Bought: One Bride(29)

Holly had no doubts about that. But she still felt a bit jittery as she glanced up the aisle.

Her eyes landed first on Alanna and Sara, who were slowly making their  way towards the front of the church, both of them looking extremely  svelte and elegant in red. Their long satin dresses were the same colour  as the bouquet of red roses Holly was holding, a sentimental choice  because of the way she and Richard had met.

Her bridesmaids' bouquets, however, were of white roses, matching  Holly's dazzlingly white gown. She hadn't wanted to wear cream or ivory.  Her satin gown was also not straight, like theirs, but had a  traditionally large skirt, gathered out from a tightly boned bodice that  showed her hourglass figure. The neckline was wide and low, the sleeves  long and tight. Her tulle veil stretched out into a train, seeded with  small pearls around the edges.

Alanna and Sara had said she looked like a princess. But what they  thought didn't really matter. All Holly really cared about was what  Richard thought of her.

Her agitated gaze finally reached the three men standing up near the priest who was to conduct the ceremony.

Each one of them looked very handsome in their black dinner suits, even  Mike, who'd scrubbed up remarkably well after a shave and a haircut. He  really was an unusual man. Very intense, with a darkly brooding nature,  which could be interesting, if you liked that kind of thing.

Fortunately Sara, who was partnering him today, wasn't one of those  women who'd taken an instant fancy to him. Her husband wouldn't have  been too pleased if she had.                       
       
           



       

Reece, of course, looked as glamorous as usual. He and Alanna would  always be a striking couple. Holly had finally warmed to Reece, and she  really liked Alanna, who'd taken her under her wing and been such a help  with all the wedding preparations, which had been considerable.

Finally, Holly allowed her eyes to move over to Richard, who was looking  absolutely gorgeous but just a little nervous too, she thought with a  relieved smile.

No one else would have noticed. They would just see a tall, handsome man with steely grey eyes and a dignified expression.

But Holly knew him better than anyone by now. His hands were clasped  just a little too tightly together down in front of him for true  composure. And his lips were pressed into a firm line as well.

She liked it that he loved her so much that he would be nervous on his  wedding day. Richard was not a man who ever showed nerves.

Holly suspected she would never see him cry again, as he had that day in  Tasmania. But the memory of that day would always stay with her.  Thinking of it right now reassured her.

Richard loved her. Truly loved her. Her, Holly Greenaway.

You would have liked him, Dad, she whispered in her mind as she walked up the aisle to marry the man she loved.

Mrs Crawford beamed at her from where she was sitting in the front pew, looking amazingly young in lemon silk.

They hadn't told her about the baby yet, but she was going to be thrilled when she found out. But not as thrilled as Holly.

She was going to have a baby. She and Richard were going to be a family.  Holly's heart turned over with happiness. She hadn't been part of a  family for so long.





Finally, Alanna moved away from the aisle to the side and Richard had a clearer view of his bride.

He sucked in sharply.

"I admit I was wrong, Rich," Reece murmured by his side. "She's definitely the girl for you."

"Too young for him, I reckon," Mike muttered, and Reece jabbed him in the ribs.

Mike grunted. "Okay, okay, she does love him. I can see that. Even worse, I think he loves her."

"What's wrong with that?" Reece said sharply.

"Hush up, you two," Richard commanded. "I'm getting married here."

Really married this time, he thought as his lovely Holly reached his side. This is the real thing. This is real love.

His heart squeezed tight as he reached out his hand to her. She smiled  as she took it, a warm, loving smile that made him relax for the first  time that day.

"You look incredible," he whispered, still in awe of her. "Exquisite."

"Thank you," she whispered back.

I should be thanking you, my darling, he thought as they turned to face  the priest together. For loving me. And forgiving me. And trusting me  again.

I won't ever let you down, he promised her silently as the priest  started talking about the sacredness of marriage. I will protect you  with my life. And I will love you to my dying day …