A Walk Along the Beach(85)

Naturally, Sean was away on another assignment at the time of the reception. That I should even think about him angered me. It was a reminder of what our future would be if I was to welcome him back into my life. There would always be another assignment, another reason to leave. Heaven only knew where he was this time or what risk he would be taking. He didn’t tell me, which said everything I needed to know. It was another dangerous location. Despite his claims of undying love, his camera meant far more to him than I ever would. I was smart to end it when I had.

For Lucas and Chantelle’s wedding reception, the hotel ballroom was beautifully decorated with bright red poinsettias and evergreen swags. Small bunches of holly adorned the tables. Chantelle, along with family and friends, had put it all together.

My only participation was to bake the cakes and join the others in the wedding party. I was thankful Chantelle didn’t ask me to wear the original bridesmaid dress. That would have brought up too many unwelcome memories, another reminder of Harper’s absence.

I arrived well before the time of the event with the cakes. Each had four tiers and looked beautiful, if I did say so myself. I’d worked long and hard on them. Dad helped me cart them into the ballroom.

    Chantelle asked me to sit at the head table, but I begged off, explaining that I didn’t want Dad to sit alone. There weren’t many family members on our side who were able to attend the reception, especially in the winter months, when crossing the mountain pass would be required. Mom’s sister had recently undergone hip replacement and wasn’t able to make it. Dad’s family all lived on the East Coast, and we didn’t have much contact with them.

The tables sat eight. I was about to sit down with Dad when John joined us.

“John,” I said, pleased and excited to see him. “You came.”

“I got an invitation.”

“Yes, of course you did, but I didn’t expect you to drive all this way.” No wonder my sister had fallen in love with this man.

“I wanted to be here. For Harper, for all of you.”

Tears threatened, and I struggled to keep them at bay. “Thank you.”

He reached for my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Come on, Willa, this is a happy time. Harper would expect you to kick up your heels and dance with me.”

I half laughed and half wept. “I’m a terrible dancer.”

“Me, too. Harper made me promise, if she wasn’t here for this reception, that I was to dance with you in her place.”

Now there was no holding back the tears. “Oh darn,” I said, rubbing my fingertips across my cheeks. I was convinced my mascara was running. I rose from the table and excused myself. Making my way across the ballroom, I found the ladies’ room, repaired the damage, and started back when I saw him.

“Sean?” Although impeccably dressed, he looked like he hadn’t slept in days. “What are you doing here?” I found it impossible to hide my shock.

    “Lucas and Chantelle sent me an invitation.”

They hadn’t told me. Had they asked, I would have persuaded them to take his name off the list.

“I thought you were out of town.” I hadn’t seen him in more than ten days, not that I was counting.

“I was on assignment. As you can see, I’m back.”

I could also see that he had nearly killed himself to make it to the reception. “You’re exhausted.”

“Yes.” He didn’t disagree. “No way was I missing this. It’s important to you, and that makes it important to me.”

My heart melted a little and I had to force myself to keep from showing the impact his words had on me.

“Is there a seat at your table?” he asked.

“Ah…It might be better if you sat elsewhere.”

“Willa, I’ve spent the last twenty hours in a cramped oversold airplane, calling in every favor I have to make it to this event. The least you can do is let me sit at your table.”

He looked completely wiped out. Turning him away would be cruel, and as much as I should do it, I couldn’t. “There’s an empty seat at my table. You’re welcome to it.”

“Thank you.”

He followed me to where we were seated. I noticed he paused when he saw that John was positioned next to me. Dad sat on the other side.

“You remember John, don’t you?” I said.

“Of course. Good to see you.”

The dinner was far better than I expected for hotel food. Of the three options, beef, chicken, or salmon, I chose salmon. Dad opted for the chicken, and both John and Sean asked for the filet.

My brother’s two Army friends, Ted and Bill, razzed and teased Lucas something terrible. As the mood lightened, Dad and I couldn’t keep from laughing. Chantelle, ever the gracious hostess, spoke of how Lucas and she had met and how grateful she was to be part of our family. Her sister spoke as well. I was grateful no one expected me to give a speech. I’d rather bungee-jump than speak in front of a crowd. Had Harper been alive, she would have had everyone in stitches. We were the opposite in so many ways.

    Lucas and Chantelle cut the cakes and they were served. When that was finished, the disc jockey started the music. Chantelle’s father led her onto the dance floor for the traditional father-daughter dance before Lucas claimed his bride. Soon other couples took to the floor.