by Cara Marsi
Cat’s mother sniffed louder.
With a wicked grin, Alex leaned in and said loud enough for the others to hear, “If I hadn’t been watching you so closely that first day, I wouldn’t have seen you drop your phone. It was my lucky day.”
Returning his grin, she said, “Well, this Cinderella doesn’t need a glass slipper, but she sure needs her phone. I’m so glad you returned it.”
Laughter erupted in the church.
When the laughter died down, Alex’s best man handed him the diamond studded wedding band. Alex slipped it onto Cat’s finger. “Wear this ring as a symbol of our enduring and passionate love.”
Her mother handed her the plain gold band that would be Alex’s. Cat slipped it onto his finger. “Wear this ring as a symbol of our enduring and passionate love.”
Happiness covered Cat like sweet melted butter. She was afraid her heart would burst through her chest.
The priest said prayers over them, then pronounced them husband and wife. They walked swiftly down the aisle to smiles and claps. Her father had tears streaking his face.
*****
Cat leaned against Alex as they stood on the upper balcony of his villa overlooking the calm turquoise waters of the gulf. She breathed in the heady scent of flowers that grew over the walls of the balcony, in a riot of colors, dancing in the setting sun. She lifted her wrist to take a whiff of the lime basil perfume, a scent that would always remind her of this enchanted island and the man who’d captured her heart.
“Happy?” Alex drew her closer and kissed the top of her head.
“Very.” She smoothed a hand down the ivory silk of her elegant wedding gown, a one-of-a kind dress designed by her mother. “I wish all these people would leave so I can get you into bed to ravish you.”
He laughed. “How can we make them go away?”
She scanned the gardens below where white-clothed tables had been set up for their wedding reception. A band played soft rock music as the guests danced on the wooden floor constructed for the occasion. Almost a year ago, when she’d arrived in Capri, a woman determined to have a new life, she could not have imagined the riches in love and happiness that awaited her.
“I think everyone’s having too good a time to leave,” she said. “Or to miss us.” Among the guests, she could see her parents laughing together. Her mother glowed with an inner happiness Cat had rarely seen. Soon after Tinsley’s wedding, Cat’s father had stopped drinking. He’d also started divorce proceedings against Nolan and began courting Cat’s mother. Her mom hadn’t welcomed him with open arms, but he’d worked hard to convince her he still loved her. Staring down at her parents, elation, sweet as wedding cake, coursed through Cat.
The staff and owners from Vault occupied two large tables where they laughed and talked together. Alex had flown them all in from San Francisco. Bobbie St. James catered their wedding as his gift. Because the restaurant had to close for five days. Alex had paid the owners what they would have earned had the restaurant been open. Her new husband was as generous as he was loving.
“Let our guests party.” Alex kissed her gently. “They won’t miss us. We will make love now.”
She wound her arms around his neck. “Sounds good to me.”
With a soft chuckle, he picked her up and carried her through the open doors to their bedroom. With tenderness, he laid her on the bed and sank down next to her. “I love you, my Cat.”
“I will love you always, Alex.”
While the band played a romantic song, Cat and Alex went to the stars and back together the first time as husband and wife, promising many more magical Capri nights.
Potato & Onion Frittata
(Much like the spinach, mushroom, potato frittata
Cat and Alex share)
• 1 large red onion
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 medium red potatoes (about 12 oz.), cut into ½ inch pieces
• Salt and pepper
• ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 8 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 oz. extra-sharp Cheddar
Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Finely chop the onion.
Heat oil in a large oven-safe nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the potatoes and chopped onion, season with salt and pepper to taste, and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, for 7 minutes. Uncover and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are golden brown and just tender, 12 to 15 minutes more. If desired, when the potatoes are almost done, stir in fresh spinach and sliced mushrooms and saute. Stir in the parsley.
While the potatoes and onions are cooking, in a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and ¼ Tsp. each salt and pepper; stir in the cheese.
Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and stir to distribute the ingredients. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the frittata is puffed, brown around the edges, and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, 14 to 16 minutes.
Serve with a salad and crusty bread.
All About Cara Marsi
An award-winning and eclectic author, Cara Marsi is published in romantic suspense, paranormal romance, and contemporary romance. She loves a good love story, and believes that everyone deserves a second chance at love. Sexy, sweet, thrilling, or magical, Cara’s stories are first and foremost about the love.
*Read about all Cara’s books and sign up for her newsletter at www.caramarsi.com. She’s on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest and is always interested in making new friends.*
Author’s Note: Thank you for reading my story. I hope you enjoyed this romantic trip to the Isle of Capri. I’ve visited Capri twice, and it is indeed bewitching.
Books by Cara Marsi
A Catered Romance
A Cat’s Tale & Other Love Stories
(All stories in this anthology are available separately)
A Cinderella Christmas
A Groom for Christmas
Accidental Love
Capri Nights
Cursed Mates
Her Forever Husband
Her Snow White Christmas (Snow Globe Magic Book 1)
Her Frog Prince Holiday (Snow Globe Magic Book 2)
Logan’s Redemption (Redemption Book 1)
Franco’s Fortune (Redemption Book 2)
Luke’s Temptation (Redemption Book 3)
Love Potion
Loving Or Nothing
Murder, Mi Amore
Season of Magic Holiday Boxed Set
Season of Surprises Holiday Boxed Set
Storm of Desire
Sweet Temptations
Sweet Temptations Boxed Set
The Marriage Coin Boxed Set
The One Who Got Away
The Ring
Wedding Dreams Boxed Set
Coming Early 2016, Her Red Riding Hood Valentine (Snow Globe Magic Book 3)
Read excerpts at www.caramarsi.com
All books available at online booksellers
A Catered Romance, A Groom for Christmas, Capri Nights, Cursed Mates, Franco’s Fortune, Logan’s Redemption, Loving Or Nothing, Luke’s Temptation, Murder, Mi Amore, Season of Magic, and The Marriage Coin are also available in print.