The Millionaire's Marriage Demand(35)

Charles, also in a morning suit, had already introduced Corinne to  Leonora; all three were valiantly making conversation. Julie beckoned  her own parents over. "You look lovely, Mum," she said sincerely.

Pearl's dress was made of leaf-green linen; her hat was massed with  flowers, and her cheeks flushed with excitement. Thomas, unexpectedly  handsome in his morning suit, tucked Pearl's arm into his and said  gallantly, "You're a beautiful bride, Julie. Your wedding photo will be  on the bookshelves in the living room beside our own. We bought a new  frame for ours, by the way."

"I can tell that you did, Dad," Julie said obliquely, hugging her father and kissing her mother.

Pearl said in a rush, "We both want to thank you, Julie. What you said  to us was such a shock that it brought us to our senses." She hesitated,  then plunged on. "The way we behaved was never your fault. You see, I  always wanted four or five children, but Thomas only wanted one …  so I  was angry with him all the time. It was years before I found out that I  couldn't have had another child anyway."

"I shouldn't have been so stubborn," Thomas said stiffly.

"Oh, Thomas, neither should I." Pearl smiled at her daughter with  endearing shyness. "It's as though we've cleaned house the last few  days, and thrown out all the garbage. It feels wonderful."                       
       
           



       

Julie blinked back tears. "You're both very brave …  I'm so proud of you. Now why don't you come and meet Travis's parents?"

Bryce was talking about sailing to Brent, who was on his best behavior,  just as though he'd never forced his way into Julie's bedroom or  marooned her on an island. They, too, joined the others. As the  conversation became more general, and a move was made toward the church  gate, where limousines were waiting to take them to a reception at the  city's finest restaurant, Bryce said to Julie, "I'm glad I was able to  be here and meet you, Julie. I know you'll make Travis very happy."

She smiled. "You've been a good friend to Travis over the years."

"No more than he to me." For a moment Bryce's jaw hardened. "I owe him a  lot-I'd have ended up on the streets, if it weren't for him."

"Someday you must tell me about that."

"I will." He added abruptly, "Any idea why Travis's sister didn't show up for the wedding?"

"Jenessa? Not really." Julie bit her lip. "I know she and Charles don't  get along. But I was hoping to meet her …  she doesn't live very far  away."

"Mean-spirited of her," Bryce said lightly. "At least Kathy, your matron  of honor, is married. So no one's trying to hook me up with her."

"Remember that Travis was a confirmed bachelor," Julie teased.

"The woman's not born who can get me to the altar," Bryce said confidently.

"That's what I thought about myself," Travis interjected, smiling at his  new wife with such love in his eyes that Julie wanted to melt into his  arms. "Are you feeling all right, darling?"

"Both of us are fine."

"Then I think we should head for the reception. Champagne is called for.  Our respective families are doing wonders-let's reward them with Dom  Perignon."

Bryce had gone ahead. Julie said impulsively, "Travis, when your  contract's up in Mexico, would you think of settling in Maine for a  while? We'd be nearer to all the grandparents that way."

He brushed her cheek with his lips. "The thought had crossed my mind-but  I'd wondered if you'd be reluctant to give up your travels."

"Home is where you are," Julie said simply.

Travis gave her the smile he reserved for her alone. "Leonora's going to  live either in Boston or New York and teach dance …  she told me that  just before the ceremony."

"So we could be close to all of them."

"We could build a summer home on Bear Island, as well. I want our children to run free every summer, just as I did."

"Children?" Julie repeated, her head to one side. "Aren't you rushing things a bit?"

"I doubt we'll be satisfied with one."

"I suspect you're right. Travis, it all sounds perfect and I'm so unbelievably happy. I do love you."

Travis grinned at her. "A few minutes ago, I thanked Brent for bringing you and me together. He took it like a man."

"That wasn't very nice of you," Julie laughed. "We'd better catch up  with the others. After all, the sooner we get to the reception, the  sooner it'll be over and we'll be alone together."

"So you're thinking that way, too."

"I am."

"Good," said Travis.