“Katie, tesoro. Isn’t this exciting?” she whispered.
When the crowd quieted, they all turned to see Liz standing at the end of the aisle. She looked beautiful with her hair pulled up in a twist and small diamond earrings twinkling with the light from the setting sun. Her pretty white dress had layer upon layer of tulle at the skirt and fine beading around the neckline, topped with a wide, red satin sash at her waist. She caught Katie’s eye and smiled before the wedding coordinator positioned her for her walk up the aisle.
A piano began to play in the background, and Chase took Katie’s hand. Daniel appeared in his assigned place next to the minister, while Tony seated himself on the corner chair, waiting to present the rings. When given her cue, Liz walked down the aisle, sprinkling red rose petals. The guests stood and waited with bated breath for Gina to appear. An audible gasp went through the crowd when they had their first glimpse of the beautiful bride.
Gina’s long hair was pulled back into a sleek style with a diamond clip that held a short veil in place. She wore a satin A-line dress with a beaded lace halter top. The front of the skirt was split to reveal more beaded lace, and the fabric fell to the floor with a short train that trailed behind her. What was most fascinating and completely stunning was the red sash that wrapped around her waist, its tails cascading down the back. Gina glowed, and the love that radiated off her for Daniel was almost too intimate to witness.
The happy couple recited the vows they had written for one another, and Katie misted up. The magnificence of the backdrop coupled with the loving ceremony made the event one of the most beautiful she had ever attended. The minister pronounced them husband and wife, and Daniel swept Gina into his arms, dipping her backward before planting a hearty kiss on her lips, earning a round of applause from the guests.
Chase held Katie back when the others exited the patio. The kids wanted to take off to explore the grounds, but Mia corralled them and told them they could play after the pictures were taken.
“It was a beautiful ceremony,” Katie said to Chase.
The last chords of the piano came to a close. “It’s about time,” he said with a laugh.
Most of the guests had moved into the restaurant where the reception was to be held. Chase turned toward Katie, his eyes filled with a longing she had seen many times over the past few weeks.
“Katie, I—”
Chase was interrupted by Tony tearing down the aisle. “Dad! Dad! Aunt Gina said you better get your . . . um . . .” Tony paused, trying to find a word that wouldn’t get him into trouble. “Um . . . she said you needed to hurry up.”
With a sigh, Chase stood, bringing Katie with him. They joined the family on the cliff’s edge where they had gathered. It took about an hour to get everyone arranged for the pictures Gina wanted. It was cute to watch while she and Daniel fooled around, and the photographer was able to capture their silly moments together.
They finally made it into the reception, where the party was already in full swing. The dance floor was crowded with people vying for the attention of the happy couple.
Chase held out his hand to Katie. “Come with me?”
She placed her hand in his, and he led her past all the guests and out through a side door that led back to the patio. The chairs had been cleared away, and soft white lights twinkled in the surrounding trees. The sound of the band floated out from the reception when Chase pulled her into his arms.
His fingers caressed her back while he twirled her around the stone floor. Katie wasn’t much of a dancer, but with Chase it seemed effortless. His warm breath teased her neck when he began to sing softly with the band, and his arm tightened around her waist.
“I need to tell you what’s been in my heart for a while, but the timing never seemed right,” he whispered against her ear. “I love you, Katie.”
His simple declaration sent her heart racing, and tears formed in her eyes.
“Oh, Chase. It feels like I’ve loved you forever.”
“I love you,” he repeated, as if he couldn’t say it enough. His fingers wrapped around the back of her neck, her arms tightened around his, and he kissed her. When he pulled away, Chase rested his forehead against hers, and she opened her eyes to find him staring at her with a burning intensity.
“Let’s get out of here,” he said, coaxing her toward the exit. “I’ll see if my mom can bring the kids home so we can have some time to ourselves.”
At their table, Chase leaned down to whisper in Mia’s ear. She was happy to bring the children home, so Chase moved over to Liz.
“Katie and I are going to head home early. You and the boys will catch a ride home with Nona so you can stay longer. Is that all right?” Liz nodded and pulled him down so she could whisper in his ear. He smiled before kissing her cheek and giving her a wink.
“Are you ready?” he asked Katie before he threaded her arm through his. When she agreed, he pulled her over to say goodbye to Gina and Daniel.
“You look beautiful,” Chase told his sister when he leaned over the table and kissed her cheek. Gina glowed at his compliment. “We’re taking off, but Mom’s going to keep the kids.”
“Of course.” Gina gave Katie a little wink.
Chase held Katie’s hand when he helped her into the car. They talked about the wedding while they drove north back toward Carmel. When they passed a beautifully landscaped restaurant called Rocky Point, Katie made a comment about wanting to try it someday.
Chase stiffened beside her.
“Do you mind if I turn on the radio?” she asked, hoping music might distract him from whatever seemed to be bothering him. He turned to her and smiled, but she could tell something was wrong.
She flipped on the radio and skimmed through channels. Since they were so far out of range, the only stations were Spanish or country music, so she settled on a country station and heard him groan next to her.
“What?”
“You do know that I don’t like country music, right?”
“It’s time you broadened your horizons a bit,” she said as a Shania Twain song came on. “Besides, there are songs like this that are more easy listening than country.”
Katie relaxed in her seat and hummed along to the beautiful song when he wrenched his hand from hers and gripped the steering wheel. The distressed look on his face sent her into a panic.
“Are you okay?”
His knuckles turned white, and she started to worry she had said something wrong.
“Chase?” she asked when he didn’t respond.
He glanced over at her, and what she saw in his eyes startled her. She didn’t understand how he could go from teasing to terrified in a matter of seconds. Chase gasped for breath, and when he clutched his chest, she thought that he was having a heart attack. He still hadn’t answered her, and she began to panic.
“Pull over now!”
Chase managed to slow down, his breath coming in pants. Katie glanced in the side mirror, grateful that there wasn’t anyone behind them when he came to an almost complete stop in the middle of the road.
“Pull into the turn out.”
She pointed to the side of the road, and he inched the car forward until they were safely out of traffic. Chase didn’t look good. In a daze, he put the car into park, and Katie swung open her door and ran around to the driver’s side. She opened his door and leaned over him, grasping his face between her hands. His eyes were wide and his breathing erratic.
“Chase, honey. You’re scaring me. Please talk to me. What’s wrong?” Katie’s voice cracked.
She pulled his face closer, trying to get him to focus on her, but he stared vacantly back. Katie wondered how they hadn’t ended up going over the side of the cliff, considering how unresponsive he was.
“Chase, please.” A sob tore from her throat.
His eyes finally focused on her, and she took full advantage. “What’s wrong? Why are you like this?”
Chase’s eyes searched her face before his mouth parted, and he
uttered the one word she didn’t expect to hear.
“Terri.”
Chapter 24
Katie pulled Chase into her arms, and they tumbled to the ground beside the car. She sat down in the dirt overlooking the cliffs of Big Sur, indifferent to the state of her gown, and pressed his face into her chest. His voice was haunting and cold, nearly devoid of emotion, while he relived the unforgettable events of the night that changed his life.
~*~
Chase hurried home from work, glancing at the clock on the stereo while he sped down Highway 1. Terri wouldn’t be happy he was late. They had reservations at her favorite restaurant, so he pushed on the accelerator, and that was when he saw the red flashing lights behind him.
Damn.
Pulling over to the side of the road, he raked his fingers through his hair and slapped his hand on the steering wheel. The delay would make him even later than he had already been. He sent a quick text to Terri, begging for her forgiveness.
“License and registration, please.”
Chase handed the officer the required documents and drummed his fingers on the wheel, eager to get the whole thing over with. The officer pulled down his sunglasses and looked at Chase with a raised eyebrow.
“If you’re in a hurry, you shouldn’t have broken the law.” Chase bit back the nasty retort that came to mind. There wasn’t any reason to provoke the officer, and he’d keep Chase longer for giving him attitude.
“Do you know how fast you were going, Dr. O’Donnell?”
“No, but I’m sure you’ll enlighten me.”
“Nineteen miles over the speed limit. You’re lucky. Any faster and I’d have to haul your butt in for reckless driving.”
After a speech on the dangers of driving too fast, the officer handed Chase his ticket and let him go. Chase pulled back onto the highway and sighed when he glanced at the clock. There was no way they’d make it on time.
When he pulled into the driveway, Terri opened the garage. He knew it would take a lot of sweet-talking to stem her anger. She looked beautiful, even when she was irritated. Her blond hair was pulled up into a twist, and fine curls, artfully arranged, cascaded over her neck. Terri wore the emerald-green dress she knew he loved. Needing to smooth things over, he jumped out of his car and took her in his arms with an apology on his lips. She melted into his embrace, and he knew he’d been forgiven.
“Your shirt and jacket are lying on the bed. I was just on my way over to Gina’s to drop off the kids. I’ll be back in ten minutes. I’ve already called the restaurant to let them know we’re running late, so you’re off the hook—this time.”
Chase opened the passenger door and poked his head in, wanting to get his daily dose of adoration from his kids, who were fidgeting in their car seats.
“Daddy!” Liz held out her arms for a hug while he tried to maneuver into the backseat. Chase kissed her forehead while her fingers wrapped around his neck. She let go, and he leaned over and pecked Tony’s cheek, ruffling his son’s hair.
“Be good for Aunt Gina.” They both nodded. When Chase backed out of the car, he banged his head on the doorframe with a curse.
“That’s a bad word, Daddy,” Tony said. “Mama’s gonna wash your mouth out with soap.”
Chase glanced at his wife, who held back her laughter and gave him a chastising look that would have done his mother proud. He muttered his apologies, then shut the door and watched them pull out of the garage. No matter how many times he tried to talk Terri into buying a bigger car, she always ignored him.
Running upstairs, he changed into the black shirt, tie, and jacket she’d laid out then went to his top drawer for the gift he’d bought her for their anniversary. Slipping it into his pocket, he heard the front door open. He couldn’t help but smile, knowing Terri would love the gift.
“Are you ready?” she asked with a brilliant smile. Her sky-blue eyes danced with excitement when he came down the stairs.
“I’m always ready. I thought we could take the Shelby tonight. What do you think?” The 1967 Shelby GT was by far his favorite Mustang. Terri had owned it since before they were introduced. He always thought she should let him drive it and take the BMW, but she flat-out refused, insisting it should be saved for special occasions.
Her eyes lit up, and she nodded while her hand traced the lapel of his jacket. “You know how much I love it when a sexy, successful man drives a muscle car.”
Always the gentleman, Chase opened her door and helped her inside the car before making his way to the driver’s side. The trip down the Big Sur coast was beautiful while they watched the sun set. She told him about her day and the picture Liz had painted to hang on the refrigerator before she asked about his surgeries.
They arrived at the restaurant and pulled up to the valet. Chase tossed the keys to a wide-eyed boy who looked barely old enough to drive and rushed over to help his wife before the kid could get to the door. Terri’s dress rode up her thigh, and when she extended her leg to get out, he caught the boy gaping at her. Chase raised an eyebrow, and he snapped his mouth shut. Chuckling, Chase shook his head and took her arm.
“What?” she asked, looking down at her dress. “Do I have something on me? Toilet paper stuck to my shoe? Mac and cheese in my hair?”
Chase laughed and squeezed her hand. “None of the above. You’re perfect.”
She rolled her eyes. “Then why were you laughing?”
“Because you’re so beautiful, you left the valet speechless.”
“Oh please,” she said in disbelief.
The hostess sat them at a table that overlooked the ocean, and they enjoyed the silence while the moonlight danced across the water. Chase looked over to find Terri staring at him with a small smile.
“I still can’t believe that this hunky, college baseball star is my husband, even after ten years of marriage.”
Chase smiled and took her hand. “I love you. Happy anniversary.”
Kissing her hand, he placed the Tiffany box on the table in front of her. She let out a little squeal and snatched it up. Terri was a sucker for a shiny piece of jewelry, and it always amused him to watch her eyes light up like a child’s on Christmas Day. Chase released her hand. She popped open the lid, and her eyes widened.
“They’re beautiful.” She took out the pair of solitaire earrings with a little sigh. Unfastening her earrings, Terri slipped on the new ones and gave him a heart-stopping smile.
Dinner was nice, but he was anxious to get out of there. Only one thing was on his mind tonight, and sitting in a restaurant wasn’t it. When the waitress came over to ask if they wanted dessert, he answered in the negative, only to receive a small kick from his darling wife.
“What?”
“I would’ve liked the crème brûlée,” she said with a raised eyebrow.
“And I want Terri à la mode, so let’s get out of here. I’ll make you one later.”
“You? Cook? I think not.” She placed her napkin on the table with a wicked grin that made him do a mental fist pump. “But I’m all for being your dessert.”
The waitress could not return with the check quickly enough. In record time, they drove back onto the highway.
“Pull over at the next turn about,” Terri whispered.
“Whaaa? Why?”
“Humor me, please,” she said in an exasperated tone.
He growled, but did as she asked. Once he’d thrown the car in park, she pushed a CD into the player, and the sound of Shania Twain filled the car. Chase groaned and thumped his head onto the headrest while she shushed him.
“You know I hate country music,” he said, whining. Terri opened her door. “What are you doing?”
“Will you shut up and get out of the car?” she said with a laugh. “You, Mr. Control Freak, will not dictate this night.”
Terri walked to the edge of the dirt turnabout to look out over the cliff side. He dragged himself out of the car with a grumble and walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissin
g her cheek.
“I’m sorry, baby. Whatever you want, it’s yours.”
She turned in his arms as the song from their wedding started to play. “Then dance with me.” Her voice was a whisper.
Chase pulled her close and started to sway while he remembered their wedding day in the little church in San Francisco. Terri’s warm breath blew across his neck when she let out a sigh.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked.
“Babies,” she whispered.
Chase grinned like a fool. “And?” he asked when she didn’t say anything more. She lifted her head to look up at him, her eyes shining in the moonlight.
“I’m pregnant,” she whispered.
His shock turned into elation, and he picked her up in his arms and swung her around, making her throw back her head and laugh.
“Are you sure?” he asked, and she nodded in response. Chase set Terri on her feet, then dropped to his knees and held her hips in his hands, pressing a kiss to her flat stomach. “You’re going to be so loved,” he whispered to the little blessing that was growing inside his wife. The last time they’d talked about having another child, Terri had made it clear that her hands were full enough with the two they were already raising.
“I don’t want you to be overextended.” He looked up at her. “Maybe I can take an extra day off work to help out?”
She smiled. “I think that would be a wonderful idea.”
Chase stood, keeping his hands on her stomach while their lips met in a tender kiss.
She sighed when they broke apart. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” he answered, kissing her once more. Chase took her hand and helped her back into the car, then climbed in and pulled onto the road again.
“I’m going to be a father again,” he said, and she laughed at his obvious joy. When the song from their wedding turned into a fast, twangy number, he asked, “Now can we turn off the country music?”
She laughed and agreed.
When he reached for the radio, Terri sucked in a quick breath with a gasp. Chase’s eyes darted to the road, and he saw a flash of headlights in their lane. He swerved the car to the left, but it was too late. The crunching sound of metal against metal joined his wife’s high-pitched scream. It was the last thing he heard before his head slammed into the side window and everything went black.
Ready To Love Again Page 32