Chase's Promise

by Lois Faye Dyer

  “I’ll seat the lady, David.”

  Raine turned, her eyes widening. She’d thought Chase was handsome in faded jeans and dusty cowboy boots, but in a tuxedo, he could stop traffic. “Hello,” she managed to say.

  “Hello.” His gaze swept her from head to toe, then returned with disconcerting slowness until he looked into her eyes again. The heat in his left no doubt that he liked what he saw.

  Raine felt his slow survey as if he’d stroked his hand over her bare skin. Her body responded with heat that began low in her belly, spreading swiftly until she burned all over.

  He stepped closer, took her hand in his and tucked it into the crook of his elbow. He bent his head, his lips brushing her ear, making her shiver, as he spoke. “I’m supposed to sit up front with the rest of the family.”

  Raine glanced at the first two rows of chairs, filling with McCloud and Kerrigan relatives.

  “Go ahead, I’ll sit back here,” she whispered, determined to remain unnoticed.

  He studied her face for a moment, then shrugged. “Whatever you say.”

  He drew her with him to two empty seats on the aisle, three rows from the back. He stood back to let her enter, then sat beside her just as the pastor climbed the two steps to the altar and faced the guests. Zach and a man Raine didn’t recognize followed the pastor across the lawn and took their places at the foot of the steps. The three men faced the audience and stood with their hands clasped in front of them, looking down the cloth-covered aisle.

  “Don’t you have to join your family?” Raine whispered, leaning into Chase to keep from being overheard. His shoulder pressed against hers, the unique scent of soap and hint of after-shave she’d come to associate with only him reaching her nostrils.

  “Not if you don’t want to.”

  “Chase, please don’t give your parents another reason to dislike me,” she said softly. The older lady in the chair in front of Raine looked over her shoulder, her slight frown clearing when she recognized Raine.

  “Good evening, Raine. Lovely to see you.”

  “Lovely to see you, too, Mrs. Plunkett.”

  The older woman smiled, nodded at Chase and faced forward once more.

  Raine closed her eyes and sighed. “Great,” she whispered to Chase. “She’ll tell your mother for sure.”

  “Tell my mother what?” Chase lifted a questioning eyebrow.

  “That you’re associating with the enemy, of course.”

  “What makes you think my mother believes you’re the enemy?” he murmured.

  “Oh, do be serious, Chase,” Raine whispered. “My mother yelled at your mother and threw a hysterical fit in the grocery store. Dad said Mom refused to let Margaret leave. He was afraid Mom was going to attack her.”

  “Honey.” Chase leaned close, his voice audible only to Raine. “Mom told Dad if she’d lost a son as your mother had, she didn’t think she’d have kept her sanity. I doubt my mother ever thought of anyone in your family as ‘the enemy.’”

  “But…” Raine began, unconvinced.

  The swelling strains of “The Wedding March” interrupted her. All around them the guests rose to their feet accompanied by the rustle of clothing and murmurs of anticipation.

  Raine and Chase stood, too, half turning to look toward the patio just as the wedding party left the house. Three young women in vibrant, deep rose-pink gowns were accompanied by men in tuxedos. They were followed by a little girl tossing rose petals from a beribboned basket; walking beside her was Rowdy, Jessie and Zach’s son. The little boy’s grave expression broke into a broad grin when he saw Chase. The grin widened when Chase winked at him; he waved exuberantly in response before the two children moved past and down the aisle.

  Then John McCloud stepped through the open French doors and out onto the patio, his daughter on his arm. Jessie seemed to float toward them in a froth of white skirts, her long veil a gossamer web of pale lace over her auburn hair.

  Tears misted Raine’s eyes. Jessie’s face was radiant as she glided down the aisle toward the altar where Zach waited.

  Raine sniffed quietly, bending her head to rummage in her purse for a tissue. Without comment, Chase held out a snowy-white handkerchief and she murmured her thanks, taking it to blot her cheeks and the tears still dampening her lashes.

  The ceremony was very traditional until Zach kissed his bride. Then tradition was abandoned. He turned to Rowdy, sitting with Zach’s mother in the first row, and held out his arms.

  Rowdy crowed with glee and raced to the altar, launching himself into his father’s arms. Zach caught him and Rowdy flung one small arm around Zach’s neck before he leaned over and hugged Jessie.

  The guests burst out laughing, cheering as Zach took Jessie’s hand, perched Rowdy on his hip, and all three left the altar for the patio. A buffet was set up along one side and round tables filled the flagstone area while others were scattered over the lawn and beneath the trees.

  Chase bent to whisper in Raine’s ear. “Do you always cry at weddings?”

  “Yes, I’m afraid so.”

  “They make you sad?”

  “No, they make me happy.”

  Chase shook his head in disbelief. “I’ll never understand women.”

  “Excuse me?” The young usher who’d greeted Raine earlier stood in the aisle. “Your mother wanted me to tell you the photographer needs all the family gathered together, Chase.”

  “Tell her I’ll be right there.” Chase looked down at Raine. “I have to do this.”

  “I know, go.” She gave his arm a gentle push. “Wedding photos are important to the bride and groom.”

  “Don’t go too far. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  Raine smiled noncommittally and waved him away. With luck, she thought, she’d catch Zach for a moment to wish him well and then leave before Chase finished with the photographer.

  The wedding was beautiful and she was glad she came, but it was definitely time to go. She didn’t belong here. She glanced around. Virginia McGonagle, whose husband owned McGonagle’s Feed Store in Wolf Creek, whispered fervently to Mrs. Plunkett, both looking at her with interest. Virginia returned Raine’s nod of hello with a faintly guilty smile.

  Probably feeling guilty because she’s gossiping about Chase and me sitting together. Raine knew the gathering of neighbors familiar with old history between the McCloud and Harper families would soon be buzzing.

  Gossip—how she hated it. She’d spent her teen and adult life ignoring rumors, however, and saw no reason to change tactics now.

  All about her, the guests were standing, streaming toward the patio. Raine rose and joined the other guests. She knew nearly all of them, some as nodding acquaintances and some more personally. Wolf Creek was a small ranching community; Raine knew most of the people present probably were connected in one way or another.

  The sun dropped below the horizon and long shadows stretched across the lawn. The trees were draped with strings of tiny white lights that gleamed brighter as dusk deepened and the Japanese lanterns hanging from lower limbs glowed with a rainbow of colors.

  Raine accepted a glass of champagne from a young waiter and searched the crowd, relieved when she found Charlotte waving wildly from beneath a tall tree across the lawn. She inched her way through the guests to join her friend, who stood with her husband, Dan.

  “We looked for you when we arrived but couldn’t find you. Where were you sitting?” Charlotte demanded as Raine reached them.

  “Near the back—I was late and didn’t get here until just before the ceremony. What a crush.” Raine gestured at the packed lawn and patio. From their vantage point beneath a huge old maple, they had a perfect view across the lawn to the far side of the garden. The photographer was busily positioning family members with the bridal party against a backdrop of climbing roses. Wedding guests thronged the plush grass, flagstone patio and walkways. “I think most of the county must be here.”

  “Along with a lot of politicians from Helena,�
� Dan put in. He pointed at a group near the patio. “That’s Governor Attebury with his wife and the couple with them are the Harrises, he’s a state senator. I recognized several other state legislators while Charlotte and I were looking for you.”

  “I suppose it’s not surprising,” Raine commented, sipping her champagne. It was delicious, fizzy with just the right amount of tartness. “A wedding is an important social occasion and the McClouds are a family with powerful connections.”

  “Not to mention fabulous taste in champagne,” Charlotte quipped. She waved a hand at the garden, patio and house. “Also incredibly rich, obviously. Is this place gorgeous, or what?”

  “It certainly is,” Raine said, smiling at her friend’s uncomplicated enjoyment of the moment. She glanced at Dan; his rough-hewn features held an expression of indulgent adoration as he watched his wife. Charlotte reached up and kissed him, laughing as she rubbed at the pink smear her lipstick left on his tanned cheek.

  A wave of loneliness swept Raine. She’d never shared that kind of easy camaraderie with a man other than the brother-sister affection she had with Trey. And no one had ever looked at her with the total love she’d glimpsed in Dan’s eyes as he watched Charlotte.

  “…don’t you think, Raine?”

  “I’m sorry, what were you saying?” Raine had no idea what Charlotte was talking about since she hadn’t been paying attention.

  “I said, I think this wedding is a miracle. First Luke and Rachel got together and now Zach and Jessie—what are the chances that even one Kerrigan and a McCloud would get together, let alone two sets? The odds against it happening twice have got to be astronomical, don’t you think?”

  “Yes,” Raine agreed. “I do.” Across the lawn, the photographer was folding his tripod while the family group broke up and trooped toward the patio. “I think the receiving line is about to assemble. Shall we head over there?”

  They downed their champagne, handed the empty flutes to a waiter passing by and wound their way through the crowd to join the line of well-wishers. Only a couple of dozen people were queued up ahead of them but by the time Raine reached the bride and groom, the line behind her snaked across the gardens, several hundred guests long.

  “Raine.” Zach caught her in an exuberant hug, lifting her off her feet. “I wasn’t sure you’d make it.”

  She laughed and hugged him back with equal enthusiasm. “I wouldn’t miss your wedding. You told me years ago it would never happen and I had to be here to say, ‘I told you so.’”

  “That’s right. I did say that, didn’t I,” Zach said wryly. “I made that stupid comment when I was a teenager so I can’t be held accountable as an adult, can I?”

  “Of course you can,” Raine said promptly. “And if I remember correctly, you owe me five dollars for losing the bet. You can pay me when you get back from your honeymoon.”

  Zach threw his head back and laughed. Beside him, Jessie said goodbye to an elderly woman and turned to slip her arm through his. “What’s so funny?” Her warm smile didn’t cool when she looked inquiringly at Raine.

  “I reminded Zach of a bet we made in high school. He was positive he’d never marry and I was so sure he would.”

  “I’m glad you won that bet,” Jessie said.

  “Me, too.” Raine felt a rush of emotion. There was a glow about the couple, they seemed to radiate happiness and contentment. “Congratulations to you both. I hope you have many wonderful years together.”

  “Thank you.” Jessie leaned forward and much to Raine’s astonishment, hugged her. “Zach’s told me what a good friend you were to him when he was in high school,” she said. “I hope you’ll come visit us, and soon.”

  “I, um…thank you,” Raine managed to say. “I’ll try.”

  “Congratulations, you two.” The deep voice of a rancher behind her interrupted them.

  “I’m holding up the line.” Raine waggled her fingers in farewell and moved on to the next person in the reception line, steeling herself to face Margaret McCloud. Dressed in a raw silk evening suit, the sapphire tone accentuating her creamy skin and auburn hair, pinned high in a French twist, Chase’s mother radiated elegance.

  “Raine, how lovely to see you.” Margaret captured Raine’s hand in both hers. “I’m so glad you could join us today.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. McCloud. It was a lovely ceremony.”

  “It was, wasn’t it?” Margaret’s eyes, the same deep blue as her daughter’s, misted. “I love weddings.”

  Someone jostled Raine and murmured an apology.

  “I’m afraid I’m holding up the line,” Raine said with a polite smile.

  “We’ll talk later,” Margaret promised. She turned to her husband, standing beside her. “John, I’m sure you remember Raine Harper.”

  “Of course.” Chase’s father took Raine’s hand from his wife’s and like Margaret, enfolded it between his warm, callous-roughened palms. “It’s a pleasure to see you, Raine. I understand you and Chase have been working together.”

  “Yes,” Raine said, dazed by the warmth of the McCloud’s welcome when she’d been so sure they would barely acknowledge her. “We have.”

  “I was sorry to hear about your brother’s disappearance. Chase will find him, no doubt about it.” John’s voice held total confidence.

  “I think so, too, Mr. McCloud.” And she did, Raine realized. She was convinced Chase would find Trey; the only worry she had was how quickly he could make it happen. She wanted it sooner, rather than later.

  “Have you tried the champagne, Dad?”

  Raine looked over her shoulder. Chase stood directly behind her, holding three full champagne flutes.

  “Not since your mother made me sample a glass when the caterer was here a couple of weeks ago.” John released Raine’s hand and took one of the flutes. “As I recall, it was pretty damn good.”

  Chase handed one of the flutes to Raine, then reached over her shoulder to give the other one to Margaret. His mother smiled her thanks and sipped appreciatively before turning back to the long line of waiting guests.

  “I’m stealing Raine from you, Dad,” Chase said, taking her hand.

  “All right. Nice to see you, Raine.” John’s eyes twinkled and he touched the rim of his flute to hers. “Careful with this stuff. It tastes like smooth, fizzy pale wine but it can sneak up on a person. The worst headache I’ve ever had was on the morning after Margaret and I drank too much champagne at an inauguration ball.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind, thanks.” Raine smiled and let Chase draw her away several steps before she realized they were abandoning the receiving line. “Wait,” she murmured, tugging on his hand. “I didn’t finish congratulating the wedding party. Zach’s mom is there, and the bridesmaids, and the groomsmen…”

  “If you really want to talk to each and every one of them, I’ll make sure you catch them later. Right now, let’s score some food. I’m starving and you’ll likely get a screaming headache from the champagne if you don’t eat something.”

  “I’m not sure that’s true,” she said, trying to remember what she’d eaten earlier in the day. All she could remember downing was a small container of yogurt—she’d been too nervous to eat.

  “Trust me. I know these things.”

  Chase bypassed the crowds at the buffet tables and drew Raine with him down a shadowed walkway around the side of the house. He led her inside. To their right was the kitchen. They dodged hurrying waiters and kitchen staff to reach the counter on the far side. Chase picked up two heavily laden plates covered with clear plastic wrap, hooked an unopened bottle of chilled champagne with two fingers and nodded at the hall door just beyond.

  “If you’ll get the door, we’re outta here.”

  Raine followed him into another hallway. “Where are we?” She asked as they climbed a short flight of stairs. “More importantly, where are we going?”

  “We’re going up the back way to the sunroom.”

  “There’s a sunroom? I didn’t
notice it from the garden.”

  “We call it the sunroom but it’s really a six-sided addition Dad built on the end of the house so Mom can grow flowers in the winter.”

  Raine walked past him into a dim room.

  “Oh, my,” she whispered, halting abruptly. The room had six walls, all composed of floor-to-ceiling windows with mesh screens, while the ceiling itself was tinted glass. The thick-leafed limbs of a giant maple tree had been cleverly trimmed to surround and shield the room from below while allowing a panoramic view of the gardens to anyone inside the room. “This is amazing.”

  “You don’t need to whisper, no one can hear us. They can’t see us, either.”

  Potted plants and hanging ferns filled the room with the scent of green, growing things and Raine was drawn to the screened windows. She dropped her purse and shawl on a nearby wicker table, set her half-empty crystal flute next to them and leaned forward to look down at the gardens. “It’s like a fairyland with all the lights and lanterns,” she said softly.

  “It’s pretty,” Chase agreed, moving to stand behind her. He slipped his arms around her waist and drew her back to rest against him. “My mother loves flowers.”

  “It shows,” Raine murmured. “The roses are amazing.”

  “Prize-winning,” he said. His head lowered, the rough silk of his hair brushing her throat as he trailed lazy kisses over her shoulder. “Did I tell you how much I like this dress?”

  “No.” Her lashes drifted lower, the lights in the garden below blurring hazily as she gave herself up to the heady intoxication of his lips against her sensitized skin.

  “And the earrings…” He nipped her earlobe.

  Raine shivered, nerves jumping with anticipation.

  “Even better would be the earrings,” he went on, tracing the curve of her ear with his lips. “Without the dress.”

  She turned her head to look up at him.

  His mouth moved warmly over hers, seducing her senses. Circling her arms around his neck, she pressed closer, reveling in the hard strength of his body, when muted laughter sounded on the stairs. Startled, she pushed against his shoulders. Chase released her and was at the table pouring champagne when Luke and Rachel entered.