Chapter 12 #4
“You want me to be less than I am Rebecca, and God help me I was trying to be. I tried to make myself believe I could play it your way, fun and games and we'll be buddies when it’s over, but it doesn't feel right here, Becca,” he told her, thumping his chest, his voice thick with emotion.
“Oh I don't blame you, not entirely at least,” he continued. “I blame your father for shutting you out when your mother died, and I blame myself for always giving in to you. Well not this time sweetheart. You’re finally going to pay the piper.”
“But Mason I want to mar...”
“And another thing, just so we understand each other.
I'd like nothing better than to get in that bed with you and make you beg for mercy, but I won't. For one thing no child of mine will be born a bastard and for another I wouldn't want to do anything to make you try to welsh on our little arrangement. Not that I don't trust you.”
Rebecca stood perfectly still as Mason left the room.
“Ten minutes,” he growled over his shoulder before slamming the door.
Shaking with suppressed sobs, and wiping her tears away with the back of her hand she began to dress. For all the times she'd argued with him, for all the years she'd spoken her piece without effort, she hadn't been able to say one word at what was probably the most important moment of her life.
The trip back was long and silent. Mason had the cabin closed up and the truck packed in less than 15 minutes.
Nothing had turned out as he planned; although why that surprised him he didn't know.
Yes, he'd accomplished his objective. Rebecca had promised to marry him but winning her in a card game!
It was a bittersweet victory and certainly a blow to his pride, to say the least. Not that he had any intention of letting her back out.
For all he knew she could be carrying his child this very moment.
It would be just like her to keep quiet about it too.
He glanced speculatively over at her, trying to determine if she looked any different.
No, if that mutinous expression was any indication, she wasn't feeling any gentle emotions, maternal or otherwise.
Best to get the arrangements made as quickly as possible he thought, watching her fidget out of the corner of his eye.
Maybe then they could find a balance. This tension between them was out of control and as much as he wanted to relieve it for both of them he refused to be used like that.
It was going to be all or nothing. But once that ring was on her finger....
Asshole!
Moron!
Arrogant Neanderthal!
Rebecca's silent litany continued for several miles. How do I get myself into these messes? Everything I do seems to backfire. He spends weeks badgering me to marry him and what happens when I finally agree? He gets his underwear in knots.
Well it wasn't exactly a fair way of going about it, a little voice whispered. So what, it worked didn't it. Besides I tried the other way. I planned a romantic dinner and he accused me of being involved with his brother.
Well, the voice returned, you were next to naked in the same room. Yes, but that wasn't my fault. Nick understood perfectly. Why is Mason so pig-headed? Maybe it's catchy the voice whispered.
Oh shut up!
* * *
Music filtered softly through the church as Nick and Mason waited for the signal from the minister. Mason kept his word and made the arrangements without delay. Within two weeks everything was accomplished and now the church was filled with flowers and friends. The only thing missing was the bride.
Nick watched silently as Mason paced the vestry. This was more than pre-wedding jitters. Mason was frantic.
“She's not coming,” he ground out, running a hand over his face. “I know it.”
“Of course she's coming,” Nick replied calmly. “She loves you.”
“She's late.”
Nick laughed. “Rebecca's always late.”
“No, this is different. I can feel it. She's not going to show.”
“Mace, what is this about?” Nick asked, beginning to get a little nervous himself. “Did you have a fight?”
“No we aren't fighting, we're barely speaking,” Mason replied shortly.
“Good God, Mason! What are you talking about?” Nick demanded, grasping Mason’s arm. “And stop pacing, you’re making me dizzy.”
“I tricked her,” he said softly, sinking into a nearby chair and burying his face in his hands. “She didn't want to get married but I pushed and pushed. Finally, one night we were playing cards and we made a little bet.”
“What kind of bet?” Nick questioned, curiosity almost killing him.
“We were playing poker and I was losing, to say the least. Rebecca tried to trick me into making love to her and suggested we play one more hand. She wagered marriage, but she’d been on a winning streak and…anyway I cheated, and I won, but I may have lost everything.”
“One question, brother? Why would she have to trick you into making love to her?” Nick asked, still trying to grasp the whole crazy situation.
“I...” Mason paused. “I refused to sleep with her until we were married,” he finally admitted sheepishly.
Nick threw his head back and roared with laughter.
“It's not funny,” he told Nick accusingly.
Nick wiped his eyes and tried to control himself. “I'm sorry, Mace. I can't agree with you there.”
“Well you go ahead and have yourself a damn good laugh Nick, but you don't know her like I do. I've lived in fear every time we made love that she would get pregnant. Knowing how she felt about commitment I couldn't risk it. I'd like to be able to raise any child of mine.”
Nick sobered instantly and laying a hand on Mason’s shoulder apologized. “I'm sorry Mason, I never thought about it that way and although now isn't the time or place to go into it, I do understand how you feel.”
Mason resumed his pacing and this time Nick was right behind him.
* * *
Maggie drove as fast as the speed limit allowed. They were already late and still ten minutes from the church. If Rebecca hadn't forgotten something they still would have been late, but not this late.
“He's going to kill me,” Rebecca fretted, checking her make-up in the mirror and smacking down the wayward hoop of her Mother’s wedding dress.
“Probably,” Maggie agreed. “What was so important we had to go back?”
“A little wedding present for my future husband,” Rebecca answered, patting the envelope in her lap.
“Couldn't it have waited until later?” Maggie questioned, trying to pay attention to the traffic.
“It could have and probably should have,” she answered mysteriously. “But I figured I owed him this one.”
Maggie glanced at the envelope and shrugged. It seemed like a small thing compared with what she had to face. She was honored to be standing up with Mason and Rebecca but the thought of spending the afternoon with Nick by her side was terrifying.
Rebecca was out of the car almost before it stopped. Tearing up the slippery church steps, one hand clamped on her tiara and veil and the other holding her dress up to her knees she ran smack into the man coming out the front door.
Nick's quick reflexes saved them both seconds before tumbling down the stairs.
“Where's Mason?” she demanded breathlessly.
“Ripping his hair out in the vestry. Where the hell have you been?” he questioned steadying her.
Nick towered over her, his strong hands grasping her arms.
“I forgot something,” she replied trying to twist out of his arms.
“I hope it was important,” he ground out releasing her, the scowl on his face making his feelings perfectly clear. “You put my brother through hell.”
“It was,” Rebecca assured him, laying her hand on his arm. “Please give this to Mason,” she requested softly, handing Nick the envelope before turning away and entering the church.
Maggie could feel his eyes on her as she tried to slip past him. When his hand shot out and grasped her wrist she struggled to control her trembling and faced him with a boldness she was far from feeling.
“I've been trying to reach you for days,” he stated calmly, the hold on her wrist tightening slightly. “Why haven't you returned my calls?”
“I've been busy Nick and you’re hurting me,” Maggie answered. He released her instantly and she tried not to wipe her sweating hands on her silk dress.
“Well get un-busy,” he ordered. “We have things to discuss and I won't be put off much longer.”
“Nick, please,” she pleaded. “I have to go to Rebecca; this isn't the time or the place.”
Nick nodded and made a visible effort to relax. Maggie breathed a sigh of relief as she hurried after Rebecca. Let this day pass quickly she prayed.
* * *
The music swelled as Rebecca started down the aisle.
If Mason had opened the envelope he would know she was coming to him out of love.
She knew he might be upset with her for being late, but once she explained he would know how important the card had been to her.
Observing him carefully she noted the tenseness of his broad shoulders.
His hands were clenched slightly but it was his eyes that threw her.
There was sadness in them. It almost broke her heart.
She stumbled slightly as she reached him and he took her arm to steady her. It was as if an electric current passed between them, snapping Mason out of a trance.
“Dearly beloved,” Reverend Whittaker began.
When Mason said, “Excuse me,” Rebecca almost fainted. Mason turned her towards him and lifted her veil.
“Rebecca there's something I have to tell you before we go any further,” he began, stunning the entire assembly.
“Mason,” she hissed, looking over her shoulder at the gathered guests and groaning. “Don't you think they've waited long enough?”
“This is important,” he stressed, taking her face into his hands. When their eyes met, Rebecca fell silent.
“I love you more than anything in the world,” he began, softly stroking his thumbs over her cheeks. “I've waited forever for this day, and there were times I thought it might never come, but it has and I can't go any further without telling you the truth.”