Katie’s throat clogged with emotion as she accepted it. She tugged the white ribbon free, then slid the box from its wrappings. Her fingers shook as she fumbled with the tight lid. When she finally had it open, she found a small, white leather-bound prayer book with her grandmother’s name engraved in gold.
“She carried it at her wedding. It was a gift from your grandfather,” Peg said.
Clasping the prayer book tightly, Katie threw her arms around her aunt and hugged her. “Thank you.”
“I’ve been saving it all these years. Your mother and I both carried it at our weddings. Your mother wanted you to have it on your wedding day.” Peg dabbed gently at the tears spilling down Katie’s cheeks. “Don’t cry, sweetheart. You’ll ruin your makeup.”
“Thank you,” Katie whispered again.
“Stop that. You don’t need to thank me for doing what your mother asked,” Peg said brusquely, swiping at her own tears.
“I’m not thanking you for that,” Katie protested. “I just want you to know how grateful I am for everything you’ve done for me. You took me in. You’ve been like a second mother, and no girl could have had a better one. I love you.”
“Oh, baby.” Peg’s embrace tightened. “I love you, too.”
With both of them about to dissolve into sentimental tears, Lucy stepped in. “Enough, you two, or Clover will be flooded by nightfall. Besides, we have a wedding to get to.” She gave Katie’s hand an encouraging squeeze. “All set?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
It wasn’t until she walked into Justice of the Peace Abernathy’s dingy, cramped foyer a half hour later and heard the recorded sound of organ music that Katie recognized the exact consequences of the choice she’d made in her kitchen just a few short weeks earlier. Visions of all of the other lovely weddings in which she’d participated as a bridesmaid crowded into her head. This was... She couldn’t find words to describe how depressing it all was, especially since she knew that she and Luke didn’t even share the kind of love that might have conquered this inauspicious beginning.
Suddenly the enormity of what she was about to do struck her. For one fleeting instant she considered turning right around and running as fast and as far from Clover, South Carolina, and Luke Cassidy as she could get. She knew, though, that distance alone would never bring her peace of mind. For better or worse, this was the choice of her heart, if not her head.
“Are you okay?” Lucy asked in a hushed voice as Peg went in to take a seat.
“Peachy,” Katie replied and wondered if the butterflies in her stomach could be squelched by sheer bravado. “Where’s Luke?”
Lucy peered through the curtain that shielded the justice of the peace’s office. “In with Mr. Abernathy. Robby’s there, too. He looks so sweet. He’s all dressed up just like his daddy. Peg’s talking to them, but Luke keeps looking this way as if he’s afraid you’re about to bolt.” Lucy regarded her intently. “You aren’t, are you?”
Katie glanced longingly toward the front door, then sighed and shook her head as the organ music swelled and shifted into an enthusiastic rendition of the wedding march. Lucy squeezed her hand reassuringly.
“Show time, sweetie.”
Katie drew in a deep breath and peeked through the archway into the room where she was about to be married. The clutter of dark antiques, the frayed upholstery and the heavy drapes were incredibly oppressive, hardly what she’d always imagined as the setting for her wedding. Before she could get too depressed, she brought herself up short. She was beginning to get as caught up as Peg on the frills, rather than focusing on what this day was really all about—a commitment to love, honor and cherish Luke Cassidy all the days of her life.
That much shouldn’t be too difficult. She’d already had years of practice. If only he were coming to this ceremony with the same deep emotions, she thought wistfully. Well, there was no point in wishing for the impossible. This was the bargain she’d made and she intended to make the best of it.
Holding in a sigh of regret, she looked into that dreary office one more time. Robby was practically bouncing up and down with excitement. Luke’s gaze was trained on the opening, as steady and confident as ever. Katie locked gazes with those familiar blue eyes and let them lure her into the room.
She was only dimly aware of what happened next. Mr. Abernathy read an unhurried version of the all-too-familiar ceremony. Katie hadn’t been a bridesmaid more times than she could recall without learning the words by heart. She kept wishing he would get on with it. She wouldn’t believe what she was doing—the emotional risk she was taking—until she and Luke had both said “I do” and the justice of the peace had pronounced them man and wife.
Man and wife! Her pulse thumped unsteadily at the thought. All the days of our lives! Dear heaven, was she out of her mind?
Just when she was about to panic, her gaze was inevitably drawn back to Luke’s eyes. Now, with the weight of the vows spelled out, she thought she saw the same doubts and turmoil reflected in his clear blue eyes. Somehow it helped just knowing he was as nervous as she was.
Then suddenly he smiled, a slow, reassuring curve of his lips that unexpectedly calmed her. His mischievous wink had her smiling back at him.
And then, just when she was beginning to relax and enjoy it, the ceremony ended and she was wearing a simple gold band on the third finger of her left hand. Luke examined its mate on his own finger with the same amazed expression she was sure was on her own face.
For the first time Katie actually looked around and registered the pleased expression on Lucy’s face, the tears
