A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Your Wedding Read online

  “I just heard from the folks back home you were engaged to some pastor from a small downtown church here in the city. Don’t look so worried, Kari.” He rose from his seat and dropped into the chair beside her. When he began his voice was soft and sickeningly sweet. “I’m not mad.” He took her slim hand into his and touched a stray lock of her light brown hair. She quickly slipped her hand out of his grasp and folded them together in her lap as she slid further away from him in her seat.

  “It’s just made me wonder if this was the kind of guy you’ve been wanting? Is that why you broke it off from me? I know you feel God has been talking to you about your life choices but does that mean you have to marry a pastor? I think you have more to offer this world.” Geoffrey moved closer to Kari as he spoke, looking at her as he often had to evoke an emotional response.

  With her lips pressed together, an angry fire burned deep within her as she scowled at Geoffrey. She was so angry she almost didn’t know what to say, but when she finally began, her voice was very cool and in complete control, not wishing to alert the rest of the lunch crowd to their conversation.

  “Geoffrey Hudson, how dare you think you have even the remotest right to speak to me like this. The idea I had even contemplated marrying and giving myself to you just sickens me now. Who do you think you are giving me advice on whom to marry? If I chose to marry the silliest man on the planet, you have no say in the matter. If I choose to marry a man who has given himself to the highest calling a man can have in serving God on a full time basis, you better just keep your peace, you who I was so deceived into supposing had the same beliefs and values as my own.”

  Geoffrey slid back from her, caught off guard and evidently surprised by her rebuke. The only other time she’d spoken this harshly to him was when they broke off their engagement. He brought his hands into his lap and his eyes took on an injured expression.

  “And what’s wrong with marrying a pastor? I can do it if I want to. What better calling is there than to be the helper and wife to a man of God?” A flushed sensation moved up Kari’s neck and into her face as she finished her speech. Her actions struck her with a surge of satisfaction.

  “So, it’s true then?” There was an odd quiver of disappointment in his voice. “I thought maybe this was all just a rumor. I can’t imagine you with anyone but me.”

  She shot him a cold look. “But you can imagine yourself with someone else,” she said, deflecting his question.

  A shadow of annoyance crossed his face. “I did what I had to do. My parents were pressuring me. They always loved Blair. When you broke off our engagement, it seemed the best course.”

  “So, did Blair’s father set you up in that brokerage firm after all?”

  “Yes.” He inclined his head in a quick nod. His face filled with all the confidence she used to respect in him. There was no denying the powerful essence he exuded. He had always made her feel protected and safe. She knew better now. “I’ve been there for three months.”

  “Isn’t that nice? Why isn’t that the exact amount of time you’ve been engaged? I’m so glad your upcoming marriage is for all the right reasons.”

  “All the right reasons?” His body stiffened as he slid even further back from her in his seat. “Sure, I know you think I’m a creep but remember you’re the one who broke off the engagement.”

  “Did you give me any other choice? You decided your god was money and success. You were going after it no matter what it took even though as a Christian you knew that was wrong. Geoffrey, I’m tired of your excuses and manipulations. I’m not the bad guy.” Kari stared down at the table, playing with her coffee cup.

  “Kari, I know you. You can’t stay angry at me. Meet me tomorrow? I’ll take you out to dinner. Any place you want.”

  “Are you out of your mind?” Kari answered with wide opened-eyes of astonishment as her heart raced inside her chest. She just couldn’t believe what she was hearing. How could he even think she would be all right with this? “You’re engaged to someone else now. You made your choice; now you have to live with it.”

  “Just because I’m engaged doesn’t mean we can’t be…friends.”

  “Friends,” she scoffed. “I think I have enough friends.” She glanced back to where Emily was beginning to rise from her seat at the back of the restaurant. “Now if you don’t mind, I’d like you to leave. Emily is on her way back.”

  Geoffrey rose without a word. He started to walk away when he turned back and leaned over to her ear. “If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask,” he whispered before exiting the building in long, determined strides.

  “Was that Geoffrey?” asked Emily, sounding slightly stunned.

  Kari cradled a mug in her hands as she spoke. “Yes, it was.”

  “What did he want?”

  After putting the mug down, she folded her hands in a pose of tranquility and sighed before she spoke. “He heard some awful rumor I was engaged to your Pastor Steele.”

  “Did he? Well, as a matter of fact, Kari, I’ve been meaning to ask you about that myself.”

  “Emily!” said Kari, shock inherent in her voice.

  Kari caught sight of Geoffrey outside, walking down the street. She had imagined her first meeting with him many times. In all those imagined incarnations, it had never turned out like this, with her having the upper hand. Mostly she imagined him taking her back even though she knew that wasn’t what she really wanted. She quickly prayed and asked for strength and guidance during this troubling time.

  She was surprised at how little she felt for Geoffrey at this exact moment. When they were dating, he had made her happy. She was pleased and contented to be with him, but she never felt that quivering heart pounding excitement she’d experienced with the young pastor the other day. That was a new and oddly exhilarating episode in her twenty-eight years of life. She’d been hurting for so long but this meeting had been cathartic. She’d never felt so strong and empowered in all her life.

  Smiling to herself, she realized she never did clear it up with Geoffrey about her supposed engagement. Yeah, what is wrong with marrying a pastor , Kari thought, recalling Randy Steele and his captivating eyes and refreshing sense of humor.

  A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Your Wedding

  A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Your Wedding

  Chapter Three

  It was a clear, warm September afternoon when Randy Steele entered the laughter-filled parlor of the all-female Palmer House dormitory. He took a seat in the French Provincial chair in the corner of the room, trying to avoid bringing any attention to himself. He quickly spotted his sister’s friend, Tom Morgan, playing show tunes on the Steinway. Alice stood next to Tom singing a duet with him to “Put On A Happy Face” from the musical Bye Bye Birdie .

  Randy knew Kari might very well be nearby since she lived in this dorm as well. His heart beat irregularly inside his chest at the thought. He was curious to see her again. He wasn’t sure why, but there was just something about her that made him want to know her better. Searching through the faces of the collegiates, he didn’t see her as he continued to listen to his sister sing.

  “That was great you guys,” a young man on the couch called out as they finished.

  “Yeah, sing another one,” suggested the girl next to him.

  Alice turned around and, upon seeing her brother, gave him a smile. It was one of those smiles that told him she was up to something. Eyeing her friends, she said, “I think Kari should sing.”

  “Yeah, Kari,” the girl from the couch prodded, “you have a terrific voice.”

  “No, really, I don’t think this is the time,” Kari protested from her hidden position deep in one of the couches from across the room.

  “I’ve heard you down here playing hymns and praise songs before,” said Alice.

  “I think you did the entire score from Carousel one night,” added Alice’s friend, Chloe.

  “Come on,” said Alice as she walked over and pulled Kari up
from her seat and led her over to the piano. Tom, still sitting at the instrument, started playing “If I Loved You” from Carousel .

  Kari gave in with a subdued smile and started singing the words to the sweet song with amazing passion in her soprano voice. On her second pass of the chorus, her eyes finally stopped on Randy who smiled at her from his corner seat. She gaped at him with surprise, probably wondering why he of all people was here listening to her sing. The color of her cheeks warmed up into a delightful blush. She touched her red face and then turned her eyes from him, gazing around at the rest of the room never returning her eyes to him as she continued the song.

  As she sang, he observed her cute curving rosy lips and her narrow nose delicately curved at the tip. When he met her at the wedding a couple weeks ago, he inwardly acknowledged she was attractive, but he knew there was more to her than beauty. She seemed to have great spirit and genuine warmth that drew him to her.

  “That was great Dr. Montgomery,” said Tom as she finished. “You should have gone into theater.”

  “That’s what some of my friends told me in high school, but I never felt enthusiastic enough about my singing. I do sing in my church and you are all welcome to come this Sunday.” She glanced about the room. Most of the young adults turned away and moaned.

  Tom’s eyes still watched her. “I’ll go. I’d love to hear you sing again, plus Alice keeps trying to get me to go.”

  “That’s right I do. It’s about time you came to church,” Alice scolded from her seated position on the floor near her brother’s feet.

  “Well, that’s enough for me tonight,” broke in Kari. “I’ll see you all later. I have…something to do tonight.”

  “Are you working on your book again?” the girl from the couch asked her. Kari shook her head in the negative, but she didn’t elucidate any further.

  “Do you have a date then?” asked another one of the girls.

  Kari brought her hand to her slender white throat and then shrugged her shoulders with a smile. “It’s just the Philharmonic.”

  “Are you going alone?” another girl asked, speaking as if she already knew the answer.

  Alice knocked her elbow into her brother’s shin as if to clue him in on the conversation. She didn’t have to worry. Randy’s eyes were glued to Kari’s perfectly oval face, taking in every word.

  Kari shook her head as she answered, “No.” Her eyes slowly wandered over to Randy as she continued, “Dr. Hamilton is taking me.”

  “Is he the alleged fiancé we keep hearing about?” the same girl asked.

  Kari turned to look at the interrogator. “You know I told you there is no fiancé.” Her voice contained an agitated edge. She gave a furtive glance at Randy who was still looking at her but no longer smiling. Waving to the group, she headed to her room.

  “So, Randy, what brings you to my neck of the woods?” began Alice as she looked at her brother. “Hoping to see Miss Montgomery? I assume you got an eyeful and an earful.”

  Randy pulled the corner of his mouth into a slight smile. “You know I only came to see you. What have you been up to these days?” He crossed his arms as he sat back in his chair.

  “Oh get off it, Randy. I know you came to see her. She fascinates you; I can tell by the look in your eyes. And I think I can help you out.” Alice smiled with confidence. “I just happen to have an extra ticket to the Philharmonic tonight because my friend Esther can’t make it. Interested?”

  He gave her a sideways glance. “You know me; I’m always ready for a great musical performance.”

  She cocked her head at him. “You mean you haven’t had one yet?”

  Randy shook his head as he laughed quietly. “What time should I meet you?”

  “In an hour.”

  ****

  Randy took his seat in the Wellington Opera House next to his sister and her friend Chloe, trying not to look about the theater for another familiar face. But trying and succeeding are two very different things. To fight the urge, he finally glanced down at the program to see that Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde (The Song of the Earth) was to be played during the evening. He tried to remember what he’d learned about Mahler in Music Appreciation during his sophomore year of college ten years ago. He had a feeling he didn’t care for Mahler although he still loved listening to Beethoven and Chopin. He listened to them often when he was trying to come up with a sermon or was stuck on a certain passage. But Mahler?

  “You look stumped, big brother,” said Alice.

  “I’m just trying to remember if I liked Mahler.”

  “I don’t remember you ever saying you did. I’ve only heard you raving about Beethoven’s Pathetique or the Moonlight Sonata .” She played with a lock of her hair as she spoke, rubbing it back and forth across her chin. “Mahler is from the Post-Romantic era. His music is supposed to evoke an emotional response. This piece in particular is meant to epitomize his pain or something.”

  “You actually paid attention in class, huh,” he kidded her.

  “Hey!” She knocked her fist playfully into his arm. “Even though you had a nine year head start, I do know things you don’t and just maybe I actually like this stuff.”

  “Or you met a guy who did.”

  “Oh be quiet; it’s starting.”

  During intermission, Alice and Chloe wandered off with a couple of their other college friends. Randy strolled over to the refreshment cart and bought a coffee. He stopped next to a pillar and leaned against it as he slowly sipped his hot beverage. From behind him, he heard Kari’s voice. He peeked his head around the corner and then back again. His body felt buoyant with exhilaration. He took another sip of coffee, eavesdropping.

  “So, how did you like the Mahler piece, Linus,” Kari asked a scholarly looking man who couldn’t have been more than an inch taller than her approximately five foot eight inch frame. He wore a perfectly pressed navy suit, matching tie, and frameless eyeglasses.

  “I thought the Philharmonic made a notable attempt at the arrangement. It is a prodigious piece to take on, after all. They did adequately for a small town symphony.”

  “Don’t tell anyone else you said that,” responded Kari with dismay. “They’ll skin you alive. I know you have the Boston Pops at home, but the Opera House is the cultural center of things around here. They say if it doesn’t make it here, it won’t make it in New York.”

  “I don’t mean to dismiss your culture here. It’s just that Mahler is so enormous.”

  “True, the Das Lied von der Erde is an ambitious piece and calls for a large orchestra.”

  Randy then took it upon himself to enter into the conversation. He turned to the other side of the pillar, revealing himself to the two speakers. “Ah, but did you care for Mahler’s music, Miss Montgomery?”

  Kari’s golden brown hair hung in long graceful curves over her shoulders. She wore a simple but flattering dress, matching the color of her eyes. With her mouth dropped open, her astonishment at Randy’s sudden arrival was written all over her face. A chuckle came from her before she could actually put words together. “What are you doing here?”

  He flashed her a grin. “I told you we would bump into each other again sometime.” He emphasized the word ‘bump’ on purpose. She smiled back, warming him inside and out as he continued. “I’ve just been checking out the local culture and I must say I wasn’t disappointed.”

  “And what about at Palmer House?”

  “The residence hall? I was just visiting my little sister.”

  “Your little sister?” Her shapely brows drew together in puzzlement.

  “Alice.”

  “Alice Steele. I should have known. You both have the same sense of humor.”

  “You noticed, huh?”

  “That’s the Alice you were talking about at the wedding last month.”

  “One and the same.”

  Randy glanced over at Kari’s disturbed escort who kept fidgeting with his eye glasses.

  “Sorry, Linus,” sa
id Kari. “This is Randolph Steele. He’s the youth pastor at Grace Community Church where my cousin Emily attends.”

  Linus looked up to Randy, who stood about five inches taller than him, giving him a condescending stare. “Nice to meet you…Pastor.”

  “Call me Randy,” he said while offering his hand.

  Linus tentatively took Randy’s hand, but his face disclosed his wish for an antibacterial wipe to disinfect himself.

  Kari continued with the introductions. “This is Linus Hamilton, professor of American Literature.”

  “So, you two are colleagues of sorts,” said Randy.

  “I suppose. Did you really enjoy the performance?” asked Kari, changing the subject, her exquisite eyes searching his.

  “I did enjoy it. The orchestra is quite talented here; but didn’t you find it a bit long and tedious. The Mahler, I mean.”

  Crinkling her eyes at him, annoyance passed over her face before she answered, her color rising. “I must disagree, Pastor Steele. Mahler is known for depicting an emotion and this piece in particular is extremely impassioned, linking his pain and his past.”

  Her reaction amused him so he continued. “But didn’t you find it somewhat depressing.”

  She squared her shoulder as if readying herself for a debate. “Maybe, but I think that was the intention.”

  “I just think that if you want to be in that place emotionally why not play Beethoven.” As he spoke, he took a step closer to her, enjoying her fervor in the discussion.

  “Do you enjoy Beethoven, Pastor Steele?” Linus broke in.

  Both Kari and Randy peered over at him, seeming to have forgotten he was standing there.

  “He’s one of my favorites and I am a particular fan of the Moonlight Sonata ,” said Randy.

  “Funnily enough, so is Miss Montgomery,” replied Linus.

  Before Randy could respond, the house lights flashed, reminding them the performance would be starting again. Kari’s lashes swept gracefully across her cheekbones before she looked up at him again. They shared one more glance before Linus took her arm, said goodbye to Randy and led her back to their seats.