"I'm saying yes to that."
"In the story, or right now?"
I pulled back far enough to focus on his face. "Both," I said.
"Okay, then just imagine that I'm slipping the ring on your finger."
I closed my eyes, as if imagining it.
"There's only one problem," I said.
"What is it?"
"I don't want to imagine anymore."
"Why not?"
"Because the story's not as good as reality."
His grip tightened, and he held me close. "You're saying you liked being all alone with me out here in the ocean instead of me giving a big speech in front of a bunch of people?"
"I love it."
"You're saying this right here is better than some long, thought-out thing?"
I nodded and looked around, taking in our surroundings. My gaze shifted from the scenery to Logan's chiseled, leading-man face.
"It's pretty perfect," I said.
"Even without the ring?" he asked.
I nodded.
He smiled at me like he knew something I didn't.
"What?" I asked.
"Sometimes you won't have any say in what I buy you," he said.
"What's that mean?" I asked.
"It means sometimes I get to spend a little money on you—not on the charity of your choice, but on you."
"What exactly are you saying?"
"I'm saying you probably won't have a say in what sort of ring I choose."
"Why not?"
He looked as if he might say something, but instead, he took my hand and put it on the side of his leg.
"Is there a ring in this pocket?" I asked, the instant it sunk in what he was doing.
He smiled and nodded at me.
I was too nervous to dig for it, so I lifted my hand out of the water, and covered my eyes instead. Seconds later, Logan's hand came out of the water holding a loose diamond ring. It dripped and I remember thinking, thank goodness that thing didn't fall out of his pocket.
It was simple in its design, but there was a more-than-moderately-sized solitaire sparkling in the sunlight. It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen, and it was mine. I couldn't wait to get it on my finger. I gingerly took it from him and tried it on. I stared at it for several seconds, unable to believe any of this was really happening.
"There's just one thing we're missing," I said, finally.
Logan didn't respond right away, but I just stood there waiting for him to figure out what I meant. The corners of his mouth curved upward into a slow grin.
"I know what it is," he said.
"You do?"
"Yep."
"You must not," I said.
"Why?"
"Because you're not doing it."
I stared at his mouth—not because I was trying to give him a hint of what I wanted to happen, but because I couldn’t look away from it. It was beckoning to me. I smiled at the thought.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," he said, making me squirm in his arms.
"Will you please…" I said. I trailed off before I could say will you please kiss me. It was obvious that I had changed my mind and decided to cut my question short, and he smiled because of it.
"Will I please what?"
"You know what," I said.
"Why don't you do it?" he asked.
"Because I want you to do it first," I said.
"What do you want me to do?" he asked, but even as the words left his mouth, he took my hands in his and placed them on the sides of his own face. I kept my hands there when he dropped his arms to wrap them around my waist again.
"Now use your hands to pull my face toward you," he said.
I did as he instructed, pulling gently down on his face until only an inch or two separated us. "What now?" I whispered breathlessly.
He slowly brought his lips to mine. It seemed like they'd never make contact, but once they did, it caused an electrical impulse to resonate through my body. Our lips were only touching for a few seconds when I pulled him closer. I leaned into him at the same time, deepening the kiss considerably. I never really let myself go too far with guys, so deep kisses were sort of unknown territory for me. Logan's tongue entered me in a way I'd never felt before. The hot, wetness of it caused waves of some new desire to wash over me. The ocean's waves continued to rise and fall around us, making the experience that much more surreal. Logan kissed me like he meant it. He kissed me like he'd been waiting since last September to do it. I surrendered to him, fully trusting that he had nothing but pure intentions toward me. I let him invade my mouth—let us both give over to the feeling of it, knowing there was more to come once we were married.
I must have gone dumb and blind with passion for a few seconds, because by the time Logan broke the kiss, my legs were tangled around his, and I had no recollection of putting them there.
"Logan?" I said, my lips still almost touching his.
"Huh?"
"I think it's gonna be fun once we get married."
He smiled. "It's gonna be real fun, kitty cat."
He glanced over my shoulder, and I turned to find Cody walking toward us. It took him a minute, but eventually he made it out to where we were standing.
"I hate to interrupt, but I just wanted to give you a head's up that there's someone with a camera about a hundred yards that way."
Logan squinted in the direction that Cody indicated, but didn't seem to care much. He shrugged and washed his face with a handful ocean water. "It's fine," he said. "They're gonna be sick of seeing us together before long."
"We just thought we should tell you since you know, you two were…"
"We're getting married," Logan said.
"Really?" Cody asked.
"I asked her just now on a sentimental hillside in front of all our friends and family, and she said—"
Logan trailed off at the sight of me shaking my head.
"I asked her just now when we were all alone out here in the ocean, and she said, 'yes'," he amended.
I smiled and nodded at him as I brought my hand to the surface of the water for Cody to inspect.
He stared down at it before lifting his eyebrows at us with a smile. "Does Aunt Denise know?" he asked.
Logan shook his head. "No, I'll tell everybody when we come up in a minute."
"When are you doing it?" Cody asked.
"Yesterday," Logan said.
"Soon," I said, smiling.
"Soon," Logan agreed.
"I guess I'll be the first to congratulate you, then," Cody said. He smiled at me. "The family already loves you." He motioned to the shore. "They're up there talking about how many of us can take a trip to Kenya in a few weeks."
I felt speechless, so I just smiled at him and blew a kiss to him and then one to everyone on the shore even though none of them were paying attention to us.
"I'll leave you two alone, I just wanted you to know about the photographer."
"I'm glad we have pictures of it," Logan said, smiling down at me. "He's doing us a favor."
Cody turned and dove into the water, swimming away.
"What if he missed the kiss?" I asked.
"Who? The photographer?"
I nodded.
Logan shook his head disapprovingly. "That would be terrible, he said. And just like that, his lips were on mine again. He shifted so we were facing a different direction. "We gotta make sure he gets a good one," he said, barely bothering to take his lips off mine when he spoke. This made the words come out muffled, which sounded so sweet.
I wanted his lips on me forever.
"I love you, too," he said, once he pulled away.
"How'd you know I love you, one?" I asked.
"I just know," he said.
"You're right."
Epilogue
Three weeks and two days later.
Nairobi, Kenya.
"I can't believe this is happening," my mother said, as she adjusted the white, birdcage veil that was hanging over my face.
My soon to be sister and mother-in-law had taken me shopping for the veil and dress while we were in L.A. They helped me choose something elegant, yet simple enough to fit with getting married at a farm in Africa.
Logan flew twenty people out for the wedding—some from L.A., and some, of course, from Carolina. All of them knew that it was a combination wedding and work trip, and everyone seemed excited about helping out at the center while they were there.
Logan's publicist had leaked just enough about the wedding plans so that the news wouldn't come as a complete shock to his fans. The photo of our rendezvous in the ocean made the press instantly, and Logan came out right away, saying he'd known me for a while and his intention was to marry me.
Long story short, it was happening.
Right now, on this very day.
Today, I would become Mrs. Rachel Ritchie. And tonight… well, let's just say I was a little nervous but mostly excited about tonight.
"I can't believe it's happening, either," I said. "The farm looks so beautiful. Thank you for doing all this."
My mom put her hand on my forearm. "You look beautiful, sweetheart." She gave my arm a squeeze. "You know I'm picky about my baby girl, and I just wanted to let you know how much I love Logan."
"He's a good one, isn't he?"
My mom smiled and nodded. "I love his family, too. And your dad and brother feel the same way."
I smirked at her. "Cub especially loves having Charlotte and Mia around."
She winked at me. "That might be a little perk for him." Her smiled turned sincere as she rubbed my arm again. "Your dad and I couldn’t be happier for you, Ray."
"I'm happy, too." I said. "And I'm so glad I get to do it here with you guys."
"Are you ready?" my dad asked, peeking his head into the farmhouse. "I think it's time."
My dad walked my mom to her seat before coming back to get me. I walked barefoot on the tan soil path that ran through the grass just as I had done as a child.
Everyone had chipped in to set up a beautiful, rustic scene where the guests were sitting in small groups on blankets. Logan was standing at the other end of the courtyard waiting for me. My eyes met his, and instantly, I wanted to cry. I got that aching feeling in my jaw, along with burning eyes. I took a deep breath.
"You okay, honey?" my dad asked.
"Better than ever," I whispered.
He squeezed my arm, and patted my hand. "I'm proud of you."
I glanced at him with a smile before turning to face Logan again. We stared at each other while I approached, both knowing we were about to do the right thing.
My dad shook Logan's hand before handing me over to him. The whole exchange felt so symbolic, it was like I was in a dream.
"I love you," Logan whispered.
"I love you too," I said.
My veil wasn't long at all. It barely reached my chin, and all Logan had to do to access my mouth was lift the edge of it slightly with his fingertip. He pulled me in with one hand while he lifted my veil with the other. Before I knew what was happening, he kissed me. This obviously took me by surprise, but I loved him so much that I went with it. It seemed, after all, as good a time as any to kiss him.
Some people whooped, and hollered, and whistled from the audience.
"That's supposed to happen after the ceremony," Evan shouted. I knew it was Evan; I could tell by his voice.
We both smiled as we broke the kiss. We stared at each other as we pulled back, not caring about anyone else. Finally, we faced my dad who had not only walked me down the isle, but was now also officiating the ceremony.
Several more whistles came from the audience, prompting Logan to lean over and do it again.
"That's all, I promise," Logan whispered after a few more stolen kisses.
"Till later," I said.
His eyes widened like it was the first time he had considered the possibility.
We were both smiling as we turned to say our vows.
It was a perfect wedding.
The farm was charming and beautiful, and our families were there. Logan was mine, and I was his, and there was no doubt in our minds that it was supposed to be that way.
The End
(till book 3)
Other titles available from Brooke St. James:
Another Shot:
A Modern-Day Ruth and Boaz Story
When Lightning Strikes
Something of a Storm (All in Good Time #1)
Someone Someday (All in Good Time #2)
Finally My Forever (Meant for Me #1)
Finally My Heart's Desire (Meant for Me #2)
Finally My Happy Ending (Meant for Me #3)
Shot by Cupid's Arrow
Dreams of Us
Meet Me in Myrtle Beach (Hunt Family #1)
A note from the author:
Cindi's Hope is the real-life rescue center that served as inspiration for the one Rachel's parents started in Africa. Cindi is a dear friend of mine who was willing to pick up everything and move to the other side of the world where she felt called to share Christ's love. It's been a privilege to watch what God continues to do through her ministry there. Please feel free to visit her website or Facebook page if you'd like to learn more.
Kiss Me in Carolina (Hunt Family Book 2) Page 15