A Change of Plans

by Donna K. Weaver

  The reporter on the screen said, “For those of you just joining this special report, a Coast Guard cutter found a damaged homemade outrigger limping its way to Pago Pago a couple of hours ago.”

  Dizziness overwhelmed me, and my knees went weak. Jack’s strong hands grabbed my shoulders. Elle and the others, including Olivia and her camera crew, hurried to join us.

  I gripped Jack’s cold hand, suddenly afraid. What if it wasn’t them? Had anyone else gone missing we didn’t know about? Were my hopes being raised only to be dashed? I didn’t know if I could take it. I couldn’t breathe and began to gasp for air.

  “You’re okay. You’re going to be fine,” Jori whispered to me. “Take a slow, deep breath. Come on.”

  I gripped his hand with my free one and did as he said, forcing in the air.

  “That’s it.” He held my hand.

  I jerked my head back to the screen when the reporter said, “I’m seeing more movement on deck. Yes, some figures are coming to the gangway. They have blankets around them, so it must be the rescued men. We should be able to speak to them soon.”

  In the dark shadows, I couldn’t make out any details. Why didn’t the idiot reporter just announce their names? My throat tightened. Were Moli and Isaac in the crowd? Or were they home asleep in their beds?

  The first of the three shrouded figures reached the pier. A very tall shrouded figure. The reporter approached, the light from his camera glaring. The man raised his hand against the brilliance.

  “Braedon!” I cried out, jumping to my feet and reaching for the screen, my hand shaking. The shadows under his eyes made his face appear gaunt, almost ghost-like. I’d had so many dreams like this. While I had never dreamed this scenario, it would fit the theme. Was I imagining everything?

  “I need to get word to my wife and family.” Braedon pleaded. “Can you get hold of Lyn? Tell her we’re alive.”

  “This way, Mr. Randolph.” Two men came between him and the reporter. The camera turned to Lua and Etano. They were alive too.

  My heart thrashed inside my chest. I wanted to believe what I saw so badly but couldn’t trust the image or the words. Then the people in the audience, who had been quiet as their eyes had darted between me and the screen, cheered, jumping up and hugging each other.

  Only when I glanced at the others—Jack with tears running down his face, Aislinn and D’Arcy, Elle and Mal, all crying and clutching each other—did I finally believe it. Jack hugged me and hurried off to grab Aislinn.

  “He’s alive!” Jori grabbed my shoulders, his face bright with happiness. “You need to go to him.”

  Yes. I had to get to American Samoa. Dazed, I turned to Olivia, who was approaching us, her eyes glittering. “I’m so sorry, Olivia.” I edged toward the exit. “I have to leave.”

  Jack seized my arm. “Wait a minute. Where are you going?”

  What an idiot. “American Samoa.”

  I could almost see the wheels turning in Olivia’s mind. “How are you going to get there?”

  Another idiot. What was wrong with these people? “Fly.” I took a step toward the exit.

  “I have a private plane,” she offered.

  I edged a little farther. “So do we.”

  Disconcerted, she glanced at Jack for confirmation. He nodded but added, “I wouldn’t take it on that long a flight, though, Lyn.”

  Irritation flashed through me. Were they trying to keep me from Braedon? “Then I’ll go commercial.”

  “I have a plane that can be in the air in less than two hours,” Olivia offered again. “Plus, I can smooth the way for you to get to him quicker. All you have to do is allow me to come with you and film your reunion.”

  “Let’s go.” I turned toward the door.

  “Wait!” she laughed. “Is there anyone else who should come with you?”

  “Everyone here with me now.” I looked at Jack, feeling bad Emily and the boys would have to stay behind because of the calving.

  Jori shook his head. “This is your time. I’ll be here when you bring him home.”

  “Right.” I hugged him and turned back to Olivia. “Six of us then, unless Aislinn and D’Arcy want to bring Kate.”

  “I can’t go.” Elle touched her big belly, her disappointment apparent. “I’m too close to my due date. Mal and I will watch Kate; the four of you go.”

  “Four then,” I confirmed to Olivia, hugged Elle, and almost ran out of the studio.

  FOR MONTHS, I had felt like I was living in a nightmare. Now I found myself in a dream I desperately wanted to be real.

  The next two chaotic hours flew past as we quickly packed our things.

  On the plane, Olivia took advantage of the euphoria to grill me about my time on the island, this time focusing on Braedon. Where before she had gone easy with her questions for fear of bringing up difficult memories, she now sought the deep emotions of what I had been through.

  Afterward, I managed to doze despite my agitated mind. When I woke, all the others in the cabin slept except Aislinn. “How much longer?” I asked.

  She checked her watch. “Maybe an hour.”

  A thrill raced up my spine. An hour. Sixty minutes and I would see Braedon. I tapped my fingernails on my armrest and forced myself to breathe normally.

  The others slowly woke up as well, and Olivia went to the back of the plane to freshen up.

  I did the same once she had finished, changing into a summer shift. Aislinn came in and helped me straighten my hair. She pulled out a few strands to hang loose around my face, which gave it a softer look. I even had some curves again, not to mention the little roundness of my normally flat stomach.

  The captain called over the speaker that it was time to take our seats and put on our seatbelts. As we descended, Aislinn clasped my hand. Jack reached over and placed his hand over ours.

  Olivia began to interview me again. Her questions were all about how I had felt when I thought Braedon was dead, how I had managed to get on without him, and what I thought as we approached the airport.

  HER STAFF had arranged a private room at the airport for our meeting. We had seen the news before we left New York and knew reporters were already following Braedon. I didn’t want to see him again in front of a huge audience. My wish for privacy worked in Olivia’s favor as well.

  It felt like an eternity for the plane to taxi to the terminal. When it finally came to a stop, I ripped off my seatbelt and dashed to the door, Aislinn and Jack not far behind me.

  I wanted to scream at the steward to hurry as I waited for him to open the door. If I had known how, I would have done it myself. As soon as there was enough room, I squeezed through the opening and tore down the ramp.

  I stumbled and clutched my stomach, forcing myself to slow down, fearing a tumble. In the distance, through a small window, I could see the fuzzy outline of people moving on the other side. My eyes burned. Braedon was on the other side of that door. I reached my hand to the knob, but my fingers shook so badly I couldn’t get it to turn.

  CHAPTER 35

  A SHRIEK OF frustration swelled in my chest. A hand reached from behind me and pulled my fingers away. “Let me do it,” Jack said. “At this rate you’ll never get to him.”

  I let Jack open the door for me. My perception of time slowed as Braedon turned toward the sound of the opening door. For a second I stood frozen in place, examining him head-to-toe. He had trimmed his hair and shaved, the hollows in his cheeks more pronounced without his beard.

  Our eyes met, and his face lit up. In two long strides, he swept me into his arms and pulled me close, kissing my forehead, my wet cheeks, and, finally, my mouth.

  I clung to him, remembering the feel of his arms around me, the way I fit against him, the sound of his breath as he buried his face in the hair at my neck. I listened to the beating of his heart. He was alive. Really alive.

  After what seemed like an eternity, he pulled back and searched my face, looking me up and down. I placed his hand on the small bulge of my s
tomach. “You’re going to be a daddy.”

  His eyes widened as his palm cupped the tiny mound. A little fiercely, he kissed me again, and we clung to each other.

  Finally, we saw teary-eyed Aislinn, who waited to be noticed. I motioned her to join us, and Braedon pulled her into our hug. After a long embrace, she stepped back so he could put both arms around me again, but she kept her hand on his shoulder as though she too feared he would disappear again.

  Jack stood just out of reach, so I leaned over and grabbed his sleeve. He hesitated a moment, but Braedon threw his arms around him, and Jack gripped him back, tears running down his face. With my arm around Aislinn, I sobbed.

  Olivia and her staff stayed in the background and filmed. When I spotted Lua and Etano, I dragged Braedon over to them and threw my arms around the grinning boys and their parents.

  “Olivia! You’ve got to meet everyone.” I waved her over.

  Once they were talking, Braedon and I slipped over to a couch where he pulled me on his lap. He embraced me, one hand resting on my belly. I laid my head on his shoulder, savoring the moment. “What happened?” I finally asked.

  “We took a big wave and it did a lot of damage—and Lua was injured. You should have seen him and Etano. They were incredible, even with Lua’s broken arm. We ended up on a slip of an island with a few trees and no fresh water. If not for the monsoons, we’d have died.” Braedon shook his head. “A tiny cave gave us a little shelter from the worst of the storms, but we couldn’t keep a fire going.”

  Braedon nuzzled my neck. “Our island seems like a five-star hotel by comparison. We couldn’t do much more than repair the outrigger until Lua’s arm healed, and by then the worst of the monsoons were on us. We had to sit there and wait until we thought we had a chance to make it back home.” Braedon looked up at me, his hand caressing my cheek. “We thought we were the only survivors until the Coast Guard found us.”

  “I know the feeling,” I said softly.

  Olivia allowed us a few minutes alone before it was time to depart. She had made arrangements with a friend for us to use a secure vacation home on the island.

  Once inside a car, Braedon pulled me close. I couldn’t keep from touching his cheeks. It had been so long since I had seen him without a beard.

  “I’ve got a surprise planned for you when we get there,” he whispered.

  “How did you have time to plan a surprise?”

  “I have connections.” He glanced at Olivia, who smirked, trying unsuccessfully to look innocent.

  I wanted to press him about it but decided to let him have his little secret.

  “How did you end up at my dad’s house?” Braedon asked. “I thought you’d go home to Colorado.”

  I explained about my parents and brother. “They had me declared dead. I didn’t have anywhere to go.”

  Aislinn, who sat on Braedon’s other side, leaned forward to glare at me.

  Hastily, I added, “I didn’t have anywhere in Colorado to go. Aislinn and Elle both offered to let me stay with them, and I did for the first few weeks I was back. But I had things to do.”

  Braedon raised his eyebrows. “Like what?”

  I stroked his smooth cheek, going over the hollow indentation. “Like visit Colorado and then Texas, just like we always planned.”

  “How did that go?”

  I told him about my visits. “But I ate something at Maria’s grandmother’s that I thought gave me food poisoning.” I giggled. “I went to Montana after Texas.”

  Braedon chuckled. “Is that when you threw up on my father?”

  I choked. “How did you know that?”

  “Elle.”

  Olivia twisted around from the front seat and touched my knee. “I’d like to hear about that, but another time. We’re here.”

  We drove through a security gate and up to a lovely house with wide porches and large windows. Giving Braedon all my attention, I barely noticed the servants who carried our luggage inside.

  A young woman escorted us to our room. I stepped in, but Braedon stayed at the door. “I’ll see you downstairs.”

  “What?” I whirled around.

  “My surprise.” He grinned, kissing me lightly, and left.

  How could he leave me again? I was about to follow him when Aislinn appeared in the doorway. Pushing me back into the room, she shut the door. “We’ve got to get you ready.” She went to the closet and pulled out a garment bag.

  “Ready for what?”

  Aislinn’s eyes twinkled. “For your wedding.”

  My heart melted. “You guys arranged a wedding?”

  “Olivia’s people did it. Mal used some of his connections to get a hold of Braedon to let him know we’d be coming. Braedon was adamant he wanted this done first thing.”

  “But what about Elle and Emily and the boys?” I asked as Aislinn unzipped the bag.

  “Olivia’s staff has arranged a satellite feed, and everyone will be able to watch it, even Marc.” Aislinn handed me a robe and a towel. “There will be two-way video, so you can see them too.” She pulled my hair up into a shower cap and turned me toward the bathroom. “Go take a quick shower. We don’t have much time.”

  When I stepped out of the shower, I called, “Don’t we need a license?”

  “Braedon wasn’t kidding when he said he had connections. One of his college roommates is the nephew of a local judge. A call to him and we didn’t have to worry about a thing. The uncle arranged for a special license you’ll sign tonight before the ceremony—he’ll be here as a witness.”

  I put the underwear on Aislinn had left on the counter for me. “But what am I going to wear?”

  From behind me, Aislinn commanded, “Close your eyes and don’t turn around. Just raise your arms.”

  She slid something soft and silky over my head and turned me toward the full-length mirror.

  “Elle helped Braedon pick it out. Luckily, a local shop had what he wanted.”

  I stared at the white creation. It reminded me a lot of the gray dress I had worn the night before Hawaii. My heart fluttered at the thought of Braedon somewhere in the house getting ready too.

  After a single sharp knock on the door, one of Olivia’s staff came in with a case of makeup. She worked on my face for a few minutes and then stepped back for me to see the result. My face looked natural but somehow softer.

  The woman left, and Aislinn followed her out, pausing at the door. She eyed me sternly. “Wait here for five minutes. Don’t you dare come out a moment sooner.”

  Five minutes. I paced, and my imagination went into overdrive. What if it had been just a dream? What if I woke up when I went out the door? No, that couldn’t happen. Even my darkest side couldn’t be that cruel. I rubbed my shaking hands over my stomach, trying to console myself with the thought of the baby. I checked the clock.

  Three minutes.

  What was Elle thinking, stuck back in New York? And poor Kate. She would be so disappointed to once again miss out on being the flower girl. I would find a way to make it up to her. I peeked at the clock.

  Two minutes.

  I couldn’t take this. Had they made arrangements for Emily and the boys? I imagined them gathered in the big living room, watching us on the television. I wished they could be here with us. Would Jori be linked in? I looked at the clock again.

  One minute!

  The blood pulsed at my temples, and my hands were wet with perspiration. I wiped them off on a small hand towel and did a final check of my hair and dress. Glancing at the clock, I waited anxiously for the last seconds to pass. I took a deep breath and opened the door.

  Braedon stood before me in a white tuxedo jacket and black slacks, leaning against the opposite wall, messing with his cufflinks ... just as he had that night before Hawaii. He looked up and one of his slow, appreciative smiles grew across his face, the kind that made me feel warm all over.

  “The first time I waited outside your door dressed in a tux, I frightened you away,” he said, his v
oice soft. “It didn’t even occur to me until just now that perhaps I should have asked you to marry me again. I’ve been presumptuous. Have I scared you away again?”

  The pain in my heart was exquisite; I almost couldn’t breathe. I drank in the look of him and then launched myself into his arms. “Not likely.” I didn’t care the least if I ruffled my dress, hair, or lipstick.

  Breathless, he pushed me from him, keeping his hands on my shoulders. “So will you marry me, again, my Gwendolyn?”

  I stroked his face, running my hands down his smooth cheeks. “Oh, yes.”

  Braedon kissed me one more time and then touched my mouth, tidying my lipstick. I wiped the color from his lips. He linked my arm with his, and we descended the stairs.

  When we came into view, everyone turned toward us and became quiet. Emotion swelled within me as I looked at the people we loved gathered before us.

  Braedon whispered, “Lua and Etano are my groomsmen.”

  “Good choice.” I squeezed his arm.

  A Samoan in a minister’s garb stood smiling before a fountain. Olivia waited off to the side, her eyes gleaming and a satisfied smile on her face.

  Before the minister began the ceremony, Olivia’s staff turned on the connections with the families in New York, Montana, and the Middle East. Including Jori, dressed in a black tuxedo.

  Braedon said softly, “Jori’s my best man.”

  “Perfect.” I sniffed and blinked my eyes. I needed to get control of my emotions or I would end up a blubbering mess.

  The connection to Montana went live. Their eyes latched onto Braedon first, and Owen cried, “Dude, you’re really alive! Awesome!”

  Ethan, standing beside his brother, did a mock double take of me, whistled, and exclaimed, “Woo hoo, Lyn. You lookin’ fine!” He then eyed Braedon and shouted, “You better make it official quick, Bray! I’m thinking I could get interested in older women!”