I Am Yours (Heartbeat #3) by Faith Sullivan

like this simply takes my breath away.
    A seagull squawks close to where I’m hiding and Adam looks back over his shoulder. I scoot down, praying he doesn’t see me. I feel like a wedding crasher, even though technically I was invited. I was supposed to be Adam’s date—scratch that—Adam’s girlfriend. But I couldn’t keep my mouth shut, and now there’s someone else on his arm. Maybe honesty isn’t the best policy when it comes to love and war.
    When I hear a collective sigh, I cautiously raise my head. The white train of Kelly’s maternity gown immediately fills my vision. She’s beaming as she clutches a bouquet of calla lilies to her bulging stomach. I snicker to myself, seeing that even sporting a baby bump she has the audacity to wear white as she saunters down the makeshift aisle lined with seashells. Brian’s mouth forms a thin line as her veiled head turns in Adam’s direction.
    The minister begins shouting over the roar of the sea. “We are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”
    Kelly coughs, sneaking another glance at Adam. She lets her gaze linger too long and Brian’s face turns scarlet, and I don’t think it’s from the heat.
    As the minister drones on, Brian steps to the side to block his brother from view. Kelly follows suit, realigning herself so her eyes remain fixed on Adam. Brian’s fists clench, and before another word is said, he lashes out, “Are you marrying me or my brother?”
    There’s a hushed silence among the spectators as the ceremony grinds to a halt. This is what I was afraid of. For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why Brian would go through with marrying Kelly…but oh, how I wish I were wrong. Things are about to get ugly.
    “Brian, don’t be silly. Of course I’m marrying you.” I have to strain to hear Kelly’s response as she tries to remain poised.
    “Well, it sure doesn’t seem like it.” Brian fidgets with his boutonniere before throwing it at her feet.
    “Brian! What do you think you’re doing? Are you crazy?” Kelly kicks it back at him, the annoyance in her voice beginning to carry.
    “No, I think I’m finally thinking clearly for the first time in months. There’s no way in hell I’m going through with this.” He starts unbuttoning his vest when Kelly reaches for his hand to stop him.
    “You can’t be serious! You’re just going to leave me…and your unborn child?” Their parents start to mumble as Kelly plays her trump card.
    “Huh, that’s funny.” The smirk on Brian’s face is unmistakable even from yards away. He’s going for broke.
    “Brian, don’t!” The warning in Kelly’s tone is implicit as Brian rolls up his sleeves and turns to face Adam.
    “I’m sorry, bro. But I’m sick of lying. Too many people have gotten hurt and I refuse to welcome this child into the world, robbing it of its true identity. It’s just not right.” Adam gives him a curt nod, offering no resistance to his brother’s impending revelation.
    “No, Adam,” I mutter, too far away to make a difference. “You can’t let him do this. Damn it! You were home free.”
    “Everyone, this baby isn’t mine. It’s Adam’s.” The minister drops his Bible as both sets of parents swarm the couple. But my attention is drawn to the girl in the jade dress who collapses onto the beach. Adam sees her fall at the same time I do, but he’s trapped behind the others as he helplessly watches her head hit the sand. Pushing his way through the ruckus, he finally reaches her stricken body, the waves lapping at her feet.
    Everything seems to happen in slow motion as everyone stops talking at once. Adam’s cradling Katie’s head in his arms, and it’s like an image out of one of his nightmares, but this time it’s playing out in reality. He starts to panic, yelling directions at anyone who will listen. Her forehead is bleeding and he whips off his shirt to serve as a compress.
    I should run down there and help him. After