by Sable Hunter
This time, it wasn’t Clint – it was Libby. The moment her friend stepped through the door; she knew something wasn’t right. “Libby? What’s wrong?”
Libby wiped her eyes. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I’m just happy for you, that’s all.”
“Really?” Jensen knew Libby was happy for her, but her answer didn’t ring true. “Well, thanks.”
“Do you have everything you need?” Libby scurried over to Lia. “Is she all fixed up? Something old, new, borrowed, and blue?”
“Yes, all taken care of.” Lia met Jensen’s eyes. Obviously, she sensed something was wrong also.
“Good.” Libby clapped her hands and gave them a beautiful smile. “Jaxson said he’d be coming for us soon. The ceremony is about to begin.”
Jensen gazed around at her new family and friends. Despite other things going on in their lives, they were here with her for this precious moment. “Before we go out, I want to tell you all how much you mean to me and Clint and I thank you for setting aside the time to share this moment with us.”
Fresh tears came to every eye. “You’ve made Clint happy and that’s worth the world to my girls and me,” Gillian told her.
“You’ve saved Scott’s bacon a dozen times and we love you to pieces,” Lia winked at Jensen. “We’re family.”
“She’s right.” Libby came to hug Jensen. “We are family. I wouldn’t trade your friendship for anything in the world. You’ve reminded me of something precious. Miracles still happen.” She pressed her lips together and swallowed. “That’s a truth we all need to hold onto with both hands. So…let’s go celebrate!”
As Libby finished speaking, the door opened, and Jaxson stood there. “Are you ladies ready to make an appearance? Everyone is waiting for you.”
Hearing those welcome words, Jensen picked up her bouquet, trembling as she saw her attendants begin to line up in their terracotta and bronze dresses. “Each one of you looks like a princess.”
Gillian came to kiss her cheek. “I’m going to go take a seat. Remember, I may be on the groom’s side, but I’m your mother too.”
“Thanks. I love you.” In the last nine months, she’d come to think the world of Clint’s mother. They’d gone shopping, she’d helped Jensen put in a rose garden, they’d even gone horseback riding on Sun and Moon together.
Once she was gone, the wedding party moved to the downstairs. Jensen wanted to be at a vantage point where she could see everything taking place. The flowers and decorations were beautiful, and she knew she had Avery, Isaac’s wife, to thank for that. As the music swelled, she watched Clint’s sisters begin their march down the aisle. Bethany went first, escorted by Tanner Barron. Cassidy was next, holding on to her cousin, Tennessee’s, arm. Third was Colleen, escorted by Bowie Malone. After Colleen was Lia, led by Kyd Wilder. And lastly was beautiful Libby, escorted by Clint’s best man and older brother, Rowan.
Once they were in place, Jensen’s view was cleared for her to see the one who mattered most in the world to her. “Oh, he looks so handsome.” She wanted to cry. Jensen never knew she could be so happy.
Hearing a few gasps and giggles, she focused on who was heading down the aisle now. “Oh, my flower girl and ringbearer. How sweet!” She clapped her hands in delight to see Rose scampering to Clint, with one of her namesake flowers between her teeth. Following closely behind, was the newest addition to their family – a beautiful, speckled Catahoula Leopard dog named Butterbean, wearing their rings on his collar. As soon as their pets were in place, Desiree stepped up to sing a very appropriate song, After All. Jensen placed her hands over her heart as the words sank in. No truer sentiment existed.
After all the stops and starts, it had truly come down to their two hearts. Yes, they were meant to be. “Forever you and me, after all,” she hummed.
“Ready, Jensen?”
Scott offered his arm and Jensen was more than ready to take it. “Hold on to me. I’m so excited, I might just float away.”
Waiting for his bride, Clint saw Scot throw back his head to laugh. He wondered what Jensen said to him that was so funny. Whatever it was, it made his Jensen smile – and that was worth everything. As she came to him, looking like an angel in her beautiful dress, Clint ate her up with his eyes. She was beauty personified and precious beyond measure. His reason for living.
As she drew near, he held out his hand for her to take and when she did, he felt that familiar electrical tingle surge between them. No matter how often they touched, it was always the same. “Hello, darlin’. I’ve been waiting for you.”
She kissed Scott on the cheek, then turned to face her future. Her heart’s desire. “I’m here.”
“Right where you belong.”
As their officiate began the ceremony, Clint became lost in her eyes and the vows they shared came from the heart.
“Clint, you captured my heart long ago. Even though I thought life was leading me in another direction, I could never forget you. The cell phone number you gave me, I kept it with me always, dialing in probably hundreds of times. I’d always hang up before it could ring in your hand, but that little scrap of paper you’d touched was like a talisman for me. When fate kept pushing us together, I was secretly glad. I wanted to be near you. And when the unthinkable happened, losing my chance with you was my biggest regret. Yet, you persisted – pushing, tempting, refusing to take no for an answer – and I am so grateful you have a head as hard as a rock.”
Her speech drew a few soft laughs, mostly from Clint himself.
“You convinced me with your steadfast, heartfelt, overwhelming love that I should take a chance on us. I know, no matter what happens, you and I will stand strong together. I will be your best friend, your eager lover, and the one person on earth you can count on for anything. I promise.”
Clint kissed her lips tenderly. “Jensen, I was knocked off my feet when we first met – and I haven’t regained my footing since. I made a place for you in my heart at that moment and no one else could ever fill it. I even kept that same old flip phone and the same number all those years in hope you might call.” He paused to take a breath, staring into her beloved face. “Now that we’re together, I vow to tell you I love you every day, but even that word seems inadequate to describe the fierce, blazing, unending passion I feel for you. I have trouble telling where my soul ends and yours begins, for they are hopelessly and eternally entangled. You are the answer to a million prayers for me. Perfect. Brilliant. Beautiful beyond words. I can’t wait to share my life with you. Whatever our future brings, I will stand by your side. I will never leave you or forsake you. And when the day comes we have to part, one of us will wait for the other – for I fully intend to spend eternity with you. Remember, I promised you forever and a day and I meant it with all my heart.”
When the reverend pronounced them man and wife, a cheer went up in the crowd. “It is my pleasure to introduce, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Clint Wilder – or is that Mr. and Dr. Clint Wilder.”
Clint chuckled. “We can be Mr. and Dr. Jensen Wilder for all I care. The most important thing is that she’s mine.”
The kiss they shared was tender. Sweet. A celebration of their love. Until…he wrapped his arms around her and spun her through the air. Throwing Jensen over his shoulder, he popped her on the bottom and marched down the aisle to a round of rousing applause.
“Clint, let me go. You’re making me dizzy.”
He did, but he let her slide down real – real slow. “I might let you stand on your own feet, wife – but I’m never letting you go.”
And Jensen didn’t want him to. She clung to his arm for the duration of the evening while they ate cake, drank punch, and visited with their guests. The only time she let go of his hand was to slide her arms around his neck for their wedding dance. “Hold me close, Clint. I need to feel your heart beating next to mine.”
“Gladly.” Tugging her to him, he kissed the soft spot at the base of her neck. “How is this our first dance?”
“I’m not sure. We’ve been busy doing other things.”
“Yea.” He kissed her neck. “Like chasing storms.”
“Rescuing the lost.”
“And my personal favorite,” he whispered in her ear, “Making a baby.”
“Oh, that’s my favorite too.” She wove her fingers through his hair. “Are you happy?”
“Ecstatic. Are you?”
“Completely. I’m content, yet excited about what’s to come.”
“Yea, I know the feeling.” He held her pressed tightly to him. “Are you still sore?”
“No, I’m not.” She’d had reconstruction surgery a little over two months before. “No, I’m feeling great. Ready for our honeymoon.”
“Excellent. I hope you like my surprise.”
“Surprise?” This was news. “I thought we were going to New Orleans.”
Clint chuckled. “Oh, I just told you that to throw you off the scent.”
“What are you talking about?” She didn’t get an answer to her question before Colleen came to cut in.
“Do you mind, Jensen?”
“No. Please. I’ll always share him with his family.”
She moved off the dance floor and spotted Libby heading to the bathroom. Still concerned for her friend, she followed. “Libs! Wait up.” Libby slowed her steps, keeping her eyes averted.
Hurrying to her side, she caught the other girl’s hand. “Are you crying? Where’s Aron?”
“No. No.” She took Jensen’s arm and moved with her toward the pavilion. “Don’t call Aron.”
“Why? What’s wrong?”
Libby wiped her eyes and shook her head. “Let’s not talk about it until you come back from your honeymoon.”
“Nonsense.”
“No, I’m serious.” She tugged on the waistband of her dress and stood up straighter. “I refuse to rain on your parade. When you return will be soon enough to talk about this. Just know that I’m…going to need you.”
“Whatever you say. Whatever you need.” Jensen put her arm around Libby, still not sure what was wrong. “We can cut the honeymoon short, just say the word.”
“Absolutely not. I’ll be fine until you get back.” She put on a brave face and gave Jensen a tentative smile. “Now go back to your groom before he sends out a search party.”
Jensen did as she asked, but only after she saw Aron coming to find his wife. A little worried, she returned to the dance floor to see if Clint was free. As she approached, the song ended, and he gave Colleen a hug.
“There you are,” he exclaimed as she drew near. “May I have this next dance?”
“Surely.” She went into his arms and looked up into his handsome face. “Something’s wrong with Libby.”
“What?” He slowed his dancing to glance around the room. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. She’s obviously upset, but she’s hiding it from Aron. She won’t tell me what the problem is until we get back from our honeymoon. She doesn’t what to spoil our celebration. I can’t imagine what’s wrong.” As Jensen spoke, she felt Clint’s muscles go stiff. “What? What do you know?”
“I don’t know anything, but I just…” He hesitated to say. “Didn’t she have her check-up recently?”
“Oh, God.” Jensen gasped with alarm. “No. Please, no.”
She started to walk away to find Libby, but Clint held her. “She asked you to wait, that’s what you need to do. Give her time to tell Aron. If I’m right, she’ll need you – but she’ll need him more.”
“I’m so worried.”
“Don’t be. Not yet. We don’t know the details. Libby wants you to enjoy our honeymoon and so do I.”
Jensen nodded, her breathing becoming easier. “You’re right. Like Libby said, miracles still happen.”
“Right.” He kissed her neck. “And don’t look now, but there’s a miracle coming up behind you. Kyd has snagged himself a date with somebody you’re going to recognize.” He didn’t mention what his brother told him about a wedding – that revelation would come in its own time.
“Really?” She started to turn around, her curiosity aroused.
About that time, a bolt of lightning slashed across the sky and rain began to pour. People scattered, squealing and laughing. Clint pulled off his coat and held it over Jensen’s head. “Run! Let’s head to the house!”
As they ran for cover, everyone scattered. Some people made it to the house, some made for the pavilion, while a few headed straight for their cars.
In the rush, Jensen forgot about Clint’s brother and his recognizable date. All she could think about was the big sign she could see hanging over the front door of Clint’s house. BON VOYAGE CLINT AND JENSEN! “Are we taking a cruise?”
“Looks like it,” Clint teased as they made it to the porch. “Make sure you pack a bikini.”
“I will.” The days of hiding her body were over. “In fact, we might skinny dip.”
“That’s my girl.” He kissed some raindrops off her shoulder. “Actually, our bags are all packed. The girls took care of everything. All we need to do is hit the road in that long, black limousine that just pulled up.”
Jensen’s eyes grew big with wonder. “Are you going to tell me where we’re cruising to?”
“Does it matter?”
“No, but I’d still like to know.”
“The Maldives, of course.”
Jensen was so happy, she was trembling. She recalled the day she’d told him her hopes and dreams. “You remembered.”
“Of course, I remembered. Did you think I wasn’t listening?”
She stood on tiptoe to frame his face. “You’re amazing. I’m the luckiest woman in the world.”
“Yes, you are.” He gave her another hug. “Now, let’s tell everyone goodbye. We have a ship to catch.”
As the people who were left gathered to see them off, the storm raged around them.
“Gee, I’m sorry it’s raining on your big day,” Rowan told them as he helped load their bags.
“It’s okay. We’re used to it,” Jensen said as she gave Libby, Lea, and all of Clint’s family one last hug. “We’ll be back soon. We love you!”
Once they were in the limousine and headed out the drive, Clint stared out the window. “I’m not surprised it rained, are you?”
“No. Not at all.” She snuggled up against him, shivering a little bit from the cold. “You once told me that every big event in your life was accompanied by a storm. In fact, you once called me a storm.”
“That’s right, I did.” He pulled Jensen close to keep her warm. “I wanted you so much I was crazy with it.”
“I’m sorry. We’ve had our ups and downs, haven’t we?”
“Don’t be. Everything happened for a reason. We’re where we are today because of what we’ve been through.”
“I guess so. Some days were harder than others, but we made it. And I’m glad. I can’t imagine my life without you.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere – and neither are you,” he whispered as he nuzzled her neck. “Never forget, you are my beautiful, powerful, life-giving storm and I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth.”
“You don’t have to chase me, Clint. You’ve got me. I’m yours and you are mine.”
Note to the reader: Watch for Aron and Libby’s next book coming in 2021 – FOREVER AND EVER, AMEN. Also watch for Seth and Riley’s book, a continuation of A HOT AND SPICY VALENTINE – the book is as yet unnamed.
I hope you enjoyed this story. As always, I enjoyed writing it for you.
Sable
About the Author:
Sable Hunter
is a New York Times, USA Today bestselling author of nearly 60 books in 9 series. She writes sexy contemporary stories full of emotion and suspense. Her focus is mainly cowboy and novels set in Louisiana with a hint of the supernatural. Sable writes what she likes to read and enjoys putting her fantasies on paper. Her books are emotional tales where the heroine is faced wit
h challenges. Her aim is to write a story that will make you laugh, cry and swoon. If she can wring those emotions from a reader, she has done her job. Sable resides in Austin, Texas with her two dogs. Passionate about all animals, she has been known to charm creatures from a one ton bull to a family of raccoons. For fun, Sable haunts cemeteries and battlefields armed with night-vision cameras and digital recorders hunting proof that love survives beyond the grave. Welcome to her world of magic, alpha heroes, sexy cowboys and hot, steamy to-die-for sex. Step into the shoes of her heroines and escape to places where right prevails, love conquers all and holding out for a hero is not an impossible dream
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Sable’s Books
Get hot and bothered!!
Hell Yeah! Series
Cowboy Heat
Hot on Her Trail
Her Magic Touch
Brown Eyed Handsome Man
Badass
Burning Love
Forget Me Never
I'll See You In My Dreams
Finding Dandi
Skye Blue
I'll Remember You
True Love's Fire
Thunderbird
Welcome To My World
How to Rope a McCoy
One Man's Treasure
You Are Always on My Mind
If I Can Dream
Head over Spurs
The Key to Micah’s Heart
Love Me, I Dare You!
Because I Said So
Ryder's Surrender
Love Found a Way
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Texas Holdem