I want to be with her

Puffs of white cloud skittled across an azure sky. The wind blowing through rigging and halyards of a sailboat sent mournful echoes across the yard, sounds Harley had loved. Andy and his wife tried to help sooth Jason’s anxiety, whispering to him, encouraging him, when Joe finally came out of the cottage.

“Can I ask everyone to be seated?” he called out. “Jason and Dave, please come up to the porch. Attendants, please join us here. Guests, please be seated.”

“Well, this is it,” Jason whispered. “I know it’s the right thing to do. I want to be with her. Harley would want it.”

Until recently, Jason regarded Kathy as a perfect substitute mother, someone to help him raise his daughters. Plans for the wedding switched that perspective to one of companionship for him, of romance, of love, exposing guilt and regrets he had to deal with regarding his behavior during the last days of Harley’s life.

“You’ll be fine,” Andy said. “She’s a great woman and you’re right; Harley would want you to be with her.” Hugging his best friend, Andy pushed Jason gently toward the cottage.

The girls, Bea’s daughters included, were dressed in vintage dresses Maryanne had collected. They held bouquets of the same flowers adorning the chairs, the stems wrapped in white satin.

As the guests found places to sit, Jason and Dave joined the group, the men kissing their daughters, Dave turning to Bea and kissing her, too, meaning it.

Jason’s surprise for Kathy began; a guitarist, strumming an old Nat King Cole song, When I Fall in Love. It had special meaning for Kathy who’d claimed except for Laura, to never having been in love. The beautiful music brought tears to Jason’s eyes, both sad and happy. Joe opened the door for Kathy who came onto the porch on her mother’s arm, the guest gasping at her beauty, the song bringing tears to her eyes, too.

“Thank you, Jason,” she said as they reached for the other’s hand.

“You’re so beautiful,” he said, holding her hands, all his concern melting away.

Excerpt from Perfect for Him by Suzanne Jenkins
Included in A Touch of Passion

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