by Rebeca Seitz
The men’s hungry to hear her. She met their gazes, letting them see this need that burned in her.
“How I wish, oh, how I wish someone would care.”
And then her eyes traveled to the corner of the room— and stopped cold.
Darin stood there, and unless this light played tricks on her, those were tears snaking down his cheeks.
She finished the song, then walked the three steps over to Joe and whispered in his ear. Joe nodded and put his hands back on the keyboard as Kendra stepped back to the mike.
“I want to thank y’all for listening to me tonight. You might have guessed that I’ve lived a lot of these songs.” The crowd murmured their appreciation, and she tilted her head. “I’ve just got one more, and then I’ll let you all enjoy the sounds of Joe Frazier on the piano for a while.”
She inclined her head to Joe, and he played.
There’s somebody I’m longing to see.
I hope that he turns out to be
Someone to watch over me.
She didn’t close her eyes this time but stared at Darin. He needed to see this. Needed to know what he had thrown away. What he had lashed out at. What he had tossed aside so he could get even. What he wouldn’t listen to her say that day when she stood on his doorstep and begged.
She smiled.
Although he may not be the man
Some girls think of
As handsome …
Darin chuckled in the back, and she let herself enjoy that while she sang on about this man who carried the key to her heart. When she sang her desire for him to put on some speed, Darin began walking to the front of the room, and she struggled to breathe deeply enough to finish the song.
He took his time, weaving through a crowd that had completely stopped dancing to listen to this final song. By the time he reached the middle of the room, people began to notice this man making a beeline for the singer. They made room for him, watching the two of them as he shortened the distance between them.
Kendra didn’t hide a thing. She let it all out, put everything on the line, and prayed it would be enough. While Joe played the last few notes, Darin took three easy strides and gathered her in his arms.
His eyes bore into hers, and his arms felt warm and safe around her. “I love you, Kendra Sinclair.”
“Oh, Darin.” The tears she’d held at bay through three hours of soulful blues spilled over. “I love you, too.”
Epilogue
ONE WEEK LATER Kendra stood in the bride’s chamber of Grace Church, one hand on her pale-gold-draped hip and the other firmly grasping a bouquet of gardenias and purple hyacinth.
“Tandy Sinclair, you’re going to be late to your own wedding. Come on, quit fussing with that veil, and let’s get this show on the road.”
Tandy grinned at her and stood up from the dressing table. Her strapless white wedding gown encased her body like a glove as she walked over to Kendra. “You’re just in a hurry to see your man.”
Kendra rolled her eyes and wiggled her toes in her shoes. “I’m in a hurry to get these shoes off and have some fun.”
“She’s got a point there, T,” Meg piped up. “These dresses are great, but the shoes are murder.”
“Suck it up, sisters.” Tandy tilted her chin in the air and strode to the door. “Today’s my wedding day.”
“How that equates to poor shoe choice is anyone’s guess,” Joy muttered, falling into line behind them.
Kendra gathered Tandy’s train in her hands. “Okay, sis, let’s rock and roll.”
Tandy opened the doors and walked through the foyer to the closed sanctuary entrance. Daddy came over to greet her, and Kendra saw him whisk a tear off his cheek.
“You look lovely, Tandy.”
“Thanks, Daddy. I wish Momma could be here for this.”
Daddy offered her his arm. “Me, too, darling.”
Kendra heard the opener for “At Last” and stepped around Tandy. “Excuse me. That’s my cue.” She glanced back and winked at her sister. “I love you, T.”
“Back at ya, sis.” Tandy winked back, and Kendra stepped through the doors of Grace Church’s sanctuary. It looked like every resident of Stars Hill packed the pews of the little country church.
Kendra let her gaze roam over them, then looked to the altar and saw Darin’s eyes on her.
From the look on his face, he appreciated Tandy’s choice of dress. He beamed at her, and she grinned back. Who knew? Maybe the next time she walked this aisle, it would be to meet him at the end.
She slid her eyes a few feet over to Clay, who looked as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a roomful of rockers. Without a guitar in his hand, Clay didn’t love being in front of a crowd. This must be really hard for him. Kendra gave him a sympathetic glance and, reaching the end of the aisle, turned left and took her place on the stage.
Meg was a few feet behind her, pale shoulders gleaming in the morning light that lit up the stained-glass windows. Joy followed along, her black hair shining in the sunshine as well.
When Joy had finished her last two steps, the music changed to a playful rendition of Vivaldi’s “Spring,”and in came James and Savannah. James walked like a little soldier, his tiny shoulders stiff, back ramrod straight, and eyes intent on the ring pillow in his chubby hands. Kendra stifled a giggle and watched as Savannah threw rose petals at people instead of onto the floor. By the time she’d reached the end of the aisle, the place was full of good-natured titters.
Then the time-honored notes of “The Wedding March” sounded, and the people rose as one, turning to behold the bride’s entrance.
Kendra held her breath as the doors opened and Daddy and Tandy stepped through. Tandy radiated joy, her face glowing with happiness. Kendra risked a quick look to Darin and caught him watching her. He tilted his head toward Tandy and raised an eyebrow.
What does that mean?
Kendra trained her eyes back on her sister. Time enough later to find out.
She listened as Tandy pledged to love, honor, and cherish Clay for the rest of her life. She teared up when Clay pledged the same to her sister. Harrison and Lorena had done this once …
She shook her head. Her past mistakes would not mar the perfection of this day.
Reaching up to wipe away a tear, she again caught Darin looking at her. He smiled, and she knew he knew what she was thinking. She smiled back, then watched Tandy and Clay bow their heads while Daddy prayed over them.
“We ask Your blessings, Father, on this union of two of Your children. Let their days be long together and full of joy in You. Give them patience and peace, understanding and grace, as they reflect to the world a love You created. In Your son’s precious name, amen.”
Daddy raised his head and addressed the congregation. “It is my pleasure to present to you, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Clay Kelner.”
A cheer went up from the crowd as Clay kissed his new bride. Kendra laughed with joy, so very grateful that her sister had found this love.
* * *
THIRTY MINUTES LATER, with shoes kicked into a corner and toes wiggling free, Kendra took a sip of fruity punch and tapped her knife to her glass.
The crowd hushed and Kendra stood, ready to make her maid-of-honor speech.
“Six months ago I welcomed my sister home and thanked God for her visit. A week after that, I prayed she’d be gone before she could fall back in love with this scoundrel.”
She waited while the crowd laughed.
“But seeing them today, I’m amazed at the love two people can share.” She looked at her sister. “You are a fabulous woman and an awesome sister to me, Tandy. We’ve seen each other through a whole lot of years and yearnings and fights and laughs. I don’t know what kind of woman I would be if I didn’t have you in my life the past two decades, but I do know this: I would have been a lesser person for it. Your love is a balm to my soul and a strength to my days.”
She looked at Clay. “And I’m trusting you to take care of this lady I love. W
atching you today, seeing that love in your eyes for her,” she took a breath, “I’m grateful my sister is loved so much.”
Clay nodded, then stood and hugged Kendra while the crowd clapped their approval. She sat back down and took a calming drink, battling back the lump in her throat.
Darin leaned over and put his hand on hers. “That was beautiful.”
“Thanks.”
“I know it’s hard for you. Letting her go.”
Kendra closed her eyes a moment, then opened them to meet his. “It is.”
He stood and offered her his hand. “Come take a walk with me.”
“Um, we’re kind of in the middle of a brunch here?”
“I don’t think they’ll miss us for a few minutes. Come on. Just a short little walk.”
She watched his eyes twinkle and pushed her chair back. Taking his hand, Kendra followed Darin out of the fellowship hall and into the church courtyard.
A breeze rustled the trees, and she took in their blazing golds and oranges. The deep tones contrasted with the whisper-soft blue of a new sky.
Darin motioned for her to sit on a bench, and she did. He sat beside her, and his eyes were so earnest, so completely focused on her, that she lost all interest in the trees.
“Kendra, I am so sorry for what I did to you.”
She put her fingers over his mouth. “Shh. We’ve been over that. We both did dumb things. We’re both sorry, and we’re both going to let it go, right?”
He pulled her hand down from his mouth and held it. “Right.”
“So no more talking about it. What’s done is done. It’s over.”
He kissed her palm and said, “The thing is, we’re both going to mess up again.”
“Hey, I have no plans for further mistakes, mister.”
He grinned. “Of course you don’t. I don’t either. Nobody plans to mess up. They just do. I’m going to say or do something that hurts you, and you’re going to say or do something that hurts me.” He shrugged. “That’s part of living in this fallen world. We don’t get it right all the time.”
“Well, this sounds like a really rosy future. Thanks so much for setting the scene. Glad I could be a part of the ride. Should I get off now?”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Whenever we do the next dumb thing, I want you to know that I’m not going anywhere. I’m not getting off this ride. Ever.”
“What?” Her eyes opened wide, and her heart pounded in her ears. “What are you saying?”
In a daze she watched him slide off the bench and go down on one knee, crinkling the fallen leaves lying on the ground. Hope, so long dead in her life, rose up and cheered.
“I’m saying, I’m not ever leaving you. And I hope you’re not ever leaving me, even when I do dumb, hurtful things. I’m saying … I’m asking … Kendra Diane Sinclair, will you marry me?”
Kendra looked full into this face that had dominated her thoughts and dreams and heart since the first day she laid eyes on it. She thought about the good times and the dark, dark times. She remembered his face the day he learned about Harrison. And then looked at it again today, so full of unconditional love, she felt she’d die from its purity.
Even if they spent the rest of their days fighting—which was unlikely, given the past few months—she’d rather be fighting with him than at peace with anyone else. No matter what, she wanted to be by his side, living their lives together, listening to jazz, laughing about nothing and talking about everything. Happiness didn’t—couldn’t—exist outside of this man’s presence in her life.
That knowledge opened not just her heart but her lips. “Yes, Darin.” She leaned down to him, drinking in the perfect artful beauty of this day. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
His grin grew and he took her face in his hands, long fingers gently grasping her skin.
“I love you, Darin Spenser.”
“I love you, future Mrs. Darin Spenser.”
And Kendra melted into him, knowing it wouldn’t be a perfect happily ever after, but it would be a real happily ever after. And that was even better.