Just like that.Katie slid a glance at Ian, caught him watching her.What if something happened to him?What if he walked out the door tonight and a car didn’t see him, or slid into him as he was walking across the parking lot?
What if he never had a chance to hold his child?
What if…?
They’d already lost so many years.Did she really want to risk losing more because she was afraid?That’s what her hesitancy was really about—risk and fear.Jack said he wasn’t going to be afraid to show his feelings any longer because Dolly was worth it.She sucked in deep breaths, tried to shut down visions of Ian and a car and…
“Katie?”
She blinked through her tears as Ian came into focus.“I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Thank you.”His smile covered her.“I don’t want anything to happen to you either.”He swiped a tear away.“Don’t cry.”
Another tear fell, and she could say it had to do with pregnancy hormones, but that wasn’t true.This was about what happened to Dolly tonight and what could happen to Ian.“I can’t help it.Dolly’s accident was random and unpredictable.The woman rarely travels a five-mile radius, and look what happened?In her own driveway.You’re in and out of cars and planes, and don’t even tell me you drive the speed limit in those fancy cars and–”
“Stop.”Ian placed his hands on her shoulders, his voice gentle.“I love that you care, and I wish I could tell you nothing will ever happen to me.But nobody gets a guarantee, no matter how much we want it.The second we care about something—a dog, a cat, a person—we risk getting hurt.There’s no perfect life, Katie.Only perfect moments.”He trailed a finger along her jaw.“We can’t spend our lives waiting for the pain to happen, and risk missing those moments.”He clasped her hands, pressed them against his chest.“Because those moments are as close to heaven on earth as you can get.That’s what I want with you.”
She bit her bottom lip, thought about what he’d said.“Perfect moments.I love that.”
“Good.”
You got love in your hearts.Don’t you dare let that go.Jack’s words settled in her brain, stretched to her heart.For a man who didn’t talk much, he’d certainly said a lot tonight.Katie’s heart opened wider, filled with hope and joy.She looked up at her new husband, smiled through the tears, and shared her heart.“I love you, Ian Finnegan.”
“And I love you, Katie Finnegan.”He swiped a tear away, murmured, “I can’t wait to make a lifetime of perfect moments with you.”
“Thisis a perfect moment.”She eased her hands around his neck, leaned on tiptoe and whispered in his ear.“When we get back to the Heart Sent, we’ll create a few more perfect moments in the honeymoon suite.”
And that’s exactly what they did.
6 dayslater
Didyou hear about Katie Layton and Ian Finnegan?
You mean Katie Finnegan, don’t you?
I do!Actually, that’s what I’m talking about… the “I do’s” they exchanged at Mimi’s the night of the snowstorm.
Who would have ever thought…?
Not I, but I saw them the other day at Sal’s market in the produce aisle.She was picking out some sort of greens, and he was pushing the cart, chatting away, big smile on that handsome face.
No kidding?So, they looked happy?
Happy?They looked in love.It almost made me smile and you know I’m not one prone to smiles or fancifulness.But I have to say, they looked like the perfect couple.
I wonder if she’ll move to California with him or wherever he is…
I heard they’re staying in her cabin.
Why would they do that?
No idea.Stranger things…
Who told you that?
Hearsay.Maybe I didn’t hear it right… Maybe they plan to stay in the cabin but build onto it, or build on the land near the cabin.I’m not sure, and I didn’t want to appear too obvious by leaning closer.
I see.You were in Lina’s Café, weren’t you?And I’ll bet you were nosing around in someone else’s conversation.
