Which was very little.
Thank God. He wasn’t going to tell her where the bastard had planned to take her. Of the dress, of the rest. Of what the police suspected.
“I don’t want to wait for a wedding,” Jock blurted as he shut the door to their suite.
She turned to him and then rolled her eyes and strode to the bathroom. “Why? You’ll have to talk in here. I want these clothes off and I want them gone.” She wiggled and said, “I need a shower.”
He leaned into the shower and turned it on, then leaned back onto his palms, wincing at the thrum of pain in his knuckles when he did. She noticed, came over and took his hands. Then she turned on the water in the sink and washed his hand. “You need ice on these.”
He grunted. When she was done, she turned and unbuttoned her shirt.
“So, why don’t you want to wait to get married?” she asked, stripping.
Jock simply watched her. She opened the shower door. The long line of her back flared out over her curvy ass. Jock smiled. Freckles dotted the skin across her shoulders.
Glancing back over her shoulder at him, she said, “Don’t just stand there, handsome, strip.”
He raised a brow. “I see grave things in my future.”
She laughed and shut the door. Jock stripped and stepped into the blast of heat.
“Christ, Kaitie, that’ll scald the skin off.”
She was busy lathering her arm. He took the soap from her.
“So the wedding?” she asked.
“I don’t want you wearing white.”
She stopped and looked up at him over her shoulder. He leaned in and kissed the bare skin, so soft.
“Why?”
“You look better in green? Or red.”
“I don’t look good in red, Jock. The hair.”
“Fine, a dark purple velvet?”
“Jock.” She turned and put her hands on either side of his face.
He clasped her tightly to him and buried his face in the side of her neck. “I thought . . . I couldn’t find you . . . I couldn’t find you, Kaitie. My Kaitie.”
She squeezed him tightly. “I knew you’d find me, Jock. I knew you would. And if I happened to get that stupid trunk open before then, then I’d find you. But I knew you’d be looking. I knew I could count on you.”
“Always.” He kissed the side of her neck. “I can’t lose you.”
“I’m right here.”
He took a deep breath and stared at the tiles, at the rivulets of water as he swallowed back his emotions. “I want a wedding with you, a wedding night, a honeymoon. I want to see you have our children, and do stupid stuff together. I want to laugh in bed with you and I want to grow old together, to spoil our grandkids together and today . . . today . . .” He swallowed and pulled back, so he could look in her eyes. “Today I was scared I’d lost all that. All that was you. I’m sorry I failed you, Kaitie.”
Both her brows rose. “Jock—whatever your middle name is—Kinncaid. Stop. He’s not taking that from us. Would you let him take that from me? Hell, you didn’t let him take Johns Hopkins from me, I’m not about to let you blame yourself for this.”
“I should have guarded you better.”
“Sometimes if you hold too tightly, it becomes a prison,” she whispered.
He saw again that white room in the basement and knew she was right, but that didn’t stop the way he felt.
“I don’t want to imprison you.”
“I know. Let’s just enjoy now, today, the lovely police interview that’s coming up, and then maybe I can finally eat. Either that or I’ll pass out and you’ll freak out and—”
“Kaitie, I do not freak.”
She picked up his fist and kissed it as the water washed down over them. “No, of course not.”
“That was a fight. I do not freak. There’s a vast difference.”
She smiled at him. “A fight.”
“Of course, you didn’t think I was just going to let him walk away, did you?”
“He is still alive, isn’t he?” she asked.
“Kaitie, I’m shocked.” He leaned in and kissed her.
“Oh, I know you. You like to protect, he took me, thus, he must die,” she said, lathering her hands and rubbing them across his chest.
“I’d have preferred it but the chief didn’t want to see me in jail and I figured you wouldn’t be happy with me, you being a nurse and all, healing hands and all that.”
“Nope, wouldn’t have been. We’ve already discussed how you in prison was not a good thing.”
Their hands lathered, and explored, softly, gently.
“I want to make love to you, but I know the chief, he’ll be here soon.”
She sighed. “I know. I wasn’t kidding about being hungry. I’m famished! I’m betting it’s not as fun if I pass out just as the earth shatters with you in me.”
He sucked in a breath. “Playing with fire, Kaitie.”
She grinned at him and slid out of the shower.
He watched her, glad she wasn’t quiet like before.
She was his spitfire.
“Okay. We can get married sooner. When and where, that’s the biggest question,” she said as she pulled on one of his button-downs from the closet and rolled the sleeves up. He realized he’d have to call down to the gift shop for a pair of jeans. With the towel around his waist he walked to her.
• • •
Kaitlyn watched Jock, wet from the shower, water droplets still shining on his chest, the towel draped low on his hips, and she sighed.
The man was just good enough to eat.
Her chain with her engagement ring hung long between her breasts.
Jock reached her, slid his hand into the open neckline and pulled the chain out. Then he unclasped it and slid the ring off the chain and slid it onto her finger.
“That’s where it belongs.” Kaitlyn looked from the ring to him. “Please, for me, Kaitie, don’t wear white.”
Kaitlyn searched his eyes, saw the dark shadows in them that hadn’t been there before. “Grammy will be shocked.”
“You won’t.”
“This is important to you,” she said, not asking.
He only nodded.
“Will you tell me why, you never mentioned this before. Why now?”
For a minute he only stared at her, then he raked a hand through his hair.
“Would you trust me if I said I’d tell you if you pushed it but I’d rather you not know?” His mouth was tight, his eyes dark. The phone rang and he picked it up. “Yes, send him up. Kaitie wants a burger. Medium. No onion or pickles and a side of fries. And I need a pair of jeans . . .” He talked some more, listened to whoever he was talking to, but never took his eyes off her. “Thanks, Scotty.”
“This change happened today,” she guessed.
He didn’t say anything, only took a deep breath and finally tilted his head in what she assumed was affirmative.
“Okay, Jock. I won’t press it. I suppose a white dress isn’t a must.”
His shoulders eased. “Thank you.”
Then she laughed. “I can have any color I want?”
Jock watched her for a minute and then pulled her closer to kiss her softly. “Any color you want, Kaitie.”
She laughed, leaned up to kiss him again, but a knock reverberated through the apartments.
Darn. Oh, well, she’d have him later. Maybe they could stay the night, and just enjoy each other. Plus, she needed to find out when he wanted the wedding.
Chapter 12
The man was late.
Kaitlyn stood in her wedding gown—not white—behind the arch someone had erected and woven with ivy.
She was getting married.
Married to Jock Alasdair Kinncaid. He wasn’t up front yet. She had no idea where he was and was trying not to get anxious. Where was he?
His brother kept smiling at her and telling her they needed a few more minutes.
“Is he having second thoughts?” she asked, secretly worried.
She glanced around the assembled guests and knew only a few, from her work. The rest were all friends, relatives, or associates of Jock’s. Chairs marched on either side of an aisle. There were flowers and ferns and tulle. She couldn’t believe they were getting married on the lawns shadowed by the old Kinncaid family home in Seneca, Maryland. It was a mansion, dark and gray, imposing as the man who owned it.
“Of course the man’s not having second thoughts,” Broderick—Rick, Jock’s brother—muttered. “You two are exhausting.”
She grinned.
“Well, then what is it?” She waved her bouquet around. “I knew we should have just had a church wedding. Easier that way. I know he hasn’t been back to this place since your parents and sisters died. We should have—”
“Oh, he’d been back, but he, and I, never stayed.”
“Which is why I told him we could have it anywhere else.”
Rick took a deep breath and looked over his shoulder as Rainey walked up.
“Jock wanted the wedding here. Wants the big family home to have a big family again.” Rick turned back and grinned at her. He looked so much like his brother, though there was something softer about him, a bit rounder in his face or something. “Me, I just want to see all the women bemoan the fact they don’t get the big shiny ring, with the big shiny house, and Kinncaid.”
She snorted. “Only you two can understate a home and house. It’s a bloody mansion.”
Rick shrugged. “Walls, roof, rooms, family, home. Doesn’t really matter what size it is.”
Rainey shook her head. “Who cares. Hon, do you need anything?”
Kaitlyn laughed. “The groom?”
Rainey and Rick shared a look. “Well, he’s here, but you’ve made it plain he can’t see you before the wedding.”
“So?”
“So, we’re waiting on something.”
Kaitlyn looked from one to the other. “What?”
“Rather a who,” Rick said.
Several more minutes passed and Kaitlyn tapped her fingers against the silky material of her dress.
“Your fiancée? I noticed she wasn’t here,” she said for lack of anything better. Not having liked the woman she’d met at dinner in New York when she’d met Rick, she didn’t really care, but if Rick liked her and married her, then they’d be seeing a lot of each other. The woman had been practically appalled Kaitlyn was going to med school to
work
when she was marrying a Kinncaid.
Rick gave her look, one that was all too similar to Jock’s when he wasn’t sure if she were teasing him or not.
“What?”
“She’s not my fiancée. I figured Jock would have told you.”
Kaitlyn frowned, irritated she’d just stepped into that one. “No, no, he didn’t mention it. Mentioned he was glad you were smart. I was busy deciding on flowers I think. Sorry?”
Rick shrugged and paced one way then the other. “What can I say, Kaitlyn, she wasn’t the one.”
Kaitlyn had no idea what to say to that and started to follow him. “Well, as you pointed out earlier, there are lots of women here and—”
“And they’re just like the one I let go. Good for a weekend, not for a wife. No.”
Kaitlyn snorted a laugh.
Rainey huffed. “Will you be still? You’re going to catch your train on something.”
Kaitlyn got Rainey to be her matron of honor. It was fun getting ready, getting dressed. Her gown was not white, instead it was a shimmery emerald gown that faded into blues and purples along the back and into a small train. She’d had a hard time deciding on a veil and finally just went with the side pulled up and a burst of flowers on the side of her head. Not white. No, orchids, purple ones.
Unconventional.
She picked at the material as Rainey picked up and straightened the small train.
“You both aren’t just being nice, are you? You’d tell me if something came up.”
Rick crossed his arms. “I told him it would be like this. Man’s stubborn as a damned ox. He’s fine. You’re fine. You’re going to get married and have half a dozen kids after he builds more hotels and you become a heart doctor or something. Happily ever after and all that. Right now, there is a slight delay as we’re just waiting on an important guest who Jock’s adamant be here before the ceremony begins. Relax.”
Rick walked to the front, whispered something to the small band there and then walked back to her as the band started up a song. Guests were starting to whisper.
She turned to Rainey. “He’s not lying to me, is he?”
Rainey watched Rick. “About the half a dozen kids, I hope so. About Jock or the wedding or the important guest? No.”
“Finally!” Rick said as a limo pulled around from the front of the house.
Kaitlyn waited to see who got out.
Rick strode to the car and waited by the door. Grammy got out.
“Grammy?” she whispered and then picked up the front of her dress, hurrying to her grandmother.
She’d thought Grammy wasn’t coming; as badly as she wanted her here, she knew it was a long journey for the aging woman.
Becky, Kaitlyn’s old nurse, though only fifteen years older than her, alighted next. Both women stood by the car looking around with the same expression Kaitlyn probably had on her own face the first time Jock brought her here.
Both women were dressed to the nines.
“Slow down! You’ll ruin your dress,” Rainey told her, trying to keep up.
“I don’t care,” she said, laughing, tears stinging her eyes.
She ran across the lawn to hug her grandmother. “You came!”
“O’ course I came, dearin’. You’d not think I’d be missing my only granddaughter’s big day?”
Kaitlyn looked to Rick and then Rainey. “The important guest?”
Rick sighed. “My brother’s hopeless. He knew you wanted her here. Thus, she’s here. I see dire things in his future.”
“Oh!”
“Come on, Ricky, let’s give them a few minutes,” Rainey said, linking her arm through Rick’s and leading them on ahead.
They all walked slowly back down the lawns toward the waiting guests.
“You’ve all you need then?” her grandmother asked.
She wrapped her arm through Grammy’s. “I do now.”
“Oh.” Grammy patted her hand. “I meant what a bride needs.”
“Well, between American traditions, and Irish ones and Scottish ones Jock’s told me of, my head’s all but full of them.” She stopped. “I have something old,” she said, showing her grandmother her parents’ wedding bands, which she’d strung on a bright blue ribbon and wrapped around her bouquet. “Something new is my dress and the emeralds Jock gave me.” She motioned to the teardrop necklace and earrings. “Blue is the ribbon, but I don’t have anything borrowed.”
Grammy looked around and then shrugged, pulling a chain from around her neck.
“Oh, no, Grammy.”
“I insist. I like the idea of your family all with you today.”
Kaitlyn watched as her grandmother took an old worn ring off the chain and handed it over. “It was y’granda’s. Put it on your blue ribbon.”
Kaitlyn smiled and Rainey helped her thread another ring onto the ribbon.
“Thank you, Grammy.” She kissed the older woman’s cheek.
Turning, she saw that Jock was now standing near the pastor.
“He’s waiting on you,” Grammy whispered.
She smiled and laced her fingers with Grammy’s. They paused near the arbor.
Grammy brushed Kaitlyn’s hair back off her forehead. “Just beautiful. Your father would be so proud of you.”
“I hope so.”
“And why wouldn’t he be, and your mum as well? Smart girl like you, you’re going after your dreams. Found a man who supports you in all you do and want to do?” She tsked. “You’ve the beginnings of a very lovely life, Kaitlyn. Count your blessings.”
She kissed her grandmother’s cheek. “Always, Grammy.”
Then she looked back down over the crowd and to Jock, who jerked his chin up at her and smiled.
She couldn’t hold back her grin.
“I best be finding my seat, then. Come along, Becky.”
But Kaitlyn grabbed her hand. “Someone said my wedding ideas were unconventional.”
Grammy only smiled at her. “You’ve always had a touch of unconventional to you. That shouldn’t bother you.”
“It doesn’t, so with that . . .” She took a deep breath, hoping. “Well, the thing is, I don’t have anyone to walk me down the aisle.”
“Ah, lass, I so wish your father was here.”
Kaitlyn took a deep breath. “As do I, but that wasn’t what I . . . that is . . . Grammy, I want you to walk down the aisle with me.”
Grammy pulled back a bit. “A woman giving another woman away?”
Kaitlyn crossed her arms over her chest, her bouquet losing a petal in the process. “Yes.”
Grammy laughed and hugged her again. “I’d love to, if you’re certain?”
Kaitlyn grabbed her grandmother’s hand and they walked to the arch, where Rainey waited.
The musicians started up and her grandmother gave her away to Jock Alasdair Kinncaid. The man was just too damned handsome in his black suit with a dark blue tie that matched his eyes. Eyes that never left her as she made her way to him.
As they said their vows.
As he kissed her.
His eyes never left her all evening.
• • •
Jock was the happiest damned man alive.
“Are you happy, Mrs. Kinncaid?” he asked, leaning into her.
The woman on his arm wore his ring, was stunning in her jewel wedding gown, and she’d laughed and smiled all evening, a single dimpled smile that sparkled in her eyes. He’d been drawn time and again to the way the chain from her pendant curved over her collarbone. A collarbone he couldn’t wait to kiss, among other things.
Little lights twinkled from the canopy of the large white tent they’d set up for the dinner and candles flickered on the tables scattered around. The other tent was ready and waiting for the dance to follow.
The dinner was well under way and Broderick had already given his speech, as had Rainey.
Jock stood and pulled up Kaitie to stand beside him.
Kaitie smiled at him. “Jock, this is the best day!” She leaned up on her toes and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for everything, but thank you for understanding I needed Grammy.”
He grinned down at her. “You’re welcome, love.”
Jock picked up a fork and tinged it against the crystal glass until he’d gained everyone’s attention. He motioned to the waiters along the edge of the tent who held trays of champagne.
He borrowed a mic from the band. “Please take a glass the waiters are bringing round and join us in a toast.”
He waited.
“Jock, what are you doing?” She shook her head at him, but he only winked at her and kissed her forehead.
When most of the glasses were passed out he said, “I know you’ve heard the speeches from the best man and matron of honor, but I have something to say as well. And to me, to Kinncaids, it’s very important. It’s been a long tradition in the Kinncaid Clan to do something on our wedding days and on the births of our children. I don’t know when it started. Probably came over from the old country when the four brothers escaped hanging after the Uprising. My grandfather talked about how his grandfather did this and how his grandfather had done it. I know one day, our grandsons will as well. On special days, in our clan, we give thanks and toasts for the blessings gifted to us. Old families like ours have mottos and creeds and whatnots. Our family motto is This I’ll defend.” He turned to Kaitie. “Kaitlyn Kinncaid”—she grinned at the words—“love of my life, laughter in my soul. I give to you a pledge this day. As my lady, as my wife, you and our children,” he added, “are mine to hold. Mine to have. Mine to protect. So on this day, wife of mine, I give you my solemn vow: This I will always defend.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes and she grabbed the mic away before he could kiss her. “Well, being a modern woman, Kinncaid, I vow that I will always stand at your side defending whatever it is we are given.”
Cheers and whistles broke out as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her like he’d been dying to all evening.
• • •
The band had been playing for hours, first sporadically through the light dinner they’d offered guests, then through cutting the cake, through photos.
The wooden floor was packed with dancers having a fabulous time. White twinkle lights floated from the canopy of the tent. Kaitie had said she hadn’t wanted stuffy music. She wanted fun. Fun she would have.