A Breath of Heaven: El Camino Real (17 page)

There was none.

He was gone.

She sank down on the couch, her head
spinning. Pulling the afghan around her nakedness, reality sank in. Her worst
fears had come true. She’d given herself to Cade, bared herself to him.

And he had left because of it.

Like a self-revealing prophecy, Abby
reacted just as she’d always imagined she would when Cade rejected her.

She cried.   

* * *

The ranch was alive with people.
Everything had been transformed into a winter wonderland. Helicopters were
landing. Limousines were arriving. Caterers were unpacking their goods. Lobster
had been flown in from Maine, an orchestra from New York. Even Jase and Abby’s
piano teacher had arrived. Mrs. Horne wasn’t fancy, but she was witty. “I can’t
believe Jase is getting married. I hope his rhythm has improved since he played
chopsticks.”

Justice cracked up, hugging the little old
lady. “I hope so, too. He never did get the hang of that tune, did he?”

“I hear Charlee Parker’s on her way home,
Justice.” Mrs. Horne’s announcement seemed to catch Justice by surprise. He
clamped his lips shut while Mrs. Horne smiled a secret smile. “Have you heard
anything along those lines?”

What the hell? “Not a word.” Justice said
succinctly as he noticed Shiloh motioning to him from across the room. “Will
you excuse me, ma’am? I hope you enjoy the wedding.”

“Let me know what happens when she shows
up,” Mrs. Horne directed that request to Abby. “I used to watch those two when
they were young. I always knew they’d end up together. Just like you and Cade.
Where is he by the way?”

“I’m not sure.” Was her weak reply. “Let
me get you a drink. I’ll be right back.”

Abby made as quick an escape as Justice
had before her. But she did fetch her old piano teacher a drink and found her a
place to sit down. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the pre-wedding party –
everyone except Abby.

She had worked the room on automatic,
speaking to everyone, doing her duty as one of the hostesses. The cake was all
set, she’d seen to that. All of the flowers and ribbons were straight. The
organist was in place. The soloist was prepared. Everyone had their corsages
and knew their cues. The only one missing was Cade and she hadn’t had the heart
to ask anyone if they knew what had happened or if he was returning. All she
could think was that he had reconsidered. He couldn’t face being with her…not
after…

“Abby!” Mother. Crap. “Abby, I need your
help! We can’t find Harold!”

* * *

Houston traffic had been crazy, but now
they were making good time. Cade checked his watch. God, why hadn’t he brought
his phone? He’d been so worried about getting on the road that he’d walked off
and left his cell somewhere in Abby’s house. When he’d stopped for gas, Cade
had called El Camino on a pay phone. Some caterer had answered and promised to
give someone in the family a message, but he had no idea who had received the
word that he was running a little late or if Abby had been told. God, he hoped
so. 

Glancing at the clock, he saw they were
going to be cutting it mighty close. Pressing a bit harder on the gas pedal,
Cade sped up. He couldn’t stand the thought of Abby worrying or thinking the
worst. 

“Cade, Son? Are you sure it is okay for me
to attend this wedding? My clothes are very plain.”

Cade looked at his mother, his heart so
full of love and contentment, he could barely contain the happiness. “You look
beautiful, Mom. Don’t worry a second. The King’s will love you. Especially
Abby, I can’t wait for you to meet her.”

He spent the time on the road, pouring his
heart out to Tia Tallbull. Cade explained about his father and how Sam King and
Amelia had taken him in. The years they’d spent apart seemed to disappear as he
shared his dreams for the future. “We’ll be happy. We’ll be a family again –
me, you and Abby Grace.”    

Last night he had won the heart of the
love of his life and today he had been reunited with his mother. Cade had
received the call from Vance a little before four. The only thing he’d taken
time to do was kiss Abby, whisper he loved her, and write a note for her to
find on the dresser. The note explained that he was heading to the airport, but
he’d be back in plenty of time for the wedding. With his mother.

He still couldn’t believe it. Could life
get any better? He was leaving a career he loved, but he was leaving on top.
He’d been granted the highest honor he could receive from the work he’d
enjoyed. And after years of searching, the PI firm had finally located Tia
Tallbull in a little village south of Monterrey. She’d been working at a
resort, cleaning rooms. When Vance had found her, she’d cried when he’d showed
her Cade’s photo and told her it was her son’s wish for her to come home. What
a Christmas this was going to turn out to be! Best of all was the little box he
had in his pocket. Last night, he’d neglected to give Abby her biggest
Christmas gift or ask her the question he’d been dying to ask.

Would she marry him? Would she make him
the happiest man in the world? God, he prayed so.

* * *

Everyone was in their place. There were at
least a thousand people at the wedding. The lake house had never been lovelier.
No expense had been spared. Abby sat by Mrs. Horne at the back of the crowd,
near the door. She’d listened to her piano teacher regale her with a story
about everybody in the room. But Abby was only hearing part of it. She was
hurting, yet she was watching the door and praying. Her family hadn’t been much
help. She’d asked the twins if they’d seen Cade, but they hadn’t. Her father
said he didn’t know anything, but he trusted Cade would come back. Cade’s word
was his bond. If he said he’d be here, Sam King would stake his life on it.

Abby wasn’t so sure. Not that she didn’t
trust Cade, but she’d asked so much of him. A man like Cade deserved the very
best and she didn’t even come close to being what he needed. As she sat and
waited, Abby folded and refolded the pleats on her dress. She didn’t regret a moment
she’d spent with Cade, but having known what it was like to be in his arms was
going to make losing him a thousand times worse.

Abby watched the clock. It was time. The
organ music began. Cade was nowhere in sight. She tensed and sat up straighter.
After the first few bars of music, the pastor came in and took his place
followed by Jase and his groomsmen. Trace, who was supposed to serve as just an
usher, was standing in for Cade. Abby’s heart plummeted. Next came the flower
girls, then the bridesmaids, followed by Pam’s sister, the matron of honor.
Abby watched her brother. He didn’t look as happy as she would have wished. The
whole family was going to have to get on board with this marriage. They
couldn’t afford to hurt Jase. His marriage was going to be challenging enough
without having to deal with a judgmental family.

A small woof of greeting had every head
turning. It was time for the ring bearer. Everyone smiled and applauded. Scout,
old faithful Scout, was walking down the aisle toward Jase. Jase smiled and
knelt down to wait on him. When Abby had gone back with her mother to help
locate the little rapscallion, it was to find Harold had stopped up two
commodes with toilet paper and one of them had run over. His tux had been
ruined. So, Jase was getting his wish. Scout was in the wedding party.

Now, it was time for the bride. The music
swelled and everyone stood. And stood. And stood. Finally, a door opened. There
were murmurs. But it wasn’t the bride. Abby looked and her heart clutched in
her chest. It was Cade! And he wasn’t alone. A beautiful woman was with him.
But the more she looked at the woman, the more she realized she looked like
Cade. Was this his mother? She’d known he was looking for her, the whole family
did, but it had been so long. His eyes roved the crowd. Was he looking for her?
Finally, their eyes locked and he smiled. She smiled back. Honestly, Abby
didn’t know what to think.

The organist kept playing…and
playing…people were beginning to get restless. Jase looked at his watch and
then he looked at Pam’s sister who shrugged her shoulders. Finally, the bride’s
mother rose and exited toward the changing rooms. Whispers floated through the
crowd. Everyone at the front was moving around, except Scout. He was on guard.
Shiloh whispered to Cade who whispered to Justice. Something was going on.

To give the organist and preacher credit,
they held it together, but when the bride’s mother came out with a handkerchief
to her eyes, Abby knew it was over. “I’m sorry, Pam has eloped! With another
man!” For a few moments, pandemonium reigned supreme. All Abby could think
about was the mysterious phone call Pam had received the day Cade had kissed
her in the office and her brother’s fiancé had walked in on them. 

“Eloped?” Mrs. Horne yelled. “I bought new
Vanity Fair underwear for this shindig! We need a wedding!”

All eyes were on Jase. He stood there,
surrounded by his brothers and his best friend—and he smiled a sad smile.
Stepping out into the aisle, he cleared his throat. “Ladies and Gentleman, it’s
okay. Please. All I ever wanted was for Pam to be happy and if she feels
someone else is better for the job to make her happy, then I will gracefully
step aside.” Some of Pam’s family and friends began to get up from their chairs
and file out.

Abby’s father stood up next. “Listen,
everyone, we don’t want anyone to leave. We have food on top of food and
dancing and liquor. We’re not going to let any of that go to waste. We’ll party
at El Camino!” He pumped his fist in the air and Abby secretly wondered if he
was as relieved as she was. The only thing marring this day was where she stood
with Cade. Abby was so afraid to face him. Sometimes what you dream in the dark
looks totally different in the light of day, especially after you’ve had time
to think about things. She started to rise and slip out the back when a hush
fell over the crowd…

“Abilene, don’t you dare leave.”

Abby froze in her tracks.

Cade.

“Turn around, Abby. Look at me.”

Abby swallowed, and turned. Lord, if this
had been a week ago, she’d be ready for him to pull some practical joke on her.
Now, she didn’t know what to think…she looked at him and the expression on his
face was tender. He was holding something up in the air, offering it to her. A
ring? “Cade, what’s going on?”

“Come here, Abby, my beautiful, perfect
Abby. We’re gathered here with all of our family and friends. Your father has
given me permission to ask you this question and Jase doesn’t mind us picking
up where he left off. I have a license, I’ve had it for days. Now, don’t break
my heart.”

Abby thought she would die—right there.
Was this…could it be? She didn’t know whether to move or not. “What’s the
question?”

A few titters were heard through the
crowd. They all knew Cade and Abby’s history. They were probably expecting a
verbal exchange, a prank or at the very least – a water balloon fight. 

“I’ve won a few awards here and there, all
of which I laid at your feet in my heart. Compared to you, none of those
accolades mean a damn thing to me. You’re my everything, Abby Grace King. I
have loved you with all my soul since I was sixteen years old.”

“Cade, get on with it before Abby elopes
with somebody else!” Someone yelled.

Everyone was laughing, except Abby. He had
her complete and utter attention. She took a step forward, but just a single
step. She wanted to hear the question first.

Cade looked at Abby standing there like a
vision in a silk burgundy sheathe with her hair hanging in spiral curls past
her waist. She looked like a fairy-tale princess. “Abby, my Abby, will you do
me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me? You might as well, I
belong to you and you’re never getting rid of me.”

“I don’t want to get rid of you.” There
was a collective sigh from the crowd. Abby’s mother began to cry. Her brothers
were smiling and Abby… Abby took one step, two—and then she ran. She ran to
Cade as hard as she could, launching herself at him. “Yes! I will marry you.
Yes!”

He caught her easily. “Thank you, thank
you, thank you.” He wrapped her in a strong embrace. “I promise to make you the
happiest woman alive.”

“I already am.” She couldn’t believe her
dearest wish was coming true.

“Ahemmm.” The preacher got their
attention. “Are we doing this?”

He looked at Abby. “It’s up to you. We can
wait. I want to marry you, but if you want to wait for a white dress and a
better cake, I’ll wait till you’re ready.” He kissed her sweet lips. “Or we can
do it now – you’re the boss.”

It didn’t take Abby long to decide. “Now,
I want to marry you now.” She had waited long enough to have her dreams come
true. “If you think I’m giving you a chance to change your mind, you’re crazy.”

Cade roared with laughter. “Not possible,
but I feel the same way. Why wait to be happy. Let’s get married.” He sat her
down and they turned to face the altar.

“Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here to
unite this man and woman in Holy Matrimony.” Abby held Cade’s hand, staring up
into his eyes and realized that sometimes dreams do come true.