Page 118 of Love on the Line

Epilogue

Mouth dry,sweat trickling down between his shoulder blades, Wyatt stood at the altar, staring at the closed doors Anne would soon walk through. As promised when he proposed, he hadn’t rushed her to get married. He’d waited seven months for this, so what was a few more minutes? Felt like an eternity.

Time had flown with wedding planning and the new home under construction. The house would be ready and waiting for them when they got back from their honeymoon. Falling in love had changed his life, for the better.

He slipped two fingers under his collar and tugged the bow tie out to get some air. Standing beside him, John cleared his throat in an obvious attempt to cover a laugh. Wyatt shot a look at him and caught John’s smirk before he put on his appropriately solemn, poker face.

Music played, and the church doors opened. The ring bearer and flower girl walked down the aisle, distracted and needing some prodding from Maddie, who followed. Everyone oohed and aahed at the children. Emily and Sarah came next, escorted by Wyatt’s friends.

The wedding march cued, and Anne appeared in the doorway, holding her father’s arm. Wyatt swallowed hard and held his breath as she floated down the aisle, her face hidden behind a sheer veil. The dress suited her perfectly. Classy, conservative, and elegant with a lacy front that encircled her throat. Beautiful.

Her father lifted the veil and kissed her on the cheek. She turned to Wyatt and beamed a smile, her gorgeous blue eyes radiating love. His heart swelled. He took her hand, and his fingers tingled at the touch of her smooth, soft skin.

Their relationship had been challenged and threatened, but she’d kept coming back to him. Her strength and loyalty had overcome every obstacle. Having gone through that ordeal, they’d become stronger together. Now she stood before him, about to pledge her love to him forever.

No one and nothing could make him a happier man.

* * *

Emily clinked her glass with a spoon, and the tinkle of silver against fine crystal filled the room as everyone followed suit. Anne smiled at Wyatt, seated next to her at the banquet table. He leaned over and kissed her with champagne-laced lips, causing hers to tickle in a delicious way.

A boisterous round of applause erupted, and he squeezed her thigh under the table. “Better eat something. You’re going to need your energy later.”

“I hope so.” She grinned and gazed around the hall. Soft music played in the background as servers glided about the room in synchrony, carrying silver platters.

John picked up his beer and tapped Wyatt on the shoulder. “Good grub. Now I need to go rescue Trish.”

Anne cocked her head and scanned the room. She bit her cheek and stifled a laugh. Trish leaned back in her chair as a skinny, young guy with a crimson-red face tried to mop up a spilled beer with his napkin. Unsteady on his feet, he nearly took out another drink. Poor kid probably thought he had a chance with her. Might be his first taste of liquor.

Wyatt shook his head. “Glad John finally grew a pair and asked Trish out.”

“I think the two of them are just tough enough to make things work out together.” Anne nodded.

Wyatt squeezed her hand, and she took another sip of champagne. She gazed at her family. Her dad winked at her, his arm slung around the back of her mother’s chair. Scott laughed at something Bruce said as he hoisted his daughter onto his lap and handed her a juice box. Maddie and Sarah chatted, holding their babies.

Anne glanced at Wyatt, her heart so full it threatened to explode. He brought a hand to her cheek, and his eyes softened. “Yeah, like I told you before, I want that, too.”

Happy tears blurred her vision, and she kissed him.

Cameras flashed, and for once, she didn’t care. All they could possibly catch was a beautiful, tender moment. Let the whole world see it. She loved this man with all her heart and couldn’t wait to share the rest of her life with him.

THE END