She sniffed, sniffed again, darted a gaze from the ring to his face, cleared her throat.“It’s beautiful.”
Katie turned to Mimi and said in a voice so soft, he could barely hear her.“Mimi, I’d like to finish the rest of my vows.”She glanced at Dolly and held out a hand.“May I have the box?”
No stopping Dolly from dropping a bucket of tears.She reached into her small satchel and removed a royal blue velvet box.“Of course you may.”Dolly handed the box to Katie, sniffed three more times, and wiped her eyes with a lace handkerchief.
Katie opened the blue velvet box, removed a simple gold wedding band.“Ian Marcus Finnegan, with this ring, I promise with my whole heart to try.I promise to work very hard to give you another chance.”A tear slipped down her cheek, followed by another.“With this ring, I make this promise.”She slid the ring on his finger, squeezed his hand a quick second before releasing it.
Ian blinked twice, shocked by her words and the gesture.He hadn’t expected anything from her, and yet she’d just vowed to work very hard to give him another chance—givethema chance.One more chance was all he needed…
21
“You may kiss your bride.”
Mimi’s words bounced around the room, landed in his brain with a thud.His bride.Katie Finnegan.He cupped her chin, his gaze settling on hers.Those beautiful eyes were so bright, her full lips parted.Waiting…waiting…
He bent his head and kissed her; soft, gentle, filled with longing and hope.His wife.Ian broke the kiss, wished they were alone so he could tell her once again how much he wanted this marriage to work.“Katie, can we–”
A slap on the back and a loud, “She’s officially a Finnegan now, though she’s been one of us for a long time.”Jack hugged Katie, held out a hand to Ian.“She’s a keeper.”The blue gaze narrowed, the grip tightened, leaving no doubt the man would be watching him.“Make sure you keep her.”
“Oh my, goodness gracious.”Dolly wiped her eyes with her handkerchief, pulled Katie against her.“You look so beautiful, and as my grandmother always said, ‘There’s nothing more beautiful than a mother-to-be’.All will be well.”The too-loud whisper filled the room as she repeated, “All will be well.”Dolly turned to Ian and held out her arms.He was a full twelve inches plus taller than she was, and as she pulled him against her soft, round body, she hugged him extra tight.“You’re like a son to me.I will always be here for you.”
Ian cleared his throat, glanced at Katie.I will not disappoint you again.I will not–
Mimi broke through Ian’s thoughts.“Is anyone hungry?I’ve got Chicken Picata in the dining room.”
Katie darted a glance at Ian… hesitated… “Thank you, Mimi.That’s very kind of you.”
Ian let out a quiet breath.His wife wasn’t delirious about the prospect of sharing a meal with him, but she hadn’t said no.He’d take that.In fact, he’d take whatever she offered right now, and maybe–
“Those roads are looking mighty rough, and I don’t plan on sleeping anywhere but in my own bed tonight.”Jack rubbed his jaw, frowned.“I think Dolly and I best be getting on before we’re stuck here.”
Mimi laughed.“Would that be so bad, Jack?I’d even give you two the honeymoon suite.”
A snort, followed by a laugh.“Dang, foolishness.That’s for young people.Dolly and I been together a long time, and we don’t need none of those fancy cards and such to say ‘I’m not going anywhere’ and ‘I’ll stay by your side like the family dog, even bring you those fancy chocolates you favor.’We know who we are…” He shot a look at his wife, his expression softening, his tone matching it.“Don’t we, Dolly?”
His wife’s face turned bright pink, and she fanned herself as she fumbled for a response.There weren’t many times when Dolly Finnegan didn’t have a string of comments on a subject, but not this time.“That’s exactly right, Jack.That’s all we need.Each other.”She reached out to clasp his hand, and damn it all if he didn’t pull her into a big hug.Quick.Fast.A person almost wouldn’t realize what was happening if they weren’t watching.Thatwas love, Jack Finnegan style.
“Well, if you won’t stay and you don’t want to eat, I guess that only leaves Ian and Katie.”There was a reason Mimi Pendergrass was the town mayor, negotiator, proprietress of a bed-and-breakfast, keeper of secrets, and trusted friend.She wasn’t a fool, and while she didn’t push and pull someone into a situation, she did guide them so they could see the logic behind it.MimiwantedIan and Katie to share a meal, and maybe she was offering a room or rooms?He could hope all he wanted, but it was much too soon to share anything physical.Even if she agreed to the same bed, he wouldn’t touch her.Of course, hewantedto, but he wouldn’t.If and when Katie came to him, it would be on her own terms.
“I am a little hungry,” Katie said.“The food smells delicious, and I’ve been thinking about it since I stepped inside.”
Ian played with his wedding band, waited for her to say more.When he caught her staring at him, he simply nodded.“Sounds like a good plan.”
Katie glancedinto the bathroom mirror, stared back at herself.
Katie Finnegan.Wife.Mother-to-be.
She thought about marriage and finding a person to share her life with, and whether she wanted to admit it or not, Ian had always been in the back of her mind…a challenger for every potential partner.No wonder they’d all failed, and she could never truly commit.How could a person have a serious relationship when she hadn’t let go of the only man she’d ever loved?
After the whole secret-investor business, she’d wanted to despise him but couldn’t.Now, she wanted to forgive him, but she couldn’t do that either.It would have been easier if he’d simply disappeared from her life, taking the uncertainty, the pain, and the heartache with him.
But that hadn’t happened either, and the fierceness in his vows, and the expression on his face said hewasn’tleaving—he wasnotgiving up on them.She glanced at the ring on her finger.So beautiful, so… perfect.Her right hand slid to her belly.Life was complicated and messy, but there were moments of pure joy, andthat’swhat she felt when she thought of this child.Pure joy.Pure love.Could she ever feel that for Ian again?
Deep down, her heart told her she already knew the answer, but what she didn’t know was if she could take that risk again.
Katie waited another few minutes and then joined her new husband in the dining room.Jack and Dolly had left twenty minutes ago, and the snow hadn’t let up.She heard Mimi singing “Deck the Halls” in the kitchen, and there was no missing the joy in her voice.How a woman who’d seen so much heartache could still find happiness in life was a true miracle.
Ian stood near the China hutch, holding a beer, his wedding band glinting under the light.She’d considered not getting one, but Mimi had made her rethink her position.Follow your heart, dear.Don’t let pride get in the way.Don’t let tradition or expectations make your choices, either.Do what you want to do.So, she’d visited the jewelers with Nick Borado, because he and Ian looked like they had similar ring sizes, and she’d guessed.It seemed like there was a lot of guessing going on in her life right now.
