Betrayal of Trust (20 page)

O
n Thanksgiving Day, not a sound could be heard in the Mahoney Cabin as Mac Mahoney reached out and took hold of his bride’s hand. The Southern belle glowed with a beauty that went beyond the layers of makeup caking her face.

Raven, Denni and Keri stood next to her, arm-in-arm as they listened to Mac finally reciting his vows.

Raven imagined her mother’s beautiful pale face, so like Keri’s. She had raised them, had loved them and had loved Mac until her dying day. But Raven knew her mother would never want Mac to go through his twilight years all alone…not if he could love again. And he did. The sparkle in his eyes as he slipped the ring on Ruth’s finger said it all.

Raven glanced out at the small gathering of family and friends, who had all taken time out of their Thanksgiving Day to share in the Mahoney family’s joy. The reception would be a Thanksgiving feast.

They all had so much to be thankful for this year. Keri’s Justin and her two ten-year-old boys, Josh and Billy, sat in the front row. Contentment shone in all
three faces. It was difficult to believe that only two years earlier, Justin had been fighting to prove he hadn’t killed his unfaithful wife.

Denni’s handsome cop, Reece, winked at his wife. Raven couldn’t stop a smile from forming on her lips. Married less than a year and Denni was already going to have a baby. Her stomach already showed signs of roundedness. It was fitting that Denni be the first of the three girls to bear her own child. She had inherited all of Mom’s ability to nurture and love and care for others. Mahoney House was proof of that. A home for former foster-care girls, it provided a safe place as the young women made the transition from wards of the state to adulthood.

With a sigh, Raven turned her gaze to her own little family. Matthew stared back at her, no doubt remembering, as she was, their own wedding ceremony at the Strong mansion two weeks after her ordeal with Sonny. Much to Raven’s delight, Aunt Meredith had attended.

Next to Raven, Jamie squirmed, no doubt ready to be free of the pink flower-girl dress she lamented over. She’d proclaimed herself too old to be a flower girl and no way would she wear a dress. But some fast talking, bribery and the promise that she could lose the dress as soon as the ceremony ended had finally convinced the little beauty to acquiesce.

A round of applause rang in the air as Mac and Ruth were pronounced man and wife. Mac Mahoney kissed his bride tenderly.

“Okay, y’all,” Ruth drawled. “Time for pictures. I want the whole family up here, pronto, while these kids are still looking fancy.”

Ten minutes of chaos ensued. Raven was jostled and poked and shoved until finally she stood with Matthew
behind her, his arms encircling her waist. “Hey, beautiful,” he whispered in her ear.

Raven released a contented sigh as the camera flashed. Matthew nuzzled her neck and she turned in his arms and accepted his kiss.

“Hey, now. You’re making us look bad!” Justin protested before snatching his own wife for a sweet kiss.

“I guess weddings just bring out the romance in some guys,” Reece said. “I’m a romantic all the time.”

“Yes you are, my darling.” Denni raised her face to his.

Laughter and catcalls lifted into the air as the three Mahoney sisters rested in their husbands’ arms.

Raven’s heart sang as she looked around at her wonderful family. The laughter and love seemed to foreshadow the years that lay ahead. Her children and those of her sisters would grow up together knowing they were safe, secure and loved.

She felt a warm hand on her shoulder and she smiled, recognizing the gentle touch of her father. She turned and sank into a tight embrace. Words weren’t necessary. This man was her father. She held him tightly, conveying all the love she felt for him and accepting his love for her.

With a kiss on her forehead, he let her go. Matthew slipped his arm about her shoulders and she leaned her head against his shoulder. “Thank you for waiting for me, Matthew.”

“Thank you for not making me wait any longer.”

His eyes sparkled with love. He was about to move in for another kiss when Jamie’s disgusted voice broke through the moment.

“Oh, brother. All this kissy-kissy stuff is making me sick. I probably won’t be able to eat any turkey.”

Once again, laughter exploded in the room. Raven
gave her new daughter a quick squeeze. “Just wait until your time comes, sport. Your heart will make the choice for you. You’ll never be happy until you give in.”

Raven looked deeply into Matthew’s eyes as she spoke.

Her heart overflowed with happiness.