A Touch of Passion (boxed set romance bundle)

by Uvi Poznansky

  He shrugged. “What for? I wear my uniform every day. I used to own a couple of suits, but they got a little tight when I began working out at the gym after I moved here. We don’t exactly have too many big social events to attend, here in Crystal Rock.”

  Kate grinned. “Well – you really do look handsome. I see you even got a haircut. I think I like it better shorter like this.” Brushed back on top, his wavy ash-brown hair was layered neatly over his ears.

  “Yeah.” He grinned. “It was getting to be a little long and scraggly. I used to wear it like this when I was younger.”

  “No one’s gonna recognize you out of uniform.”

  He snorted, still squirming uncomfortably while his eyes searched the room. “So, did everything go alright yesterday, with your camera crew?”

  “Yeah. The interview went really well. It’s all pretty exciting. It was great that Dan was able to use his connections to get us this magazine spread.”

  “Well, he’s a successful journalist, now. Why, not?”

  Kate laughed. “That’s exactly what he said. Although, I think he was curious as to why I was finally interested in publicity, now. I never mentioned anything about our plan.”

  “Kate.” Dylan stared at her sternly. Reaching out for her hand, he squeezed it reassuringly. “Murphy will show up after this. Trust me. I’m a guy. I know these things.”

  Kate rolled her eyes. But it was exactly what she needed to hear.

  Dylan looked at his watch. “It’s almost noon. The ceremony’s at two?

  Kate nodded. “We’ve still got plenty of time to mingle.”

  “Are we ready?”

  Kate smiled, snatching up her clutch. “All set.”

  ❋

  With a three-piece orchestra set up in the solarium, chords of a violin echoed hauntingly through the dining room where the wedding guests had gathered.

  “Ah, there she is, Sandra – if it isn’t our lovely matchmaker, Kate.”

  Sandra Ivers grinned, as she strolled through the room on the arm of her husband. “Hi, there, Kate – Dylan. How’s everything going?”

  Kate smiled. “Just fine, Sandra. I’m so glad to see you two here.”

  “We wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Jeff Ivers actually winked at her. It was hard to believe he was the same troubled man she’d met almost seven years before. Following Kate’s advice, he’d contacted his widowed ex-wife, Sandra. Turns out, they’d never fallen out of love with each other. The tragedy of their daughter’s death had split them up, yet their mutual sorrow had eventually brought them back together again.

  Everything had fallen into place – just like Christina Montgomery had predicted it would. All Kate had had to do was make the suggestion to Jeff that he contact his ex-wife. In a way, Kate felt like Christina was working some special magic from beyond.

  And using Kate to carry out her prophecies.

  Kate stilled, before shaking her head dazedly. What in the world was she thinking? Sometimes her thoughts carried her mind off into the weirdest directions.

  A lovely, smiling stranger approached Kate, and she did a double-take. “Julie? Is that really you?”

  Rolling her eyes, Julie grinned. “Yeah. It’s me. Was it just my imagination – or did you really not recognize me?”

  “Oh, Julie. You look stunning.”

  Dylan apparently agreed. He stood beside Kate with his mouth gaping.

  Kate grinned, still studying her friend with delight. “But who? When?”

  “Your mom.” Julie laughed, shaking her head. “I needed a good haircut. Your mom finally managed to talk me into having it trimmed into a new style. She’d been trying for years. After I thought about it for a while, I decided she was right and a change might be good.”

  Feathered back from her delicately-featured face, Julie’s ash-brown hair had been cut to her shoulders. While emphasizing the beauty of her doe-brown eyes, and their long lush lashes, long wispy bangs completed her look. Wearing an off the shoulder gown of lavender, which clung to her full figure like a second skin, she was even more daringly dressed than usual.

  “Oh, Julie. That dress is absolutely gorgeous on you, too!” Kate complimented.

  Julie stared sheepishly down at her gown. “Danielle Reardon finally got a hold of me, too. She was hanging out with your mom when I was getting my hair cut.”

  Dylan’s voice was hoarse, when he finally cleared his throat and spoke. “Julie, you really do look great.”

  Julie glanced away, suddenly looking embarrassed as her cheeks reddened. Kate took a closer look at Dylan before returning her gaze to Julie. They’d make a wonderful couple – wouldn’t they? Why hadn’t she ever noticed that before? The three of them had hung out a few times together in the past, when Julie had come home to visit. And looking at the two of them now, there definitely appeared to be some awareness between them.

  Hmm.

  Before Kate could consider the idea any further, it was time for the ceremony to begin. Julie, Kate and Dylan moved to be seated in the chairs that’d been set up in the solarium of the Dragonfly Pointe Inn. Kate’s sister, Lucy, who was now a wedding planner, had prepared all the flower arrangements – and they were absolutely lovely. Vases of purple and rose delphiniums, mixed in with cymbidium orchids, were set up amidst the potted greenery lining the solarium’s glass walls.

  Kate had visited with her mom earlier this morning, before the ceremony. She’d looked absolutely beautiful in the gown of ivory she’d chosen to wear for the renewal of vows with her father.

  Kate smiled to herself as she waited for the service to begin – she’d never realized her father could be so romantic.

  Glancing towards the entrance of the solarium, Kate watched as another couple came scrambling through the door right at the last minute.

  Sean and Meg Murphy.

  Kate stood up, motioning at them with her hand.

  With obvious relief, Meg grabbed her husband’s arm and rushed him down the aisle towards Kate.

  “Kate!”

  Kate smiled. “Meg, Sean. We’ve got some open seats, right here next to Dylan and me.”

  Sean hesitated. “We wouldn’t be taking up seats meant for your family?”

  “Nope. Everyone’s already here and seated. Lucy and Kelly are going to be walking down the aisle with Mom.”

  They seated themselves at the end of the row and Meg looked relieved. “We ended up having car trouble, and had to stop for a while on the way here this morning.”

  “Oh, that’s awful. How did you even manage to make it on time?”

  Sean grimaced. “Luckily, the radiator overheated right when we were driving through Eau Claire. After we had it towed to a repair shop, we were able to rent a car.”

  “Oh, that’s a relief. And Eau Claire isn’t too far away.”

  “Sean and I decided we might just as well make a week of it – while we’re here in town – waiting for the car to be repaired. We haven’t had a vacation in a while.”

  “Mom and Dad are probably thrilled to have you here.”

  “Yeah, we called your dad right away after we got held up this morning.” Sean chuckled. “The first thing your dad did was invite us to stay.”

  Kate grinned. “I think they’ve become lonely – since most of us have moved out. And, at sixteen, the twins are at an age where there’re never at home anymore, either.”

  The room grew silent when the violinist broke into a beautiful rendition of the wedding march and Kate settled back into her seat.

  Wearing a tuxedo, Mike Callahan was obviously nervous when he stepped into the solarium from the inn’s breezeway. Kate’s brother Dan walked closely beside her father, grinning as he guided him into position before the priest. Jeff followed behind Dan and took his place next to their father.

  Kate smiled, loving the moment – but for some reason, Meg Murphy was anxiously twisting around in her seat and studying the crowd behind them. “Is something wrong, Meg?”

  Turning to Kate,
Meg offered her a rueful smile. “I was just looking for someone. Ahh...,” Meg hesitated, as she continued to search the room, “another friend I expected to be here today. It looks like he never made it.”

  Rolling his eyes, Sean Murphy remained silent.

  Kate nodded distractedly, as her attention returned to the details of the ceremony.

  Lovely in rose, Kelly smiled as she walked down the aisle carrying her bouquet of orchids and needlepoint ivy. Kate was so proud of her little sister. Not only was she absolutely gorgeous, she excelled in her studies. More than likely, she’d be offered a scholarship when she began considering colleges to attend next year.

  Following Kelly was Lucy. Also dressed in rose, she carried a bouquet that was similar to her sister’s. Six months pregnant, she was aglow with happiness. Lucy had to be the most active woman Kate had ever known. After fostering and adopting two younger children, Lucy and Gabe were finally expecting their first child together. Their daughter, Isabella, had grown into a lovely young woman who adored her younger brother and sister.

  And then Jenny Callahan appeared, looking absolutely stunning. Kate hoped that she’d be half as beautiful as her mom was when she reached her age. At first, Jenny had insisted she’d wear a simple cream suit for the ceremony. But then, adamant that the event was much too important to dress casually, Danielle Reardon had talked some sense into her mother.

  The A-line gown of ivory fit her mother’s shape flawlessly. Although the neckline was low cut, the lacy, long-sleeved bolero gave the beautiful gown a simple elegance. An abbreviated cap, with a net of tulle, covered her mother’s strawberry-blonde hair, which had been pulled up into a simple chignon. Paired with gloves, the entire ensemble had the flair of art deco, and was reminiscent of the gown Jenny had worn thirty years before when she and Cal had first married.

  The guests throughout the room rose to their feet as her mother began to make her way down the aisle. Kate could see the tears in her mother’s eyes when she hesitated, and reached out her hand for Kate’s.

  Clasping her mother’s hand, Kate squeezed it gently.

  After giving Kate a misty smile, Jenny continued down the aisle.

  Soon, she was standing next to her husband on the dais before the priest.

  The room grew silent, the air heavy with expectation as the gathering of guests waited patiently for the commencement of the ceremony.

  A frantic call suddenly resounded through the solarium. “Kate, stop. Please!”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Ignoring the crowd, Murphy went rushing down the aisle to approach the couple.

  The priest was obviously startled, his mouth gaping as he watched Murphy running down the walkway.

  Simultaneously, the couple standing before the priest turned, and Murphy’s jaw dropped.

  He came to a sudden halt. “Jenny? Cal?” he said in disbelief.

  Hushed laughter began echoing throughout the room.

  “But...but what...” Murphy swallowed. “What’s going on?”

  Jenny suddenly began laughing too. “I’m really glad you could join us today, Murphy.”

  Shrugging, Cal reached out, and shook Murphy’s limp hand. And then he smiled as he stared over Murphy’s shoulder. “Hmm. I’ve evidently missed something here.”

  And then, there she was, right by his side. As her eyes held his, Murphy realized that Kate was even more beautiful than he remembered.

  “Kate? But...I thought...you’re not getting married today?”

  She was obviously puzzled as she shook her head. But then she reached for his hand. “We can talk about all of this later, Michael,” she whispered. “I guess you didn’t know that my mom and dad were renewing their vows today?”

  The laughter grew louder as Kate dragged him down the aisle to where she’d been seated.

  “Murphy,” Cal called out.

  Stopping in his tracks, Murphy spun around.

  At first, Cal only stared at him sternly. But then he grinned. “Welcome to the family, son.”

  Murphy nodded distractedly. Kate continued to hold his hand, as she gently shoved him into a seat. Glancing at the faces of the guests seated further down the aisle, he was startled. His mom and dad were both sitting there, grinning from ear to ear. “Mom? Dad?” he hissed.

  His father shrugged. “Don’t look at me son. I’m never gonna question your mother’s judgment again. Making you believe that Kate was going to be married today, that was all her idea.”

  His mother smiled smugly. “Jenny was in on it, too.”

  This time, it was Kate’s turn to appear stunned.

  Even though she was obviously surprised, Murphy noticed there were tears in her eyes. He lowered his eyes to her hand, still joined with his. He couldn’t believe it. He was here with Kate.

  And, apparently, she’d missed him just as much as he’d missed her.

  Her eyes met his.

  Oh, God. He wanted to yank her into his arms and kiss her – right here – right now.

  With a sigh, he attempted to focus his attention back on the wedding. Squeezing Kate’s hand reassuringly, he settled back in his seat to listen to the service.

  ❋

  Kate couldn’t believe it. He was actually here, with that same endearing smile and that same silly awkwardness. She’d struggled with disbelief throughout the ceremony, despite his warm hand clasping hers.

  She couldn’t seem to keep the smile off her face. Dylan had been right.

  Obviously, it hadn’t been the magazine article that had brought Murphy here but something else instead. A convoluted plan instigated by his mother – and her own.

  Those two. Kate shook her head with amusement. Apparently, she and Murphy hadn’t been quite as successful at hiding their feelings for each other as they’d thought.

  But what about his fiancée? Where did she fit into the picture?

  Suddenly troubled, she gazed at Murphy from across the room. After the wedding ceremony, they’d had to split up for a while, so the photographer could take the family’s photos.

  Murphy and Dan stood together, and appeared to be deep in conversation.

  “Kate?” Julie asked, and Kate turned her attention back to her friend. “I’m totally confused about what’s been going on here today.”

  “What do you mean, Jules?”

  Julie’s eyes searched Kate’s. “What about you and Dylan?”

  “Julie. You mean I never told you?”

  “Told me what?”

  Kate shook her head in amusement. “You really don’t get home to Crystal Rock nearly enough.

  Julie lifted a questioning brow. “What do ya mean?”

  “Dylan and I haven’t actually been a couple for a really long time, now. It was easier to pretend we were still together. His mom is always trying to marry him off. And I was having a lot of trouble with guys coming on to me at work. It was getting to be really annoying. I would’ve have told you ages ago, if you’d actually been around more. You haven’t even been calling me very much on the phone or answering my emails.”

  Strangely, Julie appeared to be much more cheerful after Kate’s comment. “Well, I haven’t had time to tell you yet, but there’s a pretty big chance that everything’s about to change.” Julie drew in a deep breath. “I’ve finally been offered a teaching position at Crystal Visions.”

  “Julie, that’s wonderful!” Kate wrapped her friend in a warm hug.

  “What’s wonderful?” Dylan asked, unexpectedly appearing at Julie’s side.

  Julie grew quiet, as she peeked up at Dylan.

  “It looks like Julie might be moving back home to Crystal Rock,” Kate explained.

  Dylan froze, and searched Julie’s eyes for confirmation.

  Kate grinned. Yep. No doubt about it – sparks were sure flying between these two.

  Dylan finally cleared his throat and responded. “That’s great news, Julie.”

  Having been distracted by Julie and Dylan, Kate noticed that Murphy had apparently f
inished his conversation with Dan. He glared at Dylan when he noticed him standing beside Kate and approached them determinedly from across the room.

  Positioning himself like a sentry by her side, Murphy reached for Kate’s hand and held it possessively.

  And Dylan began laughing as he glanced from Kate to Murphy. Dylan winked deliberately at Kate as he thumped his fist on his chest and turned to Julie. “Since this lovely lady, here, appears to be unchaperoned, she’ll have to be my date for the rest of day – now that Kate’s gone and broken my heart.” He reached for Julie’s hand, clasping it in his own.

  Julie’s jaw dropped, and she was definitely taken aback as Dylan began leading her away. Raising a hand in farewell to Kate and Murphy, she dazedly followed along as Dylan dragged her slowly across the room.

  “What was that all about?” Murphy demanded.

  Kate grinned. Murphy was obviously jealous. “I think those two might’ve had a thing for each other – and I never even noticed.”

  “Good,” Murphy growled.

  Kate laughed. If Michael only knew what Dylan had done to plead Michael’s case – and he’d never even met him before.

  Murphy’s eyes searched the room before coming back to Kate’s. “How long before we can get out of here, Kate? We’ve got a lot to talk about.” Looking down at his jeans and T-shirt, he added ruefully, “I’m not exactly dressed for the occasion, anyway.”

  Shaking her head, she grinned. “Would you believe, I never even noticed?”

  He smiled, and then studied her from head to toe. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look more beautiful than you do today, Kate,” he said quietly. “You’ve grown lovelier through the years.” His eyes captured and held hers heatedly.

  It took her a moment, but reluctantly, Kate managed to break away from his gaze. She answered softly, “I don’t think my parents would mind if we left right now – given the circumstances.”

  Murphy nodded, and directed her towards the door.

  Chapter Twenty-Five