Page 319 of The Christmas Wife

Behind them are Sinclair and Summer, then Michael and Karma. Weston and Amelie—both of whom confessed to me and Zara that they’d set us up, and who couldn’t be more delighted at how things turned out— wave at us.

Behind them are JJ & Lena and Saint & Victoria.

Bringing up the rear is Cade Kingston, on his own. His gaze is fixed on something—or someone—on the other side of the podium. I follow his line of sight to find Abby scowling at Cade. She tilts her chin. Then, in a deliberate snub, turns her back on him. She leans in to speak to one of her fellow team members, Steve, I think. I glance back to find Cade’s brow is thunderous. His jaw tics, and he seems to be having a hard time controlling himself. He takes a couple of steps forward, but just then, Lena turns to say something to him. He tears his gaze off of Abby and replies to Lena. A new face, one I’ve not seen in many months, walks into the room behind Cade.

"Is that?—"

"Edward Chase, one of the Seven," Zara confirms.

"What’s he doing back in the country?" The last I’d heard from Sinclair, Edward had renounced the priesthood, and left to travel the world.

"He happened to be visiting, and considering I decided only this morning that we should get married today, it seemed like a sign to ask him to officiate the wedding."

"He’s no longer a priest."

"He can still marry us," she points out.

"And as soon as I can arrange it, we’re going to the registry office to get our marriage validated."

Her lips curve. "Not taking any chances, are you?"

"Not gonna stop until you’re mine in every possible way."

Her golden eyes spark. The pulse at the base of her throat beats faster. I lean in closer, and so does she. Our breaths fuse. I lower my head until my eyelashes brush against hers.

Someone clears their throat. I glance up to find Abby glancing between us. "Uh, we’re ready for the both of you."

Zara frowns. "I hadn’t planned on anything else."

"But I have." I rise to my feet and hold out my hand. "You’re not the only one who can pull surprises, Fire."

She looks taken aback, then chuckles. "I wouldn’t have expected anything else from you."

We walk out of the gazebo and into the garden.

"Oh, wow!" She takes in the heaters that have been placed at strategic locations around the lawns. Chairs have been placed in rows, with an aisle in the center. It leads to an arch made of pampas grass, with yellow and purple flowers dotted at intervals.

"When did you do all this?"

"Technically, it’s Abby and your team who helped set it up." I nod my thanks at Abby, who clasps her hands together. "I hope you like it."

Kate walks over to join us. "And if you don’t, too bad; it’s the best we could do in the little time we had while you guys were in the press conference."

"Oh, shush!" Steve draws abreast on the other side of Abby. "We had a fun time doing it, didn’t we?"

Kate rolls her eyes. "If you say so. But it’s for your wedding, Zara. Never thought we’d see the day, by the way—but since you are planning to be married, I’d say choosing the person who could be the leader of the country is a damn good move."

Zara chuckles. "Thanks, Kate."

The journalists begin to pour out onto the lawns; Abby, Kate, Casey and Steve guide them to the chairs. Our friends take their seats in the front row, and Edward walks around to wait for us at the top of the aisle.

I take Zara’s hands in mine and bring them to my lips. "See you on the other side."

52

Zara

Had I really thought I could pull another surprise on my man and get away with it? He’s known as the sharpest politician of our times for a reason. All along, I thought I was a step ahead of him, but he’s outwitted me at every turn. He bugged my phone and my computer, placed cameras in my apartment and office—and I hadn’t been aware of any of it. Sure, I got back at him by springing the surprise of my past to the press, and revealing I was pregnant. But he’d already guessed I was.

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