The Reluctant Groom

by Kimberly Rose Johnson

  Ray’s heart pounded. Why had he suggested they get married so soon? What if she felt pressured and changed her mind. He sure felt the pressure. But it would be a lot easier if they married sooner than later, for so many reasons.

  Katie ate her scrambled eggs in silence, giving him no clue to her thoughts.

  Ray grabbed his gym bag with workout clothes and boxing gloves inside then went downstairs. He needed to burn off some stress. He’d enjoyed sharing breakfast with Katie until he’d brought up getting married next week. Then things changed. She hadn’t said much since, only that she needed to take a walk to think—probably a good idea. He needed thinking time, too.

  “Everything okay, boss?” Tasha asked as he strode past the reception desk at the bottom of the stairs. “Your fiancée sure left in a hurry.”

  “She’s taking a walk. When she gets back, please have her wait in my office. I’ll be downstairs.” He headed to the basement where the boxing ring was housed along with several bags that hung on one side of the space—the basement ring and boxing equipment, the only throwback to another era for which the athletic club was named.

  He waved to a couple of regulars as he made his way into the tiny locker room. He quickly changed and found the trainer to help with his gloves.

  Rusty eyed him. “You okay? It’s not like you to come down here in the morning.”

  “I’ve been better. How’re things?”

  “Same as always.” Translation, the regulars were still coming in, and he had nothing new to report. The grizzled trainer helped him with the gloves then accompanied him to his favorite punching bag.

  Ray jabbed at the bag and soon found a rhythm—right hook, left hook…Thirty minutes later, sweat trickled down his back. “I’m done.”

  “Feel better?” Rusty worked to pull off a glove.

  “Some.” What he felt was sore and tired. It’d been a long time since he’d pushed himself like that.

  Rusty chuckled. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were having woman troubles.”

  “Something like that. Were you ever married, Rusty?” He pulled off the other glove.

  “I was. Thirty-five years with my sweetheart. We had our ups and downs, but we were always there for each other.”

  “Hopefully more ups than downs.”

  He nodded. “Yep. Your granddad and I went way back. I know the two of you were close. If you ever need to talk…”

  Ray swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind. You were a good friend to Gramps.”

  “And he to me. I’m here anytime, Ray.”

  Ray clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re the best. I checked the calendar and the ring looks free Thursday evening. It’s not a for sure thing yet, but is there any reason that you know of that would prevent Katie and me from having the wedding here in the ring that night?”

  Rusty chuckled, revealing a toothy grin. “Your bride okay with a quickie wedding in a boxing ring?”

  He shrugged. “That’s what I’m waiting to find out.”

  Rusty nodded. “The ring is open. I’ll remove the ropes on one side and get it ready for you if it’s a go.” He chuckled again. “She must be some woman to be willing to get married down here.”

  “She is. Thanks.” Relief surged through him. Now that Rusty was behind him, he knew this would go smoothly. “I’d better hit the shower. Take it easy.” He refused to worry any longer if Katie would back out of marrying him. The Lord had been clear that he was to propose, but then when he’d gotten cold feet, she’d proposed to him. Clearly, marriage was God’s plan for them.

  Moving up the timeline was a stressor, but Katie deserved to have her best friend there. It was important for her to have someone at their wedding she could lean on. Even though he believed their marriage was God ordained, he wasn’t kidding himself that things would be perfect. Life was messy, as he knew all too well.

  Katie sat in Ray’s office at the athletic club. She must be experiencing some kind of mental breakdown from lack of sleep. She needed to talk to Brandi, but first she needed to let Ray know the wedding was on.

  The office door opened, and Ray sauntered in, closing it behind him.

  She stood to face him, taking in his wet hair and fresh clean scent—nice.

  He tilted his head and met her eyes. “Assuming you’re onboard, we’re all set for next Thursday night. We can use the boxing ring for the wedding and the community center for the reception.”

  Her stomach dropped. “We’re really doing this?” Her legs weakened, and she grasped the back of the chair. Somehow, she didn’t think he’d be able to make it work. Her heart pounded, and her pulse thrummed loudly in her ears. She blinked back sudden tears. “Everything is happening so fast. I hate to admit it, but I’m scared” She looked at him through watery eyes. A tear escaped. She swiped it away. Should she tell Ray that the day he’d cleared was her birthday?

  No. She wasn’t much for celebrating the day, never taking much note of it herself.

  “Oh, Katie. I’m sorry.” He stepped closer to her and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “We can slow things down. Don’t cry.”

  She stood, stepped into his arms, and closed her eyes as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

  He held her. “It’ll be okay. We can stick with our original plan, if we’re moving too fast.”

  His sweet concern and willingness to change touched her deeply. No man had ever tried so hard or cared so much about her feelings. Resolve strengthened her. She tilted her head back. “I’ll marry you on Thursday. I was overwhelmed for a moment by how fast things are happening, but I’m fine now. Thursday works.”

  “It does?” His face brightened. “You will?”

  She nodded and sniffed. “I’m sorry for losing it on you. But you may as well know, I cry sometimes when I’m overly tired and stressed. I try not to, but it happens.”

  He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “It’s fine. I think it’s normal for a bride to get emotional. And I know how tired you are.” He rubbed her back gently. “You going to be okay?”

  She nodded. It felt so good to be held by Ray, but the gesture wasn’t a romantic one—he was only trying to comfort her. She dropped her arms and stepped back.

  “I have tissues around here someplace.” He spun around and pulled open a cupboard then handed her a box of tissues.

  “Thank you.” She dried her eyes and blew her nose.

  He looked at her with uncertainty in his gaze. “You’re okay now? Really?”

  She nodded, feeling her face grow hot. “Emily will be home tonight, so I need to find a dress today. I don’t imagine wedding dress shopping with a four-year-old would be much fun.”

  “I’ll take you right now. Let me buy your dress. You’re doing this for me, and don’t think for a minute I don’t understand the sacrifice you’re making.”

  “Thank you,” she said softly. Marrying him was not a huge sacrifice. She was already halfway in love with him.

  “I’m assuming, based on what you’ve already said, there’s no one you’d like to join us.”

  She nodded. It wasn’t like she had a mom or sister to go dress shopping with, or anyone who’d care besides Brandi, and her friend was too busy to bother right now. Katie caught her breath. “I need to make sure Brandi will be able to make it to the wedding.” Her eyes widened, and her gaze shot to his. “What if they have plans?”

  “I already checked with Ian. He said they’d be there.”

  “What about flowers and cake and all the other stuff?”

  “I talked to my little sister, Hailey, a bit ago—she’s up for the challenge. Mind you, everything will be simple. I’m only inviting close friends and family.”

  She took a breath and let it out slowly. “That all sounds great.” The only person she cared to invite was Brandi. Sure she had a few church friends, but no one close enough she cared to explain her situation to. It was such a relief knowing the friend who was like a sister to her woul
d be there. Ray was truly a thoughtful man. This had to be difficult on him. She blinked her watery eyes, hoping they wouldn’t overflow again. “We should get a move on.” Breakfast and their meeting at the attorney’s office had eaten up a good chunk of the morning. She still wanted to laugh when she thought about the attorney’s face when Ray introduced her as his fiancée.

  The man looked astounded that Ray was engaged and that he would fulfill the requirement of the will. He’d stuttered for several seconds before getting himself under control and congratulating them.

  Ray wrapped his hand around hers. “Let’s go get you a dress. Where to?”

  “I don’t know. A thrift shop?”

  “No. There won’t be time to have it dry-cleaned.”

  “Oh.” She’d never had anything dry-cleaned and had no idea if he was correct, but she wouldn’t argue. “Then where?”

  “I guess we can try some bridal gown shops. There’s bound to be a store with an appropriate dress.”

  They spent the rest of the day shopping, but by the end she was ready to give up. Who would have thought finding a wedding dress off the rack would be so difficult? They were either too long, or too short, too tight, or too big in all the wrong places.

  “We need to change our strategy,” Ray said. “How about if you pick out a white dress that you like. It doesn’t need to be a traditional wedding dress.”

  “Are you sure?”

  He nodded. “Let’s find a Nordwear. My mom loves shopping there, so they must be a decent place to look because she’s picky.”

  “Sounds good to me.” She hadn’t considered not wearing a wedding dress, but this wasn’t going to be a traditional marriage, so there was no need to wear a traditional gown. At this point she’d prefer to wear something from her closet, but she didn’t want to disappoint Ray.

  They headed to the nearest Nordwear and went inside.

  “I’ll be at the café. Text me when you’re ready.”

  She wandered around the store for a while and finally found the right department. A saleswoman approached her, and Katie explained her mission.

  “I have a few dresses that might work.”

  Katie followed the woman to a rack where she pulled a scalloped, fitted on top and flared on the bottom dress off the rack. Katie caught her breath. “That’s the one.” She took it to the dressing room and changed.

  “When you get it on, come out and show me,” the saleswoman said.

  Katie pulled the door open and stepped out.

  “Very nice. Turn.”

  Katie did as she requested and noticed a three-way mirror at the end of the room. She walked over to it and stepped up onto the platform. The dress hit mid-calf and was a perfect fit. She couldn’t stop smiling. “I’ll take it!”

  “Wonderful. What about shoes?”

  “Hmm. What do you suggest? I’m not used to heels? And we’re getting married in a boxing ring.”

  A smile lit the woman’s face. “That’s unique. You could do white pumps. Or if you want to break all the rules why not wear white, lacy sneakers?”

  Now that was the best idea ever. She’d have to find a pair and fast. Ray had been wilting on her before she came in here, and she wasn’t doing a whole lot better. She went back to the dressing room, sent him a text where to meet her to pay and then changed as quickly as she could. Traditional wedding or not, she wanted her dress to be a surprise.

  She managed to beat him to the register, and the woman happily hid it in a dress bag for her. She waved to Ray when she spotted him.

  “You found one?”

  “I did, but you can’t see it.”

  He raised a brow and grinned. “Why’s that?”

  “I want it to be a surprise.”

  “Fair enough.” He quickly paid. “What next?” He handed her a covered cup. “I bought you a vanilla latte since you seemed to not hate the coffee you had at breakfast. I did a quick Google search, and it appears to be gluten free.”

  Her heart warmed. “That was thoughtful. Thanks.” She sipped the sweet drink.

  “I think you’ll like it a lot more than plain coffee and figured you could use a pick-me-up by now. Oh, and this, too.” He pulled a little bag from his jacket pocket. “It’s a gluten free muffin.”

  “Seriously?” She looked inside the bag. Hopefully it would taste as good as it looked. “Thanks. What about you?”

  “I had a snack at the café while waiting.”

  “Okay.” She sipped the coffee. He was right; she didn’t hate it, and it was much better than the plain sugar-sweetened coffee she’d ordered at breakfast. She wouldn’t take up the habit of coffee, though. It was more of a necessary evil to keep her body and mind moving. “Thanks for today, Ray.”

  “Why are you thanking me? Seems all I’ve done is complicate your life.”

  She took a bite of the chocolate muffin and savored the deliciousness of having a party in her mouth. This was better than she’d expected.

  He chuckled. “Remind me to never come between you and food. Speaking of which, I was thinking we’d keep it simple and only serve cake and punch at our reception.”

  “Whatever you want. Do we have a photographer?”

  “Yes. Kari’s not a pro, but she could be.”

  “Okay.” She couldn’t help the feeling of disappointment that hit her. Although she may never have dreamed of a fairytale wedding, she didn’t want it to be an afterthought either. It was too late now, though. She’d given her word, and she wouldn’t take it back.

  Chapter Seven

  Katie stood beside Ray as they waited for his mother to retrieve Emily from the TV room. On tiptoe, she spoke into his ear. “It sounds like she’s been watching television since she’s been here.”

  “Except to sleep, I think you’re right. My mom was never a hands-on parent. She preferred to let others do the job.” He kept his voice low. “I wonder where Hailey is? I thought she might pitch in and help with Emily.”

  His minty breath tickled her nose, and she sneezed.

  “Bless you.” He draped his arm across her shoulder.

  “Thanks.”

  “Uncle Ray!” Emily skipped toward them across the travertine tile. “Katie!” She slid to a stop in her socks then wrapped her arms around Ray’s leg. “I missed you.”

  He reached down and pulled her into his arms. “I missed you, too, squirt.” He gave her a squeeze then shifted her to his side.

  Mrs. O’Brien handed Ray a backpack. “She’s eaten and had a bath.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” Ray swung the bag onto his free shoulder.

  Mrs. O’Brien nodded. “Will there be a rehearsal and dinner for your wedding? If you ask me, it’s indecent to throw such a sacred event together as if it’s no more special than a birthday party.” She frowned. “I suppose I shouldn’t expect more considering who you’re marrying.”

  Katie’s jaw dropped, but she quickly closed it. She should have expected a comment like that from this woman—a snob in every sense of the word.

  “I hadn’t thought about it,” Ray said. “And I’d appreciate it if you’d show a little restraint and respect toward my fiancée.”

  Mrs. O’Brien grimaced. “Whoever heard of getting married in a boxing ring?” She shook her head. “But it’s impossible to find a decent venue at this late date—I tried.”

  “The boxing ring was Grandpa’s pride and joy. I’d think you’d like the idea.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I’ve never been one for sentimentalities.” Her soon-to-be mother-in-law waved Ray’s comment away as if it didn’t matter, placed a kiss on his cheek, and then one on Emily’s. “I guess I’ll see you at the wedding. What are you doing with Emily on your wedding night? I assume you’ll be going on a honeymoon.”

  “We aren’t going anywhere right now. Ian and Brandi’s wedding is Saturday afternoon so we’ll be busy.”

  A smile brightened her eyes. “They’re such a lovely couple.”

  Katie slipped her hand into Ray’s. His
mother was awful. She hoped it was the stress and grief of losing her daughter that caused her rotten attitude. “We should get going. Emily needs to be in bed by eight.”

  “Right. Say good-bye to Grandma.”

  Emily tucked her head under Ray’s chin. “Bye, bye.” She waved then plopped her thumb into her mouth.

  Katie frowned. When had that started? She’d never seen Emily suck her thumb.

  They walked out to Ray’s car together. He released her hand to palm his keys and unlock the car. “Here we go.” He set his niece on the backseat. “Get into your booster and buckle up.”

  She quickly did as he requested. “Are you coming with us to Uncle Ray’s, Katie?” She plopped her thumb back into her mouth.

  “Yes. I live in the garage apartment.”

  Emily’s eyes lit up, and she pulled her thumb out of her mouth. “Goodie.”

  Ray started the car and headed in the direction of his house. “Katie is going to be taking care of you while I’m at work. What do you think of that?”

  “Katie is fun.” She giggled then quieted.

  After a while, Katie looked over her shoulder. Emily’s head rested back, with her thumb no longer in her mouth. She looked to be sound asleep. A state she hoped to be in soon, as well. She glanced toward Ray. He slouched, and he drove the speed limit. It’d been a long day, and it appeared to have gotten to Ray as well. “She’s out.”

  “Good. Hopefully, she’ll stay that way. I hate seeing her cry herself to sleep.”

  “Yeah.” Katie had done that a lot after her mom left and then later when she’d been placed into foster care. She’d been one angry and hurt kid. It was no wonder she’d been sent from one home to another. No one knew how to deal with her rage. It took Brandi’s friendship to start the healing process. When Brandi had invited her to visit the youth group at her church, she was hesitant to say yes but was glad she had. The years that followed were some of the best of her life.

  Ray pulled into his driveway and parked in the garage. “I’ll carry her in. Will you bring her bag?” he kept his voice low.