Page 73 of Second Chances

As the photographer called for more members of the bride’s extended family to be added to the photos, Effie’s Lakota family came forward, most of whom had dressed in brightly colored garments with intricate beading and traditional patterns. Henry hugged Aurora, Effie’s paternal grandmother, and shook the hand of her grandfather, Chaske, as he passed them on the stairs.

Charlotte smiled at Henry as he walked over to her, and her beauty awed him. “You look like you need a refreshment.” With a kiss on his cheek, she laced her fingers in his, leading him around the back of the gazebo to the cooler. Bending, she pulled out two bottles of Amstel Light, icy from being at the bottom of the cooler. “I hid these for us.”

“You know what I need more than this?” He took her beer from her and placed both bottles on top of the cooler.

“I have an idea, but I can’t wait for you to show me,” she responded with a throaty chuckle, fanning herself with a wedding program.

Henry pulled her to him, groaning as her lush form melted into his solid frame. “I don’t think I’ve told you enough today that, with the exception of my new daughter-in-law, you are the most exquisite woman here.” He mouth explored the underside of her jaw and then her neck, exposed to him thanks to the intricate braid she had wound her hair into that morning. Slowly stroking a path following her curves, his hands settled on her hips as her mouth opened under his. Charlotte’s fingers slid into his jacket, her nails scoring his back through his shirt.

“I would hope I don’t outshine the bride on her big day. You, on the other hand, are by far the sexiest man here.” Charlotte’s tone made sweat break out on his forehead that had nothing to do with the heat of the day. “Why don’t we run back to your house? I’m sure no one would miss us for half an hour.”

On the verge of agreeing with her, even if she wasn’t serious, his phone pinged in the pocket of his trousers, and he crashed back to reality. He didn’t want to look at it, let alone respond, but he worried that if it was Melanie again, left unanswered, she would escalate things, as she had earlier. “Sorry,” he said with a kiss to her forehead, “let me just see who this is in case it’s about the reception,” despising himself for misleading the most magnificent woman on the planet, but what else could he do? He’d tell her everything tonight, when they were lying in the afterglow of the mind-blowing sex.

Charlotte reached up and straightened his tie, smoothing down his jacket when she was done. “Why don’t I take these back to the seats with me?” She picked up their beer bottles. “I’m sure they will be ready for the Livingston family photos soon.” After one last deep kiss, Charlotte pulled back, rubbing her thumb over Henry’s mouth. “I want you to remember, later tonight, when you’re making your speech to the bride and groom, how I almost lured you away so I could have my hands all over you…how desperate I was for you.” Henry gaped at her as she rounded the gazebo, full hips swaying as she walked to the front. Taking a minute to himself, he leaned against the back of the gazebo and closed his eyes, willing his pulse to stop throbbing. As his breathing leveled, Henry looked at his phone, relieved to see it was Cait, texting that everything was good for the reception.

“Excuse me?” A young blonde woman, probably in her twenties, stood in front of him. He wondered who she was, then recalled having noticed her earlier that afternoon. “Yes? How can I help you?” Tall, with bright blue eyes a few inches below his, she was a stranger to him; and yet, for some inexplicable reason, a pit in Henry’s stomach expanded. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”

“You’re Henry Livingston, right?” He nodded, and the young woman held out a hand to him. “I’m Sophie.”

Perplexed, Henry looked down at her hand. Before he could respond, Ruth called to him from the gazebo, “Henry, please tell me you’ve seen Liam?”

“No, I’m sorry—not since the ceremony. Cait texted me, though, looking for him as well. Is something wrong?”

“It’s time for pictures with the wedding party, and no one has seen him since he went to change his pants,” Ruth explained. At his quizzical look, she added, “Don’t ask. Just know that he’s been gone way too long.” When he turned back to Sophie, he found she had disappeared as quickly as she had appeared.

Cait arrived, mumbling about her brother’s lack of respect, timing, and family obligations, making George laugh; Nora, however, was not as amused as her husband. “Where do you think Liam is?” Charlotte whispered. “I heard Cait found him with Lana.”

Henry grinned, rubbing Charlotte’s back. “If that’s true, I am ecstatic he missed the photos. I know Josh and Effie don’t care. Look at them.” With their arms wrapped around one another, they only had eyes for each other, unbothered by any chaos around them. He folded Charlotte’s soft hand into his. “Let’s head over to the reception.”

With her arm in his, he escorted Charlotte over to the restaurant, conveniently located across the street from the park. He had just handed his beautiful date a flute of champagne when Liam finally arrived with Lana on his arm, mere minutes to spare before he was expected to make his best man toast to the bride and groom. In typical Liam fashion, he charmed the audience before giving a sentimental speech that had the bride and groom each wiping away tears. After he finished, Josh joked his cousin had been late because he’d probably been getting engaged himself. Surprising no one and delighting everyone, Liam raised a glass of champagne, confirming that he had proposed to Lana, and she had accepted. The announcement almost brought the house down, and warmth spread through Henry that his nephew had gotten another chance at happiness with the woman he had loved desperately for two years. Normally, a bride and groom might be upset by another couple getting engaged on their wedding day, but since Josh and Effie had been instrumental in bringing Lana and Liam back together, they were elated, even making a toast in their honor before they cut the cake.

After dinner was over, Josh and Effie swayed to their first dance as a married couple, and when the band segued into the second song, they invited everyone onto the dance floor with them. “Dance with me?” Henry raised Charlotte’s hand to his mouth, tenderly kissing her knuckles, and her smile made him want to weep in gratitude. All of his emotions were in overdrive, and he stroked a finger down the cheek of her stunning face while circling her to the outskirts of the dance floor. “Do you want to leave soon? Head back to my place? Or yours…I’m not picky.” Henry yearned to be alone with her and slid his thumb over her parted lips, still moist from their kiss minutes ago. Everything about her made him absolutely primal, and his chest swelled knowing that she tasted of him.

Charlotte chuckled, the action pushing her breasts into his ribs. More than ever, he needed her with fierce intensity. “You can’t be serious,” she replied instead of the yes he wanted. “They still need to do the dollar dance.”

“I think they’ll be okay without me paying a dollar to dance with my daughter-in-law.” Henry tugged her so her pelvis was flush with his.

“Maybe,” Charlotte wound her finger around the hair at his nape, “but I want a chance to compare your son’s dancing skills to yours.” Her other hand stroked his bicep. “Plus, we haven’t congratulated Liam on his engagement yet!”

Henry’s phone buzzed in his pocket, and he worried it was Melanie. Again. He should have blocked her, but had decided he’d rather be aware of her trying to contact him than not know what she was doing, at least for tonight. Tomorrow he’d be done with her for good.

“There’s that girl again, Henry,” Charlotte pointed out, right before he twirled her. “Did you ever find out who she was?”

Looking over to the edge of the dance floor, Henry saw the young woman he had spoken with twice today. “Just that her name is Sophie.” No one seemed to know her, but she was watching him expectantly. The dance was open to the public, but he couldn’t recall seeing her before today; yet, there was something familiar about her, whether it was her blonde hair or the bright blue eyes that had sparkled up at him when he had talked to her, he wasn’t sure.

“Maybe it’s someone from Effie’s side. Do you think Diadema knows her?” Henry followed Charlotte’s line of sight to DD scowling next to Burnside. Damn DD, he cursed silently, for either deliberately ignoring that he and Charlotte were in a relationship, or being too wrapped up in herself to simply not care. “Did she ever tell you why she came by your house that morning?” He shook his head, still thrilled that Charlotte, clad in his shirt, had answered his door that day; the sight caused DD to flee hastily, and she hadn’t sought him out since. Until tonight, when he’d ducked out to the parking lot before the dance had begun, on the verge of blocking Melanie. DD had interrupted him, desperate to talk. Frustrated with each of the women from his past, he brushed her aside, uninterested in anything she had to say. Instead, he rushed in to collect Charlotte for a dance.

“I’m sure it was something about Burnside.” The tempo slowed, and the band began playing a Vince Gill song. With one arm already cradling her back, his other slid around to do the same, pulling her even closer. “Have I mentioned how happy I’ve been this past month?” He kissed her forehead.

Charlotte sighed. “Maybe once or twice. Me, too, Henry.” Her brown eyes sparkled behind her glasses. “And just so you know, Amy approves.” The weekend of the rodeo, her best friend had grilled him about his intentions toward Charlotte. He must have passed her test, because when he tried to give them their space, she insisted on Henry joining them. Charlotte made lasagna, Henry’s favorite, and the three of them played board games until Amy left to meet up with a cowboy shed met at the rodeo. Seeing another side of Charlotte emerge in the presence of her best friend, he’d fallen even more for her. Before Amy departed for Sioux City, she hugged him, telling him softly, “She’s happy, Henry.”

As the ballad ended, Charlotte stroked his arm. “I’m going to get a glass of champagne and another slice of cake. Do you want anything?”

Bringing her hand to his mouth, he tenderly kissed her palm. “I’ll just take a Diet Pepsi. Maybe bring two forks for the cake, though?”

Charlotte grinned. “Considering the places our mouths have been on each other’s bodies, I think I’m okay sharing my fork.” Henry chuckled, stopping when she whispered, “And I plan on having my mouth on some very interesting places later,” leaving him with his own mouth watering and stomach clenching.

Was this love? Henry wondered. He hoped so, but he feared trusting himself, having gotten it so wrong before. In high school, he thought he loved DD, but he’d been naïve. As a young man, heartbreak had accompanied his love for Melanie. Now in his mid-life, with Charlotte, he was cautious, not just to respect her but to protect himself. But his passion, deep and full, made him want to trust his feelings.