The Wager

by Rachel Van Dyken

  And into her palm he dropped a worn pink ribbon.

  Travis’s eyes welled with tears as he leaned over and whispered in her ear. “I’ll keep it forever and always.”

  Forgoing tradition not to touch her husband until the one giving her away was approached by the pastor, Kacey threw her arms around Travis’s neck and bawled.

  It was a full five minutes before she could regain her composure. And even then she knew she probably looked a mess, but she didn’t care.

  Travis took the ribbon from her hand and pinned it underneath the pin Jake had given her.

  “So.” The pastor grinned. “Who gives this woman to this man?”

  Wescott didn’t say anything and neither did Jake. She looked behind her, and then someone touched her arm.

  Grandma. She beamed at Kacey and wrapped her soft hands around Travis’s and hers. “Her parents and I.”

  “And I,” Jake said from her right.

  “And my wife and I,” Wescott added.

  Never had Kacey felt more loved or at home. And to think, she was in the same yard she’d played in all her life. With a watery smile she hugged them all and joined Travis at the front of the gazebo.

  A warm breeze picked up. Kacey looked out to the water just as the pastor motioned for the guests to be seated.

  And maybe she was imagining things, but she could have sworn she saw her parents on the dock, holding hands and watching her, smiling.

  Chapter Sixty-one

  “Are you ready?” Jake whispered in Char’s ear.

  She shook her head. How could anyone be ready? They were doing a damn fertility dance, in front of everyone! Though it didn’t truly look that way—it was more of a tango, but still. Why Grandma was forcing them to perform it was beyond her, but there they were in the middle of the dance floor, waiting for the music to start, when Grandma cleared her throat into the microphone.

  “Oh no,” Char whispered. “That can’t be good. Is she going to sing during our dance?”

  “Not like this can get any worse…” Jake mumbled.

  “Is this thing on?” Grandma tapped the microphone, causing it to make a shrieking noise, and then laughed loudly into it. “Oh I do love technology.”

  “Yeah, we know, Grandma,” Char said.

  “I’m so happy to see both my grandsons married and settled down. This next dance was planned with great detail. Every move has a meaning.”

  “Just kidding,” Jake said. “It got worse. She’s going to explain the mating ritual.”

  “The first twirl,” Grandma explained, “means true love. The second means a happy life forever spent in the other person’s arms. Ancient belief in this dance stems back to the gypsies. They believed one dance could unite two people forever, regardless of background, race, past hurts—”

  As Grandma continued talking Char’s eyes widened, as did Jake’s.

  “So, my wedding gift to Char and Jake is the dance. The one they learned a few weeks ago. Surprise, and enjoy.”

  The music started.

  Char couldn’t move.

  Grandma had planned it all along, from the dance to everything else, she was sure of it.

  She swallowed the emotion in her throat as Jake walked around her and then pulled her into his arms.

  He twirled her once then twice, each time watching her so intently it would’ve been impossible not to fall in love with him again and again. Each time he twirled her she saw a new part of his smile that captivated her, that said I love you, I want you.

  Jake tugged her close to his body as she wrapped her leg around his waist and was dipped back. He kissed her exposed neck and twirled her again.

  The rest of the dance was face to face.

  He leaned in, his lips brushing her cheek. “I’d miss you—if I’d never met you, I’d still miss you, because I’d know there was some part of me that wasn’t present.”

  She sucked in a breath.

  “If I’d never met you… I’d still want you.”

  Jake ran his hands down her shoulders and tugged her waist closer. “I miss you even now.” His lips grazed her ear. “Because every time I touch you it’s as if you aren’t close enough. My body aches to be closer. But even when there’s nothing but skin separating us, my desperation doesn’t let up. It won’t ever let up. Because the very essence of you is what I crave.”

  The dance ended with both of them staring at each other.

  Char closed her eyes as she pulled Jake’s face closer to hers, wrapping her hands around his head as they stood there, motionless.

  His lips met hers softly and then he sighed against them. “I’ll spend my life chasing you, wanting you, spoiling you, discovering you—”

  With a cry her mouth crushed his. He lifted her into his arms and swung her around the dance floor, his kiss deepening and pushing, searching and exploring. Heat exploded everywhere in her body as shivers ran up and down her arms and legs. He pressed his body tighter against hers, and closer still, but it wasn’t enough. She tried to get closer.

  “Ahem.” Grandma laughed into the microphone. “Perhaps I’ll have a baby even before spring!”

  The guests joined in laughter. Jake’s hearty chuckle warmed Char’s heart. How did a man who, not weeks ago, was afraid of commitment suddenly find children appealing? A miracle, that’s how. With a sigh she was released and slid over his hard body, all the way to the ground.

  “Time to dance!” Grandma shouted and then began to rap.

  “Oh dear God,” Jake groaned.

  “And the moment was so special.” Char laughed.

  The Black Eyed Peas never sounded so good. At least the guests thought it was hilarious, and to be honest, Grandma wasn’t too bad.

  Travis and Kacey joined Char and Jake on the dance floor; they danced the best they could as Grandma strutted across the stage singing, “Tonight’s the night, let’s live it up! I’ve got my money…”

  “May as well commit.” Travis elbowed Jake. They nodded and both began jumping in the air, the rest of the guests followed, turning the would-be romantic dance into a full-fledged party, with Grandma at center stage.

  By the time the first few songs had ended, Char was sweaty and in need of a drink. She grabbed Jake’s hand and led him to their seats.

  The music turned to something softer. Grandma left the stage and approached them. Her eyes were twinkling with excitement.

  “How was I?” She asked once she reached them.

  “Outstanding,” Jake said. “Truly remarkable. I’ve never seen an eighty-year-old woman rap. Ten bucks says it goes viral tomorrow.”

  “I do love the YouTube.” Grandma sighed.

  “What’s so important?” Petunia yelled as she walked over to their little table. Her bright blue dress accented her blue eyes and silver hair. “I had to walk all the way over from my seat.”

  “One moment.” Grandma held up her hand.

  Char looked around. What was she waiting for?

  “Ah, here they come.”

  A striking elderly man in a walker began moving toward them. He had another nice gentleman with him who cut a handsome figure in a black suit.

  “Who is that?”

  “My lover. Actually we mean to marry this winter.” She shrugged. “At any rate, he has a brother. I’d like you to meet him.”

  “No.” Petunia folded her arms. “I will do no such thing I won’t—”

  “Nadine!” Mr. Casbon reached for her hand and kissed it. “Lovely as ever, and such a beautiful song you sang, my dear.”

  “I practiced.” She beamed.

  Jake started to laugh, but Char elbowed him in the ribs. He stopped and coughed.

  “And who is this lovely creature?” The other man said to Petunia. “I’ve been watching you all evening, my dear. You are… stunning.”

  “Uh.” Petunia looked at Grandma and then back at the man and held out her hand. “P-petunia.”

  “Ah, as lovely as the flower!” He took her hand. “May I have this
dance?”

  Petunia’s cheeks stained a pretty pink before she gave a quick nod and followed him out onto the dance floor.

  “Grandma.” Jake cleared his throat.

  “Yes, dear?”

  “Mr. Casbon doesn’t have a brother.”

  Mr. Casbon chuckled and looked away.

  “He does tonight, son.”

  “Where’d you find him?”

  Grandma picked at the front of her dress and then examined her nails.

  “Grandma.” Jake urged. “Where did you find him?”

  “He’s a male escort.” She waved Jake off. “Charges a pretty penny too, but I think that they’ll be just lovely together. You know he lost his wife a few years back. He does this just for fun. Lots of widows out there that need company.”

  Char’s mouth dropped open. Jake touched her chin and closed it.

  “Shall we dance?” Grandma grabbed Mr. Casbon and led him onto the floor, walker and all.

  Char watched in shock as Petunia laughed and danced as if she was having the time of her life.

  “Hmm.” Jake shook his head. “Male escort?”

  “Well, at least she’s happy.” Char pointed. “I mean, look at them!”

  Chuckling, Jake stood and pulled Char to her feet. “I don’t want to look at them. I want to look at you.”

  “Oh.”

  “You’re beautiful.”

  “Is this one?” Bets yelled into the microphone. “Oh yes, good, it’s time to cut the cake.”

  Everyone clapped.

  Jake and Char walked arm in arm to the cake table and froze.

  The bows were melting.

  “Holy shit,” Jake said under his breath. “We have to do something.”

  And then the caterer turned the cake toward the crowd.

  A large gasp was heard, followed by many murmurs.

  “Make it better!” Char pushed Jake toward the cake. “Go!”

  He dug his heels in the ground. “Oh, hell no, I’m not going down on my own. “ He grabbed her wrist and pulled her with him, just as Travis and Kacey made their way to the table.

  The first to notice was Travis. His eyes bugged out of his head and then he looked at Kacey.

  She was happily looking up at him with adoration in her eyes, and then as if sensing his dismay, looked at the table and covered her mouth.

  “Er, surprise!” Char shouted loud enough for everyone to hear.

  Travis gaped. “Surprise?”

  “We…” Char hit Jake.

  “Wanted.” He coughed. “To…” His face went blank. Oh no, he had nothing to say, nothing. Of all the times to lose his game, now was not it!

  Kacey and Travis waited.

  Finally Jake hung his head. “We’re the worst best man and maid of honor ever. They couldn’t fix it in time. So it says—”

  “Tit’s forever!” Grandma yelled over the microphone. “And let me tell you, those Titus boys love their—”

  “A toast!” Bets screamed over Grandma. “To Travis and Kacey!”

  Everyone lifted their glasses just as Kacey and Travis went over to the cake and examined the topper.

  “At least it looks like us,” Kacey said.

  “And I do like your—”

  “Tremendous heart!” Bets said. “Well done, lovely, lovely cake.” She chugged the rest of her wine and looked about two seconds away from passing out.

  Jake sighed. “Let’s take the topper off before mom flips.”

  Char burst out laughing. “Get it? Take the topper off the Tits?”

  They fell into fits of giggles until someone wiped cake on her face. It was Jake, the ass! And then Travis wiped cake on Kacey’s face.

  And then a full-on war started.

  One where Travis and Jake eventually relented, saying they didn’t want to ruin the girls’ pretty makeup. When really Kacey and Char knew the real reason they begged off was because they knew they’d lose. After all, the Titus boys never did stand a chance.

  Chapter Sixty-two

  “Ready for this?” Kacey asked as she gripped Travis’s hand in hers.

  “Yup.” He kissed the top of her head then led her outside to the waiting car. Jake was arguing with Grandma and Char was covering her face with her hands, laughing.

  “Uh oh.” Kacey approached the car. “Do I even want to know?”

  “Grandma thinks herself an artist,” Jake said through clenched teeth. “I tried to stop her but—”

  “Ah.” Kacey looked at the windshield. Grandma had drawn two very large breasts and written “Titus forever”, only both the u and s were so small you could hardly see them. “Lovely.”

  “Such a special, special day,” Travis mumbled behind her.

  “Go on, you two!” Grandma sighed. “Now.” She pulled them both aside. “I imagine you know how these things… work.”

  “Things?” Kacey repeated. “What things?”

  “Oh dear.” Grandma held her hand to her cheek. “Things, as in…” She shrugged. “When making babies…”

  “Oh, dear God.” Travis closed his eyes and looked heavenward.

  “It’s important to keep one’s legs elevated. Well, that’s how Wescott was brought into this world!” She sighed. “Among other things, you keep the legs high like this.” Grandma then proceeded to open the car door, sit down and lift her legs into a pike position. “But naturally you’re laying down. Do you understand?”

  “People are starting to stare, Grandma,” Jake said.

  “And then.” She put her legs down. “After a half hour, you turn over, much like you would turn over a roast in the oven.”

  “Do people turn over roasts in the oven?” Char wondered aloud. “Never baked like that before.”

  “Then you, my dear, need to take a few pointers from me,” Grandma snapped.

  “No thanks.” Char stepped back.

  Grandma set her eyes on Travis and Kacey. “Those little soldiers better be strong! But they have Titus blood in them so they should do an adequate job.”

  “Adequate?” Travis nodded. “Kinda thought they’d be more than adequate.”

  “They will.” Kacey patted his back.

  “Oysters.” Grandma nodded. “Eat more oysters, gets the blood flowing to all the right areas; those soldiers will be ready for an all-out war!”

  “Ah, war,” Jake said. “Pipe dream, but yet, here we stand.”

  Grandma scowled at him then looked back to Kacey. “Dear, do you have any… questions, for your grandmother?”

  Travis raised his hand as did Jake.

  Ignoring them, Grandma patted Kacey’s hand. “I know it can be scary, but what you do, you do for your Grandma. Just go into that bedroom and think, I’m doing this for Grandma.”

  “Don’t.” Travis shook his head. “Please don’t give us that mental image, I beg you…”

  “I need great-grandchildren.” Grandma shrugged. “Now, don’t fail me!” With a sigh she reached into her purse. “These should also help.”

  “What’s that?” Travis pointed as Grandma put a large necklace around Kacey’s neck.

  “Fertility beads.” Grandma shrugged as if everyone should know what they were.

  “Awesome.” This from Jake as he laughed.

  “You’re next,” Travis murmured, then put his arm around Kacey. “I think we’d better go uh…”

  “Play battleship with your soldiers?”

  He grinned. “I’ll sink your ship anytime.”

  “Hmm, I may just let you.”

  Grandma elbowed Jake in the ribs. “What did I tell you? Those beads work wonders. Look at those two.”

  Kacey ignored Grandma and got into the car. “Thanks for the, uh, advice.”

  “Anytime!” Grandma waved. “And if you have… problems, you just give your Grandma a call, okay?”

  “When hell freezes over.” Travis started the car.

  “What was that?” Grandma cupped her ear.

  “Love you!” He shouted, then peeled out of the
parking lot.

  Kacey reached across the console and gripped his hand. “Ready to play?”

  “Damn.” He laughed. “I’ve been waiting my whole life.”

  * * *

  “Kace, if you don’t come through that door in five seconds I’m breaking it down,” Travis shouted from the bedroom. They were spending their wedding night in the new wing of the house, rather than at the suite that Jake and Char were staying in.

  “One more minute.” She laughed and stripped down to nothing. He thought she had some fancy lingerie, but nope, she had just herself.

  “Kace, I’m serious!” Travis yelled. “You’re killing me.”

  “Well.” Kacey unlocked the bathroom door. “I wouldn’t want my new husband to die, now would I?”

  Slowly, she opened the door and leaned against the frame. Travis turned around and looked his fill. Mouth open, his eyes caressed her as he went from her toes slowly all the way up her body, until his eyes met hers. “Damn.”

  “Really?” She smiled.

  “Dear God.” He stalked toward her and lifted her into his arms, crushing her mouth against his. “I’m obsessed with your body.”

  “Trav—”

  His tongue pushed past the barrier of her lips as his hands burned onto her hips. He lifted her to the bed and threw her down. “I’m not going to be gentle. I can’t; it’s not in me. I love you and I promise the second time will be super slow and I’ll be romantic and say all the right things, but right now, all I really want is to be inside you, all around you, near you, on you, under you.” He swore again as he ripped off his clothes. “So help me God if I touch you any more I’m going to explode.”

  The next thing Kacey knew, he was on top of her, kissing her, teasing her, pulling her hair and then rolling onto his back so she could straddle him with her legs.

  Travis’s eyes rolled back as he exhaled another curse, his hands roaming down her skin leaving trails of heat with every single touch. “God, I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” She leaned over and kissed him, her hair creating a curtain across their faces as he rocked her tighter against him.

  His face broke out into a grin as she tugged him to the side and allowed him to hover over her body. “I can’t—” He swore. “Don’t judge me based on this performance, that’s all I’m saying.”