“Yeah, he brings his car in to have it serviced.”
“He’s my neighbor.”
“And he wanted to stir up trouble, too?”
“Let’s just say he’s sympathetic to me because of the way my husband treats me….”
“So it was the two of you who called here and threatened Delbert. Why?”
“After what happened in the park, I knew you’d think it was Jon. And I wanted you to teach him a lesson.”
“You mind explaining your motives?”
Her eyes had remained fastened on her feet, but now they met Booker’s. “I did it because he’s a mean son of a bitch, and I hate him.”
“Wow.” Booker jammed a hand through his hair. He would never have guessed Leah could feel so passionate about anything. “Why didn’t you simply leave him?”
“It’s not as easy as it sounds. I didn’t think he’d let me go. I’m still not sure he will. We’ve got the kids and…and there’s his pride. He’s not going to like being embarrassed in front of his family, in front of the whole town. But I’m going to marry Tripp and make a better life for myself. I refuse to put up with Jon’s abuse any more. Twenty years is long enough.”
The soul behind the eyes that looked up at him seemed to hold a world of painful memories. Booker immediately sympathized with Leah despite what she’d done. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I’m not like Jon. Once I found out it was Orton’s son and not you who broke into my house, I knew I’d been wrong to do what I did. I’d caused people to turn on you because of your past, and you haven’t done anything bad in a long time. I’m sorry for that.”
Booker shrugged. “It worked out okay.”
“I’m sorry about Delbert, too. I don’t wish him any harm.”
“I know, Leah.”
“That’s it, then,” she said shakily. “I just wanted to tell you the truth.”
“I appreciate it,” he said. “I know it couldn’t have been easy coming here.”
She nodded and headed to her car, and Booker watched her go.
“Leah?” he said as she was about to get in.
“Yes?”
“Good luck leaving Jon. I think it’ll be worth the fight.”
A brief smile touched her lips. “You’re twice the man he is, Booker,” she said, then drove away.
Katie stepped onto the porch as soon as Leah was gone. “What was that all about?”
He sighed. “Desperation.”
KATIE WAITED NERVOUSLY inside the entrance of the small whitewashed church to see if her family would show. Three days ago she’d called their house with the date and time of her wedding, but Travis had said their parents were in Boise picking up some new equipment for the bakery, and Katie hadn’t heard from them since.
Booker was standing next to her, wearing a shirt and tie for the occasion. He looked spit polished, but Katie liked him best in the more casual leather and jeans he typically wore. Leather suited his personality and highlighted his rugged magnetism. He wasn’t the indoor type.
“Will you be okay if they don’t come?” he murmured, kissing the back of her hand.
Katie brushed a wrinkle out of her new cream-colored sheath dress, which fell just past her knees, and nodded. She knew she could accept whatever happened. She was so in love with Booker that she wasn’t going to allow anyone to spoil this day. Besides, they’d filled several pews already. Mona, Erma and Ashleigh were there from the shop. Rebecca, Josh and Mike from the ranch. Several of Katie’s hair clients. Her old piano teacher. Chase and Delbert. Delaney and Conner Armstrong. Millie and Ralph, the old couple who had raised Delaney. Mike and Josh’s parents. For a small, hastily planned wedding, the chapel was quite crowded.
But the day would be even more wonderful if only her family would make an appearance and at least try to help her close the gap that had sprung up between them.
Troy began to cry, and Katie turned to see Rebecca stand up and jiggle him gently on her shoulder. Rebecca had reached for him the moment she arrived and hadn’t relinquished him to anyone else yet, despite numerous requests for a chance to hold him.
“Look,” she told Booker. “Rebecca loves babies so much. I wish she could have one.”
Booker didn’t say anything, but he squeezed her hand, and she knew he felt the same way.
“Katie, it’s about time to start.” Pastor Richards had come up quietly behind them. “Do you and Booker want to take a seat now?”
“Can’t we wait just another few minutes?” she asked.
He smiled. “Of course.”
The door opened, and Katie caught her breath as afternoon sunlight burst into the cooler, darker church. But it wasn’t her family. It was Rebecca’s parents.
Mayor Wells smiled and shook Booker’s hand. “You did a great job on the Lincoln, Booker. It’s running like a charm,” he said, then he and his wife congratulated Katie.
Katie heard the door close as they moved away and decided her parents weren’t coming. Don and Tami knew Booker hadn’t robbed anyone or stolen any cars recently, but they’d held a grudge against him for a long time. Evidently, they weren’t able to let it go. Or perhaps they were embarrassed for judging him so harshly.
Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile onto her face for Booker’s benefit. “Let’s go ahead and start.”
“Are you sure?” he said. “We could wait a little longer.”
“No, they’re not coming.”
“I’m sorry,” he whispered as he kissed her temple.
“It’s fine.” She pumped up the wattage of her smile. “Really.”
Pastor Richards stood when he saw them, and waved for them to take their seats on either side of the aisle. “Good afternoon,” he said. “I’d like to welcome you all to help celebrate the union of Booker Robinson and Katie Rogers this beautiful spring day. We have reason to be joyful, for—”
The door opened again. This time Katie didn’t even look around. She didn’t want the lump that clogged her throat to turn into tears if she was disappointed again. But Booker caught her eye and jerked his head toward the back. When she followed his gaze, she saw her mother, father and Travis filing in.
Her mother looked at her and smiled. Then her father smiled, too, and Katie felt a tremendous weight lift from her shoulders.