CHAPTER 21

 

A week later Cord and Stacey flew to Idaho with a very thrilled Stanley in tow.

Her mom and dad greeted Cord as if he were already their son when they arrived.

Stacey had asked Lucy for help and they flew into a flurry of activity to get everything ready. Stacey was trying to decide what to do about a dress when Lucy dragged her up to the attic. Opening an old wardrobe in the corner, her mom pulled out an ivory wedding gown. Stacey remembered finding the gown as a child and knew it was her grandmother’s.

Lucy didn’t get to wear it because she and Sam eloped. “Try it on, honey,” Lucy insisted with a gentle smile.

It fit like it was made for her. “Oh, mom, are you sure you want me to wear it? It’s so beautiful.” Stacey wiped away tears as her mother did up the buttons in the back for her.

“I’m sure, honey, but only if you want to.” They hugged and cried a little more then got back to the wedding arrangements.

Stacey chose the lobby in front of the fountain as the location for the wedding ceremony. She arranged for several baskets of white roses to be delivered and ordered tiny white rosebuds and baby’s breath for her bouquet. The dining room with the French doors opening onto the back deck would be used for the reception. Wanting to keep things simple, Stacey decided on luncheon finger foods and desserts instead of a formal dinner.

At Stacey’s request Stanley immediately began helping the chef at the lodge prepare the food for the reception. They got along like long-lost friends as they compared recipes and, to Stacey’s delight, quickly provided enough food to feed an army.

Cord put in a special call to Senator Whitmire, when Stacey handed over the responsibility of finding someone to perform the ceremony to him. The senator gladly agreed to officiate over the ceremony and to bring Ricky and Don with him to the festivities.

Stacey finally tracked down the Haley’s at Morris’ brother’s ranch in Texas. As soon as Cathy came to the phone she said, “Cathy, I’m getting married.”

There was total silence for a minute, then an ear-splitting screech. “You’re what?”

“I’m marrying Cord on Sunday afternoon and if you want to be my attendant, you’d better get back here,” Stacey told her best friend. Stacey held the phone away from her ear as Cathy shouted the news to Morris and everyone within a ten mile radius. “You’re sure? I mean you haven’t bumped your head or anything? This Sunday, really?” Cathy’s questions almost tumbled over each other.

“I’m sure. I’m even wearing an engagement ring. No, I haven’t bumped my head, but I am deeply, blissfully in love if that counts as the anything. And yes this Sunday. Can you be here? And wear the turquoise dress you wore to the charity thing last summer?”

“Hold on, I have to tell Morris again. I think he fainted.” Stacey laughed and heard Cathy and Morris discussing her news at the other end of the line.

“Stacey, Morris says he has to see this. We’ll be there by Saturday at the latest,” Cathy promised.

* * * * *

Stacey was happy the sun was shining Sunday afternoon. Her mom helped her into the antique ivory satin wedding gown and did up the long row of fabric covered buttons in the back. Cathy brushed her hair and helped adjust the beautiful lace veil over the strawberry curls she left loose at Cord’s request. With a quick hug, Stacey shooed them out to take their places. She was ready to marry her black knight.

Her father offered his arm and they walked down the stairs to the landing. “You’re sure about this, honey?”

“Yes, daddy. I love him,” Stacey said simply.

“Okay, let’s get you married off, then.” Sam escorted her down the remaining steps.

Cathy waited at the foot of the stairs and preceded her slowly through the lobby to the sounds of the traditional Wedding March playing softly in the background.

When Stacey’s eyes met Cord’s as he waited for her near the fountain, she forgot to be nervous. Those chocolate brown eyes spoke of his love for her and almost burned her with passion everywhere they lingered. She couldn’t wait to get to him.

Cord obviously felt the same way as he took several steps toward her. Her father took her hand from his arm and placed it in Cord’s outstretched hand. Cord and Stacey took the last steps to stand before Senator Whitmire together, hands clasped tightly.

As the senator performed the traditional ceremony, Cord and Stacey gave their responses and repeated their vows clearly and solemnly. When it was time for the ring, Cord turned to Stanley who was honored to serve as best man.

Stanley very carefully placed the ring in Cord’s hand then stepped back.

Cord added the gold wedding band set with small sapphires to the ring already on Stacey’s finger and said, “With this ring, I thee wed. Be it a symbol of my pledge to you this day.” Then he placed a kiss on her ring finger.

Stacey surprised Cord by turning to Cathy and accepting a ring. She reached for his left hand and placed a wide silver band on his finger. “With this ring, I thee wed. Be it a symbol of my eternal love and my pledge never-ending.” Stacey leaned toward him and whispered so only he could hear, “and to keep the she-wolves away.”

Cord fought back a laugh as they turned to face the Senator once again. “By the powers vested in me and under the laws of God and man, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

As they kissed, Cord whispered, “You still never fail to surprise me, Parker.”

“If you would face your family and guests, please,” the Senator instructed. When they did as he requested, he announced, “I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Cord McConnell.”

Sam and Lucy were the first ones to reach them for hugs and kisses then they were overwhelmed with congratulations and hugs and kisses. Stacey couldn’t remember all the names or even the faces after the first few minutes. Several people she didn’t know were Cord’s guests and every guest and employee of the lodge attended. She did get to hug Don and Ricky and speak to them a few minutes as they all went into the reception. Marcus and Marie were already at the dessert table, she saw, stuffing down cookies.

Halfway through the reception, Cord could stand it no longer and whisked her away to the honeymoon suite upstairs. He hung out the Do Not Disturb sign. With the excuse that she looked tired and should go to bed, he carefully removed her ivory satin wedding gown with the lace trim and seed pearls. He slid off her one-piece teddy and her hose. Slowly and methodically, he kissed every inch of her exposed skin until she was wild for him. Their first time together as man and wife was exhaustingly, explosively perfect.

Cord snuggled with her afterward and decided it was time to bring up his surprise. “Are you ready for your wedding present?”

“Wasn’t that it?” Stacey murmured into his shoulder.

“No, that was my wedding present,” he chuckled.

“Okay, McConnell. Where’s my present?” She lifted her head and looked at him. He had a happy smile on his face. He looked years younger.

“Well, Mrs. McConnell—I like that. Mrs. McConnell. Yes, I really like that. It has a nice sound to it, don’t you think?” he teased.

“Cord, tell me. What’s my wedding present?” She reached out and gently pulled the hair on his chest. “What did you get me?” When he didn’t answer she tugged harder.

“Ouch. Okay, okay,” he laughed and caught her hand so she couldn’t do any more damage. “I’m changing jobs. I don’t want to be away from you and the baby. I’m getting too old for fieldwork. An old friend needed a partner for a new international security firm he wants to start. You met him downstairs.”

“That tall man with the blond crew-cut? The very polite one with the funny name?” At Cord’s nod, she went on, “But you don’t have to stop doing what you love. You’re giving up so much for us already,” Stacey protested as she rose up to look into his eyes.

“Yeah, like being alone, living in stark, cold rooms, being called away at all hours to who knows where, dirt, sand, sweat, getting shot, and wondering if I’ll make it home to you again. I think I can give up those things without too much trouble,” he grinned. “Sweetheart, I’ve put in my time and I’m ready for a home. That meeting last week was about drawing up the partnership agreement. I agreed to sign before I ever found out about the baby. The final hold-up was the two of us agreeing to train a team to take my place going after kids, but we worked it out. You sealed the deal for me. When you let me slide my ring on your finger without any hesitation, I knew I would never be the same again. I can’t take the chance of getting killed now. I have too much to live for. Will you still want me—and love me when I work in an office all day?”

“Just try to make me stop loving you. I love you, not your job, McConnell. And I love the idea of you being close instead of off in some foreign country risking your life. Where will this company be located?”

“New York, at first anyway. If it’s successful, we’ll open an office in Dallas later. Do you think you can live in New York City for a while?”

“Hey, I’m trained in survival. As long as you love me, I can survive anywhere,” she assured the love of her life.

Cord put his forehead to hers, took a deep breath, gazed into her deep blue eyes and whispered, “I love you, Stacey Parker McConnell.”

 

Not the end, but a new beginning...

 

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