There would be no symphony, no newspapers, no doves, or limos.Definitely, no helicopter.If he were very lucky, the bride would show up.Despite the lack of extravagance and over-the-top gestures, she still needed a wedding ring.It was too late to contact the jeweler he knew in L.A., so he’d reached out to Harry Blacksworth.The man would know where to secure a wedding ring.I’m thinking about a solid row of diamonds.
Harry hadn’t seemed surprised by Ian’s comment, had actually smiled and congratulated him.
It’s not really a cause for celebration…she’s not too keen on the idea…but…He’d hesitated a second too long because Harry guessed the rest.
She’s pregnant, isn’t she?
Yup.
I see.Well, don’t you worry.That girl cares about you, but she’s afraid to take a risk because she doesn’t want to get hurt.
I guess.
Want me to talk to her?I’d be happy to...
Ian shook his head.I don’t want you to try to change her mind.I want to show her, but if I can’t…well...
Well?Life has a way of working out the way it’s supposed to, especially when two people are meant to be together, and you and Katie are meant-to-be’s.Harry’s eyes had filled with tears, his voice soft.I know a jeweler.I’ll give you his number, and he’ll help you out.He patted Ian on the shoulder, leaned in, and whispered,Take a breath.Practice some of that New-Age meditation stuff everybody’s raving about.Breathe in, breathe out.A chuckle, a squeeze of Ian’s shoulder.I never pictured myself with a wife and kids, or a dog, but now I can’t imagine life without them.You’ll see.Pause and a,Hold off on the dog right now though.You have to ease into these things.
Of course, Harry wouldn’t be Harry without offering Ian a drink and joining him.The man sure had a lot of opinions and strong ideas about what was and wasn’t going to happen, especially where optimism and meant-to-be were involved.How could Harry believe everything would work out?No idea, but Ian wished he could share some of the man’s positive attitude regarding the upcoming wedding and his future with Katie.
The wedding was set to take place tomorrow afternoon, just in time for snow.Great.It wasn’t even Christmas, and Magdalena was looking at an eight-inch dump.He hoped it wasn’t a sign that he and Katie were doomed.Ian refused to think about why he’d pushedso hardfor the marriage and told himself it reallywasabout protecting the baby’s financial future.Who was he kidding?Hewantedto marry Katie, wanted a life with her and their child.Even if there hadn’t been a child, he still wanted to marry her.But would she have agreed to marry him?
Probably not.
He’d have to live with that knowledge and hope that, over time, she’d change her mind.He needed a little advice for this complicated situation, so he called Max Ruhland.When Max heard about the babyandthe wedding, he didn’t offer much other than,You must believe she’s worth it.And,Sometimes, the hardest choices turn out to be the best ones.Hang in there.
Those words didn’t exactly provide actionable strategies, and that’s what Ian had been counting on.He’d only talked to Katie three times in the last five days, the first two regarding business and late yesterday afternoon, to see how she was feeling.
How are you?
Fine.
Had her voice trembled the tiniest bit?He’d tried to picture her at the office, pouring over spreadsheets, but all he could think about was her voice.Was she reallydreadingthis marriage?So, I’ll see you tomorrow at four?
Yes.
Why don’t I pick you up and we’ll drive to the Heart Sent together?
I’m okay.Jack and Dolly will pick me up.
Right.I think Mimi’s fixing some sort of dinner for after.Pause and a quiet,What do you think about that?
She didn’t answer for so long he was preparing for a “no”.Maybe.We’ll see.
Damn.This was a mess.Okay then.I’ll…
Bye.Click.
Ian clutched his phone, cursed under his breath.Tomorrow was his wedding day, and he didn’t know if Katie would be there.Maybe.Maybe not.He’d been jumpy and out of sorts most of the day, and even his call to Max hadn’t improved his confidence level that his “bride” would show up.Ian tried to answer emails and made a few phone calls, but he couldn’t focus and gave up.
He should have worked at O’Reilly’s tonight and not listened to Nick’s,You’re getting married tomorrow.Take the night off.Nope, he should have clocked in and started pouring beer.But here he was, distracted, agitated, and getting annoyed with himself.He had to get out of the house, and he was hungry, and that led him to Harry’s Folly.Good food, great wine, and a relaxing atmosphere.The downside was Harry Blacksworth a.k.a.the Godfather of Magdalena.Maybe Ian could sit in the back and avoid Harry.This was not the night to listen to the man’s eternal optimism about “never giving up” and “meant to be”.
Ian hadn’t been in the booth ten seconds before Harry appeared.“Well, well, if it isn’t the groom-to-be.”The man’s blue gaze twinkled, his mouth pulled into a wide smile, but when he looked at Ian, the smile faded.“What’s wrong?You look worse than a shriveled tomato.”
Oh, what the hell?Ian slouched against the back of the booth, muttered, “Everything.”
Harry sank into the booth opposite Ian, placed his hands on the table, and leaned forward.“That bad, huh?”His voice slid three decibels lower.“She’s not coming around to the idea?”
