Heart Tamer (2 page)

With a heavy heart, Alec sat stoically in the first pew. The church was filled with family and loved ones, but the most important were missing—his parents and Robbie. He missed them profoundly…and he missed Kate, more than he wanted to admit. He hadn’t been prepared for the gut clenching reaction he’d had when he locked eyes with her. First shock, then a desire so intense he almost lost his footing. Thanks to his career in global security he could blank out his reaction instantly and he’d drawn on that ability to the max just now.

He could feel Kate’s presence behind him, but he doggedly kept his gaze from turning toward the third pew where she sat. Now that his wits were sharp again, it was all he could do not to snort like a bull. He shook his head at the irony. So Kate had crashed Eileen’s wedding. Or had she? Glancing at Eileen’s serene smile, Alec realized his ex-wife’s attendance hadn’t been a spur of the moment thing. Most likely, it had been planned by his meddling sister. He stifled a growl as he fingered the starched white collar of his dress shirt. His hands itched to wrap themselves around Eileen’s sneaky neck and Kate’s cheeky one.

Kate’s glowing face played in his mind’s eye. The moment their eyes met, she had looked vulnerable as bright pink flooded her face. She’d flashed a hesitant smile, but replaced it with a tautly pursed mouth when he gave her a dismissive nod. One look at her bristling green eyes and he knew her fiery temper was ignited.
Good, let her fume.
She was too bossy, opinionated and stubborn—all the things he’d overlooked when he’d married her because she was also generous, courageous and fun…and damned sexy.

Kate Hayes had made him lose his head enough to marry impulsively. He didn’t have a rash bone in his body, except when it came to her and that’s precisely why he’d kept away from her so long. When Kate threatened divorce, he thought she didn’t love him as much as he loved her so he walked away before she did. Who knew how things would have turned out if it hadn’t been for Robbie’s death? 

Kate might have been the one who got away, but had their marriage ever stood a chance after that first meeting at the pub? One look at her and he’d felt poleaxed. That had never happened with anyone. When she’d shared her past and told him how first her dad, then her mom had abandoned Kate and her twin brothers to be raised by an aunt, he had felt such an overwhelming urge to protect her, he couldn’t let her go.

She was only 5’4” and he towered a foot above her when she was bare-footed, but her gutsy personality made up for her lack of height. He’d been completely intoxicated by her—her smile, her scent, her skin, her husky voice. The way her luscious curves filled his hands and her soft body molded to his
perfectly.
For two hedonistic months, they’d blocked the outside world and reveled in days and nights of carnal pleasure. After they eloped, they took a hasty trip to Scotland to meet his family, who adored her on the spot. 

It wasn’t until after they were married that Alec realized how obstinate she was. She was a real fighter when she wanted something. Smiling wryly, he remembered the only place he’d ever gotten her to surrender was in bed. What he’d give for a lusty weekend with her again. But he wasn’t about to go there. Years ago when they’d left the divorce court, she had cried,
Hell will freeze over before I ever want to see you again!

The feeling had been mutual. Kate was the last person he’d expected or had wanted to see today, but damn if she wasn’t a sight for sore eyes.

Seated at an ivory and gold cloth-covered table with a cascading fuchsia rose centerpiece, Kate fidgeted and made polite small talk with a friendly couple named Don and Maisie. The other guests at the table were a newly married couple who couldn’t stop cuddling and had no interest in socializing. Kate was the only singleton and the seat beside her was noticeably empty. The DJ was playing amazing music that made her want to dance, but she wasn’t going to budge. It would be just her luck that the moment she left the table, Alec would finally show up.

She nibbled on the fig and goat cheese
tartine
and forced herself not to take another sweeping glance around the lavishly decorated hotel ballroom in search of her missing dinner companion. Eileen had arranged for Alec to sit beside Kate, but he was too busy socializing to eat. Going from table to table, greeting guests and giving the welcome toast, he hadn’t sat down once. Nor had he given Kate another glance. Even when they’d processed out of the chapel, he’d kept his gaze away from hers. But all wasn’t lost, she thought, watching Alec down a glass of champagne and clap a kilted friend on the back. His handsome friend with dark hair and light green eyes wore a different tartan, yet they were as comfortable as if they were brothers.

Go ahead, Alec, drink up and be merry. Mellow out before joining me at the table.

“Ah, there’s Dr. MacGregor. He recently married an American actress named Natasha White. Do you know her?” Maisie asked Kate.

“Oh my God, yes. That’s Natasha White. I knew I recognized her. I’ve seen her on Broadway!” Kate stared at the beautiful redheaded matron of honor leaning on Alec’s friend’s arm and laughing with them.

“They’re expecting a bairn, and they adopted one too. That’s him. Wee Arthur is dancing with the flower girl,” Maisie nodded to the dance floor.

Kate followed her gaze and smiled, remembering how solemnly the ring bearer had walked up the aisle with the flower girl on his arm. The children were dancing as if they were contestants on a reality dance show. A pang of melancholy made her heart ache as she watched them dance. The baby she had lost in a miscarriage years ago would have had been a bit older than them.

Her pregnancy had come as a shock, but that hadn’t lessened the devastating loss. She hadn’t told Alec about it because she’d found out shortly after they had split up. He never knew about her miscarriage either. By then they’d grown even further apart. Everyone, especially Kate, had been shocked by the staggering speed of their divorce. It wasn’t until two years later that she could talk about it without crying, especially since she’d lost Alec’s baby too.  

“Are you all right? You look upset.” Maisie’s worried tone snapped Kate back to the present.

“Yes, I’m fine.” Kate made an effort to smile. “I didn’t realize I looked sad. Could be watching the kids dance made me want to dance too,” she said, feeling ridiculous at the lame excuse.

Maisie’s blond brows drew together. “No need to feel sad. Don will dance with you, if you like.”

“No thanks. Please don’t ask him to,” Kate said emphatically when Maisie turned to Don. “I really don’t feel like dancing. Truth is, I was remembering how much my last boyfriend used to love to dance.”

Small wonder Maisie gave her an odd look. She wasn’t making any sense, but the last thing she wanted was a pity dance with Maisie’s husband whom she had just met. She gulped down the rest of her wine. “That little boy is so cute. I love the way he twirls her around.”

“Wee Arthur was one of Dr. MacGregor’s patients before he and Natasha adopted him.” Maisie’s cheeks puffed up proudly. “One side of the lad’s face used to be covered by a purple mark. The mark is much smaller now because of Dr. MacGregor’s laser work. Soon it will be completely gone. That’s what I’ve heard.”

Kate nodded. “It’s amazing what lasers can do these days. Eileen told me about Dr. MacGregor’s clinic. She’s excited about working there.”

“How do you know Eileen?” Maisie wasn’t wearing make-up and she didn’t need any. Her lips were ruby red and her fair cheeks tinged scarlet from an abundance of the cabernet sauvignon wine. She ran a hand over her updo of a tumble of blond curls and smiled at Kate, waiting for her answer.

“We’ve been friends for years,” Kate finally said, choosing not to elaborate. She couldn’t exactly say, “I’m Alec’s ex-wife” without opening a can of worms.

“You’re American, aren’t you?” Maisie’s bright blue eyes studied Kate with curiosity. She must have seen Alec’s name tag beside Kate’s place and was probably dying to ask more, but so far she hadn’t mentioned Alec.

“Yes. I’m a New Yorker.” Good thing Maisie and her husband Don were friendly and keeping her company, otherwise she’d be sitting there like a wallflower. The newlyweds had left and were entwined on the dance floor swaying to a slow song.

Don inclined his head politely. “New York is a fine city. Maisie and I visited last year during Christmas. What do you do there?”

Kate smiled. “I’m a fashion designer.”

Maisie’s eyes widened with delight. “A fashion designer! Lovely. Did you make clothes for your dolls as a little girl?”

Kate smiled at the image. Her childhood had been the antithesis of playing with dolls. She’d had to balance going to school, raising her twin brothers and working for Miss Claire, the fanciful seamstress who made exclusive bridal gowns in Brooklyn. Aunt Loretta had had a kind heart beneath her stern personality, but she had been a penny-pinching tightwad and Kate had wanted to give her brothers the things other little boys had at their age. It wasn’t their fault their parents had abandoned them. She’d been determined to give Ryan and Reed as normal a childhood as possible to make up for it. She’d worked after school and many evenings doing sewing alterations to pay for the extras Aunt Loretta deemed a frivolous waste.

“Did you design the gown you’re wearing? I love that vibrant shade of green. What is your label name?” Maisie asked.

“Kate Couture.” After Aunt Loretta died, Kate and her brothers inherited a hefty amount. Kate had been astounded by how much money her aunt had had in her savings, especially since she’d lived so frugally. Her inheritance had funded a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan and Kate’s investment in a partnership with Evangeline, her best friend from design school. They were part owners of the exclusive bridal boutique, Kate and Evie, in the Upper East Side.

“Are you friends of the bride or groom?” Kate said, turning the subject away from her.

“The groom,” Maisie and Don replied in unison. “We’ve known Callum since he was a wee bairn.”

From the corner of her eye, Kate watched Alec draw a sexy brunette onto the dance floor. She forced herself not to stare at them and concentrated on listening to Maisie as she told her what a great kid Callum had been growing up. Kate smiled politely and hoped she didn’t look as pitiful as she felt, ignored and rejected by Alec.

She barely noticed when a server removed the appetizer and placed a plate of roast lamb chops, herbed red potatoes with fennel, green peas and baby carrots before her. Alec was dancing with another girl now. Well, at least it was a different girl. Eileen had assured her he didn’t have a girlfriend. Not that it made a difference to her, but it would complicate her plan.

She had spent a fun Christmas week with her younger brothers, Reed and Ryan, skiing in Vermont before leaving for the wedding. With the peace of mind that they were both doing well in grad school, Kate could get started on her new life goal as soon as possible. All Christmas long, she’d prayed for only one thing for the New Year and if all went well, her fondest wish would come true in Scotland.

Kate watched Eileen and Callum cut the three-tiered butter cream frosted cake and feed each other to the many toasts and blessings the wedding party bestowed on them. 

“Just a few hours till midnight now. Have you ever spent Hogmanay in Edinburgh?” Don asked.

“No, but I hear it’s quite a celebration.” Kate sank her fork into the wedding cake and nearly swooned when she tasted it. Her ardent sweet tooth welcomed the luscious raspberry mousse and plump, fresh raspberries nestled between the layers of fluffy vanilla cake. The best part of the wonderful meal was the cake. It kept her from dousing her growing ire over Alec’s rude dismissal with wine and champagne.

“Aye, a celebration that lasts into the wee hours of the morning.” Maisie’s eyes flashed with excitement. “In Edinburgh, there are fireworks and much partying around the castle. Every region has different customs, but we always gather together to sing
Auld Lang Syne
with our arms linked together as the clock strikes midnight.”

“Sounds wonderful,” Kate said absently, wishing she could summon Maisie’s enthusiasm. The longer the evening progressed without Alec’s presence, the more pessimistic she felt.

A cool hand touched Kate’s shoulder making her turn so quickly, she dropped her fork.

“Sorry I startled you, Kate,” Eileen said, laughing softly. “Callum and I wanted to thank you for coming all the way from America to celebrate with us.”

“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Kate rose from the table and hugged Eileen tightly. She released her and hugged Callum next, pulling back to smile into his twinkling brown eyes.  It was her first time meeting him, and she liked him instantly. It was obvious he was mad about Eileen, and Eileen had never been this happy in love. “Congratulations, you two! What a beautiful wedding! Everything is perfect and the food is delicious.”

“I’m glad.” Eileen smiled. “I know I’ve told you a thousand times already, but I
love
this gown so much. Thank you for designing it for me.”

“You’re very welcome,” Kate said. “You look stunning in it.”

“
You
designed her gown?” Maisie’s blue eyes popped open. “It’s gorgeous and you’re gorgeous in it, Eileen!” She and Don sprang from their seats and they took turns hugging Eileen and Callum heartily.

“Congratulations! May you have many, many years of love and happiness like Maisie and me,” Don said, beaming at them.

Eileen thanked them and then stared at the empty chair beside Kate with a furrowed brow. “Has Alec come by yet?” she asked Kate in a low voice as Callum chatted with Maisie and Don.

“Nope, and from the looks of it, he might never,” Kate said, trying to keep the disappointment from her voice. She motioned with her chin across the room where Alec was seated at a table flanked by two smiling bridesmaids.

Eileen followed her gaze and shook her head as her eyes clouded with displeasure. “Excuse me. I’ll be right back,” she said before Kate could stop her.