Sealed with a Kiss: A Small Town Christmas Romance

Chapter 3

Rachel was sitting at one of the tables at Annie and Dylan's wedding reception. The newlyweds were dancing their first waltz of the night. She smiled as Dylan spun Annie into a very unwaltz-like move.

Their wedding ceremony had been beautiful. Pastor Steven had officiated, saying some of the loveliest words she'd ever heard. More than once, she'd glanced across the church at John, watching his reaction to the simple vows.

She'd thought about him and the card his daughter had made, for longer than she should have. Bella seemed happy around her dad. She smiled and laughed and did all the things a normal eight-year-old would do. But there must be something missing in her life for her to want to find a bride for her father.

Rachel hadn't worked out what was missing, and she wasn't sure it was a good idea to try. She'd enjoyed John's company last night—maybe a little too much. He'd seemed to enjoy taking to her, too, and had looked almost disappointed when she'd gone home with her friends.

But, with a wedding the next morning, and a bride who was stressed, leaving Charlie's Bar and Grill early was the best thing she could have done.

Rachel smiled. Her friend, Molly, was moving around the room, taking photos of everything that was special about the day.

"It will be our turn to dance soon." Tess sat in an empty chair beside Rachel. Her pale blue dress fell in soft folds around her legs. "Annie and Dylan are happy."

Rachel nodded. "It's been an amazing wedding. Has Logan decorated their car, yet?"

"He finished about ten minutes ago. I'm not sure Dylan will appreciate the tin cans and balloons attached to his rear bumper."

Annie and Dylan's get-away car was a Porsche. Logan had decided that Dylan needed to start his married life in style. So he'd replaced Dylan's truck with a silver Porsche and made sure the hotel they were staying in had secure parking. Tomorrow morning, the newlyweds were flying to Ireland for their honeymoon.

The song that was playing ended, and Tess stood up. "Come on, twinkle toes. Let's find Jeremy so you can show everyone what a star you both are on the dance floor."

Rachel jumped to her feet and looked for the groomsman she was partnered with. She loved dancing and, Jeremy, after a little bribery, had agreed to practice with her. After six weeks of intensive dance therapy, he'd perfected the waltz and foxtrot as much as he ever would.

Tess smiled. "Logan's walking toward us with Jeremy. Sally's already on the dance floor and Molly's putting her camera down."

Rachel looked at Tess and sighed. Tess' extra height definitely came in handy when she wanted to look around a crowded room. Rachel wasn't exactly short but, at five-foot-six, her friends all towered above her.

As soon as Jeremy was close enough, he swung her into a turn. Rachel's skirt billowed around them and she laughed at the cheeky grin on his face. She squeezed his hand and smiled. "Are you ready to dazzle all the women here?"

"As ready as I'll ever be. Make me look good." And with that last remark, they were off. Jeremy stepped into the 1-2-3 pattern easily, waltzing his way around the dance floor like a seasoned pro.

Even though he looked relaxed, she could feel the tension in his shoulders and arms. "Enjoy the moment. You know what you're doing."

Jeremy's shoulders dropped a little, but he was still holding himself ramrod straight. "It's easy for you to say," he whispered. "Debbie Adams isn't staring at you."

"I take it Debbie is the girl you've been dating?"

"Was dating. She decided there wasn't a future for us."