“I can imagine,” she said, unable to grasp that after tomorrow this would be her home. One of her homes.
“I feel like Cinderella,” she whispered.
“And I feel like the luckiest man on earth,” he said. “I called ahead and told them we were coming.”
“Zach, I’m just now seeing your Dallas home. This reinforces that we barely know each other.”
“I know what I want,” he replied solemnly. “It’s you, Emma, with all my heart. This is a house, maybe big and fancy, but it’s just a house I have because of those ancestors you’ve been reading about and feeling so close to. You know my history, my family, my secrets, my work, me. We know each other. I know your family, your very open book growing up in a happy, loving family. Maybe you’re right and you’re the wealthier of the two of us,” he said with a smile. “We know each other well enough. Our love will cover the rest and discovery sounds wonderful.”
She hugged and kissed him briefly and then turned to look at the house. “I’m overwhelmed.”
“You’ll get used to the place. Nigel will work here when we return from our honeymoon. Rosie sort of goes from family to family.”
They stepped out of the limo at the side of the mansion. At the door he unlocked it, picked her up and carried her inside. Setting her on her feet, he turned off the alarm.
“Now the quick tour. When we return from our honeymoon, you can have the full tour of the place.”
Dazzled, she felt in a dream once again. They walked through an enormous kitchen with rich, dark wood hiding appliances, granite countertops, a smooth stone floor that held small area rugs. The adjoining informal eating area was as large as the kitchen.
Zach took her hand. “This way. You can look as we go and I’ll show you around better later.”
They climbed winding stairs and walked down a wide hall that held a strip of thick beige carpet down the center. Zach’s bedroom was an enormous suite and the moment she stepped inside, she barely glimpsed polished oak floors, elegant fruitwood furniture and a wide-screen built into a wall.
“Come here. I called this afternoon and told my staff to put this up. Next year I’m sure we’ll be as decorated as Rockefeller Center.” He led her to a doorway between the sitting room and his bedroom with a massive four-poster king bed. Mistletoe hung in the doorway overhead and Zach stopped beneath it.
“I love you and I can’t wait to marry you. In my heart we’re already husband and wife,” he said.
Her heart thudded with happiness as she hugged him while she kissed him beneath the mistletoe.
“Zach, I still feel like this isn’t really happening to me,” she said, thinking that was the way she had felt most of the time when they had been in Europe on their honeymoon. She looked at herself in the mirror, her gaze going beyond her image to Zach’s. He looked incredibly handsome in his navy suit.
“My love is real, Emma,” he said, brushing a kiss and his warm breath on her nape.
“All those wonderful cities and the charming small towns in France, Switzerland, Germany and Italy. They were beautiful and the people were welcoming. The places and buildings were breathtaking, so beautiful. Ah, Zach, I saw them all because of you. I will treasure the memories we have of this trip forever. It was wonderful to go and now it’s grand to be home.”
“The next long trip will be in this country. I want to show you special places in the U.S.”
She smiled. “I’m nervous about meeting Ryan tonight.”
Zach laughed. “Of all people on this earth, don’t be nervous over Ryan. He’s as down to earth as any man can get. He would have flown in to meet you earlier this week when we returned, but he had a bull-riding show in Wyoming or Montana. I don’t remember where. Don’t be nervous about any of them. Sophia is almost as new to the family as you are. I think you two will become good friends.”
“Do you still want to tell my family the news about the baby when we go for Sunday dinner tomorrow?” she asked.
“Yes, unless you want to tell them tonight. We’ll tell them and my family and anyone else you want to let know.”
“Rosie, even though she guessed, and Nigel.”
“Sure. All my staff will be told. I want everyone watching out for you.”
She laughed. “Don’t make it sound as if I’m an invalid. Let’s tell them tomorrow.”
“I love you, sweet wife,” he whispered and kissed her.
She kissed him passionately, in seconds forgetting the evening until he reached for the zipper of her dress.
“Zach, we have a wedding reception to attend,” she said, wriggling away from him and smiling.
“So we do, but I’d rather make love.”
“Later,” she said.
“Can’t wait,” he replied. “I’m ready and I’ll wait downstairs. You look absolutely gorgeous.”
“So do you, Zach,” she said, her heart beating with happiness.
An hour later she stood in a country club ballroom talking to Sophia and Ava when she saw Zach and his brother approach. Ryan was tall, handsome, dressed in a black suit and wearing black Western boots.
“Finally you’ll meet my brother Ryan. Ryan, meet Emma, my bride.”
Ryan hugged her and kissed her cheek. “Welcome to the Delaney family,” he said.
“Thank you,” she answered. “All of you have made me feel welcome.”
Zach clasped his brother on the shoulder. “Ladies, congratulate a champion bull rider. He just won again.”
Ryan grinned as he received congratulations and Emma marveled again that the Delaneys resembled each other except for Zach. She couldn’t see any similarities in his looks and theirs.
She saw Will and Garrett approaching and their circle enlarged. Will draped his arm around Ava’s shoulders. “Caroline is playing with your nieces and nephews and your sister Mary Kate is with them,” he said. “I told her to call my cell if I need to come get her.”
“Caroline will be fine and Mary Kate loves being with the kids.”
The band commenced another song and Ryan turned to Emma. “May I have this dance? If I want to get to know you, we have to get away from this crowd.”
She laughed and went with him the short distance to join the dancers.
“You’ve worked a miracle with my brother,” Ryan said. “Will and I are delighted. Sophia hasn’t been in this family long enough to know how
