Chapter 34
34
Phoenix, Arizona August
“One...two...three...here it comes!” Velvet Spencer Colfax said to the twenty or more single women, before tossing her bridal bouquet over her shoulder. The young woman who caught it and let out a happy scream was one of Velvet’s college friends.
Zara stood on the sidelines next to her future husband. This was the first time she’d attended a wedding and didn’t have to compete in the bridal bouquet toss. There was no need, she thought, as she gazed at the ring Saint had placed on her finger a few weeks ago.
She thought Velvet and Jaye’s wedding had been beautiful. Velvet had looked absolutely gorgeous as she walked down the aisle on Reid Lacroix’s arm. Zara saw Jaye’s misty eyes as he watched Velvet come to him looking so breathtaking and radiant in an exquisite white Chantilly lace wedding gown. Zara couldn’t help dabbing tears from her own eyes as she and five hundred-plus wedding guests watched Velvet and Jaye pledge their love and lives to each other. That made Zara look forward to her own wedding.
She and Saint had decided on a Valentine’s Day wedding, which was only six months from now. The wedding and reception would be held at Zara’s Haven. Saint was keeping it a secret where they would be going on their honeymoon and said he would tell her in plenty of time to pack the proper clothing.
To say Saint’s parents had been elated about their engagement would be an understatement. They had made the announcement to the older couple together. His parents had apologized for not supporting their relationship. They’d honestly thought it was nothing more than a summer fling. They were happy it had been more than that and were glad that she would be joining their family. They thanked her for making their son the happiest they’d seen him in years.
Last week she and Saint had held a press conference to announce their finding of the treasure map. That was all the talk in Catalina Cove these days, and it had even made national news. From the map it was determined that treasure was buried on the property of two other homeowners in the cove, as well as Zara’s. One belonging to Levi Canady and the other on bayou land belonging to the Dorsett family. Sheriff Sawyer Grisham had his hands full keeping the media, who’d descended on the cove, as well as treasure hunters, under control.
Outsiders had been disappointed to discover a Catalina Cove ordinance that had been on the books for years that forbade hunters to dig at will in search of pirate treasure. Unless there was an authentic map, verified and approved by the Louisiana Historical Society, and permission given by the property’s owner, no digging was allowed anywhere in the cove.
The location of the treasure on Pelican Bay had been accurately pinpointed. It was a good one hundred feet from where the cottage sat. Zara and Saint decided to have the treasure dug up since it was far enough away from the cottage. The excavation team would be arriving in a couple of weeks.
Zara looked across the room and saw Levi Canady and the woman he’d brought to the wedding with him. The couple was often seen together around town. Zara had met Margie Lawson. It was obvious from how Levi looked at her, and she looked at him, that what they had together was solid. Zara could see forever in their future.
Jaye swept Velvet into his arms, carrying his bride out of the ballroom to clapping and cheers. They would return in a short while, dressed in traveling clothes, before leaving on their honeymoon. Everybody who knew of Jaye’s determination to win back Velvet’s love was filled with happiness that his mission had been accomplished.
Saint leaned down and asked Zara, “What are you thinking about, sweetheart?”
She looked up at him, her heart filled with happiness. “Several things. I was thinking how happy Jaye and Velvet are, and how overjoyed I am for them. I was also thinking that I can’t wait for our own wedding day.”
“I can’t wait, either. February won’t get here fast enough to suit me.”
Zara smiled. “In the meantime, we’ll have enough to keep us busy with all that’s going on with that treasure map.”
After making the rounds among bidders, the rum bottle had come in close to two million dollars, most of which Saint and Zara would donate toward building a wing that would be named after her parents in the new hospital.
They also decided to renovate the cottage in anticipation of the huge family they planned to have one day. They wanted at least four kids. She would be moving to Catalina Cove permanently and would manage the new store she planned to open there, as well as the one in New York. Sherri would continue to help manage the stores in the New England area. To Zara’s surprise and delight, her landlords had accepted her offers to buy her boutiques.
She looked forward to living with Saint at his home on the bayou. The cottage on Pelican Bay would be their romantic getaway, and once they had kids it would become their family retreat.
“I was also thinking about Levi and Margie. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so happy,” Zara said. “Sierra told me that her parents are elated that he’s found love again. I understand things are really serious between him and Margie and would not be surprised if there’s a wedding sometime next year.”
“When it comes to love, nothing surprises me, sweetheart,” Saint replied. Then in a serious tone, he added, “I’m happy for Levi, too. He’s been alone for a while. And if there is buried treasure in his backyard, he will need someone by his side who he can trust and will have his back. I believe Margie will be that person.”
Zara decided to ask him the same question he’d asked her. “What are you thinking about, Saint?”
He gazed at her with an intensity that made her heart swell. “I am thinking about the fact that on this very day three years ago we met, and how that night we spent together in my hotel room changed our lives. A stormy August night. It set into motion our pathway forward. Thank you for making me believe in love again, sweetheart.” He leaned over and brushed a kiss across her lips.
“And thank you for making me believe in love again, too, Saint.”
After he tucked her arm in his, she and Saint walked across the room to join Vaughn and Sierra. The happy couple had announced yesterday that they were expecting. All Zara had to say was the Maldives obviously had been one fiery hot honeymoon. She was elated at the thought of becoming an auntie.
She looked at the man by her side. They had a number of events to look forward to. The main one being their own special day in six months.