Stolen Kisses (Leap of Love Book 2) (11 page)

The two men sat around the fire, drinking whiskey and talking. Sanchez shared a bit about his life and told Brent some of the back story on how the rivalry between himself and Jones began.

"I never thought that it would get to this point. Up until recently, all of Jones' aggression was focused on me. For him to turn that aggression toward my daughter is unforgivable. And to think that he was willing to sell her like she was livestock. It just makes my blood boil."

Brent polished off the last of the liquor in his glass. "Mine too. I just thank goodness we were able to get to her in time. And I am also thankful that we were able to save Maria as well. When we began looking for Lily, it never crossed my mind that another person could have been involved and at risk."

"Well, I thank you my friend. Our lives will forever be connected."

Juan rose from his chair and started toward the door.

"Juan, if you have another second, I would like to run something by you."

"Sure thing."

It took a moment for him to say that words that were on his mind.

"After all that has happened today, this may seem like the wrong time. I know that we have not known each other long, but I am in love with your daughter. I would like to have her hand in marriage."

A huge smile spread across Juan's face. "Son, I thought you would never ask."

It was a while before Lily was back to the market. Her mother told her that she no longer had to go back and work and her father expressed desire to build her a workshop where she could work without having to go to the market.

Lily, being the strong woman she was, did not want to let the situation defeat her. With Jones in jail in Houston and his henchmen in jail or dead as well, she felt that she did not have anything to fear. Besides, she had the protection of Brent and that was all that she needed.

She spent every waking moment thinking of him, wanting him. When she was with him, he lit up her day. Since Lily was rescued, she spent time with family and spent time getting to know Adam. He was a sweet child and Lily felt like they gelled together naturally as a family.

When Brent was not out on Ranger duty, he came to call on her. Some days he would have flowers, sometimes candies or small trinkets. What made her feel most adored was the way that he paid her attention and the look in his eyes when he was with her.

Their love grew out of the most obscure circumstances. She loved the way he would steal kisses and grab her hand as they strolled through town.

That was the other thing that made her fall for him. He was not afraid to show everyone that he loved her.

Brent showed up to take Lily on a walk.

"Brent, come on in." Brook opened the door and let him in.

"Brent, so good to see you my friend." Juan met him at the door and the men shook hands.

Lily came in to the room. She eyed her beau. He was gorgeously rugged, tall and handsome. And he was all hers.

"You look amazing," he said with stars in his eyes.

"You two look so in love." Brook held on to her husband tightly as she gazed at the young lovers.

"Thank you, Mother. Brent, I think we are ready to go."

"Yes. Mr. Sanchez, I will have her back at a decent time."

"Just bring her back happy is all I ask."

The couple left.

"You and my father are talking to each other as if you both have a secret."

"Really? No. Your father is a good man. I respect that."

"Where are you taking me?"

"Surprise my dear. I can't tell you."

As they began their stroll, Brent presented her with a single white lily.

"Brent, you are always so sweet. Thank you."

"If you will let me, I would like to give the world to you."

She inhaled the scent of the flower and smiled. For the first time in life, she was truly happy.

Their stroll led them to the lake. "I have a little something waiting on us over here."

Leading them through the clearing, they stopped at a blanket that was comfortably laid out.

"You have something else for me?"

"Yes, sit down."

She took a seat as she was asked and took a look around. There was a soft blanket laid out with a wicker basket and a small vase of wild flowers on top of it.

"Brent, what are you doing?"

"Just trust me."

She sat down on the blanket, looking out over the sparkling water of the lake. Everything on this day was peaceful and serene. She could not have asked for more.

Inhaling the salty air, she closed her eyes and felt the sun warm her.

"Ever since you brought me out here, to the lake, I have been in love with the place. It is so quiet and peaceful. When I am here, I feel like a part of you is here with me. I came here almost every day that I could when you were gone. I had to do whatever I could to be close to you."

Lily smiled. "That is endearing. I love that you love something so intimate about me. I never really shared my secret space with anyone else."

"I appreciate the fact that you shared it with me, Lily. And I hope that you trust me that much more that you will share more with me."

She stared at him, wondering what he was getting at.

"I told you everything that happened when I was kidnapped. At least everything that I want to tell. I would really like to close that chapter of my life and move on."

Brent took her hand. "I would never ask you to relive any of that. I want you to feel safe and feel loved and that means that we need to leave all of that behind us. It is over and I want nothing more than to move on."

"Me too." Lily was happy to know that they were on the same page.

"Let me pour you a bit of libation my sweetheart."

He searched in the basket for the glasses and the liquor and poured them each a glass.

He posed a toast. "Here's to a wonderful life together."

She raised her glass and then paused it in midair. "Wait…"

He set his glass down and she lowered hers.

"Lily Sanchez, when I came to Owen's Bluff, the last thing on my mind was meeting someone and falling in love. I had no clue what my life change would hold, I was just ready for whatever would come my way. Now I have you in my life and I can't believe that I have been granted the opportunity to fall in love with a woman who is not only stunning, but a beautiful spirit.

"I know what life is like without you and I know that life with you is much better."

He took her by the hand. "Lily, will you do me the pleasure of being my wife?"

She paused for a moment to figure out if the words she heard were correct. "Did you just ask me to marry you?"

"I did."

She did not know what to say. This moment was everything that she could ask for.

Visions of what life would look like with the two of them together flashed through her mind. They would be there for each other and they would care for each other until the end of time. Being together would be the most natural thing in the world. Her own mother said that she knew that they were meant to be. Her father had given them their relationship the seal of approval. If her parents liked him, and she was in love with him, he had to be the one.

"Brent Abbott, yes, I will marry you."

"Lily, you have just made me the happiest man on earth."

He slipped a small shiny ring on her finger and kissed her to seal the deal.

*

Neither one of them wanted to take long for their wedding day. They picked a day about two months after Brent proposed. It would be early fall and the weather would not be so balmy. It would also give his family traveling time to arrive in Owen's Bluff.

Brook Song arranged all of the decoration for the nuptials that would take place at the lake front. They invited family and close friends to the ceremony.

Once Brent's family arrived, Lily became more nervous. As the wedding day approached, all she wanted was to start her new life with Brent.

Meeting his family was overwhelming but there was a lot of love. She was happy to see Adam in his element with his family. Brent was the happiest she had ever seen him. She knew that she was marrying a man that loved and loved hard.

Brent was a kind man and would do anything for anyone. He was there for her even when she did not know he was and she knew that theirs would be a story that would be passed down in their family for generations.

Brent's brother from San Francisco and his wife and children even surprised them with an appearance.

The day of the wedding, the weather was perfect. Everything was perfect. Brook made flower garlands for all of the women and she made Lily a beaded headdress to wear. Lily was draped in a white gown with intricate beading, all hand stitched by her mother.

Brent waited for her at the lake shore. His heart beat a mile a minute. He had on his best suit and could not wait for the arrival of his bride to be. Anxiety set in and his brother had to convince him that Lily would show up and that he had nothing to worry about.

The guests were waiting as the birds were singing and the sun shined, dancing on the lake reflecting like pools of diamonds. White long stemmed lilies were everywhere and red rose petals were scattered about.

The town official stood next to Brent and they all sat patiently awaiting Lily's arrival.

A carriage pulled up and stopped. All of the guests turned around to see the bride getting out of the coach.

Lily's heart stopped when she saw Brent standing there. He was dashing, smiling standing there with Adam who was also dressed to a tee, holding a small white pillow.

She gathered her white dress as she approached. Someone played the flute as Lily marched down the aisle. The scene was picturesque and she all that Lily dreamed it would be. Smiling faces met her as she approached the altar. Her parents sat at the top of the aisle and as she approached, her father stood to take her hand.

"Who stands to give this woman away?" asked the officiant.

"I do," replied Juan.

He kissed his daughter on the cheek and handed her off to Brent.

The officiant started the ceremony. There were tears and good wishes and laughter.

"If no man sees any reason why this couple should not be joined in marriage, we will proceed."

There was silence.

"We will now exchange the rings."

Brent slipped the ring on Lily's finger as he read his vows. "This ring is a promise from me to you that I will always love you. I never expected to come here and find all that I have. I thought that when I left my family in South Carolina, there would never be the chance to find another family like them. Here, in Owen's Bluff, I have found friends and the love of a woman that shares not only her caring spirit, but shares of her time and wisdom. I am truly a blessed man and I take your hand in marriage promising to protect and provide for you for the rest of my days."

The other ring was handed to Lily who slipped it on Brent's finger. "With this ring, I promise to love you and cherish you for the rest of our lives. I did not anticipate finding a husband and I never thought I would find love. When I look at my parents, I have always wanted what they have and I never thought that a love that strong and secure would come to me. When I met you, I knew that you were special and there was no way to deny the passion between us. The way that you have stuck by me and protected me is unreal and I know that you are the man for me. I promise to love you for the rest of my days."

There was not a dry eye in the house when they finished reading their vows. The couple completed their ceremony with a candle lighting vigil.

"With a granting from the Most High, I now pronounce you both husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride."

Brent pulled Lily to him and sealed the deal with a passionate kiss and then whispered in her ear, "I will never let you go."

*

Lily was not sure why love came her way. She prayed for the kind of love that her parents had and she got much more than what she bargained for. Brent was everything she could ever ask for in a husband. He was her perfect compliment. He was her encouragement, he made her laugh, and most of all, he loved her as he’d promised he would.

Adam was happy that his father found love again. Their family felt complete. And contrary to what Lily believed would happen, they did not find opposition to their relationship. They lived in Owen's Bluff in peace.

Sheriff Dyer was even considering making it official with Sarah. Maria sent word that she settled in Louisiana and found work and possibly love herself.

Life was wonderful and Brent's work as a Texas Ranger was taking him all around Texas for assignments. He had been promoted and loved every minute of the work he did.

Lily and Brent had a plan to visit family that year. They thought it best before they started a family of their own. First, they would go to South Carolina and spend some time with Brent's family. They would then go to Mexico and spend some time with Lily's paternal family.

The sky was the limit for them as far as they were concerned. Lily wanted to travel and she was ready to go out and see the world for herself. After all, her husband had and it led him here to her. Traveling had to be a gift and she resigned to continue to live life to enjoy every minute of it.

Brent was over the moon. When he beloved Caroline passed away, he never thought that he would find a woman that he would love as much as he loved her. When Lily came in to his life, he found that he could love again. It was scary, it was invigorating, and it was a risk. But he had already taken a risk coming west so he knew that he could then take a risk to love again.

Waking up to Lily was well worth the risk. He would go and rescue her a million times over if he had to. Fortunately, Jones would not be a problem again. He was forced to move out of Owen's Bluff and the surrounding counties and would have to settle elsewhere when he would be released from jail in the next few years.

What was even better was that Brent no longer had to love Lily on borrowed time and stolen kisses. She was all his and he was all hers and they were together forever and that was all that mattered. Life had been good to him and in turn, he would forever keep his promise to be good to Lily, in life and in love, for the rest of their lives.