Page 98 of The Unforgiven
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here…” the reverend began.
The setting sun shone on Quinn and Gabe as if they were the only two people in the world, and it felt like a benediction, and a promise of good things to come. Quinn had felt a pang of guilt earlier at leaving the majority of family and friends out of their special day, but now that the moment was upon them, it felt just right. They didn’t need endless toasts, drunk groomsmen, or stressed parents. All they needed was each other, their nearest and dearest, and this place, shrouded in mystery and wrapped in layers of legend.
Gabe made his vows and then it was Quinn’s turn.
“Quinn Elizabeth Allenby, will you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love, honor, and cherish till the end of time?” Reverend Trent asked.
“I will,” Quinn said, smiling into Gabe’s eyes.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
Gabe leaned toward her, but Quinn held up her hand and smiled into his eyes. “Not yet. I have one more vow to make.”
The reverend looked surprised, but Gabe stood back, relaxed and eager to hear what Quinn had to say.
She turned Emma toward her and put both hands on her small shoulders. “Emma Jane McAllister Russell, I vow to love, honor, and cherish you as my daughter till the end of time. I will never replace the mother you lost, but hopefully, I can be the mother you gain, if that’s all right with you.”
“It’s okay with me.” Emma wrapped her arms around Quinn’s legs, resting her cheek on Quinn’s belly. “You can be my mum.”
“Now, may I kiss the bride?” Gabe asked. He leaned toward Quinn again, but his left hand rested on Emma’s shoulder, including her in the embrace. She lifted her face and watched from beneath as they kissed.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the reverend said, closing the prayer book and smiling happily at the bridal couple, his job done.
Quinn and Gabe exited the tower and stood still, watching the last rays of the sun as it dipped below a mist-covered hill. Somewhere a bird sang, but it did nothing to disturb the church-like quiet of the moment.
“How do you feel?” Gabe asked, his arm draped around her, solid and protective.
“Happy. Peaceful. Blessed,” Quinn replied. “You?”
“Hungry.”
Quinn elbowed Gabe in the ribs, and he drew her near and held her close. “I have dreamed of this moment since the day you fell into my arms at that dig and nearly knocked me off my feet. I never imagined it would be on Glastonbury Tor with my daughter serving as a bridesmaid and our baby kicking between us as we shared our first kiss as husband and wife, but this is even more perfect than I could have wished.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Quinn replied.
“Daddy, let’s go,” Emma whined.
“Yes, let’s go,” Quinn replied. “We have a wonderful dinner waiting for us at the Pilgrim’s Inn.”
“Can I stay in your room tonight?” Emma asked, her expression sheepish.
“No, darling. Tonight, you will stay with Grandma Phoebe,” Gabe replied softly. “Quinn and I need to sleep alone tonight, but tomorrow, we’ll go home and you can sleep in our bed if you like.”
“All right,” Emma conceded. “But Grandma Phoebe snores,” she added plaintively.
Quinn snuggled closer to Gabe, a sated smile on her face. This was the first time since their return from New Orleans that they’d had absolute privacy, and they had taken full advantage of it, making their wedding night one to remember. After weeks apart, their lovemaking had been urgent and passionate, and very thorough. Quinn’s hand slid down beneath the covers.
“Woman, I’m exhausted,” Gabe complained. “Is that the way it’s going to be from now on?”
“It’s your husbandly duty to satisfy me.”
“I thought you were satisfied already.”
“I think I’d like to be satisfied one more time.”
“Well, you asked for it,” Gabe growled and rolled on top of her, pushing her legs apart with his knee and sliding into her as she gasped with delight and wrapped her legs around his waist.
Growing up, she’d often felt lonely and unsure of her place in the world, but at that moment, she was exactly where she wanted to be with the one person she wanted to be there with. Tomorrow, they would return to reality, and deal with the prospect of selling their homes and moving to Berwick, Quinn’s high-riskpregnancy, and Emma’s displeasure at having to be uprooted once again. But tonight was just for them.
