Her radiant smile eclipsed the sun-drenched stained-glass windows lining the stone walls. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
This time, they exchanged personal vows they’d written together. God, they’d had such fun coming up with them about three in the morning a few weeks ago. Colton sent a brief glance toward heaven, but couldn’t quite summon any guilt for enjoying such a memory—not even in church.
He repeated his part after the priest, his husky voice full of promise for the honeymoon ahead. By the gleam in her eye and flush on her cheeks, Kendra’s thoughts had taken the same sensual stroll down memory lane. When her turn came, her clear, heaven-sent voice echoed through the century-old stone building.
Vows complete, the priest peered over his reading glasses. “May I have the rings, please?”
Colton turned to his best man. Noah dug into his suit pocket and then stepped forward to hand the priest the two rings entrusted to his solemn care. Before Noah resumed his spot, Colton reached out to squeeze the boy’s shoulder. They’d bonded over the past couple months and he was honored he’d be part of Noah’s upbringing from here on out.
After a silent exchange of mutual respect, Colton turned back to his wife as the priest finished blessing the rings and handed the first one to him. Though he’d done it twice already, sliding the symbol of his eternal commitment over Kendra’s slim finger never lost its magic.
He smiled into her eyes as she returned the gesture, gifting him with her honor, her life, her love. Indescribable elation lifted and constricted his heart simultaneously. He glanced at his mother, who beamed teary-eyed approval from the front pew. She’d welcomed her daughter-in-law with open arms.
For so many years he’d believed he didn’t deserve this. Someone like Kendra. Happiness. Love. Looking back, it was unbelievable how empty his life had been without her and Noah.
Sadness still shadowed the years his mother and father had lost, but he finally understood how his mother could go on without bitterness poisoning her days. Understood that cliché so many people spouted without truly knowing the depth of its meaning.
Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
Now he believed. And if he lost Kendra tomorrow, it would be pure hell, but he knew he’d forever treasure every single second he was lucky to have had with her. Like his mother cherished the time with his father.
In the meantime, he’d do everything in his power to keep her happy, ‘til death did they part—God willing, many, many years from today.
“I now pronounce you Man and Wife.”
Kendra’s fingers tightened on his. Colton glanced at the priest before locking his gaze with hers once more. Happiness radiated from those beautiful, expressive eyes and wide smile.
“Mr. Lawe, you may kiss your bride.”
Colton wasted no time pulling her into his arms with a rakish grin. Heat stole through him as his lips staked their own claim for life. He remembered kissing her after their first marriage ceremony almost three months ago. It’d been a sarcastic, over-the-top, in-your-face kiss for the witnesses in the courthouse.
It had left him angrier than ever because he’d wanted the marriage to be real—for the right reasons.
And now it was.
So this kiss was everything the other one hadn’t been. Tender, loving, passionate. It was for her alone, not the audience of family and friends who clapped and whistled as a crimson sunset spilled over the Rocky Mountains behind them.