Destiny - The Callahans #1 by Gordon Ryan

Author:Gordon Ryan
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: mormons, mexico, polygamy, alaska, romance, historical
Publisher: Gordon Ryan
Published: 2011-05-23T01:50:58.226837+00:00

10

Tom saw Katrina and Andy before either of them spotted him. Standing off to the side of the temple building, Tom allowed them to pass before stepping out onto the foot path. He followed at a distance and watched as several groups of people greeted the couple. A number of young men in particular made certain to say hello to her, and Tom saw that Katrina had apparently become popular. He noted that she carried herself confidently, and it suddenly became very apparent to him that there was a broad social gap between him and the vivacious young woman. It occurred to him how little he had to offer her, and he briefly considered turning around and leaving.

Though she was clearly the same young woman he had known, standing now only a few feet from Katrina, Tom experienced a strange sensation that he didn’t know her, that she bore little resemblance to the woman whose image he had entertained in his mind for nearly a year. And now that she was within reach, he hesitated, not certain how to proceed. Still, he had worked hard to achieve this moment, and the Irish in him gave him the determination to see it through. He hurried to catch Anders and Katrina, and as the couple approached the entrance to the Tabernacle, he closed to a few feet, and spoke softly.

“Katie?”

At the sound of her name, she turned. A look of astonishment turned to pleasure as she recognized Tom. She had imagined for so long what it might be like if he ever came. She had pictured herself running into his arms, but now she didn’t know how to react. She just stood there, looking into his face with amazement and clinging to her brother’s arm. Then tears began to well up in her eyes, and she didn’t trust herself to speak, even if she had known what to say.

Tom moved closer, smiled at her, and reached without looking away from Katrina to shake Andy’s hand. For several moments Tom and Katrina stood looking at one another, while Andy stood by, nervously shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

“’Tis a vision of loveliness I see this evening,” Tom finally said, trying to grin but not succeeding very well.

Katrina recognized the first words Tom ever spoke to her, standing together on the deck of the Antioch that first morning at sea. But she still stood speechless, trying to gather her senses and continuing to cling tightly to Andy’s arm.

“May we have a few moments, Andy?” Tom finally asked, shifting his gaze to Anders. “I’d like to walk with Katie for a while.”

Andy looked at Katrina. She let go of her brother’s arm and somewhat tentatively took hold of Tom’s.

“I’ll meet you here after the concert, Klinka,” Andy said.

The couple walked to the north, toward the gated exit from Temple Square, and then turned west on North Temple as they left the temple grounds. They walked without speaking for a minute or two, following the outer perimeter of Temple Square and mingling with those headed for the concert.

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