As they approached the library, Kat’s breath caught in her throat. The historic brick building with its stately white columns would be considered eye-catching on any occasion, but tonight, with votive candles lining the stone steps and greenery arched above the double doors, it looked enchanting.
“Madam,” Colt drawled in a cheesy British accent, offering Kat the crook of his elbow.
Clinging to his other arm, Penny smirked in amusement before mentioning, “The stone steps get a little icy at night.”
Kat gratefully accepted the offer, not wanting to risk breaking an ankle in her three-inch heels.
Not for the first time that evening, she wondered if Jack would be there. Although it seemed silly, she hoped he would get to see her all dressed up. The floor-length vintage gown in the softest red velvet fit her frame as though it had been tailor-made to suit her exact measurements. And Penny had managed to tame her wild mane into silky waves that cascaded around her shoulders.
A rush of warm air collided with the evening chill as they crossed the threshold into the lobby. More votive candles guided them toward the back room, which housed first editions and special hardback collections. It was by far the most impressive space in the entire library, with its ornate marble fireplace, tall bay windows, and crystal chandelier.
Tonight, two people would be joined together in marriage before a few dozen of their closest friends and family. And Kat still couldn’t believe she got to be a part of the magical evening.
As they entered the room, soft, romantic lighting and soothing classical music greeted them.
Wooden folding chairs faced the marble fireplace, arranged to create an aisle down the middle. There were no wedding decorations to speak of, but they were hardly needed. The room itself, composed of polished mahogany shelves filled with the most exquisitely bound books, boasted enough beauty on its own.
Slipping out of her kelly-green coat, she draped it over one arm, sensing all eyes turn on her as they moved down the rows of folding chairs.
She smiled, recognizing the couple from the inn, and returned their friendly wave.
But one gaze in particular made her heart stand still.
The affection and admiration in Jack’s eyes couldn’t be missed, and his glance was at once smoldering and scintillatingly sweet.
Her skin tingled all the way to her toes, and she nearly tripped over the ivory aisle runner.
“We’re in that row, up there,” Penny whispered, pointing to where Jack sat, drinking her in with his gaze.
Her throat went dry. She’d have to sit beside him for the entire ceremony? How would she concentrate?
She curled her fingers into her palm, recalling the sensation of his hand wrapped around hers the night they went caroling. There was something so life-giving in his touch. It made her feel like anything was possible.
Even a miracle.
If Jack hadn’t already been sitting down, he would have toppled over at the sight of Kat.
Her dress clung to every curve with an effortless ease he found unbelievably distracting. And her fiery red hair shimmered in the subdued lighting, tempting him to run his fingers through the silky waves.
Heat crept up his neck and he shook the thoughts aside as she slid onto the seat beside him, followed by Penny and Colt.
“Hi,” she murmured, her lips curled into a shy smile.
“Hi,” he croaked in return. He still couldn’t believe she was there, sitting next to him. He’d longed to invite her but also wanted to respect Frank and Beverly’s request to keep the gathering small and intimate, since neither one enjoyed the spotlight. But he should’ve known she’d come with Penny. And he couldn’t be happier about it.
“You look…” he began hoarsely, but words failed him.
“Thank you.” Her cheeks flushed a pretty pink tinge. “So do you.”
“You mean, this old thing?” He flashed a rueful grin, running a hand down the lapel of his navy suit. Lucy had bought it for him, claiming the color enhanced the blue of his eyes. Of course, he didn’t care about that, but he did appreciate that the material was buttery smooth and he could move his arms without feeling like they were encased in cardboard.
Her smile broadened, as though his playful humor set her at ease. At least, he liked to think that was the reason. But what would calm his racing heartbeat? At any moment, it was bound to burst right out of his rib cage.
Sitting so close to her in such a romantic setting while not being about to drape his arm around her shoulders or lace his fingers through hers would be akin to torture.
All throughout the ceremony, his attention wandered to daydreams of him and Kat standing in Frank and Beverly’s place one day. Perhaps it was the ambiance or the surge of emotions, but as he watched two people he cared deeply about proclaim their love for one another, the idea of marriage seemed more and more appealing—and increasingly possible.
But as the vision of their wedding played out in his mind, he was struck by a sobering realization. He couldn’t imagine a ceremony without his family present—all of his family.
He pushed the thought aside, trying to focus on Frank and Beverly as they joined hands, ready to exchange their vows.
Frank—dapper in a charcoal-gray wool suit and Sinatra-inspired fedora—cleared his throat, his nerves evident by the visible tremor in his fingers.
“I’m not one for fancy words,” he began, his voice gravelly. “Or maybe it’s like that Mr. Knightly says in your favorite book, ‘If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.’”
At that, Beverly smiled, touched by the quote from Jane Austen’s Emma.
“Either way,” he continued, “it’s difficult to explain how I went from being a crotchety old Scrooge who’d run out of hope to the happiest man alive, getting married right before Christmas. I guess miracles really do happen.”
Everyone chuckled, and Frank’s nerves seemed to settle. “I can’t promise I’ll never grumble again or sneak a cup of regular coffee when I’m supposed to have decaf. And I may still fall asleep at the end of every Columbo episode and ask you how he solved the crime.”
More snickers, and this time, Beverly joined in, her sweet, lilting laugh rising above the rest.
“But I can promise,” Frank added with conviction, “that I’ll love you more the next day than the one before. And whenever you count your wrinkles and gray hairs, lamenting your lost youth, I’ll remind you that Grace Kelly in her prime couldn’t hold a candle to your beauty, even now.”
Beverly blushed beneath his ardent gaze, and as Jack considered the two lovebirds, each well beyond his years, he didn’t doubt Frank believed every word.
In Frank’s eyes, his bride—dressed in a simple yet elegant ivory dress, her dove-white hair twisted on top of her head—was the most beautiful woman in existence.
Jack stole a sideways glance at Kat, admiring each graceful line of her profile. He could relate to Frank’s sentiments because he had never glimpsed a more stunning woman, inside and out.
She’d captured his heart with her compassion and kindness—qualities that far surpassed any physical characteristic, although her beauty was unparalleled. And as he sat beside her, the intimacy of the moment provided such startling clarity, he couldn’t deny the truth even if he’d wanted to.
He loved Kat Bennet.
The kind of love that stirred his soul and inspired him to be a better man.
He stole another glance in her direction, this time catching her eye. The heat from her gaze seared through his skin and he almost lost himself in the moment when Frank cleared his throat again.
“When all is said and done,” Frank said, his voice thick and husky, “you might be getting the raw end of this deal. But what do you say, Bevy? Will you be my wife ’til we’re seated at the big coffee shop in the sky?”
“With all my heart, yes,” she murmured, her pale blue eyes glistening. “I knew the moment we first met at last year’s Christmas Eve dance that you were someone special, Frank Barrie. Right away, I could tell you were as sweet as a Cadbury egg. You may have had a hard outer shell, but you were soft on the inside.”
This time, Frank flushed, but more pleased than embarrassed.
“I was a widow for so long, I never expected to find this kind of love again. Once is a blessing. But twice? I didn’t dare hope. And yet, standing here today, at the grand old age of—” She paused. “Well, not nineteen.”
Soft laughter sprinkled around the room.
“You make me feel like a blushing bride again—young and carefree, but also safe and deeply known. That kind of love is worth holding on to, no matter the obstacles.”
Jack felt Kat shift by his side. She stared into her lap, blinking hard. He would have given anything to know what she was thinking at that moment.
“We’ve had a bumpy road getting here, but I would do it all again, a million times over, if it meant being your wife until the Lord brings us home.”
As Beverly concluded her vows, and Pastor Bellman pronounced them husband and wife, the room erupted in cheers and applause as the newlyweds kissed.
They exited to “You Make Me Feel So Young” by Frank Sinatra, leading the guests into the lobby of the library for the simple hors d’oeuvre reception.
Kat stood, preparing to follow Penny and Colt, but Jack gently grabbed her elbow.
Her eyes wide and questioning, she turned to face him.
Suddenly nervous, he gathered a breath. “I was wondering… how do you feel about wassailing?”