Back in her element and confident, McKenna gathered the attendants, while Zane hung back, a shell-shocked look still on his face. The photographer buzzed around taking photos. After reminding him of certain specific shots the couple wanted, McKenna checked in with both brides to ensure their parents were with them and ready. Then she returned to the bridesmaids, reminding them to walk slowly, almost pausing between each step, and started them down the aisle.
Wearing a flowing, wispy gown that swirled around her as she walked, a white rose with baby’s breath tucked behind her ear, escorted by her parents, Rainy processed first. Her father, a small, stocky German man, though obviously uncomfortable, was there for her. McKenna mumbled a prayer.Please let me get the words out when I sing and let them speak to this man.
With Rainy partway down the aisle, McKenna retrieved Katharine. Dressed in a sleek, formfitting full lace dress, Katharine placed her hand on McKenna’s arm. “Thank you again for what you’re doing for us. If it weren’t for you—”
“You’re welcome,” McKenna said as she glanced inside the sanctuary as Rainy kissed each parent on the cheek before moving to her place beside her attendants. McKenna turned to Katharine and smiled. “Let’s get you two married.”
Zane joined McKenna and once both brides stood at the altar, he said, “What do we do now?”
“We monitor the wedding for issues. In this church the best place for that is in the balcony. You want to come with me?”
Zane nodded, and they crept up the back stairs to the organ-choir balcony. Once there, she inched forward. Her heart hammered so hard her chest hurt.
No need to worry and certainly no reason to panic. Right now, you’re still the wedding planner monitoring the service.
As she observed the ceremony, the closer she came to singing the more her confidence shrank.
“I’ve never been this afraid. This is awful,” she whispered to Zane, who stood beside her near the balcony’s railing.
“You said the night AJ locked us in his office was the worst of your life,” he said.
“Thanks for reminding me of that great experience. If it was supposed to help me feel better, it doesn’t.”
“I brought it up because you survived that, and you’ll get through this.”
From the behind the organ, Martin glanced at McKenna. “You’re after they exchange rings.”
McKenna’s hand gripped the railing so tight her fingers grew numb. “I can’t do this.”
Chapter Thirteen
“Stop it. Youagreed and it’s time to cowgirl up,” Zane said, his voice firm and final.
McKenna nodded. He was right. She needed to stop whining and get the job done. “Would you stand by the rail in front of me?”
“Sure. Why?” he asked as he moved into position.
“You’ll block a good part of my view. Maybe if I imagine we’re the only ones here, it’ll make this easier.”
“Plus, since I know you’re a fabulous singer there’s no pressure to impress me.”
McKenna nodded. “Tell me one more time you know I can do this.”
He smiled in the self-assured yet boyish way that made her heart do somersaults. “Woman, you can do anything you set your mind to, and Lord help anyone who tells you otherwise.”
“Thank you.”
He flexed his hands and stepped closer. “For luck.” Then he cupped her face in his hands and pressed his lips against hers. The kiss though light and airy stole her breath.
Oh dear. Getting through the song wasn’t her biggest problem anymore. She had a much bigger fear. She could be falling in love with Zane.
*
That night afterthe reception, Zane hauled out the last trash bag while McKenna dismissed the staff. When they returned to the ballroom, he said, “Things got so crazy after the wedding, I never told you what an amazing job you did with ‘Oh, Promise Me.’”
When he’d told her to cowgirl up during the ceremony, she’d changed before his eyes. She’d straightened, resolve flowed over her features, and she’d screwed up her courage. Admiration mixed with desire had bolted through him. Who would’ve thought courage could be sexy? Hell if he knew why, but he’d learned it was. Very.
When McKenna sang, the world disappeared. No one existed but the two of them, the music, and her mesmerizing voice. The incident left him shaking and since then, his body had been on a lower simmer.
