by Tess Oliver
Rafe walked to my side of the car and kissed me. “You were the one in charge of the guest list.”
I leaned against his strong, hard body and once again was nearly overwhelmed with thinking that I was always going to have him to depend on, that the gorgeous, smart and wonderful man in front of me was mine and mine alone.
“You’re all right with this?” I asked for the hundredth time since we’d turned down the studio’s offer to pay for and broadcast our wedding. Instead, I’d opted for a much more Eliot style wedding. Just the two of us on top a beautiful cliff overlooking Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay, one of the most scenic spots in the world.
“I knew you’d never go for a big, showy, prime time wedding. It’s one of the reasons I’m so damn crazy about you.”
“Is this crazy, the two of us getting married so fast?”
“Are you having second thoughts?” I asked.
“Me? Heck no. Are you?”
I put my finger against my mouth. “Shh. Do you hear that?”
I looked around. “That’s those same two chipmunks laughing at us. I really should have taken more care with that guest list.”
He laughed. “No I’m talking about that screeching sound. My old life coming to a halt and starting again with you.” He held me tighter and smiled down at me. “When I walked into the television studio on that first day, the first thing I asked myself—after the obvious question of what the hell am I doing here—was who the hell is that incredible girl hiding under the coffee stain?”
“Which was your fault, by the way.” I wriggled even closer to him. “And I remember thinking that some girl was going to get really lucky this show season and walk off into the sunset with the dreamiest damn bachelor on the planet. I never expected to be that girl.”
A car pulled off onto the small turnout. The rather discombobulated and harried justice of the peace reminded me a little of myself. She dropped her book and camera as she climbed out of her car. Rafe rushed over to help her. Her tall, silver gray bun nearly slipped back off her head as she lifted her face to stare up at him. “Oh my, you are quite something. I’m Susan.” She looked over at me. “If the bride is ready, we can get started. The light is just perfect for some beautiful pictures after the ceremony.”
Rafe returned to my side and took hold of my hand.
“Follow me. There’s a delightful clearing right through here where you can get a view of the bay and Eagle Falls.” Susan led us along a pine littered trail toward the sound of rushing water. A cool mist sprayed our skin as we neared the falls. “Are you two in Tahoe alone or are others joining you for a reception later?”
I picked up a pine cone for a souvenir. “We’re alone for the next few days. But I’m afraid our families would never forgive us if we didn’t have some kind of a reception. It’s planned for next weekend.”
Susan stopped and waved her arm around. “Will this do?”
The view over the deep jewel toned bay was breathtaking. Almost as breathtaking as the man holding my hand. “It’s perfect.”
Susan flipped through her book for the wedding vows and then stopped to look at us. “You are such a beautiful couple. How did you two meet?”
I looked up at Rafe.
“It’s a long story,” he said. “Let’s just say it’s not one you’ve ever heard before.”
Sally waved off the silly assumption. “Oh, I’ve been at this for twenty-five years. Trust me, I’ve heard it all.” She laughed again as she pulled her glasses out of her pocket. “Are you ready?”
“Never been more ready.” Rafe faced me and pushed aside the curl and took hold of my hands. “What do you say, El, let’s you, me and Jack get hitched.”
The addition of Jack rounded Susan’s eyes behind her glasses. “Who?”
I shook my head. “Inside joke.” I smiled up at Rafe but I didn’t need a pinch anymore. The dream was no dream at all. It was real. “I’ve never been more ready either.”
Chapter 34
Rafe
I stepped back and admired my handiwork. The wheelchair ramp made a smooth transition to the front porch of the house. At the time when I’d bought the property, I hadn’t known what to do with the guest house. The main house was big enough for visitors to stay when they were in town. But now the quaint cottage would have permanent residents.
Tracker’s loud bark pulled my attention toward the house. Eliot was tugging the dog along with the end of his toy rope. Tracker had taken an instant liking to her, but that was no surprise. He’d always been my true wingman, and he knew instantly that I’d found the right girl.
Eliot had pulled her thick hair back off her face, with the exception of the curl. She’d finished out her semester down south and then transferred to a college near San Francisco. Georgie would be attending the same college in spring once they moved into the house.
Eliot threw the rope my direction, and Tracker loped ahead to fetch it.
I still couldn’t get over the color of Eliot’s eyes, or the fact that I loved every damn inch of her. “Nice job on the ramp.”
I glanced back at it. “Not too bad, if I do say so myself.”
“Jackson got the set designer’s job on that big fantasy movie. He’s thrilled. Particularly because he gets to spend the next six months in Australia. He and Michael were taking a break anyhow. But I’m sure they’ll get back together. You know how it is when two people were just meant to be together.”
I pulled her into my arms. “Oh, trust me, I know.” Tracker pushed his head between us. “And yes you’re meant to be here too, buddy. Now get that big snout out of the way.”
I smiled down at Eliot. “Losing that bet was the best damn thing that ever happened to me.” I lowered my mouth to her for a kiss.
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