Husband Hunting 101 (23 page)

Authors: Rita Herron

"You look beautiful, sweetheart." Jenna's father gazed at her tenderly.

Her mother gave her a hug, then carefully straightened her wedding veil. "I'm so proud to be here today, honey. That young man of yours is quite handsome." She winked at Jenna's father and he faked a hurt look, then bent and kissed her.

Jenna laughed, overjoyed that her family had gathered to witness this special day in her life, the day she and Zack committed themselves to each other.

Her brother, Jeff, wrapped her in a bear hug, then pulled back, his gray eyes searching hers. "Are you sure he's the one, sis? You can still bail out, you know."

"I couldn't be more positive," Jenna said, battling the tears in her eyes. Her sister-in-law, Amy, dabbed at her own eyes and pulled Jeff's arm, signifying it was time for them to take their seats. Her mother hugged her one last time, then followed Amy and Jeff into the chapel.

Her family had met Zack's family the night before at the rehearsal and everything had gone fine. Well, except for the fact that Zack had been as pale as milk and she'd heard his knees knocking when he'd stood beside her. He'd been stuttering so badly she'd told the pastor to forgo making them repeat the vows; she'd used the excuse that she wanted to hear them the first time at her wedding. Zack had been so grateful he'd looked as if he was going to weep.

But after meeting Zack's father's seventh wife and his mother who seemed to have a bitter streak and a Botox obsession, she understood his reservations about marriage. His father and his latest bride had disagreed over the choice of a wedding gift and had arrived already angry with one another. Before the rehearsal dinner had ended, they'd been shouting and threatening divorce.

They'd only been married three weeks.

She glanced at the clock, resisting the urge to ask Jeff if Zack had arrived. For a fleeting moment when she'd awakened this morning, she'd had butterflies in her stomach, had been terrified Zack might not show up. But she knew Mark would drag him here, even if Zack had to swallow antacids and hang his head out the window to keep from fainting during the ride. And if he did try to bail, she would kill him.

No, she'd get him, drag his sexy behind to the justice of the peace, and marry him anyway. She didn't intend to go husband hunting again. Heloise had already told her she passed the class with flying colors.

Casey raced in and dragged her into a hug. "I'm so excited for you, Jenna. I can't believe I was only gone a few days and you fell in love and got engaged."

"Just like it didn't take you and Gabe long," Jenna said, and they both laughed. Actually they'd both had rocky starts, but if the glow on Casey's face was a sign, her friend was blissfully happy.

And Jenna knew she would be, too.

The "Wedding March" began to play, and Casey raced back to the chapel to sit with Gabe and her son Henry S.

Jenna joined her father, her heart fluttering with happiness. "I believe that's our cue, Dad."

He squeezed her arm, then she slipped her hand on his suited arm, took a deep breath, lifted the lacy hem of her wedding gown and started down the aisle. The room was filled with friends and family. Even Heloise from her husband hunting class was scanning the room for prospective husbands for her next set of students.

She smiled at Angel, who was patting her pregnant stomach, and sitting beside her brother's wife. They were probably comparing morning sickness stories. Colleen had joined them, probably hoping to be next in line for their maternity clothes. Then she saw Mark, Zack's best man, standing at the end of the aisle, looking handsome in his dark suit with his curly brown hair combed neatly.

But he was frowning, his face grim.

And when she glanced to his right, where the groom was supposed to be standing, the space was empty.

* * *

God, the music was playing the wedding march. The church was packed. The flowers and candles in place. The preacher waiting. His friends and family seated. Jenna's family and friends watching expectantly.

He should be standing out there beside Mark right now.

Nausea rose to Zack's throat, and he leaned against the bathroom sink and took a deep breath.

Could he do this? What if he let her down?

His hands shook as he reached for the faucet and turned it on. Fighting dizziness, he splashed cold water on his face. He was sweating like a horse and his legs felt like jello.

Determined to fight off the panic attack, he closed his eyes and forced images of Jenna into his mind. Jenna in that sexy lingerie shop the first time he'd met her. Jenna modeling the black bodystocking for him.

Jenna marrying that pediatrician.

Hissing his frustration, he summoned his courage.

She would not marry another man. No, dammit. Jenna Barrett was his.

Determination set in, and he straightened his tie, smoothed back his hair, and opened the door to the chapel. Still his legs felt weak, so he grabbed the backs of the choir pews for support as he staggered to the front of the church.

The scent of fresh lilies assaulted him and he swallowed, battling another dizzy spell as the room began to spin. Then the soft strains of piano music broke into his consciousness, wafting through the candlelit space, and he realized the "Wedding March" was almost over. Damn. He was late for his own wedding.

He caught his brother's glare and hurried to his place, clenching and unclenching his clammy hands by his sides, determined to watch his brother eat crow when the ceremony was over. Then he glanced up and saw Jenna walking down the aisle.

Suddenly his nervousness vanished, and in its place, excitement burst in his chest along with a sense of calm. A sense of rightness.

Jenna looked absolutely radiant. Her long white satin gown had been tapered to fit her perfect body, a heart shaped neckline dipped enticingly low teasing at her breasts, those off-the- shoulder straps emphasized her creamy skin, and a soft, sheer veil framed her face and hinted at the sexy woman beneath.

His breath caught and locked in his chest, and his body stirred with primitive arousal.

Once the ceremony was over, they would have the party. They would dance and he could hold her close, nuzzle her neck, and sneak some kisses. Then, finally, they could leave for their honeymoon. Six days and nights in Jamaica.

Six blissful, heavenly days and nights where he would have Jenna to himself. He would tear that dress off of her and drive her wild with his wanting. He would love her in every imaginable way—morning, noon, and night.

Suddenly he couldn't wait to get married.

His gaze met hers, then she blessed him with her provocative smile, and his heartbeat sped to triple time.

How could he have ever had any doubts about the two of them? About this marriage?

Jenna was perfect...

She reached the end of the aisle, the preacher spoke, then her father handed her to him. The moment Jenna took his hand, Zack's throat clogged with emotions.

He had found the woman he would love the rest of his life.

The room grew hushed as they recited their vows.

"Will you, Zack, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do." Zack repeated the rest of the vows in a throaty voice, his hand gripping Jenna's in a silent pledge of solidarity.

Finally, it was time to kiss the bride. Zack slowly lifted the veil from Jenna's face. Tears glittered in her gorgeous green eyes as he captured her mouth with a soul-deep kiss that promised her all the passion in the world.

Then a small humming sound erupted with the song, "Here Comes the Bride."

Zack threw his head back and laughed. The day before he'd sent Jenna a wedding gift, the his-and-hers bridal underwear from her store.

Jenna was obviously wearing hers.

He remembered his slogan with a chuckle, "It's What's Underneath That Counts."

His body hummed with arousal. He couldn't wait to show her what he was wearing beneath his tux. Something he'd custom ordered just for her.

Then she kissed him again, and he forgot about everything but holding her in his arms, and loving her, and that she was finally his wife.

And for once, he didn't even feel nauseated at the thought.

The End