Deeper than the Night - By Amanda Ashley Page 0,109

hand a squeeze, as she said, "I will."

"And you, Alexander, will you have this woman as your lawfully wedded wife? Will you love her and honor her, sustain her in sickness and in health, and keep yourself only unto her so long as you both shall live?"

Alex took a deep, calming breath, wondering if he would be able to speak. Two hundred years he had waited for this moment. "I will."

"Have you a ring?"

"Yes." Reaching into his pocket, Alex withdrew a plain gold band.

"You may place the ring on her finger."

And now it was Alex who trembled as he slid the ring onto Kara's finger.

"Repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed."

"With this ring, I thee wed."

"And with all my worldly goods, I thee endow."

"And with all my worldly goods, I thee endow."

Anderson glanced at Kara, and she shook her head. She'd had no chance to buy Alex a ring and couldn't help wondering when he'd found the opportunity to buy one for her.

"Then, by the power vested in me, I pronounce that you are now man and wife." The minister smiled at Alex. "You may kiss the bride."

Heart pounding with happiness, Alex drew Kara into his arms. "I love you," he murmured. "I shall love you as long as I live." And then, with all the tenderness at his command, he kissed her. And kissed her. And kissed her again.

"I wish you both all the happiness in the world," the minister said. He shook Alex's hand, then gave Kara a kiss on the cheek. "I hope whatever trouble you two are in will be swiftly settled."

"Thank you," Kara said, blinking back her tears.

Alex nodded as he shook the minister's hand. "Thank you." Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew a hundred dollar bill and pressed it into the minister's hand.

"I can't take this," Anderson said. "It's too much."

"It isn't enough," Alex said as he wrapped his arm around Kara's shoulders. "Believe me, it isn't nearly enough."

"I shall accept it on behalf of the church," Anderson said. "And I shall remember you daily in my prayers."

After another farewell, Kara and Alex left the church. Kara couldn't stop smiling. She was Alexander's wife. Mrs. Claybourne. Happiness bubbled upinside her like champagne bubbles. Married to Alex.

He helped her into the car, then drew her into his arms and kissed her again. "I can't believe it," he whispered. "You're mine now. Truly mine."

"I've always been yours," she replied solemnly. "Even when I didn't know you, I think I was waiting for you to find me."

He kissed her again, a deep kiss filled with promise, and then he switched on the engine and drove toward the bank. It was time to meet Hamblin.

Mitch paced back and forth in front of the bank, his gaze constantly shifting up and down the street. He'd been a fool to agree to this, a fool to believe Claybourne would keep his word. The man hell, he wasn't a man at all had probably lit out for parts unknown.

He glanced at his watch. Five to ten. How many more nights was he going to waste his time by coming here?

A flash of headlights drew his attention. Squinting, one hand fisted around the gun inside his coat, he stepped intothe shadows as the car drew up to the curb. If he ever got his hands on the money Claybourne promised him, he was going to get out of this business. It was too hard on the nerves.

He blew out a sigh of relief as Claybourne stepped out of the car." 'Bout time you showed up."

"I said I would." Alex reached into his shirt pocket and withdrew an envelope. "I hope a check is satisfactory."

"I'd prefer cash."

"I'm sure you would, but it's difficult for me to get to the bank during working hours. Don't worry," Alex said, offering him the envelope, "this check's as good as the last one."

"It better be." Mitch took the envelope, opened it, and glanced at the check. One hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Just thinking about that much money, combined with the other hundred thousand in his savings account, made his heart race with excitement.

"You'd better get out of town," Alex suggested.

"I'm on my way," Mitch said with a grin. "Thanks for everything."

"Yes," Alex said wryly. "I hope you enjoy the Porsche."

"Been a pleasure knowing you, man."

"Profitable, anyway."

Mitch laughed. "You got that right. So long."

Alex grunted softly as he watched the kid slide into the Porsche and drive away. He'd miss the car, he mused, but