Owen squeezed her hand and drew her beside him. As she met the warm affection in his brown eyes, the fluttering nerves settled. Whatever had happened before, she had no doubt that standing here in the sight of God to marry Owen today was the right thing to do.
"I want to welcome you all here on this beautiful spring morning to celebrate the marriage of Owen and Jennifer." The vicar beamed at everyone.
The marriage service passed quickly. Jennifer tried to memorize everything, the fragrance from the beautiful floral arrangements, the feel of Owen slipping the diamond-studded wedding band on her finger, and the sound of Paddy howling as he joined in the hymns.
She met Owen's startled gaze as the first doggy yowl filled the church. They both tried to stifle their laughter, as did most of the guests. Even when the hymn finished, Paddy kept singing for another ten seconds.
By the time he'd finished, Jennifer's abdominal muscles ached from laughing. Chloe looked mortified and kept trying to shush him.
"It's all right, sweetheart. Don't worry," Jennifer said to her daughter.
"It could be worse," Owen whispered. "Sixpence could be screeching along too."
It was lucky the vicar had a sense of humor and found the whole thing hilarious.
Jennifer's eyes were still running from laughter as the vicar declared them man and wife.
Owen pulled her into his arms, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Nobody will ever forget our wedding."
"I certainly won't. This is my perfect day." Jennifer slipped her arms around his neck. She pressed her lips to his and inhaled his warm, spicy fragrance that she knew so well.
"You're right where you belong, Mrs. Bramwell. In my arms," Owen said.
The organ struck up again, and they walked down the aisle with Chloe towing Paddy in front of them as she dashed out to avoid more doggy singing.
Jennifer and Owen stood on a carpet of purple crocuses beneath a cherry tree dripping with pendulous pink blooms. Chloe took Silver Sixpence out of her carry basket, and crouched in front of them with Paddy at her side and her cat in her arms, a perfect setting for a family photograph.
"Say cheese," the photographer said. The flash went off and Sixpence shot out of Chloe's grip. Paddy took off after her, knocking Chloe on her backside in the grass.
"Ah, married bliss," Owen said before he dashed after Paddy.
Jennifer helped Chloe up and brushed off her dress. She dropped down on a wooden bench to enjoy the spectacle of Owen trying to grab Paddy's trailing leash, and Chloe coaxing Sixpence down from the cherry tree.
Finally, Chloe gathered Sixpence in her arms, and Owen pulled Paddy back, his primrose silk collar grass-stained and askew.
"Shall we try again," Jennifer said. "We seem to have more luck the second time."
Chloe sat on one side of Jennifer, holding Sixpence, and Owen sat on the other side, keeping Paddy on a short leash well away from the cat.
"To wonderful second chances," Owen said, and kissed her as the photographer's shutter clicked.
If you enjoyed Silver Christmas and would like to be the first to hear about Helen's new releases, please sign up for her NEWSLETTER.
You might also enjoy these other books by Helen Scott Taylor.
Golden Christmas
Two wounded hearts are brought together at Christmas by a trusty golden Labrador and an adorable golden retriever puppy.
Every Christmas Vicky hides so she doesn't have to celebrate the date she lost her husband and son. She doesn't want to see anyone, but when she finds a dog's lost ball she meets Jon, a wounded ex-soldier who's struggling with his own problems. This brave man touches Vicky's shattered heart and makes her realize she can't hide forever. With his support, can she find the strength to love again?
Praise for Golden Christmas
"I enjoyed this book so very much! It's hard to go wrong with a hunky wounded warrior and not just one, but two precious pups!!" Sandra D
"It's such a sweet book and will have you reading it quickly, just like I did! I couldn't put it down! I loved the epilogue!" Valri Western
"It is a really sweet story about second chances and it will touch your heart as it touched mine." Winnie Lim
Snowy Christmas
When wealthy landowner, Marcus Bramwell, stops to help Emily rescue a poor little abandoned Westie, he rescues her as well. Her scheming Spanish boyfriend left her penniless and Marcus offers her the job of housekeeper at Rosemoor Hall, his English manor house. He gives her a home, a job, and hope for the future. But what she really yearns for is his heart. Can a penniless housekeeper persuade Marcus that not all women are like his cheating ex-wife?
Praise for Snowy Christmas
“What a fabulous book! This is a wonderful, heart-warming, clean romance which I found so refreshing.” Cindy F
“This is a beautiful story that will touch your heart as well as being perfect for this holiday season.” Diane Blaser
Italian Christmas Proposal
Desperate to forget her controlling ex-fiancé and have a fresh start, Claire goes to Italy to write about how the Italians celebrate Christmas. Leo has his own troubled past to overcome, but when he rescues Claire from the rain and takes her home to meet his daughter, the magical Italian Christmas offers them both a second chance at happiness.
Praise for Italian Christmas Proposal
"I loved this story! It was sweet, romantic and put you in the Christmas spirit." Gerianne Slavinsky
*
"What a wonderful, sweet holiday read that keeps you believing in the magic of Christmas!" Em & M Books
Italian Christmas Baby
Emily has everything ready for the birth of her baby—the only thing left to do is tell the father!
It was love at first sight for Emily when she met gorgeous Italian businessman, Savino Marin. She was sure he felt the same, until he walked away from her without a backward glance. But he left something behind and eight months later Emily decides she must tell him she's pregnant before his baby is born. She prays he'll want to be a father to his child, but she has no intention of renewing their relationship. He broke her heart once and she won't let him close enough to cause her pain again. But Savino knows exactly what he wants, and he's used to getting his own way.
Praise for Italian Christmas Baby
"…immerse yourself in a read that will inspire you to believe that love really conquers all and babies make it that much sweeter!" Today's Writing Woman
*
"What a lovely romance and a to-die-for hero every woman will love." Reader Forever
Italian Christmas Wedding
The last place Gina wants to spend Christmas is on an isolated farm with a man who's immune to her charms!
One phone call and the threat that has hung over Gina Marin's head for six years becomes reality. Her Mafia ex is out of prison and on the hunt for her. She has to get out of Naples for a few weeks, and gorgeous Seth Trevathan offers her sanctuary at his farm.
Gina entrances Seth. She is beautiful, vivacious and totally not his type. He's a country boy, ex-military, and used to getting his hands dirty. A fashionable, high-maintenance girlfriend is the last thing he wants. But he soon realizes Gina is not who he thought, and he's in danger of losing his heart.
Praise for Italian Christmas Wedding
"I fell in love with this in the very first chapter. It made me warm and fuzzy all over." Kindle Customer
*
"…a delightful story that will take you from the cold winter of England to the warm breeze of Italy." Reader Forever
The Army Doctor's Forever Baby (The Army Doctor's Baby Prequel)
Army doctor, Captain George Knight, is career focused and eager to see action. When he helps out a fellow doctor, Sandra Fisher, after an accident, he's not looking for romance. But this pretty, unassuming woman has secret hidden depths that fascinate him. When he's sent away to war, Sandra has her own challenges to face. Can their love survive the heartbreaking test that fate has in store for them?
Praise for The Army Doctor's Forever Baby
"If you love a gentle, emotional, family orientated, well written story, one that stays with you long after you have finished it, then I recommend you read any and all of this series." Amazon Reader
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"I have read all of the books in the Army Doctor's series and can't wait for her next book. If you haven't read these books, I highly recommend them, you won't be disappointed." Amazon Reader
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"This one was my favorite. Couldn't hold my tears. So emotional and realistic, it grips your heart." Reader Forever
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About the Author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Helen Scott Taylor won the American Title IV contest in 2008. Her winning book, The Magic Knot, was published in 2009 to critical acclaim, received a starred review from Booklist, and was a Booklist top-ten romance for 2009. Since then she has published other novels, novellas, and short stories in both the UK and USA.
Helen lives in Southwest England near Plymouth in Devon, between the windswept expanse of Dartmoor and the rocky Atlantic coast. As well as her wonderful long-suffering husband, she shares her home with an adorable Westie who rules the household. She believes that deep within everyone, there's a little magic.
Find Helen at:
www.HelenScottTaylor.com
www.twitter.com/helenscotttaylo
www.facebook.com/helenscotttaylor
www.facebook.com/HelenScottTaylorAuthor
Also by Helen Scott Taylor
Contemporary Romance
Golden Christmas
Silver Christmas
Snowy Christmas
Italian Christmas Baby
Italian Christmas Proposal
Italian Christmas Wedding
Irish Kisses
The Army Doctor's Forever Baby
The Army Doctor's Baby
The Army Doctor's Wedding
The Army Doctor's Christmas Baby
The Army Doctor's New Year's Baby
The Army Doctor's Valentine's Baby
The Army Doctor's Honeymoon Baby
Love is All Around: Contemporary Romance Box Set
Unbreak My Heart
Oceans Between Us
Finally Home
A Family for Christmas
A Family Forever
A Christmas Family Wish
Moments of Gold
Flowers on the Water
Paranormal/Fantasy Romance
The Magic Knot
The Phoenix Charm
The Ruby Kiss
Dreamy Kisses: Paranormal Romance Box Set
The Feast of Beauty
Warriors of Ra
A Clockwork Fairytale
Ice Gods Christmas
Cursed Kiss
Young Adult
Wildwood
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Epilogue
About the Author
Also by Helen Scott Taylor
Silver Christmas Page 8