Read Online Jake's Bride by Karen Rose Smith - Free Book Online

Did she want to call off the ceremony?  No.
    Shaking her head so vigorously that her pearl earrings swung, she said, "I don't want to call it off.  I want to marry Jake."
    "Then square your shoulders, hold your head high, and walk over to those stairs like the lady I know you are."
    Sara hugged her aunt.  "I'm glad you're here.  I just wish Mom could be here, too."
    As Eloise leaned back, she said, "Your mother's here, Sara.  Guiding you a little differently from when she was alive, but guiding you just the same."
    Sara kissed her aunt's cheek.  "Thank you."
    Eloise gave her a tight squeeze as they heard music begin.  Sara knew it was a CD, but she didn't care.  This was her wedding day, and she'd make the most of it.
    #
    Jake stood in the living room beside Nathan Bradley, his best man.  Christopher, who held a white satin pillow, rocked from one foot to the other at the foot of the stairs, waiting for his mother.  Two gold bands lay on the top of the pillow.  When Jake had asked Sara about the type of ring she preferred, the band was what she'd picked.  She could have had anything she wanted.  He'd pointed out several that were channel-set with diamonds.  But she'd shaken her head and asked if he'd wear one, too.  Why not?  After all, they were getting married.
    Beside him, Nathan asked in a low voice so the minister a few feet away couldn't hear, "Are you having second thoughts?"
    "No."
    "You don't have to marry her to get legal rights to Christopher."
    "I know."  Nathan wasn't only Gillian's husband, but a good friend.  He was informed about custody law because of his own situation with his two daughters from a previous marriage.
    His friend kept his voice low.  "I want you to make sure you know what you're doing."
    Getting married.  Jake supposed it meant faith in the future to most people.  He'd thought it had meant that to Mary Beth.  Then she'd walked out when they could have pulled together.  Not that he blamed her.  She couldn't forgive him for Davie's death, and she certainly couldn't forget it.
    Jake had wanted to start fresh when he'd met Sara, maybe so he could begin to forget himself.  Sara had given him the chance to do that...for a few months.  Then she'd broken her promise to marry him.  She'd left when, in a sense, he'd needed her most.  He wouldn't need her, or any woman, again.  He'd concentrate on Christopher despite the pain, maybe because of it, and he'd take care of Sara because she was his son's mother.
     "I know what I'm doing," Jake responded in a decisive tone that he realized wouldn't reassure Nathan.  But reassuring his best man was low on his priority list.
    "Jake, a child isn't enough to hold a marriage together.  You can be a good parent without marrying Sara Standish."
    Taking his gaze from his son, Jake faced Nathan.  "I want to be a full time father.  I've seen what happens to kids whose parents are split.  Remember, I spend most Sundays at the community center.  I work with kids who are looking for approval wherever they can get it even if it means belonging to a gang.  I want better for my son.  I want better than I had.  I want to keep him safe."
    "My girls are doing just fine."
    Jake didn't mean to insult Nathan or insinuate he was doing something wrong.  "Your situation is the exception, and you know it.  Just stand up for me, Nathan.  I don't need your advice."
    "That's a matter of opinion," Nathan muttered.
    Long ago, Jake had learned he couldn't please everyone,  not even people he cared about.  He could only do what he thought was right.  That's the way he'd lived his life.  Being a cop had reduced his vision to black and white.  Shades of gray could have gotten him killed.  Giving the benefit of the doubt, feeling pity for someone, had brought down more than one good man.  Even as a private investigator the fact had been driven home again and again--there was truth and there were lies.  Husbands cheated on wives, wives cheated on