An Act of Love

by Marion Ekholm

  Retaking her seat on the bed, Lindy curled her legs under her. “I know all about it. Denny told me. You and Rick had a thing back in college. Now you’re engaged to Brant, and Rick wants you back.”

  Marley could only watch in shocked dismay. The moment she thought of something to say, Lindy started on a new tangent that left Marley speechless. Finally, Lindy caught her breath and sat back, as though waiting for an explanation.

  “How did Denny know?”

  “Oh, Rick told him. He was so shocked to find out Denny was marrying the sister—me,” Lindy said, pointing to herself, “of his college girlfriend. He said you didn’t, you know. Well of course he’d say that.” She paused. “Did you?”

  “Did I what?” Marley got up and headed toward the bathroom. “You’re way off base, Lindy. Brant and I needed some time alone. He’s exhausted and wanted to take a nap.”

  Marley closed the door and blocked out further remarks. Was Brant jealous? That might explain...Marley let the thought die because he had no reason to be jealous. The engagement wasn’t real. Except it was becoming harder and harder to remember that.

  * * *

  MARLEY HAD DEBATED until the last minute whether to pick up Brant or leave him at the motel to stew. Not wanting to cause turmoil with her family, she opted to ignore his behavior. Why had he acted like such a jerk?

  Trying to figure him out was destroying her brain. Marley smashed her palm against the steering wheel. That was it. No more. She’d end this engagement. End this torture. She’d thrown out the jealous factor that Lindy had suggested. Marley’s opinion of Brant had been correct from the start. He was an arrogant know-it-all, and they had nothing in common. So what if he could knock her over with his kisses....

  When she pulled up to the motel a little before six, Brant came out as though he’d been waiting for her. He was dressed in another Western shirt in blue-and-white stripes, his black pants and boots. His dark hair appeared damp from a shower. Neither he nor Marley spoke when he got into the car, and they drove in silence to the Lutheran church. He was out of the car the moment she stopped and opening her door before she removed the key from the ignition.

  “I have one thing to say, Brant Westfield,” she stated quietly through clenched teeth as she got out of the car.

  “Only one?”

  “If it hadn’t been for your drunk act, no one would be angry with you.”

  “Richard’s the only one angry with me. If it hadn’t been for my drunk act, there wouldn’t be a wedding.” He walked swiftly toward the church entrance, not waiting for a reply.

  If only she hadn’t left her clothes in the motel room when she took off earlier. Keeping up with his long stride was difficult in the three-inch heels she’d had to borrow from her sister. Fortunately, they both wore the same size. All of a sudden she stopped and headed back to her car. “I have to get something,” she said more to herself than to Brant. The full skirt of the dress she’d borrowed, in shades of lavender and blue flowers, billowed in the wind, and she pushed it down. The weather was at its worst again, threatening rain. Just what they needed for a garden reception.

  Brant followed her.

  “What did you forget?”

  “A bouquet for the bride. Made up of all the ribbons from her shower gifts.” Marley climbed into the backseat and reached for the hodgepodge of color. Her skirt billowed once more, and she felt Brant’s hand putting it in place.

  “Nice,” he said as she backed out of the seat. “The bouquet,” he added, but the smile on his face was a little too wicked. Just how far had her skirt gone up?

  As they started for the church again, Marley asked, “What did you mean there wouldn’t be a wedding?”

  Brant stopped. He cleared his throat. “Richard had planned to party all night even though Denny wanted to be with his bride. Lindy was threatening to cancel. You think there’d be a wedding tomorrow if the party had continued through this morning?”

  “Richard sounded mad at you. He threatened to—”

  “The guy’s an idiot. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” He opened the door to the church. “Bachelor parties shouldn’t destroy the groom.”

  She was about to say more but held her comments as Lindy and Dennis met them in the vestibule. “Thanks for last night,” Dennis said, holding his hand out to shake Brant’s. “I’d have ended up in the hospital if you hadn’t intervened. How does the tux fit?”

  “How tall was the best man? The pants are about six inches too short.” Brant quickly added, “But it’s no problem if I can wear my black boots.” He pointed to his shoes.

  Dennis appeared confused. “Yeah, sure. That should work.” He glanced toward the altar. “I guess we should start. The minister is waiting for us.”

  Brant looked around, obviously puzzled. “Isn’t anyone else coming? I thought all your sisters and their husbands were in the wedding.”

  Lindy chuckled. “They’re with their kids at the restaurant. This is number five. They didn’t feel it was necessary to go through a rehearsal again.”

  Dennis gave Lindy a kiss and hug, whispering in her ear before heading toward the altar. Brant was about to follow him when Lindy caught his sleeve.

  “Don’t you think you should...?” She nodded toward Marley.

  “Sure.” Brant walked back and took Marley in his arms. She expected a peck on the cheek after their squabbles, but he kissed her with the same fervor as previously. “Am I forgiven?” he murmured, still holding her close, “for being an idiot?”

  He planted a kiss on her nose before following Dennis.

  “I like him,” Lindy said. “So does Denny.”

  So do I, Marley thought. And she didn’t want to, not when she knew nothing could come of their time together except eventual heartache. They were too different, poles apart.

  Lindy and Marley watched the group of men as the minister directed their positions. A commotion had started between Dennis and Richard, but the women weren’t able to hear any of it. After several indistinguishable words, Brant moved and Richard took his spot.

  “Who’s the best man?” Marley asked.

  “It’s forever changing. Denny wanted his army buddy, then gave it to Rick when Larry couldn’t get leave. Then when Brant arrived, we figured it would be better to pair you two—maid of honor and best man. It seems Rick has it again.” She poked Marley. “You don’t think they’ll end up fighting, do you?”

  Marley shuddered. She certainly hoped not. But something niggled at her. Why had Dennis thanked Brant for last night? It made no sense.

  “You’re up next,” Lindy said. She held the assorted ribbons, bows and trinkets to her nose and pretended to smell the bouquet.

  Marley glanced around. “Where’s Dad? Isn’t he giving you away?”

  “Sure, but he’s only walking me down the aisle. No big deal.”

  Despite Lindy’s blasé remark, Marley could sense the disappointment. “Right,” she said, mustering some false cheerfulness. “No big deal.”

  Without the help of music, Marley chose to walk the long aisle at a regular pace, all the while watching the four men watching her: the minister, a balding man about her father’s age; Dennis, a tall, handsome copy of his brother; Richard, an Adonis with golden hair; and Brant. Her heart skipped a beat when she gazed at him.

  Biting on her lower lip to avoid smiling, she focused on the altar. When she got to her spot, she turned to see her sister and noticed that only the minister and Denny observed the bride. Richard and Brant both kept their eyes on Marley. She made it a point not to look at them again and almost missed accepting the colorful bouquet when Lindy handed it to her.

  The minister began explaining the ceremony and asked if either the bride or groom had prepared their vows. They had but, in embarrassed whispers, said they’d prefer to wait until the actual wed
ding. “Be sure and practice,” the minister cautioned. “Though I can always step in with the usual if there’s any problem.”

  Finally, the minister said, “Now is when you kiss the bride.” Denny picked Lindy up off her feet and kissed her just as Richard took Marley’s arm. For a moment, she had a panic attack, thinking he planned to kiss her, too, but instead he followed the bride and groom down the aisle. What would she do if he had kissed her? What would Brant do? She could hear his breathing behind them; he was that close.

  “Mind?” Brant said as he caught up with them and took her other arm, attempting to disengage her from Richard. “I’m going to renegotiate this best man business with the groom. I’m the one who will be walking my fiancée down the aisle.”

  “You will not,” Richard said, successfully halting the three of them at the entrance to the vestibule. “Denny’s my brother. You don’t even know him. How can you give the toast? Yeah, right. How can you give a toast when you won’t even be able to drink it?”

  Dennis stepped between them. “Stop this right now. You’re getting Lindy upset.” He glanced from one man to the other. “Work this out between the two of you. If you can’t, you can both stay out of the wedding party.” With that final announcement, he escorted Lindy to the car.

  Totally frustrated, Marley clenched her hands and tried to control her temper. What had happened to Brant? Why had he become this possessive, this horrible...jerk?

  Brant faced Richard. “Mind giving us a moment? I’d like a word with my fiancée.”

  Richard nodded. “Sure. Take your time. We can settle our problem at the restaurant.”

  When Richard was out of earshot, she said to Brant, “You’re an idiot.”

  Brant started to laugh.

  “It’s not funny. Whenever Richard’s around, you act irrational.”

  Brant sighed and blew air through his teeth. “You’re right. I want to poke his eyes out for looking at you, knock his teeth out for smiling at you and break his arm when he touches you. But I don’t.” He raised his hands. “I keep my hands to myself.” He paused before adding, “And act like an idiot.”

  “Lindy thinks you’re jealous.”

  “Oh, is that what it’s called?” He reached for her hand. “Come on,” he said, leading her to a cement bench outside the church. “Let’s talk this over.”

  He sat on one side, and she sat on the opposite. “Have we backtracked? You won’t come near me again?”

  Marley wanted so much to be close to him, but she didn’t know how to say it and could only sit staring at a blade of grass that hadn’t been mowed. He had been the one to initiate physical contact. If only he would hold her, kiss her. She wanted to feel that euphoria again.

  He sighed. “If you want to break the engagement off now, it’s perfect timing. Everyone will accept the fact that we’ve argued, split up and you’re free. You can go off with Ricky-boy and live happily ever after.” Brant got up and started for the car.

  “I didn’t—”

  He turned. “Or you can be engaged to me for real and marry me.”

  Marley gripped the edge of the bench until her hands hurt. “You’re crazy. You’re making me crazy.” She got up and considered running for her car. Instead, she sat down again. “You’re right. We should break off the engagement. Here’s your ring.” Without looking at Brant, Marley slipped it from her finger and held it out to him. After a long hesitation, he took it.

  “What about the wedding? Should I still be in it?”

  “Of course. We can’t upset Lindy and Denny. I need to get my things from the motel. I’ll stay with my mother.”

  “Fine,” he said without emotion. “Drop me off at the motel.”

  They drove in silence. Marley’s mind was in turmoil. How could she face her family and tell them the engagement was off? Why was the engagement off? The whirlwind Brant created had gripped her somehow and turned everything upside down.

  After she’d gathered her things at the motel, she asked, “You’re coming to tonight’s dinner, aren’t you?”

  Brant shook his head, still not looking at her. “No. I’ll let you handle that one. Pick me up before the wedding tomorrow.”

  Marley started for the door and stopped. “Why did we break up?” she asked. She felt shell-shocked. “I mean, everything was going right along. I don’t understand.”

  Brant walked over and wrapped his hands on either side of her face. “I love you, Marley. When you and your friend created this crazy engagement, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven.” He brushed his lips against hers and continued to circle her jaw with his thumbs.

  Marley listened in a daze, spellbound by his soothing voice, his gentle touch.

  “Then that ring fiasco...it had to be kismet.” He dropped his hands to her shoulders and drew her against him. Marley closed her eyes and tuned into the joy she felt in his arms. “I want to marry you. I want you to have our children—ten beautiful daughters we can raise together.”

  Marley’s eyes flew open, and she stiffened, yet didn’t push away. “What are you talking about?”

  “If we go back to being engaged, I want it for real.” They stood there for a long time in each other’s arms while Marley tried to think. She couldn’t. Marriage? For real?

  “Aren’t you going to say anything?” He drew a deep breath before asking, “Or do you still want Richard?”

  Hearing the name, pronounced correctly for a change without any overtones, brought her back to awareness. She pushed against Brant’s arms to give herself some space. “Why are you and Lindy throwing Richard at me like I have to choose between you? I liked you better drunk than I ever liked Richard sober.” She paused. That didn’t sound right. “I mean—”

  “I know exactly what you mean,” he said, grinning.

  She kept her distance when he tried to pull her back into his embrace. “You can wipe that smile off your face. Our lives are resting on this decision, and I won’t be forced into making it this minute. If you want to marry me, Brant Westfield, you better...” All her gusto left and she collapsed against him. “Are you serious? Do you really want to marry me?”

  “Oh, Marley, if it were possible,” he said, pressing her to him, “I’d make it a double wedding tomorrow in front of all your family and friends.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  MARLEY MOVED OUT of the embrace. “Brant, I can’t agree. It’s too soon. You prefer not to waste time...and you know how you feel and what you want, right from the start. But I’m not like that. In the short time I’ve known you, everything’s changed. I had this idea about who you were, and you aren’t this person. I don’t know the real you.” When he came closer, Marley held out her hand and said, “Don’t you kiss me. Trying to think straight is hard enough without you—”

  He put a finger on her lips. “Let’s make this simple.” From his pants pocket, he extracted a ring loosely tied with a pink ribbon. “We’ll stay with the fake engagement, and you can wear this ring.” He reached for her hand and put the ring on her finger. “And I’ll give you the real one when you agree to be my wife.”

  Marley shook her head. “No, you have to return the other one when you get back to Phoenix.”

  “No, I’m saving it for you.”

  “But it’s too—”

  “Marley, I can afford it. Like I said, despite what you originally thought, I’m not on the skids.” He put his arm around her and pointed her in the opposite direction. “We stay with the original plan. Let’s go. I can’t wait to meet your whole family.” He opened the door and ushered her out, leaving all her things behind.

  * * *

  THEY ENTERED THE crowded ballroom, where a band provided by the restaurant played. After Marley introduced Brant to the rest of her sisters, she and Brant mingled before getting food from the buffet. Marley’s sisters
made a point of teasing Brant, an indication that they liked him, and her brothers-in-law talked hunting and fishing.

  After eating, Brant left her to visit with the grandchildren, who were seated at a smaller table, and he talked to them for several minutes while she talked to her parents. Since her mother seemed so happy and content, thanks to her ex-husband’s return, Marley decided to make peace.

  “It’s a wonderful party, Mom.” She turned to her father. “And I’m glad you could be here to share it with us.” He wrapped her in a warm embrace, the first she could ever remember receiving from him.

  “Thank you,” he said.

  Her mother dabbed at her eyes and smiled at her tearfully. “Yes, thank you.” Before continuing, Nora looked at Red as though asking permission. He gave the faintest nod, and she turned back to Marley. “We’re getting married again.” Quickly she added, “Don’t say anything. We plan to tell everyone tomorrow at the wedding.”

  Marley made a supreme effort to control her thoughts and not say something she might regret. After a slight hesitation, Marley said, “I wish you the best.” She left to find Brant. She needed to get away and focus on something other than the sickening feeling of remorse that gripped her.

  “Are you all right?” he asked when she joined him.

  Wanting to put her mother’s announcement out of her mind, she said, “I’m fine.” She glanced around the large ballroom, and spied Dennis. “Come on,” she said. “I want to talk with my future brother-in-law.”

  Dennis greeted them with an easy grin, but it changed to a scowl when she asked, “Why are you grateful to Brant for last night?” She heard Brant clear his throat, and she pivoted to see him nodding at Dennis.

  “Well.” Dennis kept his eyes on Brant. “He showed me what to drink, how to make it look as though I was drinking the real stuff.” He relaxed and turned his attention to Marley. “I didn’t want to get drunk—I didn’t even want to be there. I wanted to be with my Lindy, and Brant said he’d make it possible.” Dennis started to smile. “And he did. He can act crazy.”