The Tycoon's Proposition

“Ben? Please take hold of Terri’s hand and repeat after me.”

She felt his strong, firm grasp capture hers. Afraid to meet his gaze, she kept her eyes on his lips. “I, Benjamin Herrick, promise to take thee, Terri Jeppson, for my beloved wife…”

As he repeated the words of the time-honored ceremony, Terri vowed she was going to do everything in her power to be such a wonderful wife, he would have to fall in love with her. But until that miracle happened, she had more than enough love for both of them.

“Terri? Repeat after me.”

“I, Terri Jeppson, take thee, Benjamin Herrick, for my beloved husband…”

She could hear her voice tremble as she said the words. Ironically Ben’s voice had been deep and strong when he’d spoken his vows. Gone was the mysterious stranger who’d whispered to her in agony from his hospital bed.

This man stood tall and resplendent in a formal midnight-blue suit with a gardenia in his lapel. He’d dispensed with the sling.

“You may now exchange rings. You first, Terri.”

She pulled the wedding band made of Black Hills gold off her middle finger and put it on the ring finger of his left hand. To her relief it seemed to fit.

“Now you, Ben.”

Her heart slammed into her ribs as he produced a wide gold band from his pocket and slid it next to her engagement ring.

“Symbols look beautiful, but they mean nothing without the backing of pure love. Therein lies the magic and the power of the union you have entered into at this hour.

“By the authority invested in me through the church, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

“Ben—you’re not a man known for your patience when you want something badly. Today I must commend you for your restraint this far into the service. You may now kiss your bride—for as long as you like.”

A chuckle rippled through the congregation.

“Do your best,” Terri’s new husband whispered.

She spied a devilish gleam of silver in his eyes before he lowered his mouth to hers.

Most people’s first kiss was done in private. Hers, of course, had to be in front of a captive audience. But nothing about the situation with Ben had ever conformed to the norm.

He’d taken the captain’s advice and seemed in no hurry to end the fun. For the benefit of their onlookers, Terri decided to get into it. At least that was the lie she told herself as she began kissing him back.

Then something changed. With infinite gentleness, he relinquished her mouth. Maybe it was a trick of light, but she thought he looked pale beneath his tan.

“You’re in pain!” she cried softly. “I knew you should have worn your sling.”

“I’ll be all right.”

But he wasn’t all right! The more she thought about it, the more she feared something else had prompted such a drastic change in him. Like maybe the fact that she’d kissed him back?

Dear God—did Ben think she’d used their wedding kiss to wring a response from him he wasn’t prepared to give yet? A response he might never feel? What had he said, maybe love would come to them one day?

“Family and friends,” the captain spoke up, oblivious to her turmoil. “Please rise. May I present Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Herrick. If you’ll join them in the anteroom for the wedding feast, you can offer them your congratulations and take all the pictures you want.”

Beth handed Terri the sheath of long-stemmed Texas bluebonnets she’d been holding for her. Just as quickly, Ben put his arm around her waist and fairly swept her past the pews filled with smiling guests. But their faces were a blur. Already her wedding day had been shattered, and they hadn’t even made it out of the chapel yet!

CHAPTER SEVEN

BEN’S father was the first person in line to give Terri a hug.

“You have no idea how happy you’ve made this family, especially my wife. She calls you Ben’s savior. That son of ours has needed the gentling of a woman for years now. Do you know you’re a vision in that dress, it matches your beautiful eyes? If Ben hadn’t grabbed you, Parker would have. Welcome to the family.”

His kindness moved her to tears. “Thank you, Mr. Herrick. You’ve all been wonderful.”