Chasing Destiny

by Nikki Rittenberry

  Shortly after the men returned to the cottage, guests were beginning to arrive. Jacob and the other groomsmen ushered the guests to their awaiting seats in front of the arbor, ensuring that everyone was seated on the correct side of the aisle. Chairs were filling rather quickly and when Jacob headed back to the deck, he caught a glimpse of a beautiful blonde in a short, peach cocktail dress.

  He quickly climbed the steps to the deck and rushed to meet her on the covered back porch. Her strapless, peach dress was fitted through the bodice, molding to her waist as though it had been painted on. The remainder of the dress was soft and pleated, the hem falling just below mid-thigh. Her hair was effortlessly swept back into a loose, tousled ponytail and her face was framed by a pair of pearl stud earrings. When he finally approached her, words didn’t come easily; her beauty took his breath away.

  “Wow… you… you look absolutely stunning”, he stuttered.

  Cassie exposed a genuine smile as she reached up and adjusted his tie. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

  They gazed into one another’s eyes for several moments before Jacob finally offered his arm. “Well, shall we?” Cassie nodded and accepted his invitation to escort her to her reserved seat in the second row.

  Leading her down the aisle ignited his curiosity. She’d been so angry with him the night before and he admitted that her demeanor toward him today seemed… promising. She appeared to be the composed, classy, and beautiful woman that she’d always been and he was confident now more than ever that the evening was only going to get better. After she was seated he leaned forward, bracing one of his hands against the back of her chair and the other against the chair in front of her. “The ceremony is about to begin—I’ve got to head back inside with Tanner, but I want you to do me a favor.”

  “What?”

  Jacob leaned in closer until his mouth was inches away from her ear. “I want you to picture us up there saying our vows in a few minutes”, he whispered. He kissed her temple and then quickly scurried up the deck to join Tanner inside the cottage.

  * * *

  Two violinists took their seats off to the side of the arbor and began playing a soothing melody as the parents of the bride and groom were seated in the front row. Shortly after, Tanner and the groomsmen walked with purpose down the aisle and took their respective positions in front of the colossal, white arbor.

  Jacob peered over the crowd and met Cassie’s gaze. She smiled and his heart thumped vigorously in his chest in response. They’d come so far and he was relieved to no longer see anger and despair staring back at him. He smiled back and gave her a wink before turning his attention to the first bridesmaid now ambling down the aisle.

  Pachelbel’s Canon in D played delicately in the background, softening the sound of the waves colliding with the jagged shore behind the arbor. Sunlight was slowly fading, revealing an array of florescent hues; complimenting the deep violet bridesmaids’ dresses.

  The music faded and began again with The Wedding March as Emily and her father reached the stairs to the deck. All eyes were on the bride as she started down the aisle. Her auburn hair was swept into a high bun, encased by a delicate, rhinestone tiara and a sheer veil that fell just below her shoulders. Her strapless, white gown nearly blended with her porcelain skin, hugging her figure before cascading outward around her knees. A deep, violet sash adorned her waist, connecting in the back in a small bow and once her father gave her away, she and Tanner took their positions next to one another in front of the arbor and waited for the pastor to begin.

  “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to commend the very special love between Jason Tanner James and Emily Mae Thompson by uniting them in holy matrimony. Marriage consists of entrusting our deepest selves into the loving care of another. It is a public and legal act, but it is also a deeply emotional and spiritual one. The decision to marry should not be taken lightly, for it is a sacred union…”

  Jacob glanced at the second row. All eyes were on Emily and Tanner, except for Cassie’s. She was staring back into his and he could almost feel her telepathically responding to his proposal. Behind those captivating, hazel eyes he saw love. He saw the barriers that she’d engineered crumble before him. The windows to her soul were lucid and unmistakable; she’d finally allowed herself to feel.

  He exhaled a sigh of relief. Everything he’d ever wanted was finally within reach. He’d suffered six, long, painful years for this moment and his reward was well worth the wait. They’d found their way back to each other and he longed to hear her tell him “I love you.”

  The breeze was calm and everyone was still, except for movement along the back porch. Jacob turned his attention to the silhouette as it rounded the corner, reaching the deck. It was a man and as the silhouette closed the distance between them, his face become recognizable… It was Landon! He unbuttoned his gray, Armani suit and took a seat in the back row as to not bring attention to his late arrival.

  Panic coursed through Jacob’s veins, enveloping him in adrenaline. His pulse sounded like a crescendo of percussionists, tapping their drums in unison to a rapid tempo. His palms were clammy and the temperature of his skin was rising with every swift beat. He suddenly felt as though he was suffocating. He reached for the collar of his shirt and gave it a firm tug. Was this some kind of a sick joke? What was Landon doing here?

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “The wedding ring is an external symbol of unity; a circle unbroken, without beginning or end. The offer and acceptance of these precious tokens are a demonstration of their vows to create a life that is sound and unbroken and to love one another unconditionally without end…”

  Jacob could hardly contain his nerves. He could almost feel Cassie’s eyes settle on him and as much as he wanted to return her gaze, he couldn’t. He feared one look would reveal his uneasiness, exposing the ensuing controversy from Landon’s unexpected arrival. His appearance couldn’t have come at a worse time.

  “By the power vested in me by the state of Maine, it is my pleasure to officially pronounce you as husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

  Tanner grabbed Emily by the waist, dipped her body backward, and passionately kissed his new bride. The crowd erupted in applause as he lifted her back to her feet and headed down the aisle for the recessional. Jacob ambled forward, meeting Emily’s youngest sister, Kara, in front of the arbor and offered his arm. He took one last glance at a grinning Cassie before escorting the maid of honor.

  “Slow down”, Kara whispered.

  “Sorry.” He was eager to get past Landon and was unaware that he’d practically dragged his escort alongside him. When he finally came upon him, Landon had a pleasant expression, signaling to Jacob that he was probably unaware of the events that had transpired during his absence. Jacob met his gaze and nodded, acknowledging his presence, and quickly made his way to the deck to wait for the remainder of the bridal party.

  “On behalf of Tanner, Emily, and their families, we would like to thank each and every one of you for participating in this special day. The bridal party will be whisked away momentarily for pictures and they would like to invite you to the deck for a brief cocktail hour before the reception. If you would please, remain seated until your row is dismissed. We’ll begin with the last row and work our way forward. Thank you.”

  Cassie sat patiently while guests seated behind her vacated their chairs in an orderly fashion and filed onto the large deck for French champagne and hors d’oeuvres. When it was finally her turn, she gripped her gold clutch and briskly walked toward the deck. She weaved throughout the crowd in search of Jacob, hoping to spend a few moments with him before he disappeared to take pictures. She stood near the railing, shielding her eyes from the intense glare of the descending sun, when she suddenly felt two arms envelope her from behind. She closed her eyes and smiled, relishing the sensation.

  “Looking for someone?” Landon asked.

  Cassie quickly opened them and turned around to face him. Her eyes were wid
e; her mouth open.

  “Are you alright? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost!”

  She tried to speak, but couldn’t seem to articulate any words.

  “Well, are you happy to see me?” Landon asked.

  She leaned forward and hugged his neck, finally able to form a sentence. “Of course I am. I just… wasn’t expecting you”, she explained. She pulled away, placing her clutch in front of her, shielding her body to keep added distance between them. “What are you doing here?”

  “I finished up early in Seattle and… I really missed you. I knew how upset you were with me for backing out last minute and I wanted to make it up to you. I’ve been on a plane for most of the day; in fact, I just came from the airport. I got here a few minutes late and took a seat in the back row, or else I would have found a chair next to you.”

  “Why didn’t you call me to tell me you were coming?”

  Landon shrugged his shoulders. “I wanted to surprise you.”

  “Well, mission accomplished. I’m very surprised!” Cassie tucked her clutch under her arm and clasped her hands in front of her. Her eyes moved across the crowd in search of Jacob.

  Jacob—what was he going to do when he saw her and Landon together?

  She felt an overwhelming sense of hysteria mounting inside of her, lurking just beneath the surface. How did she manage to get herself in this predicament, she wondered?

  “Who are you looking for?”

  “What?”

  “I said, who are you looking for? Your eyes are moving like you’re watching a tennis match or something”, he joked.

  “I was hoping to chat with Emily for a second before they left for the harbor to take pictures, but I guess I already missed her.” Landon placed his hands on her shoulders and gently rubbed her upper arms before grabbing her hands.

  “Are you sure you’re alright? Your hands are trembling.”

  Cassie looked down at her hands, quivering in his. “I think I’m just hungry; I haven’t ate much today.”

  “Stay right here. I’ll bring us a glass of champagne and a plate of hors d’oeuvres, okay?”

  Cassie nodded and watched as he disappeared into the crowd. She drew in a deep breath and slowly exhaled, hoping the extra oxygen would settle her nerves; deep down she knew it wouldn’t. A thick haze encompassed her mind and no matter how hard she tried; she couldn’t conceive a way out of the mess she’d created. It took every fiber of her being not to crumble under the pressure. She had to remain calm. You can do this. Be strong.

  Landon soon returned with their refreshments. He handed her a crystal flute and within seconds she emptied it.

  “Geez honey, slow down! This is expensive champagne. It’s meant to be savored, not gulped!”

  “Sorry, I guess I was thirstier than I initially thought, too.”

  Landon looked down for a moment before meeting her gaze. “You look beautiful, by the way.” Cassie grinned. “There’s that gorgeous smile!” He shifted his weight before continuing. “Look, I wanted to talk about what happened the other day. That fight was—”

  “Landon… this isn’t the proper time or place to start that discussion. We can talk about it later tonight, okay?”

  He brushed his hand against her cheek and smiled. “Okay.”

  * * *

  The bridal party arrived back at the arbor just as the sun receded beneath the horizon. The florid sky was invigorating, appearing as though a higher being had meticulously created a watercolor masterpiece in the heavens above. Darkness was looming and the calm breeze was now beginning to gain momentum. The photographer rushed to get the remaining group shots in front of the arbor before the vibrant sky fell black.

  When the photographer announced that the bridesmaids and groomsmen were no longer needed, Jacob walked to the end of the aisle and spotted Cassie and Landon standing by the railing on the deck. Landon’s arm was settled along the small of her back, holding her petite body close to his. A grueling ache expanded within Jacob’s chest, engulfing his physique and smothering his lungs.

  Aside from his first encounter with Landon at his hospital room in Chicago last fall, he’d never seen the two of them interact. The thought of another man’s hands on her perfect little body had been inconceivable up until this point, and witnessing it firsthand infuriated him. He wanted more than anything to strike his fist against Landon’s jaw and then snatch Cassie in his arms; take her inside the cottage and make sweet love to her. He wanted her all to himself for the rest of their lives.

  He could tell that Landon loved her; it was obvious in the way he looked at her. He couldn’t fault the guy for that—she was without a doubt easy to fall in love with. However, witnessing their interplay was torturous.

  Tanner approached from behind and gripped one of his shoulders with his hand. “How’re you holding up? I saw Landon sitting in the back row when we came up the aisle earlier.”

  Jacob exhaled loudly. “Well, I’ve been better”, he replied.

  “I thought Cassie said he wasn’t coming”, Tanner stated confusedly.

  “Yeah, that was the impression I was under, too.”

  Tanner stared at his best man, then Cassie and Landon, and then back to Jacob again. “Oh no”, he mumbled softly.

  “What?”

  “Look, I think you should stay clear of them tonight.”

  Jacob kept his eyes focused ahead on the deck. “Can’t do that—I need to talk to her.”

  “Want my advice?” Tanner asked.

  “Not really”, he replied dryly.

  “That’s too damn bad. You need to back off and give her some space. The last thing you want to do is make her feel like she’s backed into a corner. Give her some time to sort through everything before you charge over there and demand any answers or explanations.”

  “Is that your subtle way of asking me not to make a scene?”

  “No—I trust your discretion.” Tanner slapped Jacob on the back and squeezed his shoulder. “Besides, Em would take care of you if that were to happen.” Jacob looked down at the ground and let out a soft chuckle. “Seriously, think about what I said, okay?”

  Jacob briefly clenched his teeth. “I’ll try.”

  Tanner rejoined the group, leaving him at the end of the aisle. He watched as Cassie turned her head, their eyes meeting for the first time since the end of the ceremony. He wanted to take Tanner’s advice; he wanted to do the right thing, but truthfully, he’d never been any good at impulse control. This unexpected twist changed everything and he didn’t know how much longer his restraint would last.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  “Good evening, if I could have everyone’s attention for just a moment. The cocktail hour has concluded. If you would please, make your way to the tent for the reception. The bridal party will be joining you shortly.”

  The crowd slowly filed down the steps opposite of where the arbor stood and scattered underneath the grand canopy in search of their assigned table. The overall ambiance was impeccable, a far cry from the mundane appearance from the day before. Lights were strung along the ceiling of the canopy, reminiscent of a starry night, illuminating the white table linens with a modest glow. Tall, cylinder vases were centered on every round table with an assemblage of lavender wildflowers spilling over the rims. Each place setting contained simple, white china with a platinum-edged rim and a deep violet napkin that had been meticulously folded into the shape of a heart. The chairs were covered in a plain, white fabric and the backs of the chairs were embellished with a satin, violet sash similar to the one adorned to Emily’s wedding dress.

  Cassie and Landon located their reserved table adjacent to the fabricated dance floor and the head table. Moments after they were seated the DJ took control of the event, introducing the parents of the bride and groom, as well as the individual members of the bridal party. Jacob and his escort, Kara, were the last to be called before the newlyweds made their grand entrance. They all stood evenly spaced around the perimeter of the rectangu
lar dance floor, and either purposely or by chance, Jacob stood directly across from her.

  “Ladies and gentleman, it is my pleasure to introduce to you for the very first time the new Mr. and Mrs. James!”

  The crowd welcomed Emily and Tanner with cheers and applause. They held hands as they weaved around several tables, finally coming to a halt in the middle of the dance floor. They turned toward one another, embracing their new life partner as Ingrid Michaelson’s version of Can’t Help Falling in Love with You began softly in the background.

  Jacob stood as the music played, the lyrics resonating with him; he couldn’t help falling in love with Cassie either. From the moment he’d laid eyes on her on that bench of front of the fountain back in New Orleans, he’d known she was different. He’d been with countless women before her and since, yet none of them made him feel the way she did. They’d planned a life together; one that challenged them, yet seemed attainable. He’d purchased a ring, hoping she’d accept his invitation to spend the rest of her life with him, and then upon learning of her acceptance to the Denver Therapy Institute, foolishly convinced himself that his deceitful ploy was for her own good.

  He’d walked away from his first love—his only love. He had suffered six, painful years without her. He’d tried to move on—to forget about her, but she was… a part of him; a part of his body—just like his leg or his arm. He couldn’t forget about her any more than he could amputate one of his limbs and forget it existed. No, he couldn’t help falling in love with her and every time he saw her he plummeted faster. Deeper.