White Wedding for a Southern Belle

“That’s right, Doc. Stay out of my way.” Marko knocked over a food table as he stalked off. One of his buddies lifted another table and did the same. Everyone watched in disbelief as they left.

When Marko was out of sight the area erupted in chatter. The men started righting the tables and the women picked their dishes up off the ground.

“Everyone,” Ashley called. “We’ve had a wonderful time here today. Please don’t let a couple of mean people ruin it for us. We’re a community of good people. That’s what we need to remember.” The tension in the crowd eased. “I hope to see you at the next get-together.”

She was so glad her parents had already left and wasn’t looking forward to their call about Marko. People continued to work at cleaning up but at a less frenzied pace. As she did her part where she could, Ashley noticed Kiefer talking to the men she hadn’t recognized earlier. They shook hands and left before he joined her.

“Who were they?”

He hesitated a moment then said, “Just some friends of Bull’s.”

She glared at him. “I told you no police.”

“They live in Southriver. I thought everyone was invited.”

Ashley gave him a pointed look. “Did you ask them to come?”

“I asked Bull to see if he could have help here just in case something like what occurred happened. They were to hang back unless needed. That’s just what they did.”

As much as she would have liked to argue, he’d done the right thing.

Kiefer looked at her with concern. “How’re you feeling? You have to be tired. If nothing else, of people asking about your arm.”

Ashley was starting to fade. It had been a long day. “I’m fine. Let’s finish here and go home.”

For the next half hour they worked at cleaning up the park. Kiefer was beside her, doing what he could and assisting where she couldn’t. Marko’s appearance and show of temper had put a dampener on the day, no matter how hard she worked to put a positive spin on it.

Mrs. Nasboom stopped beside her. “It was a good day. We’ll plan to do this or something like it in the fall. The committee won’t let those thugs destroy what we’re trying to do here.”

“Thank you for saying that.” Smiling gratefully, Ashley hugged her with her good arm.

“I have to ask you,” Mrs. Nasboom said. “What really happened to your arm? I heard the doctor say something about you being shot?”

Ashley told her the truth and hoped that it wouldn’t get out, but realistically it was inevitable. Hopefully it would be another couple of days before her parents heard.

The short return ride to Ashley’s place was a quiet one. She was wearier than she wanted to admit. The block party had been going so well until Marko had shown up. She hadn’t expected him, but glumly realized she should have. Maybe Kiefer was right. It was time for her to recognize the problems wouldn’t be easily solved. That she was going to have to ask for police help.

“Kiefer.”

“Huh?”

“I just want you to know I appreciate your help today. Especially you being concerned enough to see that we had police support in case things got out of hand. I didn’t think Marko would be so bold.”

His voice rose in disbelief. “After he shot you?”

“We don’t know for sure it was him.”

He gave her a look of disbelief. “Come on, Ashley. Either he did it or he had someone do it. He’s dangerous. He’s not that kid you used to know.”

“I’m realizing that.” She still couldn’t tell him that she thought she had seen Marko in the parking lot. Didn’t want to believe it.

Kiefer took her hand and squeezed it. “It was a good block party. You did a great job.”

“You sure looked like you were having a good time when you were talking to those girls.”

He grinned. “Were you jealous?”

“I was not!” Ashley pulled her hand away. She had been a little bit.

He pulled into the parking lot of her building.

“I think I’ll take a nap.” Ashley released her seat belt.

“I’ll carry this bowl up for you and then I’m going down to the clinic and see if I can help out.” His friend was still filling in for him so he could go to the park with her.

Ashley wasn’t sure how long she slept. Even though she was in her own bed, the rest hadn’t been as sweet or deep as what she’d had in Kiefer’s arms. She couldn’t believe how quickly she’d come to depend on him for security. Her arm still ached but not like it had earlier. She moved it up and down, trying to judge her mobility.

Climbing out of bed, still wearing her sundress, she went to her kitchen for a glass of water. The door to the clinic stairs was open. Kiefer must have left it so in order to hear her. The man was very considerate. Muffled voices came from below. He was still seeing patients. Returning to her living room, she settled into her favorite chair and turned on the TV. Finding a romance movie, she tried to get involved in it but all she could think about was Kiefer. She missed him. He’d become an everyday and sometimes nighttime fixture in her life. How had he managed to weave himself into her life so completely?

Footfalls in her hallway made her back tense. Was it Marko again? She had to get beyond that. She’d felt fear enough as a child.

“Are you watching that channel that hates men?” It was nice to hear Kiefer’s deep voice.

She smiled. “They don’t hate men. It just looks like they do.”

“I’m getting ready to head home. I just wanted to make sure you don’t need help with anything and to make sure you lock up. A couple of security guys will be around here all night.”

“Do you have to go right now?”

He blinked. “Not really.”

“I’d like some company. How about watching a movie?”

Kiefer nodded. “Okay, but no chick flicks.”

Ashley giggled. “Fair enough. All my movies are in that drawer.” She pointed under the TV. “While you decide on one I’ll fix some popcorn.”

She made her way to the kitchen. What had got into her? What was she thinking, inviting the most attractive male she knew to spend the evening with her? Aggressive in almost every part of her life, asking a man to spend time with her was out of character. She was opening a box she might not be able to close again. Even if she wanted to.

Kiefer was sitting on the sofa with his shoes lying on the floor and his feet propped up on the coffee table when she returned. He looked relaxed, as if he belonged. She placed the bowl of popcorn on the table and took a seat beside him, but not too close.

“What did you decide on?”

“Star Wars. The original.” He pushed a button on the remote and the movie started.

“Good choice.”

She picked up the bowl and offered it to him.

He took a handful. “I ate so much today I don’t know if I can eat any more.”

“I know what you mean.” She placed the bowl on the table again and sat back against the sofa.

Kiefer put his free hand around her waist and gently pulled her over next to him. His arm came to rest on the sofa above her shoulders. “That’s better.”

It was. A lot better. She laid her head on his shoulder. That was even nicer. Kiefer’s heart beat at a steady rhythm beneath her ear.

They were about half an hour into the movie when Kiefer whispered, “Ashley.”

She looked at him. His mouth found hers. The smell and taste of salted popcorn filled her head. He pulled back slightly then brushed his lips across hers before settling firmly on them. Her toes curled and her fingers itched to cling to him. Warmth permeated her inside, melted her resistance. Desire flared. She couldn’t remember the last time a man had been as sexually attentive as Kiefer. Or made her feel more.

Too quickly he pulled away. “I’ve wanted to do that all day and I just couldn’t wait any longer.”

Ashley put her good arm around his neck and tugged his mouth down to hers again. She wanted more, needed everything from him. During the last few days things had changed between them. She’d come to depend on him. He had to know she wanted him, craved him. Pressing closer, she ran her hand through his hair. His tongue teased the seam of her lips and she opened for him.