by Maya Banks
her face repeatedly with a tissue. Joe captured both of Zoe’s hands in his and turned so they faced each other and were sideways to the congregation.
He simply watched her, allowing all of the love he felt for her to flow from every part of his body, heart and soul. The only sound was the music and the lyrics, and Zoe was listening intently, moisture welling as the song told of the promises he was making to her.
I love you, she mouthed, her eyes watery but shining with absolute joy.
I love you more, he mouthed back.
And then he silently mouthed the last of the song, standing with his bride and serenading her in front of his entire family. A family made up of blood and love. A family that wasn’t defined by genetics, DNA or birth. A family that Zoe now belonged to and would call her own. He knew that the gift of that alone was the most precious thing she’d ever been given.
And when he gave her children—a family of her own—he knew her bliss would only increase tenfold. That he was the one to get the privilege and honor of making her happy, of making all her dreams come true and of being granted her love, was all he’d ever ask for and nothing more.
The song died and he realized that both their eyes were wet. Once again, forgoing custom, he lifted her hands that he still held firmly in his to his chest so they lay directly over his heart and leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss on her lips.
Now that the music had ended, he could hear sniffles and suspicious sounds of clearing throats arising from multiple locations—even from his side, where all his brothers stood behind him. No one was unaffected by the absolute beauty and perfection of this moment in time. If he could make it last forever, he would. But no, she still wasn’t his. They had a ceremony to get through.
He turned to the minister, who’d married most of his family members. He’d been pastoring the old whitewashed country church for the last forty years so he was quite accustomed to the Kellys not exactly following the usual protocol.
Even his eyes glimmered and his smile was soft, making the weathered wrinkles in his face more pronounced. His hair was stark white but he had the bluest, most gentle eyes and the most caring, generous soul of any man Joe knew. He’d supported the Kelly family through some of the best and worst moments, dating back to when his parents had been young and Sam was the only child.
“Feel like getting married today, son?” he asked in amusement.
“Yes, sir,” Joe said emphatically.
Zoe smiled and nodded her agreement.
They turned to face the preacher and solemnly recited their vows, never once looking away from each other or breaking physical contact, their hands entwined the entire time. Even when Joe slid the wedding band on the ring finger of her left hand, his left hand still clung to her right.
Just before pronouncing them man and wife, the older man put one hand on Joe’s shoulder, his expression serious as he focused his attention on Joe.
“Son, a good woman is hard to find and a priceless treasure. Never forget God’s gift to you or His grace, and always turn to Him in times of hardship. Be her friend, her biggest fan and supporter, and always, always take out the trash, and if you want brownie points, offer to do the dishes.”
Laughter scattered throughout the church.
“It is my honor to pronounce you man and wife. Son, not only may you kiss your bride, but I highly recommend it.”
Joe needed no urging. He turned and pulled Zoe close, wrapping his arms around her and holding her until there was no space between them and her softness molded to his harder frame. For just one precious moment, he stared into her eyes, committing to memory the way she looked, knowing he’d remember it to his dying day and play it back often.
Then he lowered his mouth and took her lips, savoring their first kiss as man and wife. Uncaring that they had an audience or that his mom and dad were sitting a few feet away watching the entire time, he teased the line of her lips with his tongue, coaxing her to open for him.
With a breathy sigh, she capitulated and he delved within, tasting her and sipping at her sweetness. The kiss went on for so long that they were both gasping for breath. Cheers, applause and ribbing broke out from the wedding party and those sitting in the pews.
“If you’ll turn around and face your family, I’ll present you and your wife,” the pastor said with an amused grin.
Joe tucked Zoe into his side as they turned and faced the people they loved.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kelly.”
Those who’d been sitting stood and everyone started clapping—when they weren’t wiping tears from their cheeks. His mother had amassed a pile of tissues on the pew beside her while his father merely had his arm around her, a soft smile on his face as he gazed tenderly down at his own wife.
Joe smiled down at Zoe. “Shall we, Mrs. Kelly?”
She laughed. “There’s an awful lot of Mrs. Kellys, you know. How in the world do you not confuse the heck out of everyone?”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Honey, as long as you’re mine, I don’t care who we confuse. I can guarantee that I’ll never be confused over who my wife is.”
He propelled her forward and they walked back down the aisle, smiling at the offered congratulations and the obvious joy shared by everyone in attendance. When they got to the vestibule, Joe hurriedly pulled her into another long, breathless kiss. He reluctantly pulled back to see her eyes laughing up at him.
“Well, I only have a few seconds before they follow us,” he grumbled. “It’s not a crime to take every opportunity to kiss your wife on your wedding day.”
She leaned up and brushed her mouth across his. “Indeed not,” she murmured.
Then the doors opened as attendees began flooding out of the sanctuary. They stood and smiled until those not in the wedding party had exited, heading toward Marlene and Frank’s house where the reception would be held. Sean, however, stood in the vestibule, his expression brooding as he stared into the church.
“Come on,” Zoe whispered, tugging at Joe’s hand. “We have to take pictures.”
Joe sent Sean a curious look as he and Zoe walked by, wondering what was up and why he looked as though he were about to explode. Then something Zoe had said the night he’d climbed through her window registered, and the veritable lightbulb went off.
“Holy shit!” he whispered in Zoe’s ear as they walked through the doors and down the aisle. “Rusty and Sean?”
Zoe halted in midstep and turned, looking up at Joe, her expression pleading. “Please, Joe, you can’t say anything to anyone. I’ll explain later. I promise. But you can’t say anything or you’ll just make things worse for Rusty, and they’re already bad enough.”
“Is he why she left?” he asked harshly.
He had the sudden urge to walk back through the doors and beat the shit out of the man responsible for causing his sister so much pain that she’d left her own home, but Zoe was silently begging him to let it go, and he wasn’t about to do anything to mar her wedding day.
“I’ll tell you later,” she hissed.
He leaned down and kissed her so the others would think that was the reason for their hesitation.
“Later,” he agreed. “And I’ll want to know if I need to beat the county sheriff’s ass when it’s over.”
Zoe rolled her eyes and shook her head. Then she let go of his hand and hurried to where Rusty was being hugged and mauled by all his brothers. She sent him another pleading look and this time he understood that she wanted him to shield Rusty from inquisition from his five brothers.
Man, was he going to get shit for throwing in with the women, but hell, ask him if he gave a fuck.
He waded into the middle of his brothers and wrapped Rusty up in a huge bear hug as if he was thrilled she was here. And he was. But he maneuvered her away from the others, amid questions being asked by Sam and Donovan.
Still hugging her, he turned so his mouth was not visible to his brothers and whispered in
her ear, “Don’t worry, sweetheart. Stick close to me and Zoe. We’ll keep the heat off you. And just a heads-up, Sean is in the vestibule and he’s got a massive brood going on.”
Rusty pulled away, her desperate tears diminishing as surprise and gratitude replaced them. “Thank you,” she said in a ragged voice.
Joe tugged gently at her hair. “You look beautiful in that dress and heels by the way. I kept my end of the bargain. I’m glad to see you did as well.”
She laughed and then impulsively hugged him, squeezing the breath out of him. “I miss you,” she whispered.
“Miss you too, baby girl. I know you’re not ready to come home yet, but remember one thing for me, will you? This will always be your home, and when you are ready, we’ll be waiting for you with open arms.”
“Damn it, don’t you dare make me cry in front of everyone,” she said fiercely.
The photographer interrupted and for the next hour, there was no time for questions as the poses were run through, groups were formed and dozens and dozens of photos were taken.
Toward the end, Zoe pulled Rusty to her side and then turned to the photographer, asking him something in a voice too low to be heard by anyone. Then she and Rusty walked to the steps that led to the platform where the pulpit, baptismal and choir section were situated and turned to face the back of the church while the photographer issued instructions.
But for the last picture, Zoe held up her hand to the photographer and said, “One more.”
Then she wrapped her arms around Rusty’s waist, turning them both outward to face forward and she pressed her cheek to Rusty’s. Rusty was visibly emotional as she wrapped her arms around Zoe, so the two were connected, cheek to cheek, and smiling so big that the faces of everyone watching softened.
Zoe turned and kissed Rusty’s cheek and the photographer quickly snapped a shot before the two separated. Zoe held Rusty’s hands in front of her, and Joe knew this was her silent good-bye. Sadness gripped him even in his happiest hour. He hated the idea of Rusty being so unhappy, and he knew that Zoe would be sad in the coming days, but he would be right by her side to put a smile on her face every time.
He walked over, ready to lend his support in any way possible. He glanced between the two women. “What do I need to do?” he asked in a low voice.
Zoe smiled at him, the love in her eyes glowing like the brightest star in the night sky.
“Tell everyone we’re done here and are heading to the reception, then herd everyone out front, and if they ask, tell them I wanted a moment alone with Rusty.”
Rusty squeezed Joe’s hand, her face contorting to keep her emotions at bay.
“Just stay in touch, honey,” he said quietly. “And don’t be a stranger. If you ever need anything, I’m just a phone call away. I’ll come, no questions asked.”
“That means more to me than you’ll ever know,” she said. She squared her shoulders. “Okay, let’s do this.”
Joe sauntered back toward the group and announced that it was time to head to the reception. He motioned toward the front as he began moving everyone in that direction. Donovan frowned and glanced back at Rusty, but Joe nudged him.
“Zoe asked for a moment alone with her. I told her we’d wait out front.”
Seemingly appeased, Donovan looked back one more time and then followed the rest out of the church.
Zoe waited until the doors closed and then she turned back to Rusty, swallowing several times in an effort to clear her throat.
“It means the world that you came and stood for me.”
Rusty smiled. “I’ll always stand for you, sister. And hey, don’t worry about me, okay? I’m fine. Really. And I’m making it on my own. It’s been . . . liberating in a way.”
“Just be careful and remember I love you.”
Rusty leaned in to hug her. “Love you too. Now go on. Your husband is waiting for you and you have a kick-ass honeymoon to go on.”
“Call me soon?”
“I will. After you get back from your honeymoon.”
Rusty glanced nervously toward the front and Zoe turned her toward the back. “Hurry before Sean loses his patience and barges in anyway.”
Rusty’s eyes saddened a brief moment and then she shook it off and gave Zoe a jaunty wave before disappearing through the door leading into the social hall, which in turn would give her an exit to the back of the church.
Zoe waited a few moments to give Rusty enough time to make her escape and then she turned, gathering the folds of material in each hand, and walked up the aisle, her lips curving into a dreamy smile.
She was married. She’d found her Prince Charming, only he wore camo and combat boots and it was sexy as hell. Regret no longer found a pathway into her heart. Not for anything. Even Sebastian. Because if not for that debacle, she would have never gone to Rusty for help and would never have met and fallen in love with Joe.
No, she wouldn’t change a single thing even if she could go back and do it all over again. Because if she did then she wouldn’t be where and what she was today. And what she was . . . was happy.
As she reached the door, it opened to reveal Joe standing there and she stopped, struck by the gorgeous image of him in the black tux looking at her with so much love that it still bewildered her every time she caught him doing it.
Without saying a word, she launched herself the remaining distance and he caught her, hefting her up his chest. She wrapped her legs around him as best she could with so much material between them and planted her lips hungrily on his.
He groaned as his hand cupped her behind and lovingly caressed it. “Do we have to go to the reception?”
She laughed. “Well . . . we do have a honeymoon to see about. Don’t you have a plane?”
His eyes gleamed and a slow smile spread over his face. “As a matter of fact . . . I do.” He turned, hoisting her higher in his arms as he carried her through the church doors and into the midday sun. “Want to check it out, Mrs. Kelly?”
Maya Banks is a #1 USA Today and #1 New York Times bestselling author whose chart toppers have included erotic romance, romantic suspense, contemporary romance and Scottish historical romances.
She lives in the South with her husband and three children and other assorted babies, such as her two Bengal kitties and a calico who’s been with her as long as her youngest child. She’s an avid reader of romance and loves to dish books with her fans and anyone else who’ll listen! She very much enjoys interacting with her readers on Facebook and Twitter as well as in her Yahoo! Group. Visit her website at mayabanks.com.