Page 63 of Finding Love on the Slopes

When the men returned, they took Leigh to sign the papers on the house.

“I really don’t feel comfortable doing this before the wedding. What if something happens to Enrique before we say, ‘I do’? I’ll be buried in debt; I have no hope of paying!”

“Enrique will never leave you hanging like that, Angel. He has you taken care of on all accounts. Trust me on this,” Curtis assured her.

The realtor piped in, “You don’t need to worry about anything darlin’ the estate is fully paid for and if he dies you will inherit a beautiful estate worth 50 million dollars, free and clear.”

Leigh’s eyes just about bulged out of her head until Enrique kissed her and whispered, “Just breathe.”

With all the final wedding preparations and the house taken care of, the small family headed to the beach to enjoy a lovely lunch on the patio of the little seafood shack, followed by a tour of Leigh’s “office” at the SeaLife Guardian Alliance building. They were just about to leave when her boss, Mr. Cruthers, approached, “So you’re the lucky man who has stolen Leigh’s heart. I bet you’re proud of her promotion.”

Leigh’s cheeks flamed with embarrassment. “I hadn’t told them yet since it was still pending, and I don’t like to count my chickens before they hatch.” Mr. Cruthers had no such concerns as he said it was pretty much set in stone and filled them all in on Leigh being appointed over her own research team.

“Like I said, it hasn’t happened yet. It will be after the wedding and honeymoon, but I am in the process of picking the team and setting up the lab.”

“That is wonderful news, dear. I’m so proud of you,” Stella said, kissing her on the cheek.

They went for a walk on the beach and caught up on life and discussed the future. Stella suggested that Enrique take them all by the house to see it before it got dark and she gushed, oohed, and awed over the place until Leighann had to smile.

“That’s it, I’ve made up my mind. I’m staying. Enrique, you can start having furniture delivered here tomorrow, and I’ll help Leigh get it all set up before the wedding,” Stella announced.

“I would gladly do that, but I’m afraid you ladies will have to pick out the furniture you want first. I can have an interior designer here first thing in the morning to help. I imagine you could have this entire home set to rights before I return for the wedding,” Enrique teased with a grin.

“You just watch. It will look nothing like this when you return. And you said I have a room out back. I’m going to have fun designing that. I haven’t changed a thing in my house since myhusband died. This is going to be fun.” She clapped her hands, tucked her arm through Leigh’s, and led her away.

“I told you it would all work out,” Curtis whispered before going to inspect the backyard and dock.

Chapter Fifty-Five

April in Florida was the perfect time for a wedding. Stella had convinced Leigh to hold it at their new home. A simple arch swathed with white tulle stood behind them on their private beach while her friends and family sat in white-rented chairs on the patch of perfectly green grass just beyond. Before the ceremony started, Mrs. Ellis scattered orange, pink, and red rose petals down the aisle.

Enrique stood at the front with his brother Gabe by his side. They were dressed in dark blue suits with coral ties and coral-colored roses on their lapels. A string quartet played as Leighann walked down the aisle, escorted by her grandmother and Curtis on either side. She was stunning. The simple gown allowed her natural beauty and gorgeous figure to shine.

Once Leigh was handed over to Enrique, Curtis took his place as Man of Honor and held her flowers for her. He would get teased over that task for years but wouldn’t change it for theworld. His baby sister was a grown woman and soon would be a wife. He was happy for her, but his heart ached at the same time that their mother wasn’t here to see this.

The ceremony was short and sweet. They recited traditional vows neither having the creativity to write their own but meaning every word nonetheless. When their new pastor announced, “You may now kiss your bride.” Enrique couldn’t think of a time he had ever been more happy. He swept her into his arms and kissed her passionately as he had wanted to since early January. Gabriel gave a soft whistle to get his attention. The rest could wait till later.

They all walked the short distance to the patio and enjoyed a delicious meal, hilarious toasts from both brothers and added to by a few of her longtime friends. She cried tears of joy when the Baileys and Russos gathered around for hugs. She was so touched that Enrique had gone to the effort to ensure her closest people were there for her special day.

Giulia held her tight and whispered, “I may have been a little early in my announcement of your engagement, but I wasn’t wrong now, was I?” She patted Leigh’s cheek and added, “A mother always knows. You’re a beautiful bride, and I’m so proud of you. I hope you save us some room; we may retire here.” Mateo shuffled her aside and gave her his congratulations as well, reiterating their desire to retire soon. Enrique said there was always room at the resort's restaurant for friends if they wanted to stay busy and let someone else make the hard decisions. Mateo chuckled, “Be careful, son; I might take you up onthat offer. I love to cook, but the business side is exhausting. I think it’s time I let my boys have it and see where they take it. My bones are getting too old for twelve-hour days.”

The Baileys caught her up on their plans for renovating the resort and promised to come to visit for a week during the slow season. Then, Mrs. Ellis, who had appointed herself the wedding coordinator, announced it was time for their first dance and cutting the cake.

They danced a formal waltz, to everyone’s surprise and delight. They had snuck in dance lessons in the past week, and Leighann found that she loved spending the time in her husband’s arms. Before long, Enrique was whisking her off to Gabe’s private jet to start their two-week honeymoon in Hawaii. Had she realized so many friends were going to attend the wedding, she would have asked to postpone for a few days so she could spend time with everyone.

Turning to Enrique, who sat beside her on the plush leather sofa lining one side of the airplane cabin, she removed his tie and whispered, “Thank you for today. It was the best day of my life, and I will treasure it forever. I had something much different in mind when I asked for a simple and intimate wedding, but our wedding turned out perfect. I love you.” She leaned in to gently kiss him and soon found herself wrapped in his arms, her head on his chest.

“You’re welcome, baby. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I tried very hard to find a middle ground. Simple and cheap are not synonymous. Our wedding was a reflection of both of us. I was proudof how it all turned out, and the wedding pictures are going to be beautiful on display in all of our homes and our families. You were a stunning bride. I think we will have to do this again in ten years just so I can see you in another wedding gown. You and Stella did an amazing job choosing your gown. I hope you save it for our daughters. It is classic and timeless. They would be silly not to want to wear it too.”

“That is an old and weird tradition. I will save it because I love it and will want to look at it on occasion. They may enjoy playing dress up in it too, but asking them to wear it. I don’t think so.”

“Well, the option will be there for them. They may decide the tradition isn’t old or weird.” He kissed the top of her head as he caressed her back. “I don’t think I got to tell you how beautiful the house is either. The furniture and finishes are lovely. I can see your personality in every room, but I feel at ease when I walk in. You did well blending both of our styles. Thank you. I know you don’t want to be a housewife but you are off to a great start creating a home that is welcoming. I can already see that our house will be the place everyone wants to come.”

Enrique wrapped both arms around her in a firm embrace, not able to get her close enough. He wanted her to sink into his very skin. Never in his life had he ever imagined loving a woman so deeply. “Our life is going to be amazing, Mrs. Rodriguez. Thank you for becoming my wife. I love you more than life. God knew what he was doing when he sent me to Colorado. I facedmy fears, and now your light has banished the shadows from my past. I have been truly blessed.”

Chapter Fifty-Six

The next seven months flew by, and they soon found themselves celebrating Christmas in his New York penthouse and preparing for their trip upstate for the annual Bad Boys Club family gathering.

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