“Come on. I know the perfect place to celebrate,” Cy whispered in her ear before grabbing his hat and mounting his horse. “Thank y’all. Miss Lily, would you mind watching Fred for a bit?”
“Not at all.”
Congratulations broke out from the crowd. Gemma smiled and waved, but looked up at Cy, wondering what he was planning.
He held out his hand. “Grab my hand and put your foot here.” He withdrew his foot from the stirrup and when she put her foot in it, he swung her up and into his lap. His arm wrapped securely around her waist as he turned the horse and trotted back up the road.
“Where are we going?” Gemma asked as she tossed her head back in the air and soaked up the moment.
“Home.”
Cy sat down next to Gemma on the blanket and tossed his hat on the ground. He looked out at the flat field surrounded by large trees like the one they were sitting under. “I thought we’d put the house right here. What do you think?”
“Oh, it’s lovely.” Gemma glowed with excitement. He leaned over and kissed her. He had a romantic picnic planned, but right now all he wanted was her.
As he deepened the kiss, Gemma arched forward, pressing her breasts against his chest. Cy fought for control as his hand slid up her side, caressing the outside of her breast before reaching her shoulder. He slipped her dress straps down, freeing her to him. His hand cupped her as his thumb traced a nipple.
His heart pounded as he eased her down on the large blanket. Soon all pretenses of slow and romantic faded as she tore his shirt off and tossed it on the ground. When words weren’t enough, action was. And he was going to show her just how much he loved her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Four months later…
Gemma heard her new sisters in the room next to her laughing while they got dressed. Her hair was finally pinned up and the fingertip veil floated around her as she grabbed a replica of the maid of honor’s bouquet and put it in a basket. Without saying a word, she went down the large staircase of Miss Lily’s bed-and-breakfast. She picked up the front of her A-line gown and hurried down the street. The smell of fall was strong in the air. The trees were radiant shades of red, orange, and yellow as she ran past them.
It only took five minutes to make it to the Keeneston Cemetery where she stopped in front of her sister’s grave. After her engagement to Cy was announced, Gemma sent notice to her magazine and had movers pack up her house while she and Cy went to Gia’s apartment to pack. They arrived back in Keeneston the next day and buried her sister next to Morgan’s mother. The whole town came out to support her and to honor Gia, who was laid to rest with honor befitting an American hero.
The next day Tammy and Pierce announced they didn’t want to wait to get married. They got married the following weekend in a beautiful ceremony at the church. Tammy looked fantastic in her tea-length dress with sky-blue high heels. The Rose sisters had been hired to cater and were in a state of frenzy and pure delight to have been asked.
Gemma had needed an outlet and had started writing her and Gia’s story. It was a story of a sister’s love and determination and the downfall of an international criminal. Marianne from the Keeneston Journal had run the first chapter, and before Gemma knew it, she had become an author and the small newspaper's articles were being picked up around the world.
Gemma opened the basket she had brought with her and pulled out the book she had placed inside. “This is the first copy of our book, Gia. I found my passion finally. You led me to it. It’s writing.
“Yesterday Cy gave me my wedding present, the Keeneston Journal. I own a newspaper. Marianne wanted to write part-time and couldn’t keep up with the demands now that other papers have picked up my articles. She’s covering the court dockets and I’m writing hard-hitting and feel-good articles. Every now and then, I’ll sneak in to host the weekly gossip column. It’s actually a ton of fun. It’s silly, but when done right, the gossip column can bring true joy and laughter.”
Gemma set the book down and pulled out the bouquet of flowers. “Today I’m getting married. I wanted you to have this. You will be my maid of honor, just like we talked about. Katelyn has agreed to stand in for you and we’re wearing the matching charm bracelets we made on spring break our senior year of high school. It’s actually quite a compliment to have a world-famous model wearing your design.” Gemma laughed and wiped away a tear. The pain had lessened over the months, but it hadn’t gone away yet. She didn’t know if it ever would. But there were more good days and more happy memories than bad, so she took that as improvement.
“You were right, Gia. I did find the one perfect man I couldn’t live without. And today I’m going to marry him. Hopefully we’ll have a family of our own soon. I wonder if we’ll have twins?“ Gemma stood and smiled. She was ready to get married.
* * *
“Suck it in, Tammy,” Annie ordered when Gemma entered the room full of bridesmaids getting ready.
“I am.”
“Well, try harder.”
“Tammy, raise your arms above your head and then suck it in,” Katelyn calmly instructed. Tammy followed her instructions and the zipper slid up.
“Thank goodness,” Tammy sighed.
“Well, I know Katelyn and I had that same scare, but we couldn’t suck it in.” Morgan joked at she rubbed her baby bump.
“No kidding. I’m about to burst.” Katelyn slowly lowered herself into the chair and put her feet up.
“There you are. Oh, you look beautiful.” Paige clapped her hands just the way Gemma noticed Marcy did.
Gemma blushed and did a little twirl for them. “Thank you. I feel beautiful. And anxious. But I’m really looking forward to the reception.”
“Right. That’s the part you want to get to,” Tammy giggled.
“Ladies, it’s time to go. Oh . . . don’t you look lovely?” Miss Lily twittered as she kissed each lady on the cheek. “Now, we don’t want to be late.”
Cy stood at the altar and waited for the doors to open. His sister and sisters-in-law had all made their appearance and now he was waiting for his bride to make hers. The months had flown by and they’d only fallen deeper in love. Their house would be done by the time they returned from their honeymoon. He hoped they’d be filling that house with children soon.
The music changed and the doors opened. His father stood proud as he escorted Gemma down the aisle. Cy never saw the huge smile on Jake’s face or the joyful tears from his mother in the front row. No, he only saw his glowing bride as she floated down the aisle.
He took a step down and offered her his arm as they stepped in front of Father James. “You’re breathtaking,” he whispered to her as she grinned up at him.
“And I love you,” Gemma said as she squeezed his hand.
Cy mouthed the words back to her as Father James started the ceremony. He happily pledged his love and life to Gemma. When the priest pronounced them husband and wife, Cy grabbed his bride and kissed her with all the love he had.
Laughter and cheers erupted as Cy scooped Gemma into his arms and ran down the aisle. She wrapped her arm around his neck, tossed her head back and laughed with such joy that he knew their life would be filled with nothing but happiness.
The bridal couple took a seat at the head table as the town sat around them talking gleefully and eating dinner. Gemma leaned over to Cy and rested her head on his shoulder.
“I wanted to give you your wedding present tonight, but I’m too excited to wait,” Gemma whispered.
“Sure. I won’t turn down gifts. Does it involve that thing you do with your leg and then you bend . . .”
“I’ve learned a new trick. Think we can escape?”
“A new trick? Let’s go,” he winked.
“You think they’ll notice?”
“Have some faith in your husband, Mrs. Davies. I was a spy after all. They’ll never even miss us.”
Cy casually stood up and offered his hand to his wife. He led her around the perimeter of the recep
tion, talking to friends, before leading her toward the small break in the white curtains hanging from the tent. Now he understood the goofy little grins his brothers always wore, because he knew he had the same look as he looked down at Gemma.
“So, what’s the plan, super spy?”
“We’re going to walk right out of here and no one will notice.” Cy stopped her near the hidden exit and looked around. When he was sure no one was looking, they slipped through the curtains and into the moonlit night. “Now, about that new trick?”
“Come right this way, husband.”
“I’d follow you anywhere, wife.” And he would.
Marcy Davies smiled to herself as her family talked around her. Cy thought he was so sneaky, but she always knew when he had slipped out of the house as a boy and tonight was no different. She had seen the look in her son’s and new daughter-in-law’s eyes. And definitely didn't miss them sneaking out of the tent.
Marcy nudged her husband of forty years and nodded to where Cy and Gemma had just been standing, “It looks as if your son couldn’t wait to begin the honeymoon. Oh, Jake! I just know there’ll be more grandbabies on the way soon,” she whispered as she wiped a tear from her eye. Her family gave her so much happiness.
“Just make sure you don't die of happiness too soon,” he whispered back with a grin on his face that Marcy still found sexy. Oh no, she was very much alive tonight and if her husband kept smiling at her like that, Cy and Gemma wouldn’t be the only ones sneaking out of the tent.
“You’re right, honey. I can’t die happy until I have all my grandbabies. Tammy and Pierce . . .” Marcy’s eyes narrowed on Tammy and Pierce and the rest of the Davies family gathered around Gemma and Cy. “Tammy? Is that apple juice?”
“Um . . .” Tammy stuttered.
“And your dress looks different than it did last month.” Marcy paused as she looked Tammy over. Tammy fidgeted under the examination. “Oh my gosh. You’re pregnant!”
“We are, but we wanted Gemma and Cy to have their day before we announced it. So, thanks for blowing the surprise, Ma,” Pierce tried to chide.
“Well, bless y’all’s hearts,” Marcy cried as she wrapped her dear daughter-in-law up in a hug.
Miss Lily and a group of townspeople came over to offer their congratulations. “Keeneston will be in full bloom by spring,” Miss Lily said as she and her sisters dabbed their eyes.
Ahmed stood by the door and watched his love dance. She was beautiful. But the man dancing with her didn’t deserve her. He had to remind himself he couldn’t claim her by punching the guy out. She couldn’t know his feelings until Sergei was dead. Until then, he had to love from afar. It was starting to hurt, but Ahmed tried to keep the hope alive that someday he would be where Cy was today—married to the love of his life.
“Sir,” Nabi said as the serious young man approached him with a piece of paper, “this popped up in a Pakistani newspaper. One hundred people and counting are dead in a train explosion.”
“He’s back,” Ahmed said as he glanced at the picture of destruction.
“You’re sure it’s Sergei?”
“I’m sure. He must've found a new employer. See, the minister of energy was on the train. Instead of just killing the minister, he blew the whole thing up. The high body count hides the assassination. It’s one of his old tricks.”
“What are you going to do?”
Ahmed thought about his deceased wife and child before looking up from the newspaper. His eyes automatically fell on the woman he had to love in secret as she danced around. “End this.”
Cy swung his wife around the dance floor as the crowd cheered. No one seemed to notice when they slipped back into the tent thirty minutes later. The music was fast and the floor was full of couples laughing and talking the night away. He couldn’t imagine a better night—marriage to the woman he loved more than life itself.
He pulled Gemma to him and kissed her enthusiastically before spinning her away again. “Hey, Cy,” Gemma called as she lifted her skirt and twirled.
“Yes, my love?”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.” He pulled Gemma back to him and leaned down. “I think it’s time to go and let me show you how much I love you. Maybe if I’m a real good boy, you’ll do that thing you just did with your . . .”
Gemma blushed. “So soon? We just got back,” she giggled. “Well, if you’re a real good boy and dance with me some more, then I might show you what I can do when I bend my back like . . .”
Cy feigned shock. “You’ve been keeping secrets.”
“Not anymore. No more secrets. Just us and our new family.”
The sound of clinking caught their attention as Jake raised his glass. “A toast . . . I want to welcome Gemma to our family. Over the past couple of years, our family has more than doubled in size. By the end of next year, I'll be bouncing more babies than I can hold and my wife will be able to die happy.” The crowd laughed and Marcy smacked him even though she was smiling from ear to ear. “But our family wouldn’t be who we are today without the help, matchmaking, gossiping, and happy trigger-fingers y’all have. So, from my family to y’all—please raise your glasses to Keeneston!”
###
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathleen Brooks is the bestselling author of the Bluegrass Series. She has garnered attention as a new voice in romance with a warm Southern feel. Her books feature quirky small town characters you’ll feel like you’ve known forever, romance, humor, and mystery all mixed into one perfect glass of sweet tea.
Kathleen is an animal lover who supports rescue organizations and other non-profit organizations whose goals are to protect and save our four-legged family members.
Kathleen lives in Central Kentucky with her husband, daughter, two dogs, and a cat who thinks he’s a dog. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached at [email protected]
Check out the Website for updates on all of Kathleen's series. You can also “Like” Kathleen on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @BluegrassBrooks.
Other Books by Kathleen Brooks
Keeneston Continues!
The Bluegrass Brothers Series will have one last installment. The Davies brothers' stories may be told, but their brother-in-arms waits. Ahmed's book will be released in early 2014. Be sure to like me on Facebook or follow my Blog to get updates on the release date!
Bluegrass Series
Bluegrass State of Mind
McKenna Mason, a New York City attorney with a love of all things Prada, is on the run from a group of powerful, dangerous men. McKenna turns to a teenage crush, Will Ashton, for help in starting a new life in beautiful horse country. She finds that Will is now a handsome, successful race horse farm owner. As the old flame is ignited, complications are aplenty in the form of a nasty ex-wife, an ex-boyfriend intent on killing her, and a feisty race horse who refuses to race without a kiss. Can Will and McKenna cross the finish line together, and more importantly, alive?
Risky Shot
Danielle De Luca, an ex-beauty queen who is not at all what she seems, leaves the streets of New York after tracking the criminals out to destroy her. She travels to Keeneston, Kentucky, to make her final stand by the side of her best friend McKenna Mason. While in Keeneston, Danielle meets the quiet and mysterious Mohtadi Ali Rahmen, a modern day prince. Can Mo protect Dani from the group of powerful men in New York? Or will Dani save the prince from his rigid, loveless destiny?
Dead Heat
In the third book of the Bluegrass Series, Paige Davies finds her world turned upside down as she becomes involved in her best friend’s nightmare. The strong-willed Paige doesn't know which is worse: someone trying to kill her, or losing her dog to the man she loves to hate.
FBI Agent Cole Parker can't decide whether he should strangle or kiss this infuriating woman of his dreams. As he works the case of his career, he finds that love can be tougher than bringing down some of the most powerful men in America.
*
* *
Bluegrass Brothers Series
Bluegrass Undercover
Cade Davies had too much on his plate to pay attention to newest resident of Keeneston. He was too busy avoiding the Davies Brothers marriage trap set by half the town. But when a curvy redhead lands in Keeneston, the retired Army Ranger finds himself drawn to her. These feelings are only fueled by her apparent indifference and lack of faith in his ability to defend himself.
DEA Agent Annie Blake was undercover to bust a drug ring hiding in the adorable Southern town that preyed on high school athletes. She had thought to keep her head down and listen to the local gossip to find the maker of this deadly drug. What Annie didn’t count on was becoming the local gossip. With marriage bets being placed, and an entire town aiming to win the pot, Annie looks to Cade for help in bringing down the drug ring before another kid is killed. But can she deal with the feelings that follow?
Rising Storm
Katelyn Jacks was used to being front and center as a model. But she never had to confront the Keeneston Grapevine! After retiring from the runway and returning to town to open a new animal clinic, Katelyn found that her life in the public eye was anything but over. While working hard to establish herself as the new veterinarian in town, Katelyn finds her life uprooted by a storm of love, gossip, and a vicious group of criminals.
Marshall Davies is the new Sheriff in Keeneston. He is also right at the top of the town’s most eligible bachelor list. His affinity for teasing the hot new veterinarian in town has led to a rush of emotions that he wasn’t ready for. Marshall finds his easy days of breaking up fights at the local PTA meetings are over when he and Katelyn discover that a dog-fighting ring has stormed into their normally idyllic town. As their love struggles to break through, they must battle to save the lives of the dogs and each other.
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