“If not, well, I know we’ll work it out. Somehow. And I’ll wait. But I don’t want to wait to get married. I want to marry you as soon as possible. For myself, yes, but also for you, because you need me looking out for you as much as I need you looking out for me.”
She’d fought hope for so long that it took her a moment to recognize that the heart-hammering happiness she felt was the fulfillment of a soul-deep hope.
She saw his sincerity and his acceptance. She understood that his rushing her to Charlottesville was meant to show her that she’d healed, that it was time for her to move on. Time to accept his love and to look at a new way of building a family.
Time to love Grady and make her future with him.
She managed to arch one brow with a fair assumption of casualness. “I don’t think my grandmother would ever forgive you if we eloped.”
He looked at her for less than a second before the light hit his eyes, melting the wariness and worry in them, and melting the last, doubting corner of her heart.
“Then we’ll get married as fast as the laws of Virginia allow.”
He took her in his arms and demonstrated that the man accustomed to getting everything he wanted definitely wanted her.
Epilogue
Grady Roberts stood by a fireplace that blazed with autumn flowers instead of flames.
Leslie had insisted on a small wedding. Grandma Beatrice had insisted on having it in her home. They’d both insisted he invite his parents, who were too busy to attend.
It didn’t matter, not anymore. He had his family.
A smile eased the waiting. He was marrying into a family of insisters. That was okay. Today he was getting what he’d insisted on—Leslie. And in as little time as the law would allow.
With Paul and Michael standing to his left and Bette and Tris on the far side of the minister, he watched April come down the stairway and along the aisle left by the select guests. That was something else he’d insisted on, having April in the wedding. Come to think of it, he hadn’t had to do much insisting—Leslie and Grandma Beatrice had thoroughly approved.
April looked nervous, but when she saw his smile, she smiled back. The sullenness wasn’t routed entirely, but it was fading. He couldn’t begin to explain the satisfaction it gave him that April drew from him the same steadiness he’d gained from exchanging looks with Mr. and Mrs. Monroe and Judi Monroe when he took his place to await his bride.
That’s what families did for each other.
His bride.
Leslie started down the graceful stairway, and a very basic part of him reacted to her decision to wear a street-length dress. Her legs looked great. And he knew how great they’d feel tonight when he had her all to himself at Tanner’s Inn. He hadn’t wanted to waste time driving far to start their honeymoon, but he’d made sure they would have the private cabin, not Hank Tanner’s old room.
Better not let his thoughts drift too far down that road or he’d embarrass himself on his wedding day.
Then he met Leslie’s eyes and forgot everything except how much he loved the woman who’d taught him how much he could love.
He saw happiness in her eyes, and love. As she came down the aisle, he also saw a faint, lingering uncertainty.
And he did the only thing he could do.
He took a step, then another, and held out his hand.
He was aware of murmurs around him, but heard her softly released breath clearly. The smile reached her eyes.
Never taking her eyes from his, she met his hand.
Side by side they took the final steps.
Side by side they said the words.
Side by side they exchanged the rings; he would always remember her slim hand in his as he slipped the ring on her finger and her touch as she put his ring on.
Side by side they heard the benediction sending them on in life together.
I now pronounce you husband and wife.
* * * * *
Dedication
To Mary, Christine, Judy, Sara and Tommye, for the listening and the laughter
Copyright © 1993 by Patricia McLaughlin
Originally published by Silhouette Special Edition
Electronically published in 2005 by Belgrave House
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is coincidental.