Jayson moved in and nudged him. “It’s time to take the plunge. You ready?”
Bryan grinned and said, “I am. Let’s get this show on the road.”
The preacher signalled from the beach-side of the archway, and the two men walked down the carpet and stood to the right. The scent of rose petals at their feet, vines, and flowers covering the framed arch, and sea salt consumed him and it confirmed his vison for their lives; a sweet fragrance and salt to season their home, work, and lives.
When the music turned to a dreamy guitar rendition of, I Wait For You, his heart nearly burst. She’d managed to make this day special in so many ways.
He turned to look down the aisle and a lump caught in his throat. If loveliness had a name, it would be Katelyn. As she drifted down the aisle on her father’s arm, Bryan planted this picture in his mind, a forever memory of the day two hearts become one.
Her eyes connected with his from beneath her netted veil, and they didn’t sway as she made her way to his side. Her A-line dress was simple and modest like the woman she was, but she wore it so elegantly, she resembled a princess in motion. The white satin train spread out behind her with red and blue rose petals scattered over it. Around her neck hung a blue stone on a delicate chain, which complimented the blue, silver, and white baby’s breath in her upswept hairdo. He’d never seen it up before, and he was, once more blown away by her natural beauty and petite features.
Prior to the preacher saying, “Who gives this girl to be married?” Katelyn kissed her father’s cheek and handed him a rose plucked from her bouquet.
A choked answer came from the big man who held her hand in his. “Her mother and I do.” Then, like the gentleman he was, he transferred his daughter’s hand to Bryan’s and said, “Take care of my little girl.”
Bryan beamed. “Yes, sir. I will.”
He’d like to say the rest of the ceremony would stay etched in his mind forever, but the truth was that as soon as he’d touched her hand and led her to the center of the archway, all he could see was her. Vows were declared, rings were exchanged, and when the minister said he could kiss his bride, Bryan pulled her into his arms and was lost in the sweetness of her embrace.
“I love you so much,” he whispered before they’d parted, and he saw tears of joy well behind her eyes.
“And I you, until death do us part, Amen.”
All things work together for good
to them that love the Lord
Epilogue
On November first, the young married couple went aboard the Sea Winder once more and sat in the same seats facing Frank Bennis that they’d sat in on the two previous visits. They’d be there for two days, according to the lawyer, so they’d packed a small bag and moved into the cabin room below, the one that still had Bryan’s name on the door.
“I hear congratulations are in order,” Frank said.
“Thank you, sir. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me,” Bryan said, gazing at his new bride.
“I have one question, and I hope it will not offend you, but it’s necessary before I continue with the final page of your father’s will.”
“Fire away,” Bryan said.
“Did the wealth of the Simms empire have anything to do with you marrying this woman?”
“Now, I do take offense to that,” Bryan said emphatically. “I will live mostly in Africa, far from wealth and prestige, with the woman I love and swore to cherish for the rest of my days. Money never once entered my mind.” He looked at Katelyn. “You didn’t suspect I’d dishonor you that way, did you?”
She rested a hand on his now, sweaty one. “Relax, my love. The question needed to be asked, but rest assured, I never once doubted your love or distrusted your motives.”
“Good,” he said as he looked at the lawyer. “Satisfied?”
“Most definitely.” A look passed between Frank Bennis and Katelyn, which served to calm him.
“You two have something up your sleeve. Spit it out. I won’t have secrets between me and my wife,” Bryan said, playfully.
The lawyer picked up a third manila envelope and slid a piece of paper from it. “I have two choices of readings for you today. You will be pleased to know that these are your father’s final words to the son he prayed you’d become. I will continue the reading:”
“‘Dearest Bryan,
“‘My heart rejoices with you in the growth that has transpired over the last six months. You passed every test I’ve laid down, and if Frank is reading this aloud, be assured that I am celebrating this victory in heaven. The mission’s trip, Katelyn’s influence, the honorable designation of the mere one billion dollars I gave to my penniless, and I’m sure, angry son, have all been weighed in the balance. I can only hope you have bowed your knee to the Lord and that you harbor no hard feelings toward Katelyn in her agreeing to report your response to living the life of a vagrant to Frank.”
At this point, Bryan raised his eyebrows at Katelyn, who shrugged her shoulders. He saw the little girl in her pleading face, and he smiled and squeezed her hand. “Thanks for the good grade.”
“You earned it,” Katelyn said.
“Shall I continue?” Frank Bennis didn’t wait for an answer.
“‘So, my son, the one I attempted to raise and greatly failed in the job, I leave to you three-quarters of my total inheritance. You will be relieved to know that the men I have employed are honorable and trustworthy and do not need to be constantly watched over their shoulders to keep the capital growing in today’s market, but I do hope you will take an interest in some aspects of our goldmine and attend the bi-yearly conferences to keep apprised of your holdings. I have arranged for each chief executive officer to visit you on the Sea Winder to discuss your futures together. When you leave the yacht, return to the New York penthouse, where you will find the staff has returned and is ready to do your bidding, should you decide to reside there. The other homes will follow suit as you settle into the next phase of your life.
“‘That’s about it, except that you will soon learn where I specified the reminder of my estate to go, and I beg you to forgive the foolishness of the rebellious young man your father was. Hopefully, you will extend your love for a second chance at a family and help rebuild the fences I’ve burned behind me. In my wild years, I managed to spawn several children out of wedlock. I have watched them grow from a distance and have helped their mothers finance their upbringing. No doubt, you will meet them. Take it at your own pace, and I pray for unity among my children.
“‘Goodbye, for now, and I do hope to see you in the resurrection and live with you in eternity with our Lord.
“‘Love from your father, Bryan Jerome Charter the Third.’”
“I have brothers and sisters?”
“Yes, and an inheritance that will see you through your lifetime in ease.”
“I seriously doubt the ease part,” Bryan said. “Have you seen some of the places this girl goes?”
“I have, and we are all proud of the mission work she does.”
“So am I,” Bryan said. “And we have talked about what our future will hold, which may need to be revamped somewhat now that I have the Charter business to oversee. Undoubtedly, most of our time will be spent in Africa, but we’ve decided we need to have a life in America as well, probably in South Carolina where we’ll purchase a home next spring.” He chuckled and looked at Katelyn. “Or reside in my family estate, which I appear to have inherited.”
“Sounds like a good plan,” Frank Bennis said.
“Maybe then, I’ll be over the shock and ready to look up one of those offspring my dad scattered around the countryside. In the meantime, tell them I will not challenge their inheritance, and I wish them well in their future.”
“I will pass the message along, sir. And shall I still be employed by the estate as the family lawyer? I recall your threat on our first visit to replace me.”
Bryan laughed. “I’d be lost without an honest lawyer watching out for our i
nterests here on the home front. Please, forgive my former outburst and let’s continue to grow this dynasty for the greater good.”
“Music to my ears.” He handed Bryan a sheet of paper. “I will sit in on these meetings, slated over the next couple of days for moral support and to answer any questions the CEOs might have, regarding your leadership role.” He looked at Katelyn. “Sorry to be stealing your new husband from you.”
“Not to worry. With everything that’s happened of late, my office work has fallen behind, so it will be a good chance to catch up. We have a new medical team itching to come to Nairobi.”
The next two weeks flew by in a whirlwind of meetings as they organized the operation to run smoothly before he’d left America. When they were finally tucked onto the plane, Bryan sighed. “Well, Katelyn, are you ready for our next great adventure?”
“We’ve been on so many since I met you, what’s one more?”
“Did I tell you today that I loved you, and it grows deeper every moment—more than I ever imagined us to be?”
“Not in those words exactly, but I never tire of hearing you say it.”
“Then, I never shall stop. You can count on it.”
She leaned across her seat and with their foreheads touching, she whispered, “I love you.” Their heads tilted and they kissed, oblivious to the other first-class passengers lounging nearby.
The End!
What’s Next in the series?
Franklin thought his estate and businesses belonged to him, until an unknown grandmother shows up with proof that she owns the billionaire's fortune. She plans to give him all rights to his empire if he can do just one thing; work for two weeks before Christmas at Sprucewood, Colorado's Camp for Special Needs Kids, and perhaps learn that work and making money are only of value in God's eyes if mixed with a bit of Charity.
When he's paired off with Sprucewood's own mayor's daughter Audrey, who has recently discovered 'Jesus' and wants to do something of value in life, the two of them begin to have their eyes opened to the needs of others
Will they both find the spirit of Charity before Christmas, or will Franklin's desire to gain his inheritance and go back to his former life keep them from finding true and lasting love?
Get it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08K3T8BJH
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Author’s Bio
Dream Creations: bringing words of hope for the nations. Marlene writes Christian romance books, both historical and contemporary, with a twist of mystery, adventure, suspense, and drama to set your pulse racing. She is a wife, mother, grandmother, and follower of Jesus.
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