White Wedding for a Southern Belle

by Susan Carlisle

  Kiefer reached for her. Taking her forearms, he helped her stand. Her lack of resistance indicated she was at the end of her rope. As he led her to the bed he said, “Come on. Let’s get you warm and something in your belly.”

  He jerked the covers back, helped her under the sheets and pulled the coverlet over her, tucking them under her chin. “How about dinner in bed?”

  “You probably think I’m weak,” she mumbled.

  “No, I just think you’ve had a shock and need to process it. You’ll be back to your old demanding self in the morning, I’m sure. Now, you stay put and I’ll have something for you to eat in five minutes.”

  “I don’t want—”

  “I’m sure you don’t but I’m going to wait on you until I know you’re feeling better.”

  “How did you know what I was going to say?”

  “Because I know you. Enough talk. I’ll be right back.”

  * * *

  Ashley wished she could crawl under the covers and never have to face Kiefer again. How could she lose it like that? It wasn’t like her. After her best friend, Lizzy, had been kidnapped she’d promised herself she’d never be in that position, vulnerable. She’d been in her own home and Marko had invaded it. He had been right there before she’d known it. Was that the way it had been for Lizzy? Had she been as scared? She’d known Ron, just as Ashley knew Marko.

  If word of what had happened got out, not only her parents but the neighborhood would be fearful. If the city council heard, it might be the end of the clinic. She couldn’t let that happen. The clinic meant so much to her. It was a way for making up for the selfishness of her past. To compensate in some small way for her part in what had happened to Lizzy.

  How could she have been so wrong about Marko? She would have sworn that Marko would never have done what he had. She’d believed that behind that bravado he’d just been putting on a show. In reality, she put on the same show. She didn’t want anyone to know how scared she could be.

  Trying to shake off the fears from long ago, Ashley pulled her covers close. She had to get control or Kiefer would think she was going nuts. Could he see how much Marko’s visit had affected her? That was a joke. Kiefer had found her in the bathroom in the middle of an emotional breakdown. Of course he now knew she had been scared witless. That she’d been putting on a front of confidence. What if he told someone and it got back to her parents? They would start in again about her living elsewhere in the city, even though they wouldn’t leave Southriver themselves.

  Kiefer was as good as his word. He returned with food on a tray. There were two bowls of salad and plates with omelets that looked perfectly cooked. The man had talents other than being a fine doctor. And he really was that. She’d been astonished at the number of people who had come to him for care. She’d imagined that the people of Southriver would have been much more standoffish but apparently word had circulated that Kiefer could be trusted. Did she believe what she saw enough to agree? What if he fooled her like Marko had? Like Ron?

  “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll join you.”

  She nodded. “I guess so. You can have it all, as far as I’m concerned.”

  “Oh, no, you don’t. You’re going to eat too. I’ll shame you into feeling guilty that I slaved over a hot stove if I have to.”

  Ashley couldn’t help but grin at that. She scooted up in bed, adjusting the housecoat so that it didn’t gape over her breasts. “Okay, you’re being nice, so I’ll at least make an effort.”

  “That sounds more like the Ashley I know.” He set the tray on the bed. “I’ll get our drinks. I didn’t trust myself to walk all this way without spilling them if they were on the tray.”

  Kiefer was back in less than a minute with glasses of iced tea. He placed them on a table beside the bed where she could reach hers. Afterward he handed her a bowl. “Eat up. It’ll make you feel better.”

  Ashley wasn’t sure that was true but she took a bite anyway. Kiefer started in on his salad with gusto and was soon working on his omelet.

  “So where did you learn your culinary skills?” She had managed to finish her salad and was placing the empty bowl on the tray.

  “I think ‘culinary skills’ is stretching it a bit. If you’re asking where I learned to cook then that’s when I was in med school. It was either learn or starve. I had to eat whenever I had a chance at all times of the day. I can do the basics. From what I could tell about what I swept up off the floor, you might take cooking more seriously.”

  She finished chewing the forkful of omelet that might have been the best she’d ever had. “I like to cook when I have time. I was raised standing beside my mother in the kitchen, watching her.”

  “So does your family still live in Southriver?”

  “Oh, yeah. You couldn’t blast them out.”

  “Kind of like you.”

  “I guess that’s true.” She and her parents did have that in common.

  “Your family ever think of moving somewhere else?”

  “Only once, a long time ago.” Those had been dark days.

  “What changed their minds?”

  She concentrated on putting her plate on the tray. “Mother and Daddy didn’t know where they would go. They had never lived anywhere but here.”

  “My family isn’t much different. Even my first cousin, who now lives in California, still considers Savannah home. Once you have Chatham County sand between your toes, it’s hard to get it out.”

  Their families might have that sand in common but outside of that they had to be as different as swampland was from a desert. “Thank you for the meal. You didn’t have to do this.”

  He grinned. “Sure I did, if I wanted to eat.”

  “Thanks also for not making me feel more ashamed of my breakdown. Please don’t mention this to anyone. It would upset my parents if it got back to them.”

  “Nothing to be ashamed of. You had good reason. And what happens at the Southriver clinic stays in the Southriver clinic.”

  He needed to leave. Kiefer was far too charming. She was also far too aware of her state of undress and of him being in her bedroom, sitting on her bed. She’d not had a man in here in so long that if he was any nicer to her she might grab him and pull him under the covers. After their last kiss it truly was temping. “Well, I appreciate your help.”

  “And that sounds like my cue to leave.” The bed gave when he stood. “I already know what the answer will be before I ask this question but I have to.”

  What was he talking about?

  “Are you going to be all right here by yourself?” He studied her.

  Ashley met his look and said in a firm voice, “Yes. I’m fine now. I just overreacted for a few minutes. I’m good now. Thank you.”

  “You’ve already said that. More than once.”

  “Well, I am grateful.”

  “The problem is that you sound too grateful for you. That’s why I think you might still be a little rattled.”

  He saw too much, too easily. She leaned forward and glared at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Now, that sounds more like the Ashley I know.”

  “Now it is time for you to go.”

  He chuckled as he picked up the tray and headed out the door. “I’ll be locking up behind me. You do have your cell phone nearby?”

  “Right here.” She picked it up off the bedside table.

  “If you even hear a noise, call 911.”

  “I’ll be fine. Now, please leave so I can get some sleep.”

  “Call me if you need me. Even just to talk.”

  “I won’t.”

  With his back to her as he went out the door he said, “I know. Good night, hardheaded Ashley Marsh.”

  Where was a shoe to throw when she needed one? She smiled. He
’d managed to irritate her but he’d also got her mind off what had happened. Kiefer Bradford was a smooth operator. That she could admire.

  * * *

  Kiefer double-checked the locks on Ashley’s front door and the one to the stairs going to the clinic. Even the main clinic door he rechecked. He walked round the building, making sure there were no broken or open windows.

  How had he been sucked into a woman’s life that was so much like his mother’s? In the past he’d made a point to date women who were nothing like his crusading mother. Brittney was a case in point and look where that had got him.

  In his truck he called his buddy Bull and told him what had happened. Ashley wouldn’t be happy he had but that didn’t matter—her safety came first. Bull said he would see that the clinic was patrolled more often that night.

  Sleeping at Ashley’s had crossed his mind but he had no doubt that she would have objected strongly. He wasn’t going to pick that fight but he would do what he could to see she was safe. The woman was too self-confident for her own good. Tonight had proved it.

  Around midnight Kiefer woke to the sound of rain on the windows. That was one thing about living on the coast—the weather could go from flaming hot to a strong thunderstorm overnight. He immediately reached for his phone and tapped in Bull’s number. He answered on the second ring.

  “So how are things?” Kiefer asked.

  “A little overprotective, aren’t you, Doctor? Have things become personal with the pretty alderman?”

  “No, I’m just concerned. Nothing more. Nothing less. So answer my question.”

  “Everything is quiet. Last time we cruised by no one was around. There was one upstairs light on but that was it.”

  Was Ashley having a hard time sleeping? Scared and turning a light on? “Thanks, buddy. Please continue to check on the place.”

  “Will do.”

  Kiefer put his phone down then picked it up, placed it on the bedside table then picked it up again. What was the worst she could do? Get mad at him for waking her. Scream at him tomorrow morning for calling. He should check on her. Just to make sure she was okay. Or maybe to just satisfy his need to know.

  He touched Ashley’s number, which he’d programmed into his cell phone when he’d been given it as contact for the clinic. On the first ring she answered. There was a hesitant note in her voice as if she was unsure about who it might be.

  “Hey, it’s Kiefer. I wanted to see how you are.”

  “Do you have any idea what time it is?” Her voice was stronger.

  That was good. “Yeah, about one a.m.”

  “Don’t you know better than to call people in the middle of the night?”

  “I heard a light was on at your place. I thought you might be up.”

  “How would you know that? Either you’re standing below my window or having me watched.” She paused. “Bull. I asked you not to tell the police.”

  “I told a friend.”

  Ashley made a sound of disgust. “Same difference.”

  “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  “You don’t have to do that. I’m not your responsibility.”

  He pushed at his pillow, getting comfortable. “After what I walked in on I wouldn’t be human if I wasn’t concerned.”

  “Why do you keep pushing it?”

  He didn’t want to go into that full explanation. “Because I swore a long time ago that I wouldn’t sit by again while someone hurt another person.”

  “What happened?”

  It wasn’t something he talked about much, certainly not to a virtual stranger, but for some reason he wanted Ashley to understand. “My mother was attacked when I was a child.”

  Ashley made a shocked noise. “I’m so sorry to hear that.” For the first time since she’d been attacked she sounded like herself. “No wonder you overreact.”

  “I didn’t realize I overreacted. I thought I was rather calm, considering. So are you sitting in front of the fireplace or are you lying in bed?”

  “This conversation has suddenly taken a creepy turn,” she said in a light tone.

  “I was only asking to gauge whether or not you were really having trouble sleeping.”

  “So now you can make diagnoses over the phone. Impressive, Doctor.”

  He liked this quick-witted Ashley. It would be nice to see more of her. “I can. If you’re sitting in your living room, that tells me you’re still rattled, but if you’re in your bed, there’s a good chance you’re recovering and will go back to sleep.”

  “Well, if you must know, I’m in bed.”

  “Good. You aren’t still in that robe, are you?”

  “Now you’re really getting personal.”

  He guessed he was but it was for a good reason. At least her mind was off what had happened to her. “You need to have on something comfortable to sleep well.”

  “I changed into a gown soon after you left.”

  Kiefer hated that he’d missed that. Whoa, that wasn’t what he needed to be thinking. He wasn’t going to get involved with Ashley on that level. They were business associates only. He’d sworn off women. Those with an agenda didn’t interest him and Brittney had cured him of taking a chance on being used. But those kisses between him and Ashley pulled at him. Said there might be something there.

  “Good. Then why don’t you turn off the light and try to sleep? I’m sure you have a full day ahead.”

  “You think you know me so well.”

  He was surprised just how much he did know about her in such a short time. The interesting thing was that he found he really liked her when she wasn’t on her high horse about how she wanted something done. “Well, enough.” The sound of her yawn came through the phone. “Am I boring you?”

  “Maybe.” She chuckled.

  Warmth spread throughout his chest. “Then I’ll say good night, Ashley.”

  The click of a lamp being turned off reached his ear then a soft “Good night, Kiefer.”

  What would it be like to hear that firsthand as he gathered her close in his arms? He was headed in the wrong direction. Backing off was what he needed to do. Ashley had been taking care of herself long before he’d come along and she would be doing it when he was gone. Tonight was an exception to the rule. Period.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  ASHLEY WOKE WITH a jerk. She’d overslept. She had been more shaken by Marko’s threats than she’d wanted to admit. Sleep had been easier to find after Kiefer had called. There was something about his deep, smooth voice that made her feel safe, as though he was right there with her instead of miles away.

  Now she was ready to face her day. There were arrangements to make for the block party and she had a meeting with the zoning commission to get help with some buildings that needed restoration on the next block.

  As the day went on she settled down, no longer thinking twice about leaving the house or going about business as normal. Marko had made his move and as usual was all talk. She’d seen Kiefer a few times in passing but they hadn’t had time for anything more than a casual hello, no real discussion. What that would have been about she had no idea. Still, she missed their talks—or sparring was more the word for it.

  The next evening she was in the kitchen, cooking, when there was a knock on her door. Her heart picked up speed for a second. She put it down to still being a little jumpy, not over-excitement at seeing Kiefer, who had just stuck his head around the door.

  “Hey, I was on my way out for the day and wanted to say bye.”

  His eyes studied her too closely. Too watchful for her comfort. “I’m fine, if that’s what you want to know.”

  Kiefer stepped farther into the room. “Never doubted it for a minute.”

  She smirked. “I bet.”

  He put his
nose in the air. “Mmm, something smells good.”

  Ashley turned back to the stove and stirred the pot of black-eyed peas. “That would be my supper.”

  “It sure smells wonderful. Well, I guess I’ll leave you to it.”

  “Kiefer.” She turned around just as he was starting through the door.

  He looked back at her. “Yeah?”

  “Would you like to join me?”

  “I sure would.”

  She laughed. “It didn’t take you but a second to answer.”

  “I only get a home-cooked meal when I visit my parents. But those meals come with an inquisition from my mother about when I’m going to get married. When will she be a grandmother? Why don’t I settle down?”

  “Why aren’t you married?”

  He gave her a pointed look.

  “I’m sorry. That’s one of those questions you don’t want to answer.”

  “I don’t mind answering it. I just don’t want to talk about it at every meal. I’ve been married and have no plans to do it again.”

  “That bad, huh?”

  “My wife left me for my best friend.”

  She didn’t say anything. What could she say that would make that any better? He’d had his own issues. “That’s tough.”

  “Yeah, it was. Now, how can I help?”

  “You can get the knives, forks and spoons and set the table.” She pointed. “The drawer to the left.”

  “Okay. What about you?”

  “What about me?” She looked at him.

  “Ever been married?”

  “No. Guys don’t seem to like sharing their time with my desire to work for social change.”

  “Understandable.”

  She caught his look. “What do you mean by that?”

  “Just that you’re a force to be reckoned with.”

  “I’m not sure that’s a compliment. But I’m going to take it as one.” She pulled a pan out of a drawer under the stove.

  “Where are the glasses? I’ll pour us some tea.”