Scarlet Fever - Hill Country 2 (25 page)

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“Why didn’t you tell me you could sing like that?”
 
Alex pulled her to one side and into his arms.

“It’s no big deal, I’ve sung like that for years.”
 
She brushed aside his complement.
 

“You could have easily had a career in music,” he persisted.

She looked at him with sad eyes, “I didn’t want a career in music.
 
I want . . .” She couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence.
 
“It’s time to line up; Pastor Ron is giving us the evil eye.”

“Let him wait.
 
I want to hold you a minute before we begin the ceremony.”
 
She leaned into him, resting against his shoulder.

“It’s just a rehearsal, no big deal.”
 

“It is a big deal, darlin’.
 
A solemn ceremony.
 
We’re going to be standing in front of a man of God and saying words of devotion and commitment.
 
Before we do, I want to tell you how very much I love you.”
 
Alex rubbed her forehead, easing a lock of hair off of her forehead, then kissed her once softly on the lips.

“I love you, too.”

 
Reaching behind his back, Alex handed her a beautiful white rose.
 
“Carry this for me sweet heart and don’t forget, Scarlet – we love each other.
 
Now, it’s time.
 
Let’s take our places.”

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The music began and Alex, Ethan and Bobby walked from the right side of the rose bed to the front of the arbor.
 
Alex was playing the part of the groom, a role that would be reversed the following day.
 
As the music continued, Cecile stepped out to walk slowly down the aisle.
 
She and Bobby only had eyes for each other.
 
Annalise came next and she blushed like a school girl as Ethan winked at her.
 
After she and Cecile were in their places, the music swelled and Alex looked up to see his angel standing in a golden ray of the evening sun.
 
He had never seen anything or anyone more beautiful.
 
Slowly, she walked toward him.
 
He knew that she thought this was just a rehearsal, but he knew her well enough to know that she was imagining that this was real.
 
That it was their wedding day.

When she drew close enough, he held out his hand to help her up on the dais.
 

“Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here tonight to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”
 
Alex picked up Scarlet’s right hand in his and brought it to his lips.
 
The preacher continued.

“A marriage ceremony like this is for one purpose only and that is to make one flesh from two people that love and cherish one another above all things.
 
At this time, Alex and Scarlet wish to take this step.
 
They have chosen one another out of all others in this life and now they stand before us ready to repeat their vows.
 
Alex.”

Scarlet’s eyes were darting around nervously; she had been to enough wedding rehearsals to know that this one was not proceeding as normal.
 
Still, she did not bolt and run.
 
Alex held on to her hand, looked into her eyes and began.

“I, Phillip Alexander Stewart, take you, Scarlet Rose Evans, to be my lawful wedded wife.
 
I promise to love, honor and cherish you,” he paused almost unable to go on. “Till death do us part.
 
I promise to be true and faithful to you for better or worse, in sickness and in health, for as long as we both shall live.”
 
Scarlet’s eyes were big and focused on every syllable that was coming from his lips.
 
“All of my worldly goods to thee I endow and with my body I will worship yours.
 
I love you, Scarlet.
 
To marry you is my greatest desire.”
 
Alex became aware that Scarlet’s hand was shaking in his.

“Scarlet.”
 
The pastor indicated that it was her turn.

Scarlet looked over at her sister, who had tears in her eyes.
 
Then, she turned back to her beloved, who had the most sincere look of love on his face that she could ever have imagined.
 

She only hesitated for a moment, but it was a lifetime for Alex.
 
It felt as if his heart was about to escape from his chest.
 
By now, she must realize that this was more than just a rehearsal for Ethan and Annalise.
 
By now, she had to know.

Scarlet’s mind and emotions was topsy-turvy.
 
Could this really be happening, or were her heart-felt fantasies making more of this than it actually was?
 
With a soft touch, Alex caressed the hand he held.
 
Scarlet took that as a gentle urging for her to say her part. Holding Alex’s gaze, she began to speak.
 
“I, Scarlet Rose Evans, take you, Phillip Alexander Stewart, as my lawfully wedded husband.
 
I promise to love, honor, and cherish you, till death do us part.”
 
Her voice cracked just a bit, and Alex’s hold on her hand tightened, as if giving her courage to continue.
 
“I promise to be true and faithful to you. For better, for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as we both shall live.”
 

Scarlet paused again, her eyes big question marks, and Alex nodded his head, as if telling her that she was doing great.
 
“All my worldly goods to you I give, and with my body I will worship yours.
 
Alex, I adore you, and marrying you would make all my dreams come true.”

Alex noted the futuristic wording of her last sentence.
  

“Is there a ring?”
 

“Yes, there is.”
 
Alex reached into the pocket of his coat.
 
He brought out a glimmering eternity band and slipped it on her finger.
 
“Scarlet, with this ring, I thee wed.
 
With this ring, I offer you my heart, my life, my trust and my eternal devotion.”

“I don’t have a ring for you,” she whispered.

In answer, he just kissed the ring on her finger.

“You may kiss the bride.”
 

Slowly, Alex drew her to him.
 
It was a tender kiss, a slow meeting of the lips, a cherished moment of utter devotion.
 
Pulling back, Alex gave her the sweetest smile that she could have ever envisioned.

“By the power invested me by the great state of Texas, I now pronounce you man and wife.”
 
Turning them to face the crowd, he announced.
 
“It is my pleasure to be the first to you introduce you to, Mr. & Mrs. Alex Stewart.”
 
A crescendo of music followed and Alex swept Scarlet down the central passageway, past prying eyes and countless questions.

He picked her up and held her close.
 
“Oh, my darling.
 
I love you so.”
 
He kissed her then, like he had wanted to up at the front.
 
Boldly.
 
Voraciously.
 
She kissed him back, and then laid her forehead against his chest to get her breath.

“That seemed very real, Alex.”
 
She didn’t know exactly what to say, but she was holding on to him with both hands, just as tight as she could.

“It was real, baby.
 
Very real.”
 
They stood still; he braced himself for her reaction, not knowing what to expect.

There was a moment of silence, and then much to Alex’s shock and amazement, Scarlet stood on her tiptoe, wrapped her arms around his neck and began to cry.
 
“I don’t understand, but I love you.
 
This is the most incredible moment of my life.
 
Explain, please.
 
What does this mean?”

Picking her up, Alex walked swiftly to the house.
 
He carried her straight to his room, so he could be sure that they would be undisturbed.
 
Sitting on the bed, he held her to his chest.
 
“Scarlet, I know I’m probably treading on thin ice, love.
 
But, there was no way that I was letting you walk out of my life.
 
I had to make you understand that you have a future, with me.”
 
He placed something in her hand.

“What is this?” she asked in a tear-streaked voice.
 

“Look at it, babe.”
 
His words were said with enough hope and commitment that it was a tangible presence in the air.

Scarlet dropped her eyes, and for a moment, she didn’t comprehend what she was holding.
 
It was a card, a plastic card that was engraved with her name – or her new name:
 
Scarlet Evans Stewart.
 
Scarlet turned it over and over.
 
It was emblazoned with the name of Alex’s company and a prominent, national insurance carrier.
 
“An insurance card?”

Scarlet looked up at him in wonder.
 
“I can live?”

Her simple little question almost brought him to his knees.
 
“Yes, baby.
 
You can live.
 
With me.
 
Forever.”

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“I can’t believe you got married first!”
 
Annalise teased her sister, playfully.
 

“I can’t either,” Scarlet admitted, her voice quivering.

“I just knew that you two would get together, there never was a doubt in my mind.”

“I never hoped, I never dreamed,” Scarlet’s voice shook.
 
She still did not intend to reveal her problems to Annalise.
 
Not until she was sure that everything was going to be all right.
 
But, for the first time, she understood that there was a good possibility that she was going to be OK.
 
She had a reason to plan, to hope, to dream.
 
And it was all because of Alex.
 

He stood watching her, even now.
 
Everytime she looked up, his gaze would be upon her.
 
The rehearsal dinner was in full swing.
 
There was no sneaking away, not even for the newlyweds.
 
Minutes and hours passed in a swirl of activity, but finally the time came when they could be alone.
 
“Come with me, sweetheart.
 
It’s time for your wedding night.”
 
She placed her hand in his, but they didn’t walk toward the B&B.
 
Instead, he led her to the side drive and she was shocked to see a limousine sitting there.
 
“It’s only for one night, we have to be back tomorrow, but I wanted you to myself for a few hours.”

A uniformed chauffeur opened the door and they climbed inside.
 
As soon as the door was shut, he pulled her to him.
 
“I’ve been wanting to do this all evening.”
 
He placed heated kisses from her chin, down the length of her throat, all to way to the tender cleft between her breasts.
 
“You are absolutely luscious.”
 

“Alex, talk to me, please.
 
Tell me what all of this means.”
 
She had to ask, she couldn’t wait.

“What are you talking about, love?
 
We’re married.
 
As married as two people can get, unless . . . . ” and he stopped, afraid to put the thought into words.
 
“Unless, you don’t want to be married to me.”

“I want to be married to you more than anything in the world,” she assured him.
 
“But I just need to understand what’s going on.
 
Exactly.
 
I mean, do you want me to stay here with you or do you intend for me to go back to my house in Pine Forest and just use the card there.
 
If that‘s what you intended, know that I am grateful . . . . .”