All Consuming (Brotherhood by Fire #3) -Jaci Burton Page 0,35

to be.

The church sat on a corner, a small brick building that looked as if it had been around for quite a while. It was quaint and beautiful. Kal told her that Carmen’s grandmother had belonged to this church, and it held sentimental memories for her.

Inside was lovely, with wooden pews and beautiful windows that let in tons of light. There were flowers decorating the end of each row of seats, and the altar was decked out with roses and lilies.

“I have to go do best man duties,” Kal said. “Can I walk you to your seat?”

She slipped her hand in his arm. “I’d like that.”

The first few rows had been reserved for family members. Kal sat her in the third row on the groom’s side. Then he bent and kissed her hand.

“I’ll see you soon.”

Her stomach fluttered as she smiled up at him, then fluttered again as she watched him walk down the aisle.

There was a harpist playing lilting music as guests filed in. She recognized a few people from high school, since all three brothers were so close in age. She also enjoyed watching everyone else come in, because she loved clothes, and seeing how everyone was dressed was fun. The weather today was beautiful—bright and sunny and warm, and women dressed accordingly in colorful dresses. Hannah enjoyed perusing the short dresses, the longer ones and everything in between. She particularly liked when Jackson walked Mrs. Donovan down the aisle and saw the amazing dark copper dress she wore. She looked beautiful in it.

All the groomsmen took their place in the front of the church, and Kal had been right about Rafe. He looked like he was about to pass out. But then everyone stood, and the harpist started playing Canon in D as Carmen and her grandfather appeared at the back of the church.

Carmen looked stunning in a silk cream-colored princess dress that swayed back and forth like a softly ringing bell as she walked down the aisle. She had the biggest smile on her face, her gaze riveted to Rafe’s as they made their way to the altar. And Rafe had tears in his eyes, which made Hannah tear up as well.

Now that was love, when you could see it on their faces, could feel it as Rafe and Carmen looked at each other. And when they said their vows, Hannah’s heart swelled with emotion as they spoke their words of love to each other. She sent up a fervent wish of forever happiness for these two.

When the priest pronounced them husband and wife, they kissed, and everyone applauded. The whole ceremony had been lovely. Everyone walked down the aisle, then the guests started filing out of the church.

She stood outside and chatted with a few people she knew, until Kal came out of the church and made his way to her.

“The ceremony was so nice,” she said.

He smiled. “Yeah, it was. I can’t believe my brother is married.”

“He looked so happy.”

“And he didn’t pass out.”

She laughed.

“I have to go back inside and take some pictures. But I’ve arranged for one of my work friends and her husband to give you a ride to the reception, if you’re comfortable with that.”

She nodded. “Of course. That’s fine.”

He signaled to a beautiful redhead who in no way would Hannah have ever guessed was a firefighter. She was tall and slender, and her husband was just as good-looking.

“Hannah Clark, this is Callie Vassar and her husband, Aaron.”

She shook hands with both of them. “Nice to meet you.”

“You, too,” Callie said. “Wasn’t that a great wedding ceremony?”

“It was lovely.”

“I almost cried,” Aaron said.

“You had tears in your eyes,” Callie said.

Aaron lifted his chin. “Did not.”

Callie shot a knowing smile over to Hannah.

“I definitely got teary-eyed,” Hannah said. “Especially when Rafe and Carmen said their vows.”

“Right?” Callie said. “So sweet.”

“I gotta go,” Kal said. “I’ll see you at the reception.”

Hannah nodded. “Okay.”

She followed Callie and Aaron to their car. On the way to the reception she learned that both Callie and Aaron were firefighters, and they had a little boy named Max who was a year old. Callie showed her photos of their son, who was just as cute as could be with the most adorable dimples. Hannah told them she also had a son, so they talked about their kids on the drive over.

Hannah was excited about the reception at the Sonesta on the beach. The venue was beautiful, right on the water, and she breathed in the nice cool