“TO THE BRIDE AND GROOM!” The hearty toast reverberated through the outdoor tents dotting a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Crystal chandeliers lit every tent as evening fell, and an abundance of bright poppies and dahlias spilled from cast-iron urns and centerpieces. The whole lawn glowed with color and happiness as the guests raised their glasses to Jack and his new wife, Alicia. The reception was in full swing on the Murphy family front lawn in Chatham, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod. But when Stephanie heard the toast to the bride and groom, she couldn’t help a sly look over at Danny.
He must have felt her eyes on him, because he turned to her then and whispered in her ear.
“Cheers to both brides and grooms.” The words were a soft caress on her ear and it was all she could do not to pull out the diamond ring she wore on a chain beneath her wedding-guest finery.
She loved savoring their secret even as they celebrated Jack and Alicia’s big day. Like Danny, she hadn’t wanted to wait another moment to start sharing their future together. They’d lost five years after they first met and neither of them wanted to miss out on one more day.
“Cheers.” She lifted her champagne glass to Danny’s, toasting two marriages—the one in progress and the one just the two of them had celebrated privately in Vegas three days ago.
She’d decided she wanted to elope with Danny in secret, just the way his parents had done thirty-five years earlier. Danny had agreed wholeheartedly, liking the idea of firming up their vows before he went back to sea. His practical side had also pointed out that if she chose to take his name, the switch would help her remain safely anonymous at the Chesapeake Bay house for a bit longer. Little did he know how much she looked forward to being a Murphy. His family had won her over in a hurry for the way they’d tried to help steer them back together after their falling-out.
The Vegas drive-in chapel marriage had been their way of honoring the fun, spontaneous time in their lives when they’d fallen in love. Their Filipino Elvis-impersonator chaplain had launched into a gorgeous rendition of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” after he’d declared them husband and wife, and it had been so perfect Stephanie had cried more happy tears all over the white lace tank and poodle skirt she’d bought in a vintage clothing store for the occasion.
But they were going to get married in front of the family next summer—right back in Cape Cod—as a nod to the more grounded people they’d become. Stephanie figured they’d waited long enough to live out their happily-ever-after, so they might as well enjoy every second of it. What could be better than marrying this fantastic man twice?
The band struck up a romantic tune and Jack led Alicia to the dance floor. The official bride and groom of the day had already taken their formal first turn as husband and wife. Now, the party really came to life as more couples joined them and the candelabra lights flickered in the night, the glow reflected on the waves so that it seemed as if the celebration stretched out into the Atlantic.
“Should we go check on Cody?” Danny asked, backing away from their table.
They’d adopted the Aussie shepherd she’d once photographed. The dog had been at the shelter she’d worked with in D.C. after his former owner had died suddenly. Only two years old, Cody was full of energy but smart and well trained, a perfect fit for them.
“Are you kidding?” Stephanie followed him and looked toward the temporary playground set up for the younger guests of the wedding, complete with a bounce house and three caregivers. “He’s having the time of his life herding the kids.”
The play area was the only spot on the lawn lit with bright spotlights so parents could keep an eye on the activity. Cody was easily visible working the fringes of the playground, keeping all the little ones corralled with the skill that came naturally to his breed.
“Looks like we’re going to need a boatload of offspring to keep the dog happy.” He kissed her bare shoulder as they walked the perimeter of the reception hand in hand.
She laughed, happier than she’d ever been. Not just because she felt so fulfilled, but also because she could see a renewed joy in Danny. It had been obvious the day that he oversaw the arrival of her possessions from D.C. to his home on Chesapeake Bay. He’d hired a moving company, but she didn’t own much so it hadn’t taken the movers long to insert her things among his, blending their worlds. Her photography equipment had gone into the den that she would remake into a dedicated studio. Cody had a kennel in the garage and beds in the living room and bedroom. He’d been really good with other animals, so she didn’t anticipate any problems when clients came to the house to have their pets photographed. Her cats had seemed to like the new digs, but they’d made the trip to Cape Cod with Cody.
Truly, combining their lives had been the work of mere days, leaving plenty of time for the Nevada trip and shopping for a dress for Jack and Alicia’s wedding.
“We still have plenty of time to plan for kids.” She squeezed Danny’s hand as they watched a couple of flower girls tumble over one another in the bounce house, their floral crowns askew and their white tights sagging at the knees. “We have over a week left together to figure out our future.”
“Or we could just revel in the secret of our marriage. Spend all day in bed.”
“How decadent of you.” She turned toward him and wound up in his arms just as Danny’s mother approached.
Colleen Murphy was a tall, elegant woman to whom Stephanie felt an immediate kinship since she’d facilitated Stephanie’s chance to see Danny again at the Norfolk naval station. Mrs. Murphy wore a floor-length champagne-colored gown as the mother of the groom, her blond bob tucked behind her ears in a way that showed off simple diamond earrings.
“The reception is beautiful,” Stephanie gushed, eager to make a good impression after the way she and Danny had taken off alone at the end of his homecoming party the week before. “Jack and Alicia couldn’t have asked for a better place to have the party.”
Colleen held her arms out to both of them in an unexpected hug. Only when she was tucked between them did she speak.
“I hear more congratulations are in order,” she said softly before straightening.
“You told?” Stephanie turned to Danny, surprised.
“Admit nothing,” Danny advised, never taking his eyes off his mom. “She’s bluffing.”
Colleen’s mouth twitched, clearly amused.
“Daniel Murphy, I know you too well. I had lunch with the company pilot’s wife yesterday and she mentioned the jet went to Nevada a few days ago. I didn’t say a word to anyone else either way, but I know my sons aren’t much for gambling.”
Stephanie smiled at the standoff between them, waiting to see if Danny would cave.
“Maybe Stephanie loves roulette,” Danny offered.
Colleen simply enveloped her in a hug. “Welcome to the family, sweetheart. I hope to hear official news soon and please know that if you need anything at all while Danny’s gone, we will do whatever we can to be there for you.”
“Thank you.” She nodded, a lump in her throat. “I love your son so much.”
With another squeeze of her hand, Colleen stepped away, joining Danny’s father by the dance floor.
“Nothing gets past my mom,” Danny muttered, although he watched his mom and dad with just a hint of mist in his eyes.
“You’re lucky to have such an amazing family.”
“I’m even luckier to have an amazing wife.” He bent to give her a lingering kiss that left them both breathless. “We’d better go cut a rug on the dance floor and show them all how it’s done before I have to haul you back to the gatehouse and make you my own.”
Her heart sped up as she took the arm of her sexy navy lieutenant in his tuxedo.
“I already am yours,” she reminded herself as much as him, the knowledge of their love still so special.
Under the glow of white lights, Danny guided her across the floor and spun her into his arms.
“This has been the best homecoming ever,” he whispered in her ear, sending a pleasant shiver down her spine.
“They’ll only get better with time,” she promised, thinking how much she could improve on the reception she’d given him back at the pier.
“Do you think so?” His gaze heated as he looked into her eyes. “Then I’d better debunk the myth that the first thing guys want to do when they step off the ship is eat.”
“Did I say that?” She warmed all over at the feel of his hands on the small of her back.
“Yes.” His steps slowed as one hand cupped her cheek. “But when I come home next time, my priority will be getting you alone as fast as possible.”
“I’ll make sure I keep that in mind.” Stephanie twined her arms around his neck, unable to keep track of the steps when all she wanted to do was take him home.
Thankfully, as the slow song ended the wedding guests began to clink their silverware against the cut-crystal champagne glasses in a time-honored tradition.
“Sounds like they want the bride and groom to kiss,” she observed.
Danny never took his eyes off her.
“Then I wouldn’t dream of disappointing them.” He lowered his mouth to hers, igniting a flame inside her as they celebrated their own promise of forever.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt of Blazing Midsummer Nights by Leslie Kelly!