Marriage On Demand (19 page)

Outside the room, soft organ music began.

"I think that's my cue,"
Elizabeth
said. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. See you at the altar."

Elizabeth
gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "
Austin
is going to be there. I promise. You'll be fine." She started out the door, then turned back. "Believe in the love, Rebecca. It can work miracles."

When she was alone, Rebecca took one last look in the mirror. She stared at her reflection, hoping to find a hint as to whether or not she was making the right decision. She couldn't find any answers.

She studied her dress. The simple lines were so different from the beaded gown she'd ordered for her wedding with
Wayne
. Everything was different from the wedding she'd planned with
Wayne
. There was no church full of guests, no four tiered cake, no family,
no
honeymoon in
Hawaii
. She'd played it safe and lost all her dreams. Now she was making new plans. They were different, but they could be just as satisfying if she let them.

Elizabeth
had asked if she could love
Austin
. Could she? She thought she might if she could get through to him. Seeing him with David had helped her believe love might be possible. She'd seen proof he was a warm, caring man. He kept that part of himself hidden. In time she would find out why. For now it was enough to know it existed.

The music changed, becoming the familiar chords of the wedding march. Rebecca clutched her flowers more tightly in her suddenly damp hands. She grabbed the ring box from the vanity, then walked to the door, opened it and stepped out into the hallway.

The music was louder here. She made her way to the back entrance of the church. Wide double doors stood open. The sound poured over her, making her want to cry. She was getting married, alone, in an empty church, away from her friends and family. She wanted to call everything off. She wanted to sit down and sob her heart out. Instead, she took the first step into the sanctuary.

She stared past the rows of empty pews, past the stained-glass windows that filtered the afternoon sunlight, past Mrs. Johnson sitting behind the massive organ off to one side. Her gaze swept across the altar and settled on four people standing at the front of the center aisle.

She recognized Elizabeth, who smiled encouragingly, and the minister, then Travis, as best man. Swallowing her fear, she allowed her gaze to settle on the man she would marry.

He was there. Relief made her weak, but she forced herself to keep walking. Slowly, step after step, moving closer.

Austin
faced the rear of the church, looking at her steadily. Nothing in his face or cool gray eyes gave away what he was thinking. She didn't care. It was enough that he was there and waiting.

Halfway up the aisle she faltered. She made the fatal mistake of allowing her gaze to dip below his face. He wore a charcoal-gray suit. Her steps slowed. At that moment she realized she'd only ever seen him in jeans. There was so much about her husband she didn't know. What kind of man was he? How would he treat her? What did he dream about, wish for? Where were his scars? Would he ever trust her, care for her? Would they grow old together?

She stopped in the center of the aisle. The music swept around her, but she couldn't move. This was insane. What had she been thinking of? From the corner of her eye she saw
Elizabeth
take a step toward her.
Austin
didn't move. Their eyes locked.

He spoke her name. Oh, his lips didn't move and there wasn't any sound, but she heard him. He didn't force her to come toward him. Instead, he held back, giving her the choice. She knew he wanted her to choose him. She could feel his thoughts as if they were her own. Then he smiled and her doubts faded. She took a step, then another. Effortlessly she reached the end of the aisle.
Austin
never once took his gaze from her face. When she was next to him, he held out his hand, palm up. She gave
Elizabeth
her bouquet and the tiny box containing his ring, and placed her fingers on his. As one they turned toward the minister.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and this company…"

The minister spoke the familiar words, but she scarcely heard them. Rebecca could think of nothing but the man beside her. The heat and scent of his body swept around her, circling her in a cocoon of safety. She darted a quick glance at him, taking in his appearance.

Under his suit jacket he wore an ivory shirt, the exact color of her dress. His conservative blue-and-gray tie reminded her of a banker, but then she glanced up and saw the minister frowning at
Austin
's earring. She wanted to giggle. She liked his earring because it made her think of pirates, stolen women and forbidden love. She liked it because it was a part of him.

"Do you, Austin Lucas, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

Austin
repeated the vows slowly, carefully, as if each word was a promise. When it was her turn, her voice shook. Then she risked looking up at him.

"I do," she said.

He smiled. His smiles were rare jewels to be treasured. This one reached deep inside her, clear to her heart, and made her feel welcome. She smiled back. He squeezed her fingers and the last of her fears fled.

They were marrying because of a baby. Couples had been doing that since the dawn of time. Children were an affirmation of the future. A gift of joy. She looked at her soon-to-be husband and saw the questions in his eyes. He was wondering, too. They had much to learn about each other, but the discovery could be wonderful.

She sent up a prayer of thanks that she had made the right
decision, that
the feelings she had inside would blossom into love. She prayed that their child would be healthy and grow under their care.

Please, God, let me be enough to heal him, she thought. And let him want to love me back. "The ring, please, " the minister said.

Austin
reached into his right jacket pocket and pulled out a ring. Rebecca stared at him with surprise. Of course he'd bought her a ring. She'd even bought him one. But she hadn't thought about it until this moment.

A thrill shot through her. What would it look like? What had he picked for her? She bit her lip as he brought the sparkling band to her hand, then slid it onto her finger. She froze, staring.

A circle of diamonds winked up at her. Pear-shaped stones nestled against each other, forming a pattern of brilliance. The ring was much heavier than the small quarter carat solitaire
Wayne
had bought her all those years ago. Much more expensive.
Austin
could have bought a luxury car with the money he'd spent on this ring.

He was rich. She'd forgotten about that. It shouldn't make a difference, but it did. She sent up a prayer that
Austin
would know she hadn't married him for his money. "It fits," he said, leaning forward and speaking softly in her ear.

"It's beautiful."

"I'm glad you like it."

She met his gaze and saw that he'd been nervous about her reaction. That tiny sign of insecurity made her relax again. She tilted her hand so the diamonds caught the light.

"I never imagined having anything this exquisite." The pride that flashed in his eyes told her she'd said the right thing. It was going to be all right, she told herself.

"Is there a ring for the groom?" Mr. Johnson asked.

"No,"
Austin
said.

Rebecca blinked. "Oh. I bought you one. Don't you want it?"

The minister stared at them as if they were insane. "You didn't discuss this ahead of time?"

She shook her head. "It doesn't matter,
Austin
. I don't want you to be uncomfortable." She tried to keep the disappointment out of her voice. It had never occurred to her that he wouldn't want to wear a ring. Of course many men didn't, and he worked a lot in the lab. She supposed it would get in his way.

"I didn't think you'd bother,"
Austin
said. "I'd like to wear your ring."

He nodded.

She took the box
Elizabeth
held and removed the gold band. She'd spent the better part of an afternoon picking out this ring. It had been the same day she'd gone to buy her dress. The plain gold bands had been too plain, but anything with a stone hadn't seemed like
Austin
. She'd finally found what she wanted in a small store tucked on a side street. The heavy gold was engraved with a pattern that gave it a look of elegance. She'd been able to picture it on
Austin
's hand.

Now, as she repeated the words and slid it onto his finger, she was glad she'd bought it. She'd guessed at the size, but it fit perfectly. She glanced up at him and smiled.

"Thank you," he said. His eyes darkened with something she dared to identify as affection.

Her toes curled inside her satin pumps. They were going to make it. She knew that now. Her last prayer of the day was one of thanks.

* * *

Travis poured champagne into his glass. "I guess I don't have to tell you that this comes as a surprise."

"No,"
Austin
agreed. "You don't."

He glanced around the private room he'd reserved in the back of the Country Inn restaurant. The minimum for parties was twelve, but he'd convinced the manager to make an exception. The order for several bottles of expensive imported champagne had helped. It was warm for June, but the dimly lighted room was cool. Lush ferns hung from the hooks in the barroom ceiling. The table had been set with fine china and crystal. Tasteful paintings graced the wall.

He hoped Rebecca was happy with the location. She'd been the one who'd wanted the dinner party. He'd offered to host something larger, with more of her friends, but she'd declined. Just as she'd declined his offer of a honeymoon. She'd said she couldn't be away from the children that long. To be honest, he was relieved. The last thing he needed was to spend time with her in a romantic location. It was going to be hard enough living together in the loft. At least there he'd been able to remodel the floor plan to make it more workable.

He looked up and realized Travis was staring at him patiently. "I'm sorry. What did you say? "

"I asked if you were going to tell me what was going on. I didn't even know you and Rebecca were dating."

As soon as the four of them had arrived, Rebecca and Elizabeth had ducked into the ladies' room. The two men were alone. Travis was the best friend
Austin
had ever had. Twenty-one years ago, Travis had stood up for
Austin
against his own brothers. A bond had been formed that day, one that had never been broken. There was a lot about
Austin
's life that Travis didn't know, but
Austin
had done his best not to lie.

"Rebecca didn't want to tell anyone until it was done. She asked me to keep quiet, so I did."

"But this is all so sudden. You'd always said you weren't interested in getting married." Travis leaned back in his chair. "Don't get me wrong. I'm happy for you. Rebecca and I have been close friends ever since she moved to town. I don't think you could have made a better choice. But why the rush and secrecy?"

Austin
smiled slightly. Come on,
Trav
, you're smarter than that. Why does any couple get married in a hurry? "

His friend frowned. "Elizabeth and I didn't want to wait because we were in love and because we couldn't live together during the engagement. Mandy is very impressionable. Something tells me that's not why you two did this." He frowned, thinking. Suddenly he straightened in the chair. "Holy—
She's
pregnant?"

Austin
nodded. He hadn't been sure what his friend's reaction would be. Although he'd been bothered by Rebecca's request not to tell anyone about the wedding, in a way it had made things easier for him. He'd thought people might talk. That didn't bother him. He was used to that kind of attention. It came with his reputation. But Rebecca was different. She'd never done anything bad in her whole innocent life. No. She'd done one thing – she'd slept with him.

"Hot damn." Travis pounded him on the back. "Congratulations. That's terrific." He grinned and leaned close.

"So, how are you?"

Austin
smiled. "Terrified."

"Tell me about it. These women think it's so easy to be a father, but I'll tell you, it keeps me up nights." He shrugged. "I guess all we can do is our best. I know one thing for sure. I'm going to do a better job than my old man."

Austin
wanted to say the same, but he didn't know what kind of father his old man had been. He'd been absent.
Austin
had only met him once in his life, and it had been ugly. He shook off the thought, not wanting to break the mood with unpleasantness from the past.