Wedding Date with the Army Doc Read online

  Holding hands and strolling to the heart of Ellis Square, they watched the children and a few adults playing in the big fountain, which was obviously meant for water play. The sight of little kids squealing with joy as the dancing water shot up made her think of her baby. She looked at the man she’d been positive she loved a few short days ago.

  He pointed to the busy market and shop area. “Ever had shrimp and grits?”

  “Had shrimp. Never grits.”

  “I’m going to take you for the gourmet supreme version of that dish. Follow me.”

  During lunch, she ventured to bring up one major portion of her worries. “Jackson, what if this baby is a girl?”

  “Is that what’s been on your mind?”

  She nodded. “In part. Yes.”

  “You’ve got to quit thinking of yourself as poison for a girl baby.”

  “But if I pass on my genes...”

  “You can’t let yourself obsess about that. We could have a boy. Or a girl who’ll be perfectly fine. If you want to have her tested, I’ll stand behind you, but worrying and feeling guilty isn’t going to help anything. Who knows where breast cancer research will be in twenty years? Please, stop doubting yourself. Think about the wonder of having a baby. Period. Not a single child born is guaranteed to come problem free.”

  Moved by his sentiment, she reached across the table and touched his arm. This was part of what she loved about him. “Are you really okay with me being pregnant?”

  “Once I got used to the idea, I have to say I’m excited. It’ll give me a chance to be the kind of father I should have been with my sons. I promise to be there for you, to help you raise our kid.”

  She believed him and burst into tears to prove it, but what he’d just vowed had sounded more like a dutiful co-parent than a loving husband. If she could only believe he felt as strongly for her.

  After a huge lunch, and visiting a couple more beautifully impressive town squares, Jackson was considerate about Charlotte needing to rest before they got ready for the wedding. So he delivered her back to the hotel room so she could take a power nap and he headed out to the gym and then the pool. She definitely wanted to look her best for the wedding that night, for meeting his family, too, but most especially for him. She needed to see the love in his eyes before she made up her mind about his marriage proposal.

  * * *

  “Wow!” was all that came out of Jackson’s mouth. Charlotte stood before him in a pale peach-colored dress that flowed in tiers to her ankles with a snug and wide fitted waist and a halter-style top embellished with a beaded and jeweled collar.

  “The color is called blush.” She looked anxiously down at her dress toward her toes. “I chose it because it works with my complexion. Plus I thought it would be complementary no matter what the bride’s colors are.”

  As far as he was concerned, she didn’t need to explain anything. Indeed, her light olive skin and dark hair glowed in contrast to the pastel shade. “You were meant for that dress, or I should probably say that dress was meant for you.”

  She smiled shyly and turned a slow circle, causing the skirt to flare out the slightest bit. The cut of the back of the dress was high, she hadn’t gone for sexy other than a slit opening beneath the halter collar, yet she still looked like the sexiest woman on the earth to him.

  “Thank you. Too bad I’ll only get to wear it once.”

  The ironic statement made him grin. Not if his plans played out as expected. “After the bride, you’ll be the most beautiful woman there.” Because heaven help any woman who tried to show up the bride!

  She shook her head, like she couldn’t believe him. Anyone seeing her would never have a clue she’d had bilateral mastectomies. He hoped that didn’t still make her feel self-conscious. How many times had he proved she was all he ever wanted or needed? He saw her as the woman he loved, a completely beautiful person, sexy and appealing, and though she had scars, they were part of her. Part of who he loved and wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Like the missing part of his leg was part of who he was now. The guy he’d finally accepted, with the help of Charlotte.

  “Those sandals are a knockout, too.” She wore strappy beaded silver sandals and had had a flashy pedicure. Though he’d memorized her body with all the times they’d made love, he’d never realized how sexy her feet were. Wow. “I may have to get a special permit to take you out in public. You might cause accidents and general chaos.”

  She smiled demurely and blushed, and he took a mental picture of that perfect moment in time to cherish and keep in his heart forever. Until she said yes to his marriage proposal, he couldn’t let down his guard. He really wanted this. A life with her. Without a doubt. Now he had to convince her.

  It wasn’t until they got into his rented car that a tight coil started knotting in his stomach. He was ready to see his parents, had talked extensively to them about his plans for this trip back home. That wasn’t the problem. He and Evan had worked things out, but Andrew was still avoiding him, and that hurt. Otherwise, if Andrew had been open to it, he would have spent time with him earlier today. The one break he’d caught had been Evaline deciding not to attend the wedding. That had taken a huge weight off his mind.

  From what he’d heard, talking to his parents, well, mostly from his mother, Kiefer’s future wife, Ashley, was a councilwoman from the tough town of Southriver and the wedding would be attended by the locals and act as a big thanks to her for helping revitalize her home front. She and his cousin Kiefer had met when he’d become the director of the new neighborhood clinic. People would be attending from all walks of life from blue collar up to high society. It should be an interesting mix. Knowing his community activist aunt Maggie, she was probably thrilled by Kiefer’s choice of a wife. Since he and Kiefer had always kept in touch, especially as they were both doctors, Jackson knew he’d be welcomed.

  Due to summer traffic it took Jackson almost twice as long as it normally should to reach Tybee Island Lighthouse Station. But what perfect timing for Mother Nature, at just about sunset. Once they’d parked, they headed toward a huge white tent set up on rich green grass next to the famous lighthouse, black with one wide white stripe in the center. It sat in the middle of five historic support buildings, a perfect little community. It had been made into a museum compound in 1961 and people lined up to have their weddings here. In the backdrop the sun quickly made plans to set in the west. To the east, the Atlantic Ocean made itself known with a light breeze scented with salty sea air. It lifted Charlotte’s hair, which looked fuller and wavier since they’d got out of the car.

  What could he say but she was the most beautiful woman in the world. His peaceful, loving observation quickly got jostled by his mother’s strident voice.

  “Jackson, yoo-hoo!”

  He turned. “Hi, Mom.” Her hair may be going silver and white, but there was no mistaking his mother’s sharp blue eyes hadn’t lost a hint of their passion for life.

  She grabbed him and hugged him as if he were still a kid. “Look at you—you look so handsome!” He fought a grimace. “And this must be Charlotte. Aren’t you lovely. Hi, I’m Georgina, Jackie’s mom.”

  She greeted Charlotte in the same exuberant way, making her almost lose her balance. “It’s great to meet you.”

  “You’ll have to sit at our table later so we can get to know each other, okay?”

  “That’d be great.”

  Did they have a choice? But Charlotte was being a wonderful sport, and he loved her even more for it. Off in the distance he noticed Evan, who waved to him, then shortly brought Andrew over. The fact that Drew smiled, and it seemed sincere, when they said hello meant the world to Jackson. Maybe all was not lost between him and his elder son, and maybe mending his relationship with Evan had helped. He’d make a point to talk to Andrew tonight, and to invite him out for a visit to California.
Fingers crossed Drew would be open to that.

  Music started to play as the sunset was imminent, and the open seating quickly filled up. Jackson guided Charlotte to the closest available seats. By the look of the large crowd, Ashley and Kiefer had a lot of friends in their community.

  Handsome as always, tall, with brown hair and having Aunt Maggie’s green eyes, Kiefer stood with the lighthouse as a backdrop in a dark suit, waiting for his bride. Ashley soon appeared in a classic white dress but with a light green sash, dark shoulder-length hair and eyes that reminded him of Charlotte’s. She looked pretty and proud. She held her head high and smiled with all her heart at her friends and family as she walked down the aisle, but most of all she smiled for his cousin.

  Jackson felt it in his gut—these two were meant for each other. Then he glanced at Charlotte, eyes bright with excitement over the wedding, the setting, the couple, and that same gut reaction helped him know he’d made the right decision in asking her to marry him. Now, if she’d only realize they were meant for each other and say yes.

  The reception was a bit chaotic, thanks to the standing-room-only crowd and the low-key wedding plans, but everyone still managed to get fed. A local group played typical wedding reception songs, and Jackson even convinced Charlotte to dance with him a few times. He’d never get tired of the feel of her in his arms.

  He didn’t want to push the point, but she hadn’t given him an answer yet. He was kind of hoping she’d get all swept away with the wedding tonight and tell him yes. The music was romantic, they were dancing, and it was time to prod things along. “You know I love you, right?”

  Hope showed in her gaze. She rested her forehead on his cheek. “I know I love you.”

  He squeezed her tighter. “So let’s get married.” The song ended. No answer. He didn’t want to let go of her, so he stood holding her close until the makeshift dance floor had cleared. She took a breath. He waited for her to say something.

  “When are you going to come visit me?” the familiar voice of his grandfather called out from the edge of the dance floor.

  Jackson led Charlotte to where he sat. “Gramps, this is Charlotte Johnson.”

  “Miss Johnson, it’s my pleasure to meet you.” His wiry, silver-eyed and white-haired granddaddy looked enchanted, and had obviously partaken of the champagne punch. She sat beside him and let him continue to hold her hand. They chatted briefly about the weather, where she’d grown up and a few other superficial topics. Then Gramps jumped right to the heart of things. “I’ve been around over eighty years, and I think I can judge when a man is smitten with a woman. It seems Jackson the Third here is sportin’ the look of a man in love. So I must ask you, are you the one who put it there?”

  Her hand flew to her chest as her cheeks blushed. Jackson could tell she didn’t know whether to take his granddad seriously or not.

  “I don’t want to speak for Charlotte, Gramps, but I can answer that question easy enough. Yes.”

  Her gaze flashed to his and he didn’t waver. If there was ever a time for her to know how he felt, it was now. Any man willing to get called out by his grandfather for being in love deserved an answer to his proposal. But he sensed she still wasn’t ready, and he didn’t want to force the point, so he let the moment pass.

  “There you are!” Kiefer said. “I finally tracked you down.”

  Jackson greeted his cousin and made the proper introductions between the bride and groom and Charlotte. He almost spewed his champagne when out of the blue Ashley asked if another wedding was planned for the near future. Was she a mind reader?

  Charlotte smiled graciously and blushed again, but still didn’t venture to answer. He couldn’t let that make him feel daunted. If there was ever a time to go out on a limb for the woman he loved, it was now.

  As things were winding down, and he’d said his final good-bye to Kiefer and Ashley and, of course, his parents and grandfather, he escorted Charlotte back to the car. He’d left his mother with some flabbergasting—to use her word—instructions, but she’d agreed to carry them out to the T, had even cried a little about it.

  He also banked on Charlotte needing another good night’s rest so he could finish planning.

  Making his job easy, Charlotte was nearly asleep on her feet by the time they got back to the hotel. “Looks like you’re ready to turn in.”

  “Sorry I’m such a drag!”

  “No, you’re not. You’re carrying my baby. It zaps the energy out of a person.”

  “So you understand?”

  “Believe me, I do. Plus Drew and Evan are going to meet me in the bar for a quick drink. I’ve almost got Drew convinced to come visit before summer is over.”

  “That’s wonderful.”

  “Since I met you luck has been on my side and my life has taken a turn for better. You know that, right?” He hugged and kissed her long and hard, hoping his message had sunk in, then said good night. Before his sons arrived he needed to talk to the hotel staff to help him make those special arrangements for Sunday evening.

  He’d asked Charlotte to marry him, she’d yet to say yes, but he still intended to tie the knot right in his own backyard. Hopefully before tomorrow was over, she’d come round.

  He’d often heard that a wedding in Savannah was destined to last as long as the city’s ancient oaks. That sounded about right to him. Good thing he’d shopped for her ring online at the best jeweler’s in his hometown, in case she still needed proof about how he felt. He had it in his jacket pocket. Jarod had dropped it off last night, along with some expedited official paperwork.

  Walking down the hotel hall toward the elevator, Jackson couldn’t help but think he was wearing down Charlotte’s resistance, so he grinned.

  * * *

  Charlotte had a great night’s sleep filled with dreams of celebrations and dancing and happy faces. It made her miss her family, what was left of it. Her brother, Don, had made a career in the service and was rarely in California. Her sister, Cynthia, her husband and their three adorable kids, her nephews and niece, her baby’s cousins. She missed them all.

  It occurred to her it was time to phone both of them and break the news. She promised herself she’d do it as soon as she was back in LA. Maybe by then she’d have made up her mind what to do about Jackson and his proposal. She could imagine their jaws dropping when she announced, I’m pregnant.

  Jackson was already up and whistling away in the bathroom while she was still yawning and trying to open her eyes. Where Jackson got all his energy Charlotte didn’t have a clue. Usually dealing with estranged families drained a person, but he seemed focused and happy, and she hoped she had something to do with his good state of mind.

  He popped his head around the corner from the bathroom. “I got tickets for us to tour the Mercer house this morning. I pointed it out to you yesterday when we were at Monterey Square, the place with the huge statue of General Pulaski?”

  She knew exactly which square he meant, it had been her favorite, and she considered it the prettiest of the ones he’d taken her to. “Yes. The Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil house?”

  “Yes, that one, the Jim Williams story.”

  “Neat. I’d love to peek inside.” Last night, when he’d said “So let’s get married” she had been on the verge of saying yes. Every second they’d been together she’d felt her love for him growing stronger and stronger. Did it really matter that he wanted to marry her because she was pregnant?

  “You feel like walking today? We can take the water taxi across the river and walk from there.”

  “After all the eating I’ve been doing, that sounds like a great plan.” Fortunately, she’d worn comfortable shoes for the plane ride. When she’d finished with her morning routine Jackson was dressed and waiting for her.

  “I’ll make sure you’re back in time for a nap this afternoon,
too.”

  “Since our plane doesn’t leave until midnight, that’s probably a good idea. I’ll have plenty of time to pack tonight before we leave.”

  “But I’ve made some special plans for dining tonight. Maybe you can pack this afternoon after that nap. I want you to be rested to enjoy our evening.”

  “Sounds romantic.” And he’d probably want his answer then, too.

  He took her hand. “If all goes as planned it will be,” he said, guiding her out of the hotel room. “Oh, one more thing—you know how you said it was too bad you’d only get to wear that knockout dress once?”

  “Yes?”

  “Wear it again tonight, okay?”

  What did Jackson have planned? “Sure, if that’s what you want.” She didn’t know why but chills rose the fine hair on her arms over his request.

  Once downstairs they went out the waterside exit, passing the pool on the left and the pretty grassy area on the right. “Oh, it looks like they’re setting up for a small wedding today,” she said on the way to the water taxi.

  “Well, they are famous for their wedding packages here.”

  “Looks charming.” Only a handful of round tables were set up with white tablecloths, making a half circle around the small gazebo at the center. Someone had already draped cream-colored organza fabric at the entrance, and another employee was in the process of hanging crystal prisms on varying lengths of string, catching the light and casting rainbows everywhere. Maybe she should take notes and add them to all the mental notes she’d taken last night at Kiefer and Ashley’s wedding.

  Jackson was right, Savannah was a truly romantic city, and her old dream of having it all kept sneaking back into her heart.

  * * *

  A man of his word, Jackson made sure Charlotte was back at the hotel by mid-afternoon to pack and rest up before their special dinner plans. Later, as promised to make the man she loved happy, she put on the dress from yesterday’s wedding, feeling just as elegant today.