Just a Kiss (24 page)

P
aige put the finishing touches on her makeup and stood back from the mirror. She'd curled her long hair, and it hung in shiny waves over her shoulders. The mascara made her eyes look wide, but even makeup couldn't disguise the sadness there.

Her eyes fell over her T-shirt and yoga pants. She'd lost a little weight in the last couple months. She hoped the dress she'd worn for Beau and Eden's wedding still fit. It was the only one she had. It made her think of Riley—of when she'd walked down the stairs at the Roadhouse, of the look of awe on his face. Of the kiss they'd shared on the moonlit deck later.

Enough of that, Paige.

Zac and Lucy were picking her up on the way to the chapel so she wouldn't have to navigate the snowy roads. She checked her watch. She still had twenty minutes until they arrived. She put another curl in her hair and tousled it, wondering why she was bothering.

She couldn't believe Riley hadn't made it home. As much as she'd had mixed feelings about seeing him again, there was nothing like keen disappointment to expose her true feelings.

She longed with all her heart to look into his deep green eyes, listen to the steady tone of his voice, and know he was okay. If he was, she could live with it; she'd finally decided that late last night when sleep was long in coming. She could be separate from him and still have peace. It wasn't the same as being together—not even close. But after hours of conversation with God, she'd finally come to the point where she could accept it, if that's what Riley needed to be whole and happy.

The doorbell rang, and Paige set down the brush. Shoot. They were early. Way early. “Come in!” she called.

She darted from the master bathroom and whipped her dress from the closet.

She heard the front door open and a shuffle in the living room.

“You're early,” she called. “I just have to change into my dress and I'll be ready.” Dasher scurried out of the bedroom to investigate as she closed her door. She changed into her teal wrap dress, smoothing it over her hips. Its fabric was stretchy, making the lost pounds barely noticeable. She put on a gold necklace and fluffed her hair one more time before leaving her bedroom.

“Sorry to keep you. It's probably good you're early, with the roads—” Her bare feet stopped on the threshold of the living room. Her lips parted.

Riley stood just inside the door.

“Riley.” His name escaped on a breath. Adrenaline flooded her body, leaving her legs weak and wobbly, her heartbeat erratic.

He was an imposing figure, with that broad chest of his. Those muscular arms. So handsome in his suit. His cheeks were flushed, his hair windblown. He looked the same. But there was something different in his eyes. A clarity she hadn't seen in a long time.

Those eyes fastened on her as he straightened from the wall.
Dasher meowed from the cradle of his arms. “I guess you were expecting someone else.”

She'd forgotten the wonderful rough texture of his voice. “I thought you—” She cleared the wobble from her voice. “Your flight was canceled.”

“I rented a car.”

“You drove all night? And all day? Through the snow?”

“I had to get here.”

Her eyes flickered to the picture window, where a white monstrosity huddled in her drive. “What in the world are you driving?”

And why was she worried about trivial details when Riley was standing ten feet away, looking at her like that?

“Basically a kidnapper-mobile, but it was all they had.” He took a step forward, then another. Tension pulled the air tight between them.

His eyes pierced hers. She couldn't have looked away if she tried. His eyes were saying so many things. If she were quiet enough, maybe she could hear them all. He stopped an arm's length away. Her heart was thudding so hard she thought it might burst right from her chest.

His gaze sharpened on her. “I made a mistake, Paige.”

She swallowed hard. “You—you did?”

“A lot's happened since I've been gone. I've had a lot of time to think and a lot of time to sort things out.” He looked down and set his jaw.

He paused so long she wondered if he was going to go on. Then he cleared his throat and continued.

“When I came back from my tour, it was like I had this dark cloud hanging over me. No, not just over me—
inside
me. I tried to be my old self, but I just didn't feel like the old me anymore.”

She longed to reach out and touch him, but instead she curled her hands at her sides. “You'd been through so much.”

“It took a toll on my mental health.” He gave Dasher one last stroke and set her down, his eyes returning to Paige's as he straightened. “I've been talking with someone back in Georgia, a pastor. He's helped a lot. You were right. I needed counseling, and I was too stubborn, too scared, to get help. I'm sleeping better now and thinking more clearly. So much more clearly.”

He looked at her with such intensity that her knees wobbled. Her heart gave a slow roll.

“I'm coming home, Paige. For good. I missed my family and—” His voice was as thick as honey. “I missed you.”

Her chest gave a hard squeeze. The look in his eyes made her insides melt. She couldn't believe this was happening. That he was here, looking at her this way, saying these things. She clutched at the neckline of her dress.

He stepped closer, touched her face tentatively. “I missed you so much. I'm sorry I left you. Sorry I hurt you. I thought it was for the best—but I was wrong.”

Just the memory of his rejection made her eyes sting. It seemed like a bad dream now.

His thumb grazed slowly along her cheek. “I know you're probably seeing someone else now, but . . . I couldn't live with myself if I didn't ask for another chance. If you'll just take me back, Paige, I'll never leave you again.”

She couldn't hold back any longer. She reached for him. Her hands framed his face, the rough feel of his stubble achingly familiar against her palms. She looked up into his eyes and let hers fill with everything she was feeling. “Oh, Riley. You never lost me at all.”

Something flared in his eyes before the line of his mouth softened. He closed the distance between them. His breath fell against her lips, a prelude to the reverent touch that followed. Her fingers found the soft hair of his nape as he began a slow exploration that nearly buckled her knees.

She must be dreaming, because she'd never seen this coming. But it was real. Riley was here. He was whole again. And he wanted her.

The realization spread through her like the most pleasant euphoria, invading her senses. He pulled her close, erasing the space between them. The strength of his arms seduced her. The heat of his body warmed her. The spicy smell of him intoxicated her.

He broke the kiss only to pull her tighter against him, his arms enclosing her as if he, too, could hardly believe they were here, like this. Together. As if he was never letting go of her again.

He'd better not. The memory of his last departure made her go all tense inside. She shoved the heel of her hand into his shoulder. “Don't you ever leave me again.”

His fingers threaded into her hair. “Never,” he whispered into her ear. He buried his nose in her hair just as a car door slammed shut outside. She hadn't even heard the vehicle's approach. A moment later a knock sounded at the door.

Riley pulled away, his forehead against hers, and gave her a long look. “Am I going to have to kick someone's butt?”

She gave a little laugh, feeling almost giddy with his nearness. She couldn't resist a little impish remark. “Oh, I don't know, Riley. I'm not sure you can take him.”

His lips tightened at the corners as he turned and resolutely strode toward the door, flinging it open.

Paige wished she could've seen the look on Riley's face, because the look on Zac's was priceless.

“Riley!”

After a stunned moment the brothers embraced, doing that shoulder bump/back pat thing guys did.

“What are you doing here?” Zac asked. “I thought you couldn't make it.”

“Long story. I'll tell you on the way to the church. Can you give us a minute? We'll be right out.”

“Sure thing.” Zac dashed back out into the cold.

Riley shut the door and turned to give Paige a look, the corner of his mouth turning up in a familiar smirk.

She opened her eyes wide and gave a slow blink. “What?”

“You don't think I can kick my brother's butt?”

“
That's
what you're upset about?”

He strutted toward her, and she marveled that a man with a prosthetic leg managed to strut. “We're brothers. We're competitive. I've been able to take him since I was fifteen and you know it.”

When he'd closed the distance between them, she patted his cheek. “I'm sure you're right.”

Humor flickered in his eyes. “You're patronizing me.”

“Not at all.” She went up on her toes to give him a peck on the lips.

But he grabbed her elbows, holding on. The peck turned into a long, slow kiss, and soon she forgot all about Zac and Lucy waiting in the truck. Forgot all about the wedding. Forgot her own name.

A long moment later she drew away, feeling a little dazed. “What were we talking about?”

He nuzzled her nose. “I don't remember.”

She loved the low scrape of his voice. He swooped in for another kiss, but a horn sounded outside just before his lips touched hers.

“Stupid brothers,” he whispered.

She drew away with a smile, patting his chest, and went to grab her purse. When she returned he helped her on with her coat. Her legs were wobbly, and if he noticed the way her hands trembled as she slid them into the sleeves, he didn't say anything. She still couldn't believe this was happening.

But the hand he set on her back as he ushered her out the door felt real. The adoring gaze he gave her as he helped her into the truck looked real. And the way he gathered her close in the backseat felt real too. The conversation began, the questions and explanations flowing, and Paige had to admit that not only did all of it feel real . . . it felt just right.

I
t was a small group that gathered on the padded pews of Harbor Community Church, only family and a few close friends. The lights had been dimmed, and a few white candles flickered on the altar table, their sweet fragrance scenting the air.

Paige turned as Sheriff Colton and his cousin Lloyd walked in from the side door, joining Pastor Daniels at the front. The sheriff barely had a hitch in his step.

He looked out of his element in a black suit, and Paige wondered where they'd found one to accommodate his tall frame. His bald head gleamed under the altar lights, and his face was flushed. The man had sure waited long enough to make Miss Trudy his.

Word had spread through the family that Riley had made it in time for the ceremony. Not wanting to steal any of Miss Trudy's thunder, they hadn't yet told anyone that he was staying for good. There'd be time enough for that later.

Riley reached for Paige's hand, clasping it against the firmness of his thigh.

Her eyes flickered to his. She couldn't get enough of the love shining there. She couldn't wait to get him alone again. They had a lot of catching up to do.

She squeezed his hand, her thoughts going back to the last wedding they'd attended. To the changing feelings she'd been harboring. To the anxiety roiling through her. To the moment on the deck that had started all this.

She leaned closer and whispered into his ear, “The last wedding we attended we shared our first kiss.”

She drew away until their eyes connected.

Something flared in his eyes, and his lips gave a little twitch. “Oh, that wasn't our first kiss, sweetheart.”

She gave him a questioning look as she breathed a laugh. “What do you mean?”

The first notes of “Spring” began on the piano, and there was a rustle as heads turned to the back doorway, still empty.

She looked back at Riley, not willing to let him off the hook so easily.

He was still looking at her, the mischievous expression in his eyes teasing her. “Remind me to tell you about that later.”

Paige scowled at him and squeezed his hand threateningly. But before she could verbalize her complaint, movement at the back caught her eye.

Miss Trudy appeared on Beau's arm. The sight of her made Paige gasp.

She wore an ivory dress that enhanced her slim figure. Her short silver hair had been straightened and tousled around her face, softening her features. Someone had done a stellar job on her makeup, and the earrings dangling alongside her cheeks caught the light, sparkling. But it wasn't the trappings that transformed her appearance so much as the joy that glowed in her eyes.

The small group rose to their feet as the music swelled.

Paige turned to the front where Danny Colton stood, shoulders
straight. He released the hands that were clasped behind his back and they fell to his sides, almost stretching forward as if wanting to reach for his bride. His eyes were fixed on her as if he were mesmerized by the sight. He blinked away tears as his Adam's apple bobbed.

Paige fought tears herself at the raw emotion on his face. He'd waited a lifetime for his bride, and she had no doubt he'd do it all over again if that's what it took.

Riley squeezed her hand and gave her a soft smile. The look in his eyes told her he knew everything she was feeling.

When Beau and Miss Trudy reached the front, Beau gave the sheriff a hearty pat on the shoulder and took his seat in the pew beside Eden and Micah.

The ceremony was short but tender and sweet, with just the traditional vows and exchange of rings. It was as if the brevity of the service claimed they'd waited too long already and they weren't wasting another moment.

The presentation of the couple as Mr. and Mrs. Danny Colton culminated in a standing ovation and much whooping and hollering. The happy couple strode down the aisle toward the back as an inspired rendition of “Spring” picked back up, affirming the celebratory atmosphere.

They filed from their pews, and Riley's hand came to rest on the curve of Paige's waist. She felt the warmth of him as he closed the distance behind her, and she was treated to the delicious, spicy smell that was all Riley.

He leaned down until his lips were near her ear. His breath stirred the hair at her temple, sending a shiver down her arms. “We're next, Warren,” he whispered.

Her breath caught in her throat, and she fought to keep her
composure. She angled a look his way. “You have to ask me first, Callahan.”

The corner of his lips lifted. “Oh, I will, sweetheart. Don't you worry about that.”

She wished she could bottle up the look in his eyes so she could see it over and over again. It was a look of hope. A look of love. A look of promise. And she couldn't think of anything better than that.