Love on the Rocks
Page 21
Steeling herself against her emotions, she straightened her back, lifted her chin and returned Warrick’s tender smile. She was minutes away from becoming Mrs. Warrick Carver and she didn’t want to miss a single moment of the ceremony. His broad grin testified to how relaxed he was and Tangela wished she had a fifth of his confidence. Just another one of the characteristics she loved about her husband-to-be. A man of action, with a no-holds-barred approach to life, he was calm, composed and unruffled, no matter the occasion or forum.
Reverend Massey nodded at Tangela, cueing her that it was her turn to speak.
Scared her nerves would get the best of her, she’d copied her vows on the tiny piece of paper stuck to her palm. Glancing down now, she expelled a nervous breath, blocked out the distant sound of a wailing baby and spoke from the heart.
“Today, I marry my best friend. The man I was destined to marry, the man fated to be my partner, my lover and, more important, my husband. And I can say that with complete assurance, because over the years I dated a lot of frogs.”
Smiling knowingly, the female guests in attendance nodded empathically.
Emboldened by the strength of her voice, and the peace that had settled over her, she continued. “Warrick, my love for you is real, never-ending, absolute. I will cherish our love forever, and I promise never to take you for granted. Nothing can, or ever will change my feelings for you. This is my solemn vow.”
Reverend Massey asked for the rings, blessed them, then asked Tangela to repeat after him. “Take this ring as a seal upon the marriage vows I have spoken, and as you wear it, may it be a reminder of how much I love you, not only on this precious day, but every single day of your life. You are truly the only man I want.”
“Tangela, five years ago, I gave you this ring as a symbol of my love, my faith in our strength together and my covenant to learn and grow with you. I gave this ring as my gift to you. Wear it and think of me and know that I love you.”
“Now that you have exchanged these rings and these vows, and have agreed to be married according to the beliefs of the church and the laws of the state of Nevada, it gives me great pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. Warrick, you may kiss your bride.”
Shaping his lips into a wide, broad-faced grin, he cupped her face in his palm and kissed her with such wild unrestraint, Tangela held on to him so she wouldn’t topple over into the bushes. Lightly stroking the back of his head, she inclined her head and coaxed his tongue out of his mouth. It was a passionate, spiritual moment, one she’d never forget. It was burned inside her brain forever and Tangela couldn’t ever remember being this happy.
Smiling good-naturedly, Reverend Massey leaned forward and whispered, “All right, you two. There’ll be plenty of time for kissing later. People are hungry, y’all!”
Hands clasped, eyes shimmering with delight, they reluctantly broke off the kiss. Tangela gripped her husband’s forearm. They’d done it. It was official. She’d spend the rest of her life living with and loving the man of her dreams, her first and only love, a gracious, compassionate soul who treated her with the utmost respect.
Facing their esteemed guests, she searched the crowd for Sage. The decision not to have a bridal party had caused Tangela many sleepless nights, but when she saw the buoyant expression on her best friend’s face, she knew there were no hard feelings. Sage and Marshall were dressed to the nines and their formal attire made Tangela wonder if they’d known what was up all along. Tangela never could keep a secret and it was obvious Sage had seen right through her charade.
Clutching the leather-bound Bible to his chest, Reverend Massey gestured for the audience to stand. “Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce for the very first time Mr. and Mrs. Warrick Carver.”
The cheers and applause were thunderous.
“This is the beginning of the rest of our lives,” Warrick whispered, turning toward his new bride. “Are you ready, Mrs. Tangela Carver?”
Gazing up at her husband, she squeezed his hand and took the first step toward the rest of their lives, confident their days would be filled with love, joy and laughter.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-4823-0
LOVE ON THE ROCKS
Copyright © 2010 by Pamela Sadadi
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