Ready To Love Again (43 page)

“I’m sorry we’re late. It was Victor’s day to call Shawn. We waited as long as we could, but he never called.”

Chase shook his head, and she recognized the disgusted look on his face. It was the same one Shawn had worn before they left the house. “I don’t understand that man.”

“Yeah, neither do I.”

Chase’s eyes traveled down her body, and she felt a heated blush rise to her cheeks. “You look amazing.”

Katie glanced down at the dress she had picked up the week before. It was lavender and much more formal than anything she had worn in the past—even her own wedding dress. The strapless bodice made her feel sexy, and she loved how the silk draped across her body to fall to her feet.

“Thanks. You don’t look half bad yourself.”

He had on everything but the jacket from his crisp black tuxedo. Instead of the traditional bowtie, he wore a solid black silk tie that disappeared under the high-cut vest. Katie noticed he was sporting a new haircut, but it didn’t look right—it was too perfectly coiffed. She stepped closer and brought her hand up to run her fingers through his hair.

“You tried too hard,” she murmured. When she was done, she pushed up on her toes and kissed him, and Chase let out a contented sigh.

“We’d better get going. I can’t imagine what Bridezilla will do if we’re late.”

Katie laughed, and Chase called the boys downstairs. A soft 
aw 
escaped Katie’s lips when Tony came down wearing a tuxedo that matched his father’s.
 

When the boys hit the bottom stair, Katie walked over and knelt in front of Tony. Reaching for his tie, she tightened the knot and patted his chest. His eyes lit up, and his arms went around her neck.

“Thank you, Katie.”

She squeezed him a little closer and kissed his cheek. Tony was always such a good kid, and she felt guilty that he was sometimes forgotten in the midst of all the other family drama.

“Look, Mom. Tony’s a penguin. Maybe you can take him to the aquarium and feed him fish.”

Katie scowled at Shawn and was about scold him when Tony pulled away, and she bit back her reprimand when she saw the grin on his face. She harnessed Mama Bear and gave Tony’s shoulder a gentle squeeze.

The excitement of the wedding had the boys wound up, and they talked nonstop in the backseat of Chase’s car. Chase took her hand and brought it to his lap while they drove out of Carmel and down the Pacific Coast Highway toward Big Sur. Eventually the boys settled down, which allowed Katie and Chase to enjoy the serenity of the dramatic ocean views. Chase’s grip on her hand tightened. Dragging her eyes from the ocean to see what he needed, she realized he wasn’t paying attention to her. His eyes were focused on the road, and his jaw was clenched tight.
 

Katie ran her thumb over his hand, wondering why he was so tense. He pulled his eyes from the road and gave her an apologetic smile, loosening his grip.

“Are you okay?” She wasn’t sure what had gotten into him.

Chase nodded and gave her a halfhearted smile. “I’m fine,” he said before bringing her hand up to kiss. He didn’t seem to want to talk about what was bothering him, so she let it go.

They pulled into the parking lot at the restaurant Nepenthe, and Chase hurried to open Katie’s door while the boys scrambled out of the backseat. He took her hand as she stepped out, then wrapped it around his arm before kissing her cheek.
 

Katie marveled at the beauty of the location. The restaurant was situated on a high cliff, overlooking the ocean. There was a small gift shop and a stone path that led to beautifully landscaped grounds. Chipmunks darted between the wildflowers before they disappeared up the Cypress trees.

“Have I told you how stunning you look?” Chase asked, his nose brushing her ear.

She shivered then shook her head. “Stunning? No. Beautiful and amazing? Yes.”

He chuckled and led her toward the garden patio where the ceremony would take place. The guests occupied most of the chairs, but the front rows were open for close family. When they approached the front, Katie was struck by the majestic scene that lay before her. The tree-covered canyon sloped downward until it dropped off to a small beach. The dark depth of the ocean made Katie feel small in comparison. This was why she’d become a marine scientist. She loved everything about the ocean—the smell, the beauty, the freedom it represented, and the unpredictability.

Chase’s hand pressed the small of her back, guiding her over to their seats. Mia was already settled on the left side of the aisle, and she took Katie’s hand in greeting once she, Shawn, and Chase sat down.

“Katie,
tesoro
. Isn’t this exciting?” she whispered.
 

When the crowd quieted, they all turned to see Liz standing at the end of the aisle. She looked beautiful with her hair pulled up in a twist and small diamond earrings twinkling with the light from the setting sun. Her pretty white dress had layer upon layer of tulle at the skirt and fine beading around the neckline, topped with a wide, red satin sash at her waist. She caught Katie’s eye and smiled before the wedding coordinator positioned her for her walk up the aisle.

A piano began to play in the background, and Chase took Katie’s hand. Daniel appeared in his assigned place next to the minister, while Tony seated himself on the corner chair, waiting to present the rings. When given her cue, Liz walked down the aisle, sprinkling red rose petals. The guests stood and waited with bated breath for Gina to appear. An audible gasp went through the crowd when they had their first glimpse of the beautiful bride.

Gina’s long hair was pulled back into a sleek style with a diamond clip that held a short veil in place. She wore a satin A-line dress with a beaded lace halter top. The front of the skirt was split to reveal more beaded lace, and the fabric fell to the floor with a short train that trailed behind her. What was most fascinating and completely stunning was the red sash that wrapped around her waist, its tails cascading down the back. Gina glowed, and the love that radiated off her for Daniel was almost too intimate to witness.

The happy couple recited the vows they had written for one another, and Katie misted up. The magnificence of the backdrop coupled with the loving ceremony made the event one of the most beautiful she had ever attended. The minister pronounced them husband and wife, and Daniel swept Gina into his arms, dipping her backward before planting a hearty kiss on her lips, earning a round of applause from the guests.
 

Chase held Katie back when the others exited the patio. The kids wanted to take off to explore the grounds, but Mia corralled them and told them they could play after the pictures were taken.

“It was a beautiful ceremony,” Katie said to Chase.

The last chords of the piano came to a close. “It’s about time,” he said with a laugh.

Most of the guests had moved into the restaurant where the reception was to be held. Chase turned toward Katie, his eyes filled with a longing she had seen many times over the past few weeks.

“Katie, I—”

Chase was interrupted by Tony tearing down the aisle. “Dad! Dad! Aunt Gina said you better get your . . . um . . .” Tony paused, trying to find a word that wouldn’t get him into trouble. “Um . . . she said you needed to hurry up.”

With a sigh, Chase stood, bringing Katie with him. They joined the family on the cliff’s edge where they had gathered. It took about an hour to get everyone arranged for the pictures Gina wanted. It was cute to watch while she and Daniel fooled around, and the photographer was able to capture their silly moments together.

They finally made it into the reception, where the party was already in full swing. The dance floor was crowded with people vying for the attention of the happy couple.

Chase held out his hand to Katie. “Come with me?”

She placed her hand in his, and he led her past all the guests and out through a side door that led back to the patio. The chairs had been cleared away, and soft white lights twinkled in the surrounding trees. The sound of the band floated out from the reception when Chase pulled her into his arms.

His fingers caressed her back while he twirled her around the stone floor. Katie wasn’t much of a dancer, but with Chase it seemed effortless. His warm breath teased her neck when he began to sing softly with the band, and his arm tightened around her waist.

“I need to tell you what’s been in my heart for a while, but the timing never seemed right,” he whispered against her ear. “I love you, Katie.”

His simple declaration sent her heart racing, and tears formed in her eyes.
 

“Oh, Chase. It feels like I’ve loved you forever.”

“I love you,” he repeated, as if he couldn’t say it enough. His fingers wrapped around the back of her neck, her arms tightened around his, and he kissed her. When he pulled away, Chase rested his forehead against hers, and she opened her eyes to find him staring at her with a burning intensity.

“Let’s get out of here,” he said, coaxing her toward the exit. “I’ll see if my mom can bring the kids home so we can have some time to ourselves.”

At their table, Chase leaned down to whisper in Mia’s ear. She was happy to bring the children home, so Chase moved over to Liz.

“Katie and I are going to head home early. You and the boys will catch a ride home with Nona so you can stay longer. Is that all right?” Liz nodded and pulled him down so she could whisper in his ear. He smiled before kissing her cheek and giving her a wink.

“Are you ready?” he asked Katie before he threaded her arm through his. When she agreed, he pulled her over to say goodbye to Gina and Daniel.

“You look beautiful,” Chase told his sister when he leaned over the table and kissed her cheek. Gina glowed at his compliment. “We’re taking off, but Mom’s going to keep the kids.”

“Of course.” Gina gave Katie a little wink.

Chase held Katie’s hand when he helped her into the car. They talked about the wedding while they drove north back toward Carmel. When they passed a beautifully landscaped restaurant called Rocky Point, Katie made a comment about wanting to try it someday.

Chase stiffened beside her.

“Do you mind if I turn on the radio?” she asked, hoping music might distract him from whatever seemed to be bothering him. He turned to her and smiled, but she could tell something was wrong.

She flipped on the radio and skimmed through channels. Since they were so far out of range, the only stations were Spanish or country music, so she settled on a country station and heard him groan next to her.

“What?”

“You do know that I don’t like country music, right?”

“It’s time you broadened your horizons a bit,” she said as a Shania Twain song came on. “Besides, there are songs like this that are more easy listening than country.”

Katie relaxed in her seat and hummed along to the beautiful song when he wrenched his hand from hers and gripped the steering wheel. The distressed look on his face sent her into a panic.

“Are you okay?”

His knuckles turned white, and she started to worry she had said something wrong.

“Chase?” she asked when he didn’t respond.

He glanced over at her, and what she saw in his eyes startled her. She didn’t understand how he could go from teasing to terrified in a matter of seconds. Chase gasped for breath, and when he clutched his chest, she thought that he was having a heart attack. He still hadn’t answered her, and she began to panic.

“Pull over now!”

Chase managed to slow down, his breath coming in pants. Katie glanced in the side mirror, grateful that there wasn’t anyone behind them when he came to an almost complete stop in the middle of the road.

“Pull into the turn out.”

She pointed to the side of the road, and he inched the car forward until they were safely out of traffic. Chase didn’t look good. In a daze, he put the car into park, and Katie swung open her door and ran around to the driver’s side. She opened his door and leaned over him, grasping his face between her hands. His eyes were wide and his breathing erratic.

“Chase, honey. You’re scaring me. Please talk to me. What’s wrong?” Katie’s voice cracked.

She pulled his face closer, trying to get him to focus on her, but he stared vacantly back. Katie wondered how they hadn’t ended up going over the side of the cliff, considering how unresponsive he was.

“Chase, please.” A sob tore from her throat.

His eyes finally focused on her, and she took full advantage. “What’s wrong? Why are you like this?”

Chase’s eyes searched her face before his mouth parted, and he uttered the one word she didn’t expect to hear.
 

“Terri.”

Chapter 24

Katie pulled Chase into her arms, and they tumbled to the ground beside the car. She sat down in the dirt overlooking the cliffs of Big Sur, indifferent to the state of her gown, and pressed his face into her chest. His voice was haunting and cold, nearly devoid of emotion, while he relived the unforgettable events of the night that changed his life.

~*~

Chase hurried home from work, glancing at the clock on the stereo while he sped down Highway 1. Terri wouldn’t be happy he was late. They had reservations at her favorite restaurant, so he pushed on the accelerator, and that was when he saw the red flashing lights behind him.