“I made reservations at the Moose Lodge dining room, but now that I’m here, I don’t want to share you with anyone.”
Her breath caught. “I feel the same.”
“Stop looking at me that way,” he begged. “Otherwise I’m going to have to leave town until the wedding.”
“You wouldn’t—” she cried, horrified at the very thought, insecurity still nagging at her.
He drew her into his arms and nuzzled her neck. “You know better than that.”
She shook her head, still quivering in reaction. “No, I don’t.”
“I was only teasing you, darling.”
Sydney raised anguished eyes to him. “Please don’t do that to me yet. This is all too new, and you’re too precious to me.”
His eyes narrowed on her mouth before he bestowed one wine-dark kiss after another. They caused her to lose all sense of time and place. Jarod had to be the one who held her up when her legs almost gave away.
“I think we need to get married as soon as possible. When I was at the motel, I talked to the pastor. He’s free to marry us this coming Saturday or the next. We can get a license tomorrow.”
The mention of the clergyman dissipated a little of her euphoria. “If you’ve contacted him because you think it’s what I want, then we need to talk about it because I want what you want. Is there no Catholic priest who would officiate? I’d be willing to do that.”
He grasped her shoulders. “I adore you for your unselfishness, but it wouldn’t be possible.”
“Why? Even if you left the priesthood, you’re still a member.”
“I’d rather it was someone who will concentrate on you and me, not our religious affiliations.”
She stared at him for a long time. Th
ough he’d just shaved, she could detect the faint shadow of his stubble. It made him incredibly appealing.
“Did you ever fantasize about marrying me at the church in Cannon?”
A small nerve throbbed along his jaw. “Yes.”
She’d wanted honesty.
“You meant it about taking our children to church.”
His chest rose and fell visibly. “Yes,” he said again with equal fervor. “Since you accompanied Brenda to Mass on occasion, I assumed you wouldn’t have a problem going to a church of our mutual choosing with the children. It’s a great place for them to socialize and make friends.
“If I was wrong about that, I need to know how you feel about my taking them.”
She couldn’t believe they were even having such a serious conversation. Tonight they were supposed to be celebrating their engagement. But since she’d brought up the subject, she had no right to be upset.
“There’s plenty of time for us to talk about this after we’re married and have a baby.”
He flashed her an enigmatic glance. “That’s the time most couples get around to it. But by then emotions are running high. What’s upsetting you, Sydney?”
How could she forget Jarod was a counselor by profession, and a superior judge of human nature by virtue of his innate intelligence? On top of that he’d been a priest whom people had sought out to help them resolve domestic disputes.
“Whatever is bothering me is my problem, not yours. I’m so ashamed. Forgive me, Jarod. Let’s go to dinner.”
He shook his dark head. “Not yet. I’m aware you were raised by two strong-willed parents who were united in their core beliefs. No doubt I’ve come off sounding too much like them.”
Jarod had figured it out a lot sooner than she had.
She averted her eyes. “You’re going to wish you’d never met me.”