Page 40 of A Cornish Wedding Retreat
‘Does it seem quite as crazy now?’ he whispered. ‘I’ve jumped off the cliff, you goin’ to join me?’
‘What’re you asking?’
‘Come with me to Colorado next week.’
‘Would we go to Nashville as well while we’re there?’
He brushed his lips across hers, barely a kiss but sending a waft of citrusy cologne her way. ‘Only if you want.’
Maggie nodded and Chad’s contented smile brought tears flooding back to her eyes. She blinked really hard, determinednot to spoil the make-up Emily had spent far too long applying earlier.
Nothing more needed to be said, not now. He turned the key in the ignition and whistled the Wedding March as he pulled out from the kerb.
* * *
Chad had never been as uncomplicatedly happy in his life and wanted to savour every moment. Weddings didn’t usually get to him emotionally but today’s did. Maybe it was seeing Emily and Jonathan so sure of each other now, their eyes never leaving each other’s faces as they said their vows but Chad decided it had more to do with the woman tucked into his side. She fitted there as if she’d been made for him and his fanciful side thought she probably had been.
He’d felt his grandmother’s satisfied smile over the phone when he’d called to say he might bring someone to meet her soon. Of course he’d got her standard interrogation but must have answered in a satisfactory manner because she ended the conversation by ordering him not to wait too long because she didn’t have long to live. She’d been threatening the family with her imminent demise as long as he could remember and, although she was nearly ninety, it still seemed a far off possibility.
Maggie brushed away a tear from his cheek. ‘You big old softie. I’m supposed to be the one crying.’
‘I got something in my eye, that’s all,’ he muttered.
‘Right. Come on. Let’s follow them out. We’ll hang around for a couple of photos and then make our escape,’ Maggie ordered. Chad wished they could run off on their own now. It’d been beyond cruel of her to describe her new cream lace underwear when they were on their way to the wedding. He could only thank the Lord it was an afternoon wedding and byfour o’clock the happy couple would be on the train from Truro, off to enjoy a brief honeymoon in London.
Soon they were back at Polzennor House where it’d all begun. They held hands as they walked into the entrance hall, automatically stopping at the door into the reception room.
‘No seating plan today?’
Maggie gave him a sly smile. ‘It isn’t necessary with twenty guests.’
‘So I’m not going to be stuck on the Reject Table with a bunch of losers?’
She poked his ribs. ‘No. You get the privilege of sitting next to the second most beautiful woman here today.’
‘Why do I get cheated out of the number one hottie?’
‘Because her new husband would hit you if you make a move on her.’
Chad fake-sighed. ‘I guess I’ll have to put up with you then.’
‘If you’re not careful I might sit by Jonathan’s brother. I hear he’s got an extensive toy train collection.’
‘Maybe we’ll land him with Tonya at . . .’ Chad bit his tongue. He’d almost cracked a joke about their own wedding but she might not find the idea funny — yet. ‘I just meant whoever gets married next. Um, they could . . .’ His throat closed up and he stared down at the floor.
‘Let’s sneak a glass of champagne before everyone else arrives.’ Maggie took a firm grasp of his hand. ‘We should drink a toast to Reject Tables everywhere.’
‘Absolutely.’ He kissed her, tasting the sweetness that was uniquely his Maggie. ‘For some reason I’ve suddenly become a big fan.’
THE END
