Love Burns

by Babette James

  Paul’s nostrils flared and eyes narrowed under bristling white brows. “I only want what is best for her. I love my daughter.” The husky edge to Paul’s voice vibrated with emotion.

  Abruptly, empathy churned with Dave’s anger as the image of Lloyd holding a newborn Daisy flashed in his mind, his stunned face filled with wondering love, morphing into the photo on Jake’s piano of Paul holding Livie. Paul wasn’t simply an arrogant, rich asshole throwing his weight around. He was a father protecting a daughter.

  Dave locked eyes with Paul. “Same here. So we’ve got no problem at all, do we?”

  Paul raised a brow, so like Jake, and so not. “We’ll see.”

  A draw. Fine. He could deal with that. He swallowed the last of the scotch and stood. “Thanks for the drink. See you in the morning.”

  ****

  “It’s Christmas Eve. I will not let Daddy ruin this evening. I will not let him make me crazy this evening. I will smile and ignore his digs.”

  Olivia lifted her chin and firmed her smile in the mirror. She’d worked hard to keep this party true to Uncle Jake’s tradition. She squashed the spurt of guilt at being happy Mama and Daddy and her aunts had decided to stay at a hotel, making room at the house for Nate and Kay and the rest of their friends.

  Olivia breathed deep and adjusted the shoulders of the little black velvet dress she’d found for the Christmas party. The dress fit her like a decadent second skin, and she’d never be able to sit without crushing the velvet.

  Dave knocked at the bathroom door. “Bettie’s niece is here and meeting the kids. Everyone’s ready.”

  “I’ll be right out.”

  Dave’s footsteps paced around the room.

  She slipped into her red satin heels and took one last check in the bathroom mirror. She looked bright, alive, in love. Mama’s ruby earrings twinkled at her ears like festive holly berries. Dave’s necklace sparkled delicately at the beginning of her cleavage. She smiled. Thank goodness for help from well-designed bras.

  Ready. Olivia peeked around the door into the master bedroom. They’d moved into the room yesterday. A sad and happy project, redecorating the master bedroom together had been the first step to make Jake’s gift of his home their own. Now the cozy and bright room held a new bedroom set, fresh paint, and new drapes. The ceiling fan’s palm paddles lazily stirred the air. Kay’s early Christmas present of a painting hung on the wall, a radiant dawn of intense pastel light breaking over Lake Mohave. She’d forever miss the Coyote Point painting lost in the fire, but as the old one had struck a chord in her life then, this new one perfectly fit her new life.

  Dave stepped into view. Her mouth went dry. His snowy white shirt and red tie set off his clean-shaven jaw, fresh haircut, and tan skin.

  Okay, show time. She straightened her shoulders and stepped around the door.

  Her efforts were rewarded with his speechless indrawn breath, hot eyes, and hungry smile. He drew her into a sweet demanding kiss, and just when she imagined spontaneous combustion might happen, he gentled the kiss.

  His strong hands swept reverently over her body. “Damn, I have a whole new liking for velvet,” he murmured against her mouth. “We have to get downstairs, or tell them to go without us.”

  “Right.” They were the hosts of the party. Breathless and hot, leaving his arms was difficult, but she wiped the smudged lipstick from his mouth and straightened his tie.

  She laughed. Tangled Christmas lights created the bright pattern of his tie. She repaired her lipstick and picked up her soft red wrap and bag from the bed.

  He slipped on his black jacket and grinned. “Let me carry your wrap for you. I need the camouflage.”

  They laughed together, and she handed him her wrap.

  Christopher and Margie saw them first and waved as she and Dave paused at the head of the stairs. Joy filled Olivia at the sight of their friends waiting below.

  Nate whistled from the bottom of the stairs. “Stop right there. I have to get this on film.”

  They posed, laughing. Nate took another photo of them in front of the tree and then set up a timed group photo.

  A last “good luck” to Bettie’s niece who was babysitting, and they were off. As they walked to Dave’s truck, she glanced left as always. The dark and empty site hurt, but reconstruction plans were moving briskly along, and someday next year they’d set the reopening date. For now, it was time to relax and enjoy the gathering of friends and family.

  The way Dave genially welcomed Daddy and Mama at the restaurant and ignored Daddy’s cool greeting made Livie’s heart swell with love above her sorrow. Daddy remained unsupportive of her decisions regarding the bar and only grudgingly accepted Dave’s presence in her life.

  Dave set aside his drink, tapped a spoon against the glass, and waited for the full room to settle. So many friends and family had come to share the holiday with them. “Ah, hey, everyone. First, Livie and I wanted to thank you all for giving up your own Christmas at home and braving the holiday travel craziness to be here tonight. You’ve make this Christmas special for us beyond any words I can scrounge up to say.” He paused and cleared his throat. “It’s been a hell of a year, full of good and bad and amazing.”

  Applause, whistles, and assorted agreements clamored as Dave captured Olivia’s hand and raised it to his lips. The crowd hushed.

  “I wanted to do this tonight, on Christmas Eve because Christmas is a time for miracles, and I wanted to celebrate that you’re my miracle, Livie.”

  She met his golden eyes and fought happy tears.

  “I gave kneeling a practice run, and that didn’t work out so well, so I’ll just have to do this on my own two feet.” He winked and then grew serious. “And since a year ago I didn’t think even that was possible, I’m more than happy to stand here in front of you today. You loving me is the best thing to ever happen to me.” Flushed, he cleared his throat again. “Your Uncle Jake told me there’s only now. I understood what he meant at the time and he was right. But I believe there’s more, there’s now and there’s forever. I love you, so, I’m asking you, Livie, now, to be mine, forever. I want a future with you. I want a family with you. Will you marry me?”

  “Oh, yes. I love you.” Her racing heart was bursting with joy, and she surrendered to her tears.

  He slipped the ring on her finger, to cheers, applause, and cameras flashing. She met him in a fierce kiss, hot and sweet.

  They visited around the room getting hugs, kisses, and pats on the back. Mama scooped her into a hug with happy tears, but Daddy was stiff and cool.

  “I hope you will make this a sensible engagement and avoid rushing any more than you have already.”

  Mama tugged sharply on Daddy’s sleeve. “Paul. This isn’t the time or place. This is Olivia’s celebration, and more importantly, it is Christmas.” She cast an apologetic glance over her shoulder and dragged Daddy off.

  Olivia groaned deeply, tension knotting in her shoulders.

  Dave gathered her into a hug. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault. I’m sure he’ll come around.” Oh, please, let that be true.

  Dave caught her hand, brushing a finger over the ring. He flashed a bashful smile. “We never discussed what ring you’d like, but I took the chance you might want something different. From before, you know?”

  Olivia kissed him. She loved the simple elegant flat twist of gold cradling the pink diamond in a graceful loop. “It’s beautiful and perfect. I love it. Honestly.”

  “It was my mom’s. Dad designed it and a friend of his made it. It’s a Möbius strip. Mom said the mathematics and geometry of the ring meant a lot to them about their love.”

  “Thank you. I wish I could have met them.” Over the past weeks, he’d shared more about his life with them, the awful times and the good.

  Dave smiled, sadly. “Honestly, they were pretty strange and majorly messed up, but, thanks to you, I understand them better.”

  Music, dancing, talking, and laught
er followed the delicious buffet and a rich bûche de Noël for dessert, reminding her of Mohave, despite the Christmas music and dressy clothes.

  Dave never asked her to dance. When she invited him to join in, he just shook his head and sent her off to dance, watching with a smile from the sidelines. Between dances, he’d pull her close and hold her, murmuring sweet naughtiness between kisses.

  The last song played, and the time came for goodnights. The party had been wonderful, and she liked to think Uncle Jake would be pleased. Tomorrow would be busy day at the house, full of friends and family and casual food and fun. Dave was determined to give his friends the best possible Christmas.

  Please, please, let Daddy remember the spirit of the day.

  Dave was quiet on the drive home and the classical station radio filled the silence with sentimental Christmas music. They were almost home, when unexpectedly, he pulled into the crowded parking lot of the nearby church and parked.

  He turned off the truck. “They have a midnight service here. I’d like to go, if that’s okay with you.”

  “Yes. I’d like that.”

  He sent Nate a quick text, and they stepped out into the cool dark. The contemplative strains of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” drifted from the church, and the stars above shone clear and bright.

  Dave tucked her wrap around her shoulders. “I should’ve danced with you.”

  “It’s okay.”

  “I wanted to. The truth is, it’s not the leg, well, that’s part of it these days.” He met her eyes sheepishly. “Truth is I’ve never danced, with anyone. I never learned how.”

  “Oh.” So that’s why he hadn’t danced at Mohave. She kissed him. “I love you whether we dance or not.”

  “I wish I had learned, for you. Love you. Merry Christmas.” He brushed a kiss to her mouth, and they walked hand in hand to the warm light glowing from the open church doors.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Would they ever start the music and get this show on the road? Dave rolled his shoulders and tugged at his jacket cuffs as he waited for Livie.

  Nate shook his head, gray eyes twinkling with humor.

  “What?”

  “It’s just good to see you here.”

  Lloyd grinned, hummed an atrocious attempt at “Another One Bites the Dust” complete with air guitar, and broke up laughing, along with Nate, Christopher, and Pastor Benson.

  Dave laughed along with them; he deserved the teasing.

  He’d met Pastor Benson last Christmas Eve. The man worked from a wheelchair and over the past five months they’d shared some down-to-earth talks. Of course, Pastor Benson liking to fish didn’t hurt any.

  Dave looked toward the rear of the sunlight-filled church, stunned again at the packed place. Between Olivia’s large extended family and friends, his friends making the trek to Florida, including Martinez, Smitty, and other firefighter buddies, to Jake’s friends and bar customers, Royce and his granddad, and some folks from the church, he doubted there was an empty pew.

  Nate’s and Lloyd’s parents filled the right-hand front row, standing in for his parents. Nate’s mom was laughing and dabbing at her tears. Nate’s brothers, Gabe and Danny, and their sister Callie and her husband Zeke occupied the second row. Louise waited in the left front pew, surrounded by her sisters. Paul had agreed to attend and walk Livie down the aisle, but still opposed her decision to rebuild and her wish to marry now.

  Now he just needed Livie.

  Finally, finally, the organist segued into Clarke’s “Trumpet Voluntary” and everyone rose. Aside from Paul’s unending stick-up-the-ass attitude, rehearsal yesterday had been smooth and easy. Now, time for the real thing.

  First, JoAnn appeared, with Daisy toddling alongside her as a mini flower girl, drawing awws and rippling laughter, then Margie stepped into the aisle. Kay followed, nodding to him with a wide smile…

  Livie glided into sight, arm in arm with her dad, and stole Dave’s breath. She looked like a princess with her hair curled and upswept into the sparkling, delicate crown-like affair she wore without a veil and her simple, elegant gown. They paused in the doorway, and she whispered in Paul’s ear, but he shook his head, and remained stern. She briefly turned away, as if blinking back tears.

  Damn the man for casting a shadow on Livie’s happiness.

  She raised her chin and met eyes with Dave as Paul guided her along the aisle, her rising, joyous smile sending Dave’s heart leaping.

  Reaching the front row, Paul kissed Livie’s cheek and, with a tense inhale, released her to take Dave’s waiting hand.

  Livie slipped her warm hand into his, and he shoved the conflict with Paul from his mind as they faced Pastor Benson.

  Looking into Livie’s gleaming eyes and radiant smile as they made their vows, he felt like all the scattered, dissonant notes of his life were coming into harmony.

  “I do.” He did. He would. Oh, yeah. No doubts.

  There’s just now.

  Dave grinned. Thanks, Jake.

  “You may kiss your bride!”

  He cupped Livie’s face in his hands, the gold band she’d placed on his finger a welcome new weight, and kissed her sweet and slow. Thanks to her love, his life’s freefall was over.

  Applause and laughter rang through the church, adding to the jubilant music in Dave’s mind, and he slowly ended the kiss. “Can we leave early?” he whispered in her ear.

  She laughed. “If only we could.”

  Mouret’s joyful “Le Rondeau” concluded the service, and they exited the church to a beautiful May afternoon, loud congratulations, handshakes and hugs, and flashing cameras.

  A white Mustang convertible waited at the curb for their drive to the reception and for their honeymoon trip to the Keys tomorrow. Livie’s suggestion of renting the Mustang had puzzled him at first, since during the planning they’d discovered, to their surprise, they both wanted mostly traditional.

  Livie had given him a glorious smile, mischief sparkling in her eyes. “Because you’re my Knight, of course, and every knight needs a good set of horses.”

  They had the reception set up around the pool and on the lawn between the house and parking lot. With all the canopies, the place looked like a circus had taken over.

  Posing for photos kept them busy as guests arrived. Louise must have spoken to Paul, because he managed some reasonable smiles for the photos.

  They opened the reception with a simple toast in front of the framed-out structure of the new bar. Nate, Lloyd, and Martinez had promised to hold off on their speeches until the cake. If only Jake was here to see all Livie had accomplished. Choked on emotion, Dave managed his thank-you-all-for-coming speech and stole a kiss with Livie before they touched glasses. He didn’t need champagne when he had Livie.

  His wife. His head spun. What changes a year made.

  Through the ebb and tide of conversation with their guests during the cocktail hour and buffet meal, he’d lost Livie in the happy chaos. He’d conveniently forgotten what a social mêlée a wedding could be. As he craned his head around searching, he missed the simplicity of Nate and Kay’s small Vegas wedding.

  “Dave! Hey!” Gabe and Danny pulled him aside. “We gotta rescue your pal Royce from that granddad of his.” Gabe nodded at a grimly resigned Royce sitting with Old Roy.

  Danny grinned. “We found a cute blonde chick willing to give us a hand. You in?”

  “Gabriel and Daniel Quinn! You boys better not be planning any mischief here.” Mrs. Quinn slipped an arm around Dave.

  The two big soldiers grinned guiltily at their petite mom, half-hiding their beer bottles behind them. “No, Mom.”

  “Mission of mercy more like it.” Danny failed miserably at an innocent shrug.

  “Well, no involving Dave or Nate in your mission or anything else today. Got it? Behave.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  She shooed them off and turned to Dave. “I’m so proud of you, Dave. I know your parents are too.” She kissed his cheek.


  “Thanks. I know I’ve said thank you for all you’ve done for me over the years, but, again, thanks.”

  “You’re one of our boys.” She hugged him tightly. “Seeing you happy is more than enough thanks for Tommy and me. Livie is a doll, and we couldn’t be happier for you. Now, go find your bride. The DJ wants to start the dancing. I need to find Tommy. He and Grif better not have snuck off to fish.”

  Just then, Livie walked through the pool gate, laughing with Kay and JoAnn.

  “There you are!” She swung into his embrace, her smile glowing, and she kissed him hard.

  A hand fell on his shoulder. “I’d like to speak with you, Dave. Olivia, if you’ll excuse us for a moment?” Paul spoke in his usual pedantic way.

  Why now? Dave gritted his teeth and turned. For better or for worse…The elderly pain-in-the-ass was his father-in-law now, and, for Livie’s sake, he was determined to keep the peace.

  “No.” Livie’s calm voice vibrated with pent exasperation, and her arm tensed around Dave’s waist, keeping them defensively joined. “Anything you need to say to either of us, Daddy, you can say to us together.”

  “Very well.” Paul locked gazes with Dave, and shifted on his feet, linking his hands behind him. “My brother and I were close, but we didn’t always see eye to eye. Jake tended to snap decisions. I do not. Jake claimed I would not find my trust misplaced with you. I have waited and watched.” Paul’s voice caught, the arrogance vanished from his stern face, and he abruptly looked all of his eighty years. “I love my daughter and above everything want the best for her and her happiness. Olivia was always happy here, years ago, and she’s been happier this year than she has been in far too long, all because of you, Dave.”