The minister cleared his throat. “Ahem. Save the kissing for after the vows, please.” The crowd laughed. The music stopped.
The anticipation in the air was palatable. Clara felt, rather than heard, Zane step from the kitchen to stand beside her. She kept her eyes focused on the front rather than allowing her gaze to devour him for the umpteenth time today. His fingers brushed hers and he clasped her hand, squeezing lightly. Warmth rushed up her arm and into her heart.Could he be as moved by this simple ceremony as she was?
The vows were traditional, short and sweet, but nonetheless heartfelt for their brevity. The minister declared them husband and wife and when Riley lifted Tricia’s veil to kiss her, Zane’s arm stole around Clara’s waist, and he pulled her to his side.
“So beautiful,” he whispered in her ear.
Who, her? The wedding?She wished he’d be clearer. Or maybe her mind was playing tricks on her, and her heart was out of control.
The bride and groom’s kiss went on and on until the crowd cheered. Riley lifted his head. “Hey. This is the one and only time I’ll be kissing my wife for the first time. I’m going to do it right.” He dove back in for another kiss.
Zane reached across his body to clasp Clara’s other hand and brought it to his mouth. He pressed a small kiss to her palm and interlaced his fingers with hers.
What was he playing at? He was leaving soon. And taking her heart with him.
* * *
“One last thing,”Riley declared when he was finally through kissing Tricia. “Girls?”
Daisy and Jane scampered back down the makeshift aisle into the kitchen and returned carrying two bunches of balloons. Daisy’s were pink. Jane’s were blue. Between them, they carried a gift bag, one girl holding each handle in a move that was obviously rehearsed.
They stopped in the front row before Sue and Robert and held out the bag.
“Open it, Mom,” Tricia said as she and Riley came to stand by his parents.
“What is this?” Sue’s voice was heavy with emotion. “It’s not my birthday.”
“Open it, Grandma,” Jane urged.
Sue shared a confused look with Robert. He took the bag and tipped it toward her. She pulled out several sheets of white tissue and gasped. “Oh my! Does this mean what I think it means?”
“It does,” Riley and Tricia confirmed in unison.
Sue pulled a green and yellow striped infant onesie from the bag and held it up with one hand. She clasped the other hand over her mouth. “I’m gonna be a grandma!”
Pandemonium ensued as the crowd left their seats to rush the wedding party and new grandparents.
“Oh my gosh,” Clara whispered. What a beautiful moment to be a part of.
“You’d think that family was big enough already,” Zane said, a laugh in his voice.
“Family is never big enough,” she countered. “I think it’s beautiful the way they shared their joy with everyone. I can’t believe I was lucky enough to host this entire thing.
“Wrong. I think they’re lucky you let them share your opening. You have a big, beautiful heart. You’ve got enough love to embrace the entire world.”
“I better see to my guests.” She pulled herself from his embrace and hurried forward.Darn man. Why did he have to go say something so sweet? How was she supposed to keep her distance when he was like that?
She wasn’t going to let her confused feelings get her down. She was going to enjoy every second of this party. Starting right now. She’d totally ignore Zane if she had to, just to keep her heart safe.
Zane watched Clara rush away.What had he done? He’d bet his last penny that he’d said something to upset her. The question was, what was it? Rather than chase her down, he let her have her space. They’d be alone in her suite in a few hours. If she was still skittish, maybe they could talk about it then. Half an hour later, she was still keeping her back to him.Yup. He’d pissed her off somehow. He ran his comments over and over in his mind, trying to figure out how he’d messed up. All he’d done was compliment her. Had that triggered her insecurities?
“What the hell did you say?” Honey asked as they stood side by side at the punch table. “One minute you’re cuddled so close there’s no room for air between you. The next second she shoots off like a scalded cat. I swear, if you hurt her…”
“I honestly don’t know. I was complimenting her.” Great, just what he needed, Clara’s best friend giving him hell. “If I knew, I’d apologize. She seems to be avoiding me. You know, leaving the room when I enter, that sort of stuff. Now, I can’t get her to look at me, let alone talk to me. Earlier she agreed to dance with me, now I can’t get within ten feet of her. I’m confused. I solve puzzles for a living, and I’ll be damned if I can figure her out. After all these weeks, she’s a mystery. At first, it was intriguing. Now, it’s annoying. No, that’s not right. It’s frustrating and confusing. I want to get to know her better and she won’t let me in. I don’t know what to do.”
“You are such a man.” Honey wrinkled her nose at him and shook her finger, setting her multitude of bracelets jangling. She’s not an engineering problem to solve. She’s a living, breathing woman with a heart, a soul, and insecurities a mile deep. Take it slow but persist. Don’t give up. She can’t believe in you if she doesn’t believe in herself.”
“What the hell does that mean?” He stared at Honey, wishing she wasn’t talking in riddles.
“Figure it out, stud, before it’s too late.” She waggled her fingers in a parody of a wave and strolled toward her husband who was making come here gestures from the small area set up as a dance floor.
