A laugh spilled from Kat’s lips. “That sounds like him. I’m sorry.”
But Marsha only shook her head. “No need to apologize. He’s a caring father. He doesn’t want you to get hurt again. America will relate to him.”
A small tap came from the door. “You in there, Kit Kat?”
“His ears must have been burning,” Marsha said. “Come on in, Mr. Morgan.”
The door creaked open, and there stood her dad, tall and proud in his tux, complete with the added touch of Granddad’s bolo tie—a silver steer skull on black, braided leather.
“I’ll let you two have a minute alone. When you hear my knock at the door, please step out, arm in arm, and get into position at the designated spot. The cameras will capture a bit of the pregame footage before we go to break. When we come back, you’ll be seconds away from walking down the aisle.”
Another rush pushed through her at the words.
“A quick recap,” Marsha said as she headed to the door. She spun around and held out a finger. “Once the song changes, you start walking. Slowly, try not to look at the cameras. When the music stops, silently count to five before facing your groom. The pastor will take it from there. Got it?”
Kat nodded. “Got it.”
Marsha looked at her watch. “You’ve got two minutes before I knock.” And with that, she stepped out and closed the door.
“I heard you’re making threats out there,” Kat said.
He chuckled, his brown eyes meeting hers. “Yeah, well…you can’t blame me. You’re my baby girl.” He took a step back and blew out a whistle. “I just can’t figure out how you grew up so quick.” He sniffed, stepped in closer, and pulled Kat into one of his bear hugs.
“Katrina Aponi,” he said under his breath. “My little butterfly is ready to fly away.”
Kat patted his broad shoulders and wiped at her eyes. “You’re going to make me cry.”
Her dad pulled back, tugged a handkerchief from his pocket, and offered it to her. He stayed silent as Kat dabbed her eyes and checked her reflection. No makeup smudges. No redness in her eyes either. Her cheeks were flushed—her neck too—but there was no avoiding that.
A tap came to the door. “Time for the father of the bride to bring out his girl,” Marsha said.
Kat and her father hurried over to the door. She looped a hand through his arm, reached for the bouquet beside the door, and blew out a breath.
“Hey,” her dad said while reaching for the door knob. “I hope you know that…that I really want this to work, Kit Kat. I do. I want this guy to measure up to every standard you have.”
She grinned. “Thanks, Dad. And if he doesn’t, then…”
He tipped his head to one side. “Then I’ll rearrange his face a little.” He twisted the knob the slightest bit and turned to her. “Ready?”
Kat licked her lips, steadied her breath, and curbed the grin that came to her lips. She was about to meet and marry—hopefully—the man of her dreams. “Yes. I’m ready.”
Chapter 6
Six family members.
Four walls.
And a mound of resentment larger than Everest.
As massive as the chapel might be, there wasn’t room enough for the chaos crashing over Zander.
“I thought you said he was close,” he groaned against his palms. Grandma had told him yesterday that Duke was on his way back. That he’d be there with time to spare. And now, just minutes before the live ceremony, he finds out that’s not the case?
“There was a storm, Zander,” James said. “Last time I checked, money can’t control the weather.”
Zander tore his face from his hands and shot James a look. “Why are you defending him?”
“He’s not defending him,” Mom said. “He’s stating the facts. The storm got bad, the pilot had to take a different route and land in DC, and they’ve been grounded since then. All of the flights are, Zander. There’s nothing anyone can do.”
