Page 2 of The Baxters
Like she should run out back to the path behind her house. Run through his yard, knock on his door and give him one last hug.
Even though it was his fault things hadn’t worked out.
She closed her eyes. This day was supposed to be a happy one. Didn’t her groom deserve her best?Be excited,she told herself.Don’t think about Ryan.The words had been her battle cry for the past twenty-four months.
Don’t think about Ryan Taylor.
After all, he had cheated on her. Left her to find out about his actions in the middle of his gravest hours. When his life and future hung in the balance.
Another clap of thunder shook her window.
A few months after Ryan’s betrayal, Tim entered her world. And all of life had been a whirlwind since. In the years when she was growing up and falling in love with Ryan, Kari had never imagined things would work out this way. With her marrying a different man.
Was her heart still unsure about this? Even now? On her wedding day?
She exhaled and a pit formed in her stomach. What an awful bride she was, questioning her commitment, doubting her intentions.Definitely… I’m sure about this. Absolutely.She was in love with Tim. She took a deep breath.Tim. Wonderful, kind, considerate Tim. Intelligent, well-read Tim. The brilliant writer and witty conversationalist.
Tim, the one she was marrying today.
Yes, her mind needed to be there. With her distinguished groom.
Images from the last few years came to life, and her recent past played out once more. After she met Tim at the campus Bible study, Kari came home and told her parents she had found a friend.
Only a friend.
He was in the last year of getting his PhD, teaching journalism students, and about to be hired full-time by Indiana University. But he was five years older, and Kari hadn’t even finished her undergrad degree. She hadn’t considered dating him. But they began meeting for coffee and then dinner. After all, professors and undergrads weren’t allowed to date.
“Be careful,” her mother had told her several times in those early days. “He’s falling in love with you, Kari.”
“No, Mom!” She didn’t see it. “He likes talking to me. I make him laugh. That’s all.”
Once, over dinner, Tim asked her a question she wasn’t expecting. “Tell me about him.”
Kari had blinked a few times. “What?… Who?”
“Him. You know, your greatest heartbreak.” He looked deep into her eyes. “I want to know everything about you, Kari. Even that.”
The memory froze there. Again her heartbeat came louder, faster, and she could see him. Her greatest heartbreak. The handsome face of Ryan Taylor. Did she still love him?
Even now… on her wedding day?
She rolled onto her side and let the memories come, let them soothe her nervous heart one more time. Ryan was a senior at Indiana University, and Kari a sophomore, the year his ability as a running back took the national sports scene by surprise. Before his graduation, Ryan was drafted in the second round by the Cowboys, and everyone celebrated.
After he moved to Texas, though, Ryan didn’t call as often. He seemed too busy for her. Kari tried to tell herself nothing had changed. After all, he still called, still told her he loved her whenever they talked. And that he missed her, and he would only ever love her.
One weekend during his first season with the Cowboys, Kari and a friend took a trip to Dallas to see himplay. After the win, Ryan brought them to a team party. Kari had never seen so many beautiful girls—and all of them seemed to know Ryan. Discouragement whispered words of discontent on the flight home. He was bound to forget her. How could things work out?
They had entirely different lives, after all.
Despite her concerns, they didn’t break up. Ryan talked about coming home once the season wrapped up. He told her he’d spend a few weeks in Bloomington before summer training. And once she graduated, he wanted to marry her. “I love you, Kari girl. I always have.” He had said that every time they spoke.
She could still hear the sincerity in his voice. The warmth of his tone.
His injury was something none of them had seen coming. A single hit that ended his career. The Cowboys were playing the Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago that day. One minute Ryan was running like the wind, football tucked under his arm the way it had been all his life. Helping his team to a fourteen-point lead.
The next he was laid out on the field. Not moving.
Silence came over the stadium while trainers and coaches and medical personnel rushed to his side. In hushed tones the announcers talked about how Ryan Taylor’s injury looked serious, and how they wished Ryan would move even his fingers or toes.
