Page 30 of Landing Love

His heated gaze left her tongue-tied and hungry for things she shouldn’t want. It was too soon. But her desire was so intense that she nearly gave in, despite the tide of distinguished onlookers sweeping up the stairs past them. She leaned close despite herself, and his head dipped.

“Bill, is that you?” Mrs. O’Donnell’s clarion tone would have carried several city blocks.

Ann took a quick step back, trying not to feel like a naughty child caught reaching for the cookie jar.

Bill’s shoulders sagged, and he let out a long sigh before he turned to his mother and waved. “I’m over here with Ann and Junior.”

Mrs. O’Donnell came striding towards them, followed by Mr. O’Donnell, Mary, her husband, and two small children. The O’Donnell clan enveloped Ann, giving her some much-needed distance from Bill.

“Ann, dear, it’s so good to see you again. How is that baby boy of yours?” Mrs. O’Donnell pulled Ann into a hug, kissing Junior on the head before turning to her son. “And shouldn’t you be with the groom?”

“Yes. Yes, I suppose I should.” Bill gave Ann a rueful smile. “I’m afraid I have to leave and make sure Hank gets his tie on straight. Wouldn’t want him embarrassing himself in front of all high society.” He clasped her shoulder, nudging his mother away. “I’ll find you again as soon as the ceremony is over.”

She nodded, knowing she’d hardly be able to think of anything else.

He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. It only lasted a moment, but it shook her to the core. She was lost. How it had happened so quickly, she wasn’t sure, but her resolve couldn’t withstand much more.

She watched Bill walk away with a mix of relief and regret. The air around her dropped several degrees without him by her side.

“You two looked cozy.” Mary sidled up to her, holding her daughter’s hand.

It was no use denying it. “I suppose we did. He’s been such a good friend to me.”

“Just a friend?”

Ann bit back a smile. Mary clearly had a bit of her brother’s love of gossip. “It’s too soon to say, but he’s very charming.” It was the most honesty she could summon in the moment.

“Ha! I bet he is.” Mary hooked her free arm through Ann’s. “Come on. Let’s find a seat before those Knickerbocker types take all the good ones.”

The two of them led the rest of the O’Donnells along the side aisle past famous financiers and scintillating socialites, as well as pilots in their dashing tan uniforms. The tall, peaked arches of the sanctuary echoed with sparkling conversation of the rich and famous. Ann couldn’t help thinking with a pang of Mama. Oh, how she would have loved this!

Ernie Pritchard waved at them, dressed in his groomsman’s best. He beckoned them to reserved seats in the second row. “Mrs. O’Donnell, Mr. O’Donnell! Hank and Rory wanted to make sure you and the family had the best seats in the house. They both consider you family.”

“Oh! I’ll just go find a seat farther back.” Ann parted ways reluctantly from Mary. This was clearly an honor intended for the O’Donnells, and she wasn’t one of them.

“Wouldn’t hear of it, Mrs. Prince. Bill insisted I seat you with them.”

My goodness! Second row for the wedding of the century! Mama, I hope you’re watching.

She took her seat between Mary and Mrs. O’Donnell and was almost grateful when Junior began to stir. It gave her something to distract her from the discomfort of being in such a visible spot as if she belonged amidst all this glamour.

It was a relief when the organ began to play and the groom hobbled in on crutches, followed by his groomsmen—Bill, Ernie, and Jack.

As soon as he was in place, Bill scanned the crowd until his eyes locked with hers. He winked at her and gave her a sideways grin that made her heart skip a beat.

The music shifted, and they all stood to watch the bride. Suddenly, Ann was assailed by a visceral memory of walking down the aisle at her own wedding. It was only a year and a half ago. She remembered the subtle scent of the roses in her bouquet, the pinstripes in Uncle Casey’s suit as he walked her down the aisle, the way Roger’s eyes glistened when he caught sight of her, Mama’s voice, rough with tears, murmuring, “I love you, baby girl,” as she passed.

Ann blinked away the past to find her cheeks wet as she took in Aurora Belmont. Focus on the bride, you ninny! Miss Belmont’s dress was a sumptuous confection worthy of royalty. Sheer sleeves fluttered around her lovely shoulders, and sheer fabric dripped down to her ankles, while the satin skirt beneath only reached down to mid-calf. It was a daring dress, hugging her lovely figure—very appropriate to the Princess of New York.

A glance at the front of the church showed the groom was as captivated as everyone else by the vision Miss Belmont made walking down the aisle on her father’s arm. Every eye was on her.

Except Bill’s. He was staring straight at Ann, looking almost as misty-eyed as the groom. He swallowed hard when their gazes locked. Ann couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking as he looked at her like she was the only woman in the room. She wanted to melt on the spot, but she couldn’t look away. His eyes were full of a promise she couldn’t bear to interpret.

She closed her eyes and turned toward the bride again, unable to take any more. Junior squirmed in her arms, and she couldn’t help but wonder if he sensed her pounding heart. It was all too much as past and present collided within her—the love she lost and the flicker of something new she didn’t want to name. But standing in Trinity Church with Bill’s eyes on her and his family surrounding her, she couldn’t help but wonder if, beyond all hope, she’d found a new home for her heart.

12

The ceremony was very nice, Bill supposed. The towering stone arches of the church and the gleaming rainbow of light from the stained-glass windows made for a majestic setting. And everyone there was dressed to the nines and glittering with so many jewels that they must have emptied the Diamond District. The city would be talking about this shindig for the next decade.