A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Your Wedding Page 9

  She put down the note and grabbed up the ring again. Making a decision, she left the dorm with the ring still in her hand, heading for Main Street. Walking down the street, she came to Miller’s Jewelry. Entering the establishment, the owner himself met her at the counter. “Good afternoon, Kari,” his warm voice greeted her.

  “Hi, Mr. Miller. I have something I’d like you to look at.” She placed the ring into his open palm.

  The jeweler pulled out his loupe, examining the ring. “It appears to be in superb condition. Do you want a cleaning because I don’t see that it needs any repairs?”

  “No, not a cleaning. I want to sell it. Do you think you can appraise it for me?”

  “Sure. Leave it with me and I’ll get you a good price.”

  “Thanks.”

  Kari left the store, pulling her jacket closely around her shoulders as a vigorous wind whipped her hair around in the breeze. She smiled. When she got the money, she knew exactly what she would do with it. She would donate it to Angel Wing. Finally, some of Geoffrey’s money would be put to good use.

  Her decision—it had been to make sure her past didn’t dictate her future. It didn’t have a hold on her any longer. She did have a future. She didn’t know what it was exactly, but now she hoped her past couldn’t haunt her any longer.

  A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Your Wedding

  A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Your Wedding

  Chapter Eleven

  Kari entered the Manhattan Ballroom of the Madison Hotel with the benefit already in full swing. She looked up at the large windows which encircled the room, covered in a spring green floral drapery. The carpet was a similar shade. She eyed society’s who’s who as she glanced about the room. The turn out was terrific. The promised patrons were in attendance along with an actress from a play she’d seen last month and a movie star couple from the other coast. She hoped they wouldn’t be disappointed by this simple benefit. Finally, her eyes fell onto Emily. She quickly made her way across the room to newlywed Mr. and Mrs. Richards.

  “Kari,” called Emily before embracing her.

  “Can you believe this,” said Kari, motioning to the rest of the room with her hand.

  Emily’s eyes were busy looking around. “The place looks wonderful.”

  Kari peered around at the ballroom, taking in the draped green fabric hanging from the ceiling as well as the antique hanging lanterns and the small tables set with gorgeous pale pink floral arrangements and votive candles.

  “Yes, everything looks like it came together pretty well,” added John.

  “So, was all your hard work worth it, Kari?” asked Emily.

  “Yes. I really enjoyed it. It was exactly what I needed. I had to focus on others and in the process forgot about my own woes…at least momentarily.”

  “You’ve been spending a lot of time with Randy as well,” said Emily apparently fishing for information.

  Kari was hesitant in her answer. “Uh, yes, I have. He has really been great.”

  Then as if on cue, Randy walked up to the group. “Good evening, Emily and John.” He turned his attention to their companion. “Hello, Kari.” He took in a view of her from top to bottom. “You look wonderful.”

  Kari couldn’t help but blush. “Hello, Randy.” He was dressed in a black tuxedo with his dark hair combed back to perfection. And that’s what he looked like, perfection in a neat little package. Although, Randy was anything but little.

  “You ready for your society début?” Randy asked her.

  Kari sighed deeply. “No, but I guess I don’t have a choice. I’m committed or maybe I should be committed.”

  Randy smiled at her joke, and Emily laughed out loud.

  “You’ll be great, Kari. You two harmonize perfectly,” said Emily, looking as if she intended all that her statement suggested.

  Kari gazed at Randy from the corner of her eye, observing his signature smile.

  The evening progressed just as planned. The food was magnificent, served to perfection. Comments trickled around the room on how much everyone was enjoying themselves. The evening continued with Kari and Randy’s concert of three songs.

  As they sang together, it felt right to be standing beside him, so natural. When she sang with him at the art festival, it had been so last minute that her heart was in her throat. On this occasion, though, they had practiced so much she experienced very little performance anxiety. She felt more nervous by the smiles Randy kept sending her way. As their small concert ended and the clapping commenced, her thoughts were turned to how happy she was to have contributed as much as she was able to this much needed cause.

  Between the price of dinner and the auction held after dinner, they earned enough money to keep the shelter running for many years. Kari was glad she had taken the time to be a part of this event even though her book editor kept threatening her about deadlines. In her heart, she knew that most of her personal issues emanated from selfishness and focusing on herself. As much as she had contributed to this benefit, the work had also contributed to her healing.

  Kari hadn’t seen much of Randy during the entire evening besides their initial meeting and their singing engagement. He was busy keeping things going and talking to the right people. At the end of the night, she walked through the crowds, nodding at a few guests as she made her way around the room. She was curious to find Randy and see what he was up to before she left for the night. After circling the room once, she never set eyes on him. She decided it was time to leave. As she started for the exit, she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. She spun around until she was face to face with her conquest.

  Randy still looked as calm and perfect as he did at the beginning of the night while her hair was already slipping out of all the hair pins she had so carefully placed earlier that afternoon. “Hey, do I know you?” He gave her a silly smile.

  “I don’t know, but you look vaguely familiar. It’s so weird.” She tipped her head to the side and gave him her best smile.

  “Sorry I haven’t been around much tonight.” He honestly appeared sad that he hadn’t spent more time with her as she observed the disappointment reflected in his eyes.

  “I know you had business to deal with. It looks like this event has….”

  Randy reached up and moved aside a piece of her renegade hair which had slipped out of it’s confines. He looked into her eyes. “You had a…a…”

  “A hair thing.” She tried to laugh but his eyes were so intense she couldn’t bring herself to finish it.

  “Kari…” The sound of her name snapped her out of her trance.

  They both turned to the left to see who had called her. It was Geoffrey and his arm decoration, Blair, walking towards them.

  “Geoffrey,” said Kari stunned at his appearance. “I’m surprised to see you. How are you, Blair?” she asked, turning her attention to Geoffrey’s young bride. “I heard about the wedding. I’m sure it was beautiful.”

  Blair smiled at her. “It was very beautiful.” Her genuine sweetness showed on her face. As insincere as Geoffrey seemed anymore, Blair appeared to be the exact opposite. Either that or she was a great actress.

  “When is your wedding taking place?” asked Geoffrey, looking at Randy. “You don’t want anyone else to steal away this beautiful lady.” He actively eyed Kari as he stepped close enough so that his sleeve rubbed against her arm, forcing her to take a step backwards.

  Kari couldn’t believe Geoffrey. Here he was forcing his unwanted advances on her right in front of his wife. She wasn’t sure how much more of this she could take.

  Randy took a step closer to Geoffrey. “I think you should keep your eyes and your mind on your own wife.” His voice filled with protectiveness while his expression clouded with anger.

  Kari stared at Randy in disbelief.

  “Hey, I didn’t do anything,” responded Geoffrey. His jaw tensed up the way he always did before he exploded.

  “You didn’t?” questioned Randy. “How about the
time you thought you could convince Kari to see you while you were engaged to Blair?”

  A soft gasp escaped Blair as she let go of Geoffrey’s hand, pure distain apparent on her face.

  “You know about that, huh?” replied Geoffrey. He didn’t seem to be one bit embarrassed about his improper behavior.

  “Sure. You made Kari feel the only way she could get out from under your grasp was to pretend to be engaged. Since you already supposed she was engaged to me, we just continued the façade for your benefit.”

  “You’re not engaged?” Geoffrey said with a snicker as he looked at Kari.

  He was so smug; she just wanted to slap his face. Instead, she straightened to her full height. “No, we’re not engaged. I should have told you the truth.”

  “She wanted to tell you, but you made that pretty difficult,” said Randy. “All that is really beside the point. I don’t care who you think you are. Kari Montgomery is not available to you anymore. She has people to protect her from the likes of you. Go home and patch things up with your own wife. She’s supposed to be the most important person in your life, why not act like it.”

  “Why I ought to…” Geoffrey began but never finished as he noticed Blair had left his side. He walked away searching her out after sending a heated glare at Randy.

  Kari was astounded with Randy. He stood there seeming so tall and protective. She gazed at him with admiration welling within her and feeling safe for the first time in a long while. “Randolph Steele...”

  “You aren’t mad are you? I had to control myself or I just might have hit him.”

  “I almost wish you had, although, this probably isn’t the best place and it probably wouldn’t have been the best way to handle the situation. ‘Discretion is more than eloquence.’”

  “Sir Francis Bacon.”

  “That’s right.” Kari laughed. “Although I believe he was referring to your speech, but still, thank you, Randy.

  “I never want you to feel trapped and scared by someone like him again.”

  She stared into his wonderful eyes. “I don’t think I will.”

  ****

  As the evening ended, Randy walked with Kari back to Emily and John’s where she had already agreed to spend the night. Soon they found themselves strolling alone through the downtown area right outside the hotel.

  “I’m still amazed this event went off without a hitch,” said Kari.

  “You mean despite all the setbacks we’ve had since the beginning.” He gave her another one of his silly grins.

  “Exactly.”

  Randy walked beside her with his hands in his pockets. “I guess we won’t be seeing each other as much anymore.”

  “You’re right.” She looked up with a troubled face, her wistful green eyes peering back at him. “I think I’ll miss seeing you.”

  Randy felt his pulse increase at her words. He knew he would miss seeing her. Working with her on this project had been nearly perfect. He’d seen her in action as a Christian woman, engaged in God’s work. He’d loved being with her, laughing with her, and talking with her over the past six weeks. During that time, he’d grown to care for her in a way unlike anything he’d every experienced, yet he still wasn’t sure how she felt about him. He knew tonight he had to chance it. He had to know if their friendship had a chance to blossom into anything more.

  “Kari, I hope you won’t take this the wrong way, but I have really enjoyed our time together.”

  “I don’t think I would take that the wrong way. I like it when people like spending time with me.” An easy smile played at the corners of her mouth.

  Randy smiled back at her humor. “That wasn’t what I meant.” He took a deep breath. “I was just hoping…I mean…I just wondered if you might like to go out sometime...” He felt tense as he gazed at her expectantly. “…like on a real date.”

  Kari looked awestruck. She was unable to answer him initially and then when her jaw unfroze she stared back at him with indignant eyes. “Pastor, I don’t think that would be wise.”

  “We’re back to Pastor, are we?”

  Her look softened and she gave him a reassuring smile. “No. Randy, I don’t want you to think I haven’t enjoyed our time together. I have. But I just…”

  “That’s the trouble with being a young, single pastor—either women don’t think I should date them or they look for everything I say and do as a sign of my affection.”

  “I’m sorry.” Her green eyes glistened with moisture.

  “For what? I just put my foot in it. I thought we were enjoying each other and that we might like to continue the friendship.”

  “I’ve enjoyed the friendship.”

  “So, what’s the problem, Kari?”

  “I just don’t think we should go beyond the realm of friendship.”

  “You remember the first time we met?”

  “Sure, I ran right into a brick wall,” she said with no sign of a smile.

  He smiled slightly, remembering the day three months ago when she literally ran into him. “Well, I don’t believe things happen by accident. God always has a plan. We are not usually privy to what His plan is at the time, but He knows. I think God knew we needed to meet. He meant for us to help each other and maybe…” He paused for a moment, feeling overwhelmed by emotion and frustration. “I just think maybe you should give it a chance. I want you to know that I’m not entering into this lightly. I’ve prayed and given this a lot of thought because…well…because you are in my thoughts quite often…”

  Kari cleared her throat nervously and looked away from him for a moment.

  “…and because I know this is an important step in our friendship. I pray for you every day. I pray God would heal your wounds. I pray He would send someone into your life who will be the solace you need. And not merely that, but the true love of your life. I’m not saying that’s me, but if you can’t even meet me or anyone else for coffee or go out to dinner then you are shutting yourself off from the wonderful life God has planned for you.”

  Kari looked at him in silence, the truth of his words seeming to soak into her soul. “I’m sorry, Randy. I just can’t.” A tear slid down her cheek. He wanted to wipe it away with all her other pain. Whether she could ever love him, he wanted her to find freedom from all the anguish that enslaved her.

  She headed off down the street looking for a cab, when he raced up to her. He grabbed her right hand and swung her gently around to face him. Pulling her close he said, “Just tell me this then, is it me or you? I know the line is cliché, but tell me anyway.”

  She gazed at him with her green eyes flashing in the moonlight, the scent of her rose perfume engulfing him. “It isn’t you, Randy. I can’t imagine anyone with more to give than you, but I wouldn’t be right for you.”

  He squeezed her hand tighter. “Will you be right for anyone, Kari? You have to decide if you are valuable enough to be with anyone again. God will help you, but you have to let Him in. Even if you won’t let me in, you must let God.” He reluctantly let go of her, desiring her more than ever.

  “I know, Randy. Pray for me.” Another tear tumbled down her face, leaving a path of moisture behind it.

  “Always,” he said softly, feeling his heart tear ever so slightly as he let her go.

  ****

  When a cab stopped in front of them, Randy helped Kari inside. The tears caught up with her as the taxi took off. She shook with emotion not knowing which side was up, not knowing which way to turn and feeling so mixed up. She closed her eyes, causing the burning hot tears to brim over as she silently prayed, Dear God, please help me. Help me! I don’t know if I can love anyone ever again or that I even deserve to be loved. I’ve tried to get over this, but I don’t feel I have anything to give. Please be with Randy. I know he wants the best for me. Help him to understand this has nothing to with him.

  When Randy asked her out, she had felt exposed. Her support in time of trouble was trying to change their relationship. She loved the way he had prot
ected her against Geoffrey. With him she felt safe and secure and now he was moving over to the side of the enemy. She was fond of Randy, but their relationship was one of friendship. She wasn’t ready to change that.

  She had to admit she was attracted to him, but she just couldn’t imagine herself being more than a friend to anyone right now. Now he wanted to change all that. She was just getting to the point of feeling normal and vital again, but she still didn’t feel ready to accept someone else into her life just yet. All this made her fall backwards from the headway she’d made over the past couple months. She was back to feeling worthless especially as she remembered the hurt in Randy’s beautiful eyes.

  When he’d told her she was shutting herself off from the life God had planned for her, she knew he was right. She knew she needed to accept that her past was behind her, and she needed to let it all go so she could heal and become the woman God intended for her to be. She needed to, but she couldn’t. Not yet. Not completely.

  It was all so difficult. It would be easier to just shut everyone out again and live her own simple life. But that isn’t right . I can’t live my life this way. I can’t let what Geoffrey did to me ruin my life. God wants so much more for me. Maybe he did send Randy into that rainstorm to save me, but why can’t I let him in?

  A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Your Wedding

  A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Your Wedding

  Chapter Twelve

  The next week, Kari was back into her old routine. Without the extra work of the benefit or the constant reminder of Randy, she reverted back into her shell. Except this time it was worse. She wanted no contact with anyone—no emails, no phone calls, and no visits. She was decidedly depressed, but she was also trying to gain some perspective on her life.

  By the next Sunday, she was convicted by her behavior. She needed to get out of her rut. One thought kept going through her mind. Randy can help you—call him. Then she thought, No, Randy is the root of my problem. Needing to make sense of her jumbled thoughts, she stayed after morning services to speak to the pastor’s wife, Judith Elton.