Mai Tai Marriage Read online

  “Oh, Mother.” Lexie sank back against her seat. “We really do need to talk.”

  “Your mother didn’t mean anything—”

  “I know, Daddy. But we need to get a few things straight.” Why was spitting out the words so difficult? Probably because she knew now, much like before, her mother would only hear what she wanted to. Think what she wanted to. “Mother, I know how much you wanted me to marry Graham, live in Boston, and follow in your socialite footsteps.”

  “I just want—”

  Lexie held up her hand. “Let me finish please. I tried to do things your way. All the right friends, the right invitations, the right fiancé…”

  Sunlight flooded the room. The front door had pushed open. For a fraction of time she expected Graham to invade her home once again. But the silhouette framed the doorway made her heart beat a little faster. Closing the door behind him, Jim nodded at her parents and crossed the room in quick long strides. “Sorry for the delay.” He placed a light peck on her forehead, took the seat beside her and folded his hand over hers.

  She almost yanked her hand back, but decided explaining the marriage sham was going to have to wait a few more minutes. And as long as she was being honest with herself, having his fingers wrapped around hers made her feel better. Stronger. “I didn’t break up with Graham on a whim. I cancelled the wedding because I walked in on him and the now ex Mrs. Montgomery having sex in what was supposed to have been our bedroom.”

  Her mother’s spoon stilled. Her father’s jaw muscles twitched. Good thing she hadn’t mentioned Graham was being ridden hard and fast like a Kentucky Derby finalist or planning to use doctored photos to blackmail her.

  “So you see why I prefer not to be the next Mrs. Montgomery.”

  Stunned silent, Lillian released her hold on the spoon and set her hand on the edge of the table.

  “I’m sorry to say I suspected something along those lines.” Alexander Hale slid his hand over his wife’s. “I had thought maybe an unexplained earing, or scarf. The scent of another woman’s perfume. I hadn’t expected…”

  Lillian shook her head, but remained mute.

  “Now aren’t you glad our little girl found a real man to marry?” Her father addressed his wife. “And I’m sure, like your mother, once you give him a chance, you’ll come to love your new son-in-law.”

  “About that—” Lexie started, but her mother had come out of her startled stupor.

  “What do you mean like my mother?”

  Uh, oh. Lexie’s mother did not take well to being compared to Grandmother Abigail. Old school Boston, Lexie’s maternal grandmother made Lillian Hale look like a bohemian. The old woman had passed away years ago from hardening of the arteries. Which made perfect sense to Lexie since, for her entire childhood, the woman reminded her of a stone statue. Always dressed in shades of gray, with high lace collars, ankle length skirts, and sensible shoes, Grandmother Abigail could have been the poster girl for Victorian austere.

  Lillian pulled her hand out from under her husband’s. “I’ve been very gracious to Jim.”

  “And like your mother, you wanted your little girl to marry into the right family.”

  Glaring at her smiling husband, all the color suddenly bled from Lillian’s face seconds before a dusty pink hue of embarrassment filled her cheeks.

  Bobbing his head, Alex Hale turned his attention back to his daughter. His smile having grown brighter. “Your mother seems to have forgotten about, or I should say, just remembered Phillip Hancock.”

  “Who?” Lexie asked.

  “The man your grandmother had hand picked for your mother to marry. She thought I was a poor choice. Nouveau Riche. Said my grandfather was no better than a bootlegger like Joseph Kennedy.”

  “You’re kidding?” Jim voiced Lexie’s thoughts.

  Alex leaned into his wife and planted a sweet kiss on her lips. “Thank heavens you didn’t listen to your mother either.”

  This time a hint of a smile appeared on her mother’s face. “Mother was a bit difficult back then.”

  “A bit?” Alex said.

  “Okay, rather difficult.”

  “Rather?” he repeated.

  Lillian smacked her husband lightly on the arm. “Okay. She was impossible. And wrong. Marrying you was the best thing that ever happened to me.” She pushed back her chair and circled the table to hug her daughter. “I’m sorry, honey. All I’ve ever wanted for you is your happiness. I love you.”

  “I know. I love you, too.” The two women wrapped their arms around each other and held on tight. Sometimes there was no substitute for a mother’s hug.

  “If Jim is the man for you, then you won’t get any more arguments from me. I’m all for it.”

  “Uhm.” Lexie pulled out of her mother’s embrace. “That brings me to the other thing I need to explain.”

  Jim stood up and moved behind Lexie, placing his hands on her shoulders. “We need to explain.”

  Lillian waved her hand behind her back, reaching for her husband. Now on his feet, Alex Hale’s stance mimicked Jim’s. Both men had their wife’s backs. Except Lexie wasn’t really his wife. And that slice of reality pricked at her heart. “Jim and I aren’t really married.”

  “What?” Lillian cast an inquisitive glance from her daughter to Jim and back.

  “We thought we were. It was an accident. Well, more of a mistake.”

  Jim’s arm slid down her side to curl around her waist and his head lowered. His breath lingered warm against her ear. “Not if you don’t want it to be.”

  Lillian repeated “Mistake.” as Lexie spun around. “What?”

  “It might have been an accident, but marrying you wasn’t a mistake and if you’ll have me for real I’d like to do it again. This time with a licensed preacher.”

  She studied his eyes, searching for any hint he was playing another part. Doing all this for the benefit of her parents. All she saw shining in his eyes was the same love and passion that had been simmering inside her since he walked through her door just a few days ago. “What about Bridget?”

  “That was a mistake. It’s over—”

  “Who’s Bridget?” Lillian asked.

  “His fiancée,” Alex whispered.

  Lillian Hale turned to her husband. “You knew?”

  “Shh,” Alex hushed his wife and redirected her attention back to their daughter in time to see Jim drop to one knee.

  “Oh, my,” Lillian mumbled softly under her breath.

  “I could never love anyone the way I love you. My world only makes sense with you in it. With God and your parents as witnesses, I promise to spend every day of my life showing you how much I love and need you. Only you. Alexandra Hale, will you make my world right and marry me?”

  Lexie couldn’t find enough air to form words. Everyone in the room seemed to hold their breath. Jim squeezed the hand he’d been holding, flashed a nervous smile at her and all the oxygen that had been struggling to escape blew out in a single whoosh as she threw her arms around his neck, toppling them over. Her mouth found his in a kiss that held all the love and desire she’d spent four long days fighting. Somewhere in a world outside the private heaven of really kissing the man she loved, Lexie could vaguely make out her parents’ voices.

  “That was beautiful, but I don’t understand.” Lillian Hale swiped at a tear with the back of her hand.

  Alex Hale kissed his wife’s temple. “She means yes.”

  Epilogue

  In less than two weeks, Lexie Hale and Jim Borden had gotten themselves married—twice. The first time by accident. Today quite deliberately. And legally.

  It had taken all of two days to throw this little soiree together. Since Lexie’s parents were already in Kona, and Jim still had a week left of leave, the sappy-in-love bride and groom hadn’t wanted to wait to tie the knot for real. The mother of the bride had used every party organizing skill the Boston born-and-bred socialite knew to put together the small intimate wedding and make it look like t
hey’d spent all year planning the event.

  Doug had to admit the bride glowed and the groom strutted. Both looking incredibly and overwhelmingly happy. They made the perfect couple. Both times. At that moment, a tradition-happy guest clinked a utensil against a glass in a call for the new husband and wife to kiss.

  Not having let go of the bride’s hand since they’d been pronounced man and wife, Jim easily twirled Lexie into his arms. And if it weren’t already obvious to the guests that the man resplendent in Navy dress whites and the blonde in a willowy white gown belonged to each other, the kiss he planted on her lips announced loud and clear to the world that Lexie Hale Borden was his and only his.

  Doug was happy for his buddy. Jim had been through a lot the last few years. So had Billy. And Nick for that matter. His former teammates were one by one, falling for love and marriage and happily ever after. And if the besotted looks in his buddies’ eyes were any indication, Doug could expect to celebrate silver and golden anniversaries for all three couples.

  “We’re glad you’re staying.” Maile Everrett, Billy’s mother, reached across the table for a scoop of caviar and cream. “You know, I never understood what people saw in fish eggs. But this stuff is pretty good.”

  Doug barked a laugh. If the woman knew the fish eggs cost two hundred dollars an ounce she’d probably go back to munching on the tomato bruschetta.

  “Billy says you and Jim saved his life…over there.” Names like Afghanistan and Iraq never rolled easily off a mother’s tongue.

  “He would have done the same for any one of us.” That was always his answer when some mother, wife, daughter or sister, thanked him for doing his job. Especially when they’d come in to pick up the pieces after the enemy had done their worst.

  “That may very well be, but it doesn’t make the appreciation any less deserved.” Her gaze darted off to the other side of the room. She waved at an attractive redhead. The woman waved back, but her eyes were on him.

  “Your daughter?”

  Maile shook her head. “My friend Margaret’s daughter, Sara.”

  Of course. The bubbly whirlwind Lexie had introduced him to at the shop a few days ago.

  “She’s single.” A bright smile bloomed on Maile’s face and Doug had the unmistakable sense that this woman knew something he didn’t.

  “Mom, are you fattening up my friends again?” Billy Everrett leaned over his mother and kissed her cheek.

  “Oh, tosh. We’re just discussing the lovely single women on the island. No reason Doug here can’t find the right girl the way you boys have.”

  Doug didn’t know whether to laugh or run for cover. The US Navy had been a wonderful mistress, he missed her more than he liked to admit, but he wasn’t in the market for a replacement. Certainly not a wife.

  Across the patio, Jim and Lexie cut the cake, each feeding the other a small piece. No sophomoric face smashing involved. Just two people gazing at each other with such intensity they looked ready to simultaneously combust.

  There was no denying his buddies were the happiest he’d ever seen them. And even though Doug had begun to find something lacking in his usual friends-with-benefits arrangements or the occasional one night gig, he wasn’t ready to join the ranks of the One Woman for the Rest of His Life Club. He still had places to go and dreams to live.

  Snatching another beer from the tray of a passing waiter, he tipped the bottle at Billy and then his mother. From across the room Doug caught sight of the pretty brunette he’d noticed earlier during the ceremony. She had an infectious smile. Every time she laughed, he wanted to laugh too. Her smile was one of those that probably made men go forth and conquer countries. Like a spider spinning its web, her every move seemed to draw him further in.

  He couldn’t make himself look away. That woman was intoxicating, mesmerizing, and if his instincts were still functioning, a whole lot of trouble.

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  About the Author

  Author of six contemporary novels, including the award winning The Champagne Sisterhood, Chris Keniston lives in suburban Dallas with her husband, two human children, and two canine children. Though she loves her puppies equally, she admits being especially attached to her German Shepherd rescue. After all, even dogs deserve a happily ever after.

  More on Chris and her books can be found at

  www.chriskeniston.com

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  or on Twitter @ckenistonauthor

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  * * *

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  Chapter One

  Spotted with puffs of clouds and deliciously mild winds, the bright blue Kona skies offered ideal conditions for jumping out of an airplane. Too bad they were also considered ideal for a wedding. Thankfully for Doug Hamilton—not his wedding.

  “Heard about the dive yesterday.” Billy Everrett took a pull from his beer. “Jonathan said the passenger started hyperventilating as soon as she hit the water. Glad you were there.”

  “I didn’t do anything to calm down the lady that one of the others couldn’t have done,” Doug explained.

  “Yeah, but none of them could have worked the chick-magnet magic the way you can.”

  Hands up, palms out, Doug steeled his expression. “Hey, man. I read the memo. Hands off the passengers. All I did was offer to buddy up with her. She did the rest herself.”

  “I know. That’s just it. All you ever had to do was bat the baby blues at the women, and they’d melt at your feet. It would have taken the rest of us twice as long to break through the wall of panic that woman had built. Nervous divers make stupid mistakes. I’m just saying, I’m glad to have you on the team.”

  “Back at you.” And it was great to be working with some of his former EOD team again. Even if Billy and Nick had gone all hearth-and-home on him. Doug caught sight of Billy’s mother laughing and chatting her way across the reception hall. “Your mom’s a hoot.”

  “Our very own Dolly Levi.”

  “Who?”

  “You know, the Hello, Dolly! musical?”

  “Right.” The classic movie channel was his mother’s babysitter of choice. For some reason that particular musical had been one that kept his interest. He was unlikely to ever forget Louis Armstrong singing the title song. “So your mom had a hand in getting you and Angela together?”

  “Hell, no. Mom had her eyes set on hooking me up with Sara Alani.”

  “That would be the redhead?” His gaze drifted to where the young woman stood chatting with one of the many officers who had flown in to celebrate Jim and Lexie’s wedding. Miss Alani was rather attractive. But the most important part about keeping things neat and uncomplicated was to avoid mingling with family. From the way Maile Everrett spoke, Sara Alani was closer to family than friend. “Your mother mentioned her.”

  Billy let out a roaring laugh and slapped him on the back. “Good luck, bro. Looks like Mom’s got her next victim picked out.”

  “No worries. I’ve learned how to dodge a mother or two.”

  “Billy.” Angela Carson, Billy’s fiancée, sidled up next to him. “As soon as the bouquet gets tossed, I’m going to head home with Nick and Kara.”

  “What’s wrong?” Billy’s forehead creased like a Shar-Pei puppy.

  Doug
hovered between feeling totally sorry for the guy being snagged into the marriage snare and being totally jealous of the love arcing so strongly between the engaged couple—Doug could feel the electricity three feet away.

  “Nothing.” Angela reached up with her forefinger and rubbed at Billy’s wrinkled forehead. “It was nuts helping throw this wedding together in only a few days. The cake’s been cut. The bouquet toss is next. Kara’s dead on her feet, and I’m not far behind. Nick’s taking her home. He’s offered to give me a lift.”

  “That won’t be necessary.” The frown may have disappeared, but concern still shone in his eyes. “I’ll take you home.”

  “You don’t—”

  “I can take you home.” Billy put a finger to her lips and kissed the tip of her nose. “Only five more weeks till it’s our turn. You’d better start resting now because I have plans for us after the ceremony that will keep you off those beautiful feet but do not involve any rest.”

  Angela giggled, shook her head and kissed Billy on the cheek. The sappy display was almost enough to push Doug over the fence into the definitely jealous backyard. But then, across the room, he spotted the striking brunette from earlier, huddled close with the redhead Sara who now stood with an older woman and a dark haired man. The four of them smiled happily for the camera. The perfect picture. The perfect family. Hugs and kisses and a few photos later he remembered why commitment was highly overrated.

  * * *

  Sara Alani’s father curled Emily Everrett against him and kissed her on the cheek. “I wish I had a son you could marry. Then you’d really be our daughter.”

  “She’s already like family.” Missy Alani winked at Emily, then her own daughter. “If she’d spent any more time at our house, we could have deducted her on our income tax return.”