Careful not to drop the ring, Tom slid it on Kendra’s finger and swept her into his arms. He twirled her around while they exchanged a damp kiss.
Parting from her, Tom said, “Get your stuff. I’ll come get this heap of junk tomorrow and send it to the junkyard. You’re getting a new car. Let’s get out of this storm.”
“Okay. Besides, I’ve probably made you sick with that kiss. I’m not supposed to be infectious still but…” She smiled sexily. “We should get out of these wet clothes.”
“That sounds like a great plan.” His eyes sparkled with desire.
Kendra hurried to the front of the van while Tom put the donut in the back and shut it. As soon as they were seated in the Mustang, the storm let up and by the time Tom started the car, there was only a light drizzle.
Tom ran a hand over his face and looked out the windshield. “Really?” he asked the sky. “Really? Now you quit?”
Kendra cracked up and he tried to glare at her, but he couldn’t hold back his own laughter.
In a few moments, Kendra said, “I’m all dressed up because I was supposed to be going out with Marcus, but why are you wearing a suit to visit your dad? A suit I can’t wait to peel off you, by the way. You should wear suits more often. Or perhaps not, you’re way to sexy in them. I’d have to beat the girls off you.”
Tom took her left hand and rubbed his thumb lightly over the ring that glittered on her finger. “Well, I didn’t have this with me by mistake. I was sick of you being stubborn. I believed in us. I believed in your love for me. The reason he told you to come to the shop was because I was going to propose to you there and we planned a party to celebrate.”
Kendra was astounded. “I thought you’d given up on me?”
“Never.” He linked his fingers through hers. “Stella told me you just needed time to process everything. What with finding out I never knew about Connor, to being surprised that I wanted a life with you, to thinking you had cancer... It’s been one hell of a ride for you the past few weeks.”
Tears fell once again. She brushed them away. “The mono makes me weepy.” She wanted to move on to happier things. “You planned an engagement party for me?”
“Yeah.”
She was deeply touched. “You’re unbelievable. How did I get so lucky?”
“Nah. I’m the lucky one,” Tom said. “You waited for me.”
Kendra squeezed his hand. “We’re lucky.”
“Okay.”
She smiled and shook his hand a little. “Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
“No. I didn’t know what you’d say, but I had to be brave and take the chance. I had to know if you still loved me, and still wanted me,” he beamed.
“I was living in the past and I of all people know life is short. Trust is a leap of faith, and I have faith in you—in us. I love you and want to share a future with you,” Kendra responded.
Just then the sound of a phone ringing fileld the car.
“It’s Sam.” Tom’s scalp tingled with dread.
Kendra sobered as he answered it. She rested her hand on his knee and held her breath while he listened to Sam.
“When? Now?” Tom blew out a breath. “All right. I’ll be right there.”
He hung up and Kendra was afraid to ask what Sam had said.
Tom looked at her with a strange expression. “That was Sam.”
“I know.”
“I have to get to the hospital right away,” Tom said, pressing his fingers to his eyes.
Tears stung Kendra’s eyes and she caressed his shoulder. “I’m so sorry, honey.”
Clearing his throat, Tom took calming breaths. “No, Dad’s okay. In fact, the surgeon wants to give the transplant a go since he’s been improving the last couple of weeks. It’s gotta be tonight if there’s any hope for it to work, though. He could start getting worse. Dad understands the risks. I’m sor— “
Kendra clapped her hand over his mouth. “Don’t be sorry. Just drive. Let’s go so you can save your dad’s life.”
Tom nodded against her hand and kissed her hard when she took it away. Then he turned the ignition and the engine roared to life. At a break in cars, he swung the car onto the road, executed a U-turn on the wet pavement, and put the hammer down.
Epilogue
Three months later, Tom growled and slid the tie from the collar of his tuxedo shirt. “Marcus, tie this thing, will you?”
Marcus snorted. “When was the last time you saw me with a tie on?”
Tom looked at him in the mirror. “You grew up wearing suits so you know how to tie one.”
“Nope. Mom or Dad always had to do mine. Or Kendra when she wasn’t in the hospital,” Marcus said.
“That doesn’t help me right now, does it? I can’t ask Kendra or your parents. Will you go find Sam? I don’t know where the hell he went,” Tom said.
“Well, I’m not Sam, but will I do?”
Tom grinned and turned around. “Yeah, you’ll do, Dad.”
Vincent glanced at Marcus. “Do you mind if I talk to Tommy?”
“Nope,” Marcus said. “That’ll give me a chance to decide which lucky lady gets to go home with me tonight.”
Vincent chuckled and took the tie from Tom as Marcus left the dressing room. “That one’s a troublemaker.”
Tom raised an eyebrow. “You should talk.”
Vincent chuckled. “Takes one to know one, which is why I always knew that you would be our problem child. Sam was easy to raise, but you? You were a hellion from the beginning.”
Tom laughed. “Guilty.”
“Watch what I’m doing so you know how to do it the next time.”
Vincent turned Tom around and started instructing Tom and as he did, Tom’s mind went back to his earlier childhood when Vincent had spent hours teaching him and Sam to hit a baseball or how to ride their bikes. He’d been patient and encouraging.
When Vincent finished, he said, “Did you catch that?”
Tom sighed. “No. I doubt I’ll ever get it.”
Vincent patted his shoulder. “That’s okay. We’ll keep practicing so that when Connor’s older you can show him. You should’ve picked the pre-tied one like I told you.”
Tom turned sheepish. “Kendra liked the look and I didn’t want to tell her I didn’t know how to work them.”
Vincent grinned. “I’m not surprised. We men hate admitting our weaknesses.” He patted Tom’s tie. “There. You’re irresistible.”
“Thanks.”
“Now, I’ll give you some fatherly advice since I’m still around to give it, thanks to you,” Vincent said.
“Dad, you don’t have to say that.”
“Shut up. Your old man’s talking.”
Tom smiled, but stayed silent.
Vincent collected his thoughts. “Don’t be anything like me and you’ll be just fine. Don’t ever pick up that bottle again, Tommy. I don’t care how bad things get, don’t do it. If you do, you’ll lose everything, just like me. I lost your mother, you, and Sam to a certain extent. I almost lost my life to alcohol and if it wasn’t for you, I’d be six feet under.”
Tom clenched his teeth against the tears that threatened.
“If you steer clear of booze, you’ll be just fine. And don’t take it for granted that you’ll wake up each morning. I hope you learned that from me and your bride.” Vincent grinned. “You sure got yourself a good one, son.”
“I know, Dad.”
Vincent nodded approvingly. “Now, I need to tell you something else and then I’ll quit being sappy. The second time you brought Connor to see me was the day that I started fighting to stay alive.
“I love all my grandkids, but I didn’t get to spend any time with him. And I wanted to so bad. I also saw how miserable you were without Kendra and I wanted to be there for you, like I should’ve been when you were a teenager.”
Vincent took a deep breath. “After you left that day, I told Dr. Camden to pull out all the stops, to try whatever he could to get
me well. I was going to live or die trying.”
Tom laughed at his wisecrack.
“I thought I was in hell, but it was worth it to me,” Vincent said. “The next thing I know, Dr. Camden said that we have to do the surgery now. I didn’t know what the hell he was talking about. I couldn’t believe that you agreed to give me a part of your liver.” He took Tom’s face in his hands. “You’re my hero, Tommy, and don’t you ever forget that. I love you.”
Tom said, “Okay.”
“Okay? That’s it? Just okay?”
Tom hugged Vincent. “I’m glad you’re here, Dad. If you hadn’t fought so hard, the surgery would not have worked. I’m really happy that you’re getting better. I love you, too, Dad.”
“Wow. More than two syllables. That’s a record,” Vincent teased.
Tom let him go. “Shut up.”
Vincent chuckled and clapped Tom’s shoulder. “I’ll chat up that silver-haired fox I saw earlier.”
“You do that.” Tom smiled as his dad left the room and turned back to the mirror to study the tie. “Nope. Never gonna get it.”
* * *
“Tom’s won’t be able to keep his hands off you,” Stella said. “Fifty bucks says that you guys disappear halfway through the reception.”
Kendra laughed. “No, we won’t.” She cut a sly glance at Stella. “Or maybe we will. I’d much rather start our honeymoon early than stick around with all you degenerates.”
Stella pointed at her. “You’re lucky it’s your wedding day, or I’d smack you for that.”
Lexie, who sat in a chair in the ladies dressing room, said, “Now, now, girls. No cat fights on a wedding day. It’s bad luck. On second thought, go ahead, because luck doesn’t have anything to do with marriage.”
Stella said, “Sure it does. I’ve dodged that bullet so far. If that isn’t luck, I don’t know what is. Although seeing you and Tom together almost has me thinking I could try monogamy.”
Lexie snorted. “Don’t. You’re a smart girl. Been there, done that. Never going back again.”
Kendra said, “Hello. Getting married, here. Quit dissing marriage to the bride, okay?”
Lexie made a dismissive gesture. “Marriage is definitely for you, just not me.”
“Yeah, sure,” Kendra scoffed.
Lexie smiled and stood up. “I know because you’re getting a great guy. Tom might be rough around the edges and all, but he’s a good man. Patient, loyal, kind, and smart. And most of all, he loves you and Connor so much. I know you guys will be happy. Me—I always pick the assholes.”
Kendra felt bad for Lexie. “You never know, you might meet someone else. A guy who’s a lot better for you than Jason Colter ever was.”
Lexie smiled. “There ain’t no man good enough to ever get me to walk down the aisle again.”
Stella grinned. “You could just live together in sin. That sounds like fun. Maybe I’ll try it.”
Lexie considered that. “If he was the hottest guy in the world, maybe, but I don’t know anyone like that.”
“You just described, Marcus,” Stella said.
Lexie put up a hand and said, “Slow your roll, honey. No way would I ever get tangled up with him.”
Kendra frowned at her. “What’s so wrong with my brother?”
Lexie said, “Kendra, Marcus blames Jason for his crash and I was married to Jason at the time. I’m guilty by association. He and I argue about everything. We tolerate each other for Tom’s sake, but we’ll never be buddy-buddy. You better accept that now. Just being honest.”
Stella said, “Did you guys have a thing?”
Kendra swung to look at her best-friend. Stella sounded almost like she was jealous. Possession filled her tone. What was that about? Had she and Marcus… no. Stella would have told her—wouldn’t she?
Lexie shook her head. “Didn’t you hear what I just said? Enough of Marcus. This is a happy day.”
Kendra was more than willing to let the subject drop. “Yes, it is. I can’t wait to marry Tom. It feels like I’ve been waiting for him my whole life.”
Stella played with Kendra’s hair a little, making sure that the updo would stay in place. “You have. I’ll never forget the way you gushed about Tom the day you met him. You’d been given the all clear, and at sixteen the hormones were raging. And you’ve been talking about him ever since.”
Kendra swatted at her hand. “Four years ago I didn’t speak up, I didn’t fight for him, and I lost so much time with Tom. I’ll never make that mistake again.”
“Which is why you’ll be able to tell this little one that they were at your wedding,” Stella said, patting Kendra’s belly.
Kendra laughed and shrugged. “What can I say? We suck at birth control.”
Resting her hand on her stomach, Kendra was thankful that she’d forgotten to get her birth control shot the month before she and Tom had slept together the first time. She couldn’t be sure, but based on the timing, she thought she’d conceived on the night they’d admitted their love for each other. She was ecstatic to be marrying him and adding to their family right away.
Which was why she’d turned down Shaina Collins’ offer to go on tour with her. Selling songs she could do, but she had no desire to be a back-up singer traveling from town to town. Tom was right; sometimes your dreams change. For the longest time, hers had been having a successful music career, and she would—as a song writer—so she could live out the life that really mattered. A life with her family.
Marcus came into the dressing room. “I hear that there’s some crazy woman in here who wants to marry Tom.”
Kendra smiled. “Yes, there is.”
“God, look at you. You’re gorgeous.” Marcus kissed her cheek. “Stella, you look hot as always, and Lexie, you clean up pretty good.”
Kendra frowned at him. “You be nice to her.”
Marcus’ eyebrows rose. “What? That was nice.”
Lexie said, “Yeah. Trust me, Kendra. That was nice.”
Marcus ignored her. “Ready to do this?”
Kendra nodded.
“Will you excuse us, ladies,” Marcus asked.
“Wow,” Lexie said to Stella as they moved towards the door. “He actually called me a lady,” as Stella pushed her out the door and shut it behind them.
Kendra giggled as Marcus shot an annoyed look at the door.
Marcus blew out a breath. “I thought this would be easier.”
“What? Being around Lexie today?” Kendra teased.
Marcus shook his head. “No. Letting you go. I’ll always be here for you, but it’s time that I give you to Tom the way I should’ve—”
“Marcus, don’t.”
“Please, just let me say this, okay?”
“Okay.”
“The only reason I kept you away from Tom was that I didn’t feel any guy was good enough, even my best friend.” Marcus embraced her. “But I was wrong to keep you guys apart. I’m going to make up for that today by giving you to him. I know he’ll take good care of you and Connor, and that’s all that matters. So, come on. Let’s go get you hitched.”
Kendra put a hand on his arm. “I heard you that night, Marcus.”
“What night?”
“When I was in the hospital with cancer. When I was sick as a young girl, you held my hand and talked and prayed so much. I held on to your determination to make me well. You made me want to live so we could make more memories together. Thank you for helping me fight. If you hadn’t, I would’ve never met Tom, I wouldn’t have Connor, and we wouldn’t be getting married now,” she said. “So, thank you for always being there for me.”
Marcus’ eyes were a little too bright and a tear trickled from one. “And I always will be. Okay, let’s get out there before Tom comes looking for you.”
Walking down the aisle on Marcus’ arm, Kendra saw two familiar people near the front of the church on her family’s side. She still couldn’t believe that Tom had invited her parents, or that they’d accepted. Tom wa
nted them to work things out. Kendra didn’t know if that was possible, but they were all trying. Her father had twisted his knee at golf yesterday or he’d be walking her down the aisle, but somehow having Marcus do it felt right.
Tom looked fantastic in his tux, but she couldn’t wait to get it off him so she could see all his rippling muscles and tattoos; especially his newest one. It was the accompaniment of the one that now circled her left ankle. Hers read “Life is too short, so…” and his said, “…let those ponies run.”
The closer she came to Tom, the happier Kendra grew, and she couldn’t stop smiling. Tom’s smile didn’t dim, either. When he took her hands, she felt like all the pieces of her life were finally fitting together. She hadn’t been completely whole without Tom, and she’d cherish every day with him in the future.
* * *
Looking into Kendra’s luminous eyes, Tom could hardly believe this stunning angel in white was his. She was more than he deserved and he would strive to be the kind of man she and their kids could count on. Lowering his gaze to Kendra’s stomach, he hoped that they’d give Connor a little sister.
His smile widened as he thought about her new and only tattoo. They’d gotten the new ink together, and he’d held her hand the whole time. With her typical bravery, she’d only whimpered once, but the rest of the time, Kendra had bitten her lip and toughened it out.
Not used to speaking in public, Tom concentrated on not flubbing his vows. Zip was videotaping the ceremony and he didn’t want to look like an ass whenever they watched it throughout the coming years
Their gazes barely left each other, even during the ring exchange. The pastor gave them permission to kiss and Tom took her into his arms.
“I love you, Tiger.”
“I love you, too.”
Their kiss was slow and sensual, a promise of what would come later.
Just as their lips parted, the minister said, “I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Vincent Lorde.”
Reckless Curves: Bad Boy Autos (Drive Me Wild Book 1) Page 21