Sainted

by Slade, Heather

  I watched as he signed and dated each document.

  “I’ll have my solicitor forward copies to you by the end of the week. You will have thirty days to find another home. Once escrow begins, its close will become the deadline by which you must vacate this flat.”

  “Since your parents died, I have treated you like a son. I cannot believe you would thank me in such a way.”

  “Since my parents died, you have treated me as a hired hand, Nigel. The respect I afforded you in return you did not deserve, yet I gave it anyway. I think what you meant to say instead was, ‘Thank you, Niven.’”

  I waited, but he did not speak.

  “As I expected.” I sighed. “My solicitor will be in touch.”

  When I returned to the flat, Harper was sitting in a chair by the window, reading. The sight replenished the joy I’d lost in visiting my uncle.

  “Are you sure you want to make the drive to Alfriston this afternoon?” she asked when I leaned down to kiss her cheek.

  “Very much so. Any word on the vicar?”

  “His surgery went quite well. It was his gallbladder, and according to Mrs. Rippington, it is possible to remove it through a person’s belly button.” She cringed and scrunched her shoulders.

  “Mrs. Rippington?”

  “Your neighbor at Fox Run. You know, Barbara’s mother?”

  I didn’t recall the Rippington name at all and wouldn’t have put it together with Barbara, given her last name was Walters. “Good news, then, right?”

  “Very good. The vicar called shortly after I talked to your neighbor. He said he should be home tomorrow but will not be visiting parishes for at least three weeks.”

  “Will you be going in his place?” I could predict the answer by the look on her lovely face.

  Harper beamed then worried her lip. “I will be, but…”

  “Driving?”

  “Yes. How did you know? I mean, I know how to drive, but I don’t have a car, and then I’ll have to learn to do it on the opposite side.” She shuddered. “I’ll figure it out, though.”

  I held out my hand and when she took it, helped her out of the chair and over to the sofa, where I pulled her close and wrapped her in my arms. “As I told you before, Eliza will be with you the entire time I’m away. Once I return, I’ll take over as your chauffeur.” I kissed her cheek. “What else is worrying you, Harper?”

  “You leaving, of course.”

  “And?”

  She sighed. “I talked to Mouse today. She said Dave was asking around about me, mainly where I was.”

  “Apart from the fact no one knows, unless you’ve told them, would anyone who did, divulge such information to the daft-wit?”

  That made her laugh. “I doubt it. Except maybe my dad.” She rested her head on my shoulder. “I talked to him today too.”

  I knew instantly by her tone that it hadn’t been a pleasant conversation. If I ever had the displeasure of meeting the wanker, he’d get an earful from me about the way he treated his daughter.

  Would that I could take away her hurt. Instead, I’d spend every day of my life making sure she knew I loved her.

  “My mom is happy for us. She can’t wait to meet you.”

  “You were busy while I was away.” While I hated to sour her mood, we needed to circle back to her concern about her ex. “As much as I would prefer to forget his existence, tell me why your ex asking about you has you worried.”

  Harper shrugged. “He sounded so mean the day he called.”

  “I can assure you he doesn’t have the means to act on his words.” That brought a smile to her face.

  “I know. Talking to Mouse just reminded me of a time of my life I’d rather forget.”

  “I worried a bit about how you’d feel at the wedding.” I hadn’t planned to mention it to her, but decided the more we talked about it, the sooner she could put it behind her. Plus, we had our own wedding to discuss.

  “I was worried too, but once we arrived, I didn’t give it another thought. Maybe if it had taken place at the same church ours was supposed to, it might have bothered me more. Or even on the same continent.”

  I checked the time and saw we’d have to leave soon if we wanted to get to the cottage before Eliza, who had agreed to pick Hammer up from Heathrow and bring him to Alfriston.

  “We should be on our way, my darling.”

  “I’m ready.” She wriggled from my arms, stood, and held her hand out to me. “Come on, let’s go!”

  I laughed. “You’re suddenly anxious.”

  “Not suddenly. You’ll never have to ask twice about going to Alfriston. I feel so at home there.”

  I hadn’t yet told her about the deal I made with my uncle or that if she wanted it, Alfriston and Fox Run would be her home.

  31

  Harper

  I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the scenery during the drive from London to Alfriston. I would whisper the names of the towns we passed through as if by saying them, I could declare my intent to visit one day.

  There was Thornton Heath, Netherne-on-the-Hill, Crawley, Pease Pottage—which made me giggle—Smallfield, and Lowfield Heath, among countless others.

  Saint seemed as lost in thought as I was. I liked that we could be together without either of us feeling the need to fill the peacefulness and tranquility of the silence with unnecessary words.

  We hadn’t talked about when exactly we’d get married or who would perform the service. I both cared and didn’t. As Saint had said, all that mattered was that he and I would be there. We would say our vows and commit our lives to each other. I would’ve liked our union to be consecrated, but I knew in my heart that God looked down on us with his favor.

  Saint reached over, took my hand, and brought it to his lips. “You soothe me, my darling Harper. Your presence alone brings peace to my soul,” he said as though he knew I’d come to my own peace over our wedding.

  “You do the same for me.”

  “I fear you are just being kind. You wouldn’t, though, would you? Lie, I mean.”

  “Not to you. Not about how I feel about you.”

  He kissed my hand again, but when he lowered it, he didn’t let go. “Not much farther.”

  “I know,” I sighed.

  When we pulled in front of the cottage, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Someone had cleared the overgrowth from the garden. While it looked sparse, I could clearly see its beauty come spring when the plants would no longer be dormant.

  I rested my hand on my belly, wondering if the baby I knew was growing inside me would be a boy or a girl. Either way, I could envision Saint, me, and however many children God blessed us with, tending this garden and this home with love.

  Worry crept in, but each time it did, I closed my eyes and pictured our family.

  “Everything okay?” Saint asked, looking down to where my hand rested.

  “Everything is wonderful.”

  He raised a brow. “Harper?”

  “You’ll think I’m daft.” I smiled, using the word he so often did.

  He leaned over and put his hand on mine.

  “I’m pregnant. I know it’s far too early to know medically, but I am.”

  “I thought to ask,” he whispered.

  “You did? Why?”

  “There is a glow about you. You remain the loveliest woman I’ve ever seen, but over the last couple of days…I can’t explain it. I thought perhaps it was because we would soon be wed, but I like the idea of you being pregnant far more.”

  “Me too.” I pointed at the garden. “Did you arrange for this?”

  “I would like to take credit, but no. I think perhaps Eliza may have had something to do with it.”

  It wouldn’t have surprised me a bit if it had been him. Saint’s words the day we met on the plane, echoed in my mind. “You, Harper, deserve to be with a man who will hold you in the highest regard, love you endlessly, and make it his life’s mission to do everything in his power to keep this lovely smile on y
our face.”

  He was that man, and I knew he would honor that unspoken vow along with the others we would soon make.

  When he moved our hands, leaned down, and kissed my belly, my eyes filled with tears. He didn’t doubt me. He believed I was pregnant too.

  When he sat up, something in the rearview mirror caught his attention. “They’re here,” he said, waving behind him. I made a move to open my door, but Saint put his hand on my arm. “Allow me, please.”

  I sat and waited while he hurried around, opened my door, and held his hand out to me. I looked into his beautiful eyes and smiled when he said, “Welcome home, my darling.”

  I turned to look at the cottage I’d fallen as much in love with as I had Saint. I so wished this could be our home. However, as much as I wanted it to be, it wasn’t worth Saint having to succumb to his uncle’s wishes.

  While Saint said hello to the man who exited the other car, Eliza approached and cheek-kissed me.

  “Are you responsible for all this?” I asked, motioning with my head toward the garden.

  “I’d like to take credit, but my understanding is the vicar, Reverend Primrose, along with the neighbor, Mrs. Rippington, arranged for several of Alfriston’s residents to come over and prepare the cottage for your impending arrival.”

  “Perhaps it was more to prepare it for sale.”

  Eliza shrugged and turned toward the men when Saint approached. “Harper, this is my dear friend Sterling Anderson, who most call Hammer. Hammer, this is the love of my life and soon to be Mrs. St. Thomas, Harper.”

  Like Rile had at the wedding, Hammer took my outstretched hand and kissed the back of it. “It’s an honor to meet you, miss.”

  “Wait. Are you American?”

  “Texas born and bred.”

  “Shall we go inside?” Saint asked, opening the gate that led into the garden.

  “Eliza said Reverend Primrose and Mrs. Rippington were responsible for all this.” I waved my hands on either side of the walkway.

  “You don’t say,” Saint said with a wink, letting me know he was in on it after all.

  “If you’d give us a moment,” he said to Eliza and Hammer when we reached the front door. He opened it, swept me into his arms, and carried me over the threshold.

  When he set me on my feet and I turned around, I gasped. Some of the old furniture had been replaced while many of the antiques remained. Everywhere I could see had a fresh coat of paint, and the place looked as though it had been cleaned from the ceiling to the floor. Bouquets of flowers were on several of the tables. “What is all this?” I asked.

  “When I said ‘welcome home.’ I meant it, Harper. Fox Run is ours now.”

  I studied him. “What do you mean?”

  “It is my wedding gift to my beautiful soon-to-be bride.”

  I didn’t care how it had happened; I was too happy it had. I threw my arms around Saint’s neck and kissed him.

  “Ahem.” Hammer cleared his throat. “You have more visitors.”

  I looked behind he and Eliza, through the door, and saw Mrs. Rippington pushing a wheelchair occupied by Reverend Primose.

  “Oh my goodness,” I shouted, rushing out to greet them. “How are you even out of the hospital?”

  “Pishposh,” said the vicar. “’Twas nothing but a minor inconvenience. The doctors are making far too much of it.”

  I looked up at Mrs. Rippingtong, who rolled her eyes and winked.

  “Let me help,” said Saint, rushing out like I had.

  “If you’ve got this, I’ll be on my way. Just give me a holler when he’s ready to go,” said the woman.

  “Thank you,” I said after her, and she waved.

  “Come now, you two,” said the vicar. “I understand we’ve a wedding here today.”

  Like they always did, my eyes filled with tears, but this time, I couldn’t see to walk. I felt Saint’s arms go around me, and he carried me inside like he had only a few minutes ago. When he set me on my feet for the second time, I saw Hammer had wheeled the vicar in.

  “While we’ll still take care of the other things we discussed, the vicar suggested we do first things first and be married,” Saint said to me.

  “Come with me,” said Eliza, taking my hand, leading me into the bedroom, and closing the door behind us. “While you are the perfect picture of a beautiful bride, there’s something I want to show you. If you don’t want to wear it, you don’t have to.” She walked over to the closet, opened the door, and pulled out a silk wedding gown. I gasped.

  “This belonged to Saint’s mother, Margaret. When she died, Saint found it stored in the back of a closet in his flat. He’d intended to get rid of it, but I begged him to let me have it.”

  “It’s so beautiful.” I reached out and touched the cream-colored fabric.

  “It looks to me like it will fit you perfectly.”

  “I’d love to wear it,” I said when I noticed Eliza staring at me, her hands clasped as if in prayer.

  “I can step out if you’d like.”

  “Would you mind helping me get into it? I’d hate to rip it or anything.”

  “I’d be honored.”

  32

  Saint

  “Where’d they run off to?” I asked Hammer when several minutes passed without either Harper or Eliza coming out of the bedroom.

  “It’s her wedding, man. Don’t rush her.” He nudged me with this elbow.

  “Thanks for making the trip, my friend.”

  “I’d say it’s what the Invincibles pay me for, but the truth is, I wouldn’t have missed this day for anything in the world.”

  The door opened, and my cousin walked out first. Her tear-filled eyes met mine.

  “She’s so beautiful,” she whispered.

  I saw her then. My angel. My darling. My Harper. My eyes—filled with tears, like Eliza’s—were seeing the love of my life wearing my mother’s wedding dress. I vividly remembered telling my cousin that she could take it since I’d never have any use for it. I was so thankful now that she had asked.

  I looked down at the dress shirt I was wearing along with corduroy trousers and a tweed jacket. “Do I look alright?” I asked Hammer.

  “You could use a tie,” said the vicar.

  Hammer removed his by loosening it and pulling it over his head. “Hang on a sec,” I heard him say as I turned around, put it under my shirt collar, and tightened it. “Okay, he’s ready.”

  Eliza handed Harper one of the bouquets of flowers that had been wrapped with ribbon, and she came to stand beside me.

  I knew I was supposed to look at the vicar when he spoke, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the woman I already considered my wife.

  He recited words we each repeated, said a prayer, and gave us his blessing as he said, “On behalf of God, our Father, I now pronounce you man and wife.”

  When he told me to hurry up and kiss her, I took full advantage, kissing her more deeply, with more love, than I ever had before.

  “Time to celebrate!” exclaimed Eliza, who rushed into the kitchen and came back out with a tray of glasses filled with champagne.

  “Hang on,” said Hammer. “We have some paperwork to sign before the bride, groom, and their two witnesses partake in any alcohol.”

  “Along with the marriage license,” said the vicar.

  I snaked my arm around Harper’s waist and kissed the side of her neck. “I have never seen a vision as breathtaking as you in that dress.”

  She turned in my arms. “There’s something I need to do.” When she led me out of the room, I shrugged at Hammer’s inquisitive expression.

  I followed her into the bedroom and closed the door behind me.

  Harper took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I don’t know if you’re comfortable with this sort of thing, but it would mean a lot to me if we could pray together.”

  “Of course. Nothing would mean more to me.”

  She held my hands, and we faced each other. When Harper didn’t close he
r eyes, neither did I.

  “Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing this man into my life. Thank you for making my every dream come true. For giving me a loving husband, a place to spread the word of Your Grace, and a family. Protect my husband, my Saint, my Niven. Keep him safe in your loving arms and deliver him back here to me as soon as you possibly can. Amen.”

  “Amen.” I was speechless, not just from her words but also at the wonder of the miracle that stood before me. Telling her I loved her didn’t seem like enough, but I said the words anyway. “I love you, Harper.”

  “I love you, Saint.”

  Harper and I returned to the living room and signed the papers Hammer had spread out on the table. He indicated where we needed to initial as he read the contents aloud. When we finished, Hammer asked Eliza and the vicar to join us and sign the marriage certificate as our witnesses.

  “We’ll take the vicar next door,” said Eliza, kissing my cheek. “Dinner will be delivered at five, so when someone knocks, put on your knickers and answer the door.”

  I laughed. “You are a minx, but I love you, cousin.”

  “I love you too, Niven.”

  “Where are you off to, then?”

  “I’m driving Hammer back to London tonight, but I’ll return as soon as I hear from you.” I watched as she hugged and kissed Harper. I thanked Hammer again for coming all this way, but didn’t encourage him to stay, at least at the cottage. I was too anxious to get our wedding night underway.

  Harper and I spent two blissful days and nights in our cottage before the call came from Decker that the team had been assembled and was waiting for me in London.

  The hardest thing I’d ever done was to bid my love farewell, get in the car, and drive away as she and my cousin stood in the doorway, waving.

  33

  Saint

  I placed a call asking Rip to gather the team, have them collect their gear, and advise them we’d meet at the Wellesley, where I’d give a briefing before we prepared for our departure.