Читать книгу The Mistresses Collection - Оливия Гейтс - Страница 37

Nine months later

Surrounded by a sea of smiling faces, Trinity felt like a princess standing beside the man who had stolen and would always keep her heart. As they cut through the bottom tier of their soaring wedding cake and enthusiastic applause went up in the Denver Dirkins-Harrison Hotel ballroom, she let out a laugh of sheer joy and lifted her face to accept a kiss from the handsome groom. Although they’d planned this special day for months, brimming with emotion now, Trinity couldn’t quite believe this dream had come true.

When the applause and flashes finally died, looking dynamic in his tuxedo, his dark hair combed back and onyx eyes sparkling, Zack broke the kiss but stayed close to murmur against her cheek.

“Are you tired of smiling for the cameras yet?”

She snatched a kiss from his strong jaw, drank in his familiar masculine scent and confessed, “I don’t think I’ll ever stop smiling.”

Today she’d not only said “I do” to the most wonderful man on the planet, she’d also been formally welcomed into his family. She’d almost cried she’d been so moved by Dylan’s speech announcing how pleased all the Harrisons were to have her join their fold. Zack’s parents and siblings, in-laws and their children had also welcomed in another lucky person, a beautiful shining soul she and Zack fell more in love with each and every day.

Since their attorney had finalized the open adoption, Belinda—or Bonnie Bell as she’d become known—had stayed full-time with them in their Colorado cabin. But Maggie was welcome whenever and as often as she pleased. They never wanted their baby girl to forget her biological mother—a young woman who grew stronger every day and was doing so well, via Harrison sponsorship, at a nearby college studying law.

Maggie had been invited today, but casting a quick glance over their guests now, Trinity couldn’t spot either Maggie or Bel. Zack must have read her look.

“There’s Maggie.” Zack gestured to the wedding gift table where Maggie was speaking with Sienna, who had been thrilled to be a bridesmaid. “But I can’t see the baby.”

“You look down that way and I’ll take this end.”

Before she could shoot off, he cupped her bare shoulders and peered patiently into her eyes.

“Honey, we’re among friends and family. Not to mention security personnel manning the exits.” A gate-crasher measure more than anything. “I’m sure someone has Bonnie at their table, telling her how pretty she is as she totters around on those new little shoes she loves.”

Trinity nodded and found a smile. “Guess I’m feeling a little anxious—” guilty “—over leaving her for a whole week for our honeymoon in Italy.”

“She’ll be with Maggie and my mother, too.” He lifted her hand and dropped a tender kiss on the sensitive underside of her wrist. “She’ll be so spoiled we’ll have to put her in baby boot camp when we get back.”

Trinity laughed but couldn’t pretend she didn’t already feel that “something missing” sensation, the one she’d first experienced the second day they’d spent cut off from the rest of the world in his cabin. The unease must have shown on her face.

He brought her hands folded in his to his chest. “Trin, you haven’t got a neglectful bone in your body. You’re an amazing mom. That little girl’s face lights up whenever you’re around.”

Trinity melted. “She’s pretty fond of you, too.”

The music faded at the same time MC Dylan clicked on the mic to make an announcement. It was time for the bridal waltz.

The lights went down and a show of slow, spinning lights rotated around the floor as the twelve-piece band kicked off a moving song they’d both chosen. Their audience sighed as he took her in his arms and, with expert skill, moved her around beneath the “stars.”

With everyone watching, but for her ears only, Zack said, “I thank my lucky stars you jumped into my cab that day and found us.” Trinity’s breath caught high in her chest at the depth of feeling shining in those intelligent dark eyes. “I can’t bear to think of never having met you, of missing out on knowing and loving you both. I’ll miss Bel, too, when we’re on our honeymoon, but a week will fly by.”

“And next vacation, we’ll take her.”

“This time Italy. Next vacation, what about Disney World?”

Her heart leaped. “Oh, Bonnie will love it!” So would she.

He laughed. “Disney World it is.”

Without warning, he caught her waist and, next minute, her feet were off the ground and her voluminous fairy-tale skirt whooshed out as he spun her around. The crowd clapped and more flashes went off before he set her gently down and his focus shifted.

“There she is.”

Trinity looked over her shoulder. The baby was sitting on her grandfather’s hip, studying him solemnly as she pulled his moustache and he talked, probably passing on some Harrison family story. Zack’s mother joined the pair. She said something to them both, pointed to the dance floor, and all three laughed and group hugged. Trinity’s heart swelled to double its size. Bel couldn’t have wished for better grandparents.

“I’m glad your parents have worked out their differences,” she said as they continued to dance and other couples began to join in.

“Dad always said that for any venture to succeed you must be prepared to weather the storms. After all these years of hard slog, my mother wanted some time with him. It was hard to let go and give up what he’d worked his whole life to achieve.”

“But he hasn’t given it up. He’s passed it on.”

“An equal share to all his children with each sibling having an equal say in decisions.”

“Do you ever feel cheated? I mean you wanted to be the sole chairman of Harrison Hotels for so long.”

“I feel only blessed.” His palm ironed up the back of her gown as he urged her closer still. “The worst time of my life was when I thought I’d lost you. Anything to do with the company pales in comparison. I intend to spend the rest of my life making certain we stay as happy as we are tonight. I want to wake up to your beautiful, smiling face every morning for the next fifty or sixty years, until we’re confined to wheelchairs, content to watch our hoards of great-grandchildren grow up.”

She blinked back happy tears enough to ask, “Are you saying…?”

“We’ll discuss it later, when we’re alone and can invest some quality time in pursuing the matter of expanding our family.”

Trinity’s step faltered and she tramped on his foot. Had she understood right? They’d had hypothetical discussions but hadn’t made any firm decision, as far as she knew.

His gaze on her lips, he curved a fingertip around her cheek and chin. “You still want to try for a baby, don’t you, honey?”

Tears filled her eyes, clogged her throat. Her reply was husky, trembling. Overjoyed!

“Zack, I’ve never wanted anything more in my life. I want Bel to have brothers and sisters.” The wish was so strong, she felt weak with the hope.

“Then let’s get started.” He nudged his chin one brother’s way. “Mason’s got three and one on the way. Reckon we can top that?”

“I’d like to try.”

As they laughed and spun around on the floor, Trinity concentrated to remember every detail and then lock this instant of pure perfection away in her heart forever. Those moments were building up and she knew there’d be so many more.

“You’re the most beautiful bride that’s ever been,” he told her. “I can’t believe how lucky I am.”

“I wonder if you’ll think that when those 3:00 a.m. feedings come around.”

“I’m looking forward to it, the same way I’m looking forward to every minute of our lives together.”

Never more content, she drank in the handsome, strong lines of his face. “How is it that every single day there’s something more to love about you?”

Zack looked at her with only devotion and delight in his eyes and then his head lowered and his wonderful smile covered hers.

As Trinity gave herself over to the sparks flying through her blood and dreams of tomorrow forming in her head, for a heartbeat she remembered how dark her existence had once been a long time ago. But she’d weathered each day and each fateful step had led her to this phenomenal present…to a wonderful husband, beautiful child and fabulous future she couldn’t wait to meet.