Emma's Wish

Chapter 5

For several long moments, Sam didn't move. His heart hammered against his ribs, and he felt a drop of sweat trickle down between his shoulder blades.

He hadn't kissed any woman besides Catherine in almost ten years. Hell, he hadn't kissed a woman at all in almost three.

Now, with the whole town of Charity looking on, he was expected to kiss a woman he hardly knew.

Finally, he cupped Emma's cheeks in his hands. Her skin was smooth and pale except for the dusting of freckles her face powder hadn't been able to hide. For some reason, he was glad. The freckles suited her.

He felt her move, and then felt her hands resting on his as he closed the gap between them. He breathed in the scent of roses as his lips brushed against hers. The kiss was feather-light, but had the force of a mule kick. Heat seared through him. He wanted nothing more than to feel her lips against his, to go further, to explore the warm recesses of her mouth. Instead, he pulled away before his body betrayed him and he dragged her into his arms.

He caught Fred looking at him, shaking his head.

"I thought you coulda done better than that," Fred muttered.

Trouble was, he could have done a lot better than that. And that's what scared the bejeezus out of him. What had happened?

His body wasn't listening to his brain. That’s what had happened. How could he even think about kissing Emma when his wife - the woman he loved - lay buried only a few yards away.

The moment passed, and the minister moved towards them, taking them and turning them to face the congregation. "Ladies and gentlemen," he announced, "I'd like to present, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Jenkins."

The minister was wrong. It wasn't the first time there had been a Mrs. Samuel Jenkins.

Sam glanced over at Emma. Her eyes were wide and sparkling, but when she caught his gaze, her expression changed, and she gave him a quivery smile.

Sam took Emma's arm and guided her back down the aisle and outside. The guests followed, surrounding them, all talking at once.

"... Congratulations ..."

"... hope you'll be very happy ..."

"... long life ..."

"... many children ..."

"We didn't even realize you and Sam were courting," Mrs. Devassy said.

Emma merely smiled. She wasn't about to tell anyone the circumstances of their marriage. It was probably killing the woman that there was one piece of gossip in Charity she hadn't known about.

Jacob Endersby, the undertaker, pumped Sam's hand. "You've got yourself a good woman," he pronounced. "Every bachelor in Charity is grieving today."

"I'm sure I do," Sam replied, giving her a smile.

People milled around, and it was several minutes by the time Amanda jostled through the crowd to Emma's side once again. "Come on," she said, grabbing both Emma and Sam and leading them through the guests. "We have a surprise for you."

In the hubbub, Emma could barely hear what Amanda was saying. "What?"

"Come on," Amanda repeated. "Follow me."

"Wait! Where are the children?"

Amanda took Sam's elbow with one hand and Emma's with the other and led them through the crowd. "Don't worry. Lou has the children."

As they escaped from the crowd, Amanda whispered to Sam, but loudly enough for Emma to hear. "A little word of advice, Sam. Emma loves surprises."

Sam grinned. "She does, does she?"

Emma's eyes widened. "I do not."