Chapter 2

Rodney held me tight, whispering in my ear through gritted teeth, "Kathy, you're staying with me for life."

With every intense movement, I felt the space inside me being filled by him, forceful and unyielding.

My heart melted, and I reached out to hold him back, promising, "Okay.

"I, Katelyn Perkins, will be with Rodney Aguirre forever and ever."

Rodney started crying again, his burning tears falling onto my chest.

The next day, still jet-lagged, Rodney half-carried, half-dragged me to a church in Fairview City that was famous for granting wishes.

He sponsored a tree there and hung a brand new crimson wish ribbon on it with deep devotion.

He wrote, [Katelyn Perkins and Rodney Aguirre will be together forever, never apart for all time.]

Then he nudged me to write something too.

I had never believed in this kind of thing, and racking my brain, I still had no idea what to write.

Rodney waved the ribbon in his hand, grinning mischievously. "Honey, if you don't write something here, you're gonna be in for it when we get home tonight."

I instinctively rubbed my sore waist, my cheeks burning as I shot him a glare.

He grinned even wider.

After a moment of thought, I drew a little smiley face next to it.

"Fine," Rodney muttered. "I'll let you off the hook this time."

Rodney stood under the tree with his eyes closed, making a wish like a devout believer.

I turned to sneak a peek at him, and hope was shining right there on his gorgeous face.

I closed my eyes too and made a silent wish. 'I hope all his wishes come true.

'I hope Katelyn and Rodney are together forever, never apart for all time.'

But the gods up there didn't care about us, just tiny ants in their eyes.

Or maybe I just had the worst luck in the world, and I never should have been the one to make the wish.

None of our wishes got granted.

Not long after I got back to the country, Rodney took me to meet his parents.

Rodney's parents greeted me with genuine warmth.

His mother, Jessica Aguirre, slipped the bracelet off her wrist right there and gave it to me.

"You two have really been through a lot. Why not pick a good day this year and make it official?" Jessica suggested.

Rodney grinned like an idiot. "Alright. I'll talk it over with my fiancée when we get home."

My cheeks flushed, and I pinched his hand gently.

He flipped his hand over and held mine, his warm touch chasing away all the unspoken doubts in my chest.

I knew if I was ever going to marry anyone in my life, it would be him.

Our engagement was officially on the calendar.

The Aguirre family was a big deal, and with Rodney being their only son, the engagement was bound to be a huge event. There was so much to prepare.

My only family was my grandmother, who lived in a small rural town, so she couldn't help with any of the planning.

Jessica and I spent a lot of time together, and we gradually became close.

Rodney was always swamped at work, but he'd still swing by after hours to take Jessica and me out for dinner, and we'd talk over all the details for the engagement party.

At night, he'd hold me close and say, "Honey, is this all real? I'm so happy; it actually scares me a little."

I was swamped with work and engagement planning back then, so tired I could barely keep my eyes open, and I brushed him off. "Alright, just go to sleep."

"Yeah, you're gonna be my wife soon anyway," he said.

He was grinning like a fool again.

I rolled my eyes, but my chest felt warm and fuzzy.

That morning, as he was heading out, he gave me my usual good morning kiss.

I wiped my mouth with a mock look of disgust. "Why are you so sweet this morning?"

He laughed, then suddenly clutched his chest. "Honey, I don't know what's wrong. My heart's pounding like crazy today."

I sighed, stepped forward, and squeezed his firm chest. "Is it still racing now?"

He took the chance to kiss my cheek again. "Now it's racing even faster! See you at the bridal shop this afternoon, honey."

I had been feeling a little on edge all day too, but I had brushed it off as pre-wedding jitters.

I got to the bridal shop first and waited for him.

Five o'clock came and went. Then six. Then seven.

He still hadn't shown up.

I called him, but he didn't answer.

He had never taken this long to reply to me.

My chest was tight with panic. I tried calling Jessica, but her line was busy and no one picked up.

The bridal consultant saw how pale I was and stepped forward. "Ms. Perkins, do you need any help?"

I waved her off, restless and fidgety. I called his office, and his secretary hesitated. "Mr. Aguirre left a little after five."

Where the hell was he?

I gripped my phone, unable to sit still any longer. I was just about to get in my car to go look for him when my phone buzzed. The caller ID was the one he had begged me to save: "Hubby."

My heart finally settled, and a wave of relief washed over me.

I nearly stumbled, and the consultant next to me rushed to steady me.

I picked up the phone and went off on him. "Rodney, why didn't you answer? Where the hell have you been?"

My voice cracked as I spoke, my vision blurring as tears spilled down my cheeks against my will.

My parents had died in a car crash on a rainy night. I had called them all night, and no one had answered. The next morning, the police had called to tell us to come identify the bodies.

But instead of comforting me like he always did, Rodney spoke in that deep, magnetic voice, half-joking, "Judging by the caller ID, you're my wife?

"Sorry, I was in a car accident and now I can't remember you. Come see your husband at Fairview Medical Center."

I gripped my phone, my voice shaking. "Rodney, how can you joke at a time like this?"

He said, almost casually, "Honey, I'm not joking. I really don't remember you. Don't worry, it's nothing serious."

He chuckled again. "Or maybe it's just you I forgot? My mom made me call you; she said you'd be worried."

My heart dropped hard.