Page 69 of Second Chances

“What I need to know now, Ruth,” Cait said with exaggerated calm, “is if you know where my brother is? I haven’t seen him since he brought the marriage certificate back from my car.” Which he wouldn’t have needed to do had Cait not forgotten it there, but she’d been too focused on making sure the wedding went off without a hitch. When she’d agreed to perform the ceremony, she hadn’t realized the job included being the ringmaster as well.

“Didn’t you see his pants when he came back? Had a big old grass stain on them because he slipped by your car, so he went home to change.”

“Well, it’s almost time for us to take pictures with Effie and Josh! How long does it take to change a pair of freaking pants?”

Ruth shrugged. “Pretty boy like that? Probably’ll take him at least half an hour, because you know it won’t just be the pants. Even though he’s gorgeous, I’m sure he’s making himself even prettier, which means he’ll spritz on more cologne, dab some product in his hair to make it do that thing where just part of it hangs down his forehead. Plus, with Lana here, you know he’ll want to look extra hot.” Lana, who’d brought a date to the wedding. No wonder her brother hadn’t returned yet. Probably nursing his broken heart.

“Who are you guys talking about?” Glancing to her left, she smiled at Ruth’s sister, Tess, who had announced to everyone last night that she and Sam were expecting twins later in the year. To say the woman was glowing would be an understatement.

“Tessie! We’re talking about Liam.”

“He’s not back yet from changing? Probably making himself extra hot for Lana.”

Ruth snapped her fingers. “That’s what I said!”

“Poor thing. She’s been a bundle of nerves since she got here. You know, when I first knew her, back when Josh and I were together, I never would’ve imagined her being Liam’s type. You know how obsessed Josh used to be about his career? Well, Lana was even worse. I don’t think she had much of a life outside of being a surgeon. But now that we’ve gotten close, I can say that they’re perfect for each other.”

Surprised, Cait asked, “What do you mean? How have you gotten close with her?”

Ruth answered for her sister, “She lives with Tess and Sam. Well, not with them. They are her landlords.”

Tess laughed, “Our house in Brooklyn has a separate apartment on the top floor. Lana has been renting it since last year.” Her expression became serious. “She’s devastated about what happened with Liam and came to work things out with him. Judging from the way I saw him staring at her during the wedding, no doubt that they’ll be back together by the end of the night,” Tess predicted.

“But what about her date?” Why were Tess and Ruth ignoring the fact that Lana had brought a date, knowing she would see Liam?

Tess shook her head. “Date? No, that’s her brother, Montgomery,” Tess corrected. “Not bad on the eyes, is he, Cait?” Whatever, Cait thought. She’d always preferred white-collar men, the kind who wore suits to work and stayed buttoned up all day.

“Oh, the photographer is hailing me. I wonder if they’re ready for more pictures.” Ruth strolled over to the gazebo.

“Cait, sweetie,” her mother called to her from the aisle of chairs. “Where is your brother?”

“I haven’t heard from him.” Why was it Liam could take his sweet time, but Cait ended up being responsible for him?

“Can you please call him? I want him here when it’s time for family photos.” Begrudgingly, she did as her mother asked. As usual.

Text to Liam

Are you on your way back yet?

Grumbling, she stomped across the park, nearly colliding with another strange woman she’d noticed at the wedding, only this one was younger than Cait. She seemed familiar in some way; maybe it was her hair, the color of sunshine, or her eyes, sky-blue, but when Cait asked her brother, he hadn’t known her either. “Can I help you?”

“No, I…I’m looking for Henry?”

“Uncle Henry?” Bewildered why the younger woman would be asking after Henry, a protective streak for her uncle flared. “Does he know you?”

“No, but I…I need to talk to him.”

Cait spotted him by the gazebo now, with his arms around Charlotte. “He’s over there, but can I—” she looked back to find the woman gone. Glancing back to the gazebo, she saw Lana talking to Tess and Sam. As she watched, Sam and Lana walked to the street, got into a vehicle, and drove off together. Well, that was strange. Where would Tess’s husband be driving with Liam’s mystery woman?

Cait got a text from the restaurant then, letting her know everything was on track for the reception to start as soon as the wedding party got there, so she forwarded it to her uncle. Still no word from her brother. Maybe Uncle Henry had seen him? No harm in asking.

Text to Henry

Everything looks good at the restaurant! Our family photos scheduled to start in 5 minutes.

Have you seen my brother?

Sighing in frustration, she texted Liam again as she made her way to her car.