Page 101 of Moving to Love

He looked down at her and smiled. “You are stunning, Joci. You take my breath away.”

She smiled as she looked into his eyes. “I was thinking the same thing about you.” She winked and the minister began talking.

A short time later, the minister said, “You may kiss your bride.”

Jeremiah leaned down and pulled Joci into his arms. He turned his head so his mouth fit over hers and kissed her until her toes curled. Right in church! People whistled and clapped. Still, he kissed her. When he finally pulled away, he leaned his forehead against hers for a few seconds.

“I’m the happiest man in the world right now, Mrs. Sheppard.”

Joci laughed. “Good to know. I’m the happiest woman in the world right now. I love you crazy.”

“I love you crazy.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Sheppard.”

The recessional began, and Jeremiah and Joci walked down the aisle together as husband and wife amid clapping and cheering from the congregation. They stood in the reception line, greeting all who came through. Molly walked up to them as the last few well-wishers hugged the bride and groom to ask for a few more pictures.

They needed to take family pictures and more pictures of the bride and groom.

Jeremiah leaned down and chuckled. “I think Molly and Ryder are attracted to each other. You should have seen the sparks fly when they met.”

Joci looked up at Jeremiah. “Really? Very interesting. He’s so shy. Will he approach her?”

Jeremiah shrugged. “Time will tell.”

The remainder of the night was a blur. They went through all the motions and spoke to everyone who came to celebrate with them. They left the reception around eleven p.m., neither of them able to wait another minute to make love.

Chapter 43

As soon as the door closed in their hotel room, Jeremiah lifted Joci and carried her to the bed. “Jesus, I can’t wait another minute to be in you.”

“Jeremiah,” Joci whispered.

Cupping her face in his hands, he looked deeply into her eyes. “I love you crazy, Mrs. Sheppard. Always have, always will.”

She held his eyes in hers. “I love you crazy, Mr. Sheppard.”

He fit his lips over hers and mated his tongue with hers. Slow, sensual, loving. He reached around her and unzipped her dress. He gently pulled the dress from her shoulders and down her arms. He stepped back to help her step out of it. Holding her left hand, she grinned at him as she lifted her left foot slowly out of her dress.

His breath caught. “Joci…I don’t have words,” his voice cracked.

He continued to stare at her foot while swallowing back the emotion.

“Do you like it?” Her voice was soft.

“Jesus. Joci, it’s beautiful. I’m…stunned…honored. I’m speechless.”

She’d had her tattoo finished by Julie, Deacon’s wife. Where once had been a bud without a flower on the top of her foot, was a beautiful, gray flower with blue detailing and edging.

He bent down and lifted Joci onto the bed. He sat on the edge and pulled her foot onto his lap. He looked at the tattoo. It was still fresh, but so beautiful, the coloring perfect. His two favorite colors. He touched it and ran his finger around the little flower. He looked up at Joci, and tears slid down his cheeks. Joci smiled and wiped the tears away from his face.

“I love you crazy.”

“God, I love you, too. Thank you so very much for trusting me. For marrying me. For having my baby.”

He leaned in and kissed her very tenderly. He framed her face with his hands and looked into her eyes. It was hard to speak with all the emotions clogging his throat. “What’s this, Joci?”

Her voice cracked. “It’s my family.”