Wedding at Willow Lake (2 page)

“Wish I could.” Ryder stood and dipped his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Ali needs me at the inn. We have a full house this weekend, and Rory’s not only walking, but running now. He’s into everything, and we can’t take our eyes off him for a second. It doesn’t make for a good combination, so I probably won’t be able to get away until all the guests hit the road.”

“I suppose not. Good luck with that.”

“But you remember about tonight, right?”

“Tonight?”

“Ali’s birthday celebration at seven-thirty. She wanted a little get-together so I’m grilling steaks on the deck of the inn.”

“Oh, right.” Brody had heard the story of how Ali nearly lost her life while giving birth to Rory. Her blood pressure had spiked, leading to serious complications. No wonder this birthday was cause to celebrate. “I’ll be there.”

“Good.” Ryder nodded. “Ali will be happy to see you again. We all will.”

“All?”

“Of course. You’re the last, Brody. Everyone’s come home now.”

****

“I’ll help you with those.” Josie dropped to the tile floor and began to scoop up small plastic vehicles and colorful wooden building blocks. “You brought a change of clothes, right?”

“A change…why?”

“Have you already forgotten?” Josie paused long enough to glance up. One perfectly-shaped eyebrow rose, giving her a quirky expression. “Ali’s party starts in half an hour.”

“Oh, right.” Catherine sighed and swiped a hand through her mussed hair, smoothing the strands back into place. There went any chance of a quiet night at home. But she didn’t mind celebrating with Ali and the others. They’d been friends, well, forever. She sniffed her lab coat, frowning at a splatter of baby spit-up along the collar. So much for avoiding an outfit change. “I have jeans and a blouse in the car.”

“That lace-edged floral number you bought when we hit the mall last week?”

“Yes, that one.”

“And tell me you tossed those killer silver sandals into your bag, too. The ones with the spike heels.”

“At risk of life and limb, I did.”

“Great. Go get it all. I’ll take care of this mess while you freshen up. Then we can ride over to the inn together.”

2

“More sweet tea?” Ali eased in beside Brody at the deck rail, brandishing a pitcher. Light dappled dusky-blue lake water as the setting sun peaked through the forest’s edge along Willow Lake. A gentle breeze carried the scent of pine and thick-cut filets that Ryder had just tossed on the grill. “You look parched.”

“Sure, thanks.” Brody offered his glass and waited while Ali filled it. “But you shouldn’t be serving tonight. It’s your special night—twenty-nine and only one year ‘til the Big Three-Oh, you know.”

“Don’t remind me, thank you very much.” She scrunched her nose, and a smatter of freckles across the bridge knit together. “Isn’t it funny how our perspective changes the older we get? I remember the days when I couldn’t wait to turn a year older. Now, my internal clock seems to be sprinting out of control.”

“Yeah. Mine, too.” He sipped his tea, glancing over the rim at her. She hadn’t changed much since high school. Sure, her hair was cropped into a shorter blonde mommy-do, and the pregnancy had added generous curves to her figure, other than that she was still the happy-go-lucky Ali he remembered. “But, adding a little mileage is better than the alternative.”

“Believe me, I know.” She sighed and leaned into the rail, setting the pitcher there. “Better than anyone.”

“Sorry.” Immediately, Brody wished he could take back the words. Of course Ali knew what it was like to lose someone she loved—after all, she’d suffered through the death of her younger brother, Josh, in a horrible accident a decade ago. Brody swigged his tea as he sighed and gazed across the lake’s inlet to a jagged outcropping of rocks that disappeared into the forest. Taken back in time, he saw Josh tumble, heard the dull thud of skull crushing against rock and the explosive splash that followed as, lifeless, Josh disappeared beneath the water. The gut-wrenching cries of his friends—Mason and Josie, Hunter, Ali, Ryder…and Catherine—resonated through his memory, chilling his blood. The accident had torn apart the group of friends like a grenade launched into a small crowd. Now, with his thoughtless words, he may have just re-detonated the bomb. He groaned and gripped his tea glass with both hands. “Open gaping mouth, stuff boot firmly inside.”

“It’s OK, really.” Ali glanced at Ryder who stood at the grill tending to the steaks with Rory nestled on one hip and a brilliant smile lit her face. “It was a long time ago—a lifetime ago. These days I’m overwhelmed with joy. I’m so blessed. Ryder and Rory…they’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Brody turned his back to the porch rail and stuffed one hand into the pocket of his jeans as he lifted his glass to his lips with the other. “I know Ryder feels the same—about you and Rory, I mean.”

“When you find love with the right person, it’s the most wonderful gift in the world.”

“I wouldn’t know much about that.” But he had known, when he’d once asked Catherine to marry him. She’d said yes, and for a glimmer in time, all was right with the world. But that was also a lifetime—and a billion heartbeats—ago. The passage of time, and the accident, had changed the course of his life, as well as Catherine’s. They were no longer even programmed into the same GPS. “I guess—”

Heels clacked along the wood. Brody turned and choked on a gulp of tea as he caught sight of Catherine stepping onto the deck. She glanced his way and, for the slightest moment, he couldn’t breathe. Transported back in time, he suddenly remembered the last time he kissed her. They’d been here together, on the deck of the inn, and she’d broken the news to him that she was going to medical school instead of marrying him. Oh, she had a million and two valid reasons, which she listed in succession as he could only gape in disbelief while his world crashed around him…

They were both too young.

She wasn’t ready.

She wanted to be a doctor, and he wanted to gallivant around the globe doing mission work.

Saying yes had been a mistake.

The list went on and on as she checked each point with the flick of a finger.

He’d let her talk, even took back the diamond as she returned it to him and, though he longed to heave it into the depths of Willow Lake and watch it sink to the rocky bottom, he slipped it safely into his pocket. Then, pressing a cool hand to her cheek, he kissed her soundly on the lips before walking away without so much as a single word. He wouldn’t beg, wouldn’t plead for her to reconsider. He had more pride than that.

Catherine’s gaze connected with his and eyes the color of chocolate narrowed slightly before they wavered to scan the length of him. He did the same of her, nodding appreciatively. She wore a pair of jeans that tapered to silver, spike-heeled sandals that caught the light. A V-necked floral shirt hugged her in all the right places and fluttered in the breeze. Glossy hair, long and dark as a midnight wave, spilled over the length of her back, kissing her slim waist. It didn’t seem possible, but somehow she’d become even more beautiful than he remembered.

“Wow.” Brody swiped a hand across his lips, capturing dribbles of tea. He set his glass on the porch rail and dried his hands along the thighs of his jeans as his fingers trembled. Why didn’t he go after her that day when she’d rejected him, or the next…or any of the days over the next week until she’d left and he, as well, soon-after?

Because she’d dumped him—that’s why.

They hadn’t spoken since that day—not a single word. He should be angry—furious at the sight of her. Yet there was no room for fury as Brody’s tongue lodged awkwardly in his throat. “I mean, wow.”

“I know.” Ali smiled and waggled her fingers in a slight wave. “I guess that’s my cue to leave the two of you alone so you can get…reacquainted. Just don’t break her heart again, Brody, and don’t let her break yours.”

****

Catherine felt Brody before she saw him. Like a magnet, her gaze was drawn to his height. He leaned against the porch rail, arms crossed and chin lowered as Ali burned his ears about something or other. Catherine could almost smell his familiar scent…like sea water and the outdoors all rolled into one. She noticed right away that the years had been kind to him. Hard work had paid off as he’d filled into his height with plenty of muscle.

She smoothed a hand along the hem of her blouse and flicked a strand of hair from her cheek, adjusting one of her silver teardrop earrings in the process. She hoped she didn’t still smell like baby spit-up. Suddenly, all she could think about was the last time they were here on the deck together, the way he’d kissed her despite the ugly words she’d tossed at him. Even now, the memory shamed her. Oh, she’d believed every word as she listed all the reasons they were too young to marry. In hindsight, she could have been a bit kinder, a little more tactful. She’d expected him to explode with fury when she finished. Instead, he’d drawn her in and kissed her with a measure of urgency that set her nerve endings on fire.

Then, without a single word, he’d walked away. No discussion. No reasoning. He’d left as if she’d never meant anything at all to him. No phone calls, no letters or texts. Not so much as a smoke signal. He’d probably been too busy partying down in Key West, where she heard he’d run off to. The thought still stung.

“I’m going to see if Ali needs some help in the kitchen and find Mason, too.” Josie turned from her and started into the great room. “I think he’s with Ryder and Hunter. I’ll be back in a few.”

“Wait.” Music drifted from the great room, where Maci stood beside the now-dormant fireplace, serenading them with a vibrant tune on her violin. Her belly was gently rounded with early signs of pregnancy, and the smile on her face was almost ethereal. Catherine tried hard not to think about how all of her friends had found their perfect match while she was just now surfacing from years of school and building her fledgling practice. Long work days had left no time for dating. She’d built her dream, yet something vital was missing. Seeing Brody had nudged a niggle of doubt awake, and the feeling was disconcerting. “I’m coming with you.”

“Not if Brody has anything to say about that.” Josie nodded toward the porch. “Better put on your armor. Here he comes.”

Catherine grabbed the hem of Josie’s blouse like a two-year-old with separation anxiety. “Don’t leave me.”

“Take a breath.” Josie disengaged Catherine’s fingers from her shirt and stepped away. “Brody won’t bite. You’ll be fine.”

“She’s fibbing.” Brody eased closer as Josie backed away toward the hall.

His voice, thick with a southern drawl and smooth as caramel, caused Catherine’s pulse to skitter.

“I just might bite.”

“It’s warm out here.” Catherine waved a hand in front of her face, fanning herself. “I need some tea.”

“Here. Take mine.” He handed her his glass as Josie disappeared around the corner. “I barely touched it. Stay. Talk to me.”

“I...” She stumbled over the word, feeling eighteen and confused all over again. “I shouldn’t.”

“Why not?”

“It’s been too long.”

“It has.” He nodded and a lock of hair slipped over his forehead to frame his eyes. “Way too long.”

“I don’t know you anymore. You’ve…changed.”

“You have, as well. So let’s not waste any more time.”

“What’s your point?”

“No point. You just…you look amazing.”

“That doesn’t work anymore, Brody.” Catherine took the glass he offered and drew a gulp to whet her parched throat. Her lips were dry, and she wished she’d taken a moment to dab on a touch of lip gloss. “You’re right. I
have
changed. I’m immune to your smooth talk.”

“Immune…smooth talk?” It was his turn to sputter. “What? There’s a vaccination for that now?”

“Maybe.”

“Don’t get all bent out of shape.” He touched her shoulder, squeezing gently. “You used to love my smooth talk.”

“Yes.” She backed away, shrugging from his touch. “In another life.”

“And now, Cate?” He stepped closer, his breath warm on her cheek as he closed the distance between them once again.

“Don’t call me that.” The endearment unraveled her nerves and weakened her defenses. She didn’t want to feel anything for him, yet something in the pit of her belly ignited into a firestorm of desire. Suddenly she wished she’d worn her light rayon skirt instead of these stuffy jeans. Despite a slight, cool breeze, her face flushed with heat. She cleared her throat as she shifted feet and quickly changed the subject. “I saw your billboard. It’s right across the street from my clinic.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“You’re working with kids?”

“That’s right. Primarily in conjunction with Pastor Jenkins from Willow Lake Community Church, as well as various other community outreach programs. Maci’s even given me some leads through her counseling practice. I want to help kids.”

“Is that so?” Though she wanted to believe him, she remained unconvinced. “So, you’ve given up the wild life?”

“The wild life…?” He frowned. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Life in the Keys. It had to be, for lack of a better phrase, recklessly festive.”

“Wow.” Brody doubled over with laughter. “That’s right, Cate. With all that surf and sun, I’ve been wild. But somewhere in between all that recklessness, I managed to sandwich a pretty decent resume of work. You’ll be happy to know I’ve been redeemed from what you so expertly consider to be my wild and irresponsible ways, and I’m home to stay.”

“What?” She coughed on a sip of tea. “Did you say, home?”

“That’s right.” He narrowed his gaze, piercing her with steel-hard eyes. “Willow Lake is my home, too. Do you have a problem with that?”

“I might.”

“Then I guess you’ll just have to get over it, because I’m not going anywhere.” He took his tea glass back, drew a single long swig.

“I’m not, either.”

“Then maybe you should just let me take you to dinner and hash this out.”