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The lock snicked into place as she slid into her gran’s room for a quiet moment. Juniper pulled up her email and thumbed out a quick note that was too long for messages.
Dear Marshall, final wedding details are almost complete. Only a couple of days now. I’ve talked with the chef, everything is in order. You’ll love her. Still need to confirm the venue with Jon. We’ve been in decorating mode all day. I know it’s cutting it close, but he’s been out of the country. I’ll get an answer by tonight. Worst case scenario we have Ivy’s B&B. Not wedding of the century level, but nice. Need the final RSVP list from your mother to verify attendants. Gran’s party is in full swing and the family is here.
She sipped her drink. Her thumb hovered over the next words she wanted to write. Did she tell him she missed him? What could it hurt? Friends said that all the time. She typed it out in a hurry before she lost her nerve.
Miss you. -Love, Jun
There. No taking it back. Her phone pinged the arrival of an email almost immediately.
My dearest Juniper, I miss you too, sweetheart.
Her heart soared. She took a couple more draws on her straw and let the rum do its thing to her nerves. She went back to read the rest of the note.
I would love to meet Jon and the rest of the family.- Love Marshall
Just reading his name made the butterflies in her stomach kick up and create havoc to her insides.
She hit reply.
Dear Marshall, they would love to meet you. I told them about our arrangement. I have to admit, that wasn’t easy. Haven’t told my dad yet. Maybe we could do that together before the wedding. Gran loves the idea and wants pictures for Facebook. Wish you were here. – Love Jun.
She hit send.
Another ping.
Wish granted.Do I pick a lei? – Love, your Marshall
My Marshall?
Her Marshall. Lei?
Shocked, she re-read that last email and took a second to take in the words. Realization hit and Juniper darted out of the bedroom, her dress nearly catching on the handle.
“Marshall,” she tried not to sound breathy as she opened the front door to a gust of warm air and the man that stole her every thought and made her body respond on command.
Dressed in a dark suit and red tie that matched the red flowers on her dress, she raked her gaze over him again just to make sure he really stood there. This time no hat. His hair was neatly parted to the side as always, the slight waves giving him a Clark Kent vibe.
“Juniper,” he smiled and pulled her into his warm body, his scent pulling her back to the last time he held her so close.
Two things happened at once. Her heart hit one hundred miles an hour and she groaned into his ear.
“I missed you too, sweetheart,” he murmured close to her ear. “I missed you, too.” This time his words barely rose above a whisper.
Warm and strong, he smelled so good. She pressed her nose to his neck and breathed in as he tightened his hold.
Everything inside her calmed. She leaned back and looked up into his gaze.
This close she could see every shade of blue in his eyes. “You made it?”
His lips peeled back in a smile that beamed brighter than the thousands of lights decorating the porch.
He released his hold on her and she moved back so he could step into the foyer. She stole a glance over her shoulder. Good—no one noticed her mad dash for the front door or that Marshall had arrived. She had at least five seconds with the man before everyone descended on them.
“I hope you don’t mind that I'm early. I’ve left my brothers to handle the closing of the Masterson deal.” He leaned close “So here I am.” He took her hand and wrapped it around his arm. “Shall we go meet the family and friends I’m about to inherit?”
He spoke as though it were for real. As though there was no going back after they said the words. Her emotions dipped and swayed and her brain didn’t know what to make of the tone he used. One of certainty, as though what he said would come to be.
She wished.
