Page 112 of Deathtoll
Then thoughts returned, one by one, awareness, little by little.
They’d met under unusual circumstances. They’d spent years in forced proximity. Shared danger had brought them together.
All true.
But as they walked to the bed—she refused to let him carry her—she acknowledged a greater truth yet. She sincerely and completely loved Murph Dolan. And she believed that he loved her. And suddenly it seemed incredibly stupid to have worried so much about how they’d gotten there.
She turned to him on the bed to tell him that.
He was watching her with some serious heat in his eyes.
“Now what?” she asked.
“I’ve been promised a sponge bath.”
Epilogue
Kate
“You should have one of those fancy bridal umbrellas,” Murph whispered after he kissed Kate in front of Pastor Garvey and all the dearly beloved who had gathered for their big day. “In case there’s an unfortunate accident with the love doves.”
“I haven’t even worried about that until now,” Kate whispered back. “Thanks.”
Yet despite the fact that she’d been a ball of nerves all day, she did have a smile on her face as they turned around to the cheers of their family and friends.
Then the doves were released, a flutter of white wings that filled the sky. They circled above for a moment, the sunshine filtering through their feathers like some special effect in a movie or angels gathering to bless the ceremony. Until the birds took off for home, a local farm, as they were trained to do—a gift from Annie Murray, Hope Hill’s ecotherapist who ran a growing animal sanctuary on the side.
Since nearly everyone in Broslin wanted to attend the fastest-arranged wedding in history, they held the event outside Broslin Chapel, aided by an unseasonably warm November day and outdoor heaters. The only person invited who hadn’t come was Agent Cirelli—up to her eyebrows in work. The FBI had finally cracked Asael’s phone and had his client list. Cirelli had sent her best wishes with a generous gift.
“I love you, Mrs. Dolan,” Murph whispered into Kate’s ear as they walked to the receiving line that had formed.
Every eye was on them. Except Kennan Finnegan’s. Harper’s brother, a US Marine in full dress uniform, only had eyes for the maid of honor. For once, Emma noticed the interest and seemed to return it.
That kept Kate smiling.
“My cheeks are going to hurt by morning,” she told Murph under her breath.
Heat flared in his eyes.
She choked on shocked laughter. “Oh my God, you’re such a pervert.”
“I really think the word ishopeful,” he responded with exaggerated innocence.
“We’re practically in church. I’m wearing white!”
He wiggled an eyebrow. “But what are you wearing underneath?”
She couldn’t respond because there were hands to shake and hugs and congratulations to accept. All she managed to do was whisper, “I’m going to get you back later.”
Murph pressed a hand to his heart as he gazed at her. “I feel so married right now.”
And that, of course, set her off laughing again, her nerves settling a little.
Her parents came first, and the hugs lasted forever.
Then Doug, Murph’s brother, who also had his eye on Emma, though Kate doubted he was going to have any luck there.
Then Linda Gonzales and Tony Mauro stepped up. Together. As intogether. A bewildering development.
