Tara Randel - His One And Only Bride

“Sure.” She opened her clutch and pulled out her cell phone. “I’m just going to call my mom and check on Leo.”

“I’ll get the truck and bring it around front.”

Standing on the sidewalk in front of the church, Zoe hit speed dial. Her mother answered on the third ring.

“Hi, Mom. How are things going?”

“Leo didn’t sleep much this afternoon. I’m getting ready to feed him now, then put him down for a nap.”

In the background, she could hear her son, Leo, rambling in his nonsensical baby language. Unable to hold back a smile, she chuckled at the sound of his voice, in awe of how quickly he’d become the light of her life. She’d always wanted to be a mother, but she’d had no idea how much this little bundle of joy would grab and hold on to her heartstrings. After several miscarriages, and almost losing hope that she would ever have a child of her own, he had been her miracle baby. Just a year old, he had her wrapped around his tiny finger. And Zoe’s mother? Let’s just say Samantha Collins was way more of an attentive grandmother than she’d ever been a mother when Zoe was growing up. Still, Zoe was eternally thankful for her mom’s help. She’d stepped up when Zoe had needed her most. Raising a child alone was not easy.

Nor was getting over the death of a husband.

Mitch had started his photojournalist career documenting local and regional current events. As his reputation grew, he covered noteworthy national news subjects, like elections and natural disasters, eventually moving on to photograph world-famous events and celebrities.

But on his last trip, he’d insisted on a different assignment than what he’d normally taken, traveling to a refugee camp to photograph and document its conditions. While there, he’d been killed. She didn’t have many details, only that there had been an explosion.

She closed her eyes and a picture of Leo popped into her mind’s eye. Chubby and healthy, his light fuzzy hair standing on end. The ready smile with a few teeth coming in and rosy cheeks that took her breath away. Hot tears stung her lids. Already at this young age, Leo had that cocky grin Zoe had loved on Mitch. If she’d found out she was pregnant before he’d left, would his knowing he’d be a father have changed things? Would it have kept Mitch from willingly plunging headfirst into danger?

She supposed she’d never know.

“He’s not a big fan of the peas I introduced this week.”

“That’s why he’s getting scrambled eggs. And bananas. Aren’t you, big boy?” her mother cooed. “You should see him holding his spoon. You’d think he could really manipulate it instead of pushing his food to the floor.”

“He thrives on messes.”

“He does, but who cares. His cuteness outweighs the cleanup.”

Zoe’s heart squeezed. She hated being away from him, especially since he’d experienced separation anxiety in the last couple of weeks. He loved his grandmother, though, and Samantha adored him, so Zoe had been able to leave the house today without the inevitable crying.

Leo’s and hers.

“I shouldn’t be late. Maybe I’ll be home in time to put him to bed.”

“Honey, enjoy yourself. Leo is fine. Stay out and have fun.”

Her admonition to enjoy herself took Zoe by surprise. Samantha had been Mitch’s biggest supporter and his death had deeply affected her. She hadn’t been thrilled about Zoe taking the plunge into the dating world. Since she’d favored Mitch so much, in her mother’s eyes, no man could replace him.

Zoe had held back for as long as she could, until the thought of spending the rest of her life alone began to depress her. She’d told her mother and Samantha had apparently gotten onboard.

“I know. It’s just—”

“Zoe?”

“Yes, Mom?”

“I have everything under control here.”

Zoe bit her lip. Growing up, her mother had never been big on responsibility, schedules or running a household. A budding artist, she’d get caught up in her newest project for days, immersed in paint and canvas and flourishes of ideas, forgetting she had to feed a daughter. Or bills to pay. At a young age, Zoe had taken over the mothering role. Old habits died hard, even more so when it came to her son’s welfare.

She blew out a breath. “I appreciate it.” Tim’s truck pulled up to the curb. “Call me if you need me.”

“I will.”

Tapping the end button, Zoe walked the few steps to open the door, but Tim beat her to it.

“Have I told you how nice you look today?” he asked as, always a gentleman, he helped her into the cab.

For the wedding today, she’d found a pretty floral sleeveless dress with a flared skirt and strappy silver sandals to wear, in addition to getting her shoulder-length wispy-cut hairstyle trimmed and actually put on makeup. Very different from her stay-at-home uniform of mom jeans and baggy tops or the more professional wardrobe she used for her mayoral duties. It felt good to dress up for a change and, in a way, she’d wanted to please Tim.

She sent him a genuine smile. “Thanks. You look pretty spiffy yourself.”

Tim closed the door and jogged around the front of the truck. She tried to ignore the jitters that quaked over her at the thought of socializing at the reception. People still gave her the look, the one reserved for a wife who’d lost her husband early in life. Actually, Mitch had been lost to her a few years prior, but no one knew the miserable details. Placing her hands over her stomach, she told herself to calm down. She knew most of the people who would be at the party. Really, she could think of this as another one of her town events. Even though this party had more to do with hearts and arrows than a function benefiting Cypress Pointe.

Tim jumped back in the cab and placed the truck in gear. “I’m glad you decided to come with me today.”

“Thanks for asking. I was already scheduled to do the ceremony, but it’s nice to have your company,” she said, determined not to let reminders of the past ruin her present.

“Look, Zoe, I understand that I’m the first guy you’ve gone out with since Mitch...um...passed away. I know this decision wasn’t easy.” He paused. “You got this watery look in your eyes when you were reading the vows. I thought you might not make it through the ceremony.”

Yeah, she’d had a moment of self-pity. She’d hoped it hadn’t been that obvious. “Maybe we should talk about something else.”

“I want you to know I admire you,” he soldiered on. “Having a baby and finding out Mitch wasn’t coming home? I can’t even imagine the pain you must have gone through. And then performing this wedding today? You’re one tough cookie.”

In the past two years, she’d had to be. “Thanks. I think.”

“I just mean you’ll move on with your life.” He turned his head in her direction. The surety in his gaze made her squirm. “Someday, you’ll find another man.”

Tim continued extolling the virtues that were Zoe Simmons while her stomach churned. She really wanted to make a go of it with Tim. Stop holding him at arm’s length. Let the relationship advance naturally. Grow closer. Maybe if he kissed her, she’d be able to open up to him and get past the reservations about the way her marriage had ended.

Before long, they pulled into the hotel parking lot scattered with crushed white shells. The charming southern plantation facade of the building greeted guests like long lost friends finally coming home. After Tim pulled into an empty space, Zoe grabbed hold of the handle and opened the door without waiting for him to do the honors. She slid out of the cab, shaking off her misgivings. She could do this.

Her feet hit the shells and she made her way to the wide veranda of the Grand Cypress Hotel. The porch was stocked with cozy rocking chairs situated in front of the wide windows with thick plantation shutters.