Worth the Wait (McKinney/Walker #1)

by Claudia Connor

  A solid knock at the door sent the women into peals of laughter. “Ah! Busted!”

  “I’ll get it.” Mia cracked the door to the bridal room, blocking the view behind her in case it was the groom trying to get a peek at his bride.

  Not the groom, but the biggest brother.

  A smile bloomed on her face. There was no stopping it. Nick looked incredibly handsome in his black tux, his beautiful, serious face. She closed the door behind her. “If you’re here to kidnap the bride, I’ll have to say no.”

  One side of his mouth curled up. “You think you could stop me?”

  “I’m stronger than I look.”

  “Really? I might have to test that.”

  Now she got the full smile, and it made her knees weak. “Um… is it time?” She checked her watch. “I thought we had a few more minutes.”

  “We do. I…” Nick stared down at Mia, completely forgetting what he was doing. He’d needed to see her, needed her. Now his mind felt fuzzy and… God, she was so beautiful she stole his breath. Her hair was up and back, making her eyes look even bigger. The midnight blue lay against her light skin. All the bridesmaids wore the same fabric, but different styles. Mia wore a strapless type with soft, gauzy fabric that wrapped around her breasts, leaving her bare shoulders begging for his lips. It fit snug at her waist before falling dramatically to the floor like dark water.

  “Nick? You okay? You guys weren’t doing shots, were you?”

  “What? No. Okay, maybe one. A toast. But everyone’s good. McKinney’s pacing, so obviously nervous that Hannah will change her mind, it’s funny to the point of pathetic. I had to tell Zach to lay off.”

  “That’s sweet. Stephen’s pacing, not Zach. And you, taking up for him.”

  “Mmm.” He glanced down then up. “Now I know why they call it giving away. It feels like that.”

  “You’re being very brave.” She teased him but laid a gentle hand on his cheek.

  Not really. He’d needed to see her. She lowered her hand before he could cover it with his own.

  “McKinney’s taking all my fun. I can hardly act domineering and scary when he’s checking his watch and pacing like a damn tiger we’re holding caged from his mate.”

  Mia smiled again, her eyes sparkling like black pearls. Love for her rolled through him and over him almost violently. Damn, he wanted to fall at her feet, beg her to say she still felt the same. Not now, but soon. “How’s everything going in there?”

  “Fine. All excited smiles and giggles. I got her to eat.”

  “Good. That’s good.” He laughed nervously. The day, the wedding, Mia, all of it had him twisted up. “Did Hannah say anything about Dallas?”

  “Not really. She told me he couldn’t be here, but I don’t think she was that surprised. I don’t think it’s dampening her day. She’s just too happy.”

  “Okay. That’s good.” He continued to stare, his eyes roaming over her exquisite face, thinking about doing something crazy, like hauling her in for a kiss, when the door cracked open.

  Lizzie McKinney stuck her head out. “Hey, what’s going on out here? Are my idiot brothers being idiots?”

  “No. Everything’s under control,” Nick said.

  “Okay. This is girl time. Mia, get back in here.” Lizzie closed the door on a burst of raucous laughter.

  Nick raised an eyebrow. “Maybe we should be more worried about what’s going on in your room.”

  She smiled softly. “I should probably get back in there.”

  “Yeah.” A beat of silence passed, and neither of them moved.

  He searched her face. He was pretty sure she loved him. He’d felt it, seen it in her eyes. However long it had been, he knew her eyes. He dreamed of them. But did she trust him? His job had taken longer than he thought, then it had been full throttle toward the wedding. They needed their time. “I want to talk to you.”

  “We will. Later.”

  “Okay.” He reached for her hand, held it loosely in his, then turned it over slowly, just needing to touch her. “You know, if I’m playing the part of father of the bride, you fit the role of mother. You were like a mother to Hannah for a lot of years. Like a sister, but also like a mother. I’m not sure I ever thanked you enough for that.”

  Her dark eyes glistened with tears.

  “Shit, Mia, I didn’t mean to—”

  “You didn’t. And you don’t have to thank me.” With her hands on his shoulders, she rose up, pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. “We did good.”

  “Yes, we did.” He could finally say that and mean it with no self-recriminations.

  She looked at her watch. “Now it really is almost time.”

  “Yeah. I should get back to the man side.” He waited until she’d closed the door before he walked away. Very soon, he wouldn’t be walking away anymore.

  * * *

  ZACH HUGGED HANNAH ONE more time, as Luke had, then, with a smile and a kiss on the cheek, left to take his place in the church. Now Nick stood with Hannah off to the side of the church’s narthex. It was almost time. “You look so much like Mom.”

  “Don’t make me cry.”

  “I don’t mean to.” Her hair hung in long, loose curls, and he touched one gently like he’d done so many times since she was born. Still soft. Even on this day, Hannah wouldn’t have stiff, sprayed hair. That wasn’t his sister’s style. And she did have style. And grace. The only other woman he’d ever thought that about was Mia.

  “I’m glad you’re here, Nick. I’m glad you’re walking me down the aisle. Every girl should be so lucky to have a brother like you.”

  His nose burned. Now he was in danger of water works. “I’m so damn proud of you. I know Mom and Dad are too.”

  “I know. I feel them here with us, don’t you?”

  “They wouldn’t miss it.”

  “Nick?”

  “What, baby?” He adjusted her veil. Not really adjusted, just touched, because what did he know about veils?

  “I need you to do something for me.”

  “Anything.”

  She stared at him so long he thought maybe she’d changed her mind, and he started racing through his planned escape routes.

  “I need you to be happy,” she said. “Please be happy.”

  “I am happy for you. Shit, Hannah—”

  “No. Not for me, for yourself. You’ve given me everything, done everything. I couldn’t have wished for a better man to raise me.” She held the sides of her dress out, some silk organza or something, a smile splitting her face in two. “Look at me. I’m getting married. I’m in love.”

  She was; he could see it. She glowed brilliantly with it.

  “I have the horses, my students, my brothers, a pack of sisters… and a man I love who loves me back. If I was any happier, I would explode.” She wound her arms around his neck. “Be happy,” she whispered against his ear. “It’s time.”

  He held her tightly, absorbing her, her happiness, and her words and at the same time telling himself he wasn’t hugging her goodbye. When they pulled back, he took her hands, and the years flashed in front of him. He saw her at two and five and ten. “I love you.”

  “I know.”

  “If he ever does anything, anything…”

  She rolled her eyes at the same warning he’d given a hundred times, and it bumped them both away from the threat of sentimental tears.

  The music started, and from where they stood around the corner, he caught sight of the last bridesmaid walking through the open doors. He led Hannah past the holy water font, and they waited just out of view for the change in music. Three mini McKinneys, all in tuxes, strode before them. The two taller ones flanked the smallest boy on either side.

  “If you love her,” Hannah whispered, “don’t let her get away.”

  He barely had time to react before the Wedding March began. They walked slowly, Hannah’s arm through his. The church was filled with family and friends, the majority of whom were the McKinneys’, but almost
all of Hannah’s riding students were there.

  Stephen stood waiting, looking sufficiently awed as he should be; gut punched, his eyes red and watery, his lips fighting a quivering smile. Matt stood directly beside him, with a row of brothers lined up after that.

  Then Nick’s eyes found Mia’s. He could picture her in a white dress, white flowers in her hand, walking down a rose-covered aisle. She would have that. He would give her that. It might have been a long time ago, but he hadn’t forgotten his plans of standing at the end of a church aisle, waiting for his bride.

  The smile Mia sent him shored him up with that last bit of strength he needed as the music ended and the priest signaled the church to sit.

  “Who gives this woman to be wed?”

  Nick cleared his throat. This is it. “Her brothers and I do.”

  Stephen took a deep, steadying breath and stepped forward to receive the gift of Hannah. It was on the tip of his tongue to say one more time, Hurt her and I’ll kill you. But he took a deep breath himself and gave his baby sister away.

  * * *

  THE WORDS WERE SAID; the rings were on. He’d watched a man kiss his sister in front of God and two hundred people and he was still breathing. Crazy that it had taken nearly five months of planning and preparing and the actual act had taken barely an hour.

  The outside reception was in full swing. The giant tent strewn with thousands of tiny lights held a romantic glow. Candlelight flickered on tables and plants in huge pots, and ornamental trees twinkled, turning the scene into a nighttime wonderland.

  Waiters in bowties offered heavy hors d’oeuvres on silver trays. Tiny filet kabobs, crab-stuffed mushrooms, and some kind of cheese puff pastry. He’d told Hannah the sky was the limit, anything she wanted, and he’d meant it. He’d saved for this day a long time, and for a long time never thought it would happen. Over all, his sister had kept things pretty simple. On the food, though, he’d insisted she not hold back.

  Champagne flowed along with wine, beer, and mixed drinks at the open bar. There were sparkling fizzies for the horde of children moving spastically on the dance floor. Too much sugar amped up by the excitement of being up and out so late.

  Mia stood across the room with the bride and her court. He would dance with her before the night was out, but once he touched her, he didn’t want to let her go. He was going to lay it out for her. They were meant to be together, and he’d prove it. And however long that took, they’d be together while he did.

  Luke joined him and held out a beer. “Thanks.”

  “How many women do you think Zach actually came to the wedding with?” Luke gestured with his bottle.

  Nick followed the motion and found Zach at the bar, a grin stretched across his handsome face. “Better question is how many women actually think they’re here with him.”

  They both laughed, watching Zach lead one woman away from the bar and onto the dance floor. Amazingly, the women left behind gazed after him with affection. It was baffling the things Zach got away with.

  Of all his brothers, he was closest to Zach. They’d definitely spent the most time together. Still, there was still no deep confiding. He sometimes wondered if Zach ever felt anything deep enough to confide.

  “And I’ll say again, are you just going to stare at her? You’re starting to look like a damn stalker.”

  He hadn’t realized he’d been staring at Mia again. Seemed only natural to watch the woman he loved. Even when he wasn’t thinking about her directly, he couldn’t let her out of his sight.

  Luke looked over, clearly surprised by Nick’s silence. “Seriously? You’re not going to growl at me? Tell me to mind my own business?”

  “She asked me to give her some space.”

  Luke paused with the beer halfway to his lips, thought a second, then took a long drink.

  “What? You’re not going to tell me to ignore her? Say something like, when did I ever not do exactly what I wanted?”

  Luke picked at the label on his bottle. “Nope.”

  Nick looked over at his brother, staring at nothing, and watched him throw back the rest of his drink. Something made him wonder if maybe Luke had been told the same thing by a woman recently. “I’m going to be closing that gap of space soon.”

  “Good for you,” Luke said, sounding sincere, and Nick wondered again what had happened to his brother.

  “Look.” Nick brought the bottle to his lips, giving himself another minute. “I wanted to say something to you.”

  “You don’t have to,” Luke said quickly and shifted on his feet.

  “Just listen for a damn second. You never would listen to me.” He sighed heavily. “But I guess I’m sorry for trying so hard to make you. I didn’t know how to be a father.”

  “I was seventeen. I didn’t need one.”

  “No. You didn’t.”

  “And you were a bossy know-it-all long before Mom and Dad died.”

  Nick smiled. Probably true. “I’m proud of you. Who you are and what you do. I’m sorry for the part I had in pushing you toward it. The things I said—”

  “Are long forgotten. And if we’re going to get sappy, I’m proud of you, too.”

  “So we’re good?” Nick asked.

  “Yeah. We’re good.” They both watched Hannah walk toward the dance floor. “I’m leaving tomorrow.”

  Damn. He’d known it was coming. But… damn. “I figured as much. It’s good that you stayed.”

  “I love her, too,” Luke said guilty. “Even if I didn’t stick the way I should have… you’re not the only one who loves her.”

  “I know you do. Where’re you going?”

  “I don’t know yet. I’ll be in touch when I can.”

  Dallas, now Luke. Two brothers gone. “Be safe.”

  “You, too. I think I’ll dance with the bride one last time. And leave some parting warnings for our groom.”

  Luke walked to the dance floor, and Nick fingered the diamond ring in his pocket. He’d been carrying it with him for a few weeks now. Mia laughed with a group of women. Though he couldn’t hear it over the music, he could see it. The tilt of her head, the soft lines around her eyes and the smile. He continued to watch.

  She glanced up as if sensing him, and their eyes met across the dark and sparkling space. He thought about what Hannah had asked of him. Was it really that easy? For so many years of his, life happiness had been synonymous with Mia. He’d stolen her happiness, too.

  It was time to give it back.

  Chapter 24

  MIA STOOD OFF TO the side, watching Stephen and Hannah delicately feed each other the bites of wedding cake, a beautiful five-tier white and off-white with delicate sugar flowers and real flowers and sprigs of green draping down the side. As the maid of honor, she dutifully held the bouquet, made a short-and-sweet toast wishing the couple a long and happy life. There wasn’t a second she wasn’t acutely aware of where Nick was in the room.

  She’d danced with the bridesmaids and talked to a thousand McKinney relatives. The entire day suited Hannah flawlessly. Simple and sweet. The white bouquet was elegant, the flowers delicate, and the strands of midnight blue woven through spoke of strength.

  Everyone’s hair was up except Hannah’s. That had been Lizzie’s idea. Hannah was too thoughtful to tell anyone how to wear their hair, especially in an effort to make herself stand out, but the effect was beautiful and added another layer of dramatic perfection.

  But the real perfection had come when Stephen McKinney had gotten his first look at his bride coming down the aisle. That was it. The dress and flowers might be what little girls dreamed of, but it was that look of unwavering love that every woman wanted.

  When he took her hand and smiled down at her with tears in his eyes, her own filled. She was happy for Hannah but also ached to have that for herself. She still had a great deal of love to give a man and a child. Not any man, though. Nick was the only man she wanted to give it to.

  There was still a good hour or more to go befor
e the bride and groom would ride off to their happily ever after. No matter how badly she wanted to kick off her shoes and curl up, she had to stay until that happened. No matter how much she wanted a moment to herself to let all of this emotion building inside her drain out, she had to hold it in just a little longer.

  Finally, the band called for a last dance with the bride and groom before they left. She moved to stand at the side and turned in surprise when Stephen touched her arm.

  “A dance?”

  She looked at him, so handsome in his tux and so very happy. He loved Hannah. That much was clear, and Mia believed he would be a very good husband. She glanced to the dance floor, saw Hannah in Nick’s arms, probably giving a last goodbye.

  “Sure.” She allowed herself to be turned in his arms and moved to a slow rendition of “Free Falling.” She tried not to stare at Nick.

  “You know,” Stephen said, bending his head low to her ear. “He’s a pain in the ass, but I think he’s a good man.”

  She nodded and bit her lip. “He is. The best.”

  Minutes later, they changed partners, and she found herself in Nick’s arms. Their bodies knew each other, and she fit against him like she’d always been there. His hold on her was sure and solid, like he knew exactly what they were to each other.

  The song, the night, the wedding white and tiny lights, all combined to truly make her feel as if she were free falling.

  “You’re still alive.” She smiled softly up at him. She knew him, understood the mix of emotions he’d have.

  “Yes. I… Mia, you’re so beautiful.” He pulled her in closer, tightened his fingers around hers, and brought their joined hands to his chest. “You take my breath.”

  And he took hers. Everything else disappeared, the couples and the scent of flowers and food. She laid her cheek against his heart, felt the steady beat there. His hand cruised up her bare back, his fingertips gliding along her skin before curling around the back of her neck.