The Wedding Dance Read online

  He tightened his arm around her shoulders. “I’m glad you did. We’re almost family; we will be soon. I’m glad you told me. I’d like to help.”

  He was so sweet! “Thanks, Chase, but there’s nothing to be done about it.”

  “Well, I see three options. And I’ll be honest, I like the first one the best.”

  She blew her nose again and looked up at him. “And what would that be?”

  He smiled gently. “Talk to Michael about it. Let him do the test and you two decide together.”

  She shook her head. “I know you’re right. That’s the right thing to do, but I don’t want to face it.”

  Chase nodded. “So option number two is that you don’t face it.”

  “I don’t understand. What do you mean?”

  “I mean, do nothing. Don’t even think about it. Your wedding is less than a week away now. You forget this, you get married, and if you are pregnant, you’ll find out for sure soon enough.”

  She shook her head. “I see what you mean, but I’d know.”

  He nodded. “Okay, option number three is the one I like the least; but if you won’t go for the others then it seems like this is all you have left.”

  “What is?”

  “Kenzie and I will go get you one of those test kits from the pharmacy.”

  “You would?”

  He nodded. “If that’s what you want. But, Megan, I still say you should talk to Michael.”

  “I know I should! But I don’t know what to do! What if I am? How could I not marry him now? And what if I’m not? Then I’ve put him through all that for nothing!”

  Chase shrugged. “You’re going to need to figure out what you want to do if you are. And even if you’re not, I’m sure he’d rather go through it with you than be left out.”

  She nodded. That was true. She should be turning to him, not away from him. She didn’t know what to say.

  Chase smiled gently at her. “You don’t need to decide right here this minute. Think about it; just know that you’ve got options. You’re not alone.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “You’ve got Michael, and you’ve got Kenzie and me, too, okay?”

  She nodded again. “Thank you, Chase. Thank you so much.”

  He shrugged. “That’s what friends are for and we’re not just friends, we’re almost family.” He laughed. “Just ask Ethan.”

  That made her smile. “I don’t need to, Uncle Chase.”

  He grinned. “Where is he this morning, still in bed?”

  “Oh, no. He’s gone to spend the day with Marcus.”

  “Marcus? Is he the kid that came from Montana with his mom?”

  “Yes. April. Have you met her?”

  “Not really. I’ve seen her around.” He smiled. “So has Eddie.”

  “Oh!” Megan liked Chase’s bandmate, Eddie. He was nice.

  Chase shrugged. “Hopefully, we’ll get them in the same room at some point. For now, though, you’ve got more important things to think about, and I need to get back.”

  “I do. We’re going to go over to the Boathouse for lunch if you and Kenzie want to come?”

  “Maybe. I’ll see how she feels. But you come over or call whenever you want, okay? We’re here for you.”

  “Thanks, Chase.”

  He bent to make a fuss over Ollie then ran back up through the parking lot. Megan mulled it all over as she watched him go. It really shouldn’t matter. If she was pregnant she should be ecstatic. It was what she wanted, what they both wanted. Why did she have to be so silly about it?

  Ollie pawed at her leg, bringing her back to reality. For now, she needed to forget about it. Enjoy her walk with Ollie, not get herself into a state.

  ~ ~ ~

  Chase ran back through town. He hoped Megan would sort herself out. It didn’t make any sense at all to be upset about getting pregnant a week before her wedding. She and Michael were getting married anyway. They wanted babies anyway. He kind of understood though. Kenzie had told him snippets about Megan’s life with Adrian. He could understand that she might have some weird hang-ups left over from that. What he couldn’t understand was why she didn’t want to talk to Michael. That didn’t make sense. Michael knew her better than anyone and had helped her though a lot of those hang-ups. He shook his head as he ran on down Main and turned into the square at the resort. It wasn’t any of his business. Strange as it was though, it felt like his business. She was a friend. She was almost family. And whatever strange spell it was that Summer Lake cast over people, it had affected him too—he cared!

  He slowed his pace as he approached the bakery. He wanted to pick up some brownies for Kenzie. She loved those things. If he could get back and bring her coffee and brownies in bed before she got up…who knew? They might get to stay there all morning.

  “Happy Sunday, Chase!” Renée greeted him with a grin as he opened the door.

  “Hey, Renée. How’re you doing?”

  She smiled. “Just great, thanks. Do you notice anything different about the place?”

  Chase looked around, though it was obvious what she was talking about. The side wall of the bakery was hung with a big banner that said,

  Watch this space! Summer Lake Women’s Center coming soon!

  He grinned. “Are you getting close?”

  She nodded. “We’re going to be closed next week while they knock through. By the time we all come from Vegas, the bakery and the space next door will all be one. We’ll have dividing doors right where the banner is, to close off the bakery for business as usual whenever we need to.”

  Chase smiled. “You’re doing a great job. I think the center will be a useful service.”

  “I hope so. I’m so excited about it.”

  Chase eyed the sign again.

  Renée pushed her hair out of her eyes and groaned. “You don’t even need to say it; I know what you’re thinking.”

  “What?” Chase felt guilty, but the name really was quite utilitarian.

  “The name?” she asked.

  He nodded. “Sorry, but yeah. It’s not very imaginative, is it?”

  Renée sighed. “I know! But I just can’t come up with anything. It should sound friendly, inviting, encouraging. But I have no idea what would work. For the moment, Summer Lake Women’s Center it is. Unless there’s some imaginative person out there who can come up with something else, then that’s what it will stay.”

  “Sorry, but I’m no use. I have no idea what would be good. I just know that isn’t!”

  She laughed. “Yeah, me too. But what can I do?”

  “Well, you can get me some of those brownies for Kenzie.”

  Renée smiled. “I can see why she loves you so much. You take the best care of that girl.”

  Chase grinned. It was still a new feeling to him—to be so in love with his woman, and so happy that the rest of the world could see it. “I do my best.”

  “You are the best! The best thing that’s ever happened to her. I can’t wait for you two to get married.”

  “Neither can I. We’ll get there. And you and Gabe will, too.”

  She nodded. “I know. But there’s nothing stopping you. I have to wait for my divorce to finally come through. It feels like it’s taking forever.”

  “Any idea how much longer it will be?”

  She shook her head. “Not yet. I just keep my fingers crossed and try not to think about it. One day I’ll get a nice surprise.”

  She turned as the front door opened and Missy walked in. “Morning!”

  “Good morning, Miss. Have you come for your last donuts as a free woman?”

  Chase laughed and so did Missy. “No,” she said. “I’m sure I’ll be back for more later in the week.” She looked from Renée to Chase. “Neither of you are going to be free for much longer either. You’re just jealous that I’m getting married before you!”

  Renée laughed. “You got me. I’m not going to argue with you.”

  “Nor am I,” said Chase. “Though I am going to ask you
when we can get together to go through the set lists for next weekend. I know you’re going to get crazy busy, and I don’t want to be the detail that gets overlooked.”

  “Thanks, hon. I’ll be honest. I already had forgotten about that! Are you around at lunchtime? We’re going to eat at the resort. If you and Kenzie are coming down I could grab you afterwards?”

  He nodded. It seemed as though the reasons for them to come out for lunch were mounting. “I’ll have to check with Kenzie, but I think so. I’ll call you if not.” He took the brownies. “I’d better get going, but I’ll see you later, hopefully.”

  “See you later, hon,” said Missy.

  “Say hi to Kenzie for me,” called Renée.

  ~ ~ ~

  Missy smiled at Renée. “He’s a sweetheart, isn’t he?”

  Renée nodded. “I want to say I wish I had a guy who would buy me chocolates and pastries all the time, but if I ate all the goodies Kenzie does I’d be huge!”

  Missy tutted. “You would not!”

  Renée laughed. “I would, but I don’t care. I am what I am. It’s all I ever have been; all I ever will be.”

  “And all Gabe wants,” said Missy with a smile.

  She loved the way Renée smiled back. “And that’s another reason I wouldn’t want a Chase—I already have a Gabe.”

  “He’s good for you. You’re good for him.”

  Renée nodded. “We are. It’s funny how we’ve both come back here and found each other.”

  Missy smiled. It seemed everyone was coming back here to find their happiness.

  “How’s Chance?” asked Renée. “I feel as though coming back here gave me him back, too. We were all so close growing up.”

  “He’s doing fine.” Missy wished Chance could come back here and find his happiness, like so many others were doing. Not that that was likely to happen. At least he was coming to the wedding though. “He’s going to meet us in Vegas on Thursday. I had hoped he would come here first, but he says he can’t take the time away.”

  Renée nodded. “It sounds as though he gets really busy with the cattle. I wish he’d come back here there though. I feel as though it did him some good.”

  “Oh, it did him a lot of good. The two of you helped each other out when he was here, if you ask me.” She laughed. “Not that anybody did.”

  “You’re right. I know he helped me enormously. I just hope it did something for him too.”

  Missy nodded. “It did.” She wasn’t going to say that talking things through with Renée had helped heal all his wounds, but it had certainly eased his pain in some respects. She just wished there was some way to heal the rift between him and their dad.

  “Are you okay?” asked Renée.

  Missy nodded. “Yeah. Just thinking about the wedding. Hoping that Chance and my dad might have the same kind of breakthrough that you and Chance did, but knowing that’s not going to happen.” She shrugged. “Sorry. Anyway, do you have any of those cheesy loaves left? I think I’ll take my dad one. He loves them.” She’d loaded him up with groceries yesterday, but she knew a cheesy loaf and some doughnuts would bring a smile to his face—and give her reason to check in on him again.

  Chapter Six

  Pete shut down his laptop and sat back. He didn’t need to be working; it was Sunday morning! He didn’t know what else to do with himself, though. He’d been up since six. Holly was still sleeping when he got up. Or at least pretending to be—he had a feeling that was more like it. He’d tried to hold her, but she’d rolled away from him. He hadn’t felt like lying there staring at her back—or her cold shoulder.

  He could take a walk down the beach, see if Jack and Em were around, but that didn’t feel right. They were happy, all caught up in the excitement about their baby. They didn’t need him bringing his grumpy self into their happy home. Besides, Holly would be pissed at him if he went without her. He shrugged and put his feet up on his desk, steepling his fingers under his chin as he stared out at the lake. He loved the view from his office, he loved the house they’d built. He blew out his cheeks in a sigh. He loved Holly; he just wished she’d understand that the wedding was important to him. He wanted it to be perfect—for her! Perfect didn’t just happen out of nowhere. It took planning, organization, hard work. Why didn’t she appreciate it? He just didn’t get it.

  He looked up when he heard her come down the stairs. He could hear her in the kitchen, making coffee. He wanted to go see her, go wrap her in his arms and tell her how much he loved her. But he didn’t. He’d learned from experience lately that it wouldn’t work. They’d just end up arguing, and that hurt even more. So he stayed put. After a while he heard her talking on the phone—laughing, chatting away, sounding happy. Someone could still make her laugh. He had to smile himself when he heard her say, “Damn you, Berto! You have such a dirty mind!”

  Roberto, her visual display manager at the store in LA was a good guy. Pete wondered if he should talk to him. He shook his head. He should be able to figure it out himself, not go talking to her friends about their problems. He heard her say goodbye and hang up. He stood. Call him a sucker for punishment, but he had to try again. He had to try to get through to her.

  She didn’t even look up when he came into the kitchen. She was sitting at the table with her coffee, tapping away at her cell phone.

  “Good morning,” he said.

  “Morning.” She still didn’t look up.

  “Do you have any plans for today?”

  She let out that bitter little laugh that drove him nuts. “I prefer not to plan. I figure you’ll tell me what we’re going to do.”

  He shook his head, regretting the decision not to stay in his office and hide. “Holly, that’s not fair…”

  She laughed. “I couldn’t agree more. I don’t think it’s at all fair that you decide everything and tell me what I’m doing.” She finally looked up at him. Her amber-colored eyes flashed, but this time he understood; it was pain, not anger, that he saw in them.

  He resisted the urge to snap back at her and instead sat down across the table from her. “I’m sorry you see it like that. I don’t mean to tell you what to do. I just…”

  “You just have to be in control of everything, to plan everything, to…oh, you know what? Forget it, Pete. There’s no point talking about it.”

  He reached for her hand, but she didn’t take hold of his. Instead, she glared at him. “But I want to talk about it. I want to try to make things right.”

  She snatched her hand away. “Well everything isn’t about what you want all the time. What about what I want?”

  He sighed. “That’s what I’d like to talk about. I want to know what I’m doing so wrong; I want to change it, so that you can have what you want.”

  Her expression softened slightly. “Do you really? Or do you just want to talk me into seeing things your way? That’s how this usually goes. I start out telling you what I want, and you end up telling me why I shouldn’t want it, how all this planning is necessary and how your way is best so that’s what I should want.”

  Pete thought about it. He could be pretty determined when he believed he was doing the right thing. That trait of his was a large part of why Phoenix was so successful. “Honestly? I don’t know, sweetheart. All I know is that I love you. I want to make you happy, but all I seem to do these days is make you miserable. And that makes me miserable.” He held her gaze. “I would never have believed that you and I could be like this. We’re constantly either at each other’s throats or avoiding each other.”

  She looked so sad as she reached for his hand. “It’s not what either of us signed up for, is it, Bigshot?”

  He shook his head. “So how do we change it? How do we get back on track?” He felt relieved now. At least they were talking, acknowledging the problems. Now they could work together to find the solutions. Her next words turned his relief to shock.

  “I don’t know that we can.”

  He stared at her, holding her gaze, asking all th
e questions with his eyes. Since his lips refused to speak the words. She couldn’t mean what he thought she did, surely?

  He watched a tear escape and roll down her cheek. “Pete, we’ve been like this ever since you started planning the wedding. We don’t laugh anymore; we don’t have fun. Hell, we barely even talk, and when we do, it’s just to argue. I don’t feel heard and you don’t feel appreciated. Is that really how you want to live the rest of your life? Because I can tell you right now, it’s not how I want to live mine.”

  “But, sweetheart. We’re forever. You and me. I love you. We’re getting married—in a month.”

  There went that bitter little laugh again. “Yeah, and it’d sure screw up your plans if we were to call it off, wouldn’t it?”

  He felt as though all the air had been knocked out of him. She couldn’t seriously mean that? He held her gaze.

  “Don’t do that!”

  “Do what?”

  “You know damned well what. Don’t look at me like that, with your steely blue gaze, all demanding, all expecting I’ll just fall at your feet and be all yes, Pete, no, Pete, whatever you say, Pete. I’m sick of it! I love you, you arrogant prick! But maybe that’s not enough.”

  Pete stared at her in disbelief. “I love you, Holly. How can you say that’s not enough? Isn’t that all we really need?”

  Damn, he wished she’d quit with that laugh!

  “I thought it was all we needed, Pete. I really did, but you need so much more. You need a plan, you need to be in control, you need a freaking clipboard! Maybe love just isn’t enough—for either of us. And maybe we both need to think on that for a while before you go making any more plans.” She stood. “As for today, I plan to go horseback riding. You do whatever the hell you want.”

  He watched her stalk out of the room, wondering what had just happened.

  ~ ~ ~

  Dan put an arm around Missy’s shoulders as they walked down Main toward the resort. “I love you, little Miss Missy,” he said with a smile.

  She stopped walking and smiled up at him. “I love you more, Dan. Sometimes I wonder if I’m going to wake up one morning and discover that all this was just a dream.”