on Vera, who was the only person to see Kate slip inside.

Her stepmother’s eyes widened only slightly, but she kept right on singing.

Kate eased into a spot at the back between a teenage boy with a tattoo of a skeleton on his forearm and a woman with curly black hair who smelled faintly of clean linen. The woman smiled at Kate. The teen looked at her then returned his attention to the moose head hanging above the mantel.

The center’s graduates sat in the front row. They all wore white dress shirts and ties and, to Kate, seemed to hold themselves proudly. She scanned the crowd for Rick but didn’t see him. She saw Nellie, Jack, Tamara, Betty Monk and even Sally Holtzclaw, but she didn’t see the man she’d missed so much it had physically hurt. She’d been a mess, popping antacids for weeks, although the negotiations over Fantabulous, clearing out her life in Vegas and summoning up the courage to take this enormous leap of faith contributed to the acid churning.

She was midair and it was time to stick the landing. She just needed to find her spotter. And he wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

Vera wrapped up the song with a soft, emotional note. The crowd clapped politely as she stepped from the platform that had been erected where the huge dining-room table usually sat. Outside the bay windows, Kate could see Banjo lying on the patio next to a barrel of tomatoes they’d planted nearly three months ago. Bright red plums perched among the spring green branches of the plants. All around the East Texas countryside, winter had melted into a cacophony of greens, each shade doing its best to one-up the other.

Vera patted her husband as she passed him, but she didn’t stop. She came straight to Kate, slipping in between her and the teenager, earning a disdainful frown from the youth.

She took Kate’s hand and squeezed it.

Justus swiveled his head to find his wife, but found Kate instead. The emotion that swept over his face wrung Kate’s heart. She had vowed she wouldn’t get overly emotional with her father. They both needed slow and steady. But they did have the start to a new relationship.

A microphone crackled then whined. The interference stopped when Rick stepped onto the stage and moved behind the podium.

Kate’s heart paused. She grasped Vera’s hand even harder, earning a smile from the older woman.

He looked amazing, if a few pounds lighter. His hair was still military short, his shoulders still broad beneath the navy sports jacket he wore over a light blue button-down and striped tie. He looked just about as good as any man Kate had ever seen.

“Thank you, Vera.” His gaze sought the woman beside her, and just like Justus, he found Kate instead.

If lightning could have struck, it would have.

That’s how powerful the moment felt. Like sheer electricity had zapped the air between them. Rick stopped and stared.

Many in the room swung around to follow his gaze.

“Kate,” Rick said into the mic, still obviously stunned she was here.

Manny waved at her and she waved back, and the moment was shattered. Rick cleared his throat and recovered.

“Now I will read the names of those who are graduating from Phoenix today.” His voice swelled with pride as he read each graduate’s name and accomplishments. Every so often he’d look toward her and each time she could see his questions.

After the participants in the program received their certificates of completion, Justus rolled forward. Rick handed the microphone to her father and helped him steady it before he spoke.

“Today is a day of new beginnings, but it is also a day for remembering the past. What will be and what is no more. My son, Ryan Talton Mitchell, was the inspiration for this center. His belief that all people hold a piece of goodness, a desire to do right and a need for a second chance is the seed which grew into the fruit that is this center. He is no longer with us…”

Her father’s words fell off for a moment.

“But his influence lives on in his words and his works. He believed in the power of love. And so do I. Today, I would like to present to Enrique Mendez, a man who is like a son to me, the deed to the land on which Phoenix stands. It is a gift from the Ryan Mitchell Love Foundation.”

Applause sounded as her father handed a paper to Rick. Rick bent to shake Justus’s hand and someone snapped a picture.

Her father rolled away as Rick returned to the podium.

“Now, before we indulge in the cake and punch so graciously provided by the Oak Stand Ladies Auxiliary, I would like to invite anyone present who would like to say a few words to do so.”

No one moved a muscle. Not even the graduates. The air was static once again.

Kate dropped Vera’s hand. “I’d like to say something.”

As he handed her the microphone, her hand brushed his. He felt a jolt to the center of his gut. Yep, he was a goner for Kate Newman. Stick-a-fork-in-him-done kind of goner.

She gave him a mysterious smile, then turned to face the audience.

“Hello, everyone. My name is Katie Newman. I’m Justus’s daughter and Ryan’s sister. I wanted to tell these guys how proud I am of them.” She swept a hand over the area where Georges, Manny, Joe, Brandon and Carlos sat. “I know what they feel this day. I know this journey has been hard but worth it, mostly because I’ve taken a similar journey over the past couple of months, so if you all will indulge me for a moment.”

“Go ahead, Kate,” Georges called out with a grin.

“Okay.” She sighed. “Facing your mistakes is hard. I was born here in Oak Stand and spent most of my life trying to get out. I was ashamed of who I was. And like these guys here, I resented many of the people who tried to help me, and I hated those who didn’t. Over the years, I built up anger and fear inside me. I only took comfort in the material things of this world, and I tried to control my life by never being weak. Never opening myself up to anyone.”

Rick watched her as she said those words. Her eyes shimmered under the recessed lighting. Her hands trembled only slightly.

“Over the years, I’ve hurt people who loved me.” Kate looked at Nellie. Her friend was waving her hands in front of her eyes, as though trying to hold herself together. Jack wound an arm around his wife that she shrugged away, handing him a wiggling toddler.

“And, on this day of new beginnings, I want to say I’m sorry for not seeing the big picture earlier.” She looked at the graduates. “Sometimes it’s hard to ask for help. I’m glad you guys took that first step. And I’m glad I did, too.”

She shifted her gaze to the crowd. “This town held me up, just like they are holding Phoenix up. I never saw that. Never noticed who I had become. I closed myself to love.”

She stopped, pressed her lips together and glanced at Rick before continuing.

“Several months ago, I met myself. I came to terms with who I am. I discovered a brother I never knew, a stepmother I didn’t like and a father I didn’t think I could forgive. I was wrong. Just like I was wrong about this town. And for the very first time in my life, I fell in love.”

Her words stunned Rick. Something rose and expanded in his chest. His wounded heart came to life and thumped against his ribs. He was certain everyone in the room could hear it, could see his emotions coming undone.

Tears fell from Kate’s eyes, but she didn’t stop to wipe them from her cheeks. They dripped off her chin onto the floor.

“My heart, which had been full of bad things, is now full of something I never thought I could feel.”

A sob tore through her, but she pressed a hand to her chest and fought through it. “I went back to Vegas, but it wasn’t the same. I wasn’t the same because love had changed me. I don’t know what my future holds, but I want it to play out here.”

She finally wiped her face and smiled. “I can’t believe I’m about to say these words, but, I’ve finally come home.”

Nellie stood and whooped. Big Bubba Malone did the same. Betty Monk merely lifted her hands in a praise-Jesus gesture.

Jack shouted, “It’s about time!”

Her father and Vera held hands and beamed as though life had finally found them again.

Kate looked at the graduates. “I didn’t mean to steal your thunder because this day is about you and your journey. But I took that journey with you guys, whether you realized it or not. I’m proud of what we’ve become together—people who have risen from the ashes. We are new again.”

The center erupted into applause, many of the audience standing.

Rick watched Kate as she turned to him.

“Rick?”

“What, baby?”

“I love you,” she said right into the microphone.

Those words were the sweetest he’d ever heard. And Kate taking that chance on him was the most profound moment he’d ever experienced. There was nothing to do but welcome his Kate home with a kiss.

“I love you, too, baby,” he whispered before he covered her lips with his. He picked her up and spun her around and around until the edges of the world blurred and there was only this incredibly brave woman in his arms and a future laid out in front of them like the sweetest gift.

Applause continued, stomping occurred and hands slapped him on the back. Banjo barked.

But nothing registered.

There was only Kate.

“Thank you,” he whispered against her lips.

She smiled against his lips. “For what? Donating the fifty thousand dollars to Phoenix?”

He squeezed her tighter. “No. For coming home.”

Nellie appeared at her elbow and handed her a clutch of roses. “Don’t fall. I’ll be in front of you.”

Kate rolled her eyes. “Oh, thanks for the concern for the bride.”

Her friend grinned. “Well, you’re not always graceful. Plus, I’m eating for two now.”

Kate assessed her friend’s expanding bump. Nellie was five months along and the dress had had to be altered. Could her friend stand the shock? “Yeah? Well, so am I, sister.”

“Holy shit!” Nellie screeched before clapping her hand over her mouth and glancing out to the balcony. “You’re serious?”

Kate nodded and smiled. “But
I
still fit in my dress.”

“Oh, my goodness,” Nellie breathed, jerking Kate into a hug. She sputtered against the flowers pinned in Kate’s hair, and gave a suspicious sniffle. “Have you told Rick?”

“No. You’re the first to know. And it really should have been him, but the devil inside me pops out sometimes.” She pushed Nellie from her and wagged her finger at her. “Not a word.”

Her best friend made the lock-and-key motion and picked up her bouquet. “Of course I won’t tell.”

Kate smiled at her friend before punching her on the arm. “So don’t trip. I’ll be right behind you and I’m eating for two.”

“Whatever.”

The music swelled louder and Billie squealed. “That’s it. The cue!”

Trish appeared behind her, looking particularly regal in her seafoam-green bridesmaid’s dress. Her coffee-colored skin looked lustrous, and Billie, newly married herself, looked fresh and innocent in her pleated dress of peach. But Kate knew firsthand her artisan friend was anything but innocent—Billie had thrown the bachelorette party, complete with a male stripper and penis-shaped cookies.

“Okay, let’s rock this wedding,” Kate said, giving Nellie a wink. The daffodil dress looked good against Nellie’s tan skin and caramel-streaked hair. Her friend always looked radiant when she had a bun in the oven.

Trish opened the doors and the sound of the stringed orchestra floated inside. The sun broke through the clouds as she descended first, elegantly gliding down the curved stairs of Cottonwood like an African princess greeting her subjects. Billie followed, looking petrified and stiff. Nellie started out the doors behind Billie, but paused and caught Kate’s arm.

“I love you, Katie.”

“Love you, too,” Kate said, trying not to mess up her makeup with the dampness misting her eyes. Then she pushed Nellie toward the doors. “Hurry up.”

Jeremy emerged from around the corner. He’d been waiting outside, looking splendid in an Armani tuxedo. He’d tucked an outlandish peach handkerchief in his pocket. It perfectly matched the roses she held. “Let’s go, doll.”

And he offered his arm.

Kate took it and they emerged to a gorgeous spring day. The notes of the cello were plaintive on the breeze, but the violins livened up the traditional wedding march. Kate kept her eyes on Rick as she descended stairs that swept round the front of Cottonwood. From her vantage point, if she looked across the pristine lawn past the crowd of people sitting in white chairs, she could just glimpse the gates of the estate. The same gates she’d once sat outside of on a pink bike, picturing herself doing exactly what she did today.

Only her dress wasn’t fluffy and she didn’t wear a veil. Her gown was a gorgeous, tight Vera Wang. And her father wasn’t escorting her.

But he would.

Justus waited at the foot of the steps. Jeremy handed her to him, and she tucked his hand into the crook of her right arm.

Vera had tied a white satin bow to the back of his motorized wheelchair. Together they faced the audience assembled. Kate watched as Vera, the stepmother of the bride, stood; a tender expression lit her face. The rest of the guests rose, and together, she and her father started up the white runner that led to Rick and her future. Her father’s hand trembled on her arm and she tore her gaze from Rick to glance at him. He smiled, squeezing her arm and looking as proud as any father.

Finally, they reached Rick. He looked nervous, so she smiled. She didn’t feel nervous at all. Certainty had made a home inside Kate Newman.

The pastor who’d dunked Kate beneath the eternal waters when she was eight began the service, talking about forgiveness, commitment and love. Three things Kate already knew about.

“Who gives this woman in marriage?”

“Her father,” Justus said quite solemnly.

Then he put her hand into Rick’s.

And gave Katie Newman the family she’d always wanted.