Fringe Benefits

by Sandy James

  She tried to explain what she was just coming to understand herself. She might have considered Nate as her mate, but something deep down told her it had all been a lie, that their union would never be reality. She could see what would’ve happened so clearly, how she would have kept putting off the wedding date and finding ways to postpone that moment of true commitment. “When we were together, I was happy to keep things the way they were. Status quo. Sure, everyone knew we were together, and I loved you. But then you pushed me to make it… real. To commit. To put my entire trust in you, to hand you my heart.” Dani brushed away the tears that had wet her cheeks. “I ran away to protect myself from admitting exactly how much I loved you, how much I needed you.”

  The harshness of Nate’s features eased, and he smoothed the back of his hand against her face. “I’ll protect your heart. Always.”

  “I know that now. I knew it last night the moment I walked in this house and you weren’t here. Without you, this isn’t a home. You were everywhere I looked, and I wanted to run right back to you and tell you so. I just didn’t think you’d ever forgive me.”

  Leaning closer, he brushed a kiss over her mouth. “And I didn’t think you’d ever forgive me.”

  “There was nothing to forgive you for,” Dani said with a shake of her head. “Nothing at all.”

  He gripped her chin. “I tried to trap you into getting married before you were ready. I hope you’ll pardon me for doing that to you.”

  “I do.”

  “I mean it, Dani. I knew it wasn’t the right thing to do. I was just so damned scared of losing you. When you walked out, I wanted to kick myself because I thought I’d lost you forever. You know something else?” He waited a moment, then said, “I answered a really important question for myself last night—the one about having kids of my own.”

  Her heart skipped a beat before it started pounding a rough rhythm. “What was the answer?”

  “I figured out that I wanted you, that any children I had with any other woman would never make me happy. All I want is you.”

  “Do you mean that?”

  “Hell, yeah.”

  “Would you be surprised that I thought about that, too?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “But you’ve already made up your mind.”

  “I have,” Dani said. “Although I realized something else. I’m young. Not as young as you, of course.” She tossed him a wink. “But young enough to realize things change. Who knows? Maybe my biological clock will start ticking. Don’t get your hopes up,” she cautioned when he grinned. “I’m only saying that I’m not going to be stubborn simply for the sake of being stubborn. We’ll have to take it one day at a time.”

  “That’s all I could ever ask,” Nate said, kissing her forehead. “You know what’s ironic about this whole damn thing?”

  She arched a brow.

  “That in trying to keep from losing you, I lost you. And while you tried to protect your heart, you actually gave it away.”

  This time, she kissed him. “Aren’t we a bundle of contradictions?”

  “You know what? Getting married doesn’t matter. Not really. What matters is us. And if you never want to get married, fine. All I want is for you to be happy.”

  “Well, then…” She ran her hands up his arms and across his shoulders before pressing her breasts against his chest. “There’s one thing you can do to make me very, very happy.”

  Pulling her on top of him, he smoothed his hands down her back to cup her bottom. “Name it.”

  “Marry me.”

  “You mean it?”

  “Damn right I do,” she said with a nod. “Let’s get married.”

  “Then give me a minute.” Nate rolled Dani onto her back and jumped out of bed. He was out the bedroom door and hurrying down the stairs before she could find her voice.

  “Nate! Where are you going?” she finally called.

  “I need to get something.” His voice echoed up the stairwell.

  “The shades are all open,” she cautioned. “Don’t let the neighbors see you.”

  The sound of him bounding up the stairs made her smile. That smile froze on her face when she saw the velvet box in his hand.

  Without a word, he took the ring and held it out to her. “Do you mean it, sweetheart? You want to get married? You really do?”

  She nodded.

  Nate crawled back onto the mattress, kneeling before her as he picked up her left hand and slid the cool metal onto her third finger. “This doesn’t mean we have to set a date or anything. I don’t want to push. Not again.”

  “How about this week? We can get some airline tickets, head to Vegas, and just drive around ’til we find a kitschy little wedding chapel. Something fun. What do you say to that?”

  Cupping her neck, he pulled her close and kissed her, a long, deep kiss full of love. “What I’ll say is, ‘I do.’ ”

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Nate waited patiently at the front of the Las Vegas wedding chapel. His nerves were steady and calm as he waited to make Dani his wife.

  They’d laughed when they saw the place on their trip to the clerk’s office to get their marriage license. With no wedding venue in mind, they figured they’d glance through a few brochures and pick something funny, someplace they could laugh about whenever they reminisced about the occasion. When they saw the themed wedding chapel, they knew they’d found the right location. Dani had made a fast call to see if they could get an appointment sometime that day while he’d filled out most of the paperwork. Thankfully, there was an open slot that she quickly booked.

  The place was so corny, so silly, and so… perfect. It offered everything from an Elvis impersonator performing the ceremony to dressing the bride, groom, and guests as zombies, vampires, even aliens. But as they flipped through the book of possible scenarios, one was exactly what they wanted—something so off-the-beaten-path that no one would ever believe them until they saw pictures. Since their courtship had been nothing but unusual, there was no better choice for their wedding than to make it as over-the-top as possible.

  Once they’d chosen the right one, the hosts hustled them into changing rooms with costumes and jewelry for them to put on. Then Nate was escorted to the front of the chapel to wait for his bride.

  As he stood there, he tried hard not to laugh aloud at the scene around him. The wedding officiate was a dead lookalike for Captain Jack Sparrow. Every now and then he’d growl out a very pirate-like, “Argh,” before he let loose with a full, boisterous belly laugh. The two witnesses to the ceremony were the hosts, a husband and wife in their sixties who owned the place and seemed to enjoy the wedding almost as much as the bride and groom. They were both in full pirate regalia and grinning like kindergarteners at recess.

  Nate’s own outfit was every bit as crazy—pirate garb all the way to the hat, the sword belted at his hip, and the clip-on earring. The only thing he put aside was the eye patch. He wanted to see Dani in all her pirate glory.

  The music began—a rather jaunty accordion tune one would expect to hear at a bar frequented by pirates. She appeared at the entrance, wearing a white off-the-shoulder peasant blouse and a red skirt that swirled around her knee-high black boots as she walked. A thick black leather belt circled her waist, and damn if she didn’t have a dagger tucked in that belt. Her blond hair had been pulled into a high ponytail that was tied with a red silk scarf. The look was completed by two very large gold hoop earrings.

  She was perfect.

  In slow, steady steps, she joined him at the altar, which had been piled with candles and a small treasure chest full of fake gold pieces that were also scattered all around. He held out a hand, and a happiness he’d never known settled on him when she put her hand in his.

  * * *

  Dani knew Nate was handsome. But dressed as a pirate?

  He was magnificent.

  His shirt was white muslin, and he wore a black leather vest and pants with thick stripes of black and red. His dark
leather boots came to the knee, and a red sash was tied around his slim waist. He swept his hat off his head when she started down the aisle, tucking it under his arm in a sign of respect that made tears blur her eyes.

  This wedding would give them such wonderful stories to tell everyone back home. Their students would demand pictures, and the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Ryan would be more than happy to prove that they had truly been married in a pirates’ den.

  She’d also show it to Jim Reinhardt, and if he held any concerns, she’d resign as department head. Nate was more important to her than being in charge of the English department.

  She said her vows in a firm voice that she hoped gave him no doubt as to how much she loved him and how much she wanted to be his wife. Funny how things were so clear to her now, how walking away had almost been the worst mistake of her life. That’s what love had done for Dani; it had helped her learn what truly mattered in life. And what didn’t.

  Nate’s voice was every bit as strong when he gave her his vows. She paid more attention to the way his thumb rubbed over her knuckles and how he couldn’t stop smiling through the ceremony than what he actually said. The words didn’t matter. The fact that they would be man and wife was the only important thing.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife,” Captain Sparrow said before doffing his hat and giving them a formal bow.

  Nate tugged her into his arms, smiling down at her before he kissed her, a bit longer and more passionately than the situation called for. Dani didn’t mind. Her life was complete now that he was her husband.

  That was all that mattered.

  * * *

  “Déjà vu,” Dani said, squeezing Nate’s hand as they walked into the reception hall—the same one she’d run away from just three weeks ago.

  “I know, right?” As he opened the door, he tossed her a smile with that wonderful dimple. “But I’m glad we’re back.”

  “Me too.”

  The door closed behind them as a cheer rose from the crowd, most of them the guests from the earlier party that she tried daily to put out of her mind. At least the circumstances were happier now, and if Nate could forgive her, Dani was just going to have to learn to forgive herself.

  Nate’s parents came over to the couple first.

  “I have to admit,” Jackie said, “that I’m enjoying this party a helluva lot more than the last one.” Her wink took the sting out of the remark. Then she gathered Dani into her arms and gave her a tight hug. “I knew you two belonged together. Welcome to the family.”

  “Thanks.”

  Mark embraced her next. “We’re happy to call you our daughter.”

  If they kept saying wonderful things like that, Dani was going to burst into tears. “Thank you both.”

  The next half hour was spent meeting and greeting the guests, and Dani feared she’d never be able to sneak away and thank the Ladies. They’d planned this reception right after she and Nate had returned from their short honeymoon. From what they told her, their husbands went to a lot of trouble to get in touch with everyone who’d witnessed the proposal fiasco to invite them to this new and much happier occasion.

  Mallory was setting out plates by the three-tiered cake that Ben was fussing over as though to add a few finishing touches. Jules was working with Connor to set up a large screen and projector. Beth and Robert were helping guests find their tables.

  They’d gone to so much trouble and expense, Dani wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to truly express her appreciation. But she’d try. Her friends—these sisters of her heart and the men they loved—were the reason she’d found the courage to make a commitment to Nate. They’d shown her that marriages could succeed and that love didn’t have to fade away. She only hoped she and her husband would be half as happy as the Ladies and their men.

  About the time Dani figured she’d welcomed enough guests that she could go hunt Beth down, her friend suddenly appeared at her side.

  “It’s time to eat,” Beth said.

  Dani gave her a fierce hug. “I can’t thank you, Mallory, and Jules enough for doing this for us.”

  Beth blew a teasing raspberry. “We’re all glad you and Nate worked things out. As far as the party goes, the guys just repeated a lot of the same plans they’d made for the first party. You should be thanking them more than us. I’m just sorry your parents couldn’t make it.” She nodded at the front table. “Did you see the cake Ben made?”

  “It’s gorgeous.”

  “Why don’t you and Nate go sit at the head table? Then we can start dinner—and the show.”

  “Show?” Dani cocked her head. “What kind of show?”

  “It’s a surprise.” After a quick kiss on the cheek, Beth hurried away.

  And what a surprise it was. After the meal had been served, Connor fired up the projector and showed the Ryans’ pirate wedding in its entirety, much to the delight of the attendees. How he’d obtained a copy was beyond her, until she saw Nate’s grin. “You didn’t.”

  “I did.”

  She had to admit, it made a great show.

  * * *

  The Ladies Who Lunch weren’t able to get together as a group until the crowd finally began to dwindle. Dani had grabbed a piece of cake to enjoy. Nate had fed her a small bite earlier, but then they’d been so busy talking to people, she’d never had a proper serving. She was making up for that now, and thanks to Ben, she had a slice with gobs of icing.

  Beth joined her at the table first, holding her own small piece of cake.

  “That won’t bother your stomach?” Dani asked.

  “Not sure.” Beth shrugged. “But if it does, at least I get to enjoy the sugar buzz first.”

  Not long after, Mallory and Jules took a seat, eating dessert and nursing their drinks.

  Setting aside her fork, Dani smiled at her friends. “You’re all so wonderful. Thank you for doing this.”

  In typical fashion, all three waved away the compliment.

  Jules lifted her champagne glass in toast. “We’re all happy for you.”

  “We couldn’t have picked anyone better for you than Nate.” Mallory inclined her head at their husbands. All four were holding longneck beers, chatting and laughing in clear companionship. “He fits.”

  With a nod, Beth said, “He does, doesn’t he? The guys like him. And so do the Ladies.”

  “That makes me so happy,” Dani said. “The three of you are so damned important to me that I can’t imagine what it would be like to have a husband none of you wanted to spend time with.”

  “He’s like the last puzzle piece,” Jules said.

  Mallory nodded. “Like I said, he fits.”

  “You realize the circle’s complete now, don’t you?” Beth asked.

  Dani didn’t even have to ask what she meant. As usual, she just knew. “It really is. The four of us are always going to be the Ladies Who Lunch, but now? Now, we’re so much more than that.”

  “We’re four families.” A smirk colored Jules’s features. “Even if the kids aren’t here right now.”

  “Thank God for your manny,” Beth said, patting Jules’s hand.

  “Four happy families,” Mallory added. “Of all shapes and sizes.”

  “Well, then…” Dani picked up her own champagne glass. “I have a toast for all of us.”

  Mallory and Jules lifted their champagne glasses. Although Beth only had milk, she grabbed it and joined them.

  “To friendship. To family. And most of all to love—the one thing that truly makes life worth living.”

  About the Author

  Sandy James lives in a quiet suburb of Indianapolis with her husband. She’s a high school social studies teacher who especially loves psychology and United States history. Since she and her husband own a small stable of harness racehorses, they often spend time together at the two Indiana racetracks.

  Learn more at:

  SandyJames.com

  Twitter: @SandyJamesBooks

  Facebook.com/SandyJamesBooks
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  Please turn the page for an excerpt from the first book in Sandy James’s Ladies Who Lunch series,

  The Bottom Line.

  Available now!

  Chapter One

  One more change.

  After a year of unrelenting upheaval, Mallory Hamilton was ready to get her life back. She only needed one more change.

  Giving her short hair another quick tweak, she set the gel aside. Rascal, her tabby cat, jumped up on the vanity counter, where he knew he didn’t belong. But Mallory had learned from experience, some silly rules were made to be broken.

  She ran her hand down his back as he arched up to get more of her touch. The cat’s fur was soft and warm, and she wanted nothing more than to crawl back into bed and let Rascal snuggle against her side like a living heating pad.

  “Did you finish your breakfast?” she asked her pet.

  Rascal’s reply was more purring.

  Mallory took one last look in the mirror, smiled, and walked out of the bathroom. Her cat padded beside her, twitching his tail in the air.

  The summer had been hot and very dry, matching her mood quite well. Everyone patted her on the shoulder and told her they admired her strength. Truth was she wasn’t strong. She was numb. Her life had taken a one-eighty turn so fast, she hadn’t had the chance to catch her breath. There simply hadn’t been time to cry. Now that the ordeal had ended, she saw no reason to indulge herself in an emotional breakdown. Crying wouldn’t change a damned thing.

  She’d lost things she couldn’t get back, and that was that.

  The doorbell rang as she finished buttoning her shirt.

  Rascal hopped on the bed, stretching out on the rumpled quilt and kneading his claws against the cloth. Before she headed downstairs, Mallory jerked the shade up so that the sunlight hit his striped brown fur.

  “Have a nice nap. I need to talk to the contractor about fixing up this dump.”

  And her home really was a dump.

  The doorbell rang again.