A Second Chance Page 17

  “Dad.” Eduardo’s voice snapped his attention from the empty glass of brandy. “They’re ready for you.”

  He looked at his son, so handsome in his tuxedo. It wouldn’t be long before he was the one standing among his family and friends marrying a woman he loved. The thought tugged at Carlos’s heart.

  “Where’s your brother?”

  “Right here,” Christian said, walking up behind Eduardo. “She looks beautiful, Dad.”

  Carlos smiled. “I’ll bet she does.”

  He looked around the room. He was surrounded by men who meant the world to him. His brother, his brother-in-law, and his sons. He was a wealthy man.

  He wrapped an arm around each of his sons’ shoulders and headed toward the backyard, where, with one exception, each chair on the beautiful lawn was filled with someone who cared about him. It was time to move on.

  Kathy stood at the door that opened to the garden, where she would walk among loved ones who had come to see her wed Carlos.

  She let out a quiet sigh on the arm of her father. As the doors opened, she saw Carlos at the altar waiting for her.

  She had to admit she wasn’t sure he’d be there. She’d seen the kiss he’d shared with Madeline the day before, but he’d kept his word. He was here, and all hard feelings drained away as she looked at him, so dapper and handsome flanked by his sons in matching tuxedos. Regan and Arianna followed her niece and nephew down the aisle, and her sisters followed them.

  “He’s a very lucky man.” Her father touched her cheek, and a tear welled in her eye.

  “Do you think so?”

  “I know so.”

  Kathy took a deep breath and looked at her beloved. The flutter of nerves hit her stomach again as the harpist began to play, and the guests rose from their seats as her father escorted her toward her husband to be.

  Chapter Eleven

  Madeline had indulged in two strawberry-and banana-concoctions that had her head swimming. She wondered how she was going to make it back to the room, but then again, she didn’t care if she ever got back. The sun was warm, the ocean was welcoming, and the lounge was comfortable. Madeline figured she was as happy as she could be.

  “Beautiful, isn’t it?” A man sat down in the lounge next to her. He sipped on a bottle of beer and lay back.

  “Yes, it is.”

  “First time in Mexico?”

  “Yes.”

  “On vacation with your husband?”

  Madeline tucked in her smile and let the liquor in the drinks numb her to the fact that he was hitting on her. She relaxed and enjoyed the moment.

  “I’m not married.”

  “I’m surprised.” He turned his head toward her and lifted his sunglasses. “You are one beautiful woman.”

  “Thank you.” She dropped her shoulders and let the smile surface.

  Oh, what would the man think if she took off her hat or he knew she didn’t even have nipples under her swimsuit?

  “I’m Corbin, by the way.” He’d sat up and was extending his hand.

  “Madeline,” she said, reaching her hand—which she found incredibly numb—and gave him a firm shake, hoping to not be mistaken for just another drunk woman on the beach.

  “It’s nice to meet you.”

  He settled back in his seat, and Madeline did the same. No more was said between them for a while. She picked up her book, opened it, and found the words jumped around on the page. She gave herself a little chuckle. Who cared that rum swam in her veins? Sun, sand, and the ocean were at her beck and call. She had no children, husband, doctors, or anyone else who cared, at that moment, what the hell she was doing. They were all occupied at a damn wedding.

  Her happy mood turned sour, and she suddenly wished for the cool retreat of her air-conditioned room.

  Madeline swung her feet to the sand and started to stand, but the beach was unforgiving on her balance, and she wobbled as her feet sank into the uneven sand. Corbin looked up at her and had already reached out a hand to help her.

  “Are you feeling okay?”

  She let out a breath. “I think I’ve had too many of those cocktails.”

  “Mix those fancy drinks with the heat and they’ll get your head spinning.”

  “As a matter of fact they do.” She sat back on the lounge.

  “Why don’t you let me help you inside.”

  She contemplated for only a moment. “I would really appreciate that.”

  Corbin stood and offered his hand. Madeline took it, but when she stood, he pulled her right to him. Her hands rested on his bare arms and her face pressed against his chest.

  “You don’t drink much, do you?” This was one of those moments a mother would warn her daughter about. There she stood in a foreign country, pressed against a strange man, and she was inebriated. What if he tried to take advantage of her, or steal her money?

  “No. I haven’t drunk in a very long time. In fact…” She hesitated and then figured she had nothing to lose, and if he was trying to hit on her, what she had to say would have him running. “I’ve spent the better part of this year on chemotherapy medication. So you can imagine those few drinks threw me for a loop.”

  He nodded as he wrapped an arm around her, and they began their journey back to the hotel. Madeline had been wrong. Chemotherapy hadn’t scared him at all.

  “Cancer?” he asked as they neared the lobby.

  “Yes.”

  “You deserve to be on a beach with a drink. I lost my sister last year to breast cancer. Undetected for too long, and we lost her within weeks.”

  Madeline stopped and looked up at him, her eyes still shielded behind dark glasses. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Thank you.” He opened the door to the hotel and held it open for her.

  The cool air was like a drug. The moment it hit her, she felt her pulse slow, and the throbbing in her head began to fade. She slid her dark glasses off and let her eyes adjust to the light inside the lobby.

  “Thank you for helping me inside.”

  “It was my pleasure.” He bent toward her and kissed her on the cheek. Madeline felt herself swoon. That wasn’t good. She didn’t need a man thinking she was an easy vacation fling. She pulled away.

  Corbin took a step back. “It would also be my pleasure if you would have dinner with me.”

  She was sure her face registered her shock by the way his lips curled into a handsome smile. He lifted his glasses from his face and rested them atop his head. His eyes were dark, just like his hair. Sadly, the first thing that crossed her mind was how exotic he looked, much like Carlos. She shook the thought from her mind and looked at the handsome stranger who didn’t seem to be put off by her admissions of the last year.

  Madeline twisted the strap of her bag around her fingers. Why go on vacation if not to step out of the everyday routine you have? She’d spent the last five years thinking of Carlos every day and what a mistake it had been to let him out of her life as her husband. At that very moment he was moving on and becoming someone else’s husband. So why did she have to analyze everything? If this man wanted to have dinner, then she should accept. Maybe, just maybe, she could let herself go a little. Wouldn’t it be the brash move she needed if she let another man hold her all night?

  She sucked in a deep breath of courage. “Corbin, I would be delighted.”

  “Good. I’ll meet you right here tonight at seven?”

  “I’ll be here.”

  He kissed her cheek again, and she turned toward the elevator with a smile. Perhaps she could start all over.

  Carlos looked into his bride’s eyes. She’d shed a few tears and he’d brushed them away. If it weren’t for the enormous smile she had on her lips, he would have been worried, but she was happy. He knew she was happy.

  The minister had asked him if he’d take her for his bride and he’d answered, “I do.”

  He’d posed the same question to Kathy, who let another tear fall but answered, “I do.”

  “By the powers
vested in me by the state of Tennessee, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride,” the minister said.

  Carlos touched her cheek, brushing away the very last tear. He lowered his lips to hers and pressed a soft kiss to them. He felt her tremble beneath him as she wrapped her arms around his neck and took the kiss deeper.

  “I would like to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Keller,” the minister added as the guests applauded.

  Carlos took her hand and started back down the aisle. He guided her until they were clear of everyone and back into the house. Then he guided her into Zach’s office and shut the door.

  She laughed as he gathered her into an embrace and let all the tension that had built in him slide out into a kiss. It was over. He’d moved on and there was no going back now.

  “Hello, Mrs. Keller.”

  “Oh, Carlos.” The tears were back in her eyes.

  “Please don’t cry.”

  “Oh, damnit. They’re happy. I promise they are happy tears.”

  “Good.” He rested his forehead against hers. “You look beautiful. Just beautiful.”

  “Thank you. I wanted to take your breath away.”

  “You did.” He gently kissed her again. “You sure did.”

  “The boys look so handsome and Clara, so grown up.”

  “I was thinking earlier that it won’t be long before they are all up there getting married themselves.”

  Kathy shook her head. “I guess that’s the chain of events, right? Cycle of life?”

  “That’s how it works.” He looked up, and through the French doors he could see the guests walking around, being directed by the caterers and attendants. He and Kathy would receive their guests, have pictures, and then the reception would start. “I guess we should see to our guests.”

  Kathy nodded nervously. Her eyes darted from Carlos to the door and back. “If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like just a moment alone.”

  He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Of course. Don’t be too long.”

  “I’ll be right out.” She kissed him and he left the room.

  Kathy let out a deep breath, but the air still buzzed with tension. They’d gone through with it, and he didn’t seem to be troubled. But she was. The whole cycle-of-life topic had stabbed her right in the gut. People were supposed to get married, raise a family, and then that family would grow up and marry. But Carlos had pointed out the obvious very subtly—he’d already done that.

  His children would in fact begin to drive, go off to college, and meet someone, fall in love, and get married. It would be within the next ten years, not eighteen or twenty.

  She tried to still her shaking hands by clasping them together. It was a damn silly time to be worrying about it. But she couldn’t help it. It had shaken her up.

  They were married. Why couldn’t she find the joy in the moment? She was happy, damnit. She was married to the man she loved. It was enough, and she grew angrier with herself for letting her thoughts wander beyond the cutting of the wedding cake.

  “Sweetheart, are you ready?” Carlos opened the door.

  “Yes. Thank you.” She straightened her tense shoulders and willed her unsettled stomach to be calm as she walked to him. As he stepped back to let her through the door, she stopped and looked at him. “I love you. You need to know I love you.”

  Carlos cocked his head to the side and slid a look over her. “I love you too. Everything’s okay?”

  “Fine.” She balled the fabric of her dress in her fists and forced herself to smile. “Let’s go greet our guests.”

  As the doors to the elevator opened, Madeline saw Corbin standing next to the fountain in the lobby. She wondered if he’d recognize her in her long, flowy dress. Her eyes weren’t covered now, and her hair was long and red.

  He noticed her and smiled.

  “You are stunning.”

  “Wow. Thank you.”

  “No, thank you.” He offered her arm, and she laced hers through it as they walked to the restaurant.

  Madeline had spent the afternoon in her room, wondering if going to dinner with a stranger was the right thing to do. How many times had she read a newspaper article about vacations that ended in robbery or murder? The thought made her twitchy.

  “Everything all right?” Corbin turned to her with his bright smile.

  All she could do was nod. Stepping out of her comfort level was never something Madeline did well, but after the years she’d spent inside that zone, she thought she’d better learn.

  They sat together outside where the terrace overlooked the ocean. The sun dipped down into the water and cast a glow over them. They ate, drank wine, shared conversation, and laughed. The more time she spent with Corbin, the less stressed she felt.

  During the evening, Corbin proceeded to move his chair closer to her and now leaned in, touching the softness of the red hair that gave her such personality.

  “Why red?”

  “My sister-in-law.” She sucked back a breath. “My ex-sister-in-law gave it to me to wear. She’s an actress in New York and has an entire closet full of these fabulous wigs. She was quite helpful when I needed a pick-me-up.” She smiled thinking about it. “My sons like the red one, so I wear it most often.”

  Corbin sat back in his chair and watched the people as they walked through the restaurant. She wondered what he was thinking. It was obvious to her that he enjoyed people, but why had he picked her out of the crowd? There were hundreds of women on that beach, many with bodies that would fascinate any man.

  “So why are you in Mexico,” she asked, taking a sip of her wine.

  “It clears my mind. Life gets too complicated, don’t you think?

  Madeline nodded. Complicated. Yes, that summed up her life lately.

  Corbin leaned in toward her. “Have you ever been here?”

  “First time.”

  “I come three times a year. I enjoy the beach, have some nice meals, and relax.” He covered her hand with his. “This time I decided I’d find the finest woman on the beach and have a romantic dinner.”

  Madeline felt her throat tighten. “But you’re here with me.”

  Corbin laughed and sat back in his chair. “And you don’t think you’re the most attractive?”

  “Hardly.”

  “Not all men seek a woman who looks like she should grace the cover of a magazine. Some of us want that inner beauty and that resonates very loud on the outside as well.” He moved his chair around so he sat closer to her. He touched her cheek. “Madeline, you are one very beautiful woman, both inside, and out.”

  The evening air had grown warmer—or Madeline’s blood pressure had taken quite a spike. What did this man want? Was he sincere enough to want only conversation? Or would he expect Madeline in his bed when the evening was over? Was she woman enough to say no? Was she woman enough to say yes?

  She took a large drink of her wine.

  The waiter took their order.

  Madeline mulled over the thought of sleeping with a stranger. Talk about stepping out of a comfort zone; that would do it.

  Corbin smiled at her. “You’re wondering what my motive for tonight is.”

  “Is it that obvious?”

  “I’m safe.”

  Of course he’d say that. That didn’t help her decide what to do when she was done with her wine and her tilapia.

  Their dinner was served and the conversation stayed light. Corbin was a gentleman, and Madeline found she’d eased into the evening and looked forward to whatever might come next.

  “There is a piano bar in the lobby. Why don’t we go in there, and maybe he’ll play us something slow to dance to.”

  “I think that sounds wonderful.”

  Madeline gathered her purse and Corbin escorted her from the restaurant.

  Just as they crossed the lobby, her cell phone buzzed in her purse. She dug for it. Her body shook with nerves. Who would be calling her? Something must have happened. Everyone knew she was on vacation.


  When she turned on the screen, she saw the text message Eduardo had sent to her. Tears filled her eyes and her jaw tightened. She slipped the phone back into her purse and looked up at Corbin.

  “I think I’d better call it a night. Thank you for dinner.”

  He sighed and dropped his head. “Breakfast tomorrow morning at nine?”

  “That would be nice.”

  “Let me walk you to your room.”

  She wanted to tell him no. Now wasn’t the time to fall apart with a nice man who thought she was beautiful. Why was she mad at Eduardo for sending her a picture of his father and his new bride kissing on their wedding day? She should be happy.

  They rode the elevator in silence.

  Madeline pulled the key card from her purse as the elevator doors opened, and they walked down the hall to her room. Her hands shook, and she dropped the key.

  Corbin bent over and picked it up. “Let me.”

  He slid the card into the lock and opened the door.

  Madeline sucked in a breath and willed the tears away. “Thank you for dinner.”

  “I had a wonderful evening.” He touched her cheek. “I look forward to seeing you in the morning.”

  With that, Madeline rose on her toes and pressed her lips to his. He didn’t move away; instead he gathered her closer to him.

  When they’d pulled away, Madeline closed her eyes tighter and thought of the picture her son had sent her. “Corbin, would you like to come in for a drink?”

  Carlos had fallen into bed exhausted, and as he pried his eye open, he realized he had fallen asleep. He’d probably only dozed off.

  He had danced with every woman at the wedding and with Kathy in between each of the other dances. He’d had plenty of champagne and little food, so his head had a dull throb working behind his eyes.

  He scrubbed his hands over his face and looked down at the band of gold that adorned his finger. Married. He’d moved on. A little chuckle escaped him. They’d been so tired, they hadn’t even consummated their wedding. Well, that wouldn’t do.