The Holiday Bride (12 page)

William sat in the kitchen with the others, thinking how
good it was having Lucy back in this house. As they sat around the kitchen
table, laughing companionably and sharing warm gingerbread, it was almost as if
she belonged here.

“I thought the farmer was a hoot,” Grant said, as they
relived happy memories.

“I liked the knight on the horse,” Emma said.

Justin sipped from his cocoa. “I liked the paratrooper.”

“Yeah, well, I liked Daddy best!” Carmella chirped, looking
around.

The adults chuckled as Lucy hung her head with a blush.

She looked up, meeting William’s eyes, and his heart skipped
a beat. “You really were the best out of all of them... I mean, as far as
keeping everything organized. I don’t know how I could have managed without
you.”

“William’s very good at organizing things,” Emma said.

“And he’s an excellent provider,” Grant piped in.

The tips of William’s ears burned hot as Lucy’s cheeks
colored. “Yes, well...” William stumbled with the words. “The important thing
is that we provided a place for Lucy when she was lost.”

“Confused was more like it,” she said. “I’m so very grateful
to all of you. For taking me in and making me feel so much at home.”

“It’s amazing that this was your house once,” Emma said.

“Yes,” Lucy agreed. “It seems I have a happy history here.”

“History has a way of repeating itself,” Grant said with a
knowing look.

What were his parents driving at? It was almost embarrassing
the way they were throwing themselves at Lucy, dropping hints here and there
concerning everyone’s feelings for her. Including his own, he acknowledged,
sentiment overtaking him. Here she was, this wonderful, beautiful woman, whom
his parents and his kids obviously adored. And she was getting hitched to
another man.

“You know, we’ve been thinking,” Emma said as she stood to
refill the adults’ coffees, “Grant and I...” She cast her husband a look.
“That, with the New Year upon us, it would be terribly good to get together and
celebrate.”

“At our house for a change,” Grant added. “You know, card
games, puzzles.
 
Champagne at
midnight. A good old-fashioned family New Year’s Eve.”

“Yes, dear,” Emma said, her expectant gaze on Lucy’s. “And
we were hoping you could join us.”

Lucy’s eyes brimmed with gratitude. “That sounds lovely,”
she said. “Really special. You don’t know how much I’d like to come. But I
can’t.” She set down her mug resolutely, then looked around the room, taking
them in one by one. “I’m afraid that I’m getting married tomorrow night at eight
o’clock.”

“Married?
”
everyone but William cried.

“Didn’t William tell you?”

Grant studied his son. “No, I’m afraid he left that little
detail out.”

“Where is the ceremony, dear?” Emma asked kindly.

“Up at the Old North Church, out on River Road.”

“Of course, we know it,” Emma said. “Sweet little place.”

“If I could, I’d invite you all,” Lucy said. “But the
chapel’s small, and it’s only family.”

“Naturally, we understand.” Emma took her seat with a heavy
heart. William felt as if someone had ripped his heart from his chest and
replaced it with a huge iron anchor.

William turned toward Lucy, sinking into the depths of her
eyes. They were beautiful eyes, angel eyes.
But
this Christmas angel belongs to someone else
,
William reminded himself. “And we wish you and Mitch the
very best,” he said quietly.

Justin rubbed his forehead as Carmella watched her father
with a frown.

Grant stood and warmly patted Lucy’s shoulder. “Of course,
we do. Congratulations. From all of us.”

****

Chapter Eleven

Lucy stood glumly before her mirror applying the last of her
makeup. Well, this was it. The big day had arrived. She studied her reflection,
deciding she looked passable in the simple wedding dress she’d bought online.
Mitch would never guess it was a second. The important thing was, she was
wearing it for the first time with him. Lucy sighed and pulled on her heavy
coat, expecting him at any minute.

She noted the light was blinking on her answering machine
and hit
play
.

“Hey sugar, it’s me, Gus,” his voice said. “Don’t get me
wrong here. I’m still pleased as punch to be walking you down the aisle
tonight, but all of us over at the diner found something on the Internet we
think you should take a look at.”

Moments later, Lucy sat at her PC typing in the URL Gus had
provided. The page loaded and her eyes watered, threatening to overflow.
Clearly this was something Justin had crafted, probably with Carmella’s help.

There was a Kinkaid family picture and her figure had been
cut and pasted in. The caption read:
Sexy
Cyber Dad Seeks Mom. Only those answering to “Lucy” and perfectly matching this
photo’s description need apply. Personal experience with Santa and his reindeer
team a plus. Extra room in her heart for two great kids mandatory.

“Crazy, adorable kids,” she said, as tears escaped her.

Mitch knocked at the door and she nabbed some tissues off a
nearby table to dab her weepy eyes. She had to pull herself together. The man
who loved and wanted her was just outside and prepared to whisk her away and
into a new and happy life. She would be happy, wouldn’t she?

“Wow, you look gorgeous,” Mitch said as she opened the door.

“You don’t look so bad yourself,” Lucy answered. And he
didn’t. Mitch had cleaned up very well, and looked really nice in his tuxedo
and red rose boutonniere.

“So, ready to go and do this thing?” he asked with a grin.

Lucy forced a shaky smile. “You bet.”

“Great. That makes two of us.” He held out his arm to escort
her. “Your carriage awaits!”

“Mitch?” she began tentatively.

“Yeah?”

“Have you ever tried blueberry pancakes with chocolate syrup
on top?”

“Ew! That’s disgusting! Why would you ask...? Wait a minute.
You’re not trying to prep me up for some of those pregnancy cravings, are ya?”

Lucy cast a sorrowful gaze toward her computer. “I can’t
really have the kids without the father, can I?”

“Now, you’re talking crazy, Luce.” He stopped walking and
turned toward her. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, fine.” She pulled herself upright and looked him in
the eye. “I’m sorry, Mitch. I just had a weak moment, but it’s passed. I know
what I want to do.”

The mood was grim at the senior Kinkaid house. Grant and
Emma couldn’t get anybody to do anything. Justin didn’t want to play cards and
Carmella refused to work puzzles. Finally, the grandparents gave up and turned
on the television, letting the kids watch a New Year’s Eve show, complete with
stage performers and marching bands.

William was sure his mom had cooked a delicious dinner, but
the truth was that he hadn’t been able to taste a bite. It was like his whole
world was in a haze and he was detached from everything. He’d meant what he’d
said to Dr. Mass when he questioned the older man about Santa Claus. Something
unusual, magical, had happened when Lucy arrived. And when she’d gone, she’d
taken all that brightness with her, leaving him in this dark well of despair.
How could it be that the fates had brought home just the right person for
him... for all of them..
 
and then
just as suddenly snatched her away?

William looked up from where he sat on the sofa and Grant
motioned him into the kitchen—and out of the earshot of the others.

“Want a drink, son?” his dad asked gruffly.

William glanced at the still untouched glass in his hand.
“Thanks, I’ve got one.”

Grant met his gaze. “How about something stronger? A kick in
the ass?”

“Dad!” William said with surprise.

Grant massaged his chin and studied William. “You know, son,
we Kinkaids might be many things, but I’ve never thought of any of us as
quitters.”

“Quitters?”

“Just look at yourself. All moping about and giving up,
while the woman of your dreams goes waltzing down the aisle with someone else.”

“That’s just it! She’s already marrying someone else.”

His dad shot him a disappointed look. “Well, fine. Okay,
then. Just throw in the towel if that’s how you feel. If you really, in your
heart, believe Lucy’s making the right decision.

“But if you believe, even for a second, that she’s making
the wrong one, don’t you think you owe it to yourself—and her—to go
out there and tell her so?”

Gus and Lucy stood at the top of the short aisle. The small
chapel was lovely, still decorated for Christmas with candles and holiday
greenery. Mitch waited up front, beaming brightly beside the waiting priest.

“Remember,” Gus said, taking her arm. “Just keep it nice and
steady.”

“Thanks for being here, Gus.”

He leaned toward her, speaking under his breath. “I feel
like I’m walking you to your execution.”

“Sometimes you have to take what life serves you up,” she
whispered back, “even if it gives you indigestion.”

“Right, but I won’t tell Mitch that you said that.”

William stared at his father, affronted. “Dad, are you
calling me a wimp?”

“Why, yes. Yes, I suppose I am.”

William set his jaw, knowing one thing firmly. He wasn’t
some coward who backed down from a challenge. Never had been. Who was he to step
aside and assume Mitch was the right guy for Lucy? Shouldn’t he let her decide
that for herself?

“Now, I know things have been tough since—” his dad
went on.

“Hold that thought,” William said, nabbing his keys off the
counter. Damn straight Lucy should decide things for herself. But how on earth
could she, when she hadn’t even been presented with a choice?

“Atta boy!” Grant called, as William raced from the room.
“Go get her!”

Emma and the kids stared at him, stunned, as he yanked on
his parka and bolted for the door. “Be back soon,” he said, as their faces all
brightened in smiles.

William rushed through the snow to his SUV, noting it was
coming down heavily again. He held up an arm to shield his eyes from the
onslaught. When he was nearly to his driveway, a cascade of heavy wet flakes
poured down on him “What on earth?” He squinted heavenward, almost swearing
he’d heard sleigh bells. “No,” he said, shaking his head. “No earthly way.”

Ten minutes later, William burst through the door of the
chapel covered in white flakes. “Hang on just one second!” he shouted. “I
object!”

The priest eyed him curiously as he bustled his way to the
front. “I’m afraid, young man, we haven’t yet gotten to that part.”

 
Lucy blushed
mightily. “William!” she cried with unmasked delight.

“You!” Mitch declared, not nearly as happy to see him.

A man stood from the front pew. From his looks, he appeared
to be Mitch’s father. “What’s the meaning of this?” he demanded.

“The meaning of this, sir,” William said as he pressed his
way to the front, “is that something’s happening here that maybe shouldn’t be.”

Mitch’s mother addressed him. “What’s he talking about, son?
Do you know this man?”

“I do!” Lucy shouted, nearly breathless. Boy, she was
gorgeous in the pretty white dress. Just like a picture straight from heaven.

Mitch to turned her. “Hey! I thought there was no monkey
business going on!”

“There wasn’t,” William stated calmly. “But that didn’t
prevent me from developing feelings for Lucy. Very deep feelings.”

“You did? I mean, you have?” Lucy asked with a hopeful
blush.

“I do,” William said, his voice growing froggy.

“Oh my,” the priest said.

“Hoo boy,” Gus echoed.

Mitch spoke to Lucy, hurt etched in his voice. “Wait a
minute. You can’t possibly be saying that you love this guy?”

“Oh Mitch, I’m so terribly sorry. I never meant for it to
happen.”

“Was that a yes?” the priest asked.

“Was it, Lucy?” William asked, his eyes on hers.

“But Luce,” Mitch inserted. “We... you said...”

She studied him kindly. “We said so many things. But can’t
you see? Neither of us really knew what we were talking about. You said you
never wanted kids, and I agreed. Not because that’s how I really felt
but—”

Mitch blinked hard. “Are you saying you would have tricked
me?”

“Tricked you? Never. But would I have tried to convince you
to change your mind? Over time? Then yes, I’m sure. And when I realized I
couldn’t because that’s how you really feel, then I would have made the two of
us miserable.”

“But you said I was the only baby you need.”

“I know what I said, but I was wrong.” She glanced lovingly
at William. “Wrong about so many things. I didn’t really know what having
children was like until I had a chance to live that life for myself. It helped
me understand how important that is to me.”

“And she’s going to make a wonderful mother, too,” William
interjected.

Mitch’s cell buzzed and he reached a hand in his pocket to
answer it. “Sorry folks,” he said, checking the number. “Business.” He pressed
talk. “Magic Maker Mitch, at your service!”

Mitch’s parents turned to each other and sighed while the
priest drew a breath.

William smiled at Lucy and she grinned broadly in return.

“There’s still a party invitation with your name on it,” he
said.

Lucy shot the small crowd an apologetic look, then took
William’s hand, as they raced down the aisle and into the dressing room to grab
her things.

William and Lucy dashed out of the church and into the snow,
where he pulled her into his arms. “I couldn’t let you go through with it,” he
said as snow fell around them. “Not knowing what I know now, and how strongly I
feel. The moment you walked into my world, Lucy, everything changed. And if
that’s not magic, then I don’t know what is.” He dove into her eyes, wanting to
stay there forever. “Up until this year, I’d long ago given up believing in
Santa Claus. I know it sounds crazy, but now I—”