Waterfront Weddings (9 page)

Gram patted her arm. “But it all worked out. And the third time was the proverbial charm.”

Summer nodded and put the lid on the box that held so many mementos of her past.

Gram cleared her throat. “I may as well tell you that there’s something I’ve been worrying about.” She peered at Summer with those crystal blue eyes that didn’t miss anything. “I try not to worry—try to give my troubles over to the Lord.” She sighed. “I don’t mean to pry too much into your personal life, but I have this awful feeling that something is. . .off between you and Luke.”

Summer had always heard that the first step to recovery was admitting there was a problem. And while she might be ready to finally admit to herself that something was amiss between them, she certainly didn’t want Gram worrying about it. “We’ll be fine.” Now it was her turn to pat Gram’s hand reassuringly rather than the other way around. “Dealing with Bobby’s accident and then losing the baby have made the past year difficult. But Luke and I are fine.” She managed a smile. “Really, we are.”

Gram raised an eyebrow but didn’t press the issue. “Well, just know that if you want to talk to me about anything, I’m here to listen.”

“I know.” Summer gave her a smile that she hoped was convincing.

“And I’ll be praying for you both.”

Summer’s eyes filled with unexpected tears.

Prayer might be the only thing that could help them now.

L
uke stood in the grand foyer of the Rutledge home. It looked like no one else from the party had noticed Summer’s abrupt exit. That was best for everyone. The last thing she needed was for a fuss to be made.

“Everything okay?” Jefferson asked from the doorway. “I noticed Summer rush off. I hope she’s feeling okay.”

Luke eyed him suspiciously. Surely Summer hadn’t confided the truth in Jefferson when they’d seen each other earlier in the week. Gossip spread within Charleston society faster than the Confederate Jasmine that crept up the wrought iron gate leading to their house. If Jefferson knew about her miscarriage, Summer’s family would, too. “She’s fine.” He took a sip of tea. “It’s awfully hot out there today. I think she needed to come inside for a few minutes to cool down.”

Jefferson raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment on the feeble excuse. “Did she mention that I’ve moved back to town?”

Luke held his tongue. Somehow, even after all these years, Jefferson managed to bring out the worst in him. “We didn’t really talk much about you.”
Because you don’t matter to us anymore, you arrogant man
.

“I’ll admit, Summer choosing you over me was a huge part of the reason I left Charleston in the first place,” Jefferson said. “But now that I’ve been around the world and had some wonderful experiences of my own, I figured it was time to come back home. I missed my family too much to let such an insignificant thing keep me away.”

Luke’s jaw tensed. Jefferson was clearly trying to bait him into some kind of argument. But why? “Well, I’m sure the welcome wagon will be wheeled out for you before long.”

Jefferson laughed. “You still don’t like me very much do you?”

Luke leveled his gaze on his old nemesis. “I don’t give you much thought anymore.”

“Well, maybe you should try this on for size: you may have thought you won back then, but really there was no competition.” Jefferson’s lips turned upward in a menacing smile. “Oh, I know you thought there was. And sure, I played along because you were so much fun to mess with. But if I’d have really wanted her, I would’ve had her.” He shrugged. “It’s that simple.”

Luke took a step toward Jefferson. The other man might be taller, but Luke had broken up enough bar fights to know how to throw a punch. And there was nothing he’d like more than to wipe that smug expression off of Jefferson’s face.

“How’s it going in here?” Thomas Rutledge asked, coming into the room and looking from Luke to Jefferson. “The party seems to have moved inside. Is the heat too much for you boys?” The worry etched on his face belied his casual tone.

Jefferson chuckled. “No sir. I had to make a phone call, and Luke here was checking on his wife.” He gestured upstairs. “I think she’s in her room.”

Thomas clasped Jefferson on the back. “Mitch is looking for you.” He jerked his chin toward the french doors. “I think he wants to challenge you to a game of horseshoes.”

“I’m never one to back down from a challenge.” Jefferson shot a parting look at Luke and walked out of the room.

Luke raked his fingers through his hair, suddenly uncomfortable at being left alone with his father-in-law. “Thanks for having us over,” he said finally.

Thomas looked at him with eyes that looked remarkably like his daughter’s. “I wish you and Summer would visit more often.”

Luke stood silently. In the months since Bobby’s accident, Summer’s dad had reached out to him numerous times. And each time, he’d rebuffed. Those memories from when he and Summer had first met, and how her parents had disapproved of him, stung too much. If he hadn’t been good enough then, he wasn’t good enough now. “We stay pretty busy. Summer’s business really picks up about this time of year, and it’s hard for her to find a free weekend.”

Thomas took a sip of his drink. “Well, you’re welcome even if she can’t make it. I’m always looking for a fishing partner.”

A laugh caught in Luke’s throat. All these years, and Thomas wanted to be friends now? Too little too late. Same as his own dad. “I appreciate the offer. Maybe we’ll do that one of these days.”

The words seemed to placate Thomas. “Is Summer not feeling well? I saw Mother go after her.” He frowned. “That woman has a sixth sense when it comes to one of her children or grandchildren being sick.”

So her exit hadn’t been as unnoticed as he’d hoped. “I think she’s just hot. And tired.” He shook his head. “And she hasn’t eaten anything yet.” He forced a smile. “Bad combo.”

Thomas nodded. “She needs to take better care of herself.” He sighed. “Well, remember my offer. You have my number. If you ever have a free Saturday, I’d love to hit the water.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Not a chance
.

An hour later, Luke had made small talk with several of Summer’s relatives and family friends.

Alone.

He hated this kind of thing, but he forced a smile and turned on the charm.

“Please drag my sister away from work one night, and let’s all go out to dinner,” Summer’s younger sister, Chloe, trilled. “Preston and I love Fig. We go there all the time, and I always say, ‘We should ask Summer and Luke to meet us here,’ because, you know, it isn’t far from where you live.” She paused for a breath. “And I’m thinking of getting Summer to help plan my baby shower. The big one, you know, the main one. Like the one that will be more of an event. Not just a tea or something, but a real sit-down dinner and celebration of our good news.”

Luke watched her mouth, wondering how such a tiny person could use so many words in such a short time. Listening to her exhausted him. He glanced over at her husband, Preston. The man watched her adoringly and hung on to her every word.
It takes all kinds
. “I’m pretty sure that Summer is booked for a while.” The last thing his wife needed was to have to plan her sister’s baby shower. Not now.

Preston put an arm around Chloe. “We’ll make sure you have the biggest, most fantastic baby shower this city has ever seen.” He pulled her close and planted a kiss on her cheek. “Anything for my girl.”

Chloe giggled like a teenager on her first date.

Luke fought to keep from rolling his eyes. “Great to see you guys.” He jerked his chin toward the house. “I’m going to see if Summer’s ready to go.”

Thirty minutes later, he and Summer finally climbed into their SUV. She leaned her head against the seat. “Man. What a day.” She glanced at him. “Sorry I left you to navigate the party alone.” She reached over and patted his knee.

He pulled onto the main road. “No problem.” He sighed. “Your dad invited me to go fishing with him. And I had a run-in with Jefferson. And Chloe and Preston.”

She removed her hand from his knee. “Sorry.”

They rode in silence for a few minutes. Luke wanted nothing more than to get home. He needed to mow the yard, and one of the flower beds could use some mulching. Sometimes it seemed like he could never get everything done.

He flipped on the radio and turned it to an ’80s station. The sound of U2 filled the vehicle, and Luke felt the tension begin to leave his body. Until he felt Summer’s eyes on him. He finally turned the volume down and glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “What? Is it too loud?”

“You don’t think we should talk about things?”

He sighed. “I know we argued earlier, but can’t we put that behind us?”

“You want to put everything behind us. Pretend like nothing has happened.” She sniffed. “It doesn’t work like that.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Don’t you? Because if you’re serious, then you really are the world’s worst communicator.” She crossed her arms. “You didn’t want to talk about Bobby’s accident. You didn’t want to talk about our baby.” Her voice shook with emotion. “But maybe
I
need to talk about those things.”

Luke shook his head. He knew her well enough to know that when her voice took that tone there was no reasoning with her. “You’re upset about Chloe’s pregnancy. You can take it out on me if you want to. I’m used to being the scapegoat.”

“You’re wrong. I’m not upset about Chloe. I’m
happy
for her. It was a shock, that’s all. I wish I’d had some warning. Learning about it in such a public place was hard.” She sighed. “You know how much I looked forward to making our own announcement.”

He’d looked forward to it, too. He’d had this image of himself passing out those pink or blue bubblegum cigars to all the guys at work. He’d seen that once on some TV show, and it had stuck with him. But he could never tell Summer that. There was no reason to make her any sadder than she already was. “I know. And I’m glad you’re happy for Chloe. Me, too.” Maybe not, but he would be by the time the baby arrived. It’s not like they saw her that much anyway.

Summer sighed. “I don’t want to fight anymore. It’s been such a long day.”

“You want to go out to dinner tonight?” He glanced over at her. “We could go to Magnolia’s.” Her favorite restaurant was bound to lift her spirits. “I’ll even spring for fried green tomatoes.” He hated fried green tomatoes, but Summer had always loved them.

“Yeah. That sounds great.” She reached over and turned up the radio.

The familiar strains of Bon Jovi’s “Never Say Good-bye” filled the vehicle.

“No way.” Luke chuckled. “Do you remember this?”

“Of course I do,” she said. “How could I forget the first time you told me you loved me?”

Luke reached over and took her hand.

“What a night that was,” he said. “And just think…if I’d have had my way, you would’ve married me as soon as we could get to a justice of the peace.”

She looked down at their intertwined hands. She’d held on to his hand through so much. The first time he’d told her he loved her had been such a magical night.

“You were the most beautiful debutante I’d ever seen.” Luke squeezed her hand. “And I still say that you could’ve passed for a bride in that white dress.”

Summer’s mouth turned upward in a smile. “I must’ve looked like some kind of crazy person sneaking out of Gram’s house in that dress. But I wanted you to see it. When I got ready that night, it was you I wanted to impress.” After the ball, she’d climbed down a ladder from the second floor piazza and hurried to the Battery to meet Luke.

“Have you been waiting long?” Summer hurried up the steps to the bandstand
.

Luke let out a low whistle. “I’d wait on you forever.” He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close. “Don’t you know that?” He leaned in and kissed her on the lips until they were both breathless
.

“Sorry that it took me so long to get here. My parents kept questioning why I wanted to stay at Gram’s tonight.” She grinned
.
“Sometimes I think Gram knows that when I stay with her I sneak out and meet you, but she hasn’t said anything about it yet.”

Luke laced his fingers with hers. “I’m glad I have at least one fan in your family.”

“ You have two.” She reached up and traced her fingers over his smooth face. “I’m your biggest fan. I always will be.”

He raised his eyebrows. “ You sure you wouldn’t rather be with
Jeff?”

She rolled her eyes. “Jefferson doesn’t hold a candle to you
.
How many times do I have to tell you that?”

Luke knelt down and flipped on a tiny radio, and a Bon Jovi ballad filled the night air. “May I have this dance?” He pulled her close, and they swayed to the music. “There’s something I need to tell you,” he murmured against her hair
.

She pulled back so she could see his face. “ You’re really a mirage?” she asked
.

He laughed softly. “No. I’m totally real. And I love you
,
Summer Rutledge. With all of my heart.” He kissed her gently on the mouth. “I always will.”