Annabelle quickly slipped into her dress, and we all went downstairs together. Alexander and the children were waiting in the foyer, wearing their Sunday best.
Alexander met me at the bottom of the steps. “You, my love, are a beautiful bride.” Tears moistened his eyes as he held out his hands. “Are you ready to be my wife?”
“Yes, but there’s one last thing.” I motioned for the twins to come near. “I have a question for you two. My father is in heaven and typically he would walk me down the aisle. I was wondering if you would do it instead?”
“What do we do?” Flynn asked.
“Will people be looking at us?” Theo asked.
“You’ll each take one of my arms, like this.” I tucked their small hands inside my elbows. “And then we just walk toward your father.”
“And no one will be looking at anyone but Quinn,” Alexander said. “You can trust me on that.”
The little boys each nodded their heads and exchanged proud looks with each other. “We will do it,” Flynn said.
Cymbeline stomped her foot. “What about us? We want a job.”
“You and your sisters are to wait at the front of the church with Papa,” I said. “Make sure he doesn’t run away at the last minute.”
Both Fiona and Cymbeline giggled.
“He won’t run away,” Josephine said. “And you can trust me on that.”
Chapter 36
Quinn
* * *
That night of our wedding, I lay in Alexander’s arms for the first time. Given my inexperience, I’d been surprisingly calm about the expected coupling. I’d wanted only to be with him. He’d taken his time with me, gentle and courteous, and had promised that it would be better the second time. He was right.
Nearing 3:00 a.m. and physically spent, I nestled into the crook of his arm.
“I had no idea it would be like this,” I said as I breathed in the scent of his skin.
“We’ll have many more nights like this one. My only desire is to give you everything you ever dreamed of.”
“You already have.” I ran my hand over his broad chest, marveling at the feel of him. It occurred to me that I was now allowed to touch him any time I wanted. I was his wife.
“Will you want a child of your own?” he asked.
“I already have five of them. They’re mine in here.” I tapped my chest. “They’ve owned my heart since the very first time I saw them.”
He chuckled and pulled me tighter against his hard frame. “I can only imagine what you must’ve thought—all of us staring at you like that.”
“I thought I’d died and gone to heaven with the angels. And I was right.”
“I’m not sure I’d describe them as angels,” he said.
“Won’t it be wonderful to watch them grow up? I wonder what kind of remarkable lives they’ll have.”
“They have more of a chance now,” he said. “With a mother to love them and nurture them.”
“Someday, they’ll have weddings and babies. Think of it, Alexander. All the fun we’ll have.”
“We might have more children, Quinn. You should prepare yourself for that.”
I smiled into the darkness. “I’d be pleased. But we’ll see what plans God has for us. He might think we have more than enough for one couple.”
“I’m a blessed man,” he said.
“And my mother and sister are here. I can’t imagine how any person could be happier than I am.”
“Did you see how Clive looked at your sister at dinner?” he asked. “I had to remind him she’s only sixteen.”
“Well, if he can wait a few years, who knows? Clive’s a good man.”
“I was thinking as I looked around our table tonight about the children Harley and Merry and Jasper and Lizzie will surely have. The thought of them all growing up together on my land warmed my heart. Someday our children and the others will have children of their own. Do you think our descendants will be as happy here as we are?”
“Only time will tell,” I said. “But I have a good feeling that this community will grow into a place of love, friendship, and tolerance. You set the foundation with your generosity and fair-mindedness. We have only to head further in that direction with each year that passes.”
“Ah, my love. What did I do to deserve you?”
“And I, you?”
I turned on my side and nestled against Alexander, unable to predict the future but full of hope. Of course, I couldn’t know then that the years would indeed bring much joy to Alexander and me. Our children and the children of our beloved friends did grow up to have love stories of their own and children and grandchildren. As is true in life, the paths to their true norths were not without a few bumps and twists. However, they were armed for any battle because of the depth of their spirits and goodness of their characters. They knew from our example that love was the only thing worth fighting for, the only thing that can fight darkness and evil. But those stories are for another time and not mine to tell.
I knew only this as I drifted off to sleep. Courage is truly the only map to a satisfying life. We must not shy away from that which frightens us. For if we do, we might not fulfill our destiny, our true callings. Without bravery, we might miss those who will fill the hole in our hearts and for whom we are the missing piece.
Step off the train, dear ones. Your life awaits.
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling author Tess Thompson writes small-town romances and historical romance. She started her writing career in fourth grade when she wrote a story about an orphan who opened a pizza restaurant. Oddly enough, her first novel, "Riversong" is about an adult orphan who opens a restaurant. Clearly, she's been obsessed with food and words for a long time now.
With a degree from the University of Southern California in theatre, she’s spent her adult life studying story, word craft, and character. Since 2011, she’s published over 20 novels and a five novellas. Most days she spends at her desk chasing her daily word count or rewriting a terrible first draft.
She currently lives in a suburb of Seattle, Washington with her husband, the hero of her own love story, and their Brady Bunch clan of two sons, two daughters and five cats. Yes, that's four kids and five cats.
Tess loves to hear from you. Drop her a line at [email protected] or visit her website at https://tesswrites.com/ or visit her on social media.
Also by Tess Thompson
Cliffside Bay Series
Traded: Brody and Kara
Deleted: Jackson and Maggie
Jaded: Zane and Honor
Marred: Kyle and Violet
Tainted: Lance and Mary
The Season of Cats and Babies, A Cliffside Bay Novella
Missed: Rafael and Lisa
A Christmas Wedding, A Cliffside Bay Novella
Healed: Stone and Pepper
Scarred: Trey and Autumn
Jilted: Nico and Sophie
Departed: David and Sara (coming summer 2020)
Blue Mountain Series
Blue Midnight
Blue Moon
Blue Ink
Blue String (Coming early 2020)
River Valley Series
Riversong
Riverbend
Riverstar
Riversnow
Riverstorm
Historical Fiction
Duet for Three Hands
Miller’s Secret
Legley Bay Series
Caramel and Magnolias
Tea and Primroses
Novellas
The Santa Trial
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The Sugar Queen Page 27