The Billionaire’s Christmas Contract by Laura Haley-McNeil
Epilogue
On a beautiful spring morning, Leah, dressed in a white, beaded gown her mother had made, lifted her gaze to Bryg. Around them sat friends from town and friends they’d known for the last few years⸻an interesting combination of haute couture and Sunday best. Frankie, Zeke, Harry and Carl stood like stair steps next to Bryg and looked handsome in their new suits. Leah’s bridesmaids, friends from high school and college, wore mauve and stood next to her.
Pastor Chuck read the scriptures of love, and Leah tried to pay attention, but when Bryg took her hand, when she felt this powerfully built man’s warmth and tenderness, everything around her dissolved. She looked into Bryg’s beautiful eyes, her heart floating inside her chest. These would be the eyes she’d look into every morning for the rest of her life.
Her hand quivered in Bryg’s sinewy palm. He arched a brow at her, and she gave him a tremulous smile. When he repeated the vows Pastor Chuck recited, tears of joy slid down her face. Her maid of honor peeked around Leah and dabbed her cheeks to spare her makeup, but Leah knew it was a lost cause. Maybe she’d have time to repair her makeup before the photographer took the formal pictures.
Bryg slipped the ring on her finger, and Leah gave a soft gasp. The gold band glistened in the light. The symbol of their love announced to the world that she and Bryg were husband and wife.
Pastor Chuck prayed the final blessing. Leah and Bryg faced their guests, who rose to their feet, their cheers and applause echoing inside Leah’s chest.
Ushers from the church replaced the rows of chairs with round tables covered with white tablecloths. The caterers set up the buffet.
The rest of the evening became a blur for Leah. She met Bryg’s foster parents, Adam and Cheryl Moore, and greeted other guests. Except for the piece of wedding cake Bryg fed her, she ate nothing. With her shaky stomach, she didn’t dare try.
When Bryg slipped an arm around her waist and told her he was taking her home, her pulse beat wildly. Guests lined the sidewalk, tossed rose petals, and called out their good wishes as Leah and Bryg dashed to the SUV decorated with streamers and a “Just Married” sign.
At the house, Bryg swept Leah from the SUV and carried her over the threshold. In the entryway, he set her on her feet. Looking into her eyes, his face softened and his mouth tipped. Lifting his hands to her hair, he removed the pearl studded pins, letting her dark curls tumble to her shoulders.
She couldn’t speak. She could only sigh. A deep sound came from his throat. He pushed fingers through her hair, the passion in his touch making her tremble inside. He pressed a kiss to the curve of her neck.
In one swift move, he slipped an arm beneath her knees, pulled her to his chest and climbed the stairs two steps at a time.