Catalina island was ridiculously pretty. They took a ferry over from Dana Point and, while he met with his client, she poked around in the little shops, then settled in for a cup of coffee.
When he returned, she saw him coming toward her down the road and her heart flopped over. She had the pleasure of watching his face light up when he caught sight of her.
“Come on,” he said, “Let’s take a walk.”
They held hands and wandered down quaint streets with storybook cottages all lined up waiting for tourists. Most of them seemed to be vacation rentals. Empty still.
“Will you be able to find his son?”
“I think so. You know, sometimes I get to do really good things in my job. Like bringing a father and son back together before it’s too late.”
They walked up a steep hill and through the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden. The air was warm as they strolled along admiring the cactus garden and the rare plants that were preserved here.
“Look,” he said. She followed his gaze and saw a wedding taking place. It couldn’t be more different from the one she should have participated in. There was a handful of people, the bride and groom, a minister and the ocean behind the ragged group.
“If I ever get married,” she said after a moment, “That’s the kind of wedding I want.”
He nodded. “Me, too.”
They watched for a moment. The woman wore a traditional wedding gown with a veil. You could see the sequins on her bodice sparkle in the sun. Her bouquet was formal. Kate suspected she’d brought it over from the mainland.
“That kind of dress?” he asked.
When she recalled the feel of a hundred pins stabbing her during the fitting and how she couldn’t breathe, she shook her head. “I’m going to wear something simple that I can breathe in. Bare feet so I can feel the warm sand between my toes.”
“A beach wedding then.”
“Definitely. You?”
“Well, obviously I’d have to match my bride. If she was wearing something casual, I’d have to be casually dressed too. I’m good with the beach.”
“You don’t sound too disappointed.”
He shrugged. “I’ve never been much for big, fancy celebrations.” He put an arm around her shoulder. “How many guests?”
She reached up and took his hand in hers. Her heart was beating faster. “Not too many.”
“Forty?”
“Half that.” She glanced at him. “And for the honeymoon?”
He said, “I’d go somewhere where there’s surfing.”
“A beach vacation?”
“Absolutely. But where the water’s warm.”
“Oh, you are not thinking—“
He chuckled, pulling her to face him. “Of course I am. Honeymoon sex on a surfboard.”
In the distance, the minister said, “You may kiss the bride,” and Nick looked at her with dancing eyes, added, “Or any woman who may soon be a bride,” and kissed her.
—The End—
Read on for an excerpt from Book Two in The Almost Wives Club, SECONDHAND BRIDE.