Diane R. Jewkes (27 page)

• • •

The insistent growling of her stomach woke Kara.

Refreshed, she hopped out of bed, anxious to see Hawke. Sitting at her dressing table, she began brushing the knots out of her hair. After days of wearing nothing but pants and shirts, she decided to wear a dress. Going to her wardrobe, she chose a rose-colored gown she hadn’t worn since she left Virginia. Donning it, she twirled in front of her mirror, watching the swirl of the full skirt. Pulling her hair back with a matching bow, she slipped her feet into matching slippers and left the room, anticipation putting a rosy glow in her cheeks.

“Well, you look well rested.” Her father met her at the bottom of the stairs.

“Oh, Papa I’m so happy.” She threw her arms around her father’s neck for a hug. “I didn’t know I could be so happy. I love him so much.”

Withdrawing from her father’s embrace she looked at him anxiously. “I’m so sorry I’ve been so horrible since he got here. I didn’t want to admit my feelings. I was so afraid, and … .” She added, “I was just a little mad at you. Can you forgive me?”

“Oh, Little Bit, there is nothing to forgive. Sometimes admitting to ourselves we were wrong can be the hardest thing a person ever does. I’m glad you’ve found a good man who wants to take care of you and love you.” He kissed the top of her head then stepped back.

“I can’t believe he almost died because of my hard-headedness.”

“It wasn’t your hard-headedness, lass.”

She whirled around to see Hawke easing his way gingerly down the stairs with Alec helping him.

“It was my addlepated attempt to act the knight in shining armor. Only problem was.” He smiled self-deprecatingly. “I had no armor. In fact, I stand in awe.” He reached the lower step and took Kara’s hands in his. “Of your coolness under fire. The more I learn about you, the more I honor the independent, self-sufficient spirit you are.”

Admiring how beautiful she looked in her rose-colored gown, he added, “Your beauty and intelligence drew me to you from the first.” Seeing her blush at his compliments, he leaned closer and whispered in her ear.

“Sir,” Hawke tried to look serious, but Kara’s giggles made it impossible not to smile. “I once asked your permission to marry your daughter.” He saw Kara look back at him, surprised at that piece of news. Placing a finger on her lips to keep her from speaking, he continued. “You told me at the time it wasn’t your permission I needed … but hers.”

Case nodded.

“Well, I have asked her,” Hawke continued, “and she has consented to be my wife — with your blessing, of course.”

“Son, I thought I was going to have to lock the two of you in a room to get you to this point.” Case laughed. “It’s certainly taken the two of you long enough to realize what the rest of us saw from the beginning.”

“On that point, I would have to defer to the ‘hard-headedness’ of your daughter.”

Kara elbowed him in the ribs. Slipping an arm around her waist he pulled her against him. “Early on I was roped and ready to be tied, as you say. I just couldn’t convince her.”

Alec left to get wine and glasses for a toast. He retuned with Consuelo, Bob, Maria, and Joe to share in the moment.

Consuelo was wiping her eyes on her apron. She wrapped Kara in her arms and hugged her. After shaking Hawke’s hand and giving Kara a great bear hug, Bob led his happily sobbing wife away.

“Like Alicia told you,” Maria smiled as she gave Kara a hug, “‘caged cats’ ”

Laughing at Hawke’s questioning look, Kara whispered she would explain it to him later.

The wedding was perfect. Kara’s father met her at the bottom of the stairs to escort her to her groom. Facing her he opened his hand revealing the sapphire necklace he had given his wife on their wedding day. “Oh papa.” Kara fought the tears welling in her eyes. Her father placed the necklace around her throat, kissed her on the cheek.

Case placed Kara’s hands in Hawke’s and looked him in the eye.

“Take good care of her. She is as dear to me as my own life.”

“She is my life.” Hawke replied quietly.

• • •

She stood at the window looking at the full moon casting light and shadow across the valley. Arms slid around her waist as Hawke came to stand behind her and pull her against his warm naked body. A shiver of desire danced across her skin as he nuzzled her neck.

“Why aren’t you in bed, love?” Hawke whispered, placing small kisses along her shoulder.

“Just remembering when I learned you were coming.” Leaning back into the solid warmth of his body, she sighed with contentment. “I was worried for nothing. You have brought so much into my life.”

Turning her in his arms, he lifted her off the ground and kissed her soundly. “I love you lass. You have owned my heart since the first time I saw you.”

Carrying her to the bed, Hawke laid her down gently. “And you always will.”

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