A Winter Wedding

“Did you have the chance to work things out with Derrick?”

“No. But I did what I felt I had to do.”

He didn’t ask, although she could tell he was wondering, so she said, “I’ve put everything on hold for now, until he decides how he feels about Crystal.”

“He admitted being involved with her?”

“No. He’d never admit that. I didn’t want to tell you earlier, but...he cheated on his wife when he was married. With an intern who works at one of the major record labels.”

“He was married?”

“Yes, but it didn’t last long.” She’d believed him when he’d told her how demanding his wife had been, how he’d been so frustrated and unhappy and how things had unintentionally gotten out of control when that intern had started flirting with him. Now she felt like an idiot. Was it a onetime mistake, as he’d said? Or was he a serial cheater, more to blame for his divorce than he’d ever taken responsibility for?

Kyle had indicated that his marriage hadn’t lasted long, either, but he made no mention of that now. “Was it the cheating that broke them up?”

“Who can really say what goes on in a marriage? I only have his side. I can tell you that his ex is still bitter about it, though.”

“So you know he’s had at least one extramarital affair.”

“Yes, and I don’t care how many times he swears he’s a changed man, something is going on. I can feel the difference in him. So unless he’s willing to let go of Crystal completely, I can’t stay with him.”

“I admire you for taking a stand.”

“If I was the one he wanted, he’d make it plain. There wouldn’t be all this suspicion and angst and heartbreak, right?”

Obviously recognizing the doubt that had crept into her voice, he gave her a kind smile. “I’m sorry.”

She felt a familiar lump rise in her throat but fought the tears that went with it. “You understand how it feels, don’t you? That it hurts like hell?”

“I do.”

“Great. We have heartbreak in common.” She laughed humorlessly. “Any chance you could bring home another bottle of wine when you get off work tonight?”

“I can manage that. But will you be okay here alone?”

Did he think she might hurt herself? She hoped not, but she could see why he’d wonder. He didn’t know her well enough to determine how she might react to what she was going through. “Of course. I’ve never been suicidal, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Good. Because you have a lot to live for. Remember your new album? It’s going to shoot you into the stratosphere. So maybe you should get started on it.”

She frowned, implying that she wasn’t too sure she could tackle such a big challenge at the moment.

“Working might take your mind off...things. Provide an outlet,” he went on.

Her feelings were too raw to be able to concentrate. She’d checked her phone before getting in the shower. Derrick hadn’t tried to reach her. She’d thought, after the way they’d ended their conversation last night, he’d call first thing this morning to say he’d told Crystal she’d have to find another manager. It was two hours later in Nashville, almost eleven. He had to be up. And yet he hadn’t even texted her.

Were they really over? After three years and the hope that they’d soon be married?

It was almost inconceivable that so much could change so fast. How could he do this to her, on top of the huge helping of disappointment she’d been served in the past year? He knew what she was dealing with, and yet he didn’t seem to care. All he could talk about—when she overheard him talking to others—was how talented Crystal was. It felt as if the whole music industry had turned its attention to Crystal and forgotten about her.

“I’ll try,” she said, but as soon as Kyle left, she barely cast her guitar a glance before crawling back into bed.

6 (#ulink_381d296a-4ad0-5f40-97fa-93c705a070b4)

After a brief hello to Morgan, who updated him on how production was going in the plant, Kyle went straight to his office, closed the door and searched the internet for HVAC companies in the area. Lourdes seemed to be okay with staying at his place for a few more days. He could drop the matter, just wait for Owen to show up next week. But he suspected that wasn’t the best or smartest decision. Feeling that the man she loved was passing her over for another woman left Lourdes in a vulnerable position—and considering how his body had reacted when he saw her in that towel, he was in a vulnerable position, too. He didn’t want what had started out as a promising friendship to take a wrong turn. But there was always the threat. He’d gone without sex long enough that he was thinking about it too often and at inappropriate times and places. That wouldn’t help him maintain much discretion about who he got involved with.

His search engine pulled up quite a few heating and air-conditioning companies. Most were in Stockton, Modesto, Sacramento or the Bay Area. But he called several, despite the distance. By offering a bonus to compensate for the short notice, he figured he might convince someone to handle the job right away. The storm had already passed, so it wasn’t as if they’d have particularly bad weather to contend with.

After several tries, he reached a woman who said she’d send out a repairman. Feeling encouraged that his life would soon be back to normal, he clicked away from the list of HVAC companies and began to search various websites for information on how to legally perform a wedding in Amador County. He hadn’t even finished learning all he needed to know, however, when the receptionist for A Better HVAC Company called back to say she couldn’t arrange for a tech to drive over to Whiskey Creek, after all.

So he’d simply leave Lourdes on her own at night, he decided as he ended the call. There was no need to get any closer to her. She’d come to Whiskey Creek to be alone and to concentrate on her work. Besides, it’d been ages since he’d gone out for a drink.

But where would he go? Noelle worked at the only bar in town, so he couldn’t go there—not if he planned on enjoying himself. And if he went elsewhere, he wouldn’t know anyone.

The vision of Lourdes in that towel popped into his mind again. So he grabbed the phone on his desk and called Riley, who answered on the first ring. “Hey, man, what’s going on?”

“I’ve submitted my application to be ordained an American Marriage Minister,” Kyle announced.

“You have to become a minister? That isn’t what I understood.”

“It’s in name only. Says on the website that I don’t need any prior education or experience, and I can be of any belief or background. I don’t even have to register with the state. There seems to be one hard-and-fast rule—I have to be over eighteen.”

“It’s been a while since either of us has seen eighteen, so we’re good there,” he said wryly. “How much will it cost?”

“Nothing, and it never expires. They only charge for extra documents. There was a link that showed how to fill out a marriage license, so it can be recorded afterward. Easy.”

“That’s a relief. You won’t be nervous?”

“Why would I be nervous?” he said. He didn’t see any point in causing Riley to worry, but of course he’d be nervous. He’d never performed a marriage ceremony before and wouldn’t want to screw up Riley and Phoenix’s wedding, especially since it had taken them both so long to find happiness. Their son was a senior in high school, and they were only now getting together.

His mind reverted to Lourdes and his current dilemma. “What are you doing tonight?” he asked.

“Phoenix and I are taking her mother out to see the Christmas lights.”

“Lizzie Fuller is leaving her trailer?” That was guaranteed to be an epic event. Phoenix’s mom was a severely obese woman who’d refused to be seen in public for years and years.

“She’s not too happy about it, but with Phoenix cooking for her, she’s lost some weight. And we’ve hired a limo, which should be big enough to fit her. She has to get out of that damn trailer once in a while or she won’t be able to handle the wedding. And despite all her bluster, she doesn’t want to miss seeing her daughter say I do, even if it is to me.”

Kyle chuckled. It wasn’t just Riley that Lizzie didn’t like. She didn’t like anyone, including herself. “Sounds like an important evening. Good thing the weather’s cleared.”

“That storm was kind of a joke, anyway. And they had us all so worried—‘worst storm in twenty years’ and all that.”

“It’s been plenty cold.”

“True, but even if it starts to snow again, we’ll probably still try to get Lizzie out. If we’re hoping to help her feel safe in public so she’ll come to the wedding, we don’t have a lot of time left.”

And here he’d just wanted to go out for a drink—trivial by comparison. “Will Phoenix’s brothers be at the wedding?”

“Yes. I have to pay their travel expenses. But don’t tell Phoenix. I’m afraid it might tarnish her excitement about the fact that they agreed to come.”