by Ruth Langan
She quickly dismissed such a thought.
Hearing the music start, she took a deep breath and started toward the door. Just then she looked up to see Colin in the doorway, his eyes hot and fierce as he studied her. His look softened as he stepped closer, keeping one hand behind his back.
Lizbeth smiled. “Getting nervous?”
“I was. But not now.” He touched a finger to her cheek. “You look like one of those beautiful creatures in a fairytale.”
“That’s how I feel. As if none of this could possibly be real.” She studied the way he looked, so tall, so ruggedly handsome in his dark tuxedo. “I’m almost afraid to touch you, for fear you’ll disappear.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Lizbeth.” He lifted her hand to his lips. “I’ve waited too long, worked too hard for this. You’re stuck with me for the rest of your life.”
“Promise?”
He nodded. “That’s what we’re about to do down there. In front of the entire town of Stafford.” He brought his other hand from behind his back to reveal the most stunning bouquet of garden flowers, fabulous white roses and lilies and babies’ breath, tied with lace, and trailing delicate strands of ivy. “I thought, since you talk to them so much, they ought to be part of this.”
“Oh, Colin.” She buried her face in them and blinked back a tear.
Hearing the music swell, he caught her hand, linking his fingers with hers. “We’d better get down there before your sister Celeste comes looking for us. Did you know she’s asked to be the first guest on Serena and Gary’s new boat?”
“I’m not surprised. Wanderlust is big in our family.”
“Was,” he corrected. “We’re about to change all that.”
As they descended the stairs, Lizbeth caught sight of the Lassiter twins in neon pink gowns with matching parasols. Alfreda was holding Scamp, while Winifred was blinking back tears.
As she and Colin made their way toward the minister, standing in the middle of the garden, they passed Bill and Sue Yardley, who waved. Seth Simpson was smiling broadly. Amy Mullins and Vicky Carter were whispering behind their hands. Jack Nowack and his wife stood holding their daughter’s hands and beaming at the happy couple.
Lizbeth’s nerves dissolved, replaced with the most wonderful feeling of serenity. She was meant to be here. In this place. With this man. Pledging her love for all eternity.
Home, she thought. She’d made a wonderful place for herself here in this close-knit, loving community. But it was Colin’s love that had finally, ultimately, made it home. For home wasn’t just a place. She knew now that home was really a feeling deep in the heart. And her heart was nearly filled to bursting with love for this man. Wherever Colin was, that would be her home. For now. For always. Forever.
ISBN: 978-1-4592-0695-3
LOVING LIZBETH
Copyright © 2001 by Ruth Ryan Langan
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§The Wildes of Wyoming
**The Sullivan Sisters
†Texas Series
*The Highland Series
‡The Jewels of Texas
◊ The O’Neil Saga
††The Sirens of the Sea
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Epilogue
