TRACE AND DELAINEY were married at the courthouse with Miranda, her guy, Jeremiah, and Talen as witnesses, both eager to start making up for what they believed as lost time. But even as they shared a wondrous bond and their future together seemed rosy, Trace worried about the future. For one, the situation with his parents was likely to get worse before it got better, and he didn’t want to scare away his new bride.
“You’re not allowed to fall into a funk a day after our wedding,” Delainey teased, tapping at the frown gathering on his forehead. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m worried about the situation with my parents and how it might affect us. And I’m worried about your new job with the Discovery Channel,” he admitted, not willing to start their new life together with a veneer of half-truths. “We’re taking on a lot, and right now I’m thinking selfishly. I don’t want anything to come between our happiness.”
She smiled and wrapped her arms around his torso. “I love how protective you are. That’s a wonderful quality in a husband, in my opinion. But you need to stop worrying. I’m not going anywhere. Not this time. I’m not that same naive girl who expects wine and roses every day. I know times might get tough, but I’m not scared because I know whatever comes our way, we’ll handle it.”
Her quiet trust floored and humbled him. “I love you,” he said. “Not in the easy way most people say the words. I mean, I love you more than I love anything else in this world. I love you more than a cold beer on a hot summer day. Or the thrill of tracking a lost hiker and finding them alive and well. I love you so much, Delainey Sinclair. Would it be completely corny if I said, you complete me?”
“Yes,” she answered, but followed with a grin. “And I love it.” They shared a kiss, and when they pulled away, she sobered and said, “I know things are going to get hard with your parents. But I love your parents, too. They were there for me when I had no one. I want to be there for you and them. Plus, I don’t know why, but I’m not worried about my career anymore. I know I’ll always be okay. Especially now that I’ve found my niche. Who knew that I’d have to leave and come back to realize that what I’d needed all along was right here to begin with? It’s going to be okay.”
Her confident assurance filled him with such intense emotion, he started to tear up. “Gahh,” he said, wiping at his eyes with embarrassment. “You’ve turned me into a blubbering baby.”
“Not hardly,” she retorted, laughing. “You’re the most manly man I’ve ever known. And you’re going to make an amazing father someday.”
“Someday?” he repeated, his heart leaping with the possibility. “Someday...”
She smiled coyly. “Someday soon, I wager. I figure...we’ve waited long enough.”
He cradled her to his chest, unable to believe what an incredible gift he had in his wife.
No matter the pain he suffered all those years without her, she’d been worth the wait.
And since she’d pretty much given him the green light...he grasped her hand and pulled her to the bedroom.
“What are you doing?” she asked, laughing.
“Like you said, we’ve waited long enough...and practice makes perfect, right? Time to get naked, Mrs. Sinclair...and make some babies!”
Her delighted laughter turned to gasping moans, and Trace realized he’d never tire of either sound.
Life wasn’t perfect—but it was damn near close.
* * * * *
Be sure to look for the last book in THE SINCLAIRS OF ALASKA trilogy by Kimberly Van Meter—available from Harlequin Superromance in July 2014!
Keep reading for an excerpt from WHAT BELONGS TO HER by Rachel Brimble.