Despite the stormy weather, then three long, hard days of cleanup and repairs on the farm, the morning of Dad and Claudia’s wedding dawned clear.
Sunshine turned the morning dew into little glass droplets hanging from freshly cut blades of grass.
Jake stood barefoot on the back deck in shorts and a T-shirt drinking a hot cup of coffee and soaked in the solitude.
In an hour the place would be bustling with activity once Claudia, Tori and Annabeth arrived along with the rest of Claudia’s family, even though everyone had stayed late last night to put the finishing touches on the decorations.
Six round tables covered with white cloths and bright pink place mats and pots of flowers sat under a huge tent pitched between the two apple trees in the backyard. Strings of lights had been twined around the posts and paper lanterns in shades of pink hanging from the center of the canopy bounced in the morning breeze.
Tori planned to bring the rest of the flowers with her.
The thought of seeing her again...well, that warmed him faster than the coffee he’d been sipping.
The back door opened behind him. He turned as Dad stepped onto the deck, holding his mug. “Good morning.”
“Hey, Dad.”
“It’s a great day to get married.” Dad clinked his mug against Jake’s. “Thank God for second chances.”
“Nervous?”
“Nah. More like excited.” Dad grinned like Landon did when offered a cookie.
“You deserve it. I’m happy for you. It will be different to have a woman in the house again.”
“But the change will be good...for all of us.” Dad took another sip of coffee, then set his mug on the deck railing. “What about you? You’ve been spending a lot more time with Tori lately. By choice, may I add.”
“Considering the fund-raiser is next week, we’ve been working to get everything finished. She’s had a lot on her plate, especially with getting sick and the barn being destroyed, so I’m doing what I can to help out.”
“Is that the only reason?”
Jake considered his father’s question, not wanting to raise false hopes. “I think we’re heading into a better place with our relationship.”
“It’s about time you took charge of your own happiness. She’s a sweet girl. Keep the past where it belongs and focus on moving forward. You’re both young. Time has a way of granting wisdom, especially through tough life lessons.”
He knew that to be true.
“With everything going on, we haven’t had time to talk. Really talk.”
“Life’s always going to be busy, son. Make the time. If she’s the one, make her a priority and do what it takes to keep her.” Dad clapped him on the shoulder and reached for his mug. “Time to make this old farmer presentable for his bride.”
Jake followed Dad into the kitchen, rinsed their mugs and added them to the dishwasher. He headed upstairs to shower.
With Claudia moving in, the farmhouse wouldn’t be a bachelor pad any longer. He needed to think about getting his own place so she and Dad could have their privacy.
Problem was, short of building something, houses were in short supply on Holland Hill. And he had no intention of moving into town. He was meant for country living. Plus, there was the perk of rolling out of bed, throwing on clothes and heading to the barn. Leaving the hill wouldn’t allow that luxury.
After a quick shower and getting dressed, Jake stood in front of the open window as he buttoned his dress shirt. His gaze traveled across the barnyard and the adjoining pasture and settled on the roof of Tori’s house.
Having spent much of his childhood there when his grandparents were alive, Jake was very fond of the place. After Dennis and Claudia moved out, he should’ve placed an offer on the house. Then the mess of the past few months could’ve been avoided.
But then he wouldn’t have Tori back in his life.
Sure, seeing her at Claudia’s that first day had been a shock, but the more time they spent together, the less he liked being apart from her.
And finally admitting the truth to himself had loosened the choke hold of anger that had gripped him since he received those stinkin’ divorce papers.
She wasn’t the same girl he’d married. But he wasn’t the same guy either. Life had a way of maturing them into people who could face challenges together instead of running away when things got tough.
Perhaps Dad was right.
Maybe God had allowed things to happen the way they did to bring them back together. And maybe it was time to step out in faith and lay it all on the line.
What if she didn’t feel the same way?
What if he’d been misreading her?
What if he was setting himself up for more heartache?
What if he let fear hold him back and lost the only woman he’d ever loved...again?
Or what if he risked it all and got everything he’d been wanting for so long?
A quiet knock sounded on his door.
He strode barefoot across the room, quickly making work of the last buttons on his shirt, and opened the door to find Tori standing in the doorway wearing a bright pink sleeveless dress that brushed the tops of her knees and matching sandals with sparkly stones that added a couple of inches to her height. Her hair had been gathered in a side ponytail of curls that fell in front of her left shoulder. Cream and pink flowers had been pinned in her hair, the petals brushing her jaw.
He swallowed...more like gulped. “You look...amazing.”
A blush brightened her cheeks. “Thank you. You look dashing yourself.”
Jake glanced down at his untucked shirt opened at the throat and bare feet. “I’m not quite ready.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Her eyes roamed the length of him, then she gave him a coy smile. “You still look good. Sorry to interrupt but I need your help stashing my wedding present for Chuck and Claudia.”
“Sure, give me a minute to put on my socks and shoes, and I’ll give you a hand.”
“No need.” Tori turned away from the door and beckoned.
Jake grabbed his dress socks he’d tossed on his unmade bed. Then pulled the comforter up to the pillows in some semblance of order.
“Hey, big brother.”
Jake’s heart stuttered.
That voice...
He whipped around to find Evan...and Micah standing inside his bedroom.
His socks fell from his fingers. “What? How...?”
He walked toward them slowly and stretched out a hand, almost afraid to touch them for fear their presence wouldn’t be real.
Evan snagged his hand and jerked Jake to him, wrapping him in a tight one-armed hug.
Jake’s heart picked up speed as his chest shuddered. He squeezed his eyes against the rush of tears and tried to swallow past the knot in his throat. He wrapped an arm around Micah’s neck and pulled his baby brother into a hug.
Over their shoulders, his damp eyes tangled with Tori’s. He mouthed, “Thank you.”
She smiled, blew him a flirty kiss, then brushed away her own stray tear as she backed out of the room and closed the door.
He released his brothers and rubbed his eyes.
“Getting soft on us, bro?”
“Allergy season. What are you doing here? I mean, how did you get here? How did Tori pull this off?”
“She’s one amazing girl.” Evan, never one to sit still, prowled around Jake’s room. He grabbed a quarter from the mug of change Jake kept on his dresser and rolled the coin between his fingers. “She called a few weeks ago and asked for my help in reaching out to Micah.”
“I just talked to you the other day. You didn’t mention it.”
“She asked me not to. Said she wanted to surprise you, too. And she didn’t want to let you down again if it didn’t work out. Interesting choice of words, if you ask me. She’s the one you talked about, isn’t she?”
Jake glanced at the time and snapped his dress watch on his wrist, then tucked in his shirt. “Yes, she’s the one.”
“She’s hot.”
“Back off.” Jake shot Evan a dirty look as he sat on the edge of the bed and pulled on his socks.
Evan held up his hands. “No worries. I don’t take what’s not mine.”
Jake shoved his feet in his dress shoes, tied them quickly, then looked at Micah, who hadn’t said a word since entering his room. He stayed close to the door with his back pressed against the frame. His right sleeve hung limply at his side.
Etched lines had aged him, chasing away the boyish looks. His long hair had been cut but his dark beard couldn’t disguise the puckered scarring on the right side of his face.
“Micah, it’s good to see you, man. So good.”
“Yeah, you, too.”
More than anything Jake wanted to rewind time and go back to that night he’d fought with his brother, calling him irresponsible and reckless. “Listen...” His words trailed off. How did he even begin to apologize?
“Yeah, me, too.”
“We good?”
“Sure, why not?”
Someone rapped on the door, causing Micah to jump away from the frame. His eyes darted around the room as he crouched and raised his left hand into a fist.
Evan rested a hand on Micah’s shoulder. “Relax, man. You’re safe. It’s just someone at the door.”
Micah’s face blazed as he pushed to his feet.
Jake opened the door and found Tori again. “Chuck and Claudia are waiting in the living room wearing blindfolds. I said their surprise was too big for me to carry so I needed Jake’s help.”
“Where’s Tuck? Does he know they’re here?”
She nodded. “He picked them up from the airport last night. They stayed at my place.”
“They were just down the road?”
“Don’t be mad. Their flights were delayed so they got in late.”
Jake traced the frame of her face and smiled down at her. “I’m not mad.”
She reached for his hand and squeezed. “Good. Let’s get on with the surprise so Aunt C can finish getting ready. I have a feeling she’s going to need to repair her makeup.”
He followed Evan and Micah out of the room and reached for Tori’s hand. “I know you did this for Dad and Claudia, and two little words seem so insignificant, but thank you. I don’t know how you pulled this off, but I will never forget this.”
Tori’s smile widened. “Maybe we can find a quiet moment later to, you know, talk? Then I can tell you all about it.”
He threaded his fingers through hers. “I’d like that. There are some things I need to say.”
As she walked beside him down the hall, her small hand enveloped in his, Jake realized Dad’s life wasn’t the only one changing today.
Tori had done the impossible—bringing his family back together. He couldn’t ever repay her for such an incredible gift, but he could start by offering her a second chance at a new future together.
Dad was right—he needed to take charge of his own happiness, and that was going to happen today.
Tori wanted nothing more than to grab a pink lemonade cupcake, refill her coffee and find a quiet corner where she could catch her breath.
Scratch that. She wanted to close her eyes for a few minutes, then she’d eat her cupcake and drink her coffee in peace.
But that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon.
So she’d settle for grabbing a cupcake and finding a quiet spot to enjoy it.
Around her, music and laughter flowed like iced tea on a hot summer’s day. The scent of barbecue drifted down the table from where the catering staff was taking care of the leftovers.
The wedding had been beautiful. Both of Claudia’s sons had walked her down the aisle between rows of white chairs to where Chuck stood under the arch of apple tree branches. Tori, Claudia’s two daughters-in-law and Annabeth, all wearing different shades of pink, stood beside her as bridesmaids while Jake, Tucker, Evan and Micah stood with their dad. Olivia and Landon stole the show as flower girl and ring bearer as they elbowed each other to be the first ones down the aisle.
While Chuck and Claudia said their vows, Tori’s gaze tangled with Jake’s as she remembered reciting similar ones to him. Did he remember their tiny wedding at that little chapel nestled in the vineyard with the stained glass windows where they’d promised to love and cherish for as long as they both lived?
The country band Claudia and Chuck had chosen broke into a well-known line dance number, jerking her away from the memory. Ladies dressed in sundresses and skirts kicked off their heels and lined up next to men in jeans and dress shirts. They stomped, clapped and moved their feet in unison with a lot more rhythm and coordination than she had.
Tucker and Evan danced on each side of Claudia while Micah reclined next to Chuck, watching them. Annabeth stood on the tops of Jake’s feet as he held her tiny hands and danced in slow circles. She grinned up at him, and the look of love on his face about melted Tori’s heart. He lifted her in his arms, and she pressed a kiss to his cheek, then rested her head on his shoulder. Jake caught her eye and a slow smile spread across his face. Once the song ended, Annabeth twisted out of his arms and ran off to catch up with Olivia and Landon.
Jake refilled his iced tea, then wandered over to her. He rested a hand on the back of her chair. “Have I thanked you for what you’ve done for Dad and Claudia today?”
“About a dozen times.”
“Let’s make it a dozen and one, then. Thanks again for what you’ve done to bring our family back together. And for this party. If the fund-raiser is even a quarter good as this, then we’re golden.”
She lifted her chin, pulled up her shoulders and shot him a knowing look. About time he realized her abilities. “They’re two different events. This is a celebration. The other is to raise awareness and to gain donors to partner with your program.”
“Even so, it’s all happening because of you. You make things happen. It’s your superpower.”
“Does that mean I get a cape and some sort of high-tech signal to flash in the sky when my services are needed?”
“Some of the best superheroes don’t wear capes. When people tell me what a great party this is, I’ve been singing your praises.”
“That’s so sweet. I don’t know what to say except thank you.”
“Once the fund-raiser is over, I can pretty much guarantee your business calendar will be booked.”
Tori looked away. She needed to tell him about Sophie’s offer and the numerous texts that followed. But not now. Not here. And not today.
Today was about celebrating family.
So when?
She toyed with the fluted wrapper on the cupcake. Her decision depended on many things. Even though she was still living out of boxes, she had a house of her own that she loved. Annabeth had a yard where she could run and play. She loved being close to her aunt. And then there was Jake.
“Hey, you okay?” Jake bumped her shoulder lightly with his.
“What?” She looked up at him.
“I’ve been talking and realized you weren’t paying attention. Are you feeling okay?” The look of concern on his face nearly had her spilling everything.
She smothered a yawn she didn’t have to fake and waved away his words. “A little tired but I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”
Jake shoved his hands in his pockets and kicked at the grass with the toe of his dress shoe. A frown lined his forehead, then he looked at her. “I know this isn’t the best time or the right place, Tori, but the more I’m around you, the more I like worrying about you. I want to worry about you. Know what I’m saying?”
Tori’s heart quickened. She didn’t want to assume, but was Jake saying what she’d been waiting to hear?
She glanced down at the somewhat mangled cupcake in her hands. Pink frosting clung to her fingers. She set the dessert on the table and reached for a napkin.
“By your silence, I’m guessing you don’t.” A scowl laced his face as he downed the rest of his drink.
She focused on her sticky fingers and shook her head. “No, it’s not that. You just caught me off guard. We do need to talk. I have things I need to say but today’s not the time. Focus on your family. I’m not going anywhere.”
A grin replaced his scowl. He leaned over and wrapped his arms around her.
She clung to his broad shoulders, soaking in the security of his embrace, and breathed in the scent of his soap.
Jake brushed his lips over her ear, his breath warm against her skin. “Dance with me.”
She nodded, not trusting her voice. He took her hand, guided her through the maze of tables and pulled her into his arms. They fit together perfectly, as if the pairing had been decided long before either of them had been born.
As he drew her closer, she rested her cheek against his chest, his heartbeat a steady sound in her ear. His chin grazed the top of her head as they danced to a country ballad about eyes meeting.
Jake lowered his head and sang along, his voice for her ears only.
Closing her eyes, she breathed a sigh and committed to memory every move, every sound, every nuance that would remind her of this unforgettable moment.
The song ended but Jake was slow to release her. She turned her face up to look at him. He traced a finger down her cheekbone and across her jaw. He brushed a gentle kiss across her lips. Then he pulled her closer to his chest. “We need to talk. And soon. Lady, you’re driving me crazy.”
In a good way, she hoped.
Tears pricked her eyes. Finally, things were beginning to fall into place.
So why was she feeling so unsettled?