Building Ties (Military Romantic Suspense) (SEAL Team Heartbreakers Book 4) (41 page)

Brett laughed. “Okay.”

When he pulled her close to snuggle against him, she relaxed. “Did you really wipe puke off my face?” she asked.

Brett snorted and his chest shook. “Yeah.”

Tess cringed at the thought of him seeing her like that. “I suppose you really have to love someone to do that.”

“In sickness and in health, honey.”

Tears glazed her eyes again, but she smiled. “I have a weak stomach, but I’ll do my best.”

From all the
stares and good wishes tossed her way as she left the hospital, Tess was pretty certain Scripps Mercy had never had a bride leave its halls in a wheelchair, already dressed to walk down the aisle. Her mother carried her belongings, while Clara held the short train up from the side of the chair.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” her mother asked for the tenth time in two hours.

“Yes, I’m fine.” In truth she felt much better now she was on her way to the church, but still shaky. It had been sixteen hours since she’d been injected. With all the medications they’d given her to neutralize the heroin, she was on her feet. She still needed to take things easy. Still felt like she’d been stomped on by an elephant.

But her kidney and liver functions were normal. And, because she’d been attacked and injected, and not considered a real drug user, they decided not to send her to rehab.
Hallelujah!

Milton stood out front waiting for them, his car pulled up with the doors open. He helped her out of the wheelchair and into the back seat with Clara. Her mother took a seat up front.

Clara folded the train of her dress over her lap to keep it from wrinkling. She gave Tess’s hand a brief squeeze and actually smiled when she looked as if she really wanted to cry.

Twenty-five minutes later, as Tess stood outside the entrance to the Crown Room, surrounded by her bridesmaids and their escorts, nerves hit her. She’d never seen so many men in dress white uniforms. But the navy blue bridesmaids’ dresses she’d chosen contrasted nicely. Greenback and Selena would start the procession, followed by Langley and Trish, Flash and Samantha, then Bowie and Zoe.

Ian took her arm and brushed a kiss against her forehead. “You look beautiful, Tess.” His voice shook and he cleared his throat.

“Thank you, Daddy.” She’d had time to think about everything he’d said last night before the attack, and she couldn’t stay angry with him. “I think I’d like to do some freelance stuff with you.” It was her way of accepting his apology and telling him she forgave him.

Ian laughed.

Milton flashed her a smile and took her other arm. “Most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”

Tess leaned her head against his shoulder for a moment. He patted her cheek.

Zoe tucked Tess’s bouquet of white and pink-tinged Calla lilies into her hand. Tess savored their fragrance.

The music began. Nerves and a rush of excitement set off the sensation of bats playing badminton in her stomach. Greenback and Langley opened the doors and took their places. The room glowed gold in the light of the overhead lamps and wall sconces. The space resembled the belly of a Victorian ship with its spine-like beams and wooden coffered ceiling. The men looked more masculine against the background, the women more feminine.

This was the place she and Brett had first met, and a fitting place for them to seal the ties between them.

The bridesmaids and escorts disappeared through the doors a pair at a time. Then the music changed and Ian and Milton stepped forward, supporting and guiding her. Rows of chairs arranged for the guests created the aisle.

Brett stood at the end waiting for her. As soon as she saw him her nerves settled. Sunlight spilled through the bank of windows that curved around the end of the room. A small two-step platform had been erected, and an arbor of white and pink Calla lilies, matching her bouquet, had been placed where they would stand. Hawk stood at parade rest on Brett’s left, acting as his best man, the minister on his right.

She had never been more certain of anything as she walked toward Brett and her future. She had never felt such love for another person. He had been willing to die for her, had saved her life three times. Had fought for her. She was so lucky to have found him. So lucky they had found each other.

Brett had never
seen Tess look more beautiful. The heart-shaped bodice of her gown followed the curve of her breasts, while lace covered her shoulders and arms, emphasizing the natural grace of her figure. Her auburn hair flowed free over her shoulders beneath an elbow-length veil.

Everything they’d been through in the last three weeks played through his mind. It was a miracle she was walking toward him at this moment. When she made it to the steps and her father placed her hand into Brett’s, the symbolic meaning behind the gesture brought a knot to his throat.

He gripped her hand as she climbed the platform. Milton stepped forward to help with the train that spread out behind her. Zoe stepped forward to take her bouquet.

Tess paused to look up at him and smiled. “I made it.”

After all the worry about his being AWOL for the wedding, it was she who’d nearly missed it—permanently. Brett slipped an arm around her and held her close. Emotion nearly overwhelmed him. Lord, if he cried in front of this crowd, he’d never hear the end of it.

“That’s supposed to come at the end of the ceremony,” the minister said.

The wedding party and guests laughed.

“I couldn’t help myself,” Brett quipped and they laughed again.

“Did your team make it?” she asked.

“They’re directly behind you on your right.”

Tess turned to look over her shoulder at them and wave. Brett laughed when the guys grinned like fools.

He pointed to his insignia and her eyes widened. “Your promotion came through? I’m marrying a Lieutenant.”

Lieutenant Commander Jeffrey had shown up with the rest of his unit moments before the service with the shoulder boards and his collar insignia. They’d had a brief promotion celebration in the room Brett had reserved for the night.

Pastor Grant cleared his throat. They sobered and turned to face him. He smiled and began the service with a prayer and went directly into the traditional service. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and this company to join this man and woman in holy matrimony…

Tess’s voice was strong as she repeated her vows, but her hand trembled a little when she slipped the plain gold band over his finger. He spoke his own vows from memory, without prompting, and slid the ring on hers.

The pastor finished the ceremony with, “The sanctity of marriage and the bond between a husband and wife are built each day through love and respect, and, when nurtured, become as strong as this silk cord.” He looped the silk cord around their hands in the Irish custom they had rehearsed, and then tied it.

“You don’t have to tie it too tight, pastor, we’ve already got this part covered.” Brett said. He looked deep into Tess’s eyes and saw the same love and joy that crowded his chest.

Tess smiled. “Yes, we do.”

The End

Books by Teresa Reasor

SEAL Team Heartbreakers Series

Breaking Free
(Book 1 of the SEAL Team Heartbreakers)

Breaking Through
(Book 2 of the SEAL Team Heartbreakers)

Breaking Away
(Book 3 of the SEAL Team Heartbreakers)

Building Ties (Book 4 of the SEAL Team Heartbreakers)

Breaking Ties (Available in the
Hot Alpha SEALs: Military Romance Megaset
and in Building Ties Print Edition)

Historicals

Highland Moonlight

Captive Hearts