Dorothy Garlock - [Annie Lash 01] (40 page)

She was unbelievably beautiful. Her whole being glowed with a happiness that seemed to surround her like an aura. Simon went forward to take her arm, and her green eyes glinted up at him, causing him to pause and to stare. Admiring grins crinkled the burly faces of his friends as they surrounded the couple, ushering them toward the bower.

For this most important event in his life Simon had dressed for the occasion in a white silk shirt and dark blue coat and breeches. Berry had never seen him dressed so elegantly, but that wasn’t what drew her eyes to him again and again. It was the pure pleasure she saw written in every line of his face, in the smile on his lips, and in his eyes. The dark seriousness was gone. Happiness radiated from his dark eyes.

Silas performed the ceremony before a gathering of almost a half a hundred people, with only the wilderness sounds to break the silence. When it was over, the hushed crowed erupted in shouts of traditional well-wishing and advice as they surged around the bride and groom.

The dancing began as soon as the wedding feast was over. Isaac Cornick got out his fiddle and the clearing rang with music and merrymaking. Berry danced with Simon and then with those men who were able to dance after their numerous trips to the whiskey barrel. Simon danced with all the ladies but kept his eyes on the vision in the white dress who clogged and whirled and clapped her hands with obvious enjoyment.

It seemed like hours before the bride and groom were free of other partners. Simon caught her hand and ran with her into the woods. They ran between the trees, laughing, dodging, and shouting. Berry gathered her skirts in her hands and raced away from him. He pursued, and when they were deep in the woods he caught her from behind, wrapped his arms around her, lifted her up, and twirled her around. She shrieked with joyous laughter. It stopped only when she slid down his body and he turned her in his arms to cover her mouth with his.

The kiss was long and sweet and dedicated to the love they shared. He lifted his head and looked down at her, his face open, his eyes adoring.

“Everything about you is so beautiful. I love you so much.”

She clung to him tightly. She felt safe, loved, and, for the first time in her life, wanted. “I wanted to love my husband,” she said softly, with just a touch of happy tears in her voice. “Remember when I said that?”

“I remember.” He kissed her with tender concern.

“I do love him. I love him so much I think I’ll burst from it.”

He smiled down at her, loving every expression that flitted across her face. “I also remember you saying you liked soft words.”

“I did say that . . . and you’d better remember it for the next forty years, Simon Witcher!” Mischief glinted in her green eyes. She rose on tiptoes so that her lips could reach his ear. “And you know what else I like!”