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She paused, then her voice was strong and powerful. “I love you, Cash. And I love that you did that.”
“Miss Betty kept me sane. Safe. I talked to her. Trusted her. She defended my life, my country. But it was always you, and I’ve always loved you.”
Nicola palmed his face. She drew him in for a kiss that warmed his soul, reinvigorating his belief that no woman on the planet was more perfect than her.
He placed the rifle back in its case and put it away. Crickets chirped, and a night owl sang. Taking care to remember every moment, he turned back to her, and a smile curled his lips.
“I love you, Nic. But gun, or no gun, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I loved you years ago, I loved you when you were gone from me, and I love you still. Always have and always will.” He slipped a ring out of his pocket and took her left hand in his, sliding it onto her finger. “I’ve grown up with you, fallen in love with you, and I want to marry you. I hope to God you want the same thing.” He cupped her face in his hands. “What do you say, sweet girl? Think Nicola Garrison could be more than just a name on paper?”
A smile so bright he didn’t need the sun blossomed across her face. “Of course I want to marry you. That’s my dream come true. I’ve wanted to since the first day I met you.”
With her in his arms, with those words, life was perfect. She softened into his embrace, pushing into his kiss. This was more than a dream come true. This was his woman, his life, molding into what it should’ve been.
“It’s a new house, but if you don’t like it, it’s on the auction block tomorrow.”
“I love it.”
“Good. Though I do have a lot of rooms that need to be christened.”
“I’m pretty sure you have a big new car that hasn’t been…” She pulled him toward the passenger door, giggling.
“Hot damn, I love you, woman.”
EPILOGUE
Somehow Cash should’ve known that sporting a tux was part of the deal. Can’t have a wedding without a tux.Well, you can. But that’s not what Nicola wanted, and what she wanted today was priority number one. The tux could be considered mission critical.
He tugged at the black silk bowtie. Not his style. And standing in front of God and everyone, grinning like an asshole, it made him more than a little self-conscious.
The church doors flew open. The dramatic organ notes bounced off the cathedral ceiling, filling the room with the powerful processional they’d chosen. The most gorgeous vision of beauty and white lace emerged, rendering him love-struck all over again.
Yeah, for Nicola he could sport a bowtie and monkey suit. Hell, he’d do a top hat and a cane. Anything to get to, “I do.”
The walk down the aisle was almost too much. How the hell was he this lucky? The only thing Cash wanted was Nicola in his arms. But her slow procession had a payoff. Her hand landed in his, and everything felt perfect.
The preacher droned on, talking to the filled church pews. Cash wasn’t listening, totally entranced by his bride. Love swelled, thumping loudly throughout his body, and an excited constriction struck his throat. The only thing he had to do, other than stare at Nicola, was recite his vows. He’d easily agreed to write them without thinking over the consequence of that decision. Could he put into words his dreams of the future? His promises to take care of her, partner with her? Hell, worship her for the rest of their lives?
And then the preacher’s eyes were upon him.Show time.Cash unfolded the paper with his neatly printed vows. If he thought his smile couldn’t get any bigger, he was wrong. And then it was just them. He saw no one else in the church besides Nicola Garrison, his soon-to-be wife.
Nothing he wrote would do justice to what he wanted to say.Screw it.Crumbling up the paper with his vows, he shoved it back into his pocket and clasped her hands in his.
“Hey, sweet girl.” He thumbed the tops of her knuckles.
“Hi,” she whispered, smiling. “I love you.”
God, did he love this woman. Needed her too. And no pre-written vows, no matter how authentic, could encapsulate how he felt in this moment. Cash cleared his throat, pressed her knuckles to his lips in a kiss, and breathed out.
“Nic, my farthest reaching memory is you. My farthest reaching dream is this: marrying you. Promising my love, honor, and faithfulness until I take my last breath… Whether that’s from old age or from my enemy’s bullet, whether we’re on opposite sides of the world or working in the trenches together, know that you are my best friend, my truest love, the center of my existence. Every day I have with you is a gift.
“I vow to be your partner, to always have your back. I vow to hold your hand when no words are needed, hold you tight if you need comfort, and kiss your lips just because. I’ve always been yours, sweet girl. And I’ll always be yours. Today. Tomorrow. Forever.”
Nicola wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. A soft chuckle ran through the church, reminding him that they weren’t really alone. But he didn’t care, and she obviously didn’t either because they weren’t anywhere close to, “you may now kiss the bride.”
Somewhere behind him, the groomsmen were getting rowdy. Someone let out a, “hooyah.” And Beth—he was sure of it—aww-ed. Loudly. But they all faded away. Nic’s lips were on his, and the kiss reached into the depths of his soul.
Nic drew back from their too-hot-for-church kiss. “My turn.” She held out her small white paper, then ripped it, tossing the paper pieces into the air like confetti. Another chuckle ran through the church. “Here I go… Cash Garrison, I took your last name when I never thought I’d see you again.” Pain flashed in her eyes, and he caressed her hand until she smiled again. “It was the saddest of consolation prizes, but I clung to it because you were my world. I love you. More and more each day.
“I promise my heart, my soul. I promise to always trust and love unconditionally. I will follow you to the ends of the Earth if you need me. I will be your faithful, loyal wife to come home to, knowing you are forever my partner. Yes, in sickness and in health. But also through the hell of radio silence and undercover operations. I am yours, as I always have been. I vow this to you today.”