Losing Luke had been worse than anything Katie had ever dreamed of, especially without knowing why he had gone. That she’d been abandoned not just by a lover, but by a best friend had tormented her for the past six years. The loss had made her question her memories of that night, made her doubt herself in ways that she could never share, not with anyone.
Then, when she had seen Luke sitting in the back of the church at Lucy Maguire’s aborted wedding ceremony, holding a handsome boy with the classic Cassidy features and Luke’s unmistakable blue eyes, she had guessed at once why Luke had left Clover. He had gone away to marry the mother of that darling child. The only thing left to figure out had been where the boy’s mother was now.
Naturally everyone in town had asked about Robby’s mother, about the secret bride that no one—not even his very best friend—had known that Luke had taken.
And Katie had heard back from most of them, in the form of idle gossip at Peg’s, gossip that usually turned silent the instant anyone noticed Katie’s presence. No one had learned a blasted thing. Luke had remained discreetly tight-lipped on that score, except to say that he and the boy’s mother were divorced. End of story.
Katie sighed. She doubted he would say anything more to her even if she tried to force the issue. That had always been Luke’s way. He’d kept his emotions bottled up inside. He’d watched his mother get old and tired very quickly after his father split. He’d been more father than big brother to that hellion of a brother of his, and Tommy had paid him back by taking off just like their father. Katie had been the only one in town who’d detected the anguish that Tommy’s leaving had caused Luke. Everyone else had said good riddance, but Luke had viewed Tommy’s departure as his own failure. He had blamed himself for not being a good enough surrogate father, even though only a few years had separated him in age from Tommy.
She thought about that now and realized that despite his unexplained departure from her life, in her heart she had never doubted Luke’s decency. It was at the core of who he was, a decent, responsible man, determined to be more honest and honorable than the father who’d abandoned him. She didn’t believe for an instant that those two traits had vanished. He might not be in love with her. He might not have made the most romantic proposal on record. But he would do his very best to make her a good husband. He would honor this commitment he was making. And he’d come to her, chosen her because he wanted to do what was best for his son. That wasn’t the act of a man who’d suddenly turned selfish.
Somehow she had to convince her aunt of that or Peg would be worrying herself sick.
She took her aunt’s hand. “Please, Peg, I know it’s unexpected—”
“A pure bolt out of the blue is more like it. He’s only been back in town off and on for a couple of months now.”
“Since March,” Katie corrected.
“Whatever. I didn’t even think the two of you were speaking.”
“Well, obviously we are. This is what I want. What Luke and I want.” She leaned across the counter to hug her aunt. “Please, I really need your support and your love. I need you to give us your blessing. You’ll be there on Saturday, won’t you? I can’t possibly have a wedding without you.”
“If I thought that were true, I’d stay away just to prevent you from making a terrible mistake,” her aunt said.
“You can’t protect me forever. I’m a grown woman. If this is a mistake, it’s mine to make. I love him with all my heart, Peg. You know that. I always have. I have to try. I don’t want to live with even more regrets.”
“Regrets aren’t always the worst things to have,” her aunt argued. “But...” She cut off whatever she’d been about to say and sighed. “Never mind. I love you. If you can look me in the eye and tell me you think Luke will make you happy, then of course I’ll be there.”
Katie thought at first that her aunt’s words were the concession she’d been seeking. One look into Peg’s eyes told her otherwise. Her aunt meant them as a challenge.
“Well,” Peg prodded.
Katie forced herself to meet her aunt’s skeptical gaze. “I wouldn’t be marrying him if I didn’t believe that with all my heart,” she said staunchly.
The firmly spoken words clearly didn’t banish all of Peg’s doubts, but she nodded, her expression resigned.
“Okay, then. Let’s make some plans. I’ll throw the reception for you afterward. Nothing fancy,” she added quickly in response to Katie’s frown. “Just a few folks over for a nice brunch at the house. Maybe a champagne toast.”
“But...”
Peg waved off any objections. “I don’t care how small the ceremony is or how rushed, every couple should start life with a few good wishes from their family and friends.”
Katie figured her wedding day was going to be difficult enough without having to pretend in front of a bunch of people that it truly was the happiest day of her life. “I’ll have to ask Luke,” she hedged. “We really wanted to keep this simple and private.”
“Can I give you one last piece of advice before I turn you over to that man?” Peg asked. She didn’t pause long enough for a reply, which Katie didn’t have ready, anyway. “You don’t ask him for his opinion on every little thing, Katie. You tell him what you want once in a while.”
Good advice, Katie thought, as she gave a last swipe at the diner’s counter
