The next evening, Liz fixed her blue beaded dress and then straightened Rafe's matching blue tie. As she did, Rafe stared at the yacht where Peter and Belle intended to renew their vows. They were a few feet away from the ramp as people dressed in the highest fashion strolled past them.
Rafe's lips tightened. "Liz, this still feels like a dream. No one gets papers that say you have a billion dollars on the same day he gets engaged."
Rafe hadn't believed his good fortune, but the more Liz thought about everything, the more she did. Her father had been horrible and she'd have done anything to protect Luke or Matthew if she had the option. Luke had always watched her back whenever they had met at school.
The yacht's horn blared. Liz stepped closer to the ramp. "We have to get on board. Peter and Belle are getting married, again."
Rafe hadn't moved. He did, however, wink at her. "I know, but I wanted to let you know again. I love you and I was willing to marry you before the money."
"Believe me, I remember." Her heart was lighter. Tonight they left Brandon at home with Elle, and in some ways the wedding was their first date.
Both of them stilled as Jennifer looked over the railing toward the evening sky. At least Rafe loved her and that cold knife that sliced at her heart named jealousy no longer cut into her. Liz curled her arm around Rafe. "Jennifer is here?"
Rafe pointed with his nose. "With Matthew. She’s angling for that movie role."
Through the window to the second floor, more figures were in view. While Jennifer was going to be around her life, right now, it was better not to discuss her. Liz tugged his sleeve. "And Caro and Luke are speaking to your mother. Let's go."
"I don't like the ocean. I never wanted to join the navy or the coast guard. I don't know why your brother chooses his ship all the time."
She smiled. His hesitation was adorable. "Now, my love, nothing will happen. It's a wedding."
His face paled. "It's a Morgan wedding. I swear you and I need to get married with a justice of the peace so no one comes back to life."
Absolutely not. She wanted a white dress and her family there. She led him closer to the ramp. "That only happens to Peter."
"And this is his wedding." Rafe's feet dragged. No one else but them waited. Again the horn that they were about to leave boomed.
"Stop. Let's get on the yacht." She turned and dragged him with her. He stomped but slowly followed. Once they were on board the staff lifted the ramp.
Liz led Rafe upstairs to get champagne. Rafe squeezed her hand on the top step. He then picked up the glasses and the color returned to his face. Across the room a brown-haired woman stood alone as she wrapped her shawl around her shoulders. "Peter invited Serenity Hansom."
"It seemed he did." Rafe handed her a glass.
She tapped his glass and then sipped. "I feel bad we accused her of kidnapping."
Rafe's eyebrows quirked as he directed Liz toward the bow. "My question is, who are those four men that all look like Peter? Look at that, same light hair, like you."
Her mother had assumed their father had an affair or two or three. Peter had said their father's will mentioned other heirs. Two of them were even taller than anyone else here, and Rafe was six foot three.
She sipped her champagne and then the band began a soft melody. She shimmied and angled closer to the dance floor. "I have no idea and I don't care, not tonight anyhow."
His gaze followed her. "Why?"
No, he didn't get to get out of this. She stood on her tip toes and hugged him. "Because once the wedding is over and the celebration begins, I get to dance with you."
"I’m not..."
Nope, she silenced his protest with a fast kiss. "I'm excited."
"Twirling you under the moonlight will be beautiful." He hugged her shoulders as they stared out into the evening sky. For once her life had everything. If this was happy-ever-after, she approved. Rafe was all the man she needed or could ever want. He was her everything.
<<<<>>>>