“It’s perfect. I love it.” She drew him close and kissed him.
He cupped her face and kissed her again just the way she always liked to be kissed. Long and slow, with a hint of the desperate romantic that he was.
“We’ve proven that we can work together and live together,” he stated. “Don’t tell Bowen, but you’ve become my best friend. And I think that we can also survive through a wedding. I know we have cars booked for other events, but the next important one will be ours.”
“Do you know anywhere we can get limos for the ceremony?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.” Chasen chuckled. “And I think that the owner might give us a deal.” He handed her the small empty glass bottle. “Don’t forget.”
Skye scooped some of the sand into the bottle and shook it. “You’re right, I will want to remember this night. With all the amazing things you’ve brought me, I think I’m going to need a bigger keepsake box.”
He kissed her again as Ollie barked and ran after seagulls. “Let’s finish the champagne and head home. We have a wedding to plan.”
Chapter Nine
Skye and Chasen’s Wedding
“They have no idea when the heat or lights will come back on in the Lodge.” Jacy, asked. “Are you sure you don’t want to postpone the day or go somewhere else?”
“Postpone my wedding?” Skye laughed feeling happy and giddy and excited. She knew she should probably be freaking out. Everything that could possibly go wrong had. The venue had lost power. That meant no lights, no heat. But with a clarity Skye found calming as much as she found it exciting, she truly understood what was important. Today was about her and Chasen becoming husband and wife. While all the wedding trappings were lovely, they weren’t what truly mattered. “While I might be as nervous as any other bride, I can’t wait to marry Chasen. I’m not delaying anything.”
“Are you sure?”
“Come on, Jacy, you flew down from Portland to be my Maid of Honor, and I’m not delaying anything. I have a coat to wear outside to start the pictures.” Skye looked in the mirror. She’d found her dress at a vintage clothing store. It was knee-length, made of white brocade material with silver threads. She scooped up her wedding bouquet of Queen Anne’s lace, Stephanotis, and wax flowers tied with bright ribbons.
“What about your makeup?” Jacy asked. “Is there anything I can touch up?”
Skye looked in the mirror and shrugged. “I don’t think so. Looks good. Let’s go.”
Chasen waited for her just outside the door. When he heard them coming, he turned and walked to meet her. He looked at her for a long moment before saying, “You look...wow. Just wow.” He swept her into his arms and kissed her. He stepped back. “Oh sorry, I probably messed up your hair.”
Skye laughed. “You know I’m not one of those kind of brides. You can mess up my hair anytime you want if you kiss me like that.”
“I was standing here thinking this is almost the exact spot I saw you the first time.”
“I could have worn that pink taffeta bridesmaid number today if you wanted.”
“No. This dress is much better. The first time I saw you, I thought you were beautiful, but not as beautiful as you are now.”
“Thanks.” Skye checked him out in his grey tuxedo. “You look pretty good yourself. This isn’t one of your chauffeur tuxes is it?”
“It needed to be special. This is my wedding day too and I wanted something that I didn’t wear every day.”
Bowen came up beside them. “Have you showed her your socks?”
Chasen pulled up his pant leg to reveal white socks with red hearts on them. “I knew we couldn’t be too traditional.”
They laughed.
Chasen sighed. “I talked to Amina and they couldn’t give an ETA on the power. It was great of her to give us a deal on the rental of the place, but now I’m sure she feels bad about the electricity being out. After the storm that hit last night, there are lots of power lines down around the city.”
“I’m not worried. All the food we ordered is finger food,” she said. “I don’t think that it needs to be warmed. Amina told me that they were going to light the fireplace and candles. We only have about twenty-five people coming. I think it will all be fine. Besides, I don’t want to wait another minute to marry you,” Skye said.
“I second that.” Chasen took her hand. Ted’s two-year-old son came toward when. Chasen bent and fastened the little boys black bow tie around his neck. “I know that Noah’s the ring bearer, but I’m not trusting him with the real things. Goodness knows, I can’t hardly trust myself not to lose them much less a little kid. I already gave the rings to Bowen.”
Bowen patted his breast pocket. “Safe right here.”
“Are you nervous?” Skye asked Chasen.
“Of course. Not about marrying you, but because it’s our wedding,” he said.
“I think we will both have a bit more understanding now with bride and grooms. It is one of the biggest days of their lives. Even though neither of us are high energy, the event still brings nerves.”
“I thought you might be upset about the power.”
“I think it makes it more romantic.” She grinned. “Though I am questioning my decision to buy a knee-length dress for a January wedding. I should’ve worn long johns underneath.”
He took her hand and spun her on her toes. “But then I couldn’t see your sexy legs.”
“My sexy legs are blocks of ice right now.”
Skye and Chasen sat on a stone bench with Noah between them. The cold wind blew, but Skye barely noticed. The photographer got into place, photos began to click away.
“I told you I wouldn’t be one of those brides.”
“No potato salad you feel like throwing?” Chasen asked her as the photographer added the best man and maid of honor into the photo group.
Jacy piped in, “It was the bridesmaid who threw that. I’m having one glass of champagne tonight and that’s it, so you’d better not fire me. How do I look?” she asked.
“Great...you look great,” Bowen commented and grinned at Jacy, making her blush.
Skye leaned over and whispered to Chasen, “Look at those two. Once a bridesmaid... Maybe there is something in the air with those two.”
“I agree, there might be something there.” He looked at his watch. “It’s almost time. Are you sure you’re ready to marry me?”
“I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.” Skye kissed him.
SKYE PEEKED AROUND the corner at the handful of guests waiting for the wedding to begin. She couldn’t picture it any more perfectly. It seemed like a million candles lit the hall. The soft warm glow reflected off the walls and the smell of sweet wax filled the air.
Her father came beside her and took her arm. Tears welled in his eyes. “You left your life behind when you moved from Portland to Seattle. I know you did that for me, and I don’t think I ever told you how much I appreciate it.”
“I love you, Dad. I knew you needed me.”
“I did and for a long time I felt guilty that you left your life behind. But now, it looks like your journey brought you love. Chasen’s a great man.” He touched her arm. “And the only one that I think is worthy to end up with my little girl.”
Happiness filled her. “Are you happy, Dad?”
“Of course. I’m gaining a new son-in-law today. The two of us are going fishing next week with Chasen’s dad.”
The pianist played the first few notes of Beautiful Day, by U2 and then the vocalist joined in.
“I think that’s your song,” her dad said as he took her arm. “There’s a man who loves you up there. Don’t mess it up like I did with your mom. I worked too much and didn’t spend enough time with her. I know that now. Make every day special.”
Emotions swelled inside her as she kissed her father’s cheek. “Thanks, Dad.”
Arm and Arm, Skye and her dad walked into the small candlelit room. A friend took Ollie down the aisle. He was we
aring a little bowtie around his neck and wagged his tail at every guest. Chasen smiled again when he saw her. He always looked at her like she was the only woman on earth. Skye knew how lucky she was as she walked down the aisle.
Her father placed her hand in Chasen’s and they stepped before the officiant.
“The two of you stand before us today to pledge your love. I understand that you have written vows for each other?” the officiant said. They promised each other they’d write their own vows and not let the other hear them until this moment. Chasen’s words were deep and filled with love.
Chasen spoke first as he slipped the ring over her finger, “As I place this ring on your finger, I promise that I will love you from this day forward. You will never be alone because you will have a home in my arms. Because of you, I’ve become the me I only dreamed of becoming.”
“You expect me follow up after that?” Skye chuckled as she tried not to cry. She sniffed and wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. She took the gold band from Bowen and slipped it onto Chasen’s finger. “To quote Winnie the Pooh, as soon as I saw you, I knew a grand adventure was about to happen. I take you as my best friend and I’d choose you a thousand times over and through all of the adventures our life will bring. I didn’t want to find just love, I wanted unconditional, knock your socks off, eternal love. With you, I’ve found it. I love you, Chasen.”
The officiant smiled. “Before I pronounce you husband and wife, I want you take a moment to think about all the moments that have brought you here. People are always so wrapped up in emotion that they barely remember their wedding day.”
“Not me.” Chasen shook his head. “I’ll remember every second.”
“Let me finish.” The woman put a hand on Chasen’s arm. “I want you to remember this moment, but also, I want you to think about a moment twenty years from now. Thirty or forty years from now. Where are you? What are the two of you doing? Your visions might not be identical, but they are your future. If you dream together then it’s a reality.” She placed her hand over theirs. “By the powers vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife.”
Chasen looked at Skye for a long moment, before he took her chin between his fingers and kissed her. It was the sweetest kiss Skye had ever felt. Her heart soared as she kissed him back. He laughed and dipped her backwards in a deep knee bend as he continued to kiss her. The guests laughed and cheered.
Grow Old with Me, by John Lennon began to play. Chasen had selected it and it was perfect. He jumped up and clicked his heels on the way down the aisle.
They greeted friends and family then moved to sit at different tables. Neither of them wanted a head table, it was too formal.
She spotted the caterers she’d met at the other weddings standing off to the side of the food table waiting for guests. Skye walked over to them and said, “Come and join us.”
They looked at each other. “Oh...we can’t. We’re working.”
“Baloney.” Skye waved her hand. “I’m the bride so today I get to make the rules or I’ll throw a bowl of salad. You helped me the night I was injured and kept my purse safe, and I never had a chance to thank you. I want you here and as guests.” She pulled on one of their apron strings. “Come on! It’s my wedding. Have fun. I’ll cut the cake. Goodness knows, I’m pretty good at it by now. I’ve been asked enough times.”
“You can’t do that,” Macy, the caterer protested. “We don’t want you to get your dress dirty,”
Skye leaned over. “The dress is forty years old. If it’s survived this long, I don’t think a little frosting will hurt it. Come on, stop worrying about things and let’s have some fun.”
The two women laughed as Skye put her arms around their shoulders and led them to join the other guests.
AFTER THEY ATE, SKYE could barely contain her excitement as she carried over a large wrapped item and set it before Chasen on the table.
“What’s this?” he asked as he pulled off the paper.
She opened the wood box and took out a heart that lay on top of the other items. “This box holds all the little romantic things you’ve given me on most every date. With each item, I fell more in love with you. I don’t want this to be just my box.” She held out a palm-sized red glass blown heart. The yellow ribbon which had been tied around her purse at the second wedding they’d met was wrapped around the heart. “Because you said you liked this ribbon, so I saved it. I also realized that I hadn’t ever given you anything. To add to the other things, here is my heart. Now it’s our box.”
He pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her in a strong embrace. “What about when this box is full?”
“Then we’ll add another and another. We’ll stack them on top of each other. I remember someone telling me that you need to start with a good foundation.” She gave him a cheeky smile and knew they were both remembering the night he proposed, the sandcastle they had built. “I think we’ve started that today.” She kissed him. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” He pulled her to her feet and motioned to the DJ to start the music. “This is the perfect time for our first dance.”
“What about the cake?”
“Mrs. Dantrell, do you have a schedule?”
“No, silly. Let’s dance. What song did you pick?”
“Happy, by Pharrell of course. Today you made me the happiest man on earth. I was going to pick the chicken dance but didn’t think I could get away with it.”
“I think I’d let you get away with pretty much anything today.” Skye laughed.
Chasen waggled his eyebrows. “How about making out in the limo later?”
“You’ll have to check with the driver.”
“Which is me.” Chasen did a fist pump in the air. “Now, I really am happy! I love you Mrs. Dantrell.”
“I love you, Mr. Dantrell.”
And that was the truth.
KADY NEVER THOUGHT that she and her son, Noah, would have to come back to Vine Grove. But after nearly losing everything in a fire, moving in with Mom and Dad was her only choice.
Kady finds a job in town at the Que Syrah Syrah wine shop. The ladies who meet at the shop create a group called The Love List. They draw names of single guys in town to possibly become someone special. No way is Kady drawing a name. The last thing Kady needs is a man, she needs to concentrate on getting her life back and finding a new home.
Local entrepreneur, Editon, has always had a crush on Kady, but she never knew. When he sees her again, all of his old feelings flood back. He’s trying to make a difference and build a community center in their small town. Will he have time to pursue Kady if she’ll take a chance on him?
Sometimes all you have to do is come home to find love.
Look for Jennifer Conner’s Other Titles
Visit Jennifer at her website
https://jenniferconnerwriter.wordpress.com/
BOOKS AVAILABLE IN EBOOK, PAPERBACK, AUDIOBOOK, and FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDITIONS
Novels
Seattle Billionaires – A Cup of Danger
Shot in the Dark
Kilt by Love
Coming Soon - Sleep Fall
Kindle World
Carly Phillip’s Dare World
London on a Dare
Sweet Romances
A Home for Christmas
Love on the Airwaves
Love Uncorked
Christmas Dog Tails
Christmas at Central Bark
Christmas Gift that Keeps Wagging
Dog Tags for Christmas
Love Comes for Valentine’s Day
Love Comes for Saint Patrick’s Day
Love Comes for the 4th of July
Love Comes for Halloween
I Hear Angels
Brewing up Some Love
Valentine Surprise
Cupcakes and Cupids
Christmas Chaos
The Christmas Horse
All I Want for Christmas is You
All I Want for Christmas
is You
Sexy Romances
The Mac Brothers – Seaside Playboy
Bad Boy’s Second Chance
Cinderella Had it Easy
Love Potion Number 10
Ten Minutes for Christmas
In Love with Santa
The Music of Christmas
Make Me Burn
Winner Takes All
Valentine Encounter
New Year Resolution
Christmas with Carol
Auld Lang Sigh
Rush of Love
Fields of Gold
The Music of Christmas
Historical
The Duke and the Lost Night
The Wounded Nobleman
The Reluctant Heir
Redemption for a Rogue
Time Travel
I’ll be Seeing You Through Time
Walk with me Through Time
Anthologies
Handmade for Christmas Series
The Love List Series
The Pancake Club Collection
A Christmas Kiss is on the List Anthology
Love in Time for Christmas Anthology
Christmas Romance (Best of Christmas Romances 2013) Anthology
Love Under the Christmas Tree Anthology
The Mobile Mistletoe Boxed Set
The Regimental Heroes Boxed Set
Yours for Christmas Anthology
Valentine’s Say I Love You
About the Author
Jennifer Conner
JENNIFER CONNER IS a best-selling Northwest author who has seventy short stories, books, and audiobooks. She writes in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Paranormal Romance, Historical Romance, and Erotica.
She has hit Amazon’s top fifty authors ranking and her books have been #1 in sales.
Her novel Shot in the Dark was a finalist in the Emerald City Opener, Cleveland, and Toronto RWA contests.
Jennifer is an Associate Publisher for the indie traditional publisher, Books to Go Now who resides in the Seattle area. They pride themselves in helping new authors get their foot in the door with well-edited manuscripts, professional covers, and platforms uploads.
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