“I’m just glad this’s over, and I have you to thank for telling Trey where to look.”
“Wish I could’ve done more and faster.”
“You did plenty.”
“You’ll be happy to hear that Velichko’s been apprehended at the airport. You’d think he would have been smarter than to take a plane.”
Eryn shook her head. “Did he use his real name?”
“No. We’re testing a new technology—sunglasses equipped with facial recognition technology cameras. It’s linked to a central database that contains criminal records. The wearer can instantly view an individual's personal details. We thought this was a good application so the agents we tasked with manning the airport wore them.”
“That sounds so cool,” Eryn said. “You will, of course, let me try them out.”
“You know it.” Piper chuckled.
“Seriously, we’ll have to get together soon so I can thank you properly.”
“No thanks needed, but I’d love to see you. It’s been too long.”
Eryn promised to call, disconnected, and faced Trey. “They caught Velichko.”
“Seriously? Already?”
Eryn nodded and explained. She crossed the room to Trey. “So everything worked out fine.”
“And now, we can start talking about that future.”
“Yeah,” she said. “Right after this.”
She raised up on tiptoes and pressed her lips against his. His were still cold but tasted deliciously sweet. Likely because Eryn now felt free to express her feelings for this amazing, wonderful, incredible man and knew he reciprocated those feelings.
“The bath is ready if—” Her mother’s words fell off, and Eryn heard her back out of the room.
She loved her mother, but she wasn’t going to call out and tell her it was okay to come into the room. Not until Eryn had her fill of kissing Trey.
Epilogue
Eryn lifted Kiera’s veil over her face and smiled at the beautiful bride. Kiera’s mother was being seated in the sanctuary, and Eryn felt a real responsibility to get Kiera to the alter on time. Eryn had been touched that Kiera had asked her to be in her wedding party along with Hannah and Maggie and was eager to have her new friend living at the compound with them. Maggie had a Christmas wedding planned, so she would be moving here, too. Eryn couldn’t wait to have all the girl power at the compound.
“You look perfect,” Eryn said to Kiera.
Kiera turned to look in the full-length mirror at the community church where the team members attended. She’d chosen an A-line princess dress with chiffon lace at the bodice and neck. Her auburn hair was swept up in a bun holding delicate lily of the valley silk flowers, and the veil was no more than a whisper of fabric covering her face.
“I do look good, don’t I?” She giggled like a little child and turned. “It’s love, I tell you. And the three of you seem to be infected with it, too.”
Hannah chuckled. “If this is a sickness, I don’t want to ever get well.”
Maggie smoothed the mesh skirt on her cute ice blue above-the-knee dress that matched Eryn’s and Hannah’s. It had a delicate grosgrain ribbon belt that divided the lace bodice and flirty skirt.
“Ditto that,” Maggie said. “I wish we hadn’t decided on the Christmas wedding. It seems so far away.”
Far away was better than not at all. Eryn nipped on her lip. She and Trey declared their love not very long ago, but she’d expected him to pop the question by now, and he hadn’t done so.
“He’ll ask,” Hannah said as if reading Eryn’s mind.
Eryn felt hope burgeoning in her heart. “You think so?”
“I know so.”
“I agree,” Kiera said. “If you could only see the way he looks at you, you’d know it, too.”
“And he loves Bekah. I hardly ever see one of them without the other.”
Eryn thought about the last month, and their time together since he joined the team. Almost every moment of their down time, he played with Bekah. In fact, there were times she arranged a play date for Bekah with Mia and David so Eryn could have Trey all to herself.
“You could be right. I mean, he once said he couldn’t work on the team if we weren’t together, so I’d thought he meant married to me.” She sighed. “I wish I was brave enough to ask him.”
“You, not brave enough?” Kiera shook her head.
“Shocking!” Maggie clutched her chest in pretend shock.
Eryn laughed. “I don’t want to put him on the spot.”
“I wouldn’t ask either,” Hannah said. “Just enjoy your time together.”
A knock sounded on the door.
“I’ll get it,” Eryn offered. She hurried to open it and found Kiera’s twin brother Kevin waiting. He was one of Coop’s groomsmen, and Eryn hoped there wasn’t a problem. Eryn stepped back and Kevin entered.
“Wow, sis. You look great.” He shook his head. “So you’re really doing this, huh?”
“Yes.”
“That’s what I told Coop, too.”
Kiera frowned. “Why? Why did you have to tell him that?”
“He’s shaking like a leaf. Said he was afraid you’d have second thoughts and remember what a grump he can be and you wouldn’t walk down that aisle.”
Eryn could hardly imagine Coop shaking over anything, but she smiled at the thought.
A soft smile slid across Kiera’s mouth. “He can be a grump, but he’s my grump till death do us part.”
“Then I’m here to tell you it’s time to make that promise, and you should get out there before his knees lock up and he passes out cold.” Kevin laughed.
Kiera hugged her brother. “Thanks for being in the wedding. I know you’re not into this kind of thing.”
“Hey, I’ll do about anything for my favorite twin.”
“Your only twin.”
“Yeah, that, too.” He grinned, looking so much like Kiera that Eryn had to shake her head at the resemblance. “See you at the altar.”
Tugging on his tie, he bolted for the door.
Kiera turned toward them. “Okay, ladies, it’s showtime.”
Eryn hugged Kiera, as did Hannah and Maggie, and the three of them followed Kiera out the door. Hannah adjusted Kiera’s train, and they strolled down the hallway to the sanctuary.
“I am so excited for this day,” Hannah said. “Almost as excited as I was at my wedding to Gage.”
The worship center door was open, and Kiera’s dad stood waiting, nervously fidgeting with his tie like Kevin had done. White rose bouquets matching the bridal party bouquets and pale blue bows sat in stands at the end of the aisles, and a white runner covered the aisle. At the front stood Coop, Gage, Jackson, and Kevin. They wore basic black two-button tuxes with a white shirt and fine-lined striped black and white ties. Coop shifted on his feet, his face paler than normal, and his hands were clasped so tightly the fingers had turned white.
“Oh, my,” Hannah said. “Gage looks so handsome. I know I should be commenting on Coop since it’s his wedding, but I was too nervous on my wedding day to really appreciate Gage in a suit, but oh my.” She fanned her face.
Eryn grinned, but thought she might be doing the same thing if she could see Trey. He had to look fine in a suit, too, but he arrived at the cabin after she left for the church so she hadn’t seen him. He was sitting with her mother and Bekah. Bekah wanted to be in the wedding, but Kiera had chosen not to have a flower girl as she didn’t want to hurt Mia or Bekah’s feelings by picking one of them.
“Ready to do this, sweetheart?” Kiera’s dad asked.
“Am I ever.” A radiant smile captured her face, and Eryn could imagine it lighting up even more when she caught sight of her husband-to-be.
“Then let’s signal the quartet.” He raised his hand and waved at the string quartet to begin the music.
Maggie started down the aisle first, and Eryn followed at a distance. Alex and Riley had donned suits, too, and they sat in solidarity with their newes
t team member, Samantha Willis, who joined them two weeks ago as their forensic expert. They’d taken the row where Coop’s family might have sat if he’d wanted them at his wedding. It made Eryn sad that he didn’t want to include them, but she was glad he had his team family here supporting him.
When Maggie reached the front, she held out her hand to Jackson, who clung to it for a second, his eyes shining with love. These two had come through such a difficult past, and to see their happiness was priceless to Eryn.
Tears formed in her eyes, and she had to blink to keep them at bay. She kept her eyes forward until she reached the pew where her family sat. Her mother. Bekah. And Trey. He was family now, too. Just not officially.
Bekah wore a crisp white dress, her hair curled with a beaded white headband holding it back, and she was kneeling on Trey’s lap, looking back at Eryn.
“Mommy,” she said softly, her arms going around Trey’s neck. He swiveled to look at her. His eyes widened in admiration.
She felt the sizzle of electricity flowing between them clear to her silver strappy sandals. He started to smile—slow, languid, luscious. It lit up his entire face, and she couldn’t contain her responding smile. She almost forgot where she was and caught her toe in the runner. She nearly stumbled but righted herself and continued up the aisle.
She reached her position and turned to find him still watching her. She couldn’t take her eyes from him, and knew then, without a doubt, if any man was worth stumbling over, he was the one.
Let him ask me, Father. Please let him ask.
Trey could barely force himself to stand and watch the bride come down the aisle because it meant turning away from Eryn. The icy blue color of her dress complimented her dark hair and tan skin that looked so silky smooth in the strapless dress. The skirt swirled around her knees and the high heels gave her legs a long sleek look. Gone was his fierce defender of the innocent, and a very soft and feminine woman stood before him.
He didn’t know which he liked best, but man, he liked her. Loved her. Couldn’t quit telling her, which is why he’d had to force himself to be more reserved the past month than he wanted to be. She still seemed a little skittish, and he didn’t want to scare her off, but if he had his way about things he would be up at that altar waiting for her to marry him.
“Pretty,” Bekah whispered bringing Trey’s thought back to the wedding march. Kiera looked beautiful, and Coop was a lucky guy, but no one was as lucky as Trey. Looked like he would be settling down with Eryn and this precious little munchkin in her frilly little dress in his arms, too. Could he be any more blessed?
Kiera reached the front and everyone sat.
Sandra leaned over. “She’s ready, you know. Just ask.”
He didn’t know how Sandra knew that, but he knew he got a big goofy grin on his face and patted the ring box in his pocket. He would wait until the end of the evening. Until the bride and groom had their special day. Until Bekah was tucked up in bed. Until he was under the stars at the outdoor reception with a starlight dance planned for later in the night.
He forced his mind to the wedding. To listen to the vows. But his gaze kept tracking to Eryn. He caught her eyes on him several times, and he suddenly wished it was dark already and they were alone under the stars.
When the music started playing and Kiera and Coop rushed down the aisle, Trey couldn’t believe the ceremony was over. He watched Eryn pass by, her hand tucked in Kevin’s arm, and a wave of jealousy washed over him. She wasn’t interested in Kiera’s brother, nor he in her, but the fact that she was touching him made Trey long for the same thing.
As did the way Maggie and Jackson held onto each other when they followed down the aisle. They would marry next, but maybe Trey could fit something in before Christmas. Nah, that wouldn’t be fair to them. A January wedding might be nice, though.
After Kiera’s family was escorted down the aisle, Trey looked at Bekah. “Are you ready to go see Mommy?”
She nodded and lifted her arms around his neck. “Carry.”
Trey stood and settled her in his arms.
“I swear that girl has forgotten how to walk since she’s had you in her life,” Sandra said and smiled.
“I like riding,” Bekah said. “And hugging.” She tightened her hold on Trey’s neck.
“Maybe a little less tight would be good,” he squeaked out.
She relaxed her grip, and Trey looked ahead to see Eryn in the receiving line. She was on tiptoe looking over people until they locked eyes again, and she sighed contentedly.
“I told you she was ready,” Sandra said.
“Yeah. Yeah, she is,” he replied, his heart clipping along at racehorse speed.
Trey only hoped he could make it through the night without dragging her off to some secluded place to pop the question.
Eryn was flushed from the fun. Sharing the night with her Blackwell Tactical family was even more magical than it had been at Hannah and Gage’s wedding because there were so many more “significant others” in the group. In fact, Alex and Riley looked a bit uncomfortable with all the love flowing around. She vowed to help them find someone special before the year was out. Not a challenge really as they were both great catches, but she knew they each had some resistance to long-term commitments. She would have to team up with Hannah to figure out what those issues were so the guys could find the light.
And then there was Samantha, Sam as she preferred to be called. Eryn didn’t know her story, but she did know the very beautiful dark-headed Sam was single. Hmm, maybe Sam would be perfect for Alex or Riley. Time would tell.
Sandra stood and gestured at Trey who sat by their table, leaning back in his chair, his long legs out and crossed before him. He’d shed his suitcoat and rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt and loosened his tie, but Eryn would never forget the picture he made when she’d first spotted him in the church.
Tall, broad shoulders, trim waist, the suit tailored to accommodate his many muscles. Yeah, he was a fine-looking man. Her man.
“Looks like it’s time to take little Miss Sleepyhead to bed,” her mother said.
Bekah was sound asleep on his shoulder, and her arms hung limply over his side.
“I’ll carry her to the car for you.” He got up, and Eryn planted a kiss on her daughter’s forehead.
“Thanks for taking her,” Eryn told her mother and hugged her.
“Hey, I’d be a fool not to leave you under the stars with Trey tonight.” She pulled back. “He’s a keeper, you know.”
“I know.” She looked up at him.
“Be right back, and since I practiced all my dance moves with Bekah, I’m now prepared to dazzle you on your feet.” He smiled at her.
She chuckled. “I’m ready to be dazzled.”
She sat anxiously in her chair waiting for him to return. She loved how he naturally fit into the “dad” role. She could easily see him with the five children he wanted. She still wasn’t sure if she was ready for that, but they could talk about it. Maybe negotiate the number down.
He soon returned, crossing the lawn with long-legged strides. She didn’t wait for him to reach her but met him near the dance floor.
“You really did mean you wanted to dance, right?” she asked.
“Yes.” He caught her hand in his and led her to the wooden platform with white glittery lights strung on poles surrounding it.
The floor was crowded with wedding guests, but he found a spot and drew her into his arms. The music was soft, slow, and romantic. She rested her head against his chest, and she couldn’t feel more contented than she felt at this moment. But then the thought of children with him niggled its way into her mind, and she lifted her head to look at him.
“Do you still want five kids?” she asked.
His eyes widened. “Is that something that would be a deal breaker for you if we got married?”
This was the first time he used the word married, and her heart almost stop beating. “No. But I’m not sure I’m ready to c
ommit to that. It would be great to see how things went with each child and then plan accordingly.”
He suddenly stopped moving. “Are you thinking about having children with me?”
She wanted to deny it as she was still feeling insecure, but she nodded.
A grin spread across his face, and he took her hand to lead her off the dance floor and into the dark. When they were out of sight of the guests, he turned to her. Stars sparkled overhead and a soft breeze blew in from the ocean. She couldn’t imagine a more perfect moment, until he got down on his knee and pulled a ring box from his pocket.
She gasped. “You were planning this?”
“For weeks,” he said. “I’ve had this ring in my pocket waiting for the perfect time.”
He opened the box. Held it out. “I love you, Eryn. I don’t care how many children we have, but I need you in my life. Bekah, too. Will you marry me?”
“Yes, yes, of course. Yes!”
He slid the ring on her finger and came to his feet. She admired the diamond solitaire with a wide white gold band. “This is perfect. I couldn’t have chosen better myself.”
“I have to admit, Hannah and your mom helped me.”
He was so amazing to ask for help to make her happy, and she raised her arms up to clasp his neck. He lowered his head and their lips connected. His were warm and insistent and he kissed her for longer than she could imagine, leaving her breathless.
He lifted his head, and she stroked his cheek, happiness bursting inside of her. “I have to confess, I wondered why you hadn’t asked sooner.”
“I didn’t want to scare you off.”
“Scare me off? Never. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and have your children. Bekah will be so excited to hear that she might finally get a sibling.”
He lifted Eryn and swung her around in a circle. “You have made me the happiest guy alive.”
“Your family.” she said, suddenly coming back to reality. “I haven’t even met them.”
“We’ll take care of that right away, and I know they’ll love you and Bekah as much as I do.”
Cold Case Page 26