Honey and Smoke (23 page)

The bride and groom stared at him hopefully. “Us too?”

“You too. But I tell you what. Go change into the costumes you wanted. This marriage ceremony is going to be the best I’ve ever performed. And it’s on the house.”

He sighed happily as Betty began laughing and kissed his cheek. Norma whooped. Audubon stood with great dignity. A rueful smile touched his mouth. “I suppose,” he said dryly, “that I’m not surprised.”

Holding each other deep in the heart of the night, they finally gave up. Each time they tried to be solemn and discuss the future, they were distracted by the present, and made love again.

“We don’t have a place to live,” he reminded her.

“And very little to wear in public.”

“Not to mention only one toothbrush. Did you have to buy a pink one?”

“We’ll pool our resources and get you a blue one.”

“Okay. I’m happy.”

“You feel happy. Very happy. Oh, Maximilian—”

“Now, stop doing that. Yes, keep your hands right there, and be still. Be serious. What kind of wedding do you want?”

“Why don’t we have a military wedding? I’d love to see you in uniform. We could invite the men from your old team.”

“I’d like that,” he answered gruffly. “It’ll be dignified, I promise you. I won’t treat it like one of the parlor weddings. It’s not a joke to me.”

She kissed him. “But you can’t let me be dull and stuffy, Major.”

“Well, you could wear the Daisy Mae outfit.”

They both laughed. “I think not,” she told him. “Perhaps I’ll just let Faux Paw be my bridesmaid. That should liven things up.”

“I can’t wait to see
that
. We should do it soon.”

“I’d love to.”

“Love me?”

“Forever.”

Now he was the one who couldn’t keep from distracting them from conversation. Betty sighed happily as he began touching her. The man could do such amazing things with only one good hand.

“I look forward to a lot more attention like this,” she whispered.

“I guarantee you’ll have it. Along with a lot of love.”

She traced his lips with her fingertips, anticipating his smile before she felt it. So much hard work lay ahead of them. So much to rebuild. So many risks to take. She and Max should stop being irresponsible and become properly depressed.

No way. She kissed him, moved closer, and knew that the future was safe and happy within her arms.