Gabriel's Heart [The Men of Treasure Cove 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (28 page)

Annie got up and dusted herself off and followed Charlotte. Getting into the front seat, she had just buckled her seat belt when Charlotte turned on the sirens and peeled away from the field. “Holy shit, Charlotte, slow down!”

“Can’t, we ain’t got the time to dawdle!” She laughed, stepping on the gas.

“You ready?” Braxton asked, coming up beside him. Gabriel’s head was somewhere else. He had been scanning the lobby for the last ten minutes hoping that she would come. The last time he saw her was twenty-four hours ago, and though her note said she and Alex were leaving this morning, he prayed they would have changed their mind. Gabriel knew that she had already had the papers drawn up for the divorce because Matthew delivered them to him this morning. When he opened the manila envelope, his heart sunk as the finality of what he had done stared him in the face.

His life was slowly fading, and he was out of options. He didn’t know what to do. She was so bound and determined to leave him, and at this moment there was nothing he could do to stop her.

The thought of her leaving him was a blow he wasn’t ever going to be prepared for.

His whole life all he ever wanted was to find peace and some semblance of happiness. He thought he had everything he needed until she walked into his life. Now, he wanted it all. He craved it all. Watching his friends and how they all loved their wives, he hoped that he could have it, too.

“They left. She actually left me,” he whispered, looking at the back doors.

“I’m sorry, Gabe. We all thought she would have given in by now.”

“It’s all right. I never expected her to forgive me. How can she forgive me if I can’t forgive myself?”

“You did everything you could think of. Look, I understand if you want to duck out of here. Everyone will understand.”

“Thank you for that, but I would like to stay if that’s all right with you.”

“Sure.”

Together they walked to the front of the church and took their places. Gabriel had been to plenty of country weddings, but this one was unlike any he had ever seen.

An air of sophistication surrounded the small church, like walking into a winter fairy tale, the women of the town went all out to make sure Charlotte got her dream wedding.

Thousands of snowflakes fell from the ceiling adorned with sparkling lights, giving the church a winter effect. Chairs draped in a shimmering white cloth looked liked mounds of snow, and then there were the flowers. Red roses with a single white orchid placed in the middle were bundled together and placed sporadically throughout the hall. At the front of the hall stood a trellis adorned with roses and snowflakes where Braxton and Jordan stood waiting for the woman they loved. Dressed in tails, their black and white tuxedos reminded Gabriel of a time long forgotten, and they exuded strength, honor, and grace.

The black-and-white affair was something out of a movie. It was magical.

Standing next to his friends, Gabriel watched as the last of the guests found their seats, and before he could pray that she would show, the music started playing. His eyes found Jeff’s, and when he saw the resignation, Gabriel gently shrugged his shoulders.

She wasn’t coming.

The ceremony was about to begin, and Gabriel knew as Braxton, Jordan, and Charlotte’s lives were about to begin, his was over. She had made her decision. He was unprepared for the pain he felt as it crushed him. Closing his eyes, he accepted his fate as a single tear fell from his eye.

Life continued on without him as the ceremony began. The music changed and the soft harmony of Pachelbel’s Cannon in D minor began playing. A hush overcame the crowd, and the rear doors opened. Though he knew he should be paying attention to the women walking down the aisle, his eyes closed as only saw Antoinette.

Deep within his mind, he imagined it was her, his beautiful little bird, with her smiling face and radiance, walking toward him. Dressed in a soft, white flowing gown, she radiated beauty as she slowly walked toward him. The love in her eyes unmanned him as he gasped at her beauty. At her arms were her brothers, escorting her, smiling, happy for the joyous moment.

Flowers filled the room, enveloping them in the most wondrous scents as he watched his beautiful bride make her way toward him. His heart skipped. His pulse pounded. She was his, forever. The realization of that moment overwhelmed him as his eyes watered for the love he felt deep within his soul.

* * * *

Walking into the Treasure Cove Presbyterian Church hall, she watched from the back as Charlotte made her way toward the front. It was a beautiful wedding, something out of a fairy tale. She still couldn’t believe she was standing there watching, but the moment she saw him, she knew she had made the right decision.

“Are you sure about this, Caleb?” she asked her brother who looked so handsome in his tux. She had never seen him look so stunning. He took her breath away.

“It’s all been taken care of. You just stand there and wait. You’ll see.” He smiled lovingly at her.

“But what if he leaves?”

“He won’t,” Alex sighed, rolling his eyes, waiting for his turn to join the others.

“Are you sure? I haven’t been the nicest person to him lately,” she admitted.

Caleb turned to her and frowned. “Annie, I can’t even begin to comprehend the depths you feel for Gabriel. If it’s anything like what Jeff and I feel for Janie, then, baby girl, I can honestly say that that guy up there is one lucky son of a bitch. I have seen the way he looks at you, and, sweetheart, that guy up there would lay down his life for you gladly with an open heart.”

Closing her eyes, she prayed Caleb was right and that she was doing the right thing. This was a giant leap of faith on her part. She knew what Gabriel could be like when things didn’t go his way, and if she had to be honest with herself, that part of him still scared her, but it was the not being with him that scared her the most.

For the last week, she watched as Gabriel humbled himself before her and the town. At first it angered her, then as the days wore on, she began to smile and wonder what he would plan next, but it was yesterday’s act that gave her hope. She had spent the better half of the morning out in the south pasture, helping Jeff with the calves. When he called and was more concerned with her being cold than her leaving him, that gave her the courage she lacked. So when Charlotte arrived unexpectedly, screaming like hell, demanding she do something about the way she perceived men, especially Gabriel, she conceded. It was humbling and eye-opening to realize that she alone had the power to shape her own destiny. She couldn’t dwell in the past any longer. Moving forward was the only way she was going to heal. So when Charlotte concocted this plan, Annie gave into hope and agreed.

For the last twelve hours, her life turned into a whirlwind, with her family and friends coming together to help her. So now she stood, watching and waiting.

Her heart was beating so hard. She thought for sure it was about to pound right out of her chest. She prayed that she was making the right decision.

It was the announcement of “I now pronounce you husbands and wife” as those in the hall cheered and clapped that grabbed her attention. Quickly looking to her brother, he smiled. “Ready, beautiful?”

“I’m scared,” she whispered, her breathing coming in gasps.

“No, you’re not, so stop it. You look gorgeous, love. See ya soon.” Alex smiled and kissed her mouth as he snuck away.

“I can still kick his ass if ya want.” Caleb grinned devilishly at her, and she couldn’t help it, she laughed. “Maybe later.”

“Deal!”

* * * *

Gabriel never heard the announcement of “I now pronounce you husbands and wife” as his world shattered with the knowledge that he was to wander this world alone. He knew he deserved everything. His heart bled, learning to continue on without her. Taking a deep breath, he turned and opened his eyes to see Jeffery Hicks standing beside him, along with Travis Quinn and Braxton Connelly.

Stunned, he looked at each man as they all had grins on their faces.

“Gentlemen?” he asked, confused, but it was then his brother Alexander walked over to him smiling. Dressed in a black tuxedo, he placed a royal blue sash over his chest adorned with their families golden crest. Gabriel questioned him, “What are you doing here?”

“Just making sure you look the part, little brother. Now smile and don’t fuck up this time.” Alexander grinned, placing his hand on his shoulder and turned him toward the open doors at the back of the hall.

The music changed, and suddenly the sounds of K-Ci & JoJo’s “All My Life” began playing as the most beautiful woman in the world walked slowly toward him. A vision of goodness and grace, she was stunning. Everything he ever hoped for and more. His heart leapt from his chest as he watched Caleb slowly escort her up the aisle.

The room narrowed as she walked toward him. His little bird was a picture of regal elegance, and he dared not blink. Dressed in a strapless, full A-line gown with a dipped neckline and corset closure, she smiled, making her way toward him. She literally took his breath away with her sexy hourglass figure in a jewel-encrusted bodice with embellished corded lace. It was her full-length scallop-edged veil that flowed around her, topped with a diamond and sapphire tiara in her beautifully adorned hair, which shimmered as she walked.

Never in his life would he ever forget this moment, when his little bird, with her heart wide open for the whole world to see, shined in her beauty, gracing him with forgiveness. It was humbling, and Gabriel felt as if his heart would never recover.

As she stepped before him, he wanted nothing more than to fall at her feet and cry, for he would spend the rest of his life endeavoring to deserve her.

He watched as Jeff walked over and stood beside his brother, and then together they grinned at him as an unfamiliar voice said, “Who presents this woman in marriage?”

In unison, Gabriel heard her brothers clearly say, “We do.” Then as if the dream continued in slow motion, he watched as they both took their turns leaning down to kiss the woman of his heart. Then Caleb placed her gentle hand in his.

With the soft melody of music in the background, Gabriel could not take his eyes off her. She was his moon and stars, and she loved him.

Gabriel felt complete.

With her arm clasped within his, he heard Mrs. Anne as she spoke. “Ladies and gentlemen, today is truly a wondrous day, for love has flourished around us. Today we are all blessed to witness the joining of not only one couple in holy matrimony, but we get to witness something so much more. As the town matriarch of Treasure Cove, I have joined many couples who have chosen to devote themselves to each other, but today is a truly special day. There comes a time in everyone’s life they must choose to love freely, unconditionally, without regret or fear. These three people before us have chosen just that. Never take for granted what you have, cherish it, hold onto it, and pray that God guides you as you make your way in this life and always remember that forgiveness is said with a kind word or a sincere gesture. For forgiveness is the balm to your soul. With that said, do you, Gabriel…”

Lost in a sea of tranquility, Gabriel listened as Alexander, and then Antoinette recited their vows. Then it was his turn, reciting the same vows before God, the town, and the woman he adored.

Time stood still as he stared into her sultry eyes. Lost and forbidden, he could not escape her. Her piercing eyes saw right into his soul. Everything he had worked so hard to obtain was now standing before him, and because he could not stop the joy, in that moment, he gave himself to her freely.

He knew the moment she saw the depth of his devotion, and instantly her eyes softened.

She never said anything. She just stood in front of him. She lifted her hand and caressed his cheek. He wanted nothing more than to feel her soft arms wrap around him, holding her so he could love her as she deserved to be loved.

The moment her hand touched his face, he was lost.

He watched in amazement as a tear fell from her eye, slowly falling down her face.

“Don’t cry, little bird,” he whispered, never taking his eyes from hers.

“Don’t ever let me go,” she begged softly.

“Never.”

THE END

Rebecca Joyce is your typical housewife and mother. The daughter of a retired military service member, Rebecca tries to incorporate the sights, smells, and adventures of her travels, but mainly she writes of the buff, gorgeous men she drooled after in her teen years!
There is just somethin’ about a man in uniform…WOW!

Growing up in the military, Rebecca Joyce, along with her family, moved from state to state, enjoying the never-ending game of “Where are we moving to next?”…which happened every two to three years!

After high school, Rebecca met and married her own military service member and now devotes her time to her husband and children. Her “spawns,” as she lovingly calls them, demand and expect a lot of her attention. When she is not catering to the whims of her family, Rebecca spends her quiet time reading or writing.