The Meaning in Mistletoe - Rachael Bloome Page 0,45
hair twisted on top of her head—was the most beautiful woman in existence.
Jack stole a sideways glance at Kat, admiring each graceful line of her profile. He could relate to Frank’s sentiments because he had never glimpsed a more stunning woman, inside and out.
She’d captured his heart with her compassion and kindness—qualities that far surpassed any physical characteristic, although her beauty was unparalleled. And as he sat beside her, the intimacy of the moment provided such startling clarity, he couldn’t deny the truth even if he’d wanted to.
He loved Kat Bennet.
The kind of love that stirred his soul and inspired him to be a better man.
He stole another glance in her direction, this time catching her eye. The heat from her gaze seared through his skin and he almost lost himself in the moment when Frank cleared his throat again.
“When all is said and done,” Frank said, his voice thick and husky, “you might be getting the raw end of this deal. But what do you say, Bevy? Will you be my wife ’til we’re seated at the big coffee shop in the sky?”
“With all my heart, yes,” she murmured, her pale blue eyes glistening. “I knew the moment we first met at last year’s Christmas Eve dance that you were someone special, Frank Barrie. Right away, I could tell you were as sweet as a Cadbury egg. You may have had a hard outer shell, but you were soft on the inside.”
This time, Frank flushed, but more pleased than embarrassed.
“I was a widow for so long, I never expected to find this kind of love again. Once is a blessing. But twice? I didn’t dare hope. And yet, standing here today, at the grand old age of—” She paused. “Well, not nineteen.”
Soft laughter sprinkled around the room.
“You make me feel like a blushing bride again—young and carefree, but also safe and deeply known. That kind of love is worth holding on to, no matter the obstacles.”
Jack felt Kat shift by his side. She stared into her lap, blinking hard. He would have given anything to know what she was thinking at that moment.
“We’ve had a bumpy road getting here, but I would do it all again, a million times over, if it meant being your wife until the Lord brings us home.”
As Beverly concluded her vows, and Pastor Bellman pronounced them husband and wife, the room erupted in cheers and applause as the newlyweds kissed.
They exited to “You Make Me Feel So Young” by Frank Sinatra, leading the guests into the lobby of the library for the simple hors d’oeuvre reception.
Kat stood, preparing to follow Penny and Colt, but Jack gently grabbed her elbow.
Her eyes wide and questioning, she turned to face him.
Suddenly nervous, he gathered a breath. “I was wondering… how do you feel about wassailing?”
Chapter 22
As she sat in the passenger seat of Jack’s truck, Kat wrapped a loose thread from her scarf around her pinky. In her dazed state, she coiled it so tightly, she cut off the circulation, turning the tip white.
Jack cast a worried side-glance in her direction. “Are you okay?”
“Uh-huh,” she lied, unraveling the strand to restore blood flow to her throbbing finger.
“If it makes you feel any better, I’m nervous, too,” he admitted, turning onto State Street. “And it means a lot to me that you’re here.”
He gifted her with a warm, grateful smile that momentarily eased her frantic nerves.
Focusing her gaze on the twinkling lights creating a canopy above the tree-lined street, she tried to settle her racing heart by taking slow, intentional breaths.
When Jack had explained his family’s wassailing tradition and invited her to join them, she’d been touched and surprised. Considering his long-standing feud with his father, she hadn’t expected Jack to go home during the holidays, let alone request her company.
On one hand, she couldn’t help reading into the significance of his invitation. It had to mean something. One didn’t simply bring a casual acquaintance along for such a monumental occasion, did they?
On the other hand, she wasn’t convinced meeting his family under such tense circumstances was a good idea. Maybe he should break the ice with his father first?
As if reading her thoughts, Jack added, “Don’t worry. My family takes hosting very seriously. In their mind, a tense or uncomfortable moment is as unforgivable as serving lukewarm tea to the Queen of England.”
Despite her anxious energy, Kat smiled. “And you’re sure they won’t mind me coming along?”
“Mind? They’ll be thrilled. Especially Lucy. She squealed on the phone