White Wedding for a Southern Belle

“There’s dessert?”

“Sure there is. What kind of host do you think I am?”

She gave him a questionable look. “I don’t think you want me to comment on what some would consider kidnapping.”

There was a tense moment as she registered what she had said. Surely he didn’t think she was putting him on the same level as the guy who had taken Lizzy?

“You do know you can leave anytime you wish?”

She nodded. “I do. Perhaps I shouldn’t have said that in light of what we had been talking about.”

“I’ll get our dessert.”

Opening the narrow French doors, she stepped out on the iron balcony hanging over the cobblestone road below. She eased into one of the cushioned wicker chairs with matching footstools. Crossing her arms across her breasts, Ashley put her feet up and rested one ankle atop the other. A foghorn blew again as a barge slowly moved over the water of the Savannah River in front of her.

Kiefer joined her, taking the other chair. “Here you go.”

She took the round plastic-covered disk he offered. “A praline.”

“The best in the world are made here.”

Ashley unwrapped it and took a bite of the sugary disk with a pecan in the center. “Mmm. Wonderful. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Looking out at the river, she said, “You have a great view.”

“It’s the one thing I really like about living here. I spend what little time I’m home sitting out here.”

“You don’t like the rest of the place?”

“I got it in the divorce.” Disgust and resignation sharpened his voice.

“Why don’t you sell it? This is prime real estate.”

“At one time I wouldn’t do it because she wanted it. Now I need a place to live.”

“So you live here out of spite.” Ashley glanced at him from beneath lowered lids.

“The way you say it makes me sound rather small.”

That wasn’t her intent but he obviously wasn’t moving on. “You said it, not me.”

“Brittney left me for someone who could give her more prestige, fancier cars and a larger house.” He couldn’t keep the bitterness from his voice.

Ashley sat forward and looked him straight in the eyes. “No, she didn’t. She left you because she is a self-centered, money-hungry, shallow person.”

Kiefer sat back in the cushion of the chair as if she’d hit him with her outburst. “I’ve never really thought about it like that.” Somehow hearing it said with such authority made him believe it.

“Well, you should.”

“They were at the St. Patrick’s Day party. I saw them coming down the hall just as I was passing you.”

“So that’s what brought on that kiss.”

Kiefer looked at her. “I’m not proud of it but I used you. I won’t say I’m sorry I did because that kiss made my day.”

She watched him for a moment before she said, “I’m getting tired. I think I’ll go lie down for a while.”

Had he said too much and run her off? “You need a pain pill before you do.”

Ashley struggled to stand. Kiefer hurried to place a hand under her uninjured arm to help her. She stepped away from him. “Thank you, Doc. I think I can take care of myself from here. I saw the medicine on my bedside table.”

“Call me if you need me.”

“I’m sure I won’t.” What would it be like if she let herself need and trust Kiefer? No, it might change her life forever. Relying on someone was more than she was willing to take a chance on.

* * *

It was late afternoon and Kiefer was again sitting outside on the balcony. He’d spent the last few hours looking over paperwork sent over from the clinic and making phone calls. The first of those had been to a couple of drug representatives whose companies had an indigent program for people who couldn’t afford care. Both had agreed to look into what they could do to help with providing medicines for the clinic.

The next one had been to his mother. He’d listened patiently as she’d reminded him that he needed to visit more often now that he was closer. He’d promised he would soon. With her placated, he’d asked her about helping to raise money for supplies for the clinic. As always, his mother had been excited about having another project to focus her energy on.

“So how do you like Ashley Marsh, honey?”

“She’s doing good things in Southriver.”

“That sounds like you’re evading the question.”

“I’m not.”

“You know Ashley attended my St. Patrick’s Day fund-raiser. Y’all didn’t happen to meet there, did you?”

“We might have.” That was an understatement. Thoughts of their kiss still slipped in right before he went to sleep each night.

“I would think that after seeing and speaking to her you would have more to say.”

He did but they weren’t words to share with his mother. “She can be difficult, demanding and exasperating, but she really wants to help Southriver. She’s doing good things for the community. And, yes, she is attractive. And, no, Mother, I’m not thinking about getting married or having children.” Ever again.

“She’s a pistol. I’ll give her that.” His mother sounded impressed.

“Kind of reminds me of you.” Ashley and his mother did have a great deal in common. Almost uncomfortably so.

“I’ll be by to check out the clinic sometime next week and see what I can do to help. I’ll call first.”

“Thanks, Mom. I knew I could count on you.” Despite what had happened to his mother, she had not ceased her efforts to help the less fortunate. Again, not unlike Ashley, who didn’t seem deterred by what had taken place in her life. He seemed the one most shaken by both events. He still relived the horror of seeing his mother hurt anytime he saw or heard of a woman being threatened. Maybe that was why Ashley had got under his skin.

Kiefer went to the kitchen for another cup of coffee. On his way back outside he stopped in to check on Ashley. She was still curled under the covers. Her dark hair was a mass around her head. It was the first time he’d ever seen her truly at ease. Did she wear that same look of peace after making love? He’d like to give her that and more. But Ashley wasn’t a good-time kind of girl. She would be all about permanence, something he wasn’t willing to try again.

He backed out of the doorway. That was a place he had no business going. Based on the devotion Ashley showed her community and city, her relationships with men wouldn’t be shallow and short lasting. She would give her entire heart to the man she was involved with and, worse, would expect the same depth of commitment in return. He couldn’t give that. Wouldn’t take the chance on rejection again. Yet the more he was around Ashley the more he wondered if it might be worth the risk.

Her statement about Brittney and Josh implied she had been angry on his behalf. Why would it matter to her how he had been treated? All he’d ever comprehended was that he had been betrayed under his nose by the two people he’d cared about most. Not why. He’d never thought that through. It wasn’t about him but them. They were the ones with the issues. He’d just got caught up in their selfish wants and needs. Why hadn’t he seen it that clearly before?

The sun had sunk to the point it was brushing the buildings with gold when Ashley joined him on the balcony. He’d been aware of her approaching even before he saw her. It was almost as if his body was in tune with hers. What was it about Ashley that touched him on levels he didn’t understand? Didn’t want to.

“Hey,” she said timidly, which was completely out of character for her.

“Hi, there, sleepyhead. Feeling better?”

She slightly moved her arm, still in the sling. “It’s pretty stiff.”

“If you think s

o now, wait until tomorrow.”

“Yeah, and I have the block party tomorrow.”

“Join me.” He nodded toward a chair.

Ashley slowly took the chair beside him. “I can’t get over how wonderful this view is.”

“Isn’t there a place in Southriver where you have a view over the river or to the east?”

She thought for a second. “Yeah, there’s one building but it’s so run-down... I’d love to see it bought and redone into lofts like yours. It would encourage new people to move in.”

“Your mind is always thinking about how to make Southriver better. Do you ever think about yourself? About a personal life?” She looked at him. Was she thinking about how poor his relationship track record was?

She propped her feet on the stool, getting comfortable. “I’ve had a personal life. My parents wanted me to live somewhere different. Raise their grandchildren where they wouldn’t have to worry about them. I almost married right out of college. But it turned out he wasn’t interested in my running for political office and he started running around on me. I decided then I was better off alone, doing my own thing.”

“Not every man is disloyal.”

She looked at him. “No, some just go around kissing strangers at parties.”

“I explained that.”