He frowned. “You’re supposed to say, ‘It’s beautiful, Dylan. I love it.’”
She smiled back. “It’s beautiful, Dylan,” she whispered, and touched his cheek with her fingers. “I love you.”
“And I love you.”
He pulled her to him and kissed her like he never had before. It was a kiss that promised more, with nothing held back. A feeling of pure joy and exhilaration flowed through her.
“I don’t know what I would’ve done if anything had happened to you last night,” he said raggedly. “If you hadn’t opened those doors in time, we might not be standing here.”
She inched her face away from his. “I didn’t open the doors.”
“Of course you did. They were locked, then they flew open. That’s what caused the wind that blew Carlton’s match out.”
“Dylan.” She cupped his face in her hands. “I was on the floor. I’d already hit my head. And the wind was not from the doors opening.”
He stared at her for a long time. “You can’t mean...”
“Yes. I do.”
He looked up and glanced around. “Meggie and Lucas?”
She nodded.
“Well, I’ll be damned.” His smile was one of amazement and acceptance. “I don’t know how I’ll ever thank them.”
“You already have. You saved their church. That was Meggie crying last night when Carlton almost burned it down.”
He stared into the shadows. “You think they’re here right now?”
“Probably.”
Still smiling, he looked down at her. “And do you think they approve?”
“Of what?”
“Me.”
The flames brightened then and a small breeze drifted through, lifting the ends of their hair. Jessica laughed. “I’d say so.”
He shook his head incredulously, then pulled her close again. “And what about your family?” he asked. “Do I have to go to Jared and Jake and ask for your hand?”
“You ask them for my hand and I’ll give you the boot,” she said indignantly. “I make my own decisions.”
He lowered his head and brushed her lips with his. “You can make any decision you want after we’re married. As long as it agrees with mine. Ouch!” He winced when she bit his lip.
There was a smile in her eyes as she looked at him. “Speaking of my family, they disappeared very mysteriously tonight. I don’t suppose they had anything to do with all this, did they?”
He lifted his brows innocently. “Would we do anything behind your back, Jess?”
“I’m shocked you would even ask me that in a church.”
His grin grew devilish. “If that shocks you, then wait till you hear this...”
He whispered in her ear what he wanted to do to her when they got back to the hotel. That night and the next and every night thereafter. She thrilled to his words. Breathless, she answered him, encouraged him, and when the last flame was gently extinguished, she led him back to the hotel and they let their own flame burn wild.
* * *
“Lucas, isn’t it wonderful?” Meggie breathed in the scent of roses and nestled in the circle of Lucas’s arms. “They’re going to be married. Right here, in our church.”
Lucas pulled her closer. “Yes, my love, almost as wonderful as the feel of you in my arms again.”
She smiled softly at him. “I was so frightened last night when Carlton wanted to burn our church down. I am still amazed we were able to open those doors. Even for us, that was a difficult maneuver.”
“It just goes to show how strong we are together,” he said.
“And we will be together now, soon. Truly together, as we were meant to be.” She touched his cheek. “Oh, Lucas, I’ve heard it’s so beautiful there.”
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered, and touched his lips to hers.
* * *
A cool breeze rustled the grass and spring-blooming bulbs the second Saturday in April. White puffy clouds scudded over the distant mountains, and the fresh scent of recent rain clung to the air.
A perfect day for a wedding.
Inside the church, garlands of baby’s breath and pink roses draped the aisle, and huge bouquets of spring flowers covered the altar. The sound of Beethoven’s Ninth filled the church from the new organ, one of many donations that had poured in since the review board had approved Makeshift Youth Center as a certified camp and counseling center.
The pews were crowded with anxious family and friends, among them Dean and Troy in their Sunday best. Their father sat beside them. Thanks to Dylan’s persistence, three months in a twelve-step program for father and sons had brought them all close together again.
Myrna sat in the front row where Jessica had insisted she sit, though the woman had argued she didn’t deserve the honor. With Carlton gone, Myrna was putting her time and money into working with needy children. Amazingly, when Makeshift Youth Center opened in two weeks, Myrna would be head administrator and chief benefactor.
When the organ boomed out the first thundering chords of Handel’s “Wedding March,” everyone straightened, then stood as the bride slowly glided down the aisle.
Jessica held on tightly to her bouquet and moved forward on knees that felt like water. Jake walked beside her, his hand on her arm giving reassurance and encouragement. She glanced sideways at him and he winked at her. She smiled, then focused her attention on the man waiting by the altar.
He wore a tux well, she thought with pride. The juxtaposition of suave against rugged, debonair against masculine, was devastating. His heated gaze followed her as she moved closer. Slow deep breaths, she remembered Annie and Savannah advising her, and gripped the lace handkerchief that had been her great-great-grandmother’s.
“You okay?” Jake whispered.
She nodded. “Okay” would hardly describe what she was. The love she felt for Dylan swelled inside her, and though she’d promised herself she wouldn’t, she felt tears burn her eyes. A few feet more...a few minutes more...
He couldn’t take his eyes off her. His throat had gone dry when she’d stepped into the church. She was a vision in antique white lace. His black bow tie and cummerbund felt tight. His palms were damp. Jared stood behind him, as did Savannah, Annie and Emma.
Family. He was going to be part of a family. He still couldn’t believe it, no more than he could believe it possible to love one woman more than life itself.
Their eyes locked as she moved in front of him. He reached out to her, and as Jake stepped away, he took her hand in his and led her to the altar.
Together, hand in hand, they turned.
The minister smiled and opened his book.
The ceremony was brief, as both Dylan and Jessica had requested, and as they said their vows, a cool breeze swept gently through the church.
“I, Jessica, take Dylan Grant...”
“I, Meggie, take Lucas...”
“I, Dylan, take Jessica Stone...”
“I, Lucas, take Meggie...”
Dylan pulled Jessica into his arms and sealed their vows with a kiss and a whispered “I love you.” Smiling, Jessica repeated his words.
And as they turned to be congratulated as Mr. and Mrs. Dylan Grant, the fading outline of another bride and groom disappeared.
Eyes wide, Dylan looked at her, and she at him. They smiled slowly, and as Dylan circled her waist with one arm and hurried her down the aisle, she said a silent goodbye, knowing that her life, her heart and her legacy of Stone Creek would never die.
* * * * *
ISBN: 978-1-4592-8699-3
Texas Pride
Copyright © 1995 by Barbara Joel
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Texas Pride Page 17
