A Right to Love: Romantic Spinoff From The Adventures of Xavier & Vic Book 2.5
Page 29
“He did, with all his heart. But he didn’t understand me. I was but a silly child. You and Jacko are so well matched. There is never a misunderstanding between you because you both know what the other thinks and feels. Believe me, you are most blessed. Concentrate on what you have, rather than what you have not.”
Alice nodded. In truth, if God had asked her to choose between sight and her love with Jacko, she would have never hesitated in her selection. Her handsome hero was all she needed to be happy.
Once ready, her mother led her to the door of the chapel room, where the miller, Robert Carns, waited to escort her down the aisle. She’d decided Robert should give her away since the town had chosen him to ensure she understood Litchfield Estate required continuity. A smile came to her as she wondered if he wore the same uncomfortable suit he had on the day he arrived to lecture her.
Robert was not as adept at leading her as Jacko. Thus Alice’s shoulder slammed into the doorframe as they entered the main chapel. The walk to the podium took a lifetime and since he gave her no warning when they finally arrived to the podium, her foot slammed into the first step and she fell forward.
She could hear several women gasp in horror as she put out her hands to soften her fall. Then a strong, familiar arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her onto his hard chest. “I’ll take it from here, Robert,” Jacko whispered with humor in his voice.
“But I have a speech to say as I give her away,” Robert whispered in return.
“Very well, but I’ll keep hold of her. Just give your speech from there.”
When the priest spoke, Alice was amazed at the resonance in his voice. His short rotund body was so unimpressive that she had never noticed his beautiful voice until now.
“Who gives this woman in holy matrimony before God?”
“Robert Carns, representing the community of Litchfield. We have watched Miss Collins grow from a small girl, sitting upon her father’s lap, to the fine young woman who stands before us. She has faced many trials in her life, and yet remains amazingly strong. She is the life and breath of Litchfield, and with this marriage, will provide a future for all of us. We are very pleased with her selection of a husband and give her hand in marriage with our sincere blessings.”
Alice thanked Robert and then leaned into Jacko’s chest. The priest must have motioned for her beloved to release her. Fortunately, her husband-to-be was not so easily swayed. “She is fine here. Continue on.”
Jacko knew of her feelings of isolation when she stood alone. It was as if some beast had swallowed up the world and all that remained was remnant voices and smells. She didn’t wish to experience such emotions during her wedding ceremony.
Snuggled happily in his arms, Alice listened to the priest’s words. The Reverend spoke a great deal on the purpose of marriage. Whoever wrote this sermon had never been in love. She was not marrying to promote the sanctity of God. What on earth did that even mean?
She didn’t realize she was scowling until Jacko’s finger poked at the corner of her mouth. She smiled and his nudging finger disappeared.
Her heart swelled with love. She wished to marry him because she loved him with all her heart, and she knew he felt the same about her.
When Jacko set her away from him, she attended to the priest’s words. “Alice Collins. Do you take this man…”
When he finished his long list of demands many of which Alice would have normally resented, she smiled in the direction of Jacko. “I do.”
Jacko’s long list was far more palatable and he readily replied, “I do. May I kiss the bride now?”
“That is most irregular,” the minister whispered.
“But how else will she know my happiness?” Without waiting for approval, Jacko pulled Alice into his arms and kissed her sufficiently to make her head spin and fireworks to explode.
When he released her, she stared up at his handsome face. His long hair, freshly washed, was pulled back into a tie at the nap of his neck. His eyes sparkled with delight.
However, the minister looked most put out. She gasped when she realized what this meant. “I can see. I can see your beautiful face!” Her hands caressed his cheeks.
She turned to the minister. “Do not scowl, Reverend James. His kiss has returned my sight.”
Jacko pulled her into his arms and swung her around in joy. “We have much to celebrate!”
Her mother ran to her and hugged her as well. She then hugged Jacko. “I am so happy you are my son.”
Jacko smiled. “Then I did not shock you with the kiss?”
Mrs. Collins laughed with delight and patted his cheek. “Nonsense. Who can fault a kiss that delivers a blessing from heaven? I fully suspect kissing the bride will soon become the rage all over the world. Everyone will long for a marriage as strong as yours.”
Normally, a married couple would leave directly to the honeymoon, but Alice had no desire to leave her home. So she and Jacko joined the reception and celebrated their wedding, their wonderful life, and the return of her vision.
Dr. Connors asked her to describe the kiss. “For scientific purposes, of course.”
She laughed. “It filled me with such pleasure I nearly swooned. Then white lights burst in my head like fireworks.”
He scratched behind his ear. “Perhaps the kiss caused an increase in the electrical flow, reviving the lost connections.”
Alice smiled up at Jacko. “I believe it was God’s way of showing his pleasure for a perfect union.”
Jacko caressed her stomach. “One of his many blessings.”
Xavier Thorn and Victor Hamilton joined them. While Vic hugged and released Alice, Xavier thrust a paper at Jacko. “I’ve taken care of the bill and here is your certification of bliss.” He then smiled at Alice. “I am convinced you recovered your sight just to save Jacko a severe scolding from the reverend.”
Alice leaned into Jacko’s arms. “He is always saving me, so I had no choice but to do the same when the opportunity arose.”
Jacko tightened his embrace. “So now you are my hero?”
She stroked her face. “And you are my gentleman, in the truest sense of the word.”
The End
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OTHER BOOKS BY LIZA O’CONNOR
HISTORICAL
The Adventures of Xavier & Vic
Humorous, Late Victorian Sleuth Series
The Troublesome Apprentice
The Missing Partner
A Right to Love (a romantic spinoff)
The Mesmerist
Well Kept Secrets
Pack of Trouble
The Darkest Days
The CrimeLords’ War
Deadly Diamonds
SINGLE HISTORICAL NOVELS
Untamed & Unabashed
The Duchess Lydia – November 2017
Spinoff from Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice
Six Sisters of Shame
Romance/Suspense
CONTEMPORARY
A Long Road to Love Series
Humorous Contemporary Disaster Romance
Worst Week Ever
Oh Stupid Heart
Coming to Reason
Climbing Out of Hell
The Hardest Love
CONTEMPORARY SUSPENSE
White Oak Mafia Series
Snarky, Romantic, Suspense Thriller
A Fortune to Die For
Unexpected Love
Dance or Die
Requires Rescue Series
Often Humorous, Contemporary, Romance/Suspense
Standalone books with a special twist
Even the strong can use a helping hand when life gets hard.
Saving Casey
Saving Molly
Proud Mary
Angel S
eries
Spicy, snarky, sensual, and, on occasion, disturbing
Angel of Mercy — Coming Oct. 5, 2017
SINGLE CONTEMPORARY BOOKS
Ghost Lover
Humorous, Contemporary Romance with Ghost & Ghost cat
Luck Be an Angel
Contemporary Romance with a Paranormal Twist
RANA: Teenage Queen
Young/New Adult, Sweet Romance Fantasy
Slammed – Aug 4, 2017
New Adult/ Bullriding/Contemporary Romance
Ancient Love - Sept 6, 2017
Paranormal/Contemporary Suspense/with Ghost
SCIENCE FICTION
The Multiverse Series
Sci-Fi Soap Opera with humor, romance, and science
The Gods of Probabilities
Surviving Outbound
Surviving Terranue
Surviving Sojourn
Artificial Intelligence Series
Sci-Fi/Romance
Public Secrets
Birth of Adam
The SkyRyders Series
Sci-Fi Romance
Scavenger’s Mission
Scavenger Falters
Scavenger Vanishes