My Best Friend's Bride (30 page)

They sat in matching chairs just as Fifi bounded back toward them, clambering up on the porch and collapsing in a panting heap at Hunter’s feet. Mimi had finished his treat and was already licking himself, preparing to claim a resting spot in the late-afternoon sunshine. “It seems the pets missed you,” Jill said, glancing down at them.
 

“Only the pets?”

Hunter shot her a lopsided smile and heat rose in her cheeks. “It’s been quiet around here,” she told him. “A lot quieter, since you left.”

“I know what you mean. The condo’s been lonely too.”

Jill flushed, sensing he’d read between the lines. Then she recalled his parting words that chilly December day, and the heart that had rapidly opened up only a few minutes ago suddenly felt coated in ice. “You left rather abruptly,” she told him. “We hardly had a chance to discuss things, that first article in
Tempo Beat
.”

“I apologize, Jill. That was wrong of me. I was just so…” He pursed his lips in thought. “The truth is, I was devastated by getting fired. It made me feel weak, less than a man. It was like my whole world had fallen apart, and I couldn’t fathom finding a way to put it back together.”

Jill was surprised to hear him speaking so frankly. “I didn’t think any less of you.”

“Didn’t you, though?”

“No, Hunter. I swear.”

He briefly turned away. When he looked at her again, his eyes brimmed with emotion. “I couldn’t imagine how you could want me. How anybody could. Let’s just say I had some rebuilding to do—of my heart and of my head.”

She viewed him with compassion, then quietly asked, “How are they now?”

“Healing nicely. I’m back at Abrams. Have you heard?”

She nodded. “Word gets around.”

“Your new book’s doing well, I see. I’ve read some of the reviews that have come in.”

“Have you?” Jill asked, finding herself pleased that Hunter had cared enough to pay attention.
 

“I agree with the consensus.
Married Love: Lessons Learned
is excellent. Worth each one of those five stars.”

“Have you read it?”

“Every word.” He hesitated. “Jill, about your inscription…?”

“Yes?”

“I wanted to tell you, in person, that everything felt real to me too. All of it, Jill, starting with the wedding and the honeymoon trip to Niagara Falls, and—”

“Ending with the heartache of you saying good-bye,” she cut in hoarsely.

“Is there any way for us to get past that?” Hunter’s expression was pained. “Because, you know… Your grandfather thinks there is.”

“You’ve seen him?” Jill asked with surprise.

“I went by yesterday.”

“How was he?”

“I’d say his mind was uncannily sharp.” Hunter smiled, his eyes dancing. “With your permission, I’d like the chance to visit him again.”

With your permission?
Jill’s heart sank and her spirit sagged like a deflated balloon. Now she understood why Hunter was here. He’d read her inscription and wanted to acknowledge it, and establish closure too—in part, by apologizing. Jill realized with a pang of guilt that Hunter wasn’t the only one who needed to say “I’m sorry.”

“Of course, Hunter. Please feel free to visit my grandpa anytime you’d like. I understand you and he developed your own relationship, and it’s good for him to have visitors. Thank you for caring about him.”

Hunter stared at her a long while, something telling in his eyes. “It’s not only him that I care about, Jill.”
 

Jill’s pulse picked up as she absorbed his meaning and her battered heart dared to hope one more time. Was it possible that Hunter was saying what she thought he was? That he’d missed being with her, just as badly as she’d missed him? Warm breezes blew, carrying the scent of fresh flowers in from the garden, and honeybees buzzed over the lilac bushes.

“Hunter,” Jill said softly. “Thanks for telling me you’re sorry about how things ended, because the truth is I’m sorry too. More sorry than you know.” Moisture pooled in her eyes. “I could have contacted you too, but I didn’t. None of this was one-sided. I’m equally to blame.”

Hunter reached for her hand. “Both of us said things we shouldn’t have, and there were probably things we omitted that should have been said.”

“Yes.”

“Then maybe we should take a chapter from your book,” he suggested, “and decide to forgive each other?”
 

A tear broke free from the corner of her eye. “Chapter Nine?”

“One of your best.”

“One of
our
best, Hunter. I never could have written that book without you.”

“To tell you the truth?” A smile lightly tickled his lips. “I would have been horribly jealous if you’d written it with anyone else.”

She smiled through her tears. “There’s no other husband I’d rather have.”

He lightly tugged at her hand. “Why don’t we go over there and sit on the swing?”

Jill nodded and wiped her cheeks as Hunter led her across the porch and they carefully sidestepped the dozing animals. Jill settled in beside him and Hunter wrapped her in his arms, just as naturally as if they’d never been apart. “You don’t know how good it feels to be here,” he said, holding her close. “Back here with my
wife.
” Then he asked, his voice cracking, “I hope I can stay?”

Jill held him tightly, unable to answer at first. The feelings that were overtaking her were too strong. Of course she wanted him to stay. She loved Hunter more than heaven and earth, more than the entire universe and everything beyond it. If she hadn’t understood that fully before, she was totally aware of it at this moment. When he’d gone away he’d left a gaping hole in her heart, and now that he’d returned he was promising to fill it. How could she possibly say no? She pulled back in his embrace to meet his eyes. “I can’t imagine a better husband than you. I don’t want any other husband but you.” Her voice warbled. “Please…oh please, Hunter...” She started crying again, her tears and her love knowing no bounds.

Hunter dragged a thumb down her cheek. “Does that mean yes?”

She nodded and he brushed his lips over hers. “I love you, Jill.” The words were magical, mystical, strumming gently like harp music through her soul.

“I love you too,” she said, kissing him back.

For a long, lovely moment, they were lost in each other and the glory of being in each other’s arms.
This is what it feels like
,
Jill acknowledged to herself,
really and truly being in love.
She couldn’t wait to let Hunter back into her house, and into her bed. For she was his wife and he was her husband. The husband who’d finally returned to the place he belonged, right here with her.

As if knowing her thoughts, Hunter grinned. “So, what do you think? Should we have a real wedding?”

“We’ve already had a real wedding, as far as I’m concerned. And a fabulous honeymoon.” Jill’s lips tipped up in a smile. “But there is one thing we’re missing.”

“A reception,” he said, reading her eyes.

“I have a deposit down with a caterer.”

“Let’s invite the whole town.”

“Even Cassandra,” Jill said.

“And Fred,” Hunter answered.

“And friends from New York too.”

Hunter chuckled warmly. “Yes, everyone.”

After a long beat, Jill ventured, “Hunter, I know this sounds a little old-fashioned—”

“What? Old-fashioned, you?” he said, teasing her.

Jill’s cheeks warmed as she continued, “—but I was thinking of taking your name.”

“Delaney?” His arms tightened around her. “Are you sure?”

When she nodded, he said. “Why, Jill, I think that’s awesome.” His voice broke apart when he added, “I’d be honored.” He gazed lovingly into her eyes, then asked her, “I hope you’ll do me the honor of letting me buy you a ring?”

“But Hunter, you already have.”

“Not a wedding band, Jill. I mean a very elegant engagement ring with a ridiculously large diamond.”

Jill grinned shyly, unable to mask her delight. “You already know my ring size,” she said playfully.

“Then it’s settled.” Hunter stunned Jill by reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small velvet-covered box. He flipped it open, exposing a gloriously glistening solitaire. Jill gasped with pleasure. “Shall we see if it fits?” he asked, pulling it from its cushion.

Jill’s pulse fluttered wildly as he slid the ring onto her finger, right above the wedding band she still wore. When Hunter had gone, she’d packed her grandmother Rose’s ring away, but she hadn’t been able to bear removing the gold band that Hunter had given her. Now Jill noticed for the first time that Hunter still wore his gold band too. “They look lovely together,” she said, admiring the rings on her finger. “Thank you, Hunter. What a wonderful surprise.”

“Thank you for being my bride.”

“I’m glad you’re my groom.”

He hugged her to him and she looked up, meeting his eyes.

“You know, I was thinking,” she said lightly. “You just might inspire me to write another book.”

“Yeah? What about?”

“Oh, I don’t know…” she said, toying with him. “Are you still working on that account? Kaleidoscope Kids?”

Hunter grinned broadly. “Are we talking about children now? Babies?”

Jill recalled that precious image of Hunter she’d had when she’d pictured him as a little boy, and Diane’s later prediction that she and Hunter would make beautiful children together.
 

“It doesn’t have to be right away,” she said. “We might have to do some
adjusting
first.”

“How soon can we get started?” he asked with a sexy growl. “Adjusting?”

She smiled up at him, her heart soaring. “How about tonight?”

His eyes radiated heat and hunger. “I’m not sure I can wait that long.”

Jill swooned in his embrace, needing more of him. Desiring all of him.

“I don’t think I can wait either.” Jill’s blood pumped harder and fire tore through her veins. She was his now and he was hers. They were destined to be together. “Make me your wife, Hunter,” she whispered hoarsely, “completely.”

He brought his mouth down on hers with a kiss that stole her breath away. Then he rose from the swing and gently lifted her in his arms, heading toward the door.

“You won’t have to ask me twice.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” she said, flirting. “I intend to ask you every day, at least once a day, for the rest of our lives.”

Hunter laughed huskily and carried her over the threshold.

“Oh, darling,” he said, adoring her. “It’s great to be home.”

The End

A Note from the Author

Thanks for reading
My Best Friend’s Bride
. I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, please help other people find this book.

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for details on other books now available at multiple outlets.
 

If you enjoy sweet romantic comedies, you might like my novel
The Calendar Brides
. Keep reading for an excerpt here.

From
New York Times
and
USA Today
Bestselling Author Ginny Baird
, a heartwarming story about the power of love, the dedication of family, and the realization of dreams.

Ginny Baird’s The Calendar Brides

Twelve granddaughters share one goal, all in the name of love.

Twelve women with big hearts and slim wallets want to do something special for their grandmother. At eighty-seven, the family matriarch has reconnected with her childhood sweetheart, and wants to elope to Sicily. The catch is her intended is poor, and Mama D’Amato doesn’t have the travel cash herself.

When they put their heads together, can her twelve granddaughters help their Nona achieve her dream? All it takes is a little ingenuity and a very clever plan. Meet Emma, Claire, Angie, Haley, Bev, Jane, Tiny, Zoe, Lena, Trish, Susan and Rachel, as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime—all in the name of
l’amore
.

Meet the D’Amato women and their men!

Emma
is the oldest and smart mouth. She loves late-night pizza, her puppy, and Donny—whom she hated in high school.

Emma’s sweet sister
Claire
reports the weather and collects seashells. Brainy Brad helps her see stars.

Stay-at-home mom
Angie
pretends to Zumba. Hot hubby Jason doesn’t miss a step.