“Lanni. Of course,” Sawyer said, sliding Charles another of his know-it-all looks. His brother leaned over and whispered something to Abbey, who glanced in Charles’s direction and grinned.
Charles resisted the urge to remind his brother and Abbey that it was impolite to whisper.
Instead, he took his seat. Tantalizing smells wafted from the kitchen. Ben stepped into the crowded room, wearing a chef’s hat and a fresh white apron.
“Dinner is served,” he said with uncharacteristic formality. Then he instructed everyone to take their plates to the buffet table.
Rather than stand in line, Charles decided to wait until Lanni could join him. As she’d promised, it didn’t take long. The side door opened and both she and Pearl walked in.
Because of the noise, he raised his hand to attract her attention, rather than call out. With any luck she’d see he was seated at the head table.
However, before she noticed Charles, Ted Richards, one of Sawyer’s new pilots, waylaid her. It was clear that the man had asked Lanni to join him at his table.
Charles held his breath, wondering what she’d do. Even from this distance, he could see how persuasive the pilot was. With a sweeping gesture, Ted held out a chair for Lanni as if to say that her sitting next to him would be the greatest honor of his life.
Charles’s hands tightened.
“It looks to me like Ted’s about to steal your girl,” someone whispered from behind him. So intent was Charles on what was happening between Lanni and the pilot, he didn’t know who’d spoken.
“Excuse me,” he said, stepping impatiently around several other people.
“Lanni,” he said, interrupting Ted. “I’ve got a seat for you up front.”
“I asked her to sit with me,” Ted pointed out.
“I asked her first.”
“Charles did ask me earlier this afternoon,” Lanni explained in what Charles thought was a much too apologetic tone.
“What is it with those O’Halloran men?” Ted loudly asked a pilot sitting nearby. “Bringing women to Hard Luck was to keep us pilots happy. It was the main reason I took the job! We don’t get so much as a chance with them, though, do we? The minute a decent woman arrives, one of the O’Hallorans takes her for himself.”
Charles would have asked the hotheaded pilot to apologize if Lanni hadn’t quickly announced, “I’m starved!”
“Ben outdid himself,” Charles said, steering her toward the buffet line. “He ordered honey-baked ham from Anchorage and cooked up his own scalloped potatoes. It looks like there might be a salad or two up there, as well. And I heard a rumor about blueberry cobbler for dessert.”
“It all sounds wonderful.”
And it was. The meal proved as delicious as Charles had expected. Afterward, there were a few short humorous speeches. Charles made one himself, about his brother being a man who knew what he wanted and knew how to get it.
Together Abbey and Sawyer stood, their arms around each other’s waists. They took turns thanking all those who had contributed to making their wedding day possible. Scott and Susan sat with their grandparents, beaming.
Hardly aware of what he was doing, Charles reached for Lanni’s hand under the table. “I’ll walk you home,” he whispered in her ear.
“What about the bachelor party?” Lanni asked. “Doesn’t that start now?”
“So I’ll be a few minutes late. It’s no big deal.”
“You’re sure?”
He nodded. He hoped Lanni was as eager to be alone with him as he was with her. No doubt their leaving together would be cause for speculation, but it didn’t worry him. Not at all.
He made his farewells and promised to return soon.
They walked hand in hand toward Catherine Fletcher’s old house. Charles tried not to think about Lanni living there. It bothered him, yet he knew his reaction should be gratitude that she had a decent place to stay. The only other alternative was one of those worthless cabins, and Charles certainly didn’t want her there.
“You should’ve stuck around for the party,” Lanni said, a smile in her voice. “You know what they’re going to say, don’t you?”
“No.” He did of course, but he really didn’t care.
Her smile was sassy and provocative as she turned, walking backward in front of him, hands clasped behind her. “Pearl Inman said there’s going to be another wedding in Hard Luck soon,” she murmured in a low, sultry voice. “If I were you, I’d be running for cover.”
Charles swallowed. Another wedding. He and Lanni? He tensed, then remembered Ben’s advice. Nothing has to change this minute. “Let folks talk if it makes them happy.”
“Fortunately for you I don’t think Pearl was referring to us.”
Charles frowned. “Then who was she talking about?”
Lanni blinked. “You mean you don’t know?”
“I haven’t got any idea.”
“Dotty Harlow and Pete Livengood.”
“Dotty? You mean the nurse who’s going to take over at the health clinic?” He watched as the breeze flirted with Lanni’s long hair. Its magical fingers stirred up the softness, and once more his gaze was drawn to her enticing, kissable lips.
“Dotty and Pete have been quite an item of late,” Lanni informed him.
“You’re so beautiful.” The words were out before he could censor them.
She lowered her eyes and blushed.
Embarrassed that he’d let the remark slip, Charles opened the small gate outside the house and walked her to the front porch. With all the men in town gathering for Sawyer’s bachelor party, he didn’t need to worry about Ted or John or any of the others showing up here, at her place.
“Thank you for walking me home,” Lanni said, standing on the first step.
“Thank you for allowing me to do it.” The proper little speech made him feel a bit old-fashioned—“gentlemanly” his mother would have said—but it felt…right.
Neither of them spoke, then at precisely the same moment, they moved together.
Lanni brought her arms around his neck as he slid his around her waist. Their kiss was sweet, then grew passionate. It was better than he’d imagined, better than he’d remembered.
All at once they broke apart, as if they were afraid to continue. As if they were afraid of where it would lead.
After a moment she suggested, “Maybe you should…join your friends.”
Charles didn’t want to leave. Not now. But he knew she was right. Still, the temptation to stay was almost more than he could resist.
“There’s a dance after the wedding,” he said.
“Yes, I know.”
“I’m not very light on my feet.”
She said nothing.
“Save the first dance for me, okay?”
Lanni broke into a smile and nodded.
Charles turned away and hurried back to Ben’s. He winced as he realized he’d actually asked her to save him a dance. Well, he supposed a man didn’t voluntarily make a fool of himself without a good reason. A sentimental fool, yet. True, he didn’t want anyone else dancing with her, but it was more than that. He was looking for an excuse to hold her. An excuse to wrap his arms around her.
Intuitively Charles knew that whatever he felt for Lanni was an emotion he shouldn’t label.
Chapter 5
Charles gazed up at the bright blue sky. The Baron twin-engine aircraft with its Midnight Sons logo descended toward the field at Hard Luck. The last time he’d seen his mother had been six months ago. He didn’t consider himself a very good son. Since their father’s death, Christian and Sawyer had made much more of an effort to keep in touch with her.
Ellen was content, and for that Charles was grateful. She deserved a bit of happiness after the hardship of the past forty years. First the war in Europe, which had wiped out her family, then the years spent in a miserable marriage to his father.
The plane touched down smoothly and taxied to a standstill. Charles opened the door. Christian d
escended first, then turned back to help his mother out. Duke Porter, the pilot, climbed out next, and with a respectful wave, left them alone.
Ellen surveyed the field, and the town just beyond. It took her a moment to realize Charles was waiting for her. A smile touched her lips as she hurried down the steps.
She looked small and fragile in her pale blue suit. She was a beautiful woman, graceful and exquisitely boned, and as out of place in this harsh land as a hothouse orchid. Charles had never understood what had possessed his father to marry such a delicate woman, knowing where he’d be bringing her to live.
“Charles,” Ellen cried, hugging him. “Don’t you look handsome!”
Charles edged his index finger between his neck and the confining collar of his starched white dress shirt. He’d be lucky if it didn’t strangle him before the end of the day.
“You in a tuxedo!” Christian exclaimed. “I don’t believe it.”
“Believe it,” Charles said with a cocky grin. “Sawyer rented one for you, too. It’s at the house waiting for you as we speak.”
The laughter drained out of Christian’s eyes. “You’re joking.”
“Do I look like I’m making this up?” Charles asked. “You’d better hurry. Sawyer’s on pins and needles as it is. It’s your turn to keep him occupied while I take Mother over to meet Abbey.”
Christian muttered something Charles couldn’t hear, but from his tone, that was probably just as well. “It’s good to see you, too, big brother,” he said in a louder voice.
Charles chuckled and offered Ellen his arm. “You’re going to like Abbey,” he told her.
“I’m crazy about her already,” she said, and slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. “She’s managed something I thought was impossible.”
“What’s that?”
Ellen’s eyes filled with surprise, as if to say Charles should know very well what she was talking about. “She convinced one of my sons to get married. You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for one of you to come to your senses. Not only that, she’s made me an instant grandmother. I could kiss her feet.”
Charles was astonished. “You want to be a grandmother?”
“What woman my age doesn’t?” Ellen asked. “I waited long enough to have children, but I swear I’ve been far more impatient for grandchildren. I can’t tell you how grateful I am that Robert’s daughter had the good sense to marry young.”
“Scott and Susan are going to love you.”
“As well they should,” Ellen said, and laughed softly. “I plan to spoil them rotten.”
Charles was still reeling from his mother’s revelation.
“Now let me take a good look at you,” she said. She stepped back and studied Charles, then raised her hand to her lips. “Oh, Charles…” She smiled tremulously. “You make me proud.”
Charles wasn’t accustomed to dealing with praise, especially from his mother. “Uh, thank you.”
Ellen moved resolutely into place beside him and squared her shoulders. “Now take me to meet my daughter-in-law before I make a fool of myself by breaking into tears.” She snapped open her handbag and withdrew a lace-edged handkerchief, which she pressed to the corner of each eye.
“Aw, Mom,” Charles said, guiding her toward the pickup. “Don’t tell me you’re going to cry at Sawyer’s wedding.”
“Of course I am,” she said. “It’s my right and I’ve earned it.”
Not a single seat remained empty in the small community church. Lanni felt fortunate to find a place to sit. An air of festivity pervaded the room, as though each person present felt in some way responsible for Sawyer’s marrying Abbey Sutherland.
A hush fell over the gathering when Charles and Sawyer appeared and walked toward the altar. They turned slightly to await the approach of Abbey and her attendants.
Because the church didn’t have a pipe organ, the couple had chosen taped music and a rented sound system. The first notes of the wedding march soared through the small church. Everyone stood and faced the center aisle as Abbey entered on her father’s arm.
She wore a pale peach, floor-length dress, her hair wreathed in a garland of white roses. She carried a bouquet of more white roses mingled with yellow and lavender wildflowers.
They were similar to the ones Lanni had picked with the children the fateful day they’d encountered the bear. Those flowers had gotten lost in the trauma that followed. But apparently Abbey had made sure that a few of the delicate tundra blossoms were added to her bouquet.
Lanni had seen many a bride and participated in more weddings than she cared to count. Every bride was beautiful. Every wedding was special. But the happiness shining in Abbey’s face as she looked toward the front of the church where Sawyer stood waiting brought unexpected tears to Lanni’s eyes. The love that flowed between them was visible to all.
Lanni wasn’t the only one affected. Across the aisle from her stood Ben Hamilton. She nearly didn’t recognize him without his apron. He reached into his back pocket and took out a crumpled handkerchief and loudly blew his nose. He glanced around self-consciously, then rubbed his fist across his eyes.
Ben weeping! She was astounded by that for some reason. But since her own vision was blurry with tears, Lanni couldn’t very well blame anyone else for reacting the same way.
At that moment Abbey and Sawyer joined hands and stepped in front of Reverend Wilson. Susan and Scott stood beside them. Susan’s dress was made from the same material as Abbey’s, and her hair was adorned with a garland. Scott stood next to Sawyer in a miniature tuxedo and cummerbund.
When her eyes had cleared, Lanni turned her attention to Charles. She experienced a twinge of pride at what a distinguished-looking man he was. But watching Charles reminded her that time was fast running out.
Soon she would no longer have an excuse to stay in Hard Luck. Her family was already asking questions. But she could hardly admit that she strongly suspected she was falling in love with Charles O’Halloran!
Abbey handed her bridal bouquet to her matron of honor and joined hands with Sawyer. Reverend Wilson asked her to repeat her vows. Her voice didn’t hesitate, didn’t waver. She seemed to be saying she’d never been more confident of any action she’d ever taken.
“I solemnly swear to love…”
Love. Charles heard Abbey speak, and the word echoed in his mind. All this time he hadn’t understood why Sawyer found it so necessary to rush Abbey to the altar. He didn’t understand why his brother was in such an all-fired hurry to tie the knot. He’d already waited thirty-three years—what was another three or four months?
To Charles’s way of thinking, the least Sawyer could’ve done was give Abbey time to get settled in Hard Luck. The move from Seattle was a major transition for her and the children. One life change was enough, without adding a marriage with all its adjustments to the equation.
But right now, at this moment, Charles recognized the depth of emotion that bound Sawyer and Abbey. They were very much in love. Waiting a month, three months, a year, would change nothing. Their commitment was as strong now as it would be in twenty years’ time.
One look at the two of them standing before God, family and friends was all Charles needed to convince him of that truth. Funny he hadn’t been aware of it sooner. Funny how blind he’d been to what was obvious to everyone else.
Love. He risked glancing in Lanni’s direction. Breathless emotion grabbed at his chest as their eyes met. He could see the bright tears that sparkled in hers as she sent him a smile.
“…honor,” Abbey continued.
Honor. Lanni tore her gaze away from Charles. Her heart pounded so fast she grew dizzy. Abbey, Sawyer, the children and Reverend Wilson slowly faded from view as she focused her attention solely on Charles. Although they’d been together only hours earlier, she felt almost desperate for the sight of him.
She loved this man. Loved him. Briefly she closed her eyes while her mind acknowledged the truth. She wasn’t falling in love. She
was in love.
It wasn’t possible, the logical side of her argued. They hadn’t known each other very long. He was older. A loner. An O’Halloran. She couldn’t love him. Not without creating all kinds of problems for both of them.
Lanni opened her eyes and raised her head. Once again her gaze slid deeply into his. What she saw there was enough to convince her that nothing was worth more than having this man in her life. If she lived another hundred years, she’d never find anyone she’d love as much.
Had they not been in a church, in the midst of a wedding ceremony, she would have pushed her way into the aisle and run to his side.
Abbey finished repeating her vows and Sawyer began his. “Before God, I hereby solemnly vow to cherish…”
Cherish. He’d talk to Lanni, Charles decided. Reason this out. Together, they’d make some sense of their feelings. Plan for the future. He wouldn’t rush her, wouldn’t pressure her. It had taken him thirty-five years to meet a woman like Lanni, but now that he had, he’d do whatever was necessary to keep her in his life.
“I do,” Abbey said, her voice ringing clearly through the church.
“I do, too,” Scott added.
“Me, too,” Susan chimed in, not wanting to be left out.
The congregation laughed, and Lanni saw there was more than one wet eye in the crowd. Reverend Wilson made his final statement, and then Sawyer O’Halloran kissed his wife.
A spontaneous burst of applause broke out. Ben reached for his handkerchief a second time. He blew his nose, and the sound, which resembled the honk of a goose, echoed against the church walls.
Scott and Susan led the procession out of the church, and the people of Hard Luck spilled out after them.
Somehow in the crush Charles found Lanni. His hand reached for hers and he drew her aside. She knew he was needed at the reception; she was, too. Abbey had asked her to cut the cake.
Neither moved. Or spoke.
Did she dare hope he’d felt the same magic she had during the service? Did she dare believe Charles loved her? Her heart refused to beat. Her lungs forgot to breathe.