Chapter 74

"Lead the way, darlin'." Richie followed his bride-to-be out the door. Sunlight glinted off the sheen of her deep brown hair flowing over her shoulders. It accentuated the almost fragile line of her shoulders and petite curves. But damn, the lace was distracting as it cupped her ass lovingly. She looked over her shoulder and smiled at him, the light in her eyes was so complete that he would have followed her to the ends of the earth to keep it on her face.

She reached back for his hand, pulling him up next to her as they headed across the street. Whitewashed clay sat low against the baking sun. Sunbeams bounced off the small stained glass windows and arched wooden doors that were open and welcoming.

"Our Lady of Perpetual Hope," he read aloud. Richie flipped his sunglasses on top of his head as they headed inside. The simple adobe style echoed in the church with rough hewn pews and an ornate altar with intricate hand carvings were lit with a soft glow.

A graceful hand caressed the aged wood of the pews as she wandered down the aisle, her other hand holding tightly to his. It was such a beautiful little place, so peaceful and quiet. The name too spoke to exactly what they were living with now, hope, for the future, for the day and for forever.

She scanned the darker areas in search of the priest or anyone that could lead them too said priest. "Sure hope he’s not out fishing too."

Richie laughed softly. "Things run on a different schedule when you have a beach like that in your backyard."

Elena huffed out a soft giggle then turned to face the front of the church and called out a quiet, "Helloooo?" She sighed as no response came back, her gaze skittering to Richie.


“Daily, daily sing to Mary,
Sing, my soul, her praises due.
All her feasts, her actions worship”

She turned as the melody and strong bass voice filtered through a recessed area slightly to the front of the church.. Holding tighter to Richie's hand she made her way quickly to the front. Placing a hand on the knob she quickly turned it and opened the door to a small courtyard garden. Stepping through the door her head tilted as she studied the young man busily pulling weeds and singing contentedly .

He was obviously the gardener as he was simply too young to be what she thought a priest could be. Even smudged in the dirt of the garden she could tell he would have been the flirting type, had she had the desire to flirt. He was tall, with dark hair and eyes and a tan to die for. This guy obviously enjoyed living on a beach.

"Umm, hello? Sorry to bother you, but we're looking for the priest?" Her voice was soft, with a slight nervous tremble too it. "Could you tell us where he is?"

The song stopped suddenly as the man stood and looked over the young couple standing in his door. "That would be me mon, I’m brother Martine. How can I help you?" His dark gaze centered on the tall young man who seemed to have a strong grip on the pretty filly at his side.

Richie greeted the man with steady eyes. It was a rare thing for him to actually meet someone's gaze, but as the young man rose to his full height he matched Richie inch for inch. He held out his hand. "We were hoping we could speak with you for a moment, Father."

He wiped his dirty hands on his jeans then reached out to grasp the young man's hand. "One always has time for those who search young man. What can I do for you today?" He studied the long haired fella intently. There seemed to almost been a sheen of urgency and desperation in his gaze, yet it wasn't the bad type of desperation. "Why don’t you come with me to my office? We'll talk there out of the heat of the day." Brother Martine gestured to a door on the opposite side of the courtyard. "Whatever it is that brings you to our small church, I'm sure we can figure a way around your troubles."

He opened the office door and pointed to two chairs for them to sit in. Moving behind his desk he sat and steepled his fingers, his chin resting lightly on their pointed ends. "So tells me what brings you to Perpetual Hope young man?"

Richie followed him into the room, bringing Elena in front of him. He placed his hands on her shoulders. "I'm here to request the church's blessing and your help for our wedding."

His brow arched slightly as he watched the near possessive move by the young man. "You wish my blessing and help? Before I consider that, how about you tell me who you are?"

"I'm a simple man with a crazy life. My job takes me to some crazy places both in and out of the states, but there's one constant that I've found." He squeezed her shoulders. "This woman is that constant. I'm Richie and this is Elena."

"You wish to get married then.” He studied Richie intently as an idea of what the trouble could be rose to mind. “You haven’t gotten this pretty little girl in trouble have you? How long have you known her? You realize that in making a vow before God it’s never to be broken?" He studied the couple intently, awaiting their response.

Richie’s brow lifted as he held back the growl that threatened to escape. Yet again how he looked was coloring someone’s impression of how he’d treat someone so important to him. Taking a deep breath he counted to ten before responding. "Not that I wouldn't love to have her carry my babies, but right now it's about us, so no...there's no child. We've known each other for what feels like forever, but by regular definitions, it's been a short time." He rubbed his thumbs over her shoulders. "One thing I hold sacred is the church, which is why I'd like you officiating instead of a justice of the peace."

Elena smiled up at Richie before turning to the priest. "We want it blessed by the church because we believe vows are forever. I love him with all I am. Maybe we haven't known each other for years, but when its right its just right. We just don’t want to wait forever when we both already know its the right thing to do. Please say you can help us."

Brother Martine studied the young woman a moment, then turned back to the young man. Both had that look to them, a look that spoke of deep bonds and intentions. "Before I agree, tell me more about your crazy life."

Unsure if it would work against him or not, Richie nodded at the preacher. "I'm a musician, father. There's very little in my life that's not insane with the type of job that I have. I've felt very lost for a long time, but meeting Elena has been a blessing. I don't," he paused. "I won't ever let her go."

He leaned back in his chair and nodded. "It can be hard to find someone who can center you, especially in that line of work. Consider yourself lucky Richie. So tell me, when did you want to do this wedding? How big ? How many people?" He smiled at them both, as it was rare to find two that seemed that in love.

Richie let his hands slide over her shoulders and down her arms. "Party of two, plus a witness if you're not enough. Tonight, just before sunset," Richie answered with a smile.

The priest nodded and smiled. "Well that should give me enough time to prepare. I'll round up a witness, I don't think you have one in that back pocket of yours. Where do you want to hold the ceremony?"


"We'd like to use the beach, just outside on the hill."

He nodded then stood reaching out to grasp Richie's hand in a firm shake. "I'll see you there at sunset."

Richie's smile was wide as he leaned in. "Thank you, father. I really appreciate this."

The priest smiled, "you just take good care of that pretty little lady. That’s how you'll show your appreciation to me and The Good Lord above young man."

"Well, God was kind enough to give her to me, I'll do anything to keep her."

Elena gave the priest a bright smile. "Thank you so much."

As they arrived back at their Robin Leach get away she smiled. The hours had flown by as they wandered about in town after leaving the church. Richie’s desire to find the perfect sparkly bling for wedding rings had taken them from store to store, to every outdoor market the small town had to offer. She chuckled to herself as he looked at and discarded what had to be over fifty rings before settling on a matching set of white gold bands, the female’s ring having a small set of diamonds encrusting it. She glanced down at her hand and smiled as she pictured the ring that would be a perfect match to the engagement ring next to it.

When they arrived back at the tent, Richie had ushered her inside then excused himself, claiming brides shouldn’t see the groom’s before the wedding. Elena quickly moved about the tent, more in an effort to stave off nerves than anything, the hotel had seen to their needs that well. As she checked the cooler she noticed another meal already waiting and yet another bottle of champaygne cooling in the bucket that had held an empty bottle when they’d left earlier.


The faint sound of guitar music reached her as trembling fingers flicked non existent wrinkles from the bed. The haunting melody drew her to the tent flap like a magnet. Peering out curiously she began to smile as she took in the vision before her. So that’s where Richie had gotten off to. He was leaning against a small rock outcropping strumming his new guitar, making music to put order to his thoughts. It put a smile on her face to just watch him play. For all his boisterous actions, when he played he was graceful, making music a physical expression. Her eyes heated a moment as she wondered what deep thoughts had him looking so intense. Turning slowly she moved back into the tent, her thoughts wandering back over the afternoon.

The sound of a female voice clearing its throat had her turning around and smiling a hello. “Hello can I help you?”

The older lady smiled Elena’s way, “I take it you’re the lucky young lady whose getting married today?”

A soft blush crept up into Elena’s cheeks. “Yes Ma’am, to that handsome guy with the guitar out there.” She moved over to the older woman and gave her a hug, her soft smile seeming to brighten the entire tent. “Well thank you for taking the time out of your day to do this favor for us. I’m Elena by the way.”

The lady grinned at the distracted young woman, who kept trying to fluff her hair with her fingers. “Well I’m Aggie, and Father Martine told me you were a pretty little thing, but he didn’t tell me how much like my precious Jenny you were.”

Elena’s brow arched in curiosity. “Jenny?”

Aggie moved over to the table and sat, settling a box on the table before looking back at Elena. “Yes, she was my daughter, not much older than you when she died.”

Elena walked over, her instant affinity with the woman had her wrapping arms around her shoulders. “I’m sure she was a wonderful person Aggie. I’m so sorry you had to lose her so young. Tell me about her?”

Aggie smiled. “She was a pretty little thing, had studied for years to be a nurse, and when the time came, she chose to put off her own wedding to go overseas to help those being hurt in the war. She was just like that, always bubbly but always ready to help. It was just bad timing I suppose. The day after she got to the missionary hospital it was hit with a stray bomb and she was killed.” Aggie looked up at Elena and saw a tear racing along her high cheekbone. “Now, now, don’t you go to crying and make your face all red for the wrong reasons. She died a hero’s death, and I’ll always have her in my heart.” Standing up Aggie looked around the tented area and grinned. “That young man out there must think the world of you to set something like this up. I bet you he hasn’t given you time to breathe or prepare has he?”

Elena started to giggle as she watched Aggie begin to take items out of her box. “Truth be told, I wasn’t expecting it, I came here without much more than my purse and a comb, and although marrying him is more important than anything, I’m beginning to wish I had brought a bit of make up or something to freshen up.”

Aggie snorted softly. “Well I had a feeling something like that might be the deal, so I came prepared. How’s about we give that young man out there something to really be surprised about? Now you sit right here in this chair and let little old Aggie fix your hair and get you ready for that wedding?”

Elena sat and almost sighed in pleasure as Aggie’s hands began to brush through her hair. Within moments the older lady’s talented fingers had brushed and twisted her hair into a simple romantic upsweep that left soft tendrils of hair whispering around her neck and face. With that done she started winding small bits of baby’s breath into her hair carefully. “Well now, don’t you just look like an angel with a halo?” Aggie gave her a devious grin. “Now tell Aggie what you were planning on wearing to this wedding of yours?”

She looked over at Aggie and laughed nervously, “I bought this today for the occasion Aggie." Elena gestured to the lacy white pants and blouse. "It’s white and lacy. I thought it would do. Not many wedding type dresses here to be honest.”

Aggie’s hands went to her waist as she stared down at Elena. “Well no truer words I suppose. Being a vacation get away you’re lucky to find something that’s not made in bikini style, and although I’m sure that pretty little outfit made that handsome man outside all hot and bothered a girl should still have a special dress for her special day.” Aggie reached into the box and pulled out a dress with a gentle smile on her lips, “You seem to be the right size, so if we’re lucky you’ll be able to use this. I won’t take a no for an answer young miss, so quit giving me that doubtful look. It was to be my Jenny’s wedding dress and I just KNOW she’d want you to have it.”

Elena stood and took the dress from Aggie and gasped with amazement. It was just perfect from its unevenly edged skirt to its pure but sexy lacy paneling. “Oh my God Aggie its just beautiful.

“Yes, well,” Aggie started, “Let’s get you ready so your young man won’t think you’ve changed your mind.”

They continued to chat and laugh as Aggie helped her into the dress. Within moments Aggie had her zipped and carefully arranged the off the shoulder lace and straps to perfection. “Now don’t you just look lovely?”

Elena took a deep breath and tried to quell the New York sized butterflies that were suddenly dancing the fandango inside her tummy. “I’ll have to take your word for it, doesn’t seem to be a mirror here.” She giggled a moment, then took another deep breath. “I don’t know how to thank you Aggie, for going out of your way to make this day even more special. But when I think on this day I’ll always remember you and your Jenny because you’ve helped it be even more special.”

Aggie smiled, “Well thank you young Elena. Now I’m going to go out there and take my spot. You follow me in a moment or two. Let’s not keep that pretty young man of yours waiting any longer.” Aggie gave Elena a quick hug then moved to the tent flap and went outside.

Elena moved to the exit and took another deep breath and tried to again will the fluttering in her tummy away. Closing her eyes a moment she whispered softly, “Welcome to your future Elena Masters.” Opening her eyes she reached out and opened the tent door and stepped through it, her soft brown eyes finding Richie as she began to smile and make her way towards him.