[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.She approached him slowly, more nervous than she could ever imagine feeling, yet sure in her love for him.“I’m sorry.I know you said the words don’t mean anything, but I had to say them again.When I saw that e-mail, it took me back into the past.I guess I’d been hanging on to it to protect myself.If I didn’t let a man close, then he couldn’t hurt me.But I did let you get close and I was scared.”She stopped for a breath, then hurried on.“I never realized trust could be a conscious choice.I love you, Chase.After you left me in the vineyard, I made the conscious choice that I was going to trust you.But today, when you swam into the creek for Abby, and then told me you’d be back for me, it wasn’t a choice.I just simply trusted you.I want to marry you because I love you in a way I’ve never loved anyone.”When he didn’t answer immediately, she was afraid her doubt had destroyed anything they’d been building between them.But then he was right there in front of her, gazing down at her, and his expression wasn’t cold or removed or polite anymore.Taking her hands in his, he looked deep into her eyes.“You’re a gift to me, Jillian, a gift I never expected.I never should have reacted the way I did.I never should have gotten so angry.Your past gave you every reason to doubt.I should have known you needed more time.But most of all, I should have recognized my feelings instead of denying them.If I had told you I love you, if I had made it clear that I want to marry you because I want to wake up with you every morning, watch you play with the girls, stand beside you while you plan weddings here at Willow Creek and take you to bed every night because my body yearns for yours, then you would have had reason to trust.”“Oh, Chase.” The corner of her lip trembled and she was trying desperately not to cry.Drawing her close, he wrapped his arms around her.“I love you, Jillian.Can you forgive me for denying what I felt for far too long?”“Of course, I can.Can you forgive me—”He didn’t give her a chance to finish the question.His lips were on hers and his kiss was taking her breath away.His hunger was exciting and real and soon had her weak-kneed and hanging on to him for support.Finally he broke the kiss.“I don’t want to wait till fall to get married.Do you?” she asked.One look into Chase’s eyes and she knew he didn’t want to wait, either.“I don’t want to wait till fall.You’re the wedding planner.How soon can we do this?”“Three weeks,” she said with certainty.“Three weeks it is.”When he kissed her again, thoughts of flowers and veils and two little girls dressed in bouffant dresses faded.There was only Chase, and she gave herself up to him completely.EpilogueThe scent of lilacs filled the air as spirea fell heavy with white blooms and poppies waved in the breeze.Jillian and Chase’s wedding was the first to be held at Willow Creek Estates Vineyard.As Jillian followed Eleanor to the arbor where her husband-to-be stood, she knew her heart couldn’t be any fuller with happiness.Kara had walked from the winery to the arbor first, her flowered, tea-length dress blowing in the slight breeze.Marianne and Abby trailed behind her with their baskets, their pink organza dresses billowing out around them as they reached for petals to toss on the ground on their way to their father.Eleanor had been as pleased as could be when Jillian had asked her to be in the wedding, and now in her rose-colored chiffon dress, she took measured steps until she reached the girls.Then she ushered them to white wooden chairs in the front row.Scott Paxton stood beside Chase at the arbor and both men were smiling.However, when Chase’s gaze met hers, when his eyes drifted over the strapless white silk gown with its flowing skirt, something entirely different shown on his face…something more than happiness.It was appreciation of her and the future they’d have together.At that moment, Jillian had to catch her breath and blink back tears.She loved Chase so deeply, so richly, so dearly.She wanted to shout it to the world.In a way, she would be in a few moments.When she reached the arbor, she handed her bouquet to Kara.Her best friend smiled and took it, then everyone faded away but Chase.“You’re beautiful,” he whispered as he took her hand.“So are you,” she murmured.“Handsome, I mean.”When he laughed, she laughed with him and they turned toward the minister.Chase said his vows in a strong, sure voice and every heart-filled word wrapped around Jillian, preparing her for a future with him.She repeated her promises, trusting Chase and loving him in a way she’d never trusted or loved a man.She knew he could see that and hear that as she repeated oaths that would last a lifetime.When it came to the exchange of rings, Scott handed Chase a diamond wedding band and he slipped it onto her finger, above an oval diamond.“This isn’t just a ring, Jillian,” he said detouring from the words they’d practiced.“This is a circle of love.It will remind you I will love you and our girls until my dying breath.It will enfold you in love forever.I’ve promised to be your husband, your love, your life partner and your friend.It’s a symbol of those promises, a symbol that they’re as real as I am, as real as the love I want to share with you for a lifetime.”Now tears did roll down Jillian’s cheeks, but they were happy tears and she knew Chase could see that.After she took his solid gold band from Kara, she slid it onto his finger.“You will be my life, Chase, and my home.This gold band represents all the love I feel for you, the pride I have for you, the respect I will always give you.Together we’ll raise our girls to understand the meaning of our promises by showing them that our love is strong and true and forever.”The minister mumbled, “I think you two have just covered my part of this
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
