Chapter Twenty #2
Picking her up, he kicked the door closed behind them. The dogs went ballistic, jumping up against his legs. “I didn’t sleep at all last night. I don’t ever want to be without you again.”
“You’re not supposed to see me before this afternoon.”
He frowned. “You’ve cried.”
“I have. Happy tears. Let me show you. Kitchen.”
“Is it urgent?” he asked.
“No, but I want you to see something.”
Seconds later, he was staring at the photo. “I don’t understand.”
Ellie pointed toward the little girl. “That’s me and this is my grandma.”
“You mean you saw this house when you were little?”
“Yes. I had to come back here, because this is where I’d find you.”
His eyes suspiciously bright, he bent down and kissed her softly. “I’m so glad you did. Anything else I need to know?”
“Just that I’ve missed you.”
“I’ll never tire of hearing that.” Picking her up again, he walked out of the kitchen and raced up the stairs.
“You’ll have to make it quick. I’m expecting the girls any moment now,” she giggled as he entered the bedroom.
“That’s too damn bad,” he said as he put her gently on the bed. “There is no way I can wait until tonight.” With his eyes on her, he took out a rectangular box from his pocket. “I also wanted to give you this.”
“You’ve given me this beautiful ring, I don’t need…”
But he wasn’t listening and, opening the box, he took out a diamond tennis bracelet.
“Becket, that’s too much, really…”
With deep concentration, he fastened it around her wrist. “You’ve given me your heart, you’ll have to get used to me giving you things.” Bending down, he kissed her.
With a deep sigh, she threw her arms around his neck. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve missed you, too, and was going to phone you, but this is so much better.”
“I can’t wait,” he got out. Warm hands slid up her legs before he pulled down her pajama bottom. With those brilliant blue eyes never leaving her face, he parted her legs to find her core. “You’re ready for me?” he got out as he hoisted himself above her.
“Always,” she sighed as she pulled him close.
*
Sunday morning, Harper’s soft whimper woke up Ellie. Next to her, her bridegroom was still sleeping, his arm firmly around her.
She’d much rather snuggle closer to her brand-new husband, but the dogs probably wanted to go out.
Groggily, she lifted his arm and got up, grabbing his shirt to cover herself as she padded out of the room and closed the door.
They hadn’t had much sleep last night. The wedding party went on until the early hours.
At around two, Becket had grabbed her hand, yelling above the music they were leaving.
As she tiptoed down the corridor, the dogs were immediately all over her.
“Good morning,” she whispered as she crouched down to give each one a hug. “Where’s Marmalade?”
Tail wagging, Harper led the way to her bed, where Marmalade was still fast asleep.
“So you looked after her?”
Harper barked.
“Shhh,” she giggled as she opened the back door.
All the dogs rushed out, except for Harper.
“What’s wrong?” Ellie asked.
Harper turned around and, glancing over her shoulder, she ran toward the desk in the corner of the living room.
“You want to show me something?” Ellie asked.
Harper picked up a paper from the desk and brought it to her.
“What do we have here?” As she turned the paper around, she lost her breath. It was a drawing of her in her wedding dress. Becket had to have done this sometime during the night.
“Oh, Harper, this is perfect.” She sat down, taking in all the details.
Becket had sketched her with the dogs standing on either side of her, the lads each sporting a black bow tie and Harper and Sadie each had a red ribbon tied around their necks.
Marmalade was sitting in front, looking up at Ellie.
But what stole her heart was the way he’d brought in every detail in the cartoon drawing he’d made of her—exaggerating the layers and layers of the tulle skirt, the high heels, her hair hanging down her back, her engagement ring, the tennis bracelet he’d given her yesterday morning and the wedding ring he’d slipped on her finger during the short ceremony.
And then there was her brilliant smile, showing how very happy she was.
“You were the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen,” Becket said from behind her and slipped his hands down the front of his shirt she was wearing.
“And I married the sexiest cowboy in Montana.” She smiled, looking up at him. “This is beautiful. When did you do it?”
“Sometime during the night. I wanted to draw you as soon as possible. The picture of you as you walked in, the dogs in front and my brothers on either side of you…” He cleared his throat. “For a moment I could have sworn I saw Walker in the crowd.”
He fell silent and buried his face in her neck, his hands cupping her breasts. She sat quietly, waiting for his grief to pass. When he finally lifted his head, she grabbed his hands. “Wanna kiss and make out, Cowboy?”
Laughing, he picked her up. “Just what I was thinking. I’ve missed my bride.”
The End