Page 76 of Love Everlasting

A bit of moisture sparked in Tess’s eyes when Jack nuzzled Lacey’s neck while the couples talked, so grown up and ready to start a family of their own. And, oh, how she prayed for a bounty of children to fill their house with the same love and joy that they’d given her.

She watched as Sam pressed a kiss to Shannon’s cheek, bundling her close, and Tess smiled, hoping he was the answer to a mother’s prayer. Getting to know him better over the last so many months had deepened her affection for the man Shannon loved, even if Shannon’s trust level still suffered the effects of a painful past.

Her gaze trailed to Cat, who was laughing at something Chase said, and Tess’s heart cramped in her chest. If only her daughter’s flirty smile meant that they were a couple too. But, unfortunately, Cat harbored other ideas about what she wanted in a man. Ideas that caused Tess no little worry over her daughter’s future, which appeared as tenuous as her faith. Expelling a heavy sigh, never was Tess more grateful she could turn her children over to a God Who loved them far more than she.

“That was an awfully big sigh, Mrs. Carmichael,” Ben whispered against her hair, the vibration of his husky tease skimming her skin with a delicious heat. “Either one of supreme contentment or wedding remorse.”

She smiled up at him, falling in love all over again at the look of tenderness in his eyes. “Definitely the first, Dr. Carmichael, although there may be the tiniest tinge of the second.” She stood on tiptoe to slowly fondle his lips with her own. “But only that we didn’t do this sooner.”

His groan melted into her mouth when he wrenched her close to finish the job with a kiss that weakened her at the back of her knees. Her body was limp when he finally pulled away to touch his forehead to hers. “We need to go,” he rasped, his breathing as ragged as the air pumping in her own chest.

Tess blinked, realizing the evening had come to an end, but her life with Ben Carmichael was about to begin. And it would start at The Bohemian Hotel on Savannah’s Riverfront.

In a corner riverview suite.

Tess gulped, suddenly shyer than she ever expected to be.

Followed by a week in Hawaii in a house on a very lonely beach.

She peeked up with a nervous chew of her lip. “Now? Before the reception is done?”

“Now,” he repeated, emphasizing his intent with a heated gaze before he playfully tugged on her ear with his teeth. “Before my will power is done.” As if he could sense her jitters, he gently tunneled his hands through her hair, bracing the back of her head with a quiet intensity she’d come to know and love. “I’ve waited all of my life for you, Teresa Carmichael. You’re the woman God created for me—to love, honor, and protect—and I’m ready to start right now.” He leaned in to nuzzle her mouth with an almost reverent kiss that totally disarmed her before his mouth curved into a slow smile against hers. “Preferably in that order.” Cupping her face with gentle hands, he caressed her jaw with the pads of his thumbs, those hazel eyes potent with love. “You are the perfect woman for me, Tess, and far more than I ever dreamed I could have.” His Adam’s apple ducked several times as his gaze flitted to her mouth and back. “And God help me, woman—I want to be alone with my wife.”

His wife. Saltwater immediately welled in her eyes.

And her husband, gifted by God.

“Okay,” she whispered, her throat doing a little ducking of its own, “but I’m going to warn you right now, Dr. Carmichael—it’s been almost ten years since this so-called ‘perfect woman’ has” —her cheeks flamed hot as she worried her lip, suddenly feeling like an awkward teenager all over again— “well, you know, so not only am I probably rusty, but I’m a whole lot older too.”

He grinned and deposited a kiss to her nose. “When it comes to the woman for me, you’re sheer perfection, Tess, just the way you are.” He laced his fingers through hers with a firm confidence that helped to settle her nerves. “And when it comes to the other, Mrs. Carmichael?” Tugging her toward the house, he kindled her with a smoky look that whirled her stomach before slipping her a wink. “Just follow my lead.”

Chapter Forty-One

“Okay, boys—you sure I can’t get you anything else?” The pretty halter-clad waitress at Rocks on the Roof smiled, her gaze sliding from Sam to Jack to Chase with a flirtatious air while she waved the dinner check in the air.

Sam plucked it from her hand before Jack could, his smile subdued considerably given the spark of interest in the girl’s eyes. “No thanks, Emily, and the bill is all mine.”

“Oh, no you don’t,” Jack and Chase said in unison, both reaching into their pockets.

Sam tucked a credit card into the leather bill holder and handed it to Emily before Jack or Chase could even retrieve their wallets “Go, Emily, please, before they make a scene.”

“What are you doing, Ham?” Jack said, credit card finally in hand. He nodded toward the bill. “Between this and that fancy blazer you’re wearing, dude, I’m starting to worry Augustine hiked your salary when you got back with Jazz.”

A grin eased across Sam’s face as he brushed a piece of lint from the new Ralph Lauren sport coat he bought for his next date with Shan. “Nope. This is just my way of saying thanks for saving my life.” He nodded toward Jack. “First you in hounding me to death to go to church and then introducing me to Shannon.” His gaze flicked to Chase with a sheepish smile. “Then you in putting the hammer down to help me see the light.” His expression sobered as he thought about the gift these two men were, opening his eyes to a faith that not only saved his life, but his soul as well. He swallowed the lump of emotion clogging his throat. “I’ve never had friendships like this before,” he said quietly, “and I can’t thank you two enough for putting up with me.”

Jack pocketed his credit card away while Chase did the same. “Don’t thank me, bro, thank my sister. As far as I’m concerned, Shannon saved your butt, not us. Although I suppose we did earn that dinner, eh, Rev?”

“I know I sure did,” Chase said with a mock scowl, upending the rest of his water. “This is the second time I’ve had the girl of my dreams stolen away by some fast-talking joker. Truth be told, I’m glad both of you are off the market, although without Lacey or Shannon, there’s not too much catching my eye at the moment.”

Grinning, Jack slapped Chase on the back. “Cheer up, Chase, there’s always Cat,” he quipped, although Sam knew Jack would like nothing better than seeing his wayward sister corralled by the no-nonsense preacher.

“Yeah, sorry about that, Rev,” Sam said with a rueful grin, “but Jack’s right. Cat needs you way more than Shannon does, so the way I figure it, it all worked out the way it should.” He drew in a deep breath as he scratched the back of his head. “Or at least I hope it does …”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jack said, eyes in a squint.

“It means, O’Bryen, that like it or not …” Sam took his time answering while Emily delivered the ticket with a sultry smile, her close proximity making him uncomfortable with a woman for the first time in his life. He signed and handed it back with a polite smile, along with his usual healthy tip. When she left, he reached into his pocket to produce a velvet box, chuckling at Chase’s low whistle and the wide span of Jack’s eyes when Sam revealed a diamond ring. “I hope to become your brother-in-law in the not-too-distant future.”

“No kidding?” Jack jumped up to pump Sam’s hand, a contest as to whose grin was wider. “Does Shannon know?”