Page 58 of Ten Kisses

Thankfully, Salem agreed.

Our wedding was like a fairytale. It was small and simple with about sixty people. Darren Collins was not in attendance. I hadn't seen him in over a year. I do know that Salem had another talk with Darren at his firm, and that time, the chief of police was present with him. I trusted him so much that I didn't even bother asking what they talked about. I tried not to waste too much time thinking about the past. I had my chocolate business and my September wedding to think about.

The timing of our wedding was perfect because Salem's house was completely finished. Salem had been living in the main house for the last two months, doing the finishing touches with the trim. It was ready for me to move in a while back, but we waited for our wedding, and tonight would be my first night to fall asleep in my husband's bed.

The house was a dream. I had chosen the floors, the fixtures, and the paint colors before I ever knew I would be living there, and I would forever be touched by that fact.

Our wedding happened at the most magical place on earth. No, not Disneyland. Camp Eden of course. We got married at Camp Eden, and my whole family was in love with the idea.

Sara was too busy to be stressed about finding love. She had finished and released her book earlier this year. It had become a big hit, and now she was preoccupied with furthering her writing career. She was truly happy for us to get married at Camp Eden, and that made my day that much sweeter.

It had been the perfect day.

I hung out with my family all day in the house and my sisters helped me get ready. Salem and I got married at sunset. It happened on the path between the tunnel and the firepit, and then we had dinner inside the tunnel, which had been transformed into a dining room with a long row of small tables placed throughout.

It was a campfire wedding, and we all dressed accordingly. My dress was beautiful and elegant, but it was an eighty-dollar find from Macy's. It was sweet and perfect for a wedding in the woods. We ate on fine china with white linens and real silver flatware, and yet it was in the middle of the forest. It was like a scene from Alice in Wonderland.

The evening was just cool enough to really enjoy a fire, and we all sat around one of my dad's famous campfires after dinner.

We had only been sitting there for a few minutes when my dad stood up and whistled, getting everyone's attention.

"I wanted to say a few words at dinner, but I couldn't see the people on the other end of the tunnel, so I told myself I'd wait till we got out here." He cleared his throat. "I wanted to first say that my wife fell in love with Salem and Phillip the moment she met those boys. I remember her coming home and telling me 'I love these brothers, Ben. These are the people who are going to build our tunnel'." Ben pointed to John-Michael and Sadie. "And that tunnel was a good investment. I've already got one new daughter-in-law and grandbaby because of that tunnel, and now a son-in-law. So, needless to say, I'm glad my wife found that company on Facebook." Everyone laughed. "No, but I remember this certain moment… it was a year ago. I had just found out about my daughter's relationship with Salem, and days later, she called me on the phone and told me she was moving into his house." He paused and made a face. "She tried to say something about something happening with her lease at the time, and how she didn't have a choice. And normally, I would've been worried for her and told her to come back home and stay with her mother and me. But she told me Salem was taking care of her and that he had a plan, and honestly, I never doubted it. I never doubted him. All I could think the whole time was that she's in good hands. That's how I feel about Salem. I know his views and beliefs about God, and I admire him as a man. You're a good man, Salem, and my daughter is in good hands. That's honestly how I feel. I could not ask for anything more for my daughter or our family. Thank you all for being here to celebrate this great night with us."

My dad gave a little bow to let us all know his speech was over, and everyone clapped for him. I walked over and hugged him, and I stayed and talked to my parents for a few minutes while I was over there.

A few minutes was too long. I had to make my way back to my husband. He was standing several feet away, talking to his brother, and I excused myself and walked over to him.

"Could you do me a giant favor?" I asked him. "Would you come with me to look for that thing I wanted to give Jenny? I don't know where I put it. Can you help me? I have a bag in the tunnel."

"Yeah, I'll help you," Salem said.

I was smiling at him, and he knew there was no bag and no 'thing for Jenny'. He made a smirk at me like he was about to give chase, and I grinned at him.

He looked at his brother. "We'll be right back."

We took off together, walking toward the tunnel, but Salem stopped short of it, pulling me into the woods behind the tunnel where no one could see us. He moved far enough through the trees that we made our way out of the light from the tunnel. The forest was thick and dark, and we were in private under the cover of night. Salem stopped and pulled me into his arms. He kissed me once and then leaned back a bit so that he could focus on my face. I felt giddy with him staring at me. He was so handsome I could just melt.

"Do you think you still have to make up fake excuses to get me to walk away from the party?" he asked, squinting at me in the darkness. He looked like he was waiting for me to dare him to do something.

"No, I just wanted to make up an excuse for old time's sake."

He kissed me again. My back was against a tree, and he leaned in and kissed me hungrily. He pulled away, and I was so eager and achy that I pulled him in, kissing him again, insisting on more.

We did that for several heart-pounding seconds before he pulled back, wiping his mouth and catching his breath.

"Good grief, Molly, I know I've got the green light and everything, baby, but goodness. I think we might need to wait till we get home, at least. I'm not trying to do this right here in the woods."

"It wouldn't be so bad," I said, breathlessly.

"Do not, Molly."

I gave him a look of challenge. "Do not what?" I asked innocently.

"Do not dare me right now."

"You shouldn't dare me not to dare you," I said with a grin.

"Mollyyy," he said in a warning tone.

I smiled.

Salem was the most disciplined man I knew, and he was barely holding back, warning me. His patience was wearing thin, I could tell.

I grinned at him and bit my lip.

I had never been the type of girl to kiss and tell, so it wouldn't feel right of me to mention whether or not he took my challenge that night. Either way, we were a married couple, and that would happen sooner or later.

Even in our moments of challenge and spontaneity, I was safe. I was protected and happy with Salem, truly happy. And it was a sweet bonus that our families were happy for us, too.

The End

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