His Band of Gold

by Melissa McClone

  A lump formed in Kelsey’s throat. Her knees felt wobbly. She sat on the bed and Midas snuggled against her thigh.

  Will walked toward her. “Sara’s death. My mother’s stroke. I can pretend all I want, but it doesn’t change the fact. You can’t control what happens.”

  “Love holds no guarantees.”

  “It doesn’t. No matter how hard you try, you can still lose.” He stared into Kelsey’s eyes. “I don’t want to lose you. I can’t lose you.” Will reached out and caught her hand in his. “I know we haven’t known each other long, but I love you. I tried to fight it. I tried to pretend I didn’t. But I do. I love you.”

  Kelsey sat speechless. She never expected to hear those words from Will’s lips. She never expected three little words to have such an impact on her. Yet it still wasn’t enough. “Why? Why do you love me?”

  The edges of his mouth curled up. “I love the way your eyes light up when something pleases you and how your eyebrows knot together when something doesn’t. I love the way you make coffee and the lipstick marks you leave on the mug. I love how you can be cynical, yet wildly romantic about weddings at the same time. Want me to go on?”

  She nodded.

  He chuckled. “I love that you aren’t afraid to speak your mind, give an opinion or tell me I’m wrong even when I’m right. I love how staring into your eyes makes me forget everything, including my own name. I love you, Kelsey. More than I ever thought possible. Enough?”

  “For now.” She blinked back tears. “Oh, Will. I love you, too.”

  “Why?” He grinned. “You had me spell it out. Fair is fair.”

  She laughed. “Let’s see…I love how you hand feed Midas his food when you think no one is looking. I love your optimism, your idealism and your kisses. I love your dedication and loyalty to your family and how it has made me want to have a family of my own. Something I thought I never wanted, but deep down truly did. My whole life I felt like something was missing, and I found it when I met you. Enough?”

  “For now.” He kissed each of her fingertips and tingles shot up her arm. “Say you’ll give me a chance. I’ll do whatever it takes. Marry me, don’t marry me. I don’t care as long as we can be together forever.”

  Kelsey’s heart swelled with joy. “I like the sound of forever.”

  “Me, too.”

  “You might not want to get used to having a bare ring finger.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Well, your family has a pretty good record when it comes to marriage, so that might make up for my parents. And since your parents can’t adopt me, this is probably my only chance to become a member of your family. Kelsey Armstrong Waters Addison has a nice ring to it. I’m sure I could think of other reasons if you give me a few minutes.”

  “I thought you were only taking baby steps right now.”

  “I feel lucky,” she admitted. “I did catch the bouquet at my cousin Christina’s wedding so I’m the next to wed. And since you happen to be a firm believer in tradition…”

  “Does this mean you’d…would you…?” He brushed his hand through his hair. “Who am I kidding? We’ve never even been on a date.”

  “True, but we’ve planned a wedding together. That has to count for at least three to six months of dating.”

  “I’d say a year.”

  “I’ve never dated anyone for a year so I’ll have to take your word for it.” She grinned. “So…?”

  “This is insane.”

  “I’m new at this sort of thing, but isn’t love normally insane?”

  “In this case, yes.” He raised her right hand and kissed the top of it. “Kelsey Armstrong Waters, would you marry me?”

  She stared at him. “I only plan for this to happen once, and I want everything to be perfect. Well, as perfect as we can get it. Do you think you could get down on one knee and try again?”

  He smiled. “Anything else?”

  “I don’t suppose you have a carriage pulled by white horses outside and a dozen red roses?”

  “Sorry. We can wait.”

  “No, we can’t.” She shifted on the bed, making herself comfortable. Midas simply scooted back up beside her. “I’m ready now.”

  Will kneeled and took her hand in his. “Marry me, Kelsey. Be my wife and let me be your husband.”

  The words were music to her ears, candy to her mouth. She let them sink in. Closing her eyes, she sighed.

  “Kelsey? Are you okay?”

  “I’m savoring the moment.”

  “Don’t forget about the guy on his knee waiting for an answer.”

  She opened her eyes. “I’m done savoring.”

  “And?”

  “Yes.” She smiled. “I’ll marry you.”

  He rose, pulled her into her arms and kissed her. “What do you say we get married tomorrow?”

  She was dizzy from his proposal, from his kiss. “Tomorrow? Isn’t that a little fast?”

  “I doubt we could plan a wedding any more perfect for us.”

  That was the truth. And she might be able to borrow Faith’s dress. It fit, after all. The familiar scent of roses filled the room. “Do you smell that?”

  “What?”

  “It’s nothing,” she said. Nothing but a sign marrying Will was the right thing to do. Not that she needed anything except her heart to tell her what to do. “A Valentine’s wedding would be romantic.”

  “I can think of something even more romantic.”

  “What’s that?”

  “A Valentine’s honeymoon.”

  “What about a happily-ever-after ending?”

  He kissed her. “That’s a given.”

  “Promise?”

  “I promise.”

  Epilogue

  February 14, Valentine’s Day

  Today was her wedding day.

  Kelsey stood at the top of the staircase, her father at her side. The mahogany banister was decorated with a garland of flowers, greenery and twinkling white lights. It was just as romantic as she’d imagined it would be the first time she stepped into Will’s—soon-to-be their—house. The sweet scent of the roses on the garland and in her bouquet tickled her nose, and she smiled.

  It was almost time.

  The din of the wedding guests along with the music from the string quartet rose from the living room. She wanted to pinch herself to make sure this wasn’t a dream, but she didn’t want to snag the lace fabric of her gown. Faith had graciously offered the use of her wedding dress last night. Kelsey had accepted without a moment’s hesitation, brushing aside any concerns about whether alterations would be needed. As far as she was concerned, no one except Christina and, one day soon, Will, would ever know she’d tried on the dress before.

  Christina.

  She was the only person missing. She’d wanted to come, but travelling such a long way with morning sickness would have been too much for her. Kelsey knew that her cousin would be with her in spirit, accompanying her every step of the way down the aisle.

  There’s something about the magical power of love.

  That’s what Christina had told her once. Kelsey had rolled her eyes then. She was a believer now. Perhaps a sprinkle of magic had travelled all the way from San Montico. How else could she explain everything that had happened these past two weeks? That was about to happen…

  Her maid of honor, Faith, and her matron of honor, Hope, descended the staircase to the strains of “Canon in D.” The song wasn’t the most original when it came to processional music, but Kelsey didn’t care. It had always been one of her favorites. That’s all that mattered today. She was the bride.

  Faith and Hope turned the corner. A few moments later, a new song began—Mozart’s “Romance from String Quartet.” Each note was like a kiss, rising up to greet Kelsey.

  This is it.

  “Even though you’ll be a married woman, you’ll always be my little girl.” Her father, Charles Waters, kissed her cheek. “Are you ready, sweetheart?”

  Kelsey smiled,
delighted her brother and her parents had dropped everything and flown to Nevada for the impromptu wedding. “I’m ready.”

  Each step brought her closer to her groom, to her new life, and she couldn’t wait. She and her father rounded the corner. At the front of the living room in front of the fireplace stood the minister, her brother, Cade, and Will.

  Will.

  She should have known he would look great in a tuxedo. He would look great in anything. Or nothing. She’d know tonight. Kelsey grinned.

  Will’s wide smile softened. She felt so cherished, so loved. She never wanted this moment to end. Everything she’d never realized she’d wanted—needed was standing right in front of her.

  As she made her way down the makeshift aisle, his gaze never left hers. Forty-six other people in the living room turned wedding chapel, but she barely noticed their presence.

  The love shining in Will’s eyes took Kelsey’s breath away. Warmth, joy, euphoria filled her heart and her soul. The depth of the emotions, the intensity of the feelings overwhelmed her. And she loved it. This was what life was all about.

  She heard her father say “Her mother and I,” but Kelsey hadn’t heard the minister ask his question.

  Her father kissed her cheek and placed her hand in Will’s. Will gave her a gentle squeeze. His gaze held hers. She didn’t want to look away. Ever. She saw her future in his eyes. A future full of love, laughter, family. A future with a happily-ever-after ending.

  He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

  Will had never seen a more stunning bride in his life. It wasn’t only the breathtaking vintage dress, headpiece and veil Kelsey wore, either. She glowed, a radiant light that poured through her smile, her eyes, everything. It didn’t get much better than this. He grinned.

  “Kelsey and Will have written wedding vows of their own,” the minister announced to the friends and family gathered in the living room. “Kelsey.”

  She stared into Will’s eyes. “I, Kelsey Armstrong Waters, take you, William Drake Addison, to be my husband. Today in front of our family and friends, I pledge my love and fidelity.”

  This wonderful, intelligent woman was going to be his wife. Awe mixed with pride. He was the luckiest guy in the world.

  Her eyes glimmered as she continued on with the vows. Suddenly, she faltered, her voice clogging with emotion. “…and s-s-stay by your side in good times and in bad.”

  A single tear ran down her cheek, and a lump formed in Will’s throat. She was so beautiful. He caressed her cheek, brushing the happy tear away.

  She smiled. “I—I promise to listen to you, to laugh with you, to love you…”

  Only two nights ago, she’d said those same words right here in his living room. So much, no everything had changed since then. And he couldn’t be happier.

  She looked up, her eyes brimming with tears. “…all the days of my life.”

  It was his turn. He didn’t know how he remembered the words and managed to say them without making a total fool of himself, but he drew strength from Kelsey. From her presence. From her smile. Each word meant so much to him, and Kelsey’s tears showed him she felt the same way.

  The time arrived for the ring exchange. Kelsey held the band of gold with her fingertips. “With this ring I thee wed.”

  Her hand trembled as she slid the ring onto his finger. The look of pure joy in her eyes touched his soul, and he felt whole. One-hundred-percent complete.

  Time to pull himself together or he was never going to get the matching gold band on her finger. He swallowed. Hard. “With this ring, I thee wed.”

  With Will at her side, Kelsey watched the guests eat, drink, dance and be merry. The same things guests do at any reception, but this one was different because it was her wedding. Those were her guests. And Will was her husband.

  Husband.

  She really liked the sound of that.

  The clinking of silverware against glass had Will leaning over to kiss her. They’d kissed so many times since the wedding ceremony, she’d lost count. Now to keep it up tomorrow and the next day and the next.

  “I could get used to doing this,” he said.

  She grinned. “I’m counting on it.”

  “The only thing left on your schedule is the bouquet and garter toss,” Will whispered. “What do you say we do those and get out of here?”

  “That’s the best offer I’ve had all night.”

  As the single women gathered on the dance floor, Kelsey noticed, Faith hadn’t joined them, so she had Cade bring her forward. Much to Faith’s dismay, Kelsey realized. Oh, well. What were the odds?

  With Will at her side, she turned around and tossed the bouquet over her shoulder. The crowd gasped. Kelsey turned to see who the lucky woman was. What she saw was a very red-faced, angry Faith, holding the bouquet in front of her as if it were a dirty, smelly diaper.

  “You know what this means, don’t you?” Kelsey smiled to Will. “Faith will be the next one to get married.”

  He laced his fingers with Kelsey’s, his brand-new shiny band of gold brushing her finger. Poor Faith, she didn’t stand a chance. Kelsey chuckled.

  Will kissed her. Short, but oh-so-sweet. “Don’t get your hopes up, my love.”

  My love. She sighed. “I have a feeling this is out of Faith’s hands now.”

  “I hate to be the one to say it, but I’ve come to the conclusion that my youngest sister will never get married.”

  “Never say never.” Kelsey grinned. “Trust me on this one, okay?”

  ISBN: 978-1-4603-5294-6

  HIS BAND OF GOLD

  Copyright © 2001 by Melissa Martinez McClone

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Silhouette Books, 300 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017 U.S.A.

  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

  This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

  ® and TM are trademarks of Harlequin Books S.A., used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.

  Visit Silhouette at www.eHarlequin.com