Page 58 of An Unexpected Love

“But I’m yourwife.”

He grinned at that, but again his smile was marked with sadness. “I’m new to this marriage business. Obviously I’m not much good at it. The one thing I was hoping to do was keep my business life separate from my personal life. I didn’t want to bring my company problems home to you.”

“But, Jordan, if I’d known, if you’d explained, I might have been able to help.”

“You did, in more ways than you know.”

Tears blurred Jill’s eyes. She would have given everything she owned for Jordan to take her in his arms, but he stood so far away, so alone.

Jordan picked up a small photograph, one of their wedding day. He stared at it for a moment, then tucked it into the box. “I loved you almost from the day we met. Don’t ask me to explain it, because I can’t. Afterthat first night, when we kissed on the beach, I knew my life would never be the same.”

“Oh, Jordan.”

“Being with you was like standing in the sun. I never knew how lonely I was, how my heart ached for love, how much I longed to share my life with someone….”

Tears ran unashamedly down Jill’s face.

“The day we were married,” he went on, “I swear I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride. I couldn’t believe you’d actually agreed to be my wife. I vowed then and there that I’d never do anything to risk what I’d found.”

“But to resign…” Trembling a little, nervous and unsure, Jill moved across the room to Jordan’s side. He tensed at her approach, his expression a blend of undisguised longing and hope.

“I can’t lose you,” he said.

“But to walk away from your life’s work?” What he’d done remained incomprehensible to Jill.

“I have a new life,” he said, gently pulling her into his arms. He buried his face in her hair and inhaled deeply. “None of this means anything without you. Not anymore.”

“But what are you going to do?”

“I thought we’d take a year off and travel. Would you like that?”

Jill nodded through her tears.

“And after that, I’d like to start our family.”

Once again Jill nodded, her heart pounding with love and excitement.

“Then, when the time’s right, I’ll find something that interests me and start over, but I’ll never allow work to control my life again. I can’t,” he said quietly. “You’re my life now.”

“You’re sure this is what you want?” He’d given up so much.

She felt him smile against her hair. “Without a doubt. I don’t need a business to fill up the emptiness in my life. Not when I have you.”

“Oh, Jordan,” she whispered, her throat tight. “I love you so much.” She squeezed her eyes shut and murmured a prayer of thanksgiving for the wonderful man she’d married.

“Shall we go home, my love?” he asked her.

Jill nodded and slipped her hand into his. “Home,” she repeated. With her husband. The man she loved. The man she’d married.

* * * * *

BRIDE ON THE LOOSE

To Virginia and Dean, whose many years of love have inspired me.

One

It was one of those days. Jason Manning scrubbed his hands in the stainless-steel sink, then applied ointment to several scratches. He’d just finished examining and prescribing antibiotics for a feisty Persian cat with a bladder infection. The usually ill-mannered feline had never been his most cooperative patient, but today she’d taken a particular dislike to Jason.

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