Devotion (32 page)

He rested his hand lightly against her shoulder. Their gazes tagged in the mirror, but Kellen’s features revealed nothing.

“Thank you.” She diverted her gaze and exhaled softly, opening a drawer to extract a few cosmetics she had stored there. While she whisked on mascara and brushed a light layer of rose color onto her cheeks, Kellen shaved in smooth strokes that drew her attention away from her makeup application. The shared routine struck her as being so familiar—so
right
.

Finally, he stepped away from the sink and slid past, full of a just-showered scent that pulled at her insides. Before leaving, he paused. He lifted the glass atomizer she had just set down—Lily of the Valley. He uncapped the top and sniffed. The evocative gesture tweaked her senses.

“You’ve always known just how to wear perfume. You keep it subtle and intriguing—not overpowering. I’ve always loved your scent.”

She blinked. Pleasured warmth slipped through her. He reached for a hand towel hung on a rack next to the sink and slid it from the hanger. Shaken, Juliet polished her hair with a comb. She stood before him in silence and noticed the way his gaze tracked to the spaghetti straps of her slip, which rode against her shoulders. She could almost feel his touch against her bare skin, the smooth stroke of his lips along her neck...

Kellen swiped the towel against his damp cheeks, then beneath his chin. After re-hanging it, he left.

Nerve endings on simmer, Juliet finished primping then returned to the bedroom. She stood at the open entryway of the closet wrestling with love and fear. She slid hangers in fast succession until she came upon her choice for the evening—a black wool dress with a rippling hemline that would float around her legs and ankles. Despite being maternity wear, a discreet ‘
V
’ in back gave the dress a feminine flare that Juliet loved. A pair of low-heeled black suede pumps finished off the ensemble.

Before rejoining Kellen, she gathered herself for a moment of prayer. Centering herself in still silence, she gave God the control for tonight’s anniversary dinner. She’d need His grace and guidance in order to see it through.

****

Juliet stood next to Kellen in the elevator. He pushed the button for the fifteenth floor and a rapid ascent took them to the Skyline Club, where Juliet’s parents were members. The familiar scent of his sandalwood cologne surrounded her in an appealing cocoon, but Kellen maintained a respectful distance. Juliet admired anew his willingness to keep from crowding and pushing.

The doors whooshed open to reveal the glass-walled restaurant and an explosion of cheers and music shook the air. “Happy anniversary!” A unison shout rose up.

Juliet gasped and pressed a hand to her chest.
No…no, no, no…

She snapped her head to the left, taking in Kellen’s reaction. His mouth opened. His eyes went wide with shock. He moved close and drew her in protectively as they stepped forward into an unexpected sea of at least fifty family members and friends. Juliet’s parents broke from the crowd to step forward first, laughing and clapping.

“Congratulations!” Ellen Jenkins enfolded Juliet in a hug. Kellen came next.

“Are you surprised?” Adjusting the knot of his blue silk tie, Juliet’s father, Max, tugged his suit coat into alignment and offered Kellen a handshake. Juliet absorbed Kellen’s shell-shocked expression and imagined it matched her own.

“Very much so, Max. This is…wow…this is amazing,” Kellen told her father.

“We could have waited for you to hit the ten-year mark. That would have been more traditional, but why do the ordinary?” Ellen linked arms with Juliet and her mother led the way forward. People began to crowd and call out, offering quick, congratulatory greetings. Marlene and Bonnie were in attendance with their families—Juliet forced in a number of deep breaths, trying to somehow regulate her heart rate. She waved occasionally. She smiled as expected. On the inside, she went numb.

“May pulled this off without a hitch!” Juliet’s mother spun and an organza skirt of pale blue drifted around her legs as she hugged them both once more. “Oh, I hope you enjoy the party, kids! It’s all for you!”

Disoriented, Juliet relied on Kellen’s guidance as they entered the enthusiastic circle of loved ones. Before Juliet could sink into anxiety, Marlene moved in and tugged her away from the crowd toward a secluded corner of the club. Kellen followed Juliet’s father and Marlene’s husband to the bar.

“Baby,” Marlene whispered, “I am
so
sorry I couldn’t prepare you for this.”

“Marlene, it’s OK. I understand. This whole situation is Kellen’s and mine to contend with, not yours. Don’t worry about it.”

Marlene turned Juliet so they were eye-to-eye. “Since when is an anniversary a mess to contend with? You’re both trying. I keep telling you, give a little, Jules. Don’t be so afraid of loving him. Let him in.”

Juliet considered the electric interlude they had shared in the bathroom just a short time ago. Edgy needs and longing hit her insides with sizzle strikes. “Kellen and I are trying. Let’s leave it at that.” Juliet’s blood ran thick, pumping through her veins in a hot, congested flow.

“OK, I will. Just…let tonight be a blessing. Forget about the problems. For the next few hours focus on why you married him in the first place. The people in your life who love you the most have put a lot of thought into this party. Let yourself enjoy it.”

Kellen stood across the room within a cluster of their friends. Joyful noise carried to her, all of it brought together by the celebration of their wedding anniversary. Kellen didn’t seem to be paying too much attention to the conversation at hand. Instead, he watched her. When Juliet captured his gaze, a tickle of awareness danced along her skin. For an instant, she surrendered to his intimate regard. Memories crested in—memories of sleeping next to him, of slow dancing with him on the beach, of the kisses they had shared.

As a cocktail hour kicked into full swing, Kellen and Juliet teamed up to make the rounds. After that, lights flickered and wait staff appeared; both gestures called party guests to their assigned table spots for dinner.

Before long, the succulent flavors of filet mignon, russet potatoes, and a vegetable medley burst against Juliet’s tongue.

“Remember how nervous you were the night before the wedding?”

Kellen and Juliet exchanged a smiling look in response to her mother’s question. Juliet nodded. “I remember trying to sleep, but I couldn’t. Instead I laid in bed, thinking about how strange it was that it would be my last night sleeping at home, in my bedroom…that the following day, I’d be married.”

“I remember the night Kellen asked me for your hand.”

Juliet looked at her father; wistfulness swept in.

“You were celebrating your birthday,” he continued. “He flew in to surprise you and take you out to dinner. Remember that, Kellen?”

“Like it was yesterday.” Kellen sliced into his filet and sidled Juliet a measured, tentative glance. His uncertainty called to her protective, tender instincts.

Juliet’s dad stretched back in his chair and issued a rumbling chuckle. “As usual, Juliet, you were taking forever to get ready for your date. While you primped, Kellen asked me to sit with him in the living room for a minute so we could talk. I knew, from the ashen color of his skin, that he was nervous.” Laughter rounded the table. “He told me he had spent more than enough time away from you, and he promised if I gave him my permission to marry you, he’d not only be your partner, but he’d take good care of you and love you for the rest of his life. Those were some pretty lofty and romantic words, but he’s lived up to the promises far better than most, eh?”

Juliet fought the lump in her throat and lowered her lashes. She tried like mad to find a way to respond to her father’s innocent observations. A thundering heartbeat and lack of suitable words kept her frozen solid.

“Nobody’s perfect, Max, least of all me, but I love her more now than I ever have.”

Juliet exhaled, awash in gratitude for her husband’s reply. “Thank you, Kellen. What a beautiful thing to say.”

“It’s the truth.”

A depth of meaning lent texture to his words.

“You came home walking on air, young lady.” Ellen sipped from her goblet of red wine. “I’d never seen you so happy.”

Of course, ‘The Engagement Story’ had been told countless times during innumerable family get-togethers. Still, warmth touched a spark to Juliet’s heart. She
had
been happy. During the span of their marriage, Kellen had lived up to his vows without hesitation.

Until…

Chloe’s stunning image materialized, but Juliet braced hard against negativity. Taking Marlene’s advice, she refused delivery on all thoughts but the celebration of their marriage.

New York-style cheesecake was soon delivered. Upon each linen-covered table, servers placed silver trays divided into thirds that were laden with warmed strawberries, blueberries and peaches—the mixtures were poised to be drizzled over tall, creamy wedges. Next came small, chilled bowls heaped with whipped cream. As guests created individual masterpieces and dug in, May Rossiter stood and tapped her knife gently against a water glass.

“While we enjoy dessert, Juliet’s sisters unearthed a bit of history we thought you’d enjoy. Can we dim the lights, please?”

The restaurant went dark, illuminated only by the flickering glow of crystal encased votive candles wreathed by burgundy hued baby’s breath and white sprigs of lily of the valley. The play of light against rose colored china and white tablecloths created a dramatic and lovely effect.

At the back of the room, a video screen lowered against the wall. Seconds later, a DVD began to play and scenes from their wedding day came to life.

Juliet eked out a soft cry. Kellen didn’t turn toward her. Instead, he watched the video. Beneath the table, his hand strayed to her knee, and he offered a supportive squeeze. He kept his hand in place to perform a steady, comforting caress…but his gaze never left the screen.

The montage of their wedding began at Trinity Church, as family and friends assembled in the pews. There were brief glimpses into the bride and groom preparation areas—like Jack Rossiter clasping Kellen’s hand in a solemn gesture that spoke volumes despite the hubbub of groomsmen slipping on ties and suit jackets and struggling with boutonnières. A quick cut showed Juliet’s dressing room and a visual capture of the moment when her mom gently lifted a layer of the bridal veil over Juliet’s head and settled it into place. Despite the deflection of light gauze that covered her face, Juliet exchanged a long, glittering-eyed look with her mother.

The processional and ceremony followed. In the end, Kellen and Juliet exited the church wearing beaming smiles. Enthusiastic cheers filled the air as their guests lined up and launched white balloons tied by burgundy and black ribbons into a flawless, cobalt sky.

Juliet watched, enrapt, but her stomach ached from clenching her muscles so tight. She settled her hands protectively against her abdomen and discovered it was as hard as a rock. Alarmed burst through her—as did the pain of a subtle contraction. The nervous shift in her posture was slight, but Kellen looked at her in concern. She shook her head quickly, returning her attention to the video. Her gesture silently willed him to do the same.

On screen came snippets from the reception. Kellen and Juliet stood on each side of Juliet’s grandmother, their arms around her slim, almost frail shoulders. In honor of their chosen honeymoon destination—the Mexican Riviera—the elder Jenkins looked into the camera with a jaunty grin and waggled her fingertips as she began to croon. “Ooooh, Mexico…I never really been but I’d sure like to go…Ooooh, Mexico…”

James Taylor music had never sounded so sweet. Juliet fought against a swell of emotion. “Oh, I miss you, Nana….” Juliet whispered. Nana Jocelyn Jenkins had died of heart failure the following year.

In laughter through tears, Juliet watched the progression of the garter toss—the way she had perched upon a chair in the middle of the dance floor, her lace and satin dress a billowing cloud of white all around her. On screen, she nipped her lower lip and squiggled happily, full of bridal glow as Kellen kissed his way slowly up her ankle and calf, toward his goal of the hidden piece of satin positioned against her lower thigh. Her feet, one of which he held like a treasure, had been adorned in shiny, white patent heels…

Juliet felt every touch of his lips, every dewy skim of his breath against her skin. He had taken his time about the task but finally slipped the blue and white lace garter down her thigh, then her knee, then her calf, teasing her with his eyes and his smile once he pulled it free.

The wedding-couple dance that followed nearly did her in. They swayed together, murmuring to one another, tucked together perfectly. Even from the distance of nearly a decade, she recognized Kellen’s reverence toward her, a loving protectiveness that left Juliet to ache. In so many ways, he was just the same. There was no way to deny that fact despite the pain left behind by the mistakes he had made.

The mistakes they
both
had made.

Her tears flowed free. The saving grace of that reaction was that several of their tablemates were in the same boat.

Kellen leaned close. “I’m sorry, Juliet. I had no idea this was going to happen.” His whispered words helped settle her nerves, and he appeared to be equally taken aback by the magnitude of the anniversary celebration.

At the same time, his words brought her back to a troubled reality. She needed, and wanted, that reality to change. She could make change happen by opening herself once again in unconditional love, and trust—by offering him her wholehearted forgiveness, and asking for his in return.

“This is nothing to be sorry about, Kellen. It’s our
anniversary
.”

Emotional hills and valleys peppered this night spent traveling the streets of their marriage.

30

“So the trip to California was a success?”