“Okay, Lexie, am I supposed to just stand by and let her fly off to France, facing those bastards on her own?”
“No,” Lexie whispered. “You listen to her and then have a little back-and-forth conversation. Did you even bother to explain your plan”—she glanced across the room at Adam—“or mention the fact that your brother’s former self has enough power in his big toe to crush the De Rousses in his sleep?”
“I guess I didn’t.”
He seemed so crushed, Elizabeth let him draw her into his arms.
“Adam can fix this, and it will not place any of us in danger. There is no way the De Rousses will come up against you knowing you’re under Adam’s protection. To demonstrate it, Sarah, our computer genius extraordinaire, will give them a little demo of how fast their money will disappear if they are slow on the uptake.”
Elizabeth grinned through her tears and glanced over his shoulder at the women in the room. Was it too much to want these amazing women in her life? “Are you sure? I can’t lose—”
He lowered his mouth to hers, sealing her question with his answer. As with every time she was this close to him, she couldn’t help taking full advantage of the moment and enjoying the feel and taste of him.
He ended the kiss and brought his lips next to her ear. Lowering his voice so only she could hear, he said, “I love you and need you safe.”
“I love you, too, and all of what your sisters said.”
She went into his arms and pulled him against her. “Okay, we can do this your way.”
He raised his head and nodded to Adam, who left the room with Sarah. Danny moved into her view, his arms wrapped around his middle with a look of annoyance in his expression.
“So, are we on again? You and Noah are a thing?”
“I don’t care for the phrase a thing.”
Erin joined her brother. “But you do realize that this on-again, off-again thing you and Noah have is driving us crazy, right?”
Before Elizabeth could respond, Danny added, “Do you remember when Erin and I used to fight and you would place us in a room until we could figure out how to get along?”
“Yes, I remember. I cherished those few moments of peace.”
“You suck at communicating because you’ve been on your own too long. Maybe you should have a taste of your own medicine and see if you can learn to deal with each other.”
Noah couldn’t hide his chuckle. “Let me get this straight. Are you sending us to our rooms?”
“Yes,” Erin and Danny said simultaneously.
“The same room?” Noah asked.
“Yes, and you can’t come out until you have a plan.”
The sniggering from the brothers was making it almost impossible to keep a straight face. Elizabeth almost swallowed her tongue at the expression on Noah’s face. “So you agree with this plan?”
“Hell yes. Say goodnight, sweetheart.”
Before she had a chance to give each kid a kiss, Noah, who was already in the next room, doubled back and bellowed her name.
“Are you coming?”
She took his hand. The instant they left the kitchen, a loud, roaring laughter followed.
Noah opened his bedroom door and stood to the side so she could enter. He closed the door behind her, set the lock, and drew her into his arms. He brought his lips down to hers until they just touched.
“Number-one rule. When we need time alone, we start a fight.”
Happiness bubbled inside of Elizabeth as she played with the neckline of his shirt, slipping one button out of the casing, caressing the skin beneath before she moved to the next button. Noah shrugged the shirt off and tossed it across the room.
“Oh, so that’s part of this,” he said, placing his hands on her waist and slipping her blouse over her head. “I’m loving timeout. You have to come up with the next rule.”
His deep baritone voice sent her blood to a simmer. She edged him back until he dropped onto the ottoman. She straddled him, brushing her waves back out of her face. He grabbed her butt and drew her tightly against him, sending a jolt of fire into her core.
“God, Noah, I can’t think when you do that.”
“You think too damn much.” He cupped her neck. “Give us a chance. Make that the next rule.”
“Maybe I should get something to write these down.”
He tightened his hold as his brows narrowed. “Don’t you dare move an inch.”
She swallowed the laugh and gripped both his arms. “Rule Two, the big one. Whatever is out there trying to tear us apart, we turn to each other and hold on damn tight. Nothing breaks through us.”
“I heard what was said downstairs,” he whispered.
She leaned in and brushed her lips over his. “I heard you, too. Give me a chance to prove it. I’ll get better with the whole leap-of-faith thing. I trust you with my life, my kids’ lives, and love you so much, Noah. Tell me you know that.”
“I feel it here,” he said, placing her hand flat over his heart. He lifted her and laid her in the center of the bed.
Elizabeth rolled to her side, her legs intertwined in his. “Are you going to marry me?”
“Hell yes,” he said, teasing her bottom lip with his tongue.
“When?”
“There’s one more hurdle.”
“Which would be?”
“Meeting your family and asking your father for your hand.”
“Oh, Noah, can we really do that? I can go home?” When the tears began to fall, she let them. “But will they forgive me?”
“Of course they will.” Noah’s words were so gentle.
“How soon can you get away? Maybe I should call them and prepare them …”
“Most of the travel arrangements have been made. We leave first thing in the morning. Adam got us a private jet, and there will be a car waiting when we touch down.”
She hugged him close and pulled herself together. Heartwarming emotions flooded through her. She was going to see her family tomorrow morning with this wonderful man standing by her side. The world couldn’t be more perfect.
“Seeing you again will make their year. Believe me, sweetheart, I know something about loving you.”
“I’ve always promise myself I would see Tarroll, Iowa, again, stroll through my father’s fields and feel my mom’s arms around me.” Elizabeth swiped away the tears. “She gives the best hugs. God, Noah, she is going to love you so much. And wait until she meets Erin and Danny. Talk about a tear fest.”
“I love a good mamma hug. Tell me about your dad.”
“He is a farmer, true and true. He loves the land and works very hard to preserve it, but works even harder for his family. The one thing I missed so much over the years was how practical he could be.” She leaned in and kissed him. “I can’t wait for you to meet him. You have been cut from the same stubborn cloth, but you he will like.”
He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t know about that. I’m the man who is asking for the daughter he just got back. And once he sets eyes on his grandchildren, he’s not going to let any of you go. I don’t know what you are worried about. I’m going to be the persona non grata.”
“I have your back,” she said as she rolled him flat and eased on top. “No one comes between us.” She let out a deep laugh. “Tomorrow is going to be the first day I’ll wake up truly happy in a long time. I owe you that, Noah McNeil, and I’m going to have such fun showing you how grateful I am.”
He glanced at the alarm clock on the nightstand. “We have several hours before we need to catch that plane. If you are up to it, you can start—”
She covered his mouth with hers for a quick kiss as she scooted into that spot where they fit so perfectly. “We are supposed to be figuring out our plan.”
He rolled his eyes. “You and your list. Okay, let’s keep it simple.” He raised his hand and counted off on his fingers. “Rule One: Demand time alone together. Rule Two: No one comes between us. Rule Three: Make babies.”
“Good,” he said, and raised his fourth finger. “Rule Four: Have lots of sex and—”
“That’s all we need. But about that last rule, there is something I have been meaning to ask you.”
“And that would be?”
Heat filled her cheeks, but she pressed on. “So, you showed me it was quite possible for a woman to have multiple orgasms in one session. Is that the same for men?”
He let out a deep chuckle. “I’ve always just had one.”
“Was that a challenge?”
“Damn straight.”
Epilogue
Noah never believed in a perfect moment until now. Elizabeth was his wife, and dear God, how he loved her. Nothing in his life could have ever prepared him for the moment she began to make her way down the aisle on her father’s arm. Stunning didn’t come close to describing her. His heart skipped and he would have stumbled if Jared hadn’t been there to steady him. Of course the jackass chuckled like an idiot.
Noah scanned the chapel. His family took up the front three rows on the groom’s side of the church. The rest of the chapel was filled to the brim with Elizabeth’s family, lifelong friends, and practically the entire community of Tarroll.
The moment she had set foot on her parents’ farm several weeks ago, not only was there a cry fest between her parents and siblings, but the entire town showed up to welcome her home. Her mother made one phone call to her best friend and the news spread like a wildfire. Noah had never seen so many watery eyes. Her courage in walking away from her family and this community still rocked him to his core.
Ten minutes alone with her would take the moment over the top. They hadn’t had any time together since the private plane his parents chartered landed three days ago. Elizabeth’s brothers never left her side. He found them easily in the front right pew and had no problem reading their expressions. If looks could kill, he would be dust at their feet.
As he predicted, the men in Elizabeth’s family didn’t quite welcome him with open arms. Noah didn’t blame them but had hoped by now they would have warmed up a bit. Her father tolerated him because Danny made it clear if he wanted him as a grandson, he had to take Noah. Damn kid, the moment almost brought him to his knees. At least Elizabeth’s mother loved him.
Elizabeth elbowed him and he smiled down at her. “I’m listening,” he commented and tried to focus on Father Anthony’s words of marriage wisdom.
“No, you’re not. I know that dazed look.”
“Your brothers want to kill me.”
“Give them time. Besides, I got your back.”
“Right back at you, sweetheart.” He leaned down and brushed his lips over the top of her ear. Her hand tightened in his and he swallowed the laugh. She had the most sensitive, perfect ears. Eyeing Father Anthony, he whispered, “The man had better make this short and sweet.”
They’d exchanged the traditional vows and all that was left was the final blessing. Elizabeth had pledged her life to him in a clear, strong voice as her hands clutched his and her beautiful eyes spoke to his soul. Even though he could have recited his promise to her in his sleep, he still stumbled over half the words, choked up, and had to stop several times. He didn’t care a fig if he sounded like a lovesick moron, because that’s what he was.
He shifted, focusing his attention back on Father Anthony’s voice, and tried to shove down the mounting impatience. If the stubborn priest would just clam up and get on with the final blessing, Noah could find a private spot to have ten minutes with his wife.
As if he read his mind, Father Anthony ended his remarks. But instead of offering a blessing and asking the congregation to welcome the newly married couple, he faced them and smiled.
“I’m going to break from tradition and stop here for a moment. We,” he said, glancing at Elizabeth’s family minister, “have been asked to perform a special request. I’m sure Noah and Elizabeth won’t mind the slight pause.” He turned and glanced behind Noah. “The stage is yours, Danny and Erin.”
Elizabeth’s hand tightened in Noah’s. She seemed as confused as he was.
Danny and Erin stepped onto the altar from their position as best man and maid of honor. Reaching into his tux pocket, Danny brought out an envelope. His eyes grew a little too wide and he swallowed a couple of times before he spoke. When he did, his voice was so low, the congregation grew pin-drop quiet.
“All our lives, Merlot was our name, and I … we were proud of it. Even though it was just the three of us, the name meant something because it was supposed to be part of where we came from.”
Erin took her brother’s hand. She, too, seemed to have trouble finding her voice.
“As we recently learned, the name was part of our relocation package.” She turned and singled out Noah with a stare. “A name should mean something.”
He couldn’t help nodding in agreement.
“Today, you and my mom will share the McNeil name,” Danny said, flipping the envelope open and removing what appeared to be a document. “You have even received a license to make this ceremony legal from both Maryland and Iowa.”
He paused again. Noah could almost taste the nervous energy radiating off the kids, but he had no idea how to make whatever was going on any easier. They stepped off the altar and stood directly in front of him. Danny held out the form. “We were hoping maybe we could also … well, just read it.”
Noah quickly scanned the form and his heart dropped to his stomach.
Elizabeth leaned in and read it, shooting him a stare. “Did you know about this?”
Tears formed behind Noah’s eyes, and he shook his head. He faced the teens and whispered, “You want me to adopt you?”
Danny nudged Erin.
“Yes, but only if you want to, Noah. Danny and I didn’t mean to put you on the spot.” She glanced out over the chapel. “Last night at the rehearsal, Father Anthony mentioned that at this part of the ceremony, he and Pastor Lou would offer a special blessing over the union. We had hoped maybe after they blessed the marriage, they could then bless our union, our family.” A slight color came into her cheeks. “We perhaps didn’t think this through.”
She elbowed her brother and he took over, his words running together.
“Since you’re marrying our mom and we’re all moving into a new place together, that is if you wanted to … and since we don’t have a real dad, you could be him and we would all be McNeils.”
“But how did you get these drawn up without your mother’s knowledge?”
The moment the words were out of his mouth, Noah wanted to kick himself in the ass. It had to be the stupidest thing he could have said.
Jared cleared his throat. Leaning in, he whispered, “They asked me to help them. The form is legal. It just needs yours and Elizabeth’s signatures.” He moved in closer to Noah’s ear but the whole church heard him anyway. “Kind of a wedding gift from them. Don’t mess this up, dumb shit.”
He handed the form to Elizabeth and took a shaky step toward the kids. A tear slipped down the side of his cheek, but he didn’t care. “I would be damn honored to be your dad, and of course you’re McNeils.” He opened his arms and they both dove into him, almost knocking him down.
Danny pulled away. “You don’t need to think about it? I mean, we understand if you do. We're teenagers and can be pains sometimes.”
He drew Elizabeth into the fold. “It’s what I wanted all along but your mom and I thought with me moving in and the new place, we would let you get used to me first.”
Erin hugged him. “We’re used to you because you are already family.”
Noah dug into his coat and pulled out a pen. He flipped open the document and signed his name on the highlighted lines, then passed the form to his wife. After her name was added, he placed the forms back into the envelope and handed it to his twin. “I’m a dad,” he said with a wide grin.
“And a damn good one,�
�� Jared responded as the congregation broke out in applause.
Father Anthony and Pastor Lou moved back onto the altar. “So if that is all settled, please rise for the final blessing.”
Danny interrupted him. “Wait. We have one more small thing we would like to do first,” he grinned.
Erin lifted her bouquet and slowly unwrapped what looked like a thick braided necklace with four medallions and handed them to her mother. “We would like these to be added in the blessing.”
“What is this, Erin?” Elizabeth asked, and selected one of the crosses at the end of the gold chains. “It looks familiar.”
“Danny did some research on Evan Nash. That’s his family’s Celtic cross, and it dates back 300 years. We had Uncle Mac add his special chip like the one in the cross you’re wearing. Now, we all have one, and Evan will always be with us, sending help if we need it.”
Danny added, “It’s our way of honoring him for bringing us all together. If he didn’t seek me out, we wouldn’t be a family.” He eyed Noah. “I know you think he’s scary as heck, but he’s part of all of us.”
Elizabeth slipped an arm around Noah’s waist. “Our children are brilliant. We should have thought of this. These are so beautiful. You found the perfect way to honor Evan Nash’s memory.”
Noah cleared the tears clogging his throat. He glanced out at his family, his brothers, their wives and children. “In one way or another, he touched all our lives. Without him, none of us would be here.”
He placed an arm around Danny, and Elizabeth circled Erin’s waist. Holding the crosses between them, he faced the altar. “I don’t know why we fear what we don’t understand. A man I have never met taught me the most valuable lesson in my life, the true power of love.” He drew his family close to him. “Father Anthony, Pastor Lou, I think if we could have that final blessing, I’m in serious need of a few minutes alone with my family.”
As the congregation rose, Noah couldn’t help offering up a prayer for his angel. He wasn’t as scary after all. As he took it all in, another thought struck home. He thought he had had his perfect moment. There was a lifetime of perfect moments waiting for him.
In the Shadow of Vengeance Page 21