Free Lies of the Heart by Laurie LeClair Page A

them. And no matter where they’d been or whom they’d been with, there always had been. Her heart swelled. She hadn’t ever been alone.
    “I’d never had agreed to this if the town wouldn’t be well rid of the likes of the pair of you in a few months.” Granny’s words stopped the minister in mid-sentence.
    Breaking away from Chance’s searing look, Tessa reached over and patted the minister on the arm. “Don’t mind her. Just go on, please.”
    In the next moment, she placed a thick gold band on Chance’s finger. A part of her cherished this, knowing she’d longed for this moment for years and never really thinking it could ever happen. Another part of her quaked at what would come after this: more fighting between the families, tug of war for loyalties, heartache in the end.
    A shrill chortle from behind and to the left of Tessa made her cringe. Mrs. Deveraux calmed down enough to say, “I heard he hoodwinked you into accepting the conditions. You bet him! How funny is that?”
    This time Chance winced and was the one to say, “Uh oh.”
    Reverend Duffy tugged at his navy blue tie, trying to loosen the knot. He stumbled over several passages, and then said, “If there’s anyone here who feels these two shall not be united—”
    “No, not that part,” Tessa interrupted, jumping in quickly.
    Too late. Her granny shouted out, “Of course we object, you idiot! Who in their right mind would think that a marriage between a Warfield and Deveraux would ever work? For land’s sake that fool was out of his mind when he made that will of his and we all know it!”
    Shocked at the vicious outburst, Tessa twirled around just in time to see Mrs. Deveraux jump up and charge at granny. “How dear you say such a thing about my husband.”
    Chance moved, heading toward the two ladies. But Tessa held him back once she saw her friends rush in quickly and restrain the pair. It helped that Bree’s husband, Nick, was wearing his state trooper uniform today, ready to leave for duty after the ceremony.
    With her hand clutching his arm, she said, “Wait, Chance, let’s get on with this, then we’ll deal with them later.”
    His muscles bunched under her palm, and then finally relaxed. Turning to the minister, he said, “Skip to the end and we’ll wrap this up.”
    “But, they’re still yelling.” He jerked his chin to the ruckus and loud name-calling.
    “Ignore them,” Chance said wearily. “They haven’t spoken for years now, so they have a lot to catch up on.”
    Tessa chuckled. “And then some.” When he gazed at her, the frown lines smoothed and the tension fizzled out of him. Heat sprang from deep within her middle, searing her. Suddenly, it was only the two of them. The bickering seemed more like an annoying buzz now. Tessa’s breaths quickened as the chill left his eyes and only a bright shining light remained.
    “Ah…” the minister stammered. He finished the rest in a rush. “Now you may kiss the bride.” He paused, and then said, “Phew!”
    Chance’s stare captured hers. The air seemed to thicken noticeably. “I’ve waited so long to do this,” he said softly. His whisky-husky voice sent tiny thrills down her spine.
    She dropped her gaze to his lips, wondering if they’d taste as good as she’d dreamed they did. He cupped her face in his palms. The heat of his skin scorched her flesh and the tenderness of his touch branded her soul. Slowly he moved closer, his mouth only a fraction of an inch from hers.
    Finally, he touched hers. A gasp escaped her at the unexpected softness. With a reverence she’d never known he possessed, he feathered his lips over hers, tasting, nibbling, and then settled on hers.
    Reaching out blindly, she grabbed the front of his jacket, gripping tightly for balance. Her head swam with the sweetness of him. Years before while playing spin the bottle he’d taken delicate, experimental kisses. But this time, this time was so different. It was as if he treasured the