The Resilient Bride

by Lucy McConnell

  Kiera picked up two plates, ready to put her plan into action. “I’m going to eat with Liam.”

  “Sounds like a good idea.” To her dismay, he followed her into the room.

  Setting the plates down on the dresser, she squeezed Liam’s arm. “Liam. Liam?”

  He groaned and rolled onto his side, facing away. She sat behind him, her hand on his shoulder. Aware that David was watching her every move had Kiera trying to see it all through his eyes, and she didn’t like the wall that seemed to pop up between her and her husband. “Liam, it’s time to eat.”

  He groaned again and rolled back. “Whas for breakfast?”

  Kiera smiled. “Bacon, eggs, and pancakes.”

  “’Kay.” He scooted to the side, moving with caution, first getting up on an elbow, then extending his arm, and finally allowing her to place some pillows behind him so he could rest against the headboard. She moved to pick up the blanket so she could put a pillow under his knees and he slammed his arms down, pinning the blanket against the bed. “What are you doing?”

  “I was going to put this pillow under your legs so you’re more comfortable.”

  “Um.” Liam colored.

  David snickered.

  “‘Um’ what?”

  “I’m not wearing pajama bottoms.”

  “What? You had them on last night.”

  Liam turned red. “I kick them off.”

  Kiera rolled her eyes. “I’m a nurse. I’ve seen everything.” She went to grab the blanket again.

  Liam secured it in both fists. “You haven’t seen my everything.”

  “Liam!” This time it was her turn to flush.

  David laughed all the harder.

  Kiera threw the pillow at David. “You shut it. You’re not helping.”

  “I don’t want to see his everything either.” David threw the pillow back at her.

  Kiera caught it. “Fine. Nobody is going to see anybody’s anything, and we are going to eat breakfast and pretend this didn’t happen.” She fought the smile that tugged at her cheeks as she settled onto the bed.

  David took a bite of his eggs. “These are great. Thanks for cooking, Kiera.”

  “I didn’t cook.” Kiera gave him a quizzical look.

  David and Liam exchanged a look. Liam explained. “My mom used to come home with takeout and say ‘dinner’s ready.’ We teased her about impersonating a cook. So when one of us orders food, we thank them for cooking dinner. It’s kind of a running family joke.”

  “Oh—I like it.” Kiera was touched to be included in family stuff. They ate in silence for a few minutes while Kiera studied Liam. “You look better this morning. Your color’s good.”

  “I feel pretty good. Not ready to ride roller coasters, but I don’t think I’ll have to sleep all day.”

  Kiera smiled. “I think taking the meds throughout the night helped.”

  “That’s not going to be a thing now, is it?”

  Kiera shrugged. “I’m calling your doctor today, and I’ll go over things with him. We’ll see. If we’re better about taking them at regular intervals during the day, we might be able to get away with letting you sleep through the night.”

  Liam took her hand. “I like the we part of that.”

  Kiera smiled. She hadn’t thought of Liam as a lone ranger, but maybe he was.

  David stood up, carrying his plate. “I’m going to hit the showers.”

  Kiera watched him leave before turning back to Liam and catching him watching her watch David. Unsettled that he might have seen something in her face or in her eyes that showed the unbidden wanting she had for David, Kiera focused on her plate of half-eaten wheat-and-oat pancakes. “Do you think you feel good enough to go out?”

  Liam made a face. “I did the Vegas thing a few months ago.”

  Kiera shook her head. “No. I have something different in mind.”

  “Oh?”

  “In fact, it’s all planned. We won’t need to leave here until about three, so I want you to rest, eat, and rest again until then.”

  Liam lifted one side of his mouth in a grin. “You really planned something?”

  “I did.”

  “For me?”

  “For all of us, but mostly for you.”

  “What is it?”

  “Uh-uh, it’s a surprise.”

  Pulling her close, Liam said, “You just keep getting better and better.”

  Kiera was nervous now, wondering if the things she had planned would be of worth. “Don’t build it up too much.”

  “What are you worried about?”

  “That you’ll think it a waste of time.” She bit her lip.

  “Kiera, every moment with you is a gift. Once we married, there was no such thing as wasted time.”

  Kiera brightened with his words. She knew Jack had beaten her down, dimmed her inner light with his debilitating verbal abuse, but Liam lit those parts of her again. She didn’t realize the extent of the damage until she felt the contrast. “Liam, you say the most wonderful things.”

  “Tell that to my mother. She would be so proud that I didn’t come out a hooligan.” Kiera caught a note of desperation, something unfinished between mother and son. It was the hole in Liam’s armor.

  Kiera laughed. “Don’t worry, I’ll tell her.”

  Liam’s face had started to drag downward.

  “I think you had better get some sleep.”

  “Kiss me goodnight?”

  “You don’t have to ask, I was already planning on it.” They exchanged a slow, lingering kiss.

  After seeing him settled, she wandered out to the common room, where she found David, showered and crisp, his camel goatee gone, lounging on the couch. She set the breakfast plates on the cart and pushed the cart into the hallway, where she put out the “do not disturb” sign.

  David came into the kitchen and grabbed a soda out of the fridge. “How is he, really?”

  “Well, the last time this happened, he lost a whole day. This time, I think he will be up and ready to go by three, if not before.”

  David brushed his fingers up the back of her arm, sending thrills and chills through her skin. “I’m glad he has you.”

  “Are you?” Kiera wondered. For just a moment, as she stared at his lips, she wondered what kissing David would feel like. If the butterflies in her tummy were any indication, it would be a thrilling and most likely overwhelming experience.

  Perhaps reading her mind, David stepped closer, both hands leaving trails of desire up the back of her arms.

  Frightened by his absolute interest and her body’s tingling reaction to him, she trembled. “I need to make a call.” She fished her phone out of her back pocket with quaking fingers.

  David moved backward, drawing out his departure, tantalizing Kiera with the thought that he might snap back in at any moment and snatch her up in his arms. A place she wanted to be but shouldn’t go, or shouldn’t want to be, or shouldn’t even think about setting up a permanent settlement. “I’ll be in the other room.”

  “Yeah,” she sighed as he settled onto the couch and picked up the remote. And I’ll be in here remembering how to breathe. She gulped in air, needing one of those masks from the plane that dropped down when the cabin pressure changed. Stupid high-class hotel didn’t come with an oxygen tank.

  Deciding that staying as far away from David as possible was a good idea for the time being, Kiera leaned against the cold, stainless steel door of the refrigerator and stared at her phone. Feeling confused and homesick, she dialed her mom.

  “Hi, sweetheart.”

  “Hi, Mom.”

  “How are things?”

  “As good as can be expected.” Kiera crossed to her private room and shut the door, then proceeded to unload the whole situation. Sentences came out in broken fragments. For two years, Kiera had held back her stress and worry over bills and chemo in an effort to protect her mom, who was battling the deadly disease. The retaining wall had also blocked her mother emotionally,
and bringing her back into her life was a salve.

  “This won’t be easy to see through to the end, honey.”

  “I know. But I can’t leave. He needs me.” Pause. “How are you?”

  “Good. I’m sending you a picture of the mirror I found. It’s amazing.”

  Kiera’s phone dinged, and she pulled it away from her ear to check out the picture. “Oh, it’s so pretty. You would have loved the place we stayed while we were in Italy, Mom. The furniture was incredible. I’ll send you some pictures in a few minutes.”

  “Sounds good. What can I do to help?”

  Kiera blew hair off her face. “Pray for me and Liam and … David.”

  “David’s the brother?”

  “Yeah. He’s …” She wasn’t sure how to describe him. “He could use a few prayers.”

  “I’m on it. Love you.”

  “Bye.”

  20

  Liam stumbled to the bathroom, thankful that his head no longer pounded. Between Kiera’s ministrations, sleep, and a few kisses, he had come back from this attack faster than the other times. The clock said one in the afternoon.

  Kiera was so good for him and good to him. He opened his bedroom door and found David and Kiera on the couch, an Angels’ game on the big screen. Kiera’s head was on one end of the couch and her feet were in David’s lap and she was sound asleep.

  She’d been the one to wake Liam up throughout the night; she must have been tired. But seeing David casually touching his bride, even if it was just her feet, brought up that feeling of jealousy again. Liam didn’t like it. He wanted Kiera all to himself, just for a while. To get that, he’d have to send David away. The idea was unfathomable. David was the one person who had been there for him through everything. He couldn’t ask him to leave. So he swallowed the bitter pill and ignored the monsters.

  “Hey,” he said as he took the recliner next to David. “How long has she been out?”

  “About twenty minutes.”

  At the sound of their voices, Kiera stirred, stretched, looked at David, and pulled her feet back like he’d slapped them. Sitting up, she hugged the arm of the couch and scowled his direction.

  David held up his hands. “You were the one kicking me.”

  She harrumphed and combed her hair off her face, catching sight of Liam. “You’re up.”

  “Yep.”

  “And how do you feel?”

  “Ready for an adventure.”

  Kiera grinned. “Great. Get showered and we can leave.”

  “It’s early.”

  “That’s okay. We can stop for a late lunch on the way.”

  “Anything for my bride,” he said, knowing it sounded cheesy but wanting to make sure David knew Kiera belonged to him.

  “I can’t believe you did this.” Liam stood on the first base side of the field, a St. George Redrocks hat on his head and a mitt in his hand.

  “I know it’s not the Red Sox or the Yankees, but this is the first game of the Redrocks’ first season and you’re about to throw out the first pitch.” Kiera bounced. Pamela had come through with this connection. St. George wasn’t a huge town, and the stadium was small, but every seat was full on opening day. “You’re making history.”

  Liam wrapped her in his arms. “I can’t believe you did this,” he repeated.

  “It’s no Sistine Chapel, but I hope you like it.”

  “I love it.” Liam kissed her quick. “And I love you.”

  Court Richmond, the Redrocks’ owner, approached. He wore a pale blue button-up shirt with the team mascot on the left pocket, a ball cap, and a billion-dollar smile. He offered his hand to Liam, who pumped it like he was hoping for water.

  “It’s good to have you here today. If you folks will follow me out to the pitcher’s mound, we’ll get started.”

  Amber from the Iron Stix sang the national anthem a cappella—never missing a note. Some people were born with talent, while Liam’s talent was envying them. Her heartfelt rendition brought tears to his eyes. He’d been to hundreds of major league games over the years in private boxes with bigwigs. He’d met players, attended fundraising camps, and loved this sport his whole life, but he never thought he’d get to do something so cool.

  “You sure you can throw that far?” teased David.

  Liam grinned. “Nope.” He’d done some warm-up throws with the bullpen catcher, and they were pretty weak. He didn’t care. God, I’m going to do my best here; please don’t let me embarrass myself.

  Mr. Richmond tapped the microphone once before saying, “Take me out to the ball game.” The crowd cheered. “Welcome to Redrocks Stadium.” Another cheer went up. “We have a special treat for you today. In honor of our first game, we’re donating ten percent of concession sales to the Huntsman Cancer Institute to help fund research and offer relief to families struggling to pay for cancer treatments.”

  Kiera’s hand flew to her mouth. Liam raised an eyebrow in question. “Pamela Jones,” she said over the noise from the stands.

  “And now, to throw out the inaugural pitch, Liam Bernhard.” Mr. Richmond took Liam’s place next to Kiera while Liam made his way onto the mound. He scratched his foot in the dirt.

  “Thank you for being discreet. And thank you for the donation.” Kiera wiped at a stray tear.

  “Thanks for letting me be a part of this.”

  They quieted down as Liam rolled the ball around in his hand. He let out a deep breath, moved into a windup, kicked out his leg, and let the ball fly. Had there been an umpire behind the plate, he would have called it a ball, but Liam had gone the distance. Throwing her arms in the air, Kiera let out a whoop and joined him on the mound. He pulled her in for a kiss before following their guide off the field so the game could start.

  “We have a place for you in the owner’s box,” said Mr. Richmond.

  Liam looked at the crowd in the stands. The place was packed for opening day. Salesmen in bright green T-shirts called out their wares. “Popcorn.” “Cracker Jacks.” “Cotton candy.” “Soda.” “Beer.” Money was passed down the row, and food was passed back to the buyer. Behind the stadium towered red hills, carved and smoothed over by the wind. The Redrocks had shelled out some major dough to sign big-name all-stars and the Phillies were in town. “I think I’d like to watch from down here, if that’s okay.”

  “You bet. I’ll take you to your seats.”

  They were escorted to the first row behind the Redrocks’ dugout. Kiera went in first, then Liam and David followed. They ate popcorn, booed the ump’s bad call, and watched Joe Lemke Jr. hit his first home run of the season.

  “This is a great day.”

  At his praise, Kiera glowed.

  Such little things, these words we use, with such a big impact. Kiera was sensitive to them. He wondered, not for the first time, what her ex-husband had done to damage her. She was a tough woman who had taken on widowhood with grace and understanding, and yet her tenderness shone through.

  He couldn’t understand her ability to let him go. If the roles were reversed and she had cancer, he would shut down, hide away from the world, and be more like David had been.

  Kiera deserved more; she deserved better than he could give. She deserved to have all her dreams come true, and he vowed to find a way to make it happen.

  21

  “What are we doing here?”

  “You’ll see.” Kiera linked her arm through Liam’s and led him into Iron Mountain Lodge.

  They’d stayed in Vegas for a short time, making sure Liam was well rested before moving on to their next adventure.

  The guys seemed content to let Kiera take the lead, so she made another phone call to Pamela, who got her in touch with a couple who owned the Iron Mountain Ski Resort in Park City, Utah. Rym had wavy brown hair that hung past his chin and a groomed beard. He smiled easily and took every opportunity to adore his wife, Amber.

  Amber carried herself with an air of efficiency. All it took to get a private day on the mountain was the menti
on of Pamela Jones. Amber arranged the transportation from the airport, a beautiful meal on the resort’s long deck, and rooms for the three of them that night.

  Kiera had been hesitant to discuss their situation, not sure how much to reveal until Amber asked, “Is this your first BMB marriage?”

  “No, it’s my second.”

  “Rym was my fourth. But he was worth waiting for.”

  Kiera rubbed her palms on her jeans. “I didn’t expect to fall in love with him.”

  Amber, though dressed in designer clothing and wearing shoes Trish would envy, fit with the rugged beauty of the lodge. Great timbers supported the vaulted ceiling, and ornate rugs dotted the floor. A light path, worn into the wood floor by thousands of people over dozens of years, went from the front entrance to the back deck. Just off the deck was a large grassy area with beach chairs and a ski lift that ran today at Kiera’s special request. When Amber and Rym learned of the situation, they’d refused Kiera’s credit card. “Call if you need anything.” Amber gave her a one-armed hug.

  Kiera thanked her and moved outside to where Liam and David waited.

  “It’s not really ski season,” David grumbled.

  “No, it’s not. It’s better.” Kiera smiled.

  “Better how?” asked David.

  They loaded onto the empty lift. Today was just for the three of them. The motor made plenty of noise, the rollers clanged together, but the mountain was quiet. Huge pine trees and aspens lined the right side of the lift, and a carpet of grass and wildflowers was laid out on their left.

  “It’s better because it’s cloud season.”

  “Is that why you made me wear this garbage bag?” asked Liam.

  “It’s not a garbage bag, it’s a rain poncho, and yes, you’re going to want it.”

  The lift took them far up the mountain, leaving the lodge to look like a pebble in the distance.

  Liam grabbed her hand. “Look.” He pointed into a tree.

  Kiera squinted at the lump, and two dark eyes gazed back. “Is that a porcupine?”

  “I think so.”

  They exchanged a delighted laugh.