Marrying Kate by Kimberly Rae Jordan Read Free Book Online

perfect!"
    "Uncle Jared wanted to know if you’re almost ready," Amelia asked.
    "I am. Just have to put my shoes on."
    "Okay, we’ll tell him." The girls danced out of the room leaving Kate alone with her thoughts once more.
    A knock sounded on the door a minute later. "Who is it?"
    "Just me, Auntie Kate," Bry called out. "I have something for you."
    Kate opened the door for him and watched in amazement as he came in holding a large bouquet of flowers.
    "These are from Uncle Jared. He says you’re supposed to carry them." Bry held them out to her. "There’s a card too."
    Kate took them from her beaming nephew. She slipped the card out and read the words written in Jared’s bold hand.
    Hoping this happy day is just the first of many to come. See you at the church. Jared
    A tear threatened to spill onto her cheek and ruin her makeup. Kate dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. She appreciated Jared’s effort to make this a special day. It was a happy day for her but Kate couldn’t help thinking that it wasn’t as happy a day for Jared. She was marrying someone she loved, he wasn’t.
    Kate quickly caught herself. Now was not the time to be thinking thoughts like that. She slipped her feet into her shoes, then took Bry’s hand and headed down to the waiting car. Mrs. Harris had already left with the girls and Jared. She had graciously agreed to come and help with the children while Kate got ready. She was also going to stand up as a witness. Marcus was their other witness , and he was the one who drove Kate and Bry to the church.
    Outside the doors of the sanctuary, Kate pressed a hand to her stomach. She hadn’t eaten anything that morning and still her stomach felt queasy. Bry stood next to her, ramrod straight, taking his role of escort very seriously. It saddened Kate that her own father wasn’t there to give her away. He had proudly escorted Jen down the aisle at her wedding , but now that role fell to his grandson.
    "Let’s go, Auntie." Bry tugged her hand as the doors opened. The pianist began to play the wedding march when they appeared in the doorway.
    Kate kept her gaze pinned on the cross at the front of the church. She so wanted to look at Jared and see his eyes glowing with love for her but knew that wasn’t going to be the case.
    Finally, two pews from the front, Kate looked at him. There wasn’t love in his eyes , but there was a gentleness and for the moment, it was enough.
    The service passed in a blur and Kate hoped she gave the appropriate responses. She was acutely aware of the fact that their vows contained not a single word about love for each other. She knew they had agreed to not have love as part of their vows since Jared had felt that it would be wrong to vow something they didn’t feel. But in her heart, Kate vowed to love Jared all her life.
    Once the service was over they went to an upscale restaurant where Jared had reserved a room just for the family and their handful of guests. After their wedding brunch, Jared, Kate and the kids returned to the house.
    They all spent the afternoon in the master suite packing away Steve and Jen’s things. It was an emotional time , but a good time too. The kids shared the memories they had of their parents. Jared told stories about when he and Steve had been young boys. Even Kate had a few stories to share about Jen. It was a healing time for them all.
    When they had packed away the last of Steve and Jen's things, Jared moved his stuff in. After it was all done, Kate stood just inside the doorway of the room feeling as out of place now that it was Jared’s room as she had when it had been Jen and Steve’s. Would she ever belong?
    They ate the cold dinner Mrs. Harris had prepared earlier, insisting that no bride should have to cook on her wedding day. Kate was sure they all breathed a sigh of relief at not having to eat her attempt at cooking.
    After such an exciting day, the kids all went down with out argument. Kate wanted to drag out the bedtime, her