Homeplace (31 page)

T
he weddings took place in the garden. A garden that Gwen had tended with increased devotion these past two weeks, resulting in a riotous explosion of color. The day dawned bright and sunny and warm, a gift that Lilith attributed to several ancient Celtic goddesses and a complex spell involving star power that Raine didn’t even try to understand.

Not wanting to ruin this perfect day, she wasn’t about to challenge her mother’s belief system. Besides, there was a part of her who, when she thought about all the ways her life had changed—her homecoming, her reconciliation with her mother, being blessed with a man who loved her and a daughter she already adored—couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps magic had played a part.

Folding chairs had been set up on the lawn, claimed by various O’Hallorans, Lindstroms, Dottie and Doris Anderson, and so many others who’d come to the house to share the family’s joy.

“Don’t lock your knees,” Cooper Ryan advised as the flutist who’d been at the Beltane ceremony at the Heart of the Hills began to play a traditional wedding march. The music was one of the many compromises Lilith and Raine had managed to achieve. “Or you’ll pass out.”

“I may anyway,” Jack muttered. He put his hand against the front of his white shirtfront. “In fact, I think I might be having a heart attack. Maybe I should have had Ida check me out before the ceremony.”

“Well, it’s too late now,” Cooper said as Amy, clad in a pink dress she’d picked out herself at The Dancing Deer and a new pair of white patent leather Mary Janes, skipped down the white satin runner, energetically throwing rose petals into the air from a white wicker basket. “Lord, she’s a doll, Jack. You’re a lucky man.”

“I know.” About this Jack’s tone was firm and sure. “Okay. That’s it. I can’t have a heart attack in front of my own daughter. It’d scar her for life.”

“You’re both cops,” Dan said, laughter in his low voice. “I can’t believe you’re this scared of getting married.”

“It’s not the marrying part,” Cooper said. “It’s all this.” He motioned surreptitiously toward the lilac arbor, the puffy white satin bows on the chairs, and all the guests dressed in their Sunday best.

“Just wait until it’s your turn.” Jack shot him a warning sideways glance. “I’m going to remind you of this.”

The best man to both grooms grinned. “I figure we’ll just elope to Vegas and get hitched by some Elvis impersonator. It’s easier and faster.”

“Try telling that to your bride,” Cooper advised sagely.

“I will,” Dan agreed. “At the first opportunity.” He glanced over toward Savannah, who, in her role as maid of honor to her mother and sister was standing on the other side of the aisle. Their eyes met and any guests who might have been looking at either of them would have caught the quick flash of remembered heat.

There was a strum of harp strings. “Jesus, Lilith looks gorgeous, doesn’t she?” Cooper asked beneath his breath.

“Gorgeous,” both men agreed as the first bride walked down the aisle behind the three teenage bridesmaids.

She was wearing a flowing gown made of some material that caught the sun and looked as if it had been spun from spiderwebs and then dipped in dew. She’d explained that the gown was cut on the bias, and although Cooper had no idea what that meant, it draped over her curvaceous body like a dream. She’d brought out the crystals, but she’d left her left hand bare, awaiting the ring he’d been carrying around in his pocket since the day after he’d arrested her in the park.

When she reached him, her smile, filled with love and a lust for life he knew she’d still possess when she was a hundred, dazzled as it always had.

Another strum of harp strings had the guests turning behind them again. There was a collective intake of breath as Raine appeared, dressed in a white lacy froth of a wedding gown that, had Jack not already discovered that his bride was a closet romantic, would have surprised the hell out of him.

“Oh, Raine looks just like a fairy princess, Daddy.” Amy’s voice, ringing out above the flute, caused laughter to ring through the assembled guests. “She’s even prettier than Ariel, isn’t she?”

“Absolutely,” Jack said, his words directed to his daughter, but his eyes on the stunning woman who seemed to be floating toward him. Her eyes, shimmering with love, stayed on his as she approached.

As she walked toward Jack, Raine felt as if she were walking on air. Listening to him repeat the words that she’d never expected to hear, let alone say, Raine knew how solemnly he took those vows. He was the most loving, honorable man she’d ever met. And now, wondrously, he was hers. For ever and ever. Amen. When she held out her hand for him to slip the woven gold band onto her finger, she felt the unwavering warmth of his love flow straight to her heart.

“You may kiss your brides,” the minister announced.

“It’s about time,” Cooper and Jack said at the same time.

Afraid that she might float straight up into that clear blue June sky, Raine held on to Jack’s shoulders as she lifted her face for her husband’s kiss.