“I’ve never lied to you.” His voice was quiet, his face solemn. “I’m not going to start now.”
And as Blake gazed into his eyes she knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that she could believe his every word. And so, knowing how he felt about her, she was now brave enough to reveal the secret she’d carried inside her heart. “And I love you, Ryder. I love you so much.”
At the sound of those words he smiled and bent his head to give her a kiss, so loving, it felt like in that kiss he put his heart and his soul. This time when he drew his lips away it was to whisper in her ear. “Whether you’re loving me or bossing me, I want you in my life for always.”
Her heart swelling with love, Blake wrapped her arms around Ryder’s waist and laid her cheek on his chest, right where she could listen to that wonderful rhythm, the beautiful beat of his heart.
“I’ll be only too happy to boss you,” she whispered, “any time you want.”
EPILOGUE
It was the most joyous sound in the world - church bells ringing on a bright and sunny Saturday afternoon, calling everyone to the happiest of occasions.
Bubbling with excitement, Blake rushed from dressing table to vanity to bed and back again, doing the last of her titivation before she had to run out. One last glance in the mirror and she was all set.
Hurrying down the stairs she called out, “Come on, darling. Let’s go. We’re going to be late.”
“Ready and waiting, ma’am.”
Blake stopped midway down the stairs, surprised to see Ryder already waiting at the door, looking stunningly handsome in black tuxedo and ivory-white shirt. As he stood there gazing up at her, so tall and so wickedly gorgeous, she felt that familiar flutter of her heart. She’d known Ryder more than six months yet he never ceased to make her heart race.
Ryder drew in his breath as he stared up at her, his gaze taking her all in, from the coils and soft tendrils of her hair, to her chiffon-light dress, to the toes of her satin slippers. “You’re so beautiful.” It was a hushed whisper that made her want to run into his arms. Ryder was never stingy with his praise and each time he gave it, it made her heart sing. It was so good to be loved by him.
Holding on to the banister, her eyes trained on him, Blake descended the stairs then walked up to wrap her arms around the man she loved. “And you’re the most handsome man in the world. My man.”
He smiled at that but then he reached down and took her hand. “Come on,” he said. “The church bells are ringing.”
Blake gave a happy laugh and they walked hand in hand out the door and toward Ryder’s waiting Jaguar. When they got to the church it looked like all of Pequoia was already there. The ladies from the sewing circle had pride of place in the front row. Sarah, Barbara, Beth and Bridget, all looking radiant in their soft pink bridesmaid dresses.
And at the front of the church, looking handsome in his dark tuxedo, his face reflecting a mix of excitement and nervousness, stood Ted. Beside him stood Doug, the best man, looking even more nervous than the groom. When the minister glanced at Doug then shook his head Blake could not suppress a smile.
But then there was no more time to admire the party standing in front of the altar. At that moment the organist struck the chord and the wedding march began. Up the aisle, on the arm of a beaming Chris, came the beautiful bride. Blake’s lips parted in happy surprise when she saw her friend. Peggy was stunning in a soft white gown that curved in at the waist and flowed over her h*ps to end just below her knees in a frothy mist of soft waves. On her head was an elegant white hat, tilted just so, giving her a coquettish look that would steal any man’s heart.
As she walked up the aisle it was clear that whoever had prepared Peggy to charm her husband-to-be had done an excellent job because, at the sight of her, Ted’s brows flew up and his eyes stayed glued on her until she came to stand before him.
Soon it was time for bride and groom to exchange wedding vows and as the words flowed from their lips, heartfelt expressions of their love for each other, Blake’s eyes misted with tears. It was all so beautiful…
…so beautiful that she reached down to clasp hands with the man by her side. As she leaned into him he gave her fingers a gentle squeeze then tilted his face so he could whisper in her ear. “Soon, my darling, it will be our turn.”
His sweet promise thrilling her heart, Blake lifted her face to gaze up at him and when he saw her tears he shifted his lips so he could kiss her there. As he kissed away her tears the world faded away and all she could see, all she could feel was his unquestioned love for her.
“Soon,” he whispered, “you will truly be mine.”
With a sigh, Blake reached out to wrap her arm around Ryder’s waist. She rested her cheek against his shoulder as she held him close.
He’d promised that she would be his, and she could hardly wait.