Page 27 of The Baxters
The fear was back in her face, but even so she didn’t let go of his hand. “It’s too late. This isn’t the time, Ryan.”
“It’s all the time I have.” He slid closer. Lightning split the sky over the rolling hills, but he barely noticed. He could think of only her. “I’m not trying to… change your mind or make today more difficult.”
Her expression eased. “I know.” She cast a quick look at the door and then back at him. “Tim’s coming by. He could be here any minute.”
“Mmm.” Ryan wanted to scream. Couldn’t she see the way they both still felt for each other? Why was she marrying some other guy when she was holdinghishand? Instead he nodded. “I’ll make it quick.”
“Please.” She blinked back fresh tears. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“Bad timing.” He worked to get hold of her eyes again. “My fault.”
“You think?” Now the sound that came from her wasmore of a laugh. “Ryan! This is the last thing I should be doing.”
Get to the point,he told himself.Hurry.“What I’m trying to say is, I’m sorry.” He shifted so he was looking straight at her. Then as easily as he drew his next breath he took hold of her other hand. “Whatever happened, I’m sorry.”
“I know.” Kari hung her head. Her laughter faded, as if the weight of all this was really too much. She seemed to stare at the place where their hands were joined. “I read your letter.” She sniffed again. “Too many times.”
“You did?”Too many times?Ryan felt his heart rate double. “Then why… why didn’t you call me?”
“Because…” She lifted her eyes to his again. “It doesn’t matter now, Ryan. What you did, what happened. It’s too late.”
“Okay…” What did she mean? Of course it mattered! That’s why he was here. Either way she didn’t seem like she was going to explain herself. Ryan grabbed a quick breath. “Then I have a question for you.” His words came faster. He knew she had to go, had to get into her wedding dress. He looked all the way through her, to her heart. “Do you love him? Are you in love with him?”
For the briefest seconds, Kari hesitated. A hesitation that screamed louder than anything she might say in response. Then she seemed to catch herself. She nodded, even as tears slid down her cheeks. “I am. Of course.” She squinted through her tears. “I want to marry him, Ryan. Yes.”
Nothing had ever hurt more than hearing those words. Ryan straightened. “Okay, then.” He smiled at her, for all that they had once been. “That’s what I needed to hear.”
There was a sound at the back door and they both turned to see him.
Tim Jacobs. Kari’s groom.
Anger flashed on Tim’s face, and just as quickly it was gone. “Ryan Taylor. I believe your visit with my bride has gone on long enough, don’t you think?”
He was out of time. Ryan stared into Kari’s eyes once more and then before he could stop himself he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. Tim was coming for them now, but Ryan didn’t care. He gave Kari’s hands three squeezes, their longtime signal. A way to sayI love you.
Then with his voice barely more than a whisper he said it. The only words that mattered. “I love you, Kari girl.” He felt tears in his own eyes. “I love you.”
With all the effort he’d ever needed, Ryan did the one thing he didn’t want to do. He released Kari’s hands and stood. He gave her the slightest grin and his familiar wink as he turned away. Then he forced a smile at her groom. “Hello, Tim.” He stuck out his hand. “I’ll be leaving now.”
“Good thing.” Tim shook it. His voice dropped, but it was deep with thinly veiled rage. “Stay away from my bride.”
“Yeah.” Ryan was almost to the door. He looked back. “Speaking of which… I thought it was bad luck to see the bride before the wedding?”
His eyes caught Kari’s once more and then he walked inside. Again the house looked empty. Something he would remain forever thankful for. No one else had to know about this encounter.
On his way to the front door Mrs. Baxter came toward him. “Ryan? Is everything… is she okay?”
“She is. She’s with Tim.” Ryan could feel his tears building. He stopped as Kari’s mother reached for him, and he took hold of her hand. “Thank you. For this.”
“Tim found you?” A mild panic crossed her face. “Oh, dear. Is…?”
“The wedding?” Ryan could only guess that was what Mrs. Baxter was talking about. “It’s on.” He gave her a quick hug. “Thanks again.” He nodded. “Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Ryan.” She stood at the door and watched him leave.
Rain was falling harder as he made his way to his truck. And in the distance the coming clouds were darker than earlier that morning. Ryan gave the sky a long look and then slid behind the wheel.
Only now—as he started the engine—he wasn’t leaving Kari behind for the last time. He was fourteen and seeing her for thefirsttime. He was sweaty and tanned, a football tucked under his arm, and she was the prettiest twelve-year-old he’d ever seen and he was promising himself that someday… someday when she grew up he’d take her on a date. And she was sixteen and he was carrying a dozen red roses up her front steps and making good on his promise.
