Courted by Trouble: A Courting Romance (In Hyacinth Book 3)
Page 10
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The air was filled with so much joy that Stephanie was full to bursting. Everywhere they turned, someone hugged them or offered them some food. They had chosen not to have dancing, but it wasn’t needed. The whole reception felt like one humungous party.
“Congratulations!” Cami squealed, pulling her in as close a hug as they could get. Between Stephanie’s hoop skirt and her belly, that wasn’t very tight. “We’re really related now. And since we probably won’t see much of you until Thanksgiving, know that the three of you are invited over to dinner.”
“That’s weeks away,” Stephanie laughed.
“Yes, but Jerod and I didn’t see much of anyone for months,” she replied with a grin. Turning to Chris, she hugged him too. “Find a man for Dora,” she hissed loudly enough for Stephanie to hear her.
He smirked. “Only if he’s good enough for her.”
Finally, Charlotte Covington guided her out of the tent and back to the house to change. “Do you have everything you need?” she asked gently as she helped her out of her dress.
“I think so. You guys filled the kitchen with more food than I used in a month.”
Smiling, she hung the dress up and took Stephanie’s going-away dress down to help her on with it. “No, I meant are there any questions you have. You don’t have a mother to explain all this stuff to you. Tonight’s a special night. Is there anything you need to know?”
Realizing what she was asking, Stephanie blushed. “Thanks, but no. I’ve talked to both Cami and Kathy. Plus, Chris has also been very open about things.” In fact, over the last week, he had insisted they talk openly about sex and what she knew, didn’t know, and what she expected. It was embarrassing and yet as they discussed everything, she had felt closer to him than ever.
“All right. Well, just know you are always welcome to come to me if anything comes up.”
“Thanks.”
His car was covered in streamers and a large sign was tied onto the bumper reading Just Hitched. From Drake’s grin, she assumed he was the culprit. The drive took twenty minutes and as they got out of the car, Christopher stared at the cabin. “This is where you lived?” he asked in a choked voice.
“Yeah. I was lucky.”
He looked over at her with a strange expression on his face. “How I ever lucked into you, I’ll never know,” he whispered, surprising her when he swept her off her feet and carried her inside.
The bed took up most of the room and she found herself blushing a little at the realization. He set her on her feet. “I’ll be right back.”
The scent in the room was wonderful and as Stephanie looked over at the oven, she realized it was on. Walking over to it, a small note sat on the counter. Opening it up, she read.
Stephie and Chris,
I doubt you’ll eat much at the reception and I know the Covingtons will provide you with food, but I wanted to make sure you had a nice warm meal if you wanted one tonight.
All my love,
Dora
P.S. There’s a bottle of sparkling grape juice in the fridge, a gift from Jerod. You are underage, you know. *wink*
Laughing softly, she reached into the oven and pulled out some meatloaf and baked potatoes.
“That smells wonderful,” Chris said, closing the door behind him.
“Dora,” she said by way of explanation.
“Can we adopt her?” he asked, looking over her shoulder.
Both of them were hungry and it was nice to just sit on the edge of the bed and eat. It helped to quiet her nerves. When their plates were empty, he took them over to the counter and came back, taking her hands in his. “Steph,” he said, his voice deepening even as his eyes turned darker. “I’ve been waiting for tonight for a very long time. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Even as shy as she suddenly felt, there was something natural about letting him pull her to her feet and turn her around, unbuttoning the back of her dress. His lips followed his hands and by the time every scrap of clothing was on the floor, she forgot why she was nervous in the first place. Her body felt too on fire to concentrate on anything except his mouth, his fingers, and his body.
Later on, as she was curled in his arms, their bodies entwined wonderfully, she gave a long, contented sigh.
“Feel good?” he murmured, kissing her forehead.
“Mmm. I’m glad we have four days of just us.”
“Me too.”
His breathing evened out and she lay and listened to him breathe, relaxing with each breath. They may have gone through a lot of trouble to get here, but she felt it was worth it. Lying in the arms of the man she loved, her future looked wonderful. As if of their own volition, her fingers slid over her stomach. They had decided to wait for at least a year to try for a baby and she was on birth control but she wondered what it would feel like to carry his child. Even the thought made her smile. A year wasn’t that far away.
“Someone’s awake,” he murmured softly, rolling her onto her back. After that, she was too busy to think at all for quite some time.
The End