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“Why?” She sits up, her eyes wide with horror. “What are you thinking, Cal?”
“I’m thinking I’m about to go destroy a man. Who the fuck does that guy think he is to tar you with that brush with no way to defend yourself? He deserves to get an ass whooping if nothing else! I’d prefer to kill him but I think you might frown on that.”
“I think the law frowns on that,” I say breathlessly. “Cal it’s over. You don’t need to fight that battle for me. I chose to run. I could have stayed and fought him. It just didn’t seem worth it.”
“Well, it is. And he should pay.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Fine,” I huff. “But I won’t tolerate disrespect to my wife. Any other man thinks they can run you down and I’ll make sure they know that they should rethink their life choices.”
“Fine.” I turn over and look at the time, jerking when I see that it’s already heading for noon. “Oh shit. Hetty is going to have a conniption when we don’t show up for our wedding.”
“Why wouldn’t we?”
“I don’t want you to be forced to marry me.”
She shakes her head. “I’m not being forced to do a damn thing. I want to marry you, Cal. I’ve always wanted to marry you. I don’t want to wait one more day to be Mrs. Caleb Mercer. I want to marry you today. In front of no one but my grandmother and whoever shows up. Whoever wants to be our witnesses. I don’t need anything but you to make me the happiest woman on the planet.”
I pull back to look in her eyes. “Are you serious? You still want to marry me today?”
She nods and gifts me with the sweetest, happiest smile I’ve ever seen. “I do. Nothing would make me happier.”
“You don’t want a church wedding?”
“Nope. All I need is you. Me. And a minister to pronounce us man and wife.”
I’m stunned. “Are you sure?”
“I am. Let’s get married, Cal. Let’s make today the second-most special day in our lives.”
“What’s the first?” I ask her.
“That would be the first time I saw you. I knew you were special to me then. None of that has changed.”
“That’s when I realized that you were meant for me. Forever.” I pause and my eyes study hers, looking for any sign of apprehension or unease. There’s none.
“So we’re getting married today?”
“Absolutely,” she says.
“Then yes, I agree. Let’s get married.”
And I seal my lips to hers, drinking in her soft moans, loving the feel of her wrapped around me. This is where we were always heading. Where we were meant to be. Together.
CHAPTER9
Valerie
Istand in the room next to the justice of the peace’s office, holding a beautiful bouquet of fresh pale pink roses and baby’s breath in my trembling hands. I suck in a calming breath.
“Are you sure you want to do this, Valerie?” My grandmother comes in the room, her sharp grey eyes locked on me.
I shoot her a disgruntled grunt. “I thought it didn’t matter what I wanted, Grandmother. As long as you got what you wanted.”
For once in her life, an ashamed look crosses her face. “I thought you’d be much happier about this than you are. I would never want to force you into doing something you’re not comfortable with. And if you don’t want to marry Cal today, then I don’t think you should. I’ll just go down there and tell him that I changed my mind. I won’t cut your parents off.” She sigh, “Lord knows, I don’t think they could take care of themselves without my money,” she mutters.
“Well, that’s all well and good, Grandmother, but it isn’t fair to play with Cal and I like we’re toys on a game board. We’re people. And I’m a person you’re supposed to love. Why would you try and make me do something you thought I didn’t want to?”
