“I think that’s wise, Mother, to prevent any future problems with his daughter, if he is a wealthy man. From what you say, he sounds like a good choice for you. And he’s damn lucky to get my mother.”
“We’re both lucky we found each other. I haven’t met Peggy, but we’ve talked several times. We get along fine. She knows I’m not after her father’s money and she knows I’m not a threat to her bond with him or her inheritance. My estate is small, but it’s only right for my children to get it. Christopher doesn’t need or want my holdings. I do have a nice insurance policy, so you children won’t be caught in a bind as I was.”
“That’s something I need to tell you about, Mother; you have more money than you realize. Dad’s lawyer contacted me last week with some wild news because he didn’t know how to reach you. I was planning to visit you to discuss it in person rather than doing it by phone.”
“What are you talking about, Steve?”
“Dad had money hidden away, and it’s turned up.”
“He what?”
“He had a variable insurance annuity with another company and kept the policy a secret, kept the record and statements in a lock-box in another city. He paid for it with a check made out to cash; that’s why it wasn’t traceable. Ed was tipped off when a bill arrived for the lock-box. I flew over and checked it out; he had paid for two years’ rent in advance and it just expired. He didn’t have to report interest income on his taxes because he kept reinvesting it and it’s tax deferred. I guess he did it that way because of his fear of being broke, of being poor again. He figured we would discover it if he died and cash it in when needed.”
“If it was hidden, how did David expect us to learn about it?”
“By the annual statement sent to his office or notice of payment due on the lock-box.”
“Why didn’t we receive a statement this past January?”
“I don’t know. Mail does get lost and mishandled. There was a letter to us in the lock box with an apology and explanation. Dad did love us, as you said, but he made mistakes. That letter and money for our support helped me forgive him and continue therapy. I have everything here with me. You’ll need to decide what to do with the money; it’s over two hundred thousand dollars.”
“I’ll invest it and divide it between you kids in my will.”
After they completed their conversation, Kirstin phoned Katie, Sandi, Elaine, and Betty to give them the good news about her marriage. Both daughters promised to be present at the church ceremony and party afterward, but the two Augusta friends couldn’t make the trip.
When she finished her calls, Christopher made one to Peggy, who was ecstatic and delighted to make the flight next weekend.
As they sat on the sofa and snuggled, Christopher told Kirstin, “I’m giving John my Appaloosa and Helen most of the furniture in the house, if that’s agreeable with you.” She nodded it was. “Helen and Frank are coming to the wedding, so are John and Maria. We should be able to close out everything there and pack in two days since I’m not bringing much here.”
“There’s a lot of space in the hall closet. What about your patients and practice? Have you made arrangements for them?”
“I’ve already talked to a friend there about taking them for me. It’s all in motion, woman. Soon, we’ll be married and settled here. I can hardly believe how my life has changed in such a short time. Makes my head spin and my heart race.”
“Mine, too, Doc. I love you, and our life is going to be wonderful.”
“Maybe we can get that RV and go camping this summer. We’ll contact the Peters and give them our new address. It’ll be fun to go some place with them. Next time, we won’t have to deceive them.”
“That’s a great idea. We can include John and Maria, too.”
Kirstin revealed her talk with Steve about David’s hidden assets. In view of all he’d learned about the deceased man, it didn’t surprise him. Nor did it alter the financial and legal decisions they had made.
On Saturday, May thirtieth, Christopher Harrison and Kirstin Lowrey stood before the minister in the new church they were attending. Their children and friends sat in pews behind them, ready to observe the sight of two people deeply in love getting married. Katie was with Steve, since the pregnant Louise couldn’t fly at that time. Peggy held hands with her husband Phil and beamed with joy. Cliff, who couldn’t miss the occasion, had his arm around his wife, Sandi, and their son on his lap. John and Maria were all smiles, as were Frank and Helen. Janet was there with her husband and Franci with her fiancé. Charles Summeraul prayed he wouldn’t lose his assistant over this stirring experience, then smiled at his wife.
The couple and their children had shared dinner and a long talk last night. Christopher and Kirstin planned to visit with their families this weekend and to honeymoon later when things settled down.
The music ceased and the ceremony began. “Family and friends, we are gathered here in God’s house to witness the uniting of this couple in holy matrimony.” The minister read several appropriate Scriptures and made remarks that warmed the lover’s hearts.
The vows came next: “Do you Christopher Harrison take Kirstin Lowrey to be your wedded wife, to love, honor, and cherish her in all things and in all ways until death do you part?”
The physician smiled at his woman and said, “I do.”
“Do you Kirstin Lowrey take Christopher Harrison to be your wedded husband, to love, honor, and cherish him in all things and in all ways until death do you part?”
“I do,” she replied as her blue gaze seemed to melt into his green one.
The minister asked them to repeat other vows and promises, which they did with love shining in their eyes and audible in their voices. He asked for the rings and blessed the bands of gold before handing one to Christopher and saying, “Place it on her finger and repeat after me, With this ring I thee wed until death do us part.”
“With this ring I thee wed until death do us part,” the doctor echoed.
Kirstin did the same, and didn’t release his hand afterward.
The minister said, “By the power given to me by God and the state of California, I now pronounce you man and wife. What God has joined, let no man put asunder without just cause. Let us pray.”
Kirstin and Christopher listened to the meaningful words which blessed their union, sought guidance and protection for them, and gave thanks to the Heavenly Father for bringing them together as one.
“You may kiss the bride.”
Kirstin and Christopher gazed at each other for an instant, then shared a brief and bonding kiss. Within moments, the newlyweds were being hugged, kissed, and congratulated by family members and friends. Tears of joy would have spilled onto Kirstin’s pale-blue suit if not for the tissue an exuberant Katie handed to her to absorb them.
Everyone traveled to the hotel a mile away for the reception. A table was piled with gifts from friends far and near; they would join the collection at home, accumulated from a surprise party they had been given in New Mexico last weekend. There was even a present from Laura and Harry Stoker: silver champagne goblets, engraved with their names and wedding date.
The couple danced together and with others. They ate delicious snacks and sipped champagne, as they had worked the treats into Kirstin’s diet plan. They laughed and talked; both sides of the family got along with perfection. Katie and Peggy struck up a quick and easy friendship, enjoying the fact they had much in common. Phil, Steve, and Cliff seemed to have plenty of interesting topics to discuss as they huddled together like a small football team, laughing, joking, and chatting like old friends.
As Kirstin danced with her son, they exchanged smiles; both knew their differences were in the past.
“I love you, Steve; I’m so happy you’re with me today to share this.”
“So am I, Mother. You’re absolutely radiant. I like him. Peggy, too. I think our families will blend nicely.”
“I’m glad, Steve. He likes you, too. Maybe with a spec
ial club to compensate for his hand problem, you two can play golf together.”
“I’ll check into it. I know a man who does excellent work. He could have something ready before summer’s over.”
“Wonderful. Thanks. Make sure you give Louise and the boys hugs and kisses for me. We’ll try to get to Denver soon for a visit. I want. Christopher to meet them. As soon as the twins get a little older, we’ll take them camping with us. Sandi’s son, too, when she returns home. She did tell you they plan to settle here?”
“Yes, and she’s getting eager to get back to the old USA.”
“The experience overseas was fun and profitable for them, but I’m ready to have her home again. Things get so crazy and dangerous over there so fast.”
“They’ll be fine for the little time they have left there. We’ll all be fine.”
Kirstin looked at her son, smiled, then glanced at her two daughters who were watching them with misty eyes and smiles. Yes, she decided in happiness and gratitude, they would all be fine now. Thank you, God.
Cuddled together in the bed in their apartment, Christopher and Kirstin Harrison began their first night as man and wife in glorious splendor.
“I love you, Kirstin.”
“I love you, too, Christopher. What do you say about a little game of switch tonight? I’ll be the doctor and you be the patient.”
He teased, “A captive patient or a guinea pig for a researcher?”
“Neither, just a willing partner who’ll let me operate on him.”
As she stimulated him, he chuckled and said, “I love your technique, Mrs. Doctor Harrison. Examine me and treat me all you like.”
“You’ve already healed yourself and me.”
“We healed each other, Kirstin. We’re both whole again.”
“No, we’re halves, my love, of a perfect whole.”
“You’re right. Now, get back to work; you were having a big success.”
As her hand grasped him again, she quipped, “Yes, I was, wasn’t I?”
They laughed, kissed, and hugged, and a passionate night began. They made love beneath the skylight that revealed a starry heaven and lovely moon. Both realized how magical and special it was to find true love, to be given a second opportunity for a glorious life, and how dull and unrewarding that life— and they—would be without taking chances.
ZEBRA BOOKS
are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp. 850 Third Avenue New York. NY 10022
eISBN: 978-1-4201-2764-5
Copyright © 1993 by Janelle Taylor
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the Publisher and neither the Author nor the Publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”
Zebra, the Z logo, To Love Again, and the To Love Again cover design are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.
First Printing: August, 1993
Printed in the United States of America
10 98 76 54
Taking Chances Page 37