3, 2, 1...Married!
Page 26
A hush fell over the room and the crowd of friends and family stood in deference to the bride. Holt’s heart swelled with pride at the sight of his beautiful Bennie.
Like something out of a dream, she glided down the aisle on Mary Bennett’s arm. Her wedding dress, he’d been told, was not only her mother’s, but her maternal grandmother’s, as well. Apparently an hourglass figure was a trait passed down through the generations. The 1930s dress retained the classically chic lines of a wedding gown chosen without regard to cost. But the woman wearing the dress was the true treasure, one whose worth was beyond measure.
The minister performed the ceremony, per Bennie’s instructions, allowing each of her brothers to read from a book of verse by Elizabeth Barrett Browning—Bennie’s favorite poet. Their wedding, though small and intimate, was as special and romantic as Bennie had hoped it would be. Her mother had given her a day she’d remember forever as one of the happiest and most perfect in her life. She knew that Holt probably hated every minute of it and that the only thing on his mind was their wedding night. But he owed her this day, after all the time and hard work she had invested in him. Besides, he had wanted a society wife, hadn’t he? Well, that’s exactly what he was getting.
“And with the power vested in me by the state of Alabama, I now pronounce you man and wife,” the minister proclaimed.
Before he could say “you may kiss the bride,” Holt took her in his arms and gave her a breath-robbing kiss.
“Friends and family, may I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Holt Jackson.”
They turned to face the people they loved and who loved them, those who had come together to celebrate their lifelong commitment to each other. Before they retreated down the aisle, Holt pulled her close and whispered in her ear.
“I love you, Bennie.”
With tears of happiness glistening in her eyes, she replied, “I love you, too.”
Hours later, alone together in the limousine that was taking them all the way to the Bennetts’ seashore cottage on the Gulf Coast, Holt lifted his bride’s hand to his lips and kissed her with tenderness.
“Happy?” he asked.
“Delirious. What about you?”
“Delirious.”
They both laughed. Holding Bennie’s hand, Holt fingered the two-carat diamond she wore.
“Are you sure this was the ring you wanted? I could have gotten you something more expensive. I noticed the size of the rocks both your sisters-in-law were wearing.”
Bennie caressed Holt’s cheek. “This is exactly the ring I wanted. It’s perfect for me.”
“As long as you’re sure.”
She grasped Holt’s face with her hands, forcing him to look directly at her. “You’re a rich man, Holt Jackson, and we can live quite nicely off the profits of Jackson Construction. I don’t want or need more than you can give me. Do you understand?”
“Yeah, honey, I understand.” He grinned at her. “But there’s just one thing I want to know.”
“What’s that?”
“What in the world did a woman like you ever see in a guy like me?”
“Broad shoulders, big biceps and a tight ass.”
“Now, I know—you married me for my body.”
“Got that right,” she teased as she began unbuttoning his shirt.
“We can’t…not here, Bennie.” Ignoring his protest, she continued her efforts to undress him. “What about the driver?”
She punched a button beside the minibar and a privacy shield came up between them and the limousine driver.
“This isn’t a rented limo, is it?” Holt asked.
“It’s Mother’s,” she said, tugging on his jacket.
“What the hell!” Holt laughed as he removed his jacket and shirt and then reached over to help Bennie out of her suit.
3,2,1…MARRIED!
Copyright © 1999 by Harlequin Books S.A.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-7025-5
The publisher acknowledges the copyright holders of the individual works as follows:
MIRACLE BRIDE
Copyright © 1999 by Sharon Sala
THE SINGLE DADDY CLUB
Copyright © 1999 by Marie Rydzynski-Ferrarella
GETTING PERSONAL
Copyright © 1999 by Beverly Beaver
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