Page 35 of River's Redemption (Blackwater)

River was glad he’d held firm about having a small outside affair. Only their close family and friends were in attendance. Reilly stood next to him as his best man, with Brodix and Vance as groomsmen. Sammy had offered to give Jeanette away. The gesture had forced River to hold back a flood of emotion. Lucy was the maid of honor with Shayla, Sarah and Julie as bride’s maids. His mom sat in the front row with the twins watching on. Yes, a small affair was a good idea. It would make it easier for him to sneak off with Jeanette later. Damn, he couldn’t wait to have her all to himself.

His soon-to-be wife fairly bloomed beneath the warm, summer sun. With the family home as the backdrop, it was the perfect spot to say their vows and start building a future together. Her hips swayed as she walked, driving him wild with thoughts of what he’d be able to do to her once he had her alone. She was nearly three months along, and her body was already beginning to show the signs of pregnancy. She was still as slim as ever, but River noticed that her breasts and hips were fuller, which only made her that much more irresistible to him.

As she reached him, River held out his hands. A jolt of possessiveness shot through him as she placed her own delicate fingers in his, trust and love shining in her eyes.

He hadn’t had the best start in life. And he still battled inner demons. Hell, he probably always would. But knowing Jeanette would be by his side, loving him, made it easier to bear. That she hadn’t given up on him was the real miracle. And River intended to spend the rest of his life proving to her that she’d made the right choice. No doubt, it was sure as hell a better ending than any he could write in one of his novels. He looked forward to every second of their future together.