Donovan's Daughter (The Californians, Book 4) (41 page)

Charlotte also stood with their own four rascals. Ricky
was showing signs of being tall, and Callie was as ladylike as they came. Little Sadie, now three, was such a
combination of both of them that Sean smiled at the sight
of her. His youngest, Micah, in his mother's arms, was
working on his thumb as if he no longer had need of it.

Alex and Marcail stood together, and resting contentedly on Alex's arm was their Megan. She was an adorable
dark-haired toddler, and a sign to the family that their
beloved Marcail and Alex had found a love to carry them
through the years.

Precious friend, Lora Duncan, was in a front pew,
alone for the moment. A change in the music drew
Sean's attention back down the aisle. Lucas Duncan had
entered the back of the church. On Lucas' left arm was
Charlotte's aunt, Sadie Cox.

Sadie was dressed in cream-colored linen. Standing
poised and serene, she looked straight into the eyes of
the man she loved. Sean felt an unexpected rush of
emotion when Sadie came to the front, and he saw the
look of profound love that covered his father's face for the
woman who stood beside him.

They'd both been alone for so very long, and now God
had seen fit to bring them together. Sean watched as
Duncan kissed the bride's cheek and took his seat next to
Lora. Patrick and Sadie joined hands and turned to face
him.

"We are gathered today..." Sean began the service,
his voice confident, yet tender with emotion. Rigg was
on hand to provide the rings and sign as official witness.
The room cheered at the end of the service when Patrick
kissed his wife. Family and friends alike filed out behind
the bride and groom for a reception to be held at Duncan
and Lora's.

As Sean came down the aisle, he plucked his niece
Megan from Alex's arms and carried her outside. Alex
and Marcail were the last to leave the building. Once
alone, Marcail looked up at her husband, her eyes shining with happiness.

"That was beautiful, wasn't it?"

"Yes, it was," Alex agreed. "But then I've noticed that
beauty tends to run in your family."

Marcail grinned at the compliment, and Alex bent to
give her a long, loving kiss.

"Hey, you two," Rigg's voice broke in, teasing them
from the door. "Break it up. The wagon won't wait all
day.

Marcail laughingly jumped out of her husband's arms,
pulling her most innocent face to the fore. Alex grinned
at his brother-in-law, but pulled Marcail back into his
embrace.

"It was a hard wait before I had this woman in my
arms, Rigg. You go ahead with the wagon, it'll be worth
having to walk."

Rigg stayed on the scene only long enough to see that
Alex was kissing Marcail once again. Yes, I imagine you
would say it was worth having to walk, Rigg thought as he
climbed into the wagon next to Kaitlin. He leaned to kiss
her and then slapped the reins, putting the vehicle in
motion.

"What was that for?" asked a pleasantly surprised
Katie.

Rigg smiled, but didn't answer. Yes indeed, he repeated
to himself. Worth the walk, and a whole lot more.