For Better or For Worse

by Debbi Quattrone

  “Damn it.” He fumbled the knot again.

  “Alex?”

  In the mirror, he saw Jen step tentatively into the room. It was a small space in the front of the church behind the altar, and she stayed near the door.

  “Did you need some help?” She looked pretty in a yellow linen suit, her long hair pulled into some kind of twist. She looked scared, too. Probably because she’d walked in to find him cursing...and in church, no less.

  He sighed. “I don’t know why I’m having so much trouble with this.”

  She looked at her hands briefly, then met his gaze. “You can still change your mind, you know. I wouldn’t blame you at all.”

  He let go of the tie and turned to her. “I haven’t changed my mind.”

  She crossed her arms and hugged herself. “But you can if you want.”

  “I’m not going to.” He moved toward her and saw her stiffen, but that didn’t stop him. He reached for her, grasping her shoulders and waiting for her to look into his eyes. “I’m not having second thoughts. I just hate messing with ties.”

  A startled laugh escaped her, easing the tension. “I can help.”

  “Yeah?”

  She nodded and took hold of the slippery blue silk. “I used to wear ties to work all the time.”

  “Like these?”

  “Yep.”

  “You’re kidding.” He lifted his chin to give her room, wishing he faced the mirror so he could watch her.

  “Women can wear ties, too.” She tugged the knot tight, her indignation evident.

  He stretched his neck to loosen the silk noose. “Yeah, but why in the heck would you?”

  She smiled. “There. What do you think?”

  He turned toward the mirror. “Good job.”

  “I have my uses.”

  Their gazes met in the mirror. “Thanks.”

  She looked away first. “No problem. I’ll be waiting outside. I mean, in the church. Just outside here.” A pretty pink spread across her cheeks, and she promptly turned to leave.

  What had suddenly gotten her so nervous? “Hey, Jen, wait.”

  With obvious reluctance, she faced him again.

  He held out a hand to her, and she briefly looked as if she would ignore it, then slipped her hand in his. “Are you having second thoughts?”

  She slowly shook her head.

  “Is something wrong?”

  Again she said nothing, but she shook her head.

  “Would you tell me if there was?”

  That earned him a faint smile. “Maybe,” she replied honestly.

  He tugged her toward him, and when she got close, she tipped her head to look at him with wide, uncertain eyes. “We’re doing the right thing,” he said.

  “I hope so.”

  “No question about it.” He kissed the tip of her nose.

  She blinked, looking as if she wanted to say something. She didn’t, though, and gave him a shy smile instead.

  “What did you want to say?” he asked quietly.

  She drew in her lower lip. She had perfectly straight white teeth, and an old image of her in braces flashed in his mind.

  “Come on, out with it.”

  She closed her eyes. “I really need a hug.”

  That was the last thing he’d expected her to say. He smiled when she finally peeked out from under her lashes. “What a coincidence. So do I.”

  He slid his arms around her and held her close. Her hair smelled like peaches, and her soft sigh seemed to go right through the wall of his chest. She was so small and fragile he was afraid to squeeze too tight. To his amazement, he wanted to. He wanted to hold her so close that they melted together.

  What the hell was the matter with him? This was Jenny Taylor. Ed’s daughter. This was about taking care of her, getting her well.

  He started to retreat, but she hugged his waist and clung to him as if her life depended on it. And sadly, maybe it did. This was gratitude. Nothing else.

  His body didn’t get it. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel the tightening arousal that stunned him beyond comprehension. “We’re late,” he said as he drew back, hoping like hell nothing showed under his fly.

  She nodded and gave him a shaky smile. “Thank you.”

  He reached for his suit jacket. “Oh, yeah, that was a real hardship.”

  The pleasure in her eyes warmed him. “I’ll meet you out there.”

  He glanced at his watch. “We have two minutes.”

  “Alex?” She stopped at the door. “Thanks.”

  “Stop thanking me,” he said gruffly, and she left with a smile.

  As soon as the door closed, he let out a frustrated sigh. He felt relieved, disgusted and astonished, and his brain was spinning. So, he was a normal red-blooded male. If he didn’t react to a pretty woman, he’d be worried. No need to beat up on himself.

  But this was Jenny Taylor.

  Damn.

  He went to the small sink in the corner and splashed water on his face. At least she didn’t seem to know about his perverted reaction. Nah, perverted was too strong. His body was only seeking something it hadn’t had in a very long time. Too long.

  Three years after Sara had died, he’d gone on a few dates. He’d really liked a vet from Boston he’d met at a conference. They’d dated for the longest period of time, almost a year. But when push came to shove, he knew the relationship couldn’t go anywhere. He’d been honest with Janet about his feelings, and she’d been understandably upset. He hadn’t seen her since then.

  With Jenny, he was safe. The marriage was more like a business arrangement. No personal feelings were involved. Once she was well and on her feet, she’d head back to the big city. She’d never stick around a place like Cooper’s Corner.

  He dried his face and hands, feeling only marginally better. There was no ignoring the nagging unease that had plagued him since he’d opened his eyes this morning. Not that he had any reservations about what they were doing. That was the one point he was very clear about.

  Maybe his edginess had to do with the whole church and wedding thing. Perhaps subconsciously it reminded him of Sara, though their wedding day had been nothing like today. They knew from their sophomore year in college that they’d eventually marry. Sara had planned the wedding ceremony and reception down to the last white orchid by the time he’d graduated from veterinarian school. They’d tied the knot a month later.

  He smiled at the memory of how beautiful she’d looked in the white wedding gown her mother and grandmother had worn before her. Sara and he had had so many youthful plans, so many dreams.

  All of them cut short.

  He took a deep breath and shook off the melancholy. No room for that kind of thinking today. Jen would probably pick up the bad vibes, and she was already fragile and uncertain. They needed to get through the day in peace and privacy, file the insurance forms and then prepare for the reaction and comments from everyone.

  The news of their wedding had probably been picked up already by Phyllis and Philo Cooper’s radar, and it wouldn’t take the couple long to spread the word. They were the town’s best source of gossip, though their interest in people was genuine and not the least bit malicious. They loved to be the first in the know.

  Alex took a last look at his reflection, adjusted his white starched collar and stepped into the hall. The church was quiet when he entered. Tom Christen, Tuck and his wife Grace, and Jenny awaited him. He and Jen had decided to skip an organist. No frills. Fast and simple. That should provide all kinds of fodder for the local grapevine.

  The assembled group was standing at the front of the church, talking. He smiled at the thought that it was usually the bride who was late, tending to last-minute details.

  Jenny looked at him and sm
iled back. She really did look pretty. And tall. With the white heels she wore, she had to be about five ten. Nice. He was six six, and to him, most women seemed short.

  Maureen entered from the back of the church and hurried up the aisle. “Sorry I’m late,” she murmured. “The twins decided to try their hand at plumbing.”

  Jenny grinned. “Thanks for coming.”

  Alex nodded his thanks to her. He and Jenny had decided Maureen was the logical choice to be Jen’s witness. She was discreet and had been a friend of Ed’s. Alex knew she wouldn’t ask questions, even if she suspected there was more to the marriage than the traditional reason.

  “Shall we get started?” Tom asked.

  Alex and Jenny glanced at each other, and both nodded as they moved closer together. Impulsively he took her hand. It felt small and delicate, and he had an overwhelming desire to protect her from all of life’s hardships.

  She squeezed his hand as Tom began the service. At Alex’s request, the priest kept the words brief, and within ten minutes they were pronounced husband and wife. Before Tom instructed him to kiss his bride, Alex pulled Jenny into his arms and gave her a hug. No one seemed to notice the missing kiss.

  After he and Jenny signed the marriage certificate, he quickly shook Tom’s hand, then ushered Jenny down the aisle. Tuck and Maureen stayed behind a moment to add their signatures.

  “We haven’t talked about what we should do this evening,” he whispered before they got to the door.

  She stopped and stared at him. “This evening?”

  He nodded, confused by the wariness in her eyes. “You know, like going out to dinner or doing something special. Even if it’s just for show.”

  “Oh.” She frowned slightly. “Alone?”

  “Well, I would ask Tuck, but I know he and his wife, Grace, have plans. We should ask Maureen in appreciation of standing in for us.”

  “She probably has to get back to Twin Oaks.”

  “Then I guess it’s you and me.” He shrugged. “But we don’t have to do anything, either. Nobody knows about us yet. We can lay low for tonight. Enjoy the peace and quiet while we can.”

  “That gets my vote. I’m a little tired. Sorry.”

  “Hey, don’t be sorry. Staying home and relaxing is fine by me. I’ve got your room ready. I’ll move in whatever you have with you. We’ll worry about getting the rest of your stuff later in the week.”

  She smiled with relief. “Thanks. I’m about ready to put my feet up.”

  Tuck, Grace and Maureen were on their way down the aisle to join them as Alex pushed open the mahogany door.

  “Surprise!”

  He put a protective hand up when raw rice pelted them. “What the hell!”

  Phyllis and Philo Cooper, Howard and Gina Monroe and at least a dozen other well-wishers had been lying in wait.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  “WOULD YOU LIKE more potato salad, dear?” Phyllis Cooper seemed to have made it her mission to fatten Jenny up. “Or how about some of this lovely Waldorf salad? Martha Dorn made it. Everyone wants the recipe, but she won’t budge.”

  “No, thank you. Really. I’m beyond stuffed.” Jenny put a hand to her stomach. And not just for effect, either. She truly did feel a little under the weather.

  She appreciated the last-minute potluck everyone had scrambled to make possible. In fact, when she’d realized what all these kind people had done in honor of Alex and her wedding, she’d been reduced to tears. But that didn’t alter the fact that if she ate one more piece of fried chicken or wedge of homemade chicken pot pie, she really would be sick.

  “Hey.” Alex sat beside her on Philo and Phyllis Cooper’s couch. “How are you holding up?”

  “I have never eaten so much food in my entire life or smiled so much in two hours. Other than that, I’m peachy. What about you?”

  He didn’t smile but narrowed his gaze. “You look flushed.”

  “I am a little warm.”

  “Come on.” He got up and pulled her with him.

  Everyone turned to see where they were going, approving smiles on their faces.

  Jenny didn’t ask where he was taking her. She smiled at everyone and followed Alex. Not that she had a choice. He wouldn’t let go of her hand until they were outside on the Coopers’ back porch.

  She breathed in the cool spring air, sighing as she exhaled.

  “Feel better?”

  “Much.” She leaned against a white post. “There’s got to be three dozen people crammed in there.”

  “At least.” He sat on the swing chair and patted the spot beside him.

  She obliged, although it was a tight squeeze. “How did they find out?”

  “Phyllis, of course, was the instigator. She overheard Grace—Tuck’s wife—ordering flowers for the church.”

  Jenny chuckled, even though she was tired and anxious. “Phyllis Cooper hasn’t changed a bit. When I was in high school, and some of the other kids tried to talk me into cutting class, I was more afraid of her finding out than my own father.”

  He smiled. “I can’t imagine you cutting school.”

  “There’s a lot about me you don’t know, Dr. McAlester.”

  “Ah, sounds like a challenge.”

  “No, I’m too tired.”

  His expression grew serious. “It’s been a long day for you. We’ll make our exit soon. We’re officially newlyweds—they can’t expect us to hang around here.”

  “I’m okay, really. Just tired. It was incredibly nice of them to pull this together on such short notice.”

  “Yeah, but I still wish we’d had time to ourselves first. Make sure our stories meshed.”

  “No one has said much to me.” Jenny looked through the window into the house. People stood shoulder to shoulder, laughing and talking and eating. “Now that dinner is over, they may start asking questions. Has anyone expressed their surprise to you?”

  Alex followed her gaze. “Actually, I overheard Phyllis telling Trudi Karr from over at the diner that she knew about us all along just from the way I looked at you in town the other day. Leave it to Phyllis to want everyone to think she knows it all.”

  “When did you see me in town?”

  “The day you arrived. Before I came out to the farm. You stopped to drop a piece of mail in a postbox.”

  “Where were you?”

  “Up a tree.” He made a wry face. “That’s why I couldn’t catch you in time. I was just climbing down with a kitten who’d gotten stuck up there.”

  “You’re always rescuing people or animals.” Jenny tilted her head to the side. “What do you do for you?”

  Alex frowned, looking uncomfortable. “That’s an odd question.”

  “Not really. Besides, we’re supposed to be getting to know each other, aren’t we?”

  “Oh, before I forget, I’ve told a few people that we’ve been corresponding for some time. I had to make a couple of trips to New York in the past year and a half, and I let them think we saw each other then.”

  Jenny thought for a moment, wondering if she should let him evade her question. He’d quite obviously dodged the issue. But there’d be plenty of time to learn about Alex, she decided. “Why were you in New York?”

  “For a conference about six months ago, and before that, I had to take a dog that needed surgery I wasn’t equipped to do here.”

  She smiled. He really was amazing. Kind, smart, dependable and good-looking, too, with those sexy gray eyes. Why couldn’t she find a man like him?

  She had found him.

  The thought unnerved her. She couldn’t afford to think that way. This arrangement wasn’t for keeps. He’d made it clear she was to stay only as long as it took her to recover. He liked his life the way it was and didn’t want any entanglements. One of
the main reasons the arrangement could work was that he had no plans to marry again. He’d been quite adamant about that.

  “What’s wrong?” He took her hand and peered at her with endearing concern. “You don’t look well.”

  “I’m fine. But I did eat too much.”

  “Me, too.” He patted his flat stomach.

  “What do you do for exercise?”

  “Exercise?”

  “Yeah, you know, jog, swim, go to the gym.”

  His mouth curved in a wry smile. “Trying to tell me I’m out of shape?”

  She laughed. “Heavens, no. The opposite.” She pressed a palm to his stomach, belatedly realizing she shouldn’t have done that. Quickly she withdrew her hand and stared at the ground. “Actually, I think you look really good,” she murmured, embarrassed as all get out.

  “Thanks.” He lifted her chin with his index finger and smiled. “As much as I’d like to claim credit, I think genetics and manual labor around the clinic account for any muscle tone I may have.”

  Heat crept into her cheeks. She didn’t blush often. Not anymore. But sitting so close to Alex and having been bold enough to place her hand on his belly had unsettled her. He was nice to show her he didn’t mind, but still...

  “Remember when Father Tom instructed me to kiss my bride?”

  She nodded, her gaze locked with his, her pulse taking a flying leap.

  He moved his hand from her chin and slid it around to the back of her neck. “How about if I do my duty now?”

  “You mean you want to—” she cleared her throat “—kiss me?”

  “Would you mind?” He’d already started moving forward, and his warm breath skimmed the spot where his finger had been on her chin.

  Without waiting for a response, he brushed his lips across hers—lightly, teasing—and then slowly retreated. But before disappointment could fully settle in, he kissed her again, using greater pressure, slanting his head for a more thorough exploration.