by Jan Hinds
Sawyer held his right hand up as if taking an oath. “I promise to never flirt with your wife. She’s immune to my charms anyway. Believe me, I tried.”
Cooper weighed his words. “The way I see it you have two choices. You can either forget about finding someone to make a life with and keep up your partying habits, or move on with your life. Decide what kind of woman you want to spend your life with and become the man who is good enough for that woman.”
Sawyer watched Marcus laughing with Angie as she awkwardly tried to follow his lead. “What if she finds someone else before I become that man.”
Cooper stood and rested his hand on Sawyer’s shoulder. “Then my friend, I’d say you’ve made your decision and you’ve got your work cut out for you.”
Paige made her way back to Cooper’s side. “Hey, this is a celebration. I want to see nothing but smiles tonight.”
Aunt Marty put one arm around Paige and the other around Cooper, wedging herself between them. “You two made the right decision to get married when you found the person you want to spend your life with. Don’t the rest of you be stupid like I was. When you know you love someone, tell them, and don’t ever let them go. And don’t let anyone else come between you.”
Tina grinned at Aunt Marty. “Don’t worry. If either of us ever do fall in love, we’ll grab on with both hands.” She elbowed Zach in the side. “Right?”
Hurt flashed on Zach’s face and vanished before Tina looked up at him and said, “Right, buddy?”
Zach’s voice was tight. “Right you are. In fact, I’m thinking it’s time I start looking for the future Mrs. Lancaster.”
Tina’s smile wavered.
Sawyer shook his head and snorted a gruff laugh. “Fools,” he muttered.
Darren Pruitt asked Aunt Marty to dance, leaving Cooper free to slide his arms around Paige. He kissed her tenderly.
Sawyer stood up. “So where are you two going on your honeymoon?”
Cooper’s grinned at his bride. “Tonight we’re going to Cleveland, after that, who knows?”
Paige laughed and turned her scarlet face into her husband’s chest.
Cooper laughed and kissed his bride.
Agents Dan Cavanaugh and Delia Franklin walked into the fellowship hall and as soon as they spotted Paige, made a beeline for her.
Dan kissed Paige on the cheek. “Congratulations, you two. We have a wedding present for you.”
Paige raised her eyebrows. “Oh?”
Delia said, “Walter Crawford is making a deal with the prosecutor and has been talking non-stop about all the things his mother has done. Turns out she’s been robbing your father’s till to pad her income. She’s also been charged with second degree murder of her husband. Her father-in-law’s body was also exhumed to see if he died of something other than natural causes. Walter said he saw her putting something in his grandfather’s coffee the night he died. Pending the results, it could mean the death penalty for her.”
“So do I need to testify?” Paige asked.
Dan grinned. “Not unless the state charges don’t stick. We’ll only convene a federal grand jury if we need to pursue the abduction related charges as well. Just make sure we can reach you in case we need to have you testify. We have your statement on file. So the two of you are free to get on with your lives without worrying about Walter and Claudia Crawford.”
Cooper shouted for joy and threw his arms around Paige, lifting her off her feet.
“Where are you headed for your honeymoon?” Dan asked.
Cooper winked at Paige and took his phone from his pocket and pulled up a bookmarked page. “We’re going to Disney World,” he said with a grin.
Paige clapped her hands. “I’ve always wanted to go there, but Dad never took time off from the store for much of a vacation.
Paige’s family joined them to hear the news about Walter and Claudia. Joni said, “He and Mom can take all the time they want now. Josh and I are moving back to manage the store for him. It’s about time he and Mom started taking some time for themselves.”
Stuart and Evie spoke in unison. “Here, here.” Stuart gave Evie a lingering kiss.
Paige’s eyes misted with unshed tears. “Now if only Brent could find a job closer, we’d all be able to spend more time together.”
Brent grinned at Cooper, who nodded. Brent said, “Actually, we are moving closer, but not to Creston.”
Amy bounced on the balls of her feet. “We’re moving to Fort Wayne! Brent is going to manage Jennings Construction for Cooper. Isn’t that fantastic? We’re going to spend all kinds of time together. I’m so excited!”
The smile slipped from Paige’s face and she turned to Cooper. In a stern tone of voice, she said, “You never said a word.”
Everyone abruptly became still and silent.
Paige playfully punched Cooper on his shoulder. Her wide smile returned. “Best wedding presents ever! Thank you, sweetheart.” She threw her arms around Cooper’s neck and kissed him.
Cooper laughed and hugged his bride. “I’m always going to have to be on the lookout for being blindsided by that wicked sense of humor, aren’t I?”
Paige grinned. “Absolutely.”
She pressed her lips to his in a kiss that drew the applause of everyone left at the reception.
Cooper put his arm around his bride. “If you’ll excuse us,” he said. “We have a lifetime to start together.” He took Paige’s hand and led her outside to the limousine in the parking lot. Their family and friends followed.
“Wait,” Tina yelled as she ran forward and handed Paige her bouquet. “All the single ladies front and center.”
Aunt Marty, Angie, and Tina grinned at each other. Tina spoke to Aunt Marty, “Promise me if you catch it, you’ll ask my dad out on a date.”
Aunt Marty laughed. “It’s a promise, but as spry as you young girls are, I don’t stand much of a chance.”
Paige turned around and lobbed the bouquet over her shoulder.
Tina and Angie each took two huge steps to the side and the flowers landed squarely in Aunt Marty’s arms. “That’s cheating,” Aunt Marty said.
Tina grinned and hugged the older woman. “Now Aunt Marty, you know that all things are fair in love and war. Dad’s right over there and now is as good a time as any.”
Paige smiled as Aunt Marty walked to Darren Pruitt.
Cooper put his arm around Paige’s waist. “Mrs. Jennings, are you finished matchmaking?”
Paige gave her new husband a quick kiss on the lips. “For now, my love, for now.” She winked and climbed into the back of the limo.
Cooper dove in after her and as the driver closed the door, laughter floated from the car like water burbling in a stream.
Paige sighed as she held Cooper’s cheeks in her hands. “I never thought I’d marry a thief,” she said with a smile on her lips.
“I’m not a thief. I told you, I’ll pay you for the designs and I will,” he protested.
“Ah, but you are. You stole my heart the first time you smiled at me.”
Cooper pulled her onto his lap. “I plead guilty as charged and I promise never to return it.”
Their lips met in a deep, passionate kiss that left Paige trembling in her husband’s arms. “I’m all yours; heart, body and soul. I love you.”
Cooper groaned against her lips. “Please tell me this Bed and Breakfast is close by and we’re not really driving to Cleveland. I don’t know how much longer I can wait.”
“It’s close. Very close. And it isn’t in Cleveland.”
The limo stopped in front of a large brick house with a wrap-around porch. Cooper raised his eyebrows. “I had no idea it was so close to the church.”
Paige grinned and winked as she got out of the car. “I did.”
Cooper laughed and grabbed her hand. They hurried up the stairs to the front door. “Honey, I think you’re as anxious as I am.”
Paige grinned. “Guilty as charged.”
♥♥♥
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nbsp; Cooper swept Paige up into his arms and carried her over the threshold of their room. He kicked the door shut behind him and his phone rang in his pocket. He looked at Paige and grinned. “Do you know what that is?”
Paige tilted her head. “The first missed call of our marriage?”
“Exactly.”
They silenced their phones and tossed them into the suitcase.
The next time they checked, they had thirty-two missed calls between them.
A Word From The Author
Thank you for reading Not Actually Engaged. As an independent author your good word is my most powerful marketing tool. Please exercise your power by telling your friends about this book and leaving a favorable review on the site where you purchased it. I love hearing from my readers, so please email me at [email protected], or leave a comment on my Facebook author page https://www.facebook.com/JanHindsAuthor. You may also follow me on Twitter at Jan Hinds @callmepar or janhindsauthor.wordpress.com.
Grab your copy of my other books here:
The Tharon Trace Mysteries:
Sneaking Suspicions
Scales of Darkness
Shadows Before Dawn
The Otherwise Engaged Contemporary Romance Series:
Not Actually Engaged
Wrongfully Engaged (coming in 2016)
Not So Secret Family Recipes:
Pies & More Pies
Breakfast & Brunch
Cakes
Cookies
Candies & Holiday Treats
Just Desserts
Breads
Soups
About The Author
Jan Hinds lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana with her husband, son and two dogs. When not writing, she loves to explore the Acres Woodland Preserves of northern Indiana with her husband and English Shepherd dog, Tucker. She also enjoys reading, experimenting with old family recipes for her Not So Secret Family Recipes cookbook series, gardening, and playing with her grandchildren. Although she can’t carry a tune in a bucket, she has a tendency to whistle when she’s happy.