“I’d better go get my seat,” Kate gave her one last hug and scurried out the door to find Gavin. Jessica, the matron of honor, stayed at Liz’s side.
“How she holding up?” Gavin tucked Kate’s arm in his.
“I think she’ll make it,” Kate leaned her head against his shoulder. “She’s pretty ticked at the monster-in-law, though.”
“That’s not nice,” Gavin’s lip was twitching again.
“But it’s true,” Kate scowled. “I can’t believe she did that.”
“Now probably isn’t the time,” he reminded her with a grin.
“Maybe not,” Kate shrugged and took her seat next to Tara.
“Crisis averted?” Tara asked.
“Dealt with, anyway,” Kate left it at that.
“You do know how to save the day, don’t you?” Tara smiled prettily at her.
“Gavin did all of the heavy lifting,” Kate waved off the compliment, grateful when the music started so the conversation would stop. Tara had been thrilled at Kate’s suggested working arrangement. Jack had gratefully accepted and seemed to be sending less hate-vibes her way in the past few days. Kate still felt odd being around him but knew it couldn’t be entirely avoided.
Even though Kate had seen Liz in her dress, she was struck again by what a beautiful bride she made as she floated down the aisle at her father’s side. Suddenly, Kate’s throat felt thick and the tears began to flow. Why hadn’t she remembered this part of the wedding sooner? How stupid would she look walking down the aisle by herself? She cast a glance at Jack before she could stop herself. He was staring at her intently. Why weren’t his eyes on Liz like they were supposed to be? As one of his beloved protégés, she was more his daughter than Kate. Why did his eyes bore into hers now? With a small, frustrated shake of the head, she forced her gaze back to Liz.
She could tell by the look on Liz’s face that she only had eyes for Derrick. His mother couldn’t touch this moment between them. Kate took heart. It didn’t really matter who, if anyone, walked her down the aisle as long as Gavin was waiting at the other end of it. She felt him squeeze her hand, as if reassuring her of that truth.
The ceremony was probably the shortest Kate had ever been to. Fifteen minutes after she’d sat down, the minister was introducing the crowd to Mr. and Mrs. Harrison and telling them where the party was.
In true Liz fashion, the reception was larger than life and completely amazing. Where Tara had gone for subtle and understated, Liz had embraced warm, vibrant color. What Kate enjoyed most was the idea of being at a party she hadn’t put together and had no obligation to tend to.
“Ma’am,” the caterer approached Kate as if on cue. “We’ve added the extra place settings you’d requested.”
“Thank you. The wedding party should be here any moment. You can plan on serving the food in about half an hour.”
“Just can’t help yourself, can you?” Gavin teased.
“Hey, he came to me.”
By the third time the caterer had approached Kate for instruction, she realized she was glad for it. She got a little antsy without anything to do but chit-chat, especially when she was sharing a table with Jack. Liz had warned her that the place settings had been set before things had gotten so sticky. Kate knew it was coming. That didn’t make the evening seem any shorter.
“So Kate,” Tara tried yet again to strike up a conversation. “Gavin tells me you’re working at your aunt’s vineyard part time now?”
“Actually, it’s my vineyard, too,” Kate corrected without thinking.
“Really?” Jack’s brow furrowed.
“I inherited my mother’s fifty-percent ownership when she passed away. I chose to stay in San Francisco because it’s home now, but I did agree to help out more at Blue Valley… pull my own weight and all that.”
“I had no idea,” Tara kept trying. “Could I see it sometime?”
“I’d love that,” Kate smiled genuinely at her. “We’re planning to have the wedding there, so you’ll see it then if not before.”
“So we are going to be invited?” Tara couldn’t help asking. “I wasn’t sure…”
“Of course you are invited, Tara. I can’t imagine getting married without one of my best friends there,” Kate hoped she hadn’t overemphasized the word “you”. The look on Gavin’s face suggested maybe she had. There was an uncomfortable moment of silence.
“How is Joan?” Jack asked finally.
“Doing well,” Gavin finally answered when it became apparent Kate wasn’t going to come out of her shocked stupor long enough to.
“That’s nice,” Jack nodded. Silence fell again.
“So Gavin, how’s your mother?” Tara brightened at the prospect of a safe topic.
“Doing better every day.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“We’re certainly happy with how she’s responding to treatment. I mean, it’s been hard on her and Da, but she really seems to be improving. The doctors are optimistic.”
“Good, good,” Tara seemed to be searching for a way to extend the conversation. Everyone seemed grateful when the couple shared their first dance. Silence was okay then. They were even more grateful when the invitation was issued for others to join them on the dance floor. Kate nearly jerked Gavin out of his chair in her haste to escape the table. She stubbornly danced every dance, finding another partner when Gavin insisted on getting a drink. She did stop dancing long enough to give Liz and Jessica a hug and to congratulate Derrick. Gavin came to reclaim her when she was doing the twist with Liz. Jessica had grudgingly sat that one out at Ryan’s insistence.
“Come on my little dancing queen. It’s time to go home.”
“Spoil sport,” she accused.
“Tell that to your dog,” he countered. “He’s probably eaten your couch by now.”
“My dog?” She asked pointedly, but conceded nonetheless. After making the rounds of goodbyes, she followed Gavin out to his car.
“Did you have fun tonight?” Gavin asked. Kate couldn’t tell if he was teasing her or genuinely wanted to know.
“Don’t walk so fast, my feet hurt,” she hopped along, trying to remove her heels as they went.
“Imagine that,” he took no pity on her.
“You’re a cold, hard man—you know that Gavin?”
He scooped her into his arms in response and carried her, protesting the entire way, back to the car. She nearly dozed off on the ride home, the weight of the past week settling in once they were in the quiet calm of his car with only the purr of its engine to intrude upon her thoughts.
While she was still fumbling to get out of the car in her sleepy state, he materialized at her door to carry her up the stairs to her apartment. He set her down long enough to open the door, grabbing Ty by the collar before he could make a break for it.
“Give me your keys, we left my purse in the car,” Kate held out her hand.
“They’re in the door. Give me a second,” Gavin tried to wrestle Ty back into the apartment. “Calm down you goofy mongrel.”
“Got ’em,” she snagged the keys from the door and headed downstairs.
“I’ll get his leash on him and we’ll be right down,” Gavin called after her, shoving the dog back through the door and closing it soundly behind them.
Kate shook her head. She’d expected Ty to be restless after being alone that long, but this was ridiculous. She pushed the button on her key fob and the little Audi beeped a friendly response. Kate reached for the door but stumbled as a blinding pain cracked the back of her skull. She reached behind her to feel the source of the pain, sickened by the warm sticky mess she felt in her hair. She stared at her fingers through a confused haze. What had happened? Was that blood?
Someone grabbed her by the hair and slammed her head into the doorframe of the car. She could hear Ty in the distance, barking madly as she was shoved into the Audi. She fumbled with the door, trying to let herself out, but couldn’t seem to make the handle work.
There was someone in the car with her now. She tried to focus on what they were saying, to understand what they wanted.
“I will not let you marry that boy,” a hateful voice growled at her.
“Justin?’ Kate struggled to come out of the fog.
“I would have loved you forever. I would have kept you safe. The boy didn’t keep you safe. Look at you now.”
“But you did this to me, not him,” Kate held her throbbing head in her hands.
“SHUT UP. Just shut up. We’re leaving this stupid town and your stupid boy. You’re mine now.”
Kate didn’t try to speak again as he ranted and rambled at her. Were her chances of survival better if she threw herself from the car now or if she waited until he stopped to make a break for it? She tried to ascertain where they were, and realized with a sinking heart that the time for flinging herself from the car had passed. The car was gaining speed now as he pulled on the highway. Had they crossed the bridge already? How had she missed that? The engine was roaring now, the road flying beneath them. Kate groped for her seatbelt.
This time Kate was grateful to see red and blue lights swing in behind them. She might still die, but at least it wouldn’t be alone on some forgotten coastline. Gavin wouldn’t have to spend years wondering what had happened to her. The thought of him sliced through her. She closed her eyes and breathed his name, willing her love to him. Wishing more than anything that he might know just how passionately and fully she did love him. She was so very glad she had not held out, that she had given up the walls.
She was vaguely aware of the loud string of curses Justin was spewing. Another police car fell in line behind them. Justin blamed Gavin for their presence. Kate wondered if that were true. He was pushing the car harder now. Kate knew this car could take way more than Justin could handle. He would lose control long before he hit 155 miles per hour.
As if in response to her dire prediction, Kate watched as a large, jagged rock materialized before them. It all seemed to slow down then. She was tossed to the left when he jerked the wheel, trying too late to veer with the road. The car’s back end swung out. The driver’s side slammed into the boulder with such force the entire car bounced back. Someone was screaming. Was it her? There was so much blood. Glass everywhere. And… pain.
Then there were voices. Three men? Four?
“It’s leaking fuel.”
“Is she alive?”
“Get her out of there.”
“There’s no way the driver lived.”
Hands were grabbing her. Big hands. Rough, but gentle. Why couldn’t she move? Why didn’t her legs work? She met the worried brown eyes of a stranger. They were kind eyes. They wanted her to live. She licked her lips and swallowed, tried to speak. Nothing came out.
“Come on honey, I’ve got you now.” The stranger was tucking her in his arms, running. Why was he running?
“Get down!” Another voice shouted just as an explosion rocked the earth behind them. Tongues of fire licked the sky. She and the stranger were tumbling now. He’d wrapped his body around her, protecting her. A cry of pain ripped from his lips. She wanted to tell him she was sorry. And then the blessed black claimed her.
Chapter Twenty
“You are not pulling any damn plug.”
Kate was confused. What plug was Jack so averse to having pulled? Why was Jack here? She struggled to open her eyes but they wouldn’t cooperate.
“It’s still too soon to say, of course.”
Whose voice was that? Kate wondered what it was too soon for.
“Why are we talking about this anyway? She will wake up.”
Gavin. And he was in pain; she could hear it etched in his voice. Open, just open. She willed her eyes but the darkness was so deep, pulling her back under. And it was quiet again. So quiet.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Get some sleep, Gavin.”
Kate could hear Jack’s voice again. Why was he here? Was Gavin sick? She fought harder against the darkness.
“You shouldn’t even be here,” Gavin’s voice was ragged. “Just leave me with her.”
“You need rest. You don’t even have to leave the room. Just get some rest. She’ll need you more if she wakes up.”
“But you have to talk to her. They said it helps to talk.”
“And you’ve talked yourself hoarse. Let me do this. Please.”
“I’m right here.”
“I know, I know. Just lay back. Rest.”
Kate clawed at the darkness now. Gavin needed her. Something was hurting him. She had to win this time.
“Katie… I have to admit this feels a little strange… talking to you like this. I don’t know what to say. I guess I should start with sorry,” Jack began awkwardly.
Kate’s mind stilled. She no longer clawed at the dark, content to float along in it for the moment. She must be dreaming, dreaming of a time before Jack looked at her with contempt. His voice was soft, smooth as butter. It reached out and wrapped around her like a gentle embrace now.
“Katie, I’m so sorry. I’m sorry it took this for me to see. I’m sorry I was so stubborn. You were right. Every time I looked at you, it reminded me how badly I failed Danielle. How I let you down. You didn’t do anything wrong. You didn’t deserve any of this. I love you, Katie. And I’m proud of you. I know I don’t deserve you. But you can tell me what a jerk I am when you wake up. You’ve got to wake up, though, so I can spend the rest of my life trying to make this up to you.”
Whatever held her bound to the darkness snapped, and Kate’s eyelids fluttered open. She looked around the room, trying to put the pieces together. She was in a bed—with rails. Jack was at her side; his head bent low over her hand. He was clutching her hand tightly in his own. There were the familiar beeps and hums of hospital machinery. Kate took in the tubes coming from her arms, felt the irritating plastic in her nostrils. The machinery was for her. She placed her free hand on Jack’s head, patting it awkwardly in an attempt to comfort.
“It’s not fair apologizing when you think I can’t hear. It’s cheating.”
“Katie,” his head lifted, hope flickering in his eyes.
“Hey Jack,” her voice sounded strange in her own ears. “Is Gavin okay? I was worried about him. He sounded hurt.”
“He’s not hurt,” Jack assured her, straightening in his chair. “He’s just been worried about you.”
“Gavin,” Kate called a little louder, needing to see him for herself.
He was at her side immediately, a thousand emotions at once playing across his face. He stroked her hair with one hand and held her hand with the other. He looked like he wanted to gather her in his arms but was afraid to break her.
“Hello love,” he smiled tremulously.
“Are you okay?” worry creased her brow.
“I’m fine now,” he laughed softly. “I’m just fine now.”
“What’s going on?”
“You were in an accident,” even the words brought him pain. “You’ve been asleep for awhile.”
“The man with kind eyes. He saved me, didn’t he?” Kate closed her eyes, images playing through her mind like a montage. “Is he okay?”
“Officer McKinsey is going to be just fine. He’s just down the hall. They say he might even get out this week.” Gavin’s lips brushed her hand as he spoke.
“Really? Tell him I’m so sorry he’s hurt because of me.” She opened her eyes, meeting Gavin’s and holding on to his gaze like a lifeline.
“It wasn’t your fault, Kate,” Gavin shook his head.
“But I didn’t move. I heard them saying the fuel was leaking. I wanted to move, but I didn’t.” She frowned, angry with herself anew.
“Honey, the car had completely collapsed on you. You couldn’t move.” Gavin stroked her cheek and she leaned into his touch.
“Liz and Derrick… are they in Hawaii?” Kate tried to sit up.
“They postponed their trip…,” Gavin paused when Kate began to look panicked. �
�What’s wrong baby?”
“I can’t feel my legs, Gavin.” Kate’s chest was heaving now from exertion and terror.
“Shhh, it’s okay,” he tried to sooth her, tried to keep her from seeing the concern in his eyes. “The doctor said that might happen. There’s a lot of swelling on your spine.”
“What? What are you saying?” Kate wanted to rip all of the stupid tubes from her body, to run out of this horrible place screaming. Her grip on Gavin’s arm became viselike.
“Jack, could you go get some help please?” Gavin cast a glance his way.
“Sure, sure. I’ll be right back.”
“No,” Kate sobbed. She wanted to wake up from this dream. She didn’t like it at all. “Gavin, please no.”
“Oh baby, oh my darling girl,” he crooned, his accent thick as tears choked him. He leaned over her, trying to hug her without moving her. “It might not last. When the swelling goes down…it might not last. You’re awake. That’s what matters, my girl. That’s all that matters now.”
“I don’t want this, Gavin.” She buried her face in his chest.
“I know love. I know,” he continued to stroke her hair. The hospital staff descended and Kate tried to pull herself together. Gavin was always close. He refused to leave of his own volition when the doctors asked for the room to be cleared so they could examine Kate. Jack had to drag him from the room. Kate wanted to ask questions, but her brain still hurt too badly, the fog was still too thick.
So she lay still, following orders when necessary and doing her best to tune out the commotion around her. She reached back in her memory, trying to see if there was anything she’d done to deserve this. Had she caused Justin’s insanity? In some way encouraged it? No, she finally decided. This was just one of those stupid, freak things. He was gone now, so they might never know what it was about her that had caused his obsession. She remembered that much. How could she forget? The sound of the impact echoed in her ears even now. The sight of his vacant eyes. So much blood.
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