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‘A plain gold band will do me,’ she’d insisted, while Dante had countered by assuring her that the first time they made love as man and wife Jess would be wearing nothing but diamonds.
‘The first time?’ Jess had queried with amusement.
‘The first time as husband and wife,’ Dante had countered before taking her in the most delicious way.
Would she ever get enough of him? Not a chance, Jess concluded as she watched him shoulder his skis. There was a sense of purpose and a particular speed to his actions she recognised. Dante wouldn’t be late for his wedding, because he was already thinking about taking her to bed.
‘Jess? Your gown,’ Sofia prompted.
Jess turned to see the sparkling lace and chiffon dream of a dress Dante had insisted must come from Paris. It was a restrained and beautiful creation, a fairy tale dress, as Sofia described it, and one that made dreams come true.
Arranging the gown reverently on the bed, Sofia stood back. ‘I can’t wait to have you as a sister,’ she admitted, glowing with pent-up excitement.
‘I’m already your sister,’ Jess insisted as they exchanged the warmest of hugs. ‘Skylar too?’ Sofia teased as they broke apart.
‘Of course. We can’t leave her out, can we?’
‘And now this dream of a dress,’ Sofia said as she lifted it carefully from the bed.
Jess had dreamed of this moment since that first encounter with Dante in her father’s stable ten years ago and now, quite incredibly, those dreams were about to come true.
‘Not incredible,’ Sofia argued when Jess voiced these thoughts. ‘My brother is lucky to have found you. A woman less likely to be cast about by the winds of fate, I have yet to meet. You are a strong, determined woman who will bloom wherever you’re planted, and I’m proud to be your friend.’
* * *
Jess was so popular on the estancia everyone had made a special effort to travel to the mountains to attend her wedding ceremony, which was as relaxed and authentic as Jess had always dreamed it would be. to make things easier for their guests, Dante had laid on two of his aircraft to bring them in from far and wide. Sofia had dipped into her billions too, to ensure the most magical scene.
A huge pavilion had been erected in the deep snow in the garden of Dante’s chalet overlooking the dramatic mountain range. Fairy lights were strung lavishly around, while a pathway of pink rose petals, edged by sweet-smelling country flowers flown in from Yorkshire, filled the air with delicate scent. The ambient temperature inside the pavilion was cosy, thanks to heaters hidden in the roof, and the guests agreed they had never been more comfortable at a wedding than they were on the deeply upholstered white seats. Haunting music from a single acoustic guitar set the romantic mood, while candles glowed on the altar and jewel-coloured lanterns cast a magical glow across the excited congregation.
Peeping through the entrance, Jess saw her father seated with Ella on the front row. They looked so happy together and, never one to miss a business trick, her father had flown in from England on one of Dante’s specially adapted jets accompanied by not just his lively and down-to-earth partner but by several promising ponies as well.
There was a Christmas tree in the entrance covered with small gifts for their guests. Dante had told Jess that her gift was the small brown paper-covered box at the top of the tree and that she must claim it and open it before she came down the aisle.
One of the taller attendants got it down for her, and when she opened it she gasped. It was a perfect replica of Jess’s hay twist ring, but crafted in pure rose gold.
Her wedding ring was perfect and so was the groom, Jess thought when Dante turned at the moment she appeared and their eyes met.
* * *
Every seat was taken by Dante’s family and staff, and by a select number of guests. Maria had settled into the chalet weeks ago to prepare food and the mix of delicious cooking smells had stayed with him, making him hungry, and hungry for Jess. Dios, where was she? When could they get away from here?
At last!
His heart filled with love as he caught sight of his bride, who looked beyond ravishingly beautiful as she walked up the petal-strewn aisle.
‘Thank you for my ring,’ Jess whispered when she reached his side. ‘It’s absolutely perfect. I have something for you...’
‘What?’ he demanded as Jess turned to hand over her bouquet to Sofia, thinking of all the small, thoughtful gifts Jess had bought him in the lead up to the wedding. Her answer was to take hold of his hand and rest it gently against her stomach. A lightning bolt of excitement struck him as Jess stared up with eyes full of trust.
‘You...?’ He was stunned into silence, and not just because the celebrant had indicated that the ceremony was about to begin.
‘Yes,’ Jess confirmed. ‘We’re having a baby. We’re going to be adding to the Acosta clan soon.’
‘Oh, Dios!’ he exclaimed on a hectic rush of breath. ‘Thank you! Thank you!’
‘You may not yet kiss your bride,’ the priest scolded them with a twinkle in his eyes.
But Dante Acosta had always broken the rules, as had Skylar, so they kissed passionately and everyone applauded until at last, with love surrounding them on every side, Jess and Dante were married.
* * *
