Always & Forever (46 page)

“I’m filling the church with your favorite roses at our wedding,” he whispered, caressing her back. “Your bouquet will be
Peace
.”

“That sounds perfect.” She kissed him softly. “No one deserves peace more than us.”

One year later:

“Great party,” Margaret commented as she smeared a small bite of caviar onto a toast point. “Looks like Zach’s book’s off to a great start.”

“Yes. There’s quite a turnout,” Lilly said. She looked at the finely dressed guests, all drinking and laughing. She had returned to the world she thought she never wanted to see again. For her loving husband, she would do anything.

Zach’s book would hit the shelves tomorrow. They had come to Seattle to throw a launch party, creating all the buzz they could garner among his peers and affluent members of the city. Luckily, his friends were once again willing to come out and support Zach. For a few months, that hadn’t been a sure thing.

After the wedding, the members of Zach’s social set were outraged to learn he’d married a suspected murderess. Eventually, news of Crandall’s trial reached the west coast. Crandall received two consecutive life sentences once convicted for his crimes, clearing Lilly’s name, and people gradually accepted her.

Zach hadn’t cared about their temporary banishment from the upper levels of society. He’d claimed the two of them would shun society if it chose to shun her.

Lilly looked across the dark waters of the Puget Sound through the windows of the banquet hall. She desperately missed their little cottage. Zach promised they would only be in Seattle long enough to host a few parties and attend book signings. A fast trip around the country, and they would be home in time for the baby to be born in Serenity.

Lilly rubbed the expanded bump of her belly. She smiled and sipped sparkling water. Not too long now, and she and Zach would welcome their son, Robert William Woodbridge, into their lives. Lilly had chosen the name. It seemed somehow appropriate to name the little guy after his great-grandfathers. Margaret had been ecstatic with the choice.

“I can’t wait to see another great-grandchild born.” Margaret grinned. “I told you I knew my business.”

“I have to hand it to you,” Lilly agreed. “You’re the most intuitive lady I know.”

Margaret chuckled and sipped her wine.

“Hey, gorgeous.” Zach spoke from directly behind Lilly. His hot breath caressed her neck, and she trembled with excitement. Being his bride for the past year hadn’t diminished the ardent heat he triggered within her. Zach reached his arms around her and patted her distended belly. “Is Mommy holding up okay?”

She turned in his arms and kissed his cheek. “Mommy’s fine. How’s Daddy doing?”

He smiled down at her. “Daddy wants to dance with his beautiful wife.”

He took her hand and drew her into the middle of the banquet hall, nodding at the band they’d hired for the occasion. He whirled her onto the dance floor and then pulled her firmly against him. Lilly’s leg didn’t hinder them one bit as she put her full trust in Zach. She knew he’d never let her fall.

Her new doctor had done remarkable things about diminishing the pain in her leg and strengthening the muscle. No longer merely tolerable, dancing with Zach had become enjoyable. Since he loved it so much, they went as often as they could.

The happy faces of Zach’s family came and went as he spun her around. Sarah held her glass up in a salute from where she stood with Steven and Savannah. As Zach turned Lilly again, Tommy and Bridget whirled into view, engaged in conversation with James. Patricia even smiled at them as Zach twirled Lilly past her. Their child danced between them.

Zach spun her faster and faster, sweeping her off her feet for a moment. As the music ended, he set her back on the ground. One strong arm planted against her back and Zach dipped her slightly.

Lilly laughed with delight when he helped her back up. She pulled his head down and kissed him passionately, not caring who watched. Life couldn’t be better. Zach showed her the meaning of family, the meaning of belonging.

He broke off the kiss to look at her. “How’d I get so lucky?”

“Remember to thank your grandmother,” she replied with a wink.

The band started the next song, the slow strains of Elvis Presley’s
Can’t Help Falling in Love
. Zach spun Lilly back onto the dance floor in a slow pattern, singing the words softly to her.

She snuggled against him, feeling the vibrations of his chest as he sang. She was finally secure in the knowledge she would never be alone. Lilly had found love, truly always and forever.

The End

I hope you enjoyed this novel. Lilly’s story was one that consumed me, begging to be told. However, while the events of this novel are fiction, abuse is a real problem, one that affects many men, women, and children. If you or someone you know suffers from abuse, there is help available. For more information, in the United States of America, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE(7233) or visit their website at
www.thehotline.org

Thank you for reading
Always & Forever
. If you enjoyed the story, I would be honored if you would post a great review. I wish you happiness and joy. Thank you for reading.

~ Chantel Rhondeau

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http://www.chantelrhondeau.com

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New Romantic Suspense from Chantel Rhondeau

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