Broken (22 page)

“No.” She could feel her face flushing under his intent regard.

“My error. Let me rectify it. You’re always beautiful to me, but today you’re exceptionally so.”

In his eyes Cassidy saw sincerity and sexual heat. She couldn’t have asked for a better compliment. “Thank you.”

They stood close together, locked in the moment. Their bodies slowly drawing nearer. The heat from him neutralized the cold wind blowing through the concrete parking garage. Max lowered his head and Cassidy lifted hers. Her eyelids slid to half-mast as she felt his moist breath on her lips.

Zoe bellowed, “Out, Mama!” 

The mood shattered. Max laughed. “The tyrant wants out of her car seat.”

“I’d better get her,” she said, thinking,
Oh Zoe, I should have taken you to your grandmother’s.

Cassidy pressed the stubborn release button on Zoe’s car seat, cursing under her breath when she almost broke a nail. She’d forgotten how stiff and uncooperative these things were when brand new. Max had disappeared behind the rear of the SUV. Cassidy glanced up briefly when he opened the cargo door but couldn’t see what he was doing. By the time she had Zoe out of the vehicle and standing on the pavement beside her, he’d returned carrying a stroller. When he unfolded it, she realized it was one of those fancy, three-wheel deals she’d seen joggers use while pushing their children.

“When did you get this?” she asked. Zoe had already wandered over and was checking it out.

“The same day I purchased the car seat. I figured once Zoe became more comfortable with me, I’d take her with me when I jogged,” he replied, removing the lap tray so Zoe could sit in it.

Zoe immediately grabbed hold to climb up. Max held the stroller steady so it wouldn’t roll out from under her. Once she was in, she turned and sat grinning at Cassidy, proud of her accomplishment.

“Better strap her in quick before she changes her mind,” Max urged as he stowed her baby bag in the roomy cargo space under the seat.

Cassidy did as he said and secured the lap tray. She also lowered the canopy to help protect Zoe from the elements. Zoe beat on its tray, testing its strength, kicked her legs, and then gazed all around, delighted with her ride. As Max pushed the stroller, Cassidy walked beside it so Zoe could see her. They headed for the parking garage elevator.

It was about ten a.m., and the courthouse garage was already pretty full of cars and people coming and going as they reported for court. They went down the elevator and exited the garage. When Cassidy would have crossed the street, Max caught her arm.

“This way,” he said, guiding her by the elbow down the street.

“The courthouse is over there,” she said, pointing across the road.

“I know,” he said, still guiding her away from their destination.

Frowning at his inexplicable behavior, Cassidy went along. Maybe he wanted to cross at the corner, which made absolutely no sense to her since the entrance was right there, but Max was a lawyer at heart. She was really puzzled when he reached the end of the block and kept going. “I thought we had to be to the courthouse at ten-thirty?”

“I said we were getting married at ten-thirty,” he corrected.

“Yes, but you also said the wedding was going to be at the courthouse,” she grumbled. The lightweight dress and high heels weren’t made for strolling along cold city streets, she thought irritably as a gust of wind blew up under her coat. She took a moment to fasten it.

“Change of plans,” he said.

“Are we going far?” she asked.

“You’ll see,” and that’s all he would say, no matter how many questions she threw at him until she finally took the hint and gave up.

Ten minutes later they were at the entrance to Everhart Park. Much to Cassidy’s shock and pleasure, Erika, her husband David, and Macey were waiting for them at the entrance. Macey ran to meet them and immediately gravitated to Zoe, who babbled excitedly at the sight of her friend.

“Can I push her stroller?” Macey asked Max.

“If it’s okay with Zoe’s mother,” he said.

“Are you sure? The back is kind of high. You might not be able to see over it,” Cassidy said.

Macey moved into position behind the stroller and grasped the handle. “See, I can see,” she said eagerly, peeking through the space between the handle and the canopy.

Cassidy was doubtful, but Max said, “I’ll stick close in case she runs into any problems.”

“Okay,” Cassidy reluctantly agreed. Turning to Erika, she asked, “What are you guys doing here?”

 “Max said you two needed two witnesses. Since he’s not speaking to his family and didn’t think you’d be comfortable asking yours, he called me. I’ll deal with you about not telling me you were getting married later,” Erika finished in an undertone as Cassidy reached her side.

“It’s just a formality,” Cassidy excused herself weakly. “It doesn’t mean anything.”

“Um-hmm,” Erika said skeptically. “Keep telling yourself that.”

They walked in silence through the park, following the paved road. The birds were singing and the leaves were displaying all their gold and crimson glory. The park was a popular place for weddings and families, and the center for many community events. However, this early on a weekday morning it was relatively empty. There was the occasional elderly person walking their dog, a biker here and there, and a few joggers, but that was it.

Max led them to a wood-and-brick covered gazebo bridge that crossed a small stream. Once they stood near the side railing overlooking the water, he held out a bouquet of creamy white calla lilies bound by simple green and white ribbons. “These are for you. The Calla Lily is a flower known for its ability to survive in almost any kind of environment, yet still maintain its elegance and beauty, like you. The white symbolize the purity of my love for you.”

He offered them to her. As she accepted them, she asked, “Where’d these come from?” He hadn’t had them in his hands earlier, and she didn’t see him put a flower box under Zoe’s stroller.

“I asked Dave to bring them with him. I wanted them to be a surprise.”

“You definitely accomplished that,” Cassidy murmured, bringing the flowers up to her nose to smell. She’d been so focused on Erika and Macey she hadn’t noticed Dave holding anything.

Max turned to include David, Erika, and Macey, who’d parked the stroller by her mother and now knelt in front of it, into the conversation. “As you both know, Cassidy and I elected not the have a big formal ceremony, but I do have a few words I’d like to say before we all sign the marriage certificate.”

He faced Cassidy again and held out both of his hands in a silent request for hers. She passed her flowers to Erika before linking her fingers with his. She was curious and filled with nervous anticipation for what Max would say. Nothing about today was going the way she’d expected.

Max stared solemnly into her eyes. “I know our relationship with each other began under less than ideal circumstances. I feel you should know I’ve always admired you. Even when we were all in college and Phillip first introduced us, I could see why he was so crazy about you. The longer I knew you, the more I respected you and hoped to one day find a woman just as wonderful as you. Then that craziness happened in Orlando. Despite everything that’s happened since, if I could go back in time and change things—the hurt, the betrayal, the bitterness—I wouldn’t, because then I wouldn’t be here today with you. I know you no longer feel about me the way I care for you—”

Erika coughed loudly and Cassidy turned to briefly glare at her.

“—and you have your doubts about whether we can make a marriage work. But Cassidy, I want you to know I still love you with everything that’s within me, and if, when the time comes you still want out, I’ll love you enough to set you free. All I ask is you give us a chance,” Max finished, squeezing her fingers and bringing her hands to his lips to place a gentle kiss on each one.

He freed her hands, reached inside his jacket to an interior pocket, and pulled out a square, dark blue velvet jewelry box. Cassidy couldn’t look away if she tried. Max had said no rings—actually, he’d said he wouldn’t push the issue if she said no—but that definitely looked like a ring box to her. After he hadn’t said any more on the issue, she’d let the whole ring matter slide.

Max flipped open the lid and pulled out a wedding ring. “It would honor me and please me greatly if you’d wear this as a physical reminder of my vow to always love, cherish, and be faithful to you. I had the ring specially made. The band is braided with three types of metals—platinum, gold, and rose gold—to represent each of us. Platinum, which represents me, is the base element because it’s strong and enduring like my love for you. The gold is you, with an inner glow and beauty that lasts but with a fragility that needs constant care and attention to protect your fragile heart. The rose represents Zoe, living proof of our love for each other.”

Cassidy heard Erika sigh and murmur, “That’s just so romantic.”

He held it up, leaving the choice of wearing it up to her. Cassidy’s gaze bounced from the ring, exquisite in its simplicity, to Max and back again. She held out her left hand and spread her fingers, allowing him to slide it onto her hand. Once it was in place, she admired the way it sparkled in the sunlight and marveled at the perfect fit. “How’d you know what size to get?”

Max shrugged and looked a bit sheepish. “I snuck one of your rings from your jewelry box and took it to the jewelers so they could size it.” He slid his hands in his pocket and for the first time, looked uncomfortable.

“Cassidy, you have any words for Max?” Erika prompted.

Caught off-guard, Cassidy stared at her blankly. “Words?”

“Yes,” Erika said, staring pointedly at her while nodding her head in Max’s direction. “Isn’t there something you’d like to say to Max?”

“Uh!” She glanced around as though searching for inspiration.

“Cassidy, you don’t have to—” Max began.

“No, I want to,” she said, cutting him off. “Just give me a moment. Okay?”

He nodded and went silent.

Cassidy dug deep for the courage to say what was in her heart, took a deep breath to calm her jittery stomach, and throwing caution to the wind, spoke. “I was hurt when you left. Devastated. Right or wrong, knowing you were there waiting for me gave me the strength I needed to stand up to Phillip and beat him at his own game. When I found out you were gone, I lost heart and almost gave up. Almost gave in because without you, nothing else mattered. Now you’re here and we have a second chance at love,
if
I can find the courage to let go of the past and reach out for a future with you. Honestly, I don’t know if I can, but I’m willing to try. All I ask is that we take it one day at a time. Can you do that for me?”

She stared into Max’s intense blue eyes with a gaze gone blurry with tears. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “For you? Yes.”

Max kissed her and the world fell away. There was just the cool press of his lips against hers, the warmth of his embrace, and the security of knowing she was loved by a man she wasn’t sure she deserved but knew she couldn’t bring herself to free.

It was the clearing of throats and muffled laughter that brought her back to the present. Dave said, “I would say, ‘You may now kiss the bride,’ but you’ve already taken care of it.”

“And did a thorough job of it too,” Erika added, grinning.

“Is Aunt Cassidy married now?” Macey asked.

“Almost,” Max answered. Glancing at Dave, he asked, “Did you bring the pen?”

“Right here,” Dave said.

It was stupid, but that’s when it finally clicked with Cassidy. Dave was functioning as Max’s best man, while Erika was there as her matron of honor. Even though Max had eschewed having a formal religious ceremony, he’d still managed to work in some of the traditional trappings. She felt her eyes water again at the realization that he’d done it for her.

Max retrieved a folder Cassidy knew must contain the marriage license from the bottom of Zoe’s stroller. Zoe was so fascinated by Macey, who loved being the center of the baby’s attention, she didn’t even notice. Dave handed him the pen and Max braced the paper with the folder against the wall and signed the document.

“Your turn,” he said, holding the pen out to her. He indicated the line where she needed to sign. Once she’d added her signature, he watched carefully to ensure both Erika and Dave used the correct signature lines.

After he’d enclosed the wedding license in the folder and returned it to its location, Max clapped his hand and said, “Now, let’s go get lunch. I’m hungry.”

“Not so fast, you two. We need more pictures,” Dave said and held up the small digital camera in his hands. “We need some wedding poses. Something to show the grandkids.”

“Have you been taking pictures this whole time?” Cassidy asked, astonished. This was the first time she’d noticed the camera.

“Of course. If it’s not too cold, take off your coat so I can get some good shots of you and Max,” Dave instructed.

“I don’t know how good they’ll be if my teeth are chattering,” she said as another cool breeze whipped around them, rustling the leaves. She glanced at Zoe to make sure she was still bundled up. Erika had released Zoe from the seat, and she and Macey were peeking through the wood railing to the water below, pointing and talking. Zoe was barely tall enough to see over the solid bottom made of vertical logs melded together in an attractive design.

“I’ll keep you warm,” Max promised, attracting her attention. True to his promise, Max did. He always had an arm or both wrapped around her, keeping her close to his side to share his incredible body heat.

They took lots of photos, from the silly to the romantic. At one point, Dave handed Macey the camera and had her take pictures of the four adults. There was a lot of laughter and fun involved, but when it was all over, Cassidy’s goose bumps thanked her when she dived into the shelter of her overcoat.

“Now we can eat,” Dave said, happily scrolling through the pictures he’d taken.

“I don’t suppose we need to go to a photo studio now,” Cassidy commented to Max.