Lights and Shadows (Oregon In Love)
Page 23
For the first time that day, a genuine smile graced her lips. Julia plucked out one of the buds and threaded the stem through a buttonhole at the top of her blouse. Perhaps the fragrance would keep her worrisome thoughts at bay.
Shortly before it was time to leave for Portland, Julia took a hot bubble bath at the main house. After she was washed, perfumed, and polished, she emerged from Sara’s bathroom, dressed and ready to go.
The drive passed quickly. Sara and her Aunt Hattie chattered excitedly while Julia remained for the most part, silent. At the church, she saw Marc’s Toyota and a measure of her angst receded. At least he was there. Now to just make sure he hung around for the rest of her life. Not like—
She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing her feet to follow Sara and Hattie into the church.
From the dressing room, Julia could hear the quartet tuning their instruments. Sara helped her into the dress, reminiscent of a forties ball gown, with a sweetheart neckline and short, capped sleeves. The satiny material clung in all the right places and tapered down to a floor-length skirt. Julia put on a matching bracelet, necklace, and earring set. They resembled tiny silver stars floating on her skin. Her strappy heels were encrusted with rhinestones. Sara touched up her hair, which was swept up in an elegant twist, topped by loose curls. Outwardly, everything was perfect.
Julia caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror and was alarmed at the ghostly whiteness of her skin, the worry in her eyes. I thought I was over this.
Marc is not Kevin.
Lightning doesn't strike the same place twice.
She closed her eyes briefly, drawing in a ragged breath. And cliches are never comforting.
“Are you all right?” Sara asked, taking her hand. “My goodness! You’re shaking like a leaf! Come over to the sofa and sit down.”
When Julia was seated, she put her head in her hands. God, please calm my fears. Please help me remember You are at the center of this.
“Would something warm to drink help?”
Julia nodded, thinking a few minutes of solitude would be even better. She forced herself to be logical. Kevin had drug problems. He'd disappeared on her a couple of times before the ceremony. Neither of them had the realistic expectations of married life.
None of these things applied to Marc. Not even close. He'd gone above and beyond to make her feel secure.
So why am I falling apart?
Julia heard the door open behind her and got to her feet. “That was quick.” She turned around, but further words died on her lips.
Marc leaned against the door, locking it behind him. In spite of her shock, she admired the way he looked in his black tux with black silk lapels. The snowy whiteness of his shirt contrasted with his olive skin tone. What she noticed most of all was the look in his eyes as he walked over to where she stood.
“Brian suggested I pop in to say hi,” he said with a bemused smile.
“He did?”
“Yeah.” He regarded her. “How are you?”
Julia bit her lip, despising the sting of tears. “Terrified,” she whispered.
Marc drew her into his arms, kissing her with such aching tenderness, a few tears escaped her guard. His hands moved to her hair, and the hairstyle which took a full half hour to perfect tumbled down around her shoulders. Her worries and anxieties went swirling away under the possessive pressure of his lips.
Hearing approaching voices in the hall, Marc released her. And with a meaningful look, slipped through the door. Julia sank onto the sofa, no longer trusting her legs to hold her upright. Several minutes later, Sara returned with a steaming cup of tea. When she saw Julia’s state, the cup rattled noisily as she set it on a nearby table. “What in the world happened to you?”
Julia peered in the mirror. Her hair was a mess, her eyeliner smeared, and her lipstick, non-existent.
***
As the pastor introduced them as Mr. and Mrs. Marc Dorin, Julia felt a sliver of tension mount. The ceremony had gone well, not that she’d heard much of it. Her attention had remained fastened on her groom throughout. She wondered if Marc noticed she’d placed some of his roses in her hastily-repaired coiffure.
Descending the steps to walk back down the aisle, Julia tightened her grip on his arm. She'd make sure he didn't leave her sight. Slowly, the church and guests came into focus and her smile felt more natural. She recognized his friends from Maupin. And Spencer had made it. He sent her a supportive smile. Toward the back of the sanctuary, she noticed a young woman she’d never seen before. The girl had a very self-satisfied expression on her face.
Glad for a distraction from her grim thoughts, Julia said in an undertone, “Marc, who is that girl over there with the pink hair? Do you know her?”
He stumbled slightly when he saw the girl and his expression darkened. “A wedding crasher.”
Confused by his reply, Julia looked at her with more interest as they passed her pew.
The young woman waggled her fingers at Marc and gave him a saucy wink. “My advice worked, eh, Mr. Dorin?”
As they exited the sanctuary through the double doors, Julia suddenly twisted her head around for another look back at the girl. The pink hair brought to mind a half-formed memory. And her lips were a bright purple—a garish color she’d seen only once before. The memory coalesced in her mind.
She peeked up at her husband. “Is there something you want to tell me about that particular person?”
“Nope.” Marc stopped suddenly in the momentary quiet of the foyer and faced her.
His serious expression alarmed her—the identity of the girl forgotten. Did he have to go? Would he ever come back? Would she ever stop being afraid?
He touched her face. “I'll never leave you, Julia. You need to understand that.”
She swallowed at what she saw in his eyes and suddenly realized Marc wasn't her past—he was her future. How have I ever doubted this man? “Kiss me,” she whispered, needing the reassurance of his touch.
As he lowered his lips to hers, the last of the shadows were chased away by the light of his unwavering love.
Other titles for Kindle by Bonnie Blythe:
Cascade Brides Series: Three novels of Faith, Hope, and Love
Available as a set or individually:
Rock And A Hard Place
(Book one of Cascade Brides)
Faith must decide whether to open her heart to love and reconciliation in Eastern Oregon.
Bayward Heart
(Book Two of Cascade Brides)
When Hope's business takes a dive. She must decide whether to sink or swim on the Oregon Coast.
Project Love
(Book Three of Cascade Brides)
Charity learns the difference between good works and love in Portland, Oregon.
Oregon In Love: Three Christian Romance Novels
Available as a set or individually:
Restorations
(Book One of Oregon In Love)
Can her old boyfriend rebuild their relationship as well as her house?
Lights and Shadows
(Book Two of Oregon In Love)
Chiaroscuro: the treatment of light and shade to give an illusion of depth—even in love.
Milagro For Miranda
(Book Three of Oregon In Love)
Miranda needs a miracle—to find her lost sister in a Mexican orphanage.
Other titles:
Claire’s Not-So-Gothic Romance
Jane Eyre meets Lucille Ball
How Sweet It Is
Chocolate maker meets surfer dude
Dearly Loved
She loved him long ago. Can she now that he's back in her life?
Texas Whirlwind
Did she buy her ready-made family and can she do it alone?
Melody's Knight
An English girl has a hankering for an American cowboy.
Love's Unmasking
A regency novella
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Table of Contents
COPYRIGHT
EPIGRAPH
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Thirty
Chapter Thirty-Two
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