SARA WALKED AWAY from Grant with wobbly knees. She’d been kissed before. Heavens, it had been years since she’d been a virgin, but Grant’s kisses had been the hottest, most all-consuming and addictive ones she’d ever experienced. She never wanted him to know what amount of self-control it had taken her to walk away.
She would have gladly swiped everything off his father’s desk, sat on it and opened wide in invitation, but she wouldn’t let Grant regret their being together by doing so. He was so honorable his guilt would eat him up because he had taken her that way.
With effort she made it to her room, showered and was in bed when sounds of Grant coming down the hallway reached her ears. He didn’t stay long before he left again.
Where was he going?
The way he felt tonight and with what had just happened between them she’d best not search him out. She stayed awake late into the night, listening for his return and reliving those moments in the den.
Lily’s cry jarred her awake the next morning. It wasn’t until she was carrying her down for breakfast and they passed the living room that Sara learned where Grant had spent the night. Folded neatly on the end of one of the sofas was a blanket with a pillow on top.
Why hadn’t he slept in his bed? A heady feeling filled her. Was it because he would have been too close to her? That was something interesting to contemplate.
On the kitchen counter she found a note: “I’m gone.”
She smiled. Looking at Lily happily going back and forth in the swing, she could easily get used to being in Grant and Lily’s world.
He was later than usual again that night but that was all right with Sara because she had time to get Lily down for the night. She was in the kitchen when he came in. He looked tired but his mouth lifted into a slight smile when he saw her. Her insides warmed each time she saw him. Would he say something about what had happened last night?
“Hi.”
“Hey. You look like you could be hungry. Would you like me to fix you something to eat?” she offered.
“Come to think of it, I did miss lunch. But I’ll get a bowl of ice cream or something. You’re not the maid.”
The man did like his ice cream. She’d started adding a carton to the grocery list each week. “I don’t mind. Really. How about a nice omelet and toast?”
“Sounds wonderful. I’m going to wash up and be right back down.” He was out the door before she could mention she wanted to talk to him. She would do that after he ate.
Sara was just finishing the eggs when he returned. “Have a seat. Food’s coming up.”
He pulled a chair out from the table, sat, and stretched out his long legs, crossing his ankles before leaning back with his arms crossed on his chest. His gaze remained on her as she worked. A zing of awareness went through her.
Conscious of his attention as she brought his meal to him, her heart beat faster. He pulled his legs in and sat straighter when she reached him. He was a handsome man but, more importantly, she liked him. Grant was a man who had taken his baby sister in, a man who suffered for a patient and a man who could laugh at himself. He was someone she could enjoy being around for a long time. That was not a place she needed to go.
“Thank you. This is a nice treat.”
“Not a problem. Do you mind if I sit with you while you eat?”
“Of course not.”
Sara took a chair catty-corner to his. She watched as he forked food into his mouth and chewed then swallowed. That mouth had kissed her the night before. She resettled herself in the chair.
“Okay, Sara, what’s going on? I know it isn’t about Lily because you would have already told me.”
“I’m nervous about this wedding business. Are you sure you want to go through with it? It would take me awhile but I would pay you back. I would honor our business agreement.”
* * *
Sara’s statement hurt. They did have an arrangement but some part of Grant wished it could be more. Less matter-of-fact. It was like she’d turned off any emotion. She acted as if they were strangers who had never shared a kiss that had seared him to the soul. No matter how she argued they were strangers, he knew better.
“I can’t stand lying to all the people closest to us.”
He put a hand over hers, which rested on the table. Thankfully she didn’t pull away. “We’ll make it up to all of them after I have custody. I promise. I’ll make sure that your father understands that I insisted it be this way.”
Sara looked overwhelmed.
“Mother will have everything handled. The movers will see to your father. Hang in there with me.”
She nodded and removed her hand from under his, then stood. “Get some rest, Grant. I worry about you working so hard. Good night.”
Sara worried about him? When was the last time anyone had done that?
An hour later he was finishing up some work in his father’s office. Really, it was his now. The thought didn’t bring the pain he expected. It was slowly ebbing away. In its place was the dull throb of disappointment that he’d never have the chance for that true father/son relationship. What he would have to do now was build a solid father/daughter one with Lily. Based on the example he’d seen, could he? He would try. At least he knew what not to do.
As for he and Sara, he had no idea. She fenced herself away any time he came too close. If he created an entrance and stepped in, would she expect more than he was willing to give? Their kisses, which had been far too short for him, had confirmed in firework brilliance that there could be something exciting between them. When she’d stepped into his arms and he’d brought her close, the thought that this was how it should be had crossed his mind. Sara belonged with him and Lily. At least for the time being. They needed her. In more ways than one.
His work completed, Grant wandered through to the kitchen. Pulling out the ice cream, he scooped some into a bowl. Returning the container to the freezer, he took his bowl to the table.
A movement in the pool caught his attention. Sara was swimming, doing long lazy laps from one end to the other. The night was still cool but the pool was heated and steam rose around her. It gave her a mystical appeal.
He watched her as he ate. It wasn’t safe to swim by yourself so it was his duty to be her lifeguard. At least, that was the excuse he gave himself. After all, hadn’t he caught her looking at him when he’d been bathing Lily? It was only fair.
Finishing his ice cream, he placed the bowl in the sink. He couldn’t help but walk to the pool. Sara was just coming up the steps out of the water when he stepped on the swim deck.
She jerked to attention. “Ooh. You scared me.”
Just as lovely as ever. She wore a simple one-piece swimsuit that defined her curves to their best advantage.
“I didn’t mean to.” Grant couldn’t help but stare. If he didn’t know better he’d say he was starting to act like a lovesick puppy. “I came to the kitchen to get some ice cream and saw movement out here.” He’d never admit to watching her for as long as he had.
“I couldn’t sleep. I thought I’d try out the pool. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course not. You’re welcome to anything here.” Including me.
Picking up a towel from the chair, she wrapped it around herself. Disappointment filled him at the loss of the view. Why, of all the women he’d known, did this one unassuming female fascinate him so?
Sara sat in the chair then picked up a cup with a tea-bag tag hanging over the edge and took a sip. Her small sound of pleasure filled the air.
“Do you mind if I join you?” For a second he feared she wouldn’t agree.
“Why not?”
It wasn’t the warmest reception he’d ever received but he would take it. Settling on the lounge next to her, he stretched out. It was nice. He didn’t take time in his life to just sit and be. Grant said nothing, knowing he’d already encroached on her time, but he couldn’t bring himself to go back inside. She shifted to get more comfortable and took another drink from her cup.
The croak of a frog and the buzz of a bug joined the other night sounds. They were too close to the city to see the stars as he would have liked.
“I’m sorry your father is putting you through all this. I know you have some harsh feelings toward him.”
“It may not have seemed that way last night but those have eased some since I’ve become responsible for Lily. Maybe it’s that they’re gone or that I have to think of someone other than myself. Or that I no longer have the time or energy to be mad.”
A few seconds went by before she said, “I admire you. It’s hard to change, especially from a direction you were going with such determination, only to reverse and go back the other way.”
He liked her thinking. “I’m not sure I’ve earned admiration.”
“You underestimate yourself. Look what you’re doing for Lily.”
Laughing self-consciously, he protested, “Don’t make me into a hero. I’m afraid I would disappoint you.”
“I don’t know about that. You have a tough road ahead of you.”
“I realize that. I’ll have to make major changes in my life. Do you think I shouldn’t fight for Lily?” He waited impatiently for her response. Why it mattered so much what she thought was a mystery to him.
“Oh, of course you should. I’m just saying it won’t be easy. Ask my father.”
“I’m sure it won’t but I’ll do what I have to do. Are you wondering why I think I should raise Lily?”
“No. It’s enough that you want her badly enough to fight for her. You’re more interested in her welfare than your feelings toward her parents. That’s what being a good parent is about.”
“Thank you for that. You’re a tender-hearted woman, Sara Marcum.” He’d said it with a note of reverence. In his experience, there were few he could say that about.
* * *
Sara had liked being complimented by Grant. Yet something about him said his respect wasn’t given freely. She wasn’t sure she deserved it either. She’d given up Emily. But she had never been hers to keep. Emily belonged to her friends. She had from the beginning. What Sara could carry the blame for was letting herself care too much. Allowing herself to think of Emily as hers. That wasn’t going to happen with Lily. She couldn’t think of Grant as hers either.
Unclear what had brought him down to the pool, she was still glad to listen. Apparently he needed to talk. He was confiding in her about his concerns. With each day they seemed to get more wrapped up in each other’s lives.
Even if she desired that relationship all the time, she couldn’t have it. Couldn’t take the chance of hurting him and Lily when she left. She knew the agony of being left behind all too well. Once again she would know pain but it didn’t matter. The decision had been made. At least her father would have a roof over his head for her sorrow. Practical things were what she needed to concern herself with, not matters of the heart. She would get over that, eventually.
“Thank you for helping me. It’s mighty supportive of you,” Grant said.
She liked hearing his voice on the night air. “I’m not sure being supportive is my most useful trait. Sometimes it gets me into trouble. Like getting married for a house.” She grinned. “What do you consider your best trait?”
“I don’t know. I’m known for putting my mind to something and making it happen. Maybe that’s the reason that I’ve never understood why I couldn’t please my father.”
A shiver went through her that had nothing to do with the weather. What if he put his mind to having her in his bed? Could she resist him? Did she want to? It was time for her to go in. “I’m getting cold so I’m going to say goodnight again. See you in the morning.”
Grant stood when she did, capturing her hand as she passed him. She looked into his angular face, made more intriguing by the shadows.
“Thanks for helping me out with Lily too. We both need you.”
“We’re helping each other out.” Her fingers slowly slipped from his hand as she walked away. For once in her life she felt as if she had left something important undone.
* * *
A few days later it was moving day for her father. He and Sara were at the new house early to meet the truck. Over the course of the morning she opened and set up the kitchen as the movers brought in the boxes. Her father spent his time helping direct the men to where the furniture should be placed.
Sara was sitting on the floor, putting cookie sheets in order, when Grant came in the back door with Lily in his arms. He looked like a family man, nothing like the self-centered transplant surgeon she’d grumbled about the first day they’d met.
He held up a couple of paper sacks from a local hamburger place. “I bought lunch. Drinks are out in the car. You take Lil and I’ll get them.”
Sara smiled. Grant had taken to calling Lily by a nickname after the day they had spent together. It was nice to see how he’d warmed up to her. The relationship seemed less about what he had to do and more about what he wanted to do. He’d fallen in love with the little girl. Sara could understand how that could happen.
Grant placed the sacks on the table and slipped Lily into Sara’s arms. He headed out the door again.
“Hey, Dad. Food’s here,” she called.
A few minutes later her father joined her. He sat in one of the kitchen chairs. “Let me see that little girl.”
Sara passed Lily to him and started removing burgers from the bags and still Grant hadn’t returned. “I’m going to see if Grant needs some help.”
Going to the open front door, she watched him walking from the street through the yard, balancing drink cups in his hand. The moving van was still parked in the drive.
He was almost to the steps of the porch when one of the movers hollered, “Hold it, Jake.”
Sara looked just in time to see a chest of drawers tip forward. One of men pushed the chest the other way, causing the dolly wheel to go over the edge of the ramp. The mover lost control and the cabinet came down, pinning the lower half of his body under the chest.
Sara squealed and rushed down the steps. Having already dropped the drinks, Grant ran to the man.
“Let’s get this off him.” Jake’s voice was filled with panic.
“I’m a doctor,” Grant said in a calm voice. “We have to do it slowly so that we don’t cause further injury.”
Sara came up beside him. Grant dug into his pocket and handed her his phone. “Call 911.”
She did as she was told, giving the dispatcher all the particulars. While she talked, Grant and the other mover worked to unstrap the chest from the dolly and raise it off the injured man. By that time her father, carrying Lily, had come looking for them. Sara handed the phone to him. “911 is still on the line. Go down by the street and make sure they know where to come. I need to help Grant.”
She didn’t give her father time to say anything before she bounded into the house and grabbed some blankets she’d left lying on a bed and her nursing bag. Back outside, she put the blankets down near the injured man as Grant and Jake removed the dolly from on top of him. As soon as it was clear she covered the man with a blanket.
“I have my nursing bag.”
“Good girl. We need to be prepared for shock.” He checked the man’s pupils. “What’s his name?”
“Rick,” Jake said.
“Rick, I want you to lie still. You may have internal injuries and we don’t want to make them worse.”
Sara handed Grant her stethoscope across the man’s chest. He took it without question. Then she searched the bag. “I’ll get his blood pressure.” She put the cuff on Rick’s arm and pumped it up. After Grant had listened to his heart he handed the stethoscope back to her. She placed it in the crook of Rick’s arm and located a pulse. It was slow. She looked up at Grant. “His blood pressure is low.”
Grant said to Rick, “I need to check your midsection. Let me know if it hurts.” He moved the blanket back and started palpating the patient’s stomach area. The man yelped when Grant touched his left side.
“His spleen?” Sara asked, from where she’d moved to his side.
“Good diagnosis. Check his pressure again. We don’t need him to code on us before the wagon gets here.”
Sara went to work again.
“I’m going to see if anything is broken this time.” Grant slowly worked his hands up Rick’s right leg. The man had no reaction. When Grant started touching his left leg near his ankle Rick hollered. “Okay. It looks like this leg will need to be immobilized.”
Sara leaned over and pulled a blanket toward her. “Blood pressure’s still going down. I’ll roll this blanket up to use for support for the leg.”
Grant reached over the man’s head and snagged the other blanket and followed her actions.
The distant sound of the ambulance siren filled Sara with relief. The man’s blood pressure was dangerously low. He needed to get to a hospital OR to have his spleen removed.
Grant checked Rick’s eyes again. He glanced at her, his lips a tight line.
“Am I going to be all right?” Rick asked.
Grant placed his hand on the man’s forearm. “You’re going to be fine. A little patching up and you’ll be out moving someone again.”
The man gave Grant a weak smile.
The ambulance pulled to the curb and much of what happened after that was a blur. Sara took Lily from her father when she started to cry. Grant reported his findings to the ER doctor over the phone. The EMTs soon had the injured man on the gurney.
Grant joined her where she stood watching the ambulance drive away.
“How do you think he’s going to do?”
“He should be fine if he has no complications. I’ll check on him in a few hours. You know, I’d take you as a nurse in any emergency. You were great once again.”
Sara couldn’t help but glow at the compliment. “You weren’t bad yourself. You know, I’ve had more emergencies in my life since I’ve known you than ever before.”
“I’m glad I can add excitement to your life.”
He did that. How exciting would it be, being married to Grant? Very, Sara suspected.
* * *
Grant wasn’t sure how the next week or so was going to pan out but he was confident they wouldn’t be easy emotionally.
The week after moving Sara’s father he’d seen little of Sara and Lily, having been too busy at the hospital to make it home except to sleep. He was amazed at how much he missed them and looked forward to seeing them. His colleagues and friends were shocked to learn that he was getting married. To say he was the main conversational topic around the hospital was an understatement.
Although he’d talked long and hard to get his mother to even accept that he was keeping Lily, Grant never doubted she’d take the idea of him marrying and run with it. She’d come through with plans so precise that even the limousine in which they were now riding in to the airport included a car seat.
Sara sat stiffly beside him while her father and Lily sat across from them. Harold was busy keeping Lily entertained with a toy.
Grant looked at Sara’s hands, which were clenched so tight in her lap that her knuckles were white. Somewhere inside himself, a place he didn’t want to name, hurt that she felt she had no choice but to go through with their ruse of a marriage. Every woman dreamt of her happy wedding day. He had to think of some way of showing his thanks. A way of making this bearable for her.
He reached over and pried one of her hands from the other and intertwined his fingers with hers. At first she tensed but when he didn’t let her hand go, she relaxed. Her father glanced at them and smiled then returned to playing with Lily.
Grant leaned over until his shoulder nudged Sara’s. He whispered, “Your face says that marrying me is a fate just worse than death.”
She gave him a wry smile. “It’s better than death.”
“Well, that’s high praise.”
“I’m sorry I can’t be more upbeat, but I’ll try to do better.”
“I look forward to that.”
Sara didn’t appear any more at ease as they waited to board the plane at O’Hare Airport for their flight to Raleigh, North Carolina. Grant had no idea where his mother had come up with the wedding venue but he was sure it would be appropriate and she’d be there to see that everything went as planned. She would fly Leon and Kim in as well, making the wedding party complete.
“I need to change Lily.” Sara pulled the diaper bag over her shoulder and took Lily from her father. “I’ll be right back.”
Grant watched her walk away.
“I wouldn’t worry about it,” Harold said. “She is strong. All brides are a little emotional before their wedding.”
“I’ve never seen Sara this...pensive.”
“I have. When she had to give the baby she carried over to the parents. She’ll come round.” Harold walked away, not giving Grant time to ask questions.
* * *
In North Carolina, another limousine waited at the airport curb to whisk them away.
Sara watched out the window as they traveled along a highway with green rolling hills on either side. Small colorful farmhouses dotted the landscape every so often. All the serenity of the landscape was in direct contrast to the bubbling anxiety within her.
Was she making a mistake? At least she was helping a little girl live with someone who wanted her. It wasn’t much different than what she’d done for Emily when she’d handed her over to her parents. Lily would have more from Grant than Sara had received from her mother, like feeling wanted. But how would Lily feel when Sara left her? Or Sara had to leave her? That thought didn’t improve her feelings. At least Lily was young enough not to wonder if it was because of something she did.
Grant would soon find someone to replace her. She was only temporary anyway. The plan had never been for her to stay for the long haul. That wasn’t part of the agreement. Did she want to stay? She glanced at Grant. Maybe she was starting to. It didn’t matter. She needed to be wanted for who she was, not for how she could help him.
Grant would find another wife. Why did the idea settle over her like a shroud? He was only interested in making this look like a real marriage for Lily’s sake. He’d said nothing about wanting anything more. Sara’s heart burned in a way it never had before.
The car pulled into the stone and iron gated drive of a resort. They traveled up a tree-canopied road into an open area with a finely manicured lawn and flowers blooming in patches along it.
She sighed. “Oh, my, it’s beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like it.” Grant smiled. His concerned look was gone.
The driver stopped at the front door of a one-story stone building. Letting go of her hand, Grant stepped out of the car and met the man who came out to greet them. Sara rolled down the window as they spoke and Grant leaned in. “We’re staying in cottages located around the property. We’ll get out and go by golf cart from here. Mother has already assigned them.” He opened Sara’s door.
“Your mother is here?”
“She has come and gone. She had to take care of some things in town. We’ll see her tonight.”
Sara was almost as nervous about meeting Grant’s mother as she was about the marriage. She was in way over her head this time.
“You and your father will be staying together.”
“What about Lily?”
“She’ll be in a nearby cottage. Mother hired a nanny to see to her. You can check on her any time you want. So don’t worry,” Grant informed her.
Sara wasn’t pleased with the idea. She wanted Lily with her but she said, “Okay.”
Grant helped her out of the car and into the golf cart. “I’ll see you this evening at dinner.”
She nodded. Dinner. Where they would all act like this was a real wedding. A love match. But it wasn’t. It was pretend. Pretend to be a wife. Pretend to be a mother. Just pretend. The urge to run swamped her.
The attendant drove her and her father along a winding narrow blacktop trail until they came to a sweet, idyllic-looking cottage much like those she’d seen in picture books. It had a small front porch on one side with a white railing, bright yellow siding and a red door. A vine with hot-pink blooms grew along one porch post and up over the roof. It was magical.
The inside didn’t disappoint either. There was a small but comfortable sitting room done in a floral print that brought the outside in, a kitchen area and two bedrooms, each with their own bathroom.
“Little girl, I think this room is yours.”
“Uh...” Sara stepped into the room where her father already stood.
Hanging from the door of the closet was the most amazing wedding dress and veil she could have imagined. The dress was simple in design, with small straps and a fitted bodice of shimmering gauze that was pulled tight to create folds. The skirt was an overlay of more netting on netting. She touched the dress almost with reverence. Lifting a section, she let it fall, watching the material glistening in the light. The veil was short and trimmed in seed pearls. On the floor were a pair of white slippers.
Her father stepped closer and put his hand across her shoulders, giving her a squeeze. “You’re going to be a beautiful bride.”
The next few hours went by in a haze. She checked on Lily, whose cottage was within walking distance, then dressed for dinner. Everyone was to meet at the main building.
Although she had brought her finest dress for the occasion, Sara worried that it might not be good enough. However, when she opened the closet in her room she found three dresses, including accessories, hanging there. A note was attached to one. “These are for you. Pick what you like and enjoy.”
Her mother-in-law-to-be had thought of everything.
Sara was grateful for the dresses. She chose a classic blue shift and paired it with blue and white shoes. She pulled her hair up to one side with a pin she’d brought from home. Satisfied with how she looked, she and her father rode a golf cart up to the main lodge.
Grant was at the entrance, waiting for them. She was thankful. Somehow he gave her strength. He had to know how nervous she was about all of this. Did he feel the same way?
Her father went in ahead of them.
“You look gorgeous tonight.” Grant stood close but didn’t touch her.
Unsure, she looked at him. “Thank you. You do too.” That was an understatement. He looked magnificent.
Dressed in a navy suit that almost matched her dress, a crisp white shirt and a navy, green and yellow striped tie, he was breathtaking. In another world at another time she would have pinched herself for being so lucky as to have him as a husband.
“Shall we go in?” Grant offered his arm.
Accepting it, she said, “I guess so.”
He placed his hand over hers, his touch reassuring.
It was a small group that greeted them when they entered the lodge. Her father, the nanny, holding Lily, Leon and a lady who was dressed impeccably in what had to have been the latest designer fashion. Grant’s mother. She and Grant shared the same eye color and bearing. Sara looked for more similarities but found none. Grant was evidently the spitting image of his father. What must he think each morning when he looked in the mirror?
The woman stepped forward. “Hello. I’m Clarisse Smythe. It’s nice to meet you.” Her smile seemed genuine. Would she be wearing the same one if she knew this wedding was a sham?
Sara returned a smile, hoping it showed more warmth than she felt. “Hello. It’s nice to meet you too. Thank you for the lovely dresses. My wedding gown is perfect.”
Clarisse gave her an air kiss to the cheek. “I’m glad you like them. Grant gave me a number of suggestions and I went with them.”
Shocked, she looked at Grant. How could he possibly know her that well in the few short weeks they’d been living together? Or had he been around women so much that he just knew what one liked? She suspected it was the latter.
What did she really know about him? Since this wasn’t a real marriage would he be seeing other women after they were married? Would he care if she went out? Heaven help her, she was in a mess. One she was confident would end with her distraught.
Grant said something but she missed it. “What?”
“They’re waiting to serve dinner.” He took her hand.
She held on. There was security there. What would it be like to have that in her life all the time? To have Grant? That was one road of thought she best not travel.
The next few hours went by in a blur of smiles and conversations that later she couldn’t remember having. Kim arrived just before the meal. She gave Sara a huge hug.
All evening Grant continually touched her as if he were a real groom that couldn’t get enough of his bride. But she knew better. When she’d agreed to marry Grant she’d not imagined everything seeming so...so normal.
“I would like to make a toast,” Grant’s mother was saying, “to the woman who finally captured my son’s heart.”
Sara was grateful for the dim lights hiding the heat on her face.
Everyone lifted their glasses. It took her a moment to join them. Grant leaned over and whispered, “Hang in there,” before he kissed her temple.
When dinner was over he walked her to the cart that would take her to her cottage for her last night as a single woman. At least for a while.
“Sleep well, Sara. See you in the morning.”
She gave him a wry smile.
Before she went to bed she walked over to check on Lily. She was sleeping soundly and the nanny promised to call if Lily became unhappy. How was she ever going to give up the little girl? But that was the plan. Just as it had been before. She couldn’t run this time.
* * *
Despite her trepidation about the next day, Sara slept well. She was woken early by her father’s tap on the door. “Little girl, it’s your big day.”
The ceremony was to take place at ten that morning.
“To catch the best light,” Grant’s mother had said.
Sara picked at her breakfast when it was delivered. She’d just finished showering when there was a knock at the front door. A maid sent by Grant’s mother arrived to help her dress. Soon after, Kim joined them, wearing a pale yellow dress.
“You look wonderful!” Sara exclaimed, holding her at arm’s length.
“I’m sure no one will even notice me once they see you. Dr. Smythe, Grant certainly didn’t have eyes for anyone but you last night.”
Was that true? She’d sure had a hard time keeping herself from staring at him. Surely she would have noticed if he’d been looking at her that much.
“Girl, I can’t believe that you’re getting married and didn’t even tell me you were dating Dr. Delicious. Does he have a friend?”
Sara couldn’t help but smile. “I’ll ask. I think Leon is available.”
Half an hour later, Sara stood in front of the large free-standing mirror, wondering who the person was who was staring back at her. She’d never looked or felt more beautiful. Would Grant think so?
Outside, waiting for her, was a golf cart large enough to accommodate her in the full dress as well as Kim and her father. When Grant’s mother had popped in for a moment she’d asked about Lily and had been told that the nanny would have her at the wedding. It was difficult to relinquish control. How was she going to walk away when the time came?
The chapel she and Grant were to marry in was an arching two-story all-glass building surrounded by enormous green fir trees. She was speechless as the driver stopped in front of it. Never had she dreamed of such a perfect wedding site.
Kim alighted from the cart and promptly proceeded down the aisle. Sara took her father’s arm and they moved to stand in the doorway. Someone handed her a beautiful bouquet of white roses. The scent swirled around her.
This was too much like for real.
The morning light shone just above the treetops, giving the space a celestial feel. The place was everything she would have dreamed of for a wedding. The rest of the party stood at the end of the aisle flanked by dark wooden benches.
She and her father walked to the front to the sound of a harp.
Grant waited. Dressed in a dark tux with a crisp white shirt, he was Hollywood opening night debonair. The look on his face she would have called love if she hadn’t known better.
He stepped forward and offered her his hand.