She walked over to him. He turned and looked over his shoulder at her, straightening up.
“Buy a girl a drink?” she asked.
“Sure,” he said, motioning the bartender over. “What would you like?”
“White wine.”
He pulled out a barstool for her, and she sat down. Her skirt slid up a few inches as she crossed her legs. Steve’s gaze followed the line of her leg from the hem of her black pencil skirt down to her high-heeled black pump.
The bartender returned with her wine and she took a sip. She watched as Steve took a sip of his drink, an amber liquor in a short cut-glass tumbler. “What are you drinking?” she asked, nodding to the glass in his hand.
“Whiskey.”
She nodded.
“Don’t worry. I’m only having one.”
“Your daughter’s getting married tomorrow. You’re allowed.” She smiled and took another sip of her wine.
He smiled back and turned, leaning his elbows on the bar. “Yeah, how ‘bout that? I still can’t believe it.”
“You are okay with it, aren’t you?” she questioned hesitantly.
“Okay with it? No. But I’ve come to terms with it.” He turned and looked at Summer. “She loves him. I can’t stand in her way.”
Summer put her hand on his shoulder. “Steve, he loves her very much.”
He looked at her and nodded. “I know…it’s just, she’s still my little girl, you know?”
“She’ll always be your little girl. Take it from this Daddy’s girl” She dipped her head and grinned at him.
He nodded. “Your parents, they were happy to see you, huh?”
“Yes, very.”
Steve nodded. Then he gulped down the rest of his drink and turned to look at her. They stared at each other a moment and then Steve took the wine glass out of her hand. She watched him set it on the bar and looked at him questioningly.
He didn’t say anything, just took her hand and pulled her along behind him. He led her to the dance floor, turned and pulled her into his arms. The band was playing a slow song and there were about a dozen couples dancing. They looked into each other’s eyes as they danced around the floor.
And then, as natural as if they’d never been apart Summer melted against him and laid her head on his shoulder. Steve bent his head on top of hers and closed his eyes. He pulled her closer. He breathed in the scent of her and knew this was where she belonged. The world felt right again. His life felt right again. Suddenly, he knew how much he really needed her in his life and how empty his life had become without her in it.
The song ended much too soon. They pulled apart. He looked down into her eyes. “Want to get some air?”
“Sure.” He led her outside to the front porch. She walked over to the railing and looked up at the moon. “Look at all those stars.”
Steve noticed she rubbed her arms through the soft silk of the blouse she wore. “You’re cold.”
She turned to see him pulling off his suit coat. He wrapped it around her shoulders and pulled the lapels together. He didn’t let go and she looked up into his eyes. And then he was bending his head to kiss her. It was a soft kiss at first, tentative, exploring. Her hands slid to his waist. He pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her, deepening the kiss.
The door opened and a couple walked out. Summer pulled back. Steve watched as the couple walked down the stairs and into the parking lot, and then he looked down at Summer. He took her face in his hands and tilted her head back. “I’m glad you came.”
Summer smiled and was about to say something when Pop, Jessie, Cary and the rest of the group came out the door. Summer and Steve quickly stepped apart. Whatever she’d been about to say, Steve didn’t get to hear it.
They all headed down the stairs and to the vehicles. Steve took Summer by the hand and they followed everyone else. He looked down at her and she smiled up at him.
When they arrived back at the house, Jessie pulled Summer along to help her with last minute details. Steve watched her walk up the back stairs and knew he wouldn’t get a chance to talk to her that night.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The next morning, Cary found Steve in the shed, setting up tables that they’d rented. Steve turned and looked up when he walked in. “Today’s the big day.”
“Yup,” Cary replied.
“You’re not getting cold feet, are you?” Steve asked, turning to push the table against the wall.
“Not a chance.”
“Damn.”
Cary rolled his eyes with a smile. “I’m going into town now to pick up Jessie’s wedding ring. Take a ride with me.”
Steve looked at him. “Okay. Sure.” He followed Cary outside and they climbed into Cary’s pickup. They pulled out onto the highway and headed towards town.
Cary turned to look at Steve. “So, how’d it go last night?”
Steve turned to him. “How’d what go?”
Cary smiled and looked back to the road. “I saw you dancing with her.”
Steve looked away. “It was just a dance.”
“Come on,” Cary replied, not buying it. “You two looked pretty cozy out on that porch.”
Steve didn’t respond.
Cary looked over at him, not letting it go. “It sure looked like we were interrupting something when we all walked out.” When Steve still remained stubbornly mute, Cary shook his head. “Don’t let your pride stand in the way.”
“In the way of what?”
“Do you love her?” Cary asked, pointblank and watched Steve look away. “So, you’re going to let her leave again?”
“She is leaving. It’s not up to me.”
“Maybe because you’ve never asked her to stay, ever think of that?” The blank look on Steve’s face had Cary blowing out a breath. “Christ, this isn’t just dawning on you, is it?”
Steve shook his head and looked out his window.
“What are you afraid of?”
Steve continued to stare out the window and Cary thought he wasn’t going to answer. And then he admitted softly, “That she’ll say no.”
“Well, hell. If you don’t ask her, she’s leaving for sure. What have you got to lose?” Steve sat quietly the rest of the drive, and Cary knew to back off and let him be.
They pulled into town and parked. Cary turned the ignition off and turned to look at Steve. “I just want you to know, I love Jessie very much.”
Steve moved his arm from where it rested in the open window and ran his hand over his jaw. He blew out a breath, looked over at him and nodded. “She’s…my little girl, you know?”
“I know,” Cary replied and turned to look out the window. After a moment, he turned back to Steve. “I’m going to make her happy or die trying.”
Steve nodded, his hand moving to the door handle. “Come on. We don’t want to be late getting back.”
They got out and walked into the jewelry store.
“Mr. McBride. It’s the big day today, huh?” the jeweler greeted them, looking up from waiting on another customer.
“Yup.” Cary’s grin said it all.
“Let me get your order. I’ll be right back.” He went into the back room.
Steve leaned against one of the jewelry counters.
Cary nodded down at the case. “Maybe it’s time
you
did a little shopping, too.”
Steve twisted, looking down into the case. It held a display of engagement rings. He eyes locked with Cary’s a moment and then slid back to the rings.
When they returned from town, Cary headed inside. Steve stood next to the truck a moment, his gaze straying to the small plot of land about fifty yards from the house. It contained the graves of his father, mother, grandmother and now his wife. The graves were surrounded by a black wrought-iron fence and shaded by a large pecan tree. Steve walked over, opened the gate and stepped inside. Pulling his hat from his head, his gaze slid over each stone marker, finally stopping on the newest one.
His eyes moved from the marker to the horizon and he whispered, “Our baby’s getting married today, sweetheart.” He swallowed back the emotion that threatened to engulf him, wondering how he was going to stand at the altar and give his little girl away, and then sit in that pew without Rita by his side. “I wish you could be here for it.”
The wind blew the branches of the tree above his head shaking free a few remaining leaves that fell, cascading down on him. Steve looked up and a smile pulled at his mouth. “Okay, sweetheart. I get the message. You will be.” He took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. His eyes moved to Cary’s house. “He loves her, honey. I know he does.” Smiling, he tried to laugh, fighting back the tears. “At least she won’t be going very far, huh?”
Slapping his hat against his thigh, he let out a sigh. “I’ve got to let you go, sweetheart.” He blinked the tears out of his eyes and whispered, “I hope you understand.” After another moment, he put his hat back on his head and turned, opening the gate. He stepped out, shut it with a clank and stopped in his tracks as his head came up. Summer was standing about twenty feet away, her hands in the front pockets of her faded blue jeans. The wind blew a strand of hair across her face and she reached up to tuck it behind her ear.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt you.”
His head turned back to the graves and then back to her. “You didn’t.”
Her eyes moved from him to the new marker. “I’m glad you were able to bring her home.”
He nodded. “Yeah.”
“You okay?”
He nodded again and looked at the horizon, before his eyes returned to her. “Yeah, just…a big day, you know?”
Summer nodded.
Walking over to her, Steve stopped just in front of her. His eyes studied hers, then flicked to the house. “She’s thrilled you came. It means a lot to her.”
“I didn’t just come for her,” she whispered.
Her words filled his heart, but he knew he had to get through this day, before he could deal with what that meant. Reaching down, he took her hand in his and brought it to his mouth, his lips brushing a kiss to the back of her hand. He pulled her hand back and looked at it, then his eyes lifted to hers. “I noticed the ring is missing.”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He studied her. “Not now, but later, when everything is settled, we need to have a conversation about that, okay?”
She nodded again. “Okay.”
“Okay.” Nodding, he threaded their fingers together and turned toward the house. “I could use a cup of coffee. How about you?”
*****
The wedding was beautiful. The weather was balmy for this time of year. The church was small and intimate, with candles burning everywhere. A string quartet played softly and when the Wedding March began, everyone stood and turned to look at the bride. Jessie was a vision. Her long dark hair was pulled back in a sleek bun and her dress was a stunning ivory silk with crystals along the bust and a sweeping train.
Summer looked at Steve. She would never forget the love in his eyes as he looked down at Jessie, and she smiled up at him, her hand tucked in the crook of his arm. He smiled down at her and they started slowly down the aisle. Summer saw Jessie staring at Cary waiting at the altar, her face glowing with love. While everyone’s eyes were on the bride, Summer turned her head to catch the expression on Cary’s face. She couldn’t believe how handsome he looked standing at the altar in his dark tuxedo, nor the look on his face when he first saw Jessie standing at the end of the aisle. His teeth flashed white in his closely trimmed goatee and his eyes sparkled with a gleam of emotion as he watched his bride come toward him.
When Steve and Jessie made it down the aisle, Summer watched as he passed his daughter’s hand to Cary and moved to sit next to herself and Pop, who were seated in the front row. She reached over and touched his leg and he looked over at her with a sheen of tears in his eyes. Summer smiled at him and he laid his hand over hers on his leg.
Soon the ceremony was over and they were all back at the farm. There were vases of white flowers everywhere. Steve had hired a caterer and there were servers making the rounds with silver trays of champagne and wine. A wonderful buffet of food was laid out. Everyone from town was there. Justin had come. Miss Myra had come. Margie was there. All of Jessie’s friends from school, along with Cary’s family.
As the evening progressed, the younger people gravitated out to the shed, where a band was playing and there were tubs filled with iced down beer and soft drinks. Steve walked out to check on them and was heading back into the house, when he noticed Summer coming out of Cary’s house. When she saw him, she motioned for him to come to her. Steve walked over. “What’s up?”
“Come here. I want to show you something.” She led him back to Cary’s. He followed her up the porch steps and waited as she opened the door.
Following her inside, he asked, “What were you doing in here?” He stopped short as his eyes took in the place. There were white flowers and white candles aglow everywhere. He turned to her. “
You
did this?”
She smiled and nodded. “Cary asked me this morning if I would light a few candles before he brings her back here tonight.”
“Summer, this is more than a couple of candles.”
“Do you like it?”
“No.”
Her smile faltered. “No?”
“Summer, it’s beautiful. It’s not that. It’s just…she’s my little girl and I really don’t want to think about him bringing her back here tonight.”
Her grin returned. “She’s a married woman, now.”
“Don’t remind me.”
“I won’t show you the petals I laid on the bed, then,” she teased, tormenting him.
“Now you’re just being cruel.”
She laughed. “Come on, then.” She led him outside, tucking her arm in his and looked up at him. “Did I tell you how handsome you look in this tux?”
“I clean up good, huh?”
“Not bad,” she replied, smiling up at him.
“You look absolutely gorgeous, by the way.”
“Thank you.”
His eyes slid down the black strapless gown she wore to the black sheer stockings, and his mind couldn’t help from wandering back to the night she wore black stockings from him. He grinned. “I can’t help but wonder if there are garters under there.”
She gave him a sly smile in return. “Maybe.”
He stared into her eyes, knowing he had to talk to her. “Walk with me?” he asked.