Chapter Twelve

“D o you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?” the pastor asked, looking to Kase.

“Forever,” he said, gazing into Dori’s glorious amber eyes that reflected the morning sunlight as they stood in the middle of a wildflower meadow near Hudson House. Kase’s cousins, aunts, and uncles had turned the idea he and Dori had to get married in the midst of the wildflower blooms into a wedding fit for a fairy princess.

He stood with Dori and the pastor beneath a semicircle arch that nearly groaned from the weight of the trailing greens and wildflowers attached to it. Sarah stood up with Dori, and Kase’s father stood with him. Uncle Dean looked as proud as any papa could have after walking Dori down the aisle.

Kase hoped in the days ahead Dori would feel embraced by—as well as part of—his large extended family. She had no one left in the world except for her embittered aging grandparents, who had refused to attend the wedding even though Kase had offered to pay their travel expenses.

It was probably for the best anyway. He wanted this day to be one of joy for Dori from beginning to end, just as he wanted their marriage to be long and blessed.

The sea of purple and yellow flowers that rolled down to the river below them provided an astounding setting for their wedding. Thankfully, the weather had cooperated, the day dawning clear and giving way to a glorious April sky.

There had been times in the past few months when Dori thought this day would never arrive. However, between wedding plans, Kase training with Mayes, and finishing her last semester at college, the days had flown by.

Now that their wedding day was here, Dori wanted to linger in each moment, cherishing each precious word, tender smile, and loving glance to store in her heart forever.

She smiled at Kase as she repeated her vows and ended them as he had by promising to give him her heart forever.

When the pastor announced it was time for Kase to kiss the bride, Dori felt her cheeks heat from the way Kase looked at her with hunger, elation, and admiration.

Kase lifted her veil and settled it behind her head, then cupped her cheek. He gazed at her, sharing his love through the light glowing in his eyes before he lowered his head to hers and gave her a sweet, gentle kiss. It was even more perfect than she’d hoped it would be.

They enjoyed a wedding luncheon served in the river garden, and the afternoon passed in a blur.

“It’s time,” Sarah whispered in Dori’s ear just when she’d finally had a chance to sit down and enjoy a slice of their layered wedding cake filled with berries grown in the conservatory. Dori managed to shovel in two bites before she followed Sarah into the house and up to the bedroom that would become hers and Kase’s at the opposite end of the hall from Brant and Holland’s room. It was spacious, with a marble bathroom and a small balcony that looked out onto the orchards. Dori opened the balcony door and sniffed the air, perfumed with wildflowers and the blossoms from the fruit trees.

“You are an absolutely beautiful bride,” Sarah said as she helped Dori change out of her silk wedding gown with an overlay of lace embroidered with wildflowers.

“Thank you, Sarah. I saw you and Theo looking rather chummy during the dancing.”

Sarah blushed as she fussed with the new amethyst-hued suit Dori had donned with matching T-strap shoes. Even her hat was the same color. She felt elegant and all grown up in the outfit Aunt Eloise had helped her choose.

Dori had been so pleased Aunt Eloise, Uncle Dean, Mayes and Clara, and their families had been able to come to Silver Bluff for the wedding. She would miss seeing them often, but Hudson House was where she felt the most at home, even though she knew from now on her home would always be in Kase’s strong arms.

“Is my beautiful bride ready?” Kase asked as he stepped into the room without bothering to knock.

Sarah glowered at him, but nodded. “You can’t just barge in to a lady’s room, Kase.”

He smirked and walked over to take Dori’s hand in his, then kissed her cheek. “I can when the glorious lady in question happens to be my wife. Unless you want to stand there while I give her a smooch, you better skedaddle downstairs with the others.”

“You are insufferable, Kase,” Sarah huffed, but winked at Dori before she flounced out of the room.

“In the event I didn’t mention it in my bedazzled state, dear wife, you are a woman of rare beauty both inside and out, and I’m a most fortunate man to have earned your love.”

“I’m the fortunate one,” Dori said, slipping her hands around the back of his neck, studying every detail of his handsome, beloved face. “I love you so much, Kase.”

“And I love you my darling, dearest Dorthea. Thank you for marrying me.” He kissed her with such gentleness, it brought tears to her eyes. She hugged him close, breathing in the clean, masculine scent of him, knowing she would never, ever grow tired of being in Kase’s arms.

He was such a different person from the wounded spirit who’d met the train back in December. It was as though a light had flicked on in his soul and illuminated his whole life.

She thought the same was true for her. From that day in December, she’d felt changed by his love. “I hope you know how much joy you bring to my life, Kase. How much you brighten and lighten each day.”

He pulled back with a shocked expression on his face. “Oh, Dori, you are the one who has given me bliss beyond anything I could have imagined. Your love brought me back from the darkness that was about to consume me. I know there will be dark days and hard days, but I’m confident together, and with the Good Lord’s help, we’ll make it through each one and have a beautiful life full of love.”

“Are you coming or not?” Sarah yelled from the hallway, making Dori giggle and Kase roll his eyes.

“Let’s go before she tries bodily dragging us downstairs.”

“I’d like to see her try to move you anywhere,” Dori said as she tugged on a pair of gloves, picked up her handbag, and took Kase’s hand in hers. “Here we go.”

He squeezed her fingers as they moved into the hallway, then stepped onto the elevator. Kase kissed her all the way downstairs. When they walked into the foyer, family waited to toss rose petals at them along with parting words of encouragement and cheer.

“May you two always be as happy as you are today,” his father said as he held open the door to Kase’s Doble. “Let us know you arrive.”

“We will, Dad.” Kase hugged his father, then his mother. “Love you both.”

“We love you, honey, and we adore our new daughter.” Holland kissed Dori’s cheek. “Be happy, always.”

“Always,” Dori repeated, climbing into the car. Kase walked around to slide behind the wheel. They planned to take a two-week honeymoon to the beach, staying in a house owned by one of Brant’s friends. Dori wondered if they’d encounter any sea otters holding paws. If they did, she intended to take a photograph for Brant and Holland.

More cheers and rose petals fell around them as Kase put the car in gear and they drove away, ready to embrace their tomorrows.

Together.

Keep reading for a preview of

A Christmas Love ,

the next Hudson House Holiday romance.