Scandals From The Third Bride

After a short drumroll from the band, the emcee, Lance Wocek, stepped forward. "Here's our own beautiful Katherine Ransome," he announced, taking her hand, "talented artist, successful businesswoman and stunning bachelorette." Smiling into the ring of bright spotlights on Fort Worth's Oak Hill Country Club's impromptu stage, Katherine waved to no one in particular. The patrons in tuxes and designer dresses made a ritzy gala of the elegant charity benefit for homeless children. Katherine was in sympathy with the cause, but she wished again that she had written a check instead of participating herself. "Gentlemen, for an evening with the charming and beautiful Miss Ransome, what am I bid?" Lance asked. "Who'll start the bidding?" "One thousand dollars," called a male voice and guests applauded. Trying to gaze beyond the lights, Katherine looked at a blur of faces turned in her direction, probably men she had known all her life. "One thousand dollars! Good start! What am I bid?" Lance asked, circling and smiling at his audience. "Two thousand," a man called, and she recognized local attorney Wes Trentwood's voice. She was glad men were bidding, remembering her brothers teasing her that no one would bid because she had been so cool in the past to the local males. So far, between the two bidders, she preferred an evening with Wes to anyone else. "Two thousand dollars," Lance repeated. "We have a bid of two thousand dollars. Who'll make it three thousand for an evening with one of the most gorgeous ladies in the county?" "Three thousand," came another bid that was raised immediately to four. "I bid five hundred thousand dollars," a deep male voice said. While an audible gasp rippled through the room, heads turned. Stunned that anyone would pay so much for an evening with her, Katherine peered in the direction of the voice. As she watched, a man stood and applause broke out over his bid. He threaded his way between the tables of onlookers. Unable to distinguish his features because of the lights, Katherine could see his black hair and broad shoulders. He wasn't local, yet something about him struck a chord of familiarity. She could only stare in amazement, and then she reminded herself the money went to a good cause and his bid was a magnanimous donation. As he approached the stage, even though she couldn't see him well because of the blinding lights, she discerned that he was tall and moved with the grace of a panther. As he narrowed the distance between them, her heart thudded. Katherine's pulse roared in her ears. Time hung suspended while she was flung back nine years. For an infinitesimal second, everything in her cried out to throw her arms around his neck and hug him. He stood as still as she, and the electricity jumping between them made her wonder why flames didn't scorch the air. Her brain began to function, and the moment was gone. Longing vanished, replaced by surprise. Dressed in a black tux and a snowy white shirt, he stopped in front of her and looked at her solemnly. "You're more beautiful than ever." She knew his voice, knew the pitch and timbre, knew his brown eyes. Even if he had changed in appearance and manner, his voice was the same and sent tingles spiraling through her as if he had touched her. Dismayed, she gazed at him while her head spun and her heart pounded, drowning out all noise. For an instant she thought she would faint. "Cade," she whispered. Cade Logan, the man she had planned to marry was standing in front of her, close enough for her to touch. It was her first time to see him in nine long years, since the week before their wedding. Lance spoke to Cade or to her. She had no idea which one. Someone called Lance's name and he excused himself, leaving without either one of them answering him. She was held in a gaze that shut off the rest of the world. Nine years ago and suddenly, here Cade was standing before herOrwig, Sara is the author of 'Scandals From The Third Bride', published 2006 under ISBN 9780373767625 and ISBN 0373767625.