by Jaclyn Hardy
H unter stood at the edge of the gathering. The museum was packed with people waiting to see the two newest pieces of the Cleopatra exhibit. He shoved his hands in his pockets and moved closer to the glass cases.
Carlie stood beaming as she spoke to the press about the scepter while Braden stood a few feet away, watching the crowd for any intruders.
“She’s over there.” Dee’s voice made Hunter jump. She laughed. “When did you get here?”
“Just a couple of hours ago. Dad’s trial ran long.” Hunter finally spotted Dani talking to a group of people. “Dad still denies he had any connection to Sloan’s group. I don’t know how considering I was in the car with Sloan when he called about the scepter.”
Dee nodded. “Sounds like Xander had his hand in several different cookie jars.”
“Think she’ll talk to me?”
“Only one way to find out.” Dee patted him on the shoulder. “For what it’s worth, I think you’re good for her.”
Hunter smiled. “Thanks. I just hope she feels the same way.”
He moved through the crowd and waited for the group of people to drift off before he finally approached her. Elayne got to her first.
“Hello, Dani. It’s nice to meet you again.” She held her hand out and Dani took it with a smile on her face.
“Elayne. I thought you would have been back in England months ago.”
“I went home, but I couldn’t miss this. After all, I was the one who unearthed the crown.” Her laugh filled the air.
“You did. We made sure that your name is on the plaque.” Dani gestured to the sign under the crown.
“Yes, yes. Now, where is that darling man of yours? Do tell me you didn’t let him go.”
Hunter stepped forward and held out his hand. “He’s here. It’s a pleasure to see you again, Elayne. This time under much better circumstances.”
Elayne laughed again. “What a delightful man. Oh, I see Deirdre over there. I must got say hello.”
Dani watched her go before turning back to Hunter, her eyes bright. “You’re back. Well, not back. I mean, we’re here and not at home. I mean, ugh, make me stop.”
Hunter laughed. “It’s good to see you too.”
“How’d the trial go?”
“Sloan and Xander are still stuck in Hungary. They want to try them before sending them back to the States. The government here is fighting back. So naturally it could be a few years.” Hunter stepped closer. “I missed you.”
Dani blushed. “I missed you too. Eating dinner alone is, well, lonely.”
Those words were all he’d wanted to hear for two months now. He closed the space between them and pulled her in for a kiss. At first, she resisted, but then she melted into his arms and kissed him back. When they finally broke apart, the crowd around them cheered and lights flashed from cameras.
Dani glared at Carlie. “Did you do that?”
Carlie laughed. “No, I was just coming over here to tell you to stop stealing my thunder.”
“Thunder? I’ll give you thunder.” Dani wrapped her arms around Hunter’s neck and kissed him hard.
More cheers and whistles erupted, and Hunter couldn’t help but laugh. He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “I love you, Dani.”
“I love you too.”
Hunter taped up the last box and set it next to the apartment door. As much as he loved living across the hall from Dani, he couldn’t stand to live in a place where his dad had tricked him into living. He’d had enough of that in high school.
Nerves kept him pacing back and forth as he waited for Dani to open her door. This was by far the most nerve-racking thing he’d ever had to do.
Finally, Dani opened her door with her arms filled with boxes. Hunter grabbed his doorknob and yanked it open, then stopped. Deep breaths. Be cool. He waved. “Hey, I forgot you were leaving today too.”
Hunter groaned. Seriously? Of course he knew. They’d talked about it several time over the last couple of weeks.
“Yep. I guess it’s the end of an era, huh?” Dani readjusted the boxes in her arms.
“A very short era. I don’t know that it counts.” He grabbed a few of her boxes and took them out to the moving truck. “When do you get the keys for your new apartment?”
“Not till tomorrow. Dee’s letting me crash at her house tonight.” Dani sighed. “Not that I want to be there. Honeymooners and all that. But Carlie is visiting her family and Dee insisted I do that instead of staying in a hotel.
Hunter slid the box into the truck. He took a deep breath and leaned on the edge of the truck. “You know, we have a lot of boxes to move.”
Dani raised an eyebrow. “Um, yeah. That’s why I got a truck.”
“Well . . . what if the boxes all went to the same place? You know, instead of across town from each other.” Hunter kicked at a rock in the parking lot. This wasn’t going at all like he’d planned it in his head.
Dani blinked. “That wouldn’t make any sense. You need your stuff, and I need mine. Although I guess we could save gas if we just used the same one.”
“No, that’s not what . . .” Hunter pulled a small box out of his pocket and got down on one knee. “What if we were to get married and share an apartment?”
“Wha—How—” Dani clapped her hands to her mouth her eyes dancing. “For real?”
Hunter glanced down at the ring and then back up at her. “Yes?”
She squealed and threw her arms around him. “Yes!”
He slipped the ring on her finger and wrapped his arms around her waist. “You don’t really mind the honeymoon phase, right? Because we’ll be there soon enough—”
“Oh, hush and kiss me.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
D ani readjusted her veil and smoothed her dress. Today was the day. She couldn’t believe that it was finally here.
Dee handed her the bouquet. “It’s time.”
“Oh, you look so beautiful.” Carlie hugged her tight. I’m so glad I was able to get back here for this.”
“I think Braden knew better than to let you miss this.” Dani stared down at the ring on her finger. “You don’t think it’s too fast?”
Dee raised an eyebrow. “Honey, you two have known each other for over a year. You’re best friends. You took down a crime ring together. I think that warrants speeding up the wedding by a few months.”
“Besides, we all knew you two would get together. There was no reason to keep everyone waiting.” Carlie fluffed Dani’s veil. “Now, come on. Hunter’s going to think you’re ditching him.”
The tall chapel doors opened, and Dee started down the aisle. Carlie went next. She blew a kiss to Calvin who sat with his grandma and babbled. And then it was Dani’s turn. The wedding march replaced the music, and Dani had to take a deep breath before starting down the aisle. She kept her eyes focused on Hunter.
When she reached the front, she stepped up next to him and grinned. This was actually happening. Instead of writing their own vows that they knew they’d mess up, they went with the written vows from the priest.
“Are there any who believe these two should not be wed?”
“Me!” a voice called from the back. Todd stood there in the doorway. “I object.”
Dani’s heart leapt to her throat. What was he doing here? Hunter motioned to two men in the back, and they dragged Todd away, still screaming his love for her. Dani turned to Hunter.
“How’d you know he’d come?”
“Because I know what it means to love you. I’d have fought till the end as well. And I will.” Hunter nodded to the priest. “Let’s keep going.”
“Have you the ring?” the priest asked.
Dani took the ring from her nephew and slipped it onto Hunter’s finger, then Hunter did the same.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”
A cheer went up and Hunter took her into his arms and dipped her. He grinned down at her. “Don’t mind if I do.”
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sp; ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jaclyn is an Idaho farm girl who grew up loving to read. She developed a love for writing at a young age and published her first book in 2013. She met her husband, Steve, at BYU, and they have six happy, crazy children who encourage her to keep writing. After owning a bookstore and running away to have adventures in Australia, they settled back down in their home in Utah. Jaclyn now spends her days herding her kids to various activities and trying to remember what she was supposed to do next. Her books include the Silver Script Series and the upcoming Roping His Heart and Never Say Necklace. When she's not writing romance, she's chasing kids, playing games, and dreaming of running away to Ireland. You can learn more about Jaclyn at www.jaclynhardy.com
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MORE BOOKS BY JACLYN HARDY
Silver Script Novels
Ring of Truth
A Christmas Worth Billions
Fashioned for Love
Change in Harmony
Another Chance for Love
Love in Return
Waves of Hope
Love on the Run
Never Say Necklace
Emeralds are Forever
The Crown is Not Enough
Cottonwood Ranch
Roping His Heart
Taming His Heart
Rescuing His Heart