by Eliza Ellis
The other couples shared a laugh. Drew quickly released Kat and stepped away. Kat caught her hands behind her back and kept her gaze averted from Drew.
“You two don’t have to act like you don’t know each other,” the instructor harped while laughing. “Just recognize when the music stops. I’d like to teach you and the rest of the class another step. Would you care to join us?”
Drew and Kat nodded, and Drew stepped toward Kat. “Sorry,” he whispered.
“No worries. I wasn’t paying attention either.”
After the instructor showed them how to do the foxtrot, Drew fumbled around with Kat for a little bit until he was able to smooth out his strides.
“What do you mean ‘owe her’?” he asked again.
“Hmm?”
“You said I owe my fiancée.”
“I just meant that…you may feel obligated, that’s all.”
“Obligated to do what?”
Kat met his gaze and slowly answered, “Stay with her?”
He didn’t respond right away, the truth of her words piercing to a tender spot in his heart he hadn’t felt in a long time. Certainly not one he’d allowed anyone to touch. Maybe he did need to see a therapist again. Seeing one had been helpful after Zache’s death when guilt had overwhelmed him.
Is that why he agreed to continue his relationship with Parker? Knowing he would have to move to London? When she inevitably earned the position of CEO, would that mean another move back to Boston and staying for good? What if she were recruited by another company? They would move elsewhere, and he’d never see the home he had wanted to build in a small town.
Maybe he was being unrealistic. This was the twenty-first century. Women had high-demanding careers, and children were raised by nannies all the time. He would be home; he could raise the kids and work on his business at the same time. Not all family values had to line up for a marriage to work, right? Nor did they have to be a priority for them to raise kids.
Did he believe any of that?
“You think that’s why I’m staying? I owe her this because of what she’s been able to do with my company?”
“Is that what she said?”
“No,” he hissed. “Because she’s not like that. She cares about my career just like I care about hers.”
Kat sucked in her lips and nodded. “Sorry I mentioned it then.”
“Besides you don’t know me—not anymore. You don’t know what I’ve been through.”
Her hand tightened around his own. “Tell me. What have you been through?” Her eyes entreated him. “Make me understand why you look so…torn and less than the happiest man on earth.”
His eyes searched her face. Is that what she saw when she looked at him? Did Parker see the same? If Parker did, she had never said.
Drew closed his eyes. “Kat,” he said in a frustrated breath and then stepped on her toes. “Oh, I’m sorry.” He tried to let go of her, but she held fast to his hand and her arm gripped his bicep.
“Don’t let me go. I want to be here. Keep going. I’m right there with you.” She closed the gap and urged him on with a squeeze of her hands.
Drew took a deep breath, internally counted the beats to the music, and started again.
After a few rotations, he felt calmer. “Parker was there when no one else was. She was there when I…”
“When you what?”
“A friend of mine—in Afghanistan—took my place on a mission and died because of it.”
Kat inhaled sharply. Her eyes closed, and she shook her head. “Oh, Drew…”
“The first year afterwards was hard for me. I don’t think I would be here today if it wasn’t for her. I was in a really dark hole, Kat. I couldn’t see my way out of it. Zache and I had grown up together in Guam and Germany. He didn’t get to live his life because…”
His therapist had told him to stop finishing that sentence. If he had kept blaming himself, he never would’ve gotten out of the hole—and he didn’t want to go back in.
She nodded. “I understand,” she said softly. She gazed up at him, moisture filling her eyes.
“I don’t want your pity.”
“I don’t. I don’t pity you.” Again her hands squeezed him, and she came in closer. “I’m proud of you. I’m proud you fought through those feelings. I’m proud you chose to stay. The world would be that much more bleak if it lost both of you so soon. And I’m grateful I got to see you again,” she ended in a whisper.
He looked away, his own eyes burning with tears behind them. He cleared his throat and continued. “Her generosity has really helped the company. We were able to get other investors, and now we’re self-sufficient.”
“Okay. You don’t feel obligated. You don’t owe her anything.”
“Yeah, well, I kind of do.”
Her brows made a V shape. “What do you owe her?”
Making things work with her? Being as supportive as he could of her career goals—and he had always been. “She’s been really stressed lately, and I want to be there for her.”
“You are. You’re taking dance lessons.”
He smirked. “I’m going to murder her feet.”
“No, you won’t. Just don’t talk any heavy subjects when she’s in your arms.”
“Done. Thanks for the advice.”
She smiled tenderly. “I’m really happy for you, Drew. I’m glad your business is thriving and that…that you’re back and you’re going to live here. Even though I’m sure we won’t see each other very much.”
“You planning on going anywhere?”
She shrugged. “Maybe. I lost the space. The one I showed you the other day? Marcus bought it.”
Drew shook his head. “That guy… He’s like a piranha.”
“I might try going elsewhere… Maybe find an apprenticeship somewhere and increase my skills.”
“What about Parker’s offer to work for her?”
Her face shadowed in pain. “After what happened yesterday, I figured it’s probably best that I not hang around after the wedding.”
His heart went cold inside his chest. He understood why she’d feel that way. It hadn’t been easy patching things up with Parker, although getting the news about the promotion did a lot to save their engagement. She’d gone from mad to elated. If she hadn’t received the notice right then, Drew was certain he wouldn’t be dancing with Kat now.
His gaze drifted to her neckline. He felt that she actually did have half his heart, and Parker the other half.
He tried to stop the rush of the chill from traveling down his spine. The feeling was uncomfortable, seeping into his stomach and causing it to clench uncontrollably. Kat was right: she shouldn’t be around Parker or him after the wedding.
He had never strayed before, and he didn’t want to start now.
Chapter 14
K at checked her phone for messages and got a terse one from Susie. Kat cringed as she read it.
I’m not sure why I had to hear from him that you hadn’t submitted anything to the state judges. Are you trying not to bring in business? So I took care of it for you.
Kat put a hand over her eyes and sighed.
“What is it, Kat?” her mother asked from behind the wheel.
Mary had roped Kat into helping the reenactment society today. Something about reliving the battle of Wilson Creek from the Civil War. Kat didn’t have to be a soldier, but she did have to play the part of a bride for a short reenactment ceremony of an 1860s-style wedding. Apparently, the bride had come down with something at the last minute, and Mary offered Kat as a substitute.
“How would that work, seeing how I’m not exactly white?” Kat had asked her mother with a raised brow.
Mary had waved a dismissive hand. “Nobody will care about that. Muriel is in charge of that part of the reenactment, and she asked for you specifically.”
“Oh, boy. What is she up to?”
“Who says she’s up to anything?”
Kat had laughed at her mother�
��s terrible display of false innocence. “Muriel is exactly the mastermind type. She’s always scheming about something.”
“Well, this time she’s scheming to get someone to replace the bride because she had to eat some bad sushi the night before a major reenactment ceremony. How inconsiderate.”
Kat couldn’t get anything else out of her mother for the rest of the night. Even now, her mother wouldn’t explain. Kat locked her phone. “Oh, nothing. Susie’s mad I forgot to enter the statewide baking competition.”
“Is that the one where that famous chef tries a select few recipes and then the winner gets to—what, be on his show?”
Kat nodded. “That’s the one.”
“Wouldn’t you want to be on his show?”
Kat bit her lip and considered. Her plans of getting her own bakery were denied at every turn. Perhaps she should try other means of being recognized. Maybe that type of publicity would bring in more business and allow her to branch out.
“I guess so. I’ve been…preoccupied.”
“Drew, isn’t it?” Her mother glanced at her. “I understand. To have him show up and then be engaged to Parker. How are you handling it?”
It’s a good thing her mother hadn’t heard about her almost-kiss with Drew. There were a few gossipy patrons in the shop that morning, enjoying their regular tea and scone. They knew her mother.
Kat sat up straighter. “There’s nothing to handle. I’m happy for them both. They’re both my friends.”
“Hmm…”
“What? What’s that ‘hmm’ for? Shouldn’t I be happy for my friends?”
“Sure. You should also go after what you want. I know I didn’t teach you girls to do that so it probably doesn’t come naturally, but you’re young and talented.”
Kat squeezed her mom’s arm. “Thanks, Mom. That means a lot to me.”
“You were always the sweetest and most sensitive of my girls. You’re not like Keke or Kori, but that’s okay. You don’t have to be like either of them to get what you want. You just do it your way.”
Kat nodded and wiped at the tears in her eyes. She had wrestled with her own self-worth compared to her sisters. She still wasn’t completely sure, but both her mother and Susie couldn’t be wrong.
“Also, you shouldn’t forget to enter contests, and you…you shouldn’t let your friend have the man you want.”
Kat gasped. “Mom! I’d be a homewrecker. Is that what you want me to do? To be a homewrecker? Would you be one?”
She harrumphed. “You’re not a homewrecker until there’s an actual home. Doesn’t sound like Drew and Parker are getting to the altar any time soon.”
Kat sucked in her lips so she wouldn’t laugh. No, her mother wouldn’t want her to be a homewrecker, although she would’ve had a good reason to be one herself. Her recently deceased husband hadn’t been the kindest man to her or Kat and her sisters. His death had unfortunately been a relief to all three and most of all to his wife.
“But…if I had the chance to do it all again…” Her mom sighed, and a ghost of a smile appeared. “I’d take the chance. I’d go after Steven and not let Elnora have him.”
Kat sat agape. “Who is Steven?” she whispered.
“Don’t mind me.”
“Oh no, Mom. You don’t get to drop that kind of a bombshell and not follow it up. Who is Steven? Tell me!”
“Aren’t you bossy?” She let out a wistful sigh. “Steven is the first boy I ever kissed. My…soulmate, if they exist.”
They definitely existed, if you asked Kat. Drew was hers. She knew it from the time they met, although she didn’t understand what was behind her desire to be with him all the time.
“Soulmate? Mom! Tell me more. What happened?”
She frowned. “Steven wanted to be with me, I think, but…he was dating Elnora at the time.”
Kat’s hands flew to her mouth. “You mean to tell me you were stealing Steven away from Elnora while they were dating?”
Her mom’s face turned stern. “No! It…it was one kiss. A moment of weakness.”
Kat cocked a brow. “Or a stolen moment of desire?”
“What are you, a romance writer?”
Kat laughed loudly. “Tell me more! Why didn’t he leave Elnora? Probably because he was an idiot, right? Men are…men are idiots.”
Mary sighed. “Yes, they are. Steven was wild talking about us being together, but I was so torn up with guilt over our kiss—Elnora was one of my best friends—that I told him no and…and then I met your father not long after.”
Kat sat in silence.
“Your father was quite a charmer, and I was besotted almost immediately.” Her voice sounded sad.
“Do you regret your decision?” Kat whispered. “Telling Steven no? Not going after him?”
“Every day of my life,” her mother said softly. “I don’t regret having you and your sisters, don’t mistake me. But…I regret not marrying for the love I knew existed. I regret not giving you three the father you deserved. I regret lost happiness.”
A tear slipped down her cheek, and Kat wiped it away. “Thanks, sweetie. Anyway”—she wiped her other cheek—“I say all that to say that you have to go after what you want. If people get hurt in the process, then…well…” She shrugged.
Kat figured her mother now no longer cared about her relationship with Elnora. Kat had never heard the woman’s name before today. “You and Elnora aren’t still friends?”
“No. Not after high school. I heard Steven married her and they moved away. I…I always did wonder if he regretted his choice. Probably not.”
Kat rubbed her mom’s arm. “Why would you say that? I think he would’ve regretted losing you.”
She shook her head. “That’s nice of you, Kat. You were always my sweet one. I don’t think he would’ve liked who I’ve become.”
Kat’s blood heated. Gregory Kaye continued to leave his mark even in death. “That wasn’t entirely your fault.”
“No, but enough of it was.” She looked quickly at her daughter before her gaze went back to the road. “That’s why I want you to fight for what you want. If you want that bakery, then go for it—again. If you want your man, then…”
“Steal him from Parker?” Kat sputtered a laugh. Her mother was right; she was too sweet of a girl to do that.
“Eh.” She shrugged. “Maybe that’s more Parker’s style.”
Now that was true.
They turned onto a dirt road alongside an open field. Kat noticed the Civil War trail sign that marked important sites in many of the states. For another mile or so, they traveled the bumpy road until they saw a large number of cars parked off to the side in a cleared area.
“This is it! We’ll have to meet up with Muriel so she can tell you what to do.”
“Will I have to get dressed up?”
“Of course you will.” Mary gave her daughter a don’t-you-know-what-a-reenactment-is look. “You have to play the part.”
“What was an 1860s wedding like?”
Her mother smiled. “Aren’t you lucky you get to find out?”
Kat narrowed her eyes. “Now I know you’re in on it.”
Mary’s own eyes widened. “In on what?”
“Ugh!” Kat exited the vehicle with a huff.
She and her mother walked through the rough parking lot and met with other period-dressed people who were standing in a line to check in. Kat traveled to and from the registration booth with boxes of treats she had prepared the previous evening while practicing different recipes.
Muriel rushed up to them, her petite frame swallowed by her own period costume of a dress with a massive skirt, ruffled bodice, and large sleeves. “Oh, good. You’re here. I was hoping your mother could convince you to come. Let me take you back to meet the groom. You know him, of course.”
“I do?”
Were they setting her up with some other guy she knew? Kat’s heart sank with the weight of awkwardness. She was done with men. After Marcus and then Drew, i
t would be a long time before she was ready to put her heart out there again.
Muriel took her hand, and soon they stood in front of a large tent. “This is the changing area for those without costumes or who didn’t bother to put theirs on before coming. Space is limited, so you may have to double up with a few of the other girls. Let’s get you into the dress first, and then I’ll let you know what you have to do.”
Muriel shoved aside the flap, and they entered the tent. She called to someone who dragged Kat into a small changing area. Soon, Kat stared at herself in a small standup mirror. She looked glamorous, 1860s-style. A simple, dark blue with gold trim cotton dress with a dusting of lace at the high-neck collar, simple long bell sleeves that ended in lace that graced her wrists, a wide belt that cinched her waist, and a not-too-puffy petticoat beneath the skirt to fill out the dress.
“Isn’t this supposed to be a reenactment?” a blondish girl said from across the tent. “I said I’d be happy to play the part of the bride so it’s factually accurate.”
“If you don’t shut your trap, you’ll be playing the part of a nurse who gets shot on the battlefield from a stray bullet,” Muriel snapped. “I’m in charge here, and I get to say who plays the bride.”
Kat’s gaze volleyed from Muriel to the girl who stood with her arms crossed. “Look, I understand that this is a reenactment and things should be factual. Muriel, I don’t mind—”
“Well, I do. Let’s go meet the groom.”
She marched out of the tent. Kat held her head high but ignored her nemesis who started chatting with the girls next to her.
“Drew! Your bride is here.”
And it all made sense why the other girl felt Kat was out of place. Muriel had wanted Kat to play opposite her grandson. Kat shook her head. Her mother had to be in on it. It would explain her advice to steal Drew from Parker. Acting in a fake marriage would be the perfect inspiration.
Drew turned, and Kat caught her breath. He wasn’t dressed in a tux, but he certainly knew how to wear the style of the 1860s. Kat allowed her eyes to drift down over his athletic body. Hugged at the arms was a well-fitting dark jacket garnished with brass-colored buttons, and across his thighs were pants that were a teeny bit too tight for him. She raised her eyes slowly, taking in every inch of him. She heard her own breath and clamped her mouth shut.