Deeper than the Night - By Amanda Ashley Page 0,108
life would be forever changed from this night on.
She turned to glance at him, only to find him watching her.
"Not getting cold feet, are you?" he asked.
"No. Are you?"
"Not a chance." Not a chance in a billion, he mused as he returned his attention to the road. He'd waited two centuries for this woman. "I just want you to be sure."
"I'm sure."
A single light glowed from within the church when they drove up. There were no other cars in the driveway.
"Wait here," Alex said.
Getting out of thecar, he walked around the building to the back door. He had calledthe minister and let him know they were coming. Opening the door, he stepped inside a small room located to the left of the pulpit.
Moving silently, he peered into the chapel. The minister, Keith Anderson, was sitting on the front pew, Bible in hand. There was no one else in the church.
Going out the way he came, Alex returned to the car.
Kara opened the door. "Is everything all right?"
"As far as I can tell, Keith's alone in there." He smiled at Kara and offered his hand. "Ready?"
"Ready." Picking up the package that held her dress, Kara took Alex's hand and slid out of the car.
Anderson stood up when they entered the church. He smiled at Kara. "You may change in there," he said, pointing to the room Alex had recently occupied.
"Thank you." She smiled at Alex. "I'll only be a minute."
Alex nodded, then glanced around the church again.
"We're quite alone," Anderson said. He sat down, gesturing for Alex to join him.
"I really appreciate this," Alex said, sitting down.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" the minister asked. "Anyone I can call?"
"No, thank you."
"Your fiancee looks familiar. She's not a movie star or anything, is she?"
"No."
"Her name seems familiar, too. Kara Crawford." Anderson frowned. "I know I've heard that name somewhere recently." He grinned. "She didn't win the lottery, did she?"
Alex laughed. "No, nothing like that. So, how did you like my last book?"
"Excellent, as always."
Alex shook his head.
"You always seem surprised that I enjoy your books."
"Well, it just seems odd somehow, a man of the cloth reading about vampires and werewolves."
"There are more things on heaven and earth'," Anderson quoted.
Alex nodded. "Indeed, there are," he mused wryly.
"It would be arrogant indeed for us to believe that we're the only beings in the entire galaxy. For all I know, there might be vampires on other planets. Who knows?"
"Who, indeed," Alex agreed, and then stood, his breath catching in his throat, as Kara stepped into the chapel.
She was beautiful, he thought, more beautiful than anything he had ever seen. She wore a simple dress made of white silk, and white heels. Her hair fell loose around her shoulders, adorned with a single white rose.
"Kara, you're lovely," he murmured as he went to stand beside her. "So lovely."
"Thank you. So are you."
Indeed, he had never looked more handsome than he did now. The black suit fit as though it had been custom-made. The color complemented his dark hair and eyes.
"Are you ready?" Anderson asked. "Since this is to be a rather unorthodox ceremony, I've dispensed with the need for witnesses, if that's all right with you?"
Alex nodded.
"Very well." He looked at Kara. "You understand that without a license, this is simply a religious ceremony?"
Kara nodded.
"Alex, if you'll take Kara's right hand in yours, we'll begin."
Turning to face Kara, Alex took her hand in his. He could feel her trembling. He gazed into her eyes and knew, without searching her mind, what she was thinking. He could feel the love radiating from her, the trust. Joy mingled with excitement. He knew what she was feeling because he was feeling the same.
"Marriage is a holy ordinance, instituted of God," the minister said. "It is not to be entered into lightly, or foolishly, or without sincere intent." He looked at Alex. "From this day forward, there is to be no other woman in your life, only Kara." His gaze shifted to Kara's face. "And for you, there is to be no other man, only Alex."
The minister paused, giving them time to ponder his words. And then he went on. "We are met here this day to join Kara Elizabeth Crawfordin marriage to Alexander J. Claybourne.
"Kara, will you have this man as your lawfully wedded husband? Will you love him and honor him, sustain him in sickness and in health, and keep yourself only unto him so long as you both shall live?"