His to Take (40 page)

Joaquin frowned. Why would Caleb throw him a bone of any kind? The man’s first impression
couldn’t have been stellar.

With a shrug, Joaquin took a last, lingering glance at Bailey. “She’s staying with
you tonight?”

“Yes. She’s riding with Hunter and Kata to the wedding tomorrow.”

He breathed a sigh of relief. “Sure. Then I’m all ears. What did you have in mind?”

Caleb put his hand on his shoulder. “I’ve decided to retire completely and turn my
military and personal security business over to you three boys. I plan to persuade
Carlotta to travel with me more, so we can enjoy our years together. Jack Cole will
have to do without Hunter and Logan, but he’s a resourceful man. He’ll figure it out.
You in?”

It sounded like the perfect line of work for him and the sort of thing that would
allow him to stay closer to home—and Bailey, if she’d have him.

“Absolutely.” Joaquin stuck out his hand. “Thank you.”

Caleb nodded. “Let’s find Hunter and Logan and drop the bomb on them, shall we?”

Laughing for the first time in ages, Joaquin nodded, took one more glance at Bailey’s
beauty, then headed toward the garage with his stepfather.

*   *   *

BAILEY stared out the huge picture windows of the wooden chapel, framed by white flowers.
Sunlight poured in from the cloudless bright blue sky—the sort she swore she’d only
ever seen in Texas. Around her, about forty people were gathered to witness the ceremony.
She sat beside Kata, who rubbed her belly with a smile. On the other side, Tara clasped
Logan’s hand, and they shared a grin. Carlotta and Caleb had been only too happy to
watch the twins today.

She saw a few other familiar faces from the bench seats. Happiness flowed through
the place, and Bailey was touched that Callie had invited her to attend one of the
most momentous occasions of her life. Everything was perfect—or would be if Joaquin
were by her side.

Refusing to let her sadness ruin the moment, she shoved the thought aside. The faint
background music suddenly swirled to a crescendo, and a romantic classic filled the
air, played beautifully by a string quartet in the corner.

A little blond princess, probably four or so, walked down the aisle in a frilly white
dress. Her blue eyes looked saucer wide, but she braved a path forward, throwing a
mixture of red and white rose petals on a gray velvet runner.

“Aww . . .” Kata groaned beside Bailey. “Isn’t Chloe precious?”

“She is,” Bailey murmured. “Adorable.”

“That’s Luc and Alyssa Traverson’s daughter.” Tara pointed discreetly to a couple
across the aisle from them.

Bailey had heard of the gorgeous, famous chef. His wife was stunning. They looked
like such proud parents.

Behind the little girl walked two boys, one bigger than Chloe, one a bit smaller.
Both carried little pillows with shining rings on top.

Tara giggled. “The bigger one is Cal, Deke and Kimber’s son.”

The imp had big eyes a shade somewhere between blue and green, golden-blond hair,
and a mischievous mien. He all but danced up the aisle.

“The other is Tyler’s oldest son, Seth. He’s going to be just like his daddy—trouble,”
Kata vowed. “OMG, did you see him wink at Sweet Pea?”

“Yep. Just like his daddy.” Tara leaned forward and shook her head at Kata.

“Shh,” Logan warned as the kids sat in the front row.

London came down the aisle next, draped in a gorgeous Tiffany-blue chiffon that floated
over her pregnant belly and flowed to the ground. Her blond hair was tucked into a
feminine, romantic updo, complete with tendrils at her temples and nape.

She was escorted by Thorpe, who cut a gorgeous, commanding figure in a black tux.

Sean waited at the altar, smiling at Thorpe and nodding London’s way. They both took
their places, then turned to look down the aisle. The music changed. Rather than the
traditional wedding march, the strains of something haunting and lovely filled the
room.

Callie appeared in a stunning beaded white dress that took Bailey’s breath away. Sean
and Thorpe’s, too, judging from the looks on their faces. A long white veil floated
on top of her train. Even the thin tulle over her face couldn’t disguise her big blue
eyes or the sublime joy stretching her smiling red lips.

She wore her blue-black hair upswept in a do like London’s, except it looked more
intricate and was studded with crystals that played off her dress and artful clusters
of baby’s breath.

Bailey had never seen a more radiant bride.

“Oh, wow . . .” Kata breathed. “I’m jealous. I wore a leather skirt and the first
shirt I plucked out of my suitcase to my wedding.”

“You looked great,” Hunter assured her.

Bailey turned to look at the pair. She would love to know that story someday.

Callie glided down the aisle, graceful and strong, then passed her flowers to London.
Sean took her hands, and they looked into each other’s eyes. The love between them
filled the room, sweetening the air. Impossible to miss the hope and anticipation
for the future decorating this celebration of their joining.

The ceremony didn’t last long. Their vows made Bailey cry. No use lying. She envied
Callie’s happy ending, but knew the woman had been through hell and thoroughly deserved
it.

The officiant pronounced them husband and wife, then instructed Sean to kiss his bride.
He let out a great big whoop. Everyone laughed, and the photographer moved in and
captured their first tender, passionate kiss as man and wife.

When they broke apart, Sean shuffled to Callie’s side and Thorpe moved closer, taking
her shoulders in hand. The smile he bestowed on her made Bailey’s heart catch. Not
just love, but pride and devotion and an abiding commitment to their future. He might
not be the groom, but in that look, he vowed to stay by Callie’s side and be every
bit the partner to her that Sean had just sworn to be. She mouthed that she loved
him. Sean wrapped a hand around her waist as Thorpe kissed her forehead, then bent
to take her mouth in a sweet, lingering kiss of promise.

Then the three of them held hands and turned to face the crowd. Tears of joy streamed
down Callie’s face. The men’s expressions both beamed with happiness and pride. Their
guests clapped. Bailey found herself tearing up again. She’d bet there wasn’t a dry
eye in the place.

The officiant announced Mr. and Mrs. Mackenzie. The trio made their way back down
the aisle, man and wife and—as Thorpe was fond of calling himself—the only other man.

The reception would be hosted outside in the gardens, so the crowd began to spill
out through the tall, ornate chapel doors. Bailey watched wistfully as everyone took
his or her spouse’s or lover’s hand and they smiled fondly at each other, sharing
a glance full of past secrets and future promises.

Where was Joaquin today? Bailey knew she should stop tormenting herself about the
man and what would never be, but she doubted he’d ever leave her heart. Their few
days together had been intense. When he’d dragged her from her bed in Houston, she’d
never imagined falling in love. Parts of the last week had been harrowing, even terrible.
But she’d come out on the other side, stronger and more certain than ever who she
was. Like Callie, she’d adopted this haphazard group of friends and relatives as her
own. She might never have the man, but she wouldn’t be alone again. There was comfort
in that.

“The weather is perfect for the reception,” Tara said, rising and casting a glance
Logan’s way. “We should have waited for an April wedding. August was terrible.”

“I’d already waited since high school, Cherry. I wasn’t waiting another nine months,”
he quipped.

Tara laughed. “You barely waited five minutes.”

“Hey, I was more patient than Hunter. He didn’t wait more than five minutes—literally.”

Hunter turned a little red as they filed out of the row and headed to the doors. “I
saw the woman I wanted and I went after her. Why put off starting the rest of our
lives?”

“Um, you might have waited until I was sober,” Kata put in.

Now Bailey
really
wanted to hear this story.

“And give you a chance to get away? Never.” He grinned.

Kata stroked her belly again. “You got your wish. Now it looks like I’m not going
anywhere.”

“Not if I can help it.”

They shuffled out of the chapel and into a receiving line. With a small ceremony,
it didn’t take long, but a crowd of people were pouring into the gardens for the reception.

Sean hugged her first. “Bailey! I’m glad you could make it. Feeling all right?”

“Fine. It was a beautiful ceremony. I wouldn’t have missed it. Thank you for including
me.”

Callie nearly reached across her new husband to grab Bailey and draw her close. Bailey
embraced the woman in return, so thrilled for her new friend’s joy.

“You look stunning,” she murmured.

The lovely brunette’s smile only widened, her blue eyes sparkling with profound peace.
“It’s easy when you’re this happy. I’m hoping for the same for you, doll.”

Bailey’s expression filled with regret. “Maybe someday.”

“I really believe Joaquin loves you. Sean is convinced, too. Don’t give up, huh?”

“It’s your wedding day,” Bailey reminded her, changing the subject. “Don’t worry about
me! You just enjoy the rest of your life.”

“Text me after your audition Tuesday and let me know how it went,” Callie demanded.
“Promise?”

“I don’t want to interrupt your honeymoon.”

“If we’re busy, I’ll read the text later. We can’t do
that
for two weeks solid.” Callie flushed.

“Wanna bet?” Thorpe drawled, taking Bailey’s hand and moving her up the line, into
his embrace.

Callie giggled. “You’re incorrigible, both of you.”

Sean leaned over. “You mean insatiable.”

“That, too.” Thorpe nodded.

The two fist bumped, then looked at the bride as if she was their world.

Bailey envied Callie all over again, but she forced herself to paste on a smile and
regard Thorpe. “Congratulations.”

He hugged her. “Thank you,” he murmured, then frowned. “You look sad. Feeling lonely?”

She swallowed. Why would Thorpe ask now? He was supposed to be enjoying this day of
commitment. Besides, he had to know she was. Surely, it was all over her face.

“Yeah, but I’m determined to move on.” If Joaquin wasn’t ready to face his demons
and embrace whatever he felt in his heart, she couldn’t make him.

“You deserve a future full of everything wonderful. I know you’ll do well in next
week’s audition.”

Fingers crossed. She’d worked hard. Blane had been so thrilled with her progress and
the way she’d finally been able to emote through her dance. For the first time, Bailey
felt completely herself and free. Yes, sad . . . but at peace with her past.

“Thank you.”

“I sure would like to see you smile and mean it. I know someone else who would, too.”
Thorpe pointed past a gorgeous Italian fountain to a gate on the side of the gardens,
surrounded by a profusion of blooming bougainvillea.

There stood Joaquin in a dark gray suit, staring straight at her as if she were the
only person on the planet.

Bailey’s heart stuttered, skipped. She gasped. Why was he here? Just for the wedding.
If he didn’t want to see her, she worried it would crush this little mental Zen space
she’d worked so hard to achieve.

She tore her gaze from Joaquin and sent a searching expression Thorpe’s way. “Why?”

“He called me last night. Hear him out, okay?”

Callie laid a hand on her arm. “Men are stubborn.” She sent a meaningful glance Thorpe’s
way. “Sometimes you have to be patient and forgiving.”

Bailey didn’t know if she had that in her. She should probably resist, retain her
pride, but she wanted to see Joaquin so damn badly. So she nodded.

With a gentle hand at her back, Thorpe eased her on her way. As she put one foot in
front of the other, almost in a daze, she had nowhere to look but at Joaquin. Still,
her heart wouldn’t beat quite right and her stomach knotted with anxiety as she tiptoed
across the garden.

He barreled toward her, reaching her in a few long strides. “You look beautiful.”

Callie had been kind enough to lend her a dress this morning. She still hadn’t been
to Houston to clean out her house or reclaim what was left of her things. She’d have
to do that after the audition—and figure out where to go from there. Right now, she
was thinking she’d move somewhere she could be near her newly adopted family.

“Thanks.” Bailey didn’t know what else to say. He’d obviously made it back from Iowa.
No idea what he wanted to say to her. She probably shouldn’t be so eager, but she
desperately wanted to know.

“Can I talk to you?” he asked. “I know I don’t deserve it, but I owe you an apology
at least.”

Bailey felt her eyes begin to swim in tears. She didn’t want to bare her heartbreak.
She wasn’t sure she could live with herself if she did . . . but she was also struggling
to hold it back.

“I know why you left.” Damn it, her voice was shaking. “You don’t have to say anything
more. I caused you worry you didn’t need and—”

“My fear that I’d lost you stripped me all the way down to my soul. I was already
struggling with how I could deserve you or show you that I love you. I wasn’t prepared
to lose you, Bailey, especially when it was all my fault.”

She blinked at him, gaping. “I . . .”

He loved her? Had he just said that?

Her thoughts raced. She swallowed, then opened her mouth and tried again. “It wasn’t
your fault. You did your best.”

Joaquin shook his head. “I should have shot McKeevy in the parking lot. I should have
laid down my life to keep him from touching you even once.”

She didn’t need or want Joaquin’s guilt. If that’s what had brought him here, she
would absolve him now and send him on his way. “I’m fine.”

“Any more nightmares?”

“Surprisingly no. I’ve had some panicked moments where I’ve been afraid to be alone,
especially at night. I’m told that’s normal. I’m thinking about getting a dog.” Where
had that come from? Great, now she was rambling. “I’m going to talk to a therapist
about what happened to me as a child, so I can work through everything. But you don’t
have to worry about me.”