make you pay.”
Not exactly auspicious words to start a new life.
Leo escorted her to the corner of the house, just out of sight of the water’s edge where the ceremony would take place. He bent and kissed her cheek, then stepped back. Perhaps he saw the sheer panic in her eyes, because he smiled again, a real smile this time. “Break a leg, princess.” And then he was gone.
Hattie’s cue was to be the opening notes of "Pachelbel’s Canon.” A sturdy boardwalk led from the porch of the house out over a small dune to the temporary platform and the wooden latticed archway where she and Luc would stand.
The music started. She clenched her fists and then deliberately relaxed them. One huge breath. Several small prayers. One foot in front of the other.
Afterward, she could not remember the exact details of her solitary journey to the altar. In keeping with the unorthodox nature of the marriage and the ceremony, she had decided to walk to Luc on her own. This was her decision, her gamble.
When she first caught sight of the groom, her breath lodged in her throat and she stumbled slightly. Though there were three other people framed against the vibrant blue-green of the ocean, she only had eyes for Luc. He was wearing a black tux…a formal morning coat and tails over a crisp white shirt and a gray vest.
His gaze locked on hers and stayed there as she traversed the final fifty feet. As she stepped beneath the arch and took her place by his side, she saw something hot and predatory flash in his dark eyes before he turned to face the justice of the peace.
Without looking at Hattie again, Luc reached out and took her right hand, squeezing it tightly. The officiant smiled at both of them. “We are gathered here today to witness the union of Luc Cavallo and Hattie Parker. Marriage is a…”
Hattie tried to listen…she really did. But her thoughts scattered in a million directions. Too many stimuli. The feel of Luc’s hard, warm fingers twined with hers. The familiar tang of his aftershave, mingling with the scent of her bouquet. The muted roar of the nearby surf as waves tumbled onto shore.
If she had the power, she would freeze this moment. To take out later in the quiet of her bedroom and savor everything she missed the first time around.
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the giant live oaks that cast shade and respite on this hot, windy day. Sherman and Patti stood guard over the stroller, which was draped in mosquito netting. Apparently, Deedee had decided to cooperate and sleep through it all.
Closer to hand, Ana smiled, her cheeks damp. She was wearing a moss-green designer suit that flattered her stocky frame and shaved ten years off her age. Hattie had no doubt that Luc had financed the expensive wedding finery.
For a split second Hattie caught Leo’s eye. The resemblance between the two brothers was striking, but where Luc was classically handsome, quieter and more reserved, Leo was larger than life. He winked at her deliberately, and she blushed, turning her attention back to the words that would make her Luc’s wife.
“May I have the rings?”
Ana commandeered the bouquet, Hattie and Leo complied, and moments later, Hattie slid a plain gold band onto Luc’s left hand. He returned the favor, placing a narrow circlet of platinum beside the beautiful engagement ring to which Hattie had yet to grow accustomed.
More words, a pronouncement and then the moment she had unconsciously been waiting for. “You may kiss the bride.”
In unison, she and Luc turned. The breeze ruffled his hair. His expression was solemn, though his eyes danced. He took Hattie’s hands in his. Time stood still.
Ten years…ten long years since she had been free to kiss him whenever she wanted.
He bent his head. His mouth brushed hers, lingered, pressed more insistently. His tongue coaxed. His arms tightened around her as her skirt tangled capriciously with his pant legs.
Her heart lodged in her throat, tears stung her eyes, and she moved her mouth against his.
Aeons later it seemed, a chorus of unison laughter broke them apart. Luc appeared as dazed as Hattie felt.
Suddenly, hugs and congratulations separated them, but every moment, Luc’s eyes followed her.
They led their small parade back to the house. Hattie had only seen one of the bedrooms, but now they all entered the great room on the opposite side of the building. The ambience was rustic but elegant. Exposed beams of warmly-hued wood were strung with tiny white lights. Dozens of blush-pink roses in crystal vases decorated every available surface.
A single table covered in pale pink linen was set with exquisite china, crystal and silver. When they were all seated, with Luc and Hattie at the head, Leo stood up.
As a waiter deftly poured champagne for everyone, Leo raised his glass. “Luc here, my baby brother, is and will always be my best friend. When Mom and Dad drowned, out on that damned boat they loved so much, Luc and I were shipped off to Italy to live for three years with a grandfather we barely knew. The language was strange, we were a mess, but we had each other.”
He paused, and Hattie saw the muscles in his throat work with emotion. He moved to stand between and behind the bride and groom, laying a hand on each of their shoulders. “To Luc and his beautiful bride. May they always be as happy as they are today.”
Applause and cheers filled the room, and moments later, the unobtrusive waitstaff began serving lunch.
Hattie knew the food was delicious. And wine flowed like water. But she couldn’t taste any of it.
She was married to Luc. For some undefined period of time in order to protect the baby she had grown to love. But at what price?
When Luc put his arm around her bare shoulders, her heartbeat wobbled and sped up. He leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Are you doing okay, Mrs. Cavallo?” Gently, he tucked a wayward wisp of her hair into place.
She nodded mutely.
Luc laughed beneath his breath. “It might help if you quit looking like a scared rabbit.”
Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.
Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».
Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.
Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.
