Chapter 19 #2
What would they say if they knew Ian’s future bride didn’t possess lineage, family money, or an elevated social standing? And more, said “bride” was carrying his child and didn’t want to marry him?
There would be no symphony, no newspapers, no doves, or limos.
Definitely, no helicopter. If he were very lucky, the bride would show up.
Despite the lack of extravagance and over-the-top gestures, she still needed a wedding ring.
It was too late to contact the jeweler he knew in L.A.
, so he’d reached out to Harry Blacksworth.
The man would know where to secure a wedding ring.
I’m thinking about a solid row of diamonds.
Harry hadn’t seemed surprised by Ian’s comment, had actually smiled and congratulated him.
It’s not really a cause for celebration…she’s not too keen on the idea…but… He’d hesitated a second too long because Harry guessed the rest.
She’s pregnant, isn’t she?
Yup.
I see. Well, don’t you worry. That girl cares about you, but she’s afraid to take a risk because she doesn’t want to get hurt.
I guess.
Want me to talk to her? I’d be happy to...
Ian shook his head. I don’t want you to try to change her mind. I want to show her, but if I can’t…well...
Well? Life has a way of working out the way it’s supposed to, especially when two people are meant to be together, and you and Katie are meant-to-be’s.
Harry’s eyes had filled with tears, his voice soft.
I know a jeweler. I’ll give you his number, and he’ll help you out.
He patted Ian on the shoulder, leaned in, and whispered, Take a breath.
Practice some of that New-Age meditation stuff everybody’s raving about.
Breathe in, breathe out. A chuckle, a squeeze of Ian’s shoulder.
I never pictured myself with a wife and kids, or a dog, but now I can’t imagine life without them.
You’ll see. Pause and a, Hold off on the dog right now though. You have to ease into these things.
Of course, Harry wouldn’t be Harry without offering Ian a drink and joining him.
The man sure had a lot of opinions and strong ideas about what was and wasn’t going to happen, especially where optimism and meant-to-be were involved.
How could Harry believe everything would work out?
No idea, but Ian wished he could share some of the man’s positive attitude regarding the upcoming wedding and his future with Katie.
The wedding was set to take place tomorrow afternoon, just in time for snow.
Great. It wasn’t even Christmas, and Magdalena was looking at an eight-inch dump.
He hoped it wasn’t a sign that he and Katie were doomed.
Ian refused to think about why he’d pushed so hard for the marriage and told himself it really was about protecting the baby’s financial future.
Who was he kidding? He wanted to marry Katie, wanted a life with her and their child.
Even if there hadn’t been a child, he still wanted to marry her. But would she have agreed to marry him?
Probably not.
He’d have to live with that knowledge and hope that, over time, she’d change her mind.
He needed a little advice for this complicated situation, so he called Max Ruhland.
When Max heard about the baby and the wedding, he didn’t offer much other than, You must believe she’s worth it.
And, Sometimes, the hardest choices turn out to be the best ones. Hang in there.
Those words didn’t exactly provide actionable strategies, and that’s what Ian had been counting on. He’d only talked to Katie three times in the last five days, the first two regarding business and late yesterday afternoon, to see how she was feeling.
How are you?
Fine.
Had her voice trembled the tiniest bit? He’d tried to picture her at the office, pouring over spreadsheets, but all he could think about was her voice. Was she really dreading this marriage? So, I’ll see you tomorrow at four?
Yes.
Why don’t I pick you up and we’ll drive to the Heart Sent together?
I’m okay. Jack and Dolly will pick me up.
Right. I think Mimi’s fixing some sort of dinner for after. Pause and a quiet, What do you think about that?
She didn’t answer for so long he was preparing for a “no”. Maybe. We’ll see.
Damn. This was a mess. Okay then. I’ll…
Bye. Click.
Ian clutched his phone, cursed under his breath.
Tomorrow was his wedding day, and he didn’t know if Katie would be there.
Maybe. Maybe not. He’d been jumpy and out of sorts most of the day, and even his call to Max hadn’t improved his confidence level that his “bride” would show up.
Ian tried to answer emails and made a few phone calls, but he couldn’t focus and gave up.
He should have worked at O’Reilly’s tonight and not listened to Nick’s, You’re getting married tomorrow.
Take the night off. Nope, he should have clocked in and started pouring beer.
But here he was, distracted, agitated, and getting annoyed with himself.
He had to get out of the house, and he was hungry, and that led him to Harry’s Folly.
Good food, great wine, and a relaxing atmosphere.
The downside was Harry Blacksworth a.k.a.
the Godfather of Magdalena. Maybe Ian could sit in the back and avoid Harry.
This was not the night to listen to the man’s eternal optimism about “never giving up” and “meant to be”.
Ian hadn’t been in the booth ten seconds before Harry appeared. “Well, well, if it isn’t the groom-to-be.” The man’s blue gaze twinkled, his mouth pulled into a wide smile, but when he looked at Ian, the smile faded. “What’s wrong? You look worse than a shriveled tomato.”
Oh, what the hell? Ian slouched against the back of the booth, muttered, “Everything.”
Harry sank into the booth opposite Ian, placed his hands on the table, and leaned forward. “That bad, huh?” His voice slid three decibels lower. “She’s not coming around to the idea?”
“Nope.” Ian looked away, wished Harry weren’t so perceptive. “I’m not sure she’ll show up. Maybe this is all a mistake, and I should leave her alone and hope my parents do the right thing.”
“You’re going to trust your old man?” Harry slapped a hand on the table. “Bad idea. He’s slippery, and from what I’ve heard, he likes power and control.”
“You’re not wrong there.” His father’s threats all those years ago had torn Ian and Katie apart…
“You’re just trying to protect what’s yours, right? Make sure the baby gets what he or she’s entitled to…?”
“Right.” The tone in Harry’s voice said he had more to say but wasn’t sure how to say it. Ian blew out a breath, fixed his gaze on the man whom people claimed could repair broken hearts and relationships. “Out with it, Harry. What do you want to tell me?”
“From where I’m sitting, you’re not just trying to protect this baby’s financial future by marrying Katie.
” He tilted his head, studied Ian. “You’re moping around like you can’t figure out the next move in this chess game.
How about I spell it out for you? You want to marry her because you love her, period.
But you don’t know if she feels the same way, and even if she does, you’re not sure she’ll admit it.
That’s called a conundrum, and I know that because I’ve been there a time or two myself. ”
Ian crossed his arms over his chest, stared at the man who’d pretty much nailed it. “Is there a point to this, Harry? Or are you just trying to annoy me with your analysis?”
The man laughed. “There is a point. You love her. Take the lead and let her know. No holding back, no playing it safe. Do that, and she’ll see how right you are together.”