Weddings First Chance Read online

  Wedding’s First Chance

  Jennifer Conner

  SMASHWORDS EDITION

  ****

  Wedding’s First Chance

  Copyright © 2012 by Jennifer Conner

  Books to Go Now

  For information on the cover illustration and design, contact [email protected]

  Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, any place, events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and story lines are created from the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.

  If you are interested in purchasing more works of this nature, please stop by

  www.bookstogonow.com

  The Wounded Nobleman Book 3

  Book 1:The Duke and the Lost Night

  Book 2:The Reluctant Heir

  Please look for Jennifer’s other short stories

  The Mobile Mistletoe Series Love Comes for Saint Patrick’s Day & Love Comes for Valentine’s Day

  Valentine Surprise

  Cupcakes and Cupids

  Do You Hear What I Hear?

  New Year Resolution

  Christmas with Carol

  Auld Lang Sigh

  Rush of Love

  Fields of Gold

  Christmas Chaos

  The Christmas Horse

  The Music of Christmas

  All I Want for Christmas is You

  Weddings First Chance

  and novel Kilt by Love

  Wedding’s First Chance

  “What have you talked me into?” Lily muttered, as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. “This is crazy. You’re crazy.”

  “What?” her sister Jeanne asked, as she attempted an innocent smile.

  The dress Lily borrowed was cute, and the short skirt showed off her legs. She smoothed her hands down the front as she critically surveyed her reflection. “I'm happy Billy's getting married. He’s always been a good friend, but Brett’s going to be there. It's his brother, after all. He’ll be in the wedding party. I can't do this.” She shook her head.

  The thought of seeing Brett again made Lily's stomach twist in a knot. She left her family and home in Fairfield and ran away eight years earlier. She did this because she thought Brett loved her.

  Brett had wanted to get away from the small town of Fairfield. So did she. But soon after they got an apartment in Los Angeles, Brett decided he didn’t only want to get away from Fairfield, he wanted to get away from her.

  On the night he moved out, Brett coolly informed her that she was just a small town hick. Plain and dumb. No matter what she did, she’d never measure up to the women from the big city. It had been hard words from a man she'd given up everything for.

  She could have come home, but she'd said things she didn’t mean and burned bridges.

  “And I haven't seen Cain since high school. I can't believe you asked him to take me to the wedding.” Lily blew out a breath. “If I go at all, I can go by myself.”

  Jeanne crossed her arms over her chest, “It's not like he's a stranger. I didn’t pick him up off the street. I'm not running a pity dating service for my sister.”

  “Really? That's not the way I see it. I'm surprised Cain even remembers my name.”

  “Oh, he remembers.” Jeanne smiled and straightened the hem of Lily's dress, “I didn’t ask him, Cain was the one who approached me. He wanted to know if it was true you'd moved back.”

  “And you just happened to mention that I needed a date to go to Billy's wedding? You’re trying to make it look like I’m less of a loser in the eyes of Fairfield.”

  “No one in this town thinks you’re a loser, Lily. You were young and blinded by love.”

  “I was blinded by something all right, but it should have been a baseball bat. If I had that bat right now, I'd clock you with it. Do you remember I was dating Cain when I ran off to L.A.?”

  Jeanne sighed, and picked up three bobby-pins from the dresser. She reached over and put the finishing touches on Lily’s honey blond hair. “Did you and Cain ever resolve things? You just took off one night. Have you talked with him since you left?”

  “No. I wanted to call him a hundred times, but I didn't know what I'd say. He was a great guy, the nicest guy I’ve ever known. I made a huge mistake choosing Brett over him, but then I’ve made a lot of mistakes haven't I?”

  “But some of those mis-steps brought you good things.”

  A small sing-song voice echoed though the bedroom as Lily's daughter, Eve, burst through the door. She carried a doll in one hand and an oversized sugar cookie, Lily assumed from Grandpa, in the other.

  Eve skidded to a stop in front of the two women. Her sparkling eyes grew wide. “Mommy! You look beautiful. You look like a princess!”

  Lily felt her heart clench at her daughter’s words. She leaned down and brushed a kiss on top of her snowy blond head. “Thanks. But, I thought you were the princess?”

  Eve smiled a gapped, toothy grin and shrugged one shoulder. Her tight blond curls bounced on her forehead. “We can both be princesses.”

  Lily glanced over at Jeanne.“I don't even have pantyhose. I might as well just cash it in. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve worn a dress? I’m surprised I remember how.”

  Her sister laughed and ignored her pleas. “Princesses don’t wear pantyhose, but since I’ve lived in your kingdom for most of my life, I figured you’d forget to buy them. I picked up a pair at the drug store.”

  Lily snatched them from her sister's hand and sat heavily on the bed. “I bet Cain's bald and has a pot belly.”

  “You've only been gone eight years!”

  “All men go downhill after high school.”

  Jeanne’s eyes lit up in a devilish twinkle. “Not all of them. But if I’m wrong, which I'm not, it will still be the perfect evening with the loser and the geek.”

  Lily drew back her arm and threw the cardboard from the pantyhose wrapper at her sister. She was out of practice. She missed.

  “Come on, you promised Billy you'd come to his wedding. You already agreed to go with Cain. Man up. He’s waiting downstairs. Everyone can forgive and forget... if they have a chance.”

  Lily felt ridiculous coming down the stairs of her parent’s house to meet the boy downstairs. She was twenty-six for heaven’s sake, not fifteen. When that boy was someone she thought she'd never see again, it was even worse. Would he hold a grudge and still be mad? She swallowed hard, as her heeled pumps found the next step.

  Lily pulled in a quick breath, and almost slipped on the carpet. He was not the boy she'd dated in high school. A handsome man stood waiting at the bottom of the stairs. The tall, thin, gangly boy she’d once known was gone. As he came into full view, Lily grasped the banister tighter

  Cain's dark brown hair, longer than she'd remembered, brushed his collar and framed his strong face. He wore a black suit coat and pants, with a sea green shirt that accented the deep green of his eyes. She remembered his eyes.

  He leaned one shoulder on the doorjamb of the dining room. When he saw her, he straightened and smiled. Her heart did a funny flip. The suit he wore fit his body to perfection and showed off broad shoulders which tapered down to a narrow waist. Lily guessed Cain got his dark tan and muscles from hard work in the sun, and not at a tannin
g bed or the gym.

  Her mouth suddenly felt dry.

  Eve shoved past her and ran ahead down the stairs. “Mommy, this is Mr. Cain!” Eve fanned out her tiny hand to make a grand sweeping introduction.

  Her first thought was to run back up the stairs, but she’d probably trip over her heals, and fall flat on her face.

  “It's been a long time.” His smile was warm. Deep moon shaped dimples indented his cheeks.

  Eve tugged at his pant leg and showcased a missing tooth.

  Cain squatted down and continued, “As you can see, I've already met Eve. We shared a cookie. I think she needed an ally to try and finagle a second cookie before dinner. She looks like you, Lillian.” His deep voice flowed over her like warm honey. He looked at her for a long moment before he finally stood. “We’d better get going. We're going to miss the ceremony.” He bent over and stuck out his hand. “It was very nice to meet you, Eve.”

  Eve giggled, as she shook his hand.

  Lily forgot about Billy's wedding. Suddenly it wasn’t important. She was happy to stand in the front hall with Cain and Eve for the rest of the evening.

  Cain helped drape the large silk scarf over her bare shoulders as Eve hugged her tightly around the knees. Lily bent down and received a solid, sloppy kiss on the cheek as she assured Eve she would be home soon.

  Jeanne laughed and patted Cain on the shoulder. “You two have fun, but Cain, make sure you have my sister back for her ten o’clock curfew.”

  “Sorry, no guarantees,” he said with a chuckle.

  “Remember, little sister, paybacks are hell.” Lily rolled her eyes as the front door closed. It left the two of them alone on the porch.

  The summer breeze caressed her skin and brought the smell of roses from a bush that wound its way up a trellis. The clear night’s full moon shone brightly and lit their path. There was a slight chill in the air.

  Cain moved ahead on the gravel path to open the car’s door.

  “Isn't this your dad's car?” Lily asked, as she slid in to the leather seat of the Mustang.

  “He hasn't driven for awhile. Not long after you left, he suffered a stoke. It affects his right side, so he can’t drive. I never pegged myself for a muscle car kind of guy, but it makes him happy when he sees me drive it.”

  “Did you take the car with you when you went away to college?”

  Cain smiled, but his eyes spoke of something deeper. “I never went to college.”

  “But you had a full ride scholarship to UCLA?”

  “So did you.”

  “But you were...” Lily stopped and bit her lip.

  “I was what?”

  “Smart. You were so smart.” Lily looked down and fidgeted with the hem of her dress.

  He laughed. “I'd like to think that I'm still smart. I can go back to school when the business becomes self sufficient. It won’t be long. I’ve been thinking about getting my master builders license. Back then, decisions had to be made. My dad was in the hospital for six months, I couldn't just leave him.”

  “Like I left you?”

  He stopped the car on the side of the road and turned to face her. “Damn it Lillian. I didn't say that. I didn’t mean that. Don’t put words in my mouth. I hope you remember I’ve always said what I felt. I was pretty heart broken when you walked out on me without a word. After the hurt faded, the only thing I hoped was that you were happy. That's all I’ve ever wanted for you.”

  She fought back the tears that threatened to spill. Cain always spoke from the heart. Just like now. Was there still a part of his heart that wanted her?

  He put the car in gear, and pulled back out on the street. “Sure, UCLA would have been great, but I took over my dad's construction business. He couldn’t handle the work anymore. I was thrown into the fire and learned construction overnight. I have a good crew under me, and I did it for him. I've gotten pretty good at it, and I've been able to keep it successful even through the decline in the construction business. My dad's proud of me. Hey, where did you go school?”

  Lilly shook her head, “Life’s changed for me too.”

  “Do you mean Eve?”

  “Eve's turned out to be the best thing that’s ever happened to me. She’s everything I like about myself, wrapped up in a tiny package.”

  “She’s beautiful… just like her mother. I hope I get a chance to know her better.”

  “Do you like kids?” she asked tentatively.

  “Yeah, I love kids, especially when they share sugar cookies with me.” He grinned. She loved his easy nature.

  Lily rubbed her hands over her knees. “I moved back here for her. I had a high paying job in Los Angles as an assistant in an advertising agency, but they wanted me to work seven days a week and pull fifteen hour days. When I left in the morning Eve would be asleep and she’d be asleep when I got home.”

  “You missed her.” It was more a statement than a question.

  “I didn't even know her. My own little girl. The nanny knew her better than I did. One day she called the nanny mommy. That was when I knew I had to make a change. Eve’s more important than any job I’ll ever have. I tried to negotiate hours but my company wouldn’t budge, so I quit. The only place I wanted to come was back to Fairfield.”

  “This has always been your home, Lillian.”

  “Thanks Cain. That’s nice to hear.” Smiling, she looked out the window and watched the town streak by.

  “Are there any other reason’s you came back?”

  “There might be.” She wanted to tell him how much she’d missed him all these years, but couldn’t seem to find the right words. “You know, you’re the only person who’s ever called me Lillian.”

  “You were named after your grandmother. It’s a beautiful name.”

  “How did you remember that?”

  Cain swung the Mustang into an open spot and cut the engine. “There are lots of things I remember about you. Do you remember things about me too?”

  He brushed the pad of his thumb down the curve of her cheek. Lily watched the lights from the hall reflect in his eyes. “Come on. We have all the time in the world, but weddings wait for no one. You came this far, let’s get rid of another one of those demons from your past.”

  At the wedding reception, Billy spotted her. He tugged his bride by the hand over to where she and Cain stood. “Lil! You came.” He hugged her tightly. “I’ve missed you. This is Marion. Isn’t she great?”

  Lily introduced herself and shook the bride’s hand.

  “Hello, Lily.” A deep voice behind her said.

  She knew that voice anywhere. The inevitable was finally here.

  “Brett.” She squared her shoulders and turned to face her past.

  “You look…” His words trailed off as he eyed her up and down. His gaze settled on her breasts.

  A tall blond teetered on high heels and clasped Brett tightly around the arm. She said something, but her words were slurred and incoherent from her bright red lips. She’d obviously drunk her fair share of the free champagne.

  Cain stepped closer. The warmth of his hand ran down her back and protectively settled at her waist.

  “Still here in Fairfield I see McAvoy,” Brett said narrowing his eyes.

  “No place I’d rather be,” Cain replied with a casual smile. Lily was suddenly happy he was the one beside her. Cain felt strong and solid.

  Brett's lips pulled back in a sneer and showed a perfect row of white teeth. He looked down at the hand on Lily's waist. His teeth reminded her of a shark. “Are you two back together?”

  Lily felt her pulse increase as neither of them answered his question.

  “That's what I figured.” Brett blew out a snort. “Did you bring him to the wedding so you didn't have to come alone?”

  “I asked her to be my date this evening. Not that it's any of your business.” Cain’s voice dropped, his tone sharp as the edge of a sword.

  “Baby, why don't you and McAvoy get drinks for us? I need to talk to L
ily, alone.”

  Lily felt Cain's hand tighten on her waist. His fingers pressed below her ribs.

  She looked back over her shoulder. “It's okay, Cain. I'll be fine, I need to do this.”

  His eyes watched her as if trying to read what she was thinking. He finally nodded and stepped around her.

  The blond hiccupped and covered her mouth with a long nailed hand. She wove her arm through Cain's, and teetered off.

  “Baby?” Lily asked turning back to Brett. “Where did you find her? A Dirty Dancing audition? Women actually let you call them baby in this day and age?”

  “Her name's Bridget or Barbara...something that starts with a B.” He laughed, and waved his hand in the air. “She's an actress.”

  “Really? How did you ever find an actress to date in Los Angeles?”

  Brett stepped closer. The open neck of his white tuxedo shirt glinted with a variety of gold chains. Her stomach lurched at the smell of his sweat. It didn’t mix well with his expensive cologne.

  “When I came back the other night, Billy told me you'd come back.” He ran a thumb up the skin of her bare arm. “You look great tonight. I don’t remember you being this beautiful.”

  “There are a lot of things you don't remember.”

  “I remember how much you loved me.”

  “Yes...” Lily said and stepped back. “That was the problem. I thought I loved you, but you made it clear you didn’t feel the same.”

  “I always cared about you. After I talked with Billy, I drove by the house. The kid?” Brett swallowed and looked around nervously. “Is it mine?”

  So, that’s why Brett looked like he’d just swallowed a raw eel. Lily smiled. “It’s name’s Eve, and no, she's not yours.”

  “She’s not?”

  Lily shook her head. “I would have the decency to tell you if you had a daughter. Believe it or not, my life went on after you left. Eve’s father and I were married for a short time, but he wasn't ready for the commitment of having a family.”