Dream Wedding
Page 45
Her body shattered with his. They loved and gasped together as if they’d been born to be lovers. Perhaps they had been, she thought drowsily.
When their bodies had calmed, Ryan kissed her gently, helped her pull on her nightgown, then settled her next to him in their wide bed.
“I love you,” he murmured, already half-asleep.
“I love you, too,” she told him.
She fingered the lace on the nightgown and knew that despite the legend, she’d found her home and her destiny. She and Ryan were going to do well together.
Contentment filled her, warming her from the inside out. She found herself dozing off, safe in the comfort of his arms.
The dream returned. Cassie stood on the porch of the Bradley house, staring at a man walking out of the shadows. Old Man Withers appeared in front of her and glared.
“Not me, you ninny,” he growled and stepped aside. “Him!”
She hadn’t seen the second man before, but there he was, moving into the sunlight. “Ryan!”
In her sleep, Cassie smiled and reached for her husband-to-be. In his sleep, he pulled her close. In the morning she would tell him the truth about the dream, and that would only make him love her more.
EPILOGUE
CASSIE HELD HER breath until Sasha made it all the way down the aisle. The little girl had managed to sprinkle rose petals and walk on the white runner. The fact that she’d wandered a little from side to side didn’t really matter.
The organ music swelled. Chloe sniffed. “It’s not enough that I’m nine months pregnant,” she said. “Now I’m going to cry and my face will swell up enough to match my stomach.” She gave Cassie a watery smile. “At least everyone will be looking at you instead of me, so it doesn’t matter.”
“You look wonderful. Radiant, in fact.”
“So do you. I’m glad you’re marrying him.”
“Me, too. Now walk down that aisle so I can follow you and get married.”
Chloe made her way toward the front of the church. Her peach dress swayed with every step. Cassie waited for the music to change to the wedding march, and then it was her turn.
She still had trouble believing this had happened to her. She and Ryan had pulled together a wedding in less than a month. Fate had been on her side. Her local church miraculously had a free Saturday and could recommend a caterer who was also available. Her wedding gown had been hanging in a display window, and had fit perfectly, without a single alteration. The weather was flawless, the pews filled with family and friends. She had the oddest feeling that someone was looking out for her and Ryan.
She looked up and saw Ryan waiting for her. He was so handsome in his tux. For reasons she still didn’t understand, he loved her and wanted to be with her. She knew that she loved him with all her heart. They were going to have a wonderful life together.
She was still several feet away when she heard a familiar little voice demanding, “Unk Ryan.”
He walked across the aisle and picked up Sasha. They were both waiting when Cassie reached the altar.
“She wants to be with us when we’re married,” Ryan said. “Do you mind?”
The toddler rested on her uncle’s hip. Sasha grinned and leaned forward for a kiss. Cassie obliged her. “I don’t mind,” she said. “It’s exactly right.”
Ryan took her hand in his and the three of them faced the minister, where they were joined together as a family.
Somewhere, in a place some on earth might not quite understand, an old gypsy woman smiled down at the couple destined for a life of happiness.
The legend of the nightgown had once again come true.
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781460322529
DREAM WEDDING
Copyright © 2013 by Harlequin Books S.A.
The publisher acknowledges the copyright holder
of the individual works as follows:
DREAM BRIDE
Copyright © 1999 by Susan W. Macias
DREAM GROOM
Copyright © 1999 by Susan W. Macias
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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