Taboo (23 page)

"Grant, can you see me? Can you look at me?"

Searching his face, desperate for any sign that he recognized her, she prayed... and watched with speechless gratitude to God as awareness dawned in the eyes of the man she loved so much.

"Oh, God, thank you." She wept. She clasped one of his hands, which, strangely, was clenched into a fist. She kissed it over and over, then gently pried it open.

The ring fell onto the ground, released from his convulsive grasp.

She grabbed it, held it tight. "Grant. Look at me. Just look at me."

His eyes opened farther. She held the ring up and saw him focus on it.

"I told Mom and Dad, Grant. I told them how much I love you and that I was going to marry you."

She lifted her left hand and slid the ring down her finger.

"With this ring, I thee wed. For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till—"

Her voice caught. "Forgive me, Grant. Forgive me for running away. I promise I'll always be there from now on, no matter what. I love you.
I love you
." She sobbed, clasping his hand again.

Slowly, faintly, he smiled. Then, as if with his last bit of strength, he spoke. "You... are... my light. My life."

Epilogue

When they entered the church foyer, Cammie smelled the perfume of orange blossoms and gardenias. The organist played sweetly in the background. The low murmur of whispers from the filled pews fell softly upon her ears.

"God be with you," Dorothy whispered before an usher escorted the mother of the bride—and groom—down the aisle.

"My sister," Trish murmured as she handed Cammie a white Bible and a spray of springtime flowers. She hugged her, and then, as the organist struck the first notes of the processional, started slowly down the aisle.

Audrey, looking slightly confused despite the previous night's rehearsal, tugged at Cammie's hand and said too loudly for the occasion, "Gee, Aunt Cammie, you sure do look pretty today."

"Thank you, Audrey. You're pretty as a bride yourself." Cammie smiled nervously while Audrey grinned and swung her basket of rose petals, then skipped down the aisle behind her mother.

Edward hugged Cammie close and tucked her trembling hand into the crook of his arm. "Ready?" he asked, a twinkle in his eye. "They're playing our song... daughter."

They walked down the aisle, Cammie's heart swelling until she thought it might burst. Her misting gaze locked with Grant's as he watched her from the front of the church, his eyes reflecting complete devotion and the kind of desire a lifetime together could never quench. He wore charcoal-gray pants and a morning coat, a gray and white ascot over a pristine white shirt. She couldn't imagine him as a brother anymore; only as the heart-stoppingly handsome bridegroom he was.

As she and Edward neared the altar, Grant stepped forward to meet them. It was a miracle he had survived the deadly car crash. He knew his mother gave credit to heavenly intervention, which he was certain had a lot to do with it. But looking at Cammie now—a vision in white, the diamond-and-aquamarine pins gleaming in her hair, matched by her locket and diamond earrings—he knew miracles began on earth.

He didn't remember much about the accident itself, only his desolation, his sense of loss. But then she had come for him, just as he now came to her.

His dad moved aside, allowing Grant to take his rightful place. Edward sat in the front pew and wrapped his arm around Dorothy's shoulders. Their faces beamed with joy and pride. Trish exchanged a flirtatious smile with Grant's best man. Audrey stepped on the hem of her gown and littered the floor with the few petals she hadn't already strewn.

Grant kissed Cammie's hand, then held it tight. They moved as one to the altar, and bowed their heads in unison.

Their vows began, the ones they had written together with great care. They recited their declaration of loyalty and commitment, and acknowledged how fragile life was, how precious a gift was love.

The resonant voice of the good reverend concluded, "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Grant Kennedy."

They faced the audience as husband and wife—but only briefly. With the gravitational pull of the sun and moon creating the tides on earth, Grant gathered her into both arms and she wrapped hers around his neck.

"Grant," she whispered, "My husband."

"My wife," he murmured, and they kissed like anything but a brother and sister.

The End

Page forward for an excerpt from Mallory Rush's

Date with the Devil

A Classic Romance

and

Love Slave

available in eBook format

Excerpt from

Date with the Devil

A Classic Romance

by

Mallory Rush

writing as

Olivia Rupprecht

"This tastes wonderful," Deidre said, peeling another piece of meat off the spit.

Remembering how Sterling had gone about feeding her the night before, she teased his lips with it while slowly tracing her tongue around her own. "My turn," she murmured as seductively as she could manage, hoping he wouldn't notice that her fingers were beginning to shake.

He stared at her hard, in a most unnerving way. Then suddenly, in a swift flash of movement, she felt his grip on her wrist. She was too stunned to do more than stare back. His eyes turned an ominous shade of earth mixed with steel.

Her hand was so close to his mouth she could feel his harsh, ragged breath. Her mind constricted to pinpoint focus, until she was aware of nothing but the scent, the feel, and the frightening power of this dangerous man.

Commanding her wrist, he slowly moved it forward. The meat disappeared into his mouth at the moment she felt the touch of his lips. His mouth closed over her fingers, and she began to breathe again, too shallowly, too fast. She tried to stifle the moan in her throat but failed.

"Careful, Diedre," he warned softly. "Be
very
careful before you tease me like that again. We're all alone..." He nipped the tips of her fingers. "And, darlin', I like to bite..."

Date with the Devil

A Classic Romance

by

Mallory Rush

~

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Date with the Devil

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