Chapter Six

 

 

Friday morning, Ray met Katie in the driveway. “Good morning.”

“Hey.” She yawned and swayed slightly then blinked.

“You okay?” He grasped her arm to steady her.

“I’m ready to drop. I’ve never lived alone, and every little sound startled me. I think I finally fell asleep an hour before my alarm went off.”

“Ouch. We don’t have to get breakfast.” Did she want to marry him so she wouldn’t have to be alone? No way. Though young, she was independent. That couldn’t be a reason.

“No. I want to. I love going out to eat. I hope they have gluten free options though.”

“That’s right. I keep forgetting about that. I’m sure you’ll be able to find something.”

“I hope you’re right, but I’ll be fine with a cup of coffee.”

“I thought you didn’t drink coffee.”

“I don’t, but this is an extenuating circumstance. I’ll gag it down for the caffeine infusion I constantly hear about from Brandi.”

He chuckled. “You could always get a soda.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I can’t stand the stuff. It tastes like metal. I’d rather have one of those sweet coffee drinks everyone is addicted to.”

“Works for me. It’s nice to have you on the dark side with the rest of us.” Ray opened the door to his Honda for her, then closed it and strode to his side. He settled into his seat then backed out of the driveway. She was going to love his go-to breakfast joint. “I know you didn’t sleep well, but I’m curious if you’re a morning person or not?”

“Not.” She stretched like a cat. “How far away is this place?”

“Not far. It’s in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. You’re going to love it. It’s a true coffee shop, and the food is amazing. I eat there every Friday morning, but sometimes there’s a long wait since the place is small.”

She chuckled. “Your favorite place is a coffee shop, and I don’t like coffee. How is it we’re engaged?” She shot him a wry grin.

“I asked myself that same question.” It was nice to see this relaxed version of Katie. She was kind of funny when loopy.

“You look nice today. What’s with the khaki pants and button up? Don’t get me wrong. I like the look, but it’s not your norm.”

He glanced down at his checked shirt. “Thanks. I suppose you’re accustomed to seeing me in athletic wear. We have an appointment with my grandfather’s attorney after breakfast. I see you’re in your standard coat and jeans.”

“You don’t like my coat?” Hurt filled her voice.

He shrugged. “I have no opinion one way or the other. It was only a random comment. Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“You didn’t. I suppose I wear it too often. My foster mom, the last one I had, once told me if I wore a nice coat over my clothes no one would notice what was underneath.”

“Was there something wrong with what you wore?”

She shrugged. “I didn’t have nice clothes, but I was given a super nice coat from a charity for foster kids, and I wore it until it got ruined. When I graduated from high school, my foster parents threw me a party where I received a bunch of money, and I bought this.” She ran her hand along the sleeve of her jacket. “I found it at a consignment shop. It was my one and only splurge on myself.”

“Thanks for telling me that story. I imagine it wasn’t easy being in the system.” So much about Katie’s quirks fell into place now.

“You’re right, but if we’re going to marry, there are things you should know about me.”

He felt her gaze upon him and glanced her way. “There’s more?” The intensity on her face almost seared him.

“Nothing much, but I can be moody. I want to go back to college, and I enjoy musical theater.” She shifted in her seat. “I’m putting a lot of trust in you. I like to think I’m a good judge of character and that you’re a good risk.”

“You can trust me, Katie.”

She nodded. “Now you need to trust me.”

He jerked his head in her direction. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Eyes on the road,” her voice rose a notch.

He slammed on the brake at a red light. “Sorry. What did you mean when you said I need to trust you?”

“You must be hurting after Renee’s and Matt’s deaths, and then you’ve been thrust into being a dad, and now you saddled yourself with me. You’re a rock, Ray. But you can talk to me. I can keep my mouth shut.”

He blinked. A car horn honked. He pulled forward. It was a good thing the restaurant was up ahead, or they might not get there in one piece. He shuddered at the thought. “Thank you. I might take you up on that but not now.” He pulled along the curb and parked.

“Works for me, so long as you do at some point.”

How did he not know Katie was so sweet and bold, too? Sure Brandi thought the world of her, but his fiancée had never allowed him to get to know her until that night at the diner. What had changed for her to open up and show her true self?

She hopped out of the car without waiting for him to open the door. “This place looks comfortable.”

He grinned. “That’s a perfect description.” He rested a hand on her back as they went into the bustling diner. After waiting for a table for fifteen minutes, they were seated by a window. A short time later they placed their order.

“I talked with Ian last night. He pointed out how close you and Brandi are.”

“You should’ve known that already.”

“I suppose you’re right. Are you sure it’ll be okay to not have her at your wedding?”

“It’s fine.”

“But you won’t have anyone there with you. Won’t you need help with your dress and hair and stuff?”

She giggled and ran a hand through her short hair. “Um, I think I can handle it. It’s pretty easy. As for the dress, I still need to figure that out.”

“We could play hooky today and go wedding dress shopping.”

“That sounds like fun. I do want Brandi at my wedding, but I don’t see how it’s possible.”

“It is if we get married before they leave.”

“Impossible. Plus your sister died recently—won’t people talk if you get married so soon after?”

“Let them talk. I don’t care.”

“What about your mom. She’s kind of…”

“Uptight. Prim and proper. Straight laced.” He loved how Katie’s eyes twinkled at the description of his mother.

“Don’t forget regal, beautiful, and she loves you.”

Leave it to Katie to point that out. “I want you to have someone you care about at our wedding. Let’s get married before Brandi and Ian leave.”

“Let me think about it while we eat. Speaking of which…”

The waitress delivered their meals.

Ray’s heart pounded. Why had he suggested they get married so soon? What if she felt pressured and changed her mind. He sure felt the pressure. But it would be a lot easier if they married sooner than later, for so many reasons.

Katie ate her scrambled eggs in silence, giving him no clue to her thoughts.

 

 

Ray grabbed his gym bag with workout clothes and boxing gloves inside then went downstairs. He needed to burn off some stress. He’d enjoyed sharing breakfast with Katie until he’d brought up getting married next week. Then things changed. She hadn’t said much since, only that she needed to take a walk to think—probably a good idea. He needed thinking time, too.

“Everything okay, boss?” Tasha asked as he strode past the reception desk at the bottom of the stairs. “Your fiancée sure left in a hurry.”

“She’s taking a walk. When she gets back, please have her wait in my office. I’ll be downstairs.” He headed to the basement where the boxing ring was housed along with several bags that hung on one side of the space—the basement ring and boxing equipment, the only throwback to another era for which the athletic club was named.

He waved to a couple of regulars as he made his way into the tiny locker room. He quickly changed and found the trainer to help with his gloves.

Rusty eyed him. “You okay? It’s not like you to come down here in the morning.”

“I’ve been better. How’re things?”

“Same as always.” Translation, the regulars were still coming in, and he had nothing new to report. The grizzled trainer helped him with the gloves then accompanied him to his favorite punching bag.

Ray jabbed at the bag and soon found a rhythm—right hook, left hook…Thirty minutes later, sweat trickled down his back. “I’m done.”

“Feel better?” Rusty worked to pull off a glove.

“Some.” What he felt was sore and tired. It’d been a long time since he’d pushed himself like that.

Rusty chuckled. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were having woman troubles.”

“Something like that. Were you ever married, Rusty?” He pulled off the other glove.

“I was. Thirty-five years with my sweetheart. We had our ups and downs, but we were always there for each other.”

“Hopefully more ups than downs.”

He nodded. “Yep. Your granddad and I went way back. I know the two of you were close. If you ever need to talk…”

Ray swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind. You were a good friend to Gramps.”

“And he to me. I’m here anytime, Ray.”

Ray clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re the best. I checked the calendar and the ring looks free Thursday evening. It’s not a for sure thing yet, but is there any reason that you know of that would prevent Katie and me from having the wedding here in the ring that night?”

Rusty chuckled, revealing a toothy grin. “Your bride okay with a quickie wedding in a boxing ring?”

He shrugged. “That’s what I’m waiting to find out.”

Rusty nodded. “The ring is open. I’ll remove the ropes on one side and get it ready for you if it’s a go.” He chuckled again. “She must be some woman to be willing to get married down here.”

“She is. Thanks.” Relief surged through him. Now that Rusty was behind him, he knew this would go smoothly. “I’d better hit the shower. Take it easy.” He refused to worry any longer if Katie would back out of marrying him. The Lord had been clear that he was to propose, but then when he’d gotten cold feet, she’d proposed to him. Clearly, marriage was God’s plan for them.

Moving up the timeline was a stressor, but Katie deserved to have her best friend there. It was important for her to have someone at their wedding she could lean on. Even though he believed their marriage was God ordained, he wasn’t kidding himself that things would be perfect. Life was messy, as he knew all too well.

 

 

Katie sat in Ray’s office at the athletic club. She must be experiencing some kind of mental breakdown from lack of sleep. She needed to talk to Brandi, but first she needed to let Ray know the wedding was on.

The office door opened, and Ray sauntered in, closing it behind him.

She stood to face him, taking in his wet hair and fresh clean scent—nice.

He tilted his head and met her eyes. “Assuming you’re onboard, we’re all set for next Thursday night. We can use the boxing ring for the wedding and the community center for the reception.”

Her stomach dropped. “We’re really doing this?” Her legs weakened, and she grasped the back of the chair. Somehow, she didn’t think he’d be able to make it work. Her heart pounded, and her pulse thrummed loudly in her ears. She blinked back sudden tears. “Everything is happening so fast. I hate to admit it, but I’m scared” She looked at him through watery eyes. A tear escaped. She swiped it away. Should she tell Ray that the day he’d cleared was her birthday?

No. She wasn’t much for celebrating the day, never taking much note of it herself.

“Oh, Katie. I’m sorry.” He stepped closer to her and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “We can slow things down. Don’t cry.”

She stood, stepped into his arms, and closed her eyes as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

He held her. “It’ll be okay. We can stick with our original plan, if we’re moving too fast.”

His sweet concern and willingness to change touched her deeply. No man had ever tried so hard or cared so much about her feelings. Resolve strengthened her. She tilted her head back. “I’ll marry you on Thursday. I was overwhelmed for a moment by how fast things are happening, but I’m fine now. Thursday works.”

“It does?” His face brightened. “You will?”

She nodded and sniffed. “I’m sorry for losing it on you. But you may as well know, I cry sometimes when I’m overly tired and stressed. I try not to, but it happens.”

He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “It’s fine. I think it’s normal for a bride to get emotional. And I know how tired you are.” He rubbed her back gently. “You going to be okay?”

She nodded. It felt so good to be held by Ray, but the gesture wasn’t a romantic one—he was only trying to comfort her. She dropped her arms and stepped back.

“I have tissues around here someplace.” He spun around and pulled open a cupboard then handed her a box of tissues.

“Thank you.” She dried her eyes and blew her nose.

He looked at her with uncertainty in his gaze. “You’re okay now? Really?”

She nodded, feeling her face grow hot. “Emily will be home tonight, so I need to find a dress today. I don’t imagine wedding dress shopping with a four-year-old would be much fun.”

“I’ll take you right now. Let me buy your dress. You’re doing this for me, and don’t think for a minute I don’t understand the sacrifice you’re making.”

“Thank you,” she said softly. Marrying him was not a huge sacrifice. She was already halfway in love with him.

“I’m assuming, based on what you’ve already said, there’s no one you’d like to join us.”

She nodded. It wasn’t like she had a mom or sister to go dress shopping with, or anyone who’d care besides Brandi, and her friend was too busy to bother right now. Katie caught her breath. “I need to make sure Brandi will be able to make it to the wedding.” Her eyes widened, and her gaze shot to his. “What if they have plans?”

“I already checked with Ian. He said they’d be there.”

“What about flowers and cake and all the other stuff?”

“I talked to my little sister, Hailey, a bit ago—she’s up for the challenge. Mind you, everything will be simple. I’m only inviting close friends and family.”

She took a breath and let it out slowly. “That all sounds great.” The only person she cared to invite was Brandi. Sure she had a few church friends, but no one close enough she cared to explain her situation to. It was such a relief knowing the friend who was like a sister to her would be there. Ray was truly a thoughtful man. This had to be difficult on him. She blinked her watery eyes, hoping they wouldn’t overflow again. “We should get a move on.” Breakfast and their meeting at the attorney’s office had eaten up a good chunk of the morning. She still wanted to laugh when she thought about the attorney’s face when Ray introduced her as his fiancée.

The man looked astounded that Ray was engaged and that he would fulfill the requirement of the will. He’d stuttered for several seconds before getting himself under control and congratulating them.

Ray wrapped his hand around hers. “Let’s go get you a dress. Where to?”

“I don’t know. A thrift shop?”

“No. There won’t be time to have it dry-cleaned.”

“Oh.” She’d never had anything dry-cleaned and had no idea if he was correct, but she wouldn’t argue. “Then where?”

“I guess we can try some bridal gown shops. There’s bound to be a store with an appropriate dress.”

They spent the rest of the day shopping, but by the end she was ready to give up. Who would have thought finding a wedding dress off the rack would be so difficult? They were either too long, or too short, too tight, or too big in all the wrong places.

“We need to change our strategy,” Ray said. “How about if you pick out a white dress that you like. It doesn’t need to be a traditional wedding dress.”

“Are you sure?”

He nodded. “Let’s find a Nordwear. My mom loves shopping there, so they must be a decent place to look because she’s picky.”

“Sounds good to me.” She hadn’t considered not wearing a wedding dress, but this wasn’t going to be a traditional marriage, so there was no need to wear a traditional gown. At this point she’d prefer to wear something from her closet, but she didn’t want to disappoint Ray.

They headed to the nearest Nordwear and went inside.

“I’ll be at the café. Text me when you’re ready.”

She wandered around the store for a while and finally found the right department. A saleswoman approached her, and Katie explained her mission.

“I have a few dresses that might work.”

Katie followed the woman to a rack where she pulled a scalloped, fitted on top and flared on the bottom dress off the rack. Katie caught her breath. “That’s the one.” She took it to the dressing room and changed.

“When you get it on, come out and show me,” the saleswoman said.

Katie pulled the door open and stepped out.

“Very nice. Turn.”

Katie did as she requested and noticed a three-way mirror at the end of the room. She walked over to it and stepped up onto the platform. The dress hit mid-calf and was a perfect fit. She couldn’t stop smiling. “I’ll take it!”

“Wonderful. What about shoes?”

“Hmm. What do you suggest? I’m not used to heels? And we’re getting married in a boxing ring.”

A smile lit the woman’s face. “That’s unique. You could do white pumps. Or if you want to break all the rules why not wear white, lacy sneakers?”

Now that was the best idea ever. She’d have to find a pair and fast. Ray had been wilting on her before she came in here, and she wasn’t doing a whole lot better. She went back to the dressing room, sent him a text where to meet her to pay and then changed as quickly as she could. Traditional wedding or not, she wanted her dress to be a surprise.

She managed to beat him to the register, and the woman happily hid it in a dress bag for her. She waved to Ray when she spotted him.

“You found one?”

“I did, but you can’t see it.”

He raised a brow and grinned. “Why’s that?”

“I want it to be a surprise.”

“Fair enough.” He quickly paid. “What next?” He handed her a covered cup. “I bought you a vanilla latte since you seemed to not hate the coffee you had at breakfast. I did a quick Google search, and it appears to be gluten free.”

Her heart warmed. “That was thoughtful. Thanks.” She sipped the sweet drink.

“I think you’ll like it a lot more than plain coffee and figured you could use a pick-me-up by now. Oh, and this, too.” He pulled a little bag from his jacket pocket. “It’s a gluten free muffin.”

“Seriously?” She looked inside the bag. Hopefully it would taste as good as it looked. “Thanks. What about you?”

“I had a snack at the café while waiting.”

“Okay.” She sipped the coffee. He was right; she didn’t hate it, and it was much better than the plain sugar-sweetened coffee she’d ordered at breakfast. She wouldn’t take up the habit of coffee, though. It was more of a necessary evil to keep her body and mind moving. “Thanks for today, Ray.”

“Why are you thanking me? Seems all I’ve done is complicate your life.”

She took a bite of the chocolate muffin and savored the deliciousness of having a party in her mouth. This was better than she’d expected.

He chuckled. “Remind me to never come between you and food. Speaking of which, I was thinking we’d keep it simple and only serve cake and punch at our reception.”

“Whatever you want. Do we have a photographer?”

“Yes. Kari’s not a pro, but she could be.”

“Okay.” She couldn’t help the feeling of disappointment that hit her. Although she may never have dreamed of a fairytale wedding, she didn’t want it to be an afterthought either. It was too late now, though. She’d given her word, and she wouldn’t take it back.