Ryan shook his head. “I love her.” He hoped Karlie would see the sincerity of that emotion on his face. “Believe me, when I first rested eyes on her, I didn’t expect to feel that jolt. I’ve only felt it once before with Ryan’s mother.” Patricia had been shocked to hear about his upcoming nuptials. She had cried and asked him to reconsider. Patricia felt it was a rebound thing, but Ryan knew it wasn’t the case. What he felt for Megan was beyond reason. It was true.
Karlie gave him a tender smile. “I had no idea you were such a romantic.”
Ryan broke contact. He gathered his cuff links. “You’re making me sound like a wuss.”
She giggled. “If you were a biscuit, you’d be all up in her gravy. I hope Megan feels the same way.”
Ryan’s smile faltered. “She will.”
Something in his tone made Karlie’s eyes narrow. “That sounded ominous. This is why Brian hadn’t wanted to come. He doesn’t trust your intentions. I had to browbeat him into showing up today. He’s almost dressed.” She looked at her watch, which prompted Ryan to look at his as well.
It was almost three o’clock. The wedding was scheduled to begin at three-thirty sharp.
“I’d better go meet up with Megan. I offered for us to pray together, and she welcomed the idea.” Karlie kissed him on the cheek.
Ryan hugged her. “Pray for me before you go,” he whispered. “I might have quit going to Zion’s Hill, but I haven’t quit on my faith. I plan to attend A Better Life with Megan. We’ll be at her church this Sabbath.”
Karlie nodded and prayed, and Ryan allowed her earnest words to surround him. When she was done, she asked, “You’re not going on a honeymoon?”
“No, Megan didn’t want to.” He saw Karlie’s eyes narrow. “We plan to wait until Cooper is older before we go off together.”
Karlie relaxed after his explanation. “I’ll be glad to watch my new brother,” she said. “I want you to have a real honeymoon and a real marriage.”
Ryan’s heart skipped a beat. He wanted that, too. “Thank you for your kind words. I don’t know what I did to get a daughter like you, but I’m thanking my lucky stars.”
Karlie pointed upward. “Thank God.”
He nodded. “I’ll see you in a bit.”
Once Karlie had departed, Ryan went to sit on the bed. He eyed the large Bible on the stand. Ryan opened it to Psalm 1. He read the first two verses. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
As they did each time he read them, he hoped the words pierced his heart. He didn’t know if he was masochistic, but Ryan needed to know God’s Word could still reach him. He touched his chest and read the final verse. “For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
Ryan swallowed. He didn’t want to die. He had gained a lot in the world, and Ryan knew his wealth wasn’t worth his soul, but it wasn’t dung to him, like Paul said, or vanity as Solomon declared. His wealth and status defined him. Who would Ryan be without it? How could God expect him to give up all he had gained? Well, God hadn’t told him to empty his bank accounts, but He wanted Ryan to wait on Him for everything. Patience wasn’t a fruit he needed. Anything he needed or wanted done were a phone call away. Ryan’s phone line was never busy, so why waste God’s time with a request he could handle himself?
I am enough.
Ryan pursed his lips and answered the whispered thought. “I need both, Lord. I need to win at this and win with You. Is that too much to ask?”
His cell rang. It was Prim.
“Where are you? It’s time for you to take your place or you’ll miss your own wedding.”
“I’m on my way.” Ryan hurried to straighten the bed and returned the Bible to the nightstand. He had hoped they would be wrinkling those sheets tonight, but his bride had already squashed those plans. She had agreed to be his wife for a year with no benefits. Ryan agreed to pay her the seven million at the dissolution of their marriage. He fully intended to change her mind.
If Megan had her way, they would have separate residences, but he hadn’t caved to that demand. They were going to live under one roof as a family. Ryan groaned. Living with her would be torture, but he would keep his word and his hands off. His mind, however, had already assaulted him with visions of his bride.
Megan had agreed to keep up the pretense and spend the night with him in this suite. Each of the guests was booked into a suite at the hotel. However, Cooper would stay with them. Tomorrow morning, Michael and Verona were hosting a breakfast luncheon for the entire wedding party. After the luncheon, Ryan and Megan would leave for their
“pretend honeymoon.”
He clenched his jaw. Somehow, someway, I will bring an end to this entire pretense and gain a real-life marriage with Megan. I have the will.
I will make the way.
Ch. 16
The bride wore black on April Fool’s Day.
Megan had chosen the date on purpose. Her strapless gown was from the Rami Kadi 2014 couture collection. It was a stunning piece of intricate layers and embroidery, but Megan had chosen the dress to make a point. Her six-foot lace-edged veil added to the dramatic effect.
Megan was “the happy bride,” but there was nothing happy about this occasion. As far as she was concerned, Ryan had taken advantage of her weakness and bulldozed her into this wedding. She still felt the shame of not being able to pay for Cooper’s hospital bill. Before Ryan had paid so Cooper could receive the best plastic surgeon and care, he made her agree to marry him. She had agreed to twelve months and seven million dollars.
She would keep up her part of the bargain, but she would never share his bed. Let him look. Let him pine for her. She would make sure of that. Karlie had purchased Megan an obscene number of negligees, and Megan wasn’t shy when it came to displaying her body. Before Cooper, Jackson would come home and find her walking around the house naked. Yes, Ryan would see all she had to offer. Megan delighted in the thought of teasing and taunting him because Megan knew how much Ryan wanted her. She read the hunger in his eyes. He would starve because she would never let him feed. She would use that power to her advantage. It was all she had.
Megan’s heart thumped in her chest. The pianist played, and as Karlie walked down the aisle ahead of her, Megan kept her gaze on Ryan. She wanted to see his reaction when he spotted her. She stepped forward and stopped at the entrance, then smiled. Megan heard the guests’ gasps and whispers of “She’s wearing black” and lifted her chin.
Ryan’s eyes went wide before recovering, holding out his hand, and saying, “I’ve never seen such a lovely bride.”
Megan could feel everyone’s relief. She clutched her bridal bouquet of black and white anemones and kept the smile plastered on her face while she walked toward the front of the ballroom.
As Karlie sang Wind Beneath my Wings, Megan resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Really? Ryan wasn’t getting beneath her wings. Ever.
Megan gave Karlie her bouquet and placed her hand in his, and together they faced the hire-by-internet minister. She compared this farce to her and Jackson’s wedding. She had been breathless with anticipation for her wedding night. Megan had been a virgin, gifting Jackson with her highest prize. This time, however, her stomach felt like lead. She planned to eat all the gassy, oily foods off the menu. Megan would release all the gases without shame. Her strategy bordered on childish, but Megan was in petty mode.
There was no fury like a woman cornered into a marriage.
Last week, she had been called for an interview and made the mistake of bragging to Ryan. The principal had wanted to hire her over the phone. She had shouted, “Thank you, Jesus!” and told Ryan to cancel the wedding because she intended to repay him in installments. Within an hour, she had gotten the news that the position was filled. She raged, but Ryan had been ston
e-faced. She didn’t even ask how he knew which school had called. There was no point.
Then Mother Hanson’s son had been released from jail and made a pass at her his second night home. Mother Hanson offered to kick him out, but Megan knew she had to leave. She couldn’t ask a mother to turn her back on her son, and since Megan wasn’t comfortable living with anyone else with a young child, she went forward with the wedding plans.
Mother Hanson had prayed with her regarding the wedding. “God can do the impossible,” were her hopeful words.
Megan had no such hope. She didn’t need God to answer her prayer.
The entire time she recited her vows, Megan plotted her escape. She smiled and went through the motions, making everyone believe Ryan’s story that their love was a fairytale. She had Kyle’s card tucked in her bra. Having it on her person gave her the strength to cut into the four-layered black and white striped wedding cake with bows. She pulled it out while she sipped on the punch through the black and white bow straw. Ryan danced with Karlie so she had a moment to herself.
Megan admitted the black and white scheme looked chic and sophisticated. The roses added splashes of red that created a warm mood and romantic atmosphere. To the natural eye, this was a wedding for lovers. She snorted. She knew better. She retrieved the card and looked at the number. Being Ryan’s wife put her at an advantage because Ryan might say or do something that would help Kyle’s case.
She wouldn’t disobey God and seek vengeance, but if she heard something, Megan would share it.
“Why did you do it?” a voice asked.
Megan turned and faced Brian. She had been introduced to him when Karlie came to go dress hunting. Karlie had chattered on about her own wedding plans and explained Brian’s unusual relation to Ryan. That he was Ryan’s former son and soon-to-be son-in-law was a story for soap operas.
“I have my reasons,” Megan said. She sipped on her punch and slithered her glance from his keen eyes.
“You think you’re going to find evidence against him, don’t you?” Brian asked. He edged closer into her space to whisper, “You won’t find anything. Ryan has OCD tendencies. There’s never anything out of place. He is meticulous with everything he does.” He eyed her from head to toe. “You’re an anomaly. Definitely out of his norm. Women were never his vice. He was married to my mother for over twenty years and never strayed.” He tilted his head toward Ryan and Karlie. “Well, except for that one night with Karlie’s mom.”
Her eyebrows furrowed. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I know you think you’re going to trip him up and you’ll get justice for your husband.”
She placed a hand on her hip. “Don’t you want the same thing? Karlie told me all about why you and Ryan don’t get along. You’re even an intern at Kyle’s firm. Kyle wants to go after Ryan. He tried to recruit me, but I turned him down.” She shuddered. “He’s a creep.”
Brian’s face paled, but he composed himself. “He’s also my real father.”
Megan almost dropped her juice. “Oh, goodness. I’m sorry. I didn’t know or I wouldn’t have insulted him to your face.”
Brian chuckled. “It’s okay. I know there is darkness around him, but God has me on the job. When I got the internship, I had plans to ruin Ryan, but God has me praying for Kyle instead. I have to be an example for Kyle. God provides us with many opportunities to accept Him before He cuts us off. I’m Kyle’s last chance before the darkness consumes him.” Brian bent down to meet her eyes. “I was against this wedding, but now that I’ve met you, I have a different vibe. Our steps are ordered by God, so what if you were meant to marry Ryan?” He straightened. “Maybe you’re Ryan’s light back to God.” His eyes held a challenge. Megan wasn’t sure if Brian really believed that.
“Or I could be his do-not-pass-go ticket to jail,” Megan said. “After I met Kyle, I had to pray throughout my home to dispel his darkness.” She showed Brian the business card. “I was feeling desperate enough to call Kyle. I believe God sent you to remind me I’ve got to leave things in His hands.”
Brian poured himself some of the punch and refilled her glass.
“Anyway. There’s no way I’m trying to be anybody’s light back to God,” Megan said.
“You don’t mean anybody. You mean Ryan.”
Megan looked down at her favorite accessory of the night. She wore pearls, a gift from Ryan, but the black velvet shoes with studded diamonds made her swoon. When she left Ryan, she would keep these. She had earned them. Everything else she would leave behind. “I suppose that attitude makes me a bad Christian.”
“Or a good mother,” Brian said. “I grew up with Ryan Oakes. Believe me when I tell you he’s not worthy to be anyone’s father.”
Megan touched her chest. “Did he hurt you?”
“Not physically. But he was neglectful. He was selfish. The only person Ryan thought about was himself and my mother. I was an afterthought.”
She heard the pain in his voice and tapped him on the shoulder. “I’m sorry to hear that. I hope now that you’re grown, you haven’t allowed that to affect how you view yourself.” As a teacher, she had counseled many young men who hadn’t received proper guidance and who had struggled crossing over into manhood. Her minor in psychology had been useful. It was easy for Megan to move into counsel mode.
Brian shook his head. “I have God and Karlie. I’m good. But I must warn you—Ryan is no good for Cooper. He’ll destroy him the way he almost destroyed me. He’s into you, but that love might not extend to your child. Be careful.” With a nod, Brian left to join Karlie on the dance floor.
Panic set in after Brian’s warning. Of all her concerns, Ryan’s interactions with her son had never raised a red flag. He had seemed invested, but she now wondered if that was all an act. Ryan might be using her child to get to her. Megan rushed out the door because she needed to see her son. Ryan had hired a nanny to watch over him, but she needed to hold Cooper in her arms.
“Megan!” she heard Ryan call out behind her.
Megan kept heading toward the elevator.
“Megan, honey, where are you going?” Ryan sprinted, caught up with her, and held her shoulders. “Don’t tell me I have a runaway bride.”
His humor felt flat. Megan’s chest heaved. “Don’t tell me I married the world’s worst father?”
Ryan let her go and stepped back. “What did Brian say to you? You can’t listen to him. He’s bitter against me.”
“Why?” Megan pointed her index finger. “Was he lying that you were neglectful when he was a child?”
Ryan shook his head. “But I made amends. I’m—I’m not the same man. I can, no, I will be a wonderful father to Cooper if you allow me the privilege. You see how Cooper is with me. He loves me, and the feeling is mutual.”
Megan knew her eyes showed her distrust. “I don’t believe you. It has only been a few hours. I should have never signed those papers. I had a brain fart and took my eyes off God and now I’m sinking. I’m in some deep waters about to be swallowed by a ruthless shark. I know I have just made the worst mistake of my life.”
Ryan’s mouth popped open. “Tell me you didn’t mean that.”
Megan lifted her chin. “With every fiber of my being, I meant every word.”
Ch. 17
“How dare you bring up Ryan’s past to his new bride? That was a ratchet thing to do.” Karlie stood in Brian’s hotel suite with her hands on her hips. Her eyes flashed. “What if God did that to you? What if God dipped into the sea of forgetfulness and showed you all you once were? How would you like that?”
Brian held out a hand to still her. “She needed to know more about the man she married.”
Karlie poked a finger in his chest. “That wasn’t your call to make. You had no right to interfere in Ryan’s business. Your big mouth might have ruined his chance at happiness. Can you live with that? Losing your mother was tough on him. I’ve seen the way he talks about Megan. He loves her.”
�
��I believe he does, too. But Megan is a package deal. She has a son who does not deserve a father like Ryan.”
“You’re a fine one to talk about who deserves what. Maybe you don’t deserve me.”
Brian’s mouth popped open. “I know I don’t deserve you,” he whispered.
“Love isn’t earned or deserved. It’s given.” Her lower lip quivered and tears filled her eyes. “I’ve never judged you by your past. I’ve loved you because of it. Your vendetta is making me question my sanity.” She shook her head. “I have to deal with the fact that my fiancé wants my father behind bars with no regard to how I might feel.”
“Wait a minute,” Brian interjected. “I haven’t touched the case. Kyle has me doing other things. I told you why God wants me there. He wants to save my biological father’s soul.”
“And He wants to save mine,” Karlie said, pointing to her chest.
He lifted her chin. “Ryan was the thorns.”
Karlie squinted. “What are you talking about?”
“The parable of the Sower and the Seed. Ryan represents the thorns. The Word isn’t settling in his heart. He is interested in gaining riches on earth and not setting his treasure on things above. He is beyond saving.”
Karlie gasped and turned away from him. “How dare you take over God’s job? That’s not your call.” She gathered her jacket. “I thought I could live with this, but I can’t marry a bitter man.”
His heart stopped. Literally. For a second. Then it pumped with terror. Brian’s eyebrows furrowed. He touched her shoulders. “What are you saying?” Brian didn’t understand her reaction. “I’m not bitter. I’m truthful. Ryan Oakes is a ruthless, selfish man who will neglect her son. I had to warn Megan.”
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