Free His Only Wife by Melissa Brown Page B

wife. I promise to trust your intentions and value your patience, because the last few years couldn’t have been easy. I’m sure there were times when any other man would’ve grown tired of my reluctance to mentally leave the compound. But not you. Your patience has astounded me, it’s touched me in ways I can never fully explain, and it’s strengthened my love for you in more ways than I could ever count. I take you, Porter, to be my husband—my one and only true husband in my heart and in the eyes of God. I love you so very much.”
    As I listened to her words, my emotions bubbled to the surface, but instead of suppressing them, I let them out. As tears fell from my eyes, I laughed uncomfortably when Brin passed the handkerchief back to me and kissed me gently on the cheek.
    “I have to say,” Justin said, “that the honesty demonstrated in your vows is beyond impressive. I hope that you’ll continue to share your innermost thoughts with each other as you begin your married life. Do you have the rings?”
    Reaching into my pocket, I retrieved the simple white gold bands we’d selected together, handing mine to Brin and keeping hers in the palm of my hand. Justin walked us through the exchanging of the rings. When I slid hers on her finger, she clutched her hand to her chest, and a few tears slid down her cheeks.
    “Here you go, babe,” I whispered, passing the handkerchief to her again.
    She laughed again, dabbing her eyes just as Justin pronounced us husband and wife. I pulled Brin into my arms, pressing my lips to hers as my heart swelled with love and appreciation.
    “I’ll love you forever,” I whispered as I wrapped my arms around her. “No matter what.”
    After the ceremony was concluded, we were greeted by the members of our new family. Audrey dabbed at her eyes as Tiffany embraced Brin, and Jesse shook my hand.
    “Congratulations, son. I’m proud of you.”
    “Your vows were beautiful, so touching,” Audrey said as she linked her arm through her husband’s.
    “Thank you,” Brin said, taking her hand in mine.
    “I’ve never seen a more beautiful ceremony. Seriously, you guys. It was gorgeous.” Tiffany beamed. “And now we celebrate?”
    We’d planned a small dinner party for the five of us at the El Tovar Dining Room, a beautiful restaurant overlooking the canyon. But I wasn’t quite ready for that yet.
    “If you guys don’t mind, I’d love a few minutes with my bride.”
    I led Brin to the cliff overlooking the most beautiful view I’d ever seen in my twenty-nine years on this earth. With her hand clutching mine, we looked out into the grand and peaceful canyon, a truly majestic sight to behold as fluffy clouds hovered in the crystal-blue sky.
    She squeezed my hand again and again and we stood in silence, taking in the view. I could hear subtle clicks of the photographer’s camera as we looked out at a world full of infinite possibilities.
    I smiled, knowing that this was, by far, the best day of my life. Whatever life had in store for us, we’d handle it. Whatever mistakes we were bound to make, we’d conquer them and move on even stronger than before. And whatever happiness we created, we’d create it…together.

Acknowledgments
    Thank you to Regina Wamba at Mae I Design & Photography. I am so in love with the cover you have created; you made it absolutely perfect. I feel so lucky to have worked with you again. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
    Thank you to my editor, Pam Berehulke of Bulletproof Editing. I am so grateful for you and not only your talent in editing, but your professionalism, your sensitivity, and your kindness. Thank you for putting up with me.
    Thank you to my awesome betas; I am so grateful for each and every one of you. You were each instrumental in helping me create this story. Deb Bresloff, Pamela Carrion, Laura Wilson, Sally Bouley, Megan Kapusta, Allison East, Jennifer Merkley, Andrea Randall, Lori Sabin, Stacey Grice, and Sharon Cooper.
    An enormous