Free Have and Hold: (A Geeks and Things Cozy Mystery Novella #4) (Geeks and Things Cozy Mysteries) by Sarah Biglow Page A

delusional but he did have an eye for beautiful jewelry. She had to give him that.
    “You look so beautiful,” her mother said, wiping tears off her cheeks.
    “Thanks.”
    “I can’t believe this day is finally here. I didn’t think it would come, Kal,” Jillian said with a wry smile.
    Kalina just rolled her eyes and laughed. Time to tie the knot and start her future with the man she loved. The church was only partly filled; they hadn’t invited too many people. As the organist began the processional, everyone stood and turned their attention to her. She let out a breath and gripped her mother’s arm. The only thing that could have made the day even better was if her father had been there to walk her down the aisle. But he was with them in spirit. Chris stood at the front of the church, Jimmy by his side. She couldn’t help but beam up at both of them as she and her mother started down the aisle.
    She studied the faces as she passed. Most were friends from college and business school and some of the other officers in town who had come up through the academy with Chris. Nadine stood near the very front row, smiling a big, toothy grin as Kalina passed. Letting go of her mother’s arm, she leaned over and pulled her friend into a tight embrace. She was grateful that Nadine was back in her life, even if it had taken tragedy to reunite them.
    Chris drummed his fingers against his wrist until Kalina let go and finished her procession up to the front of the church. As discreetly as possible, Kalina wiped the sweat from her palms on the front of her dress before taking Chris’s hands in hers.
    The officiant cleared his throat and began. “We are gathered here today to witness the union of Kalina and Christian. Is there anyone assembled here today who can show just cause why these two should not be joined in marriage?”
    The church was silent. Kalina squeezed Chris’s hands and he returned the gesture. The officiant nodded after another few seconds had passed. “Then Kalina and Christian have chosen to share brief vows with each other and exchange rings as a symbol of their devotion to each other.”
    Kalina turned to take the wedding band from Jillian and placed it on Chris’ finger. “Christian Harper, I take you as my husband, with your faults and your strengths, as I offer myself to you with my faults and my strengths. I will help you when you need help, and turn to you when I need help. For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life.”
    Chris took her wedding band from Jimmy and slid it onto her left ring finger. They both stared at it for a brief moment before he, too, recited his vows. “ Kalina Greystone, I take you as my wife, with your faults and your strengths, as I offer myself to you with my faults and my strengths. I will help you when you need help, and turn to you when I need help. For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life.”
    “Having shared these vows and exchanged rings, by the power vested in me by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and in the sight of those assembled, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
    Chris pulled her tight to him and planted a kiss on her lips. It seemed to last forever, just the two of them, and then the recessional music blared from the organ at the back of the church and they paraded down the aisle, arm-in-arm, ready to begin their lives as a married couple and take on the next chapter of their lives. In no time at all they were going to be parents and Kalina couldn’t wait to see what that new journey brought.

 
    Read an Excerpt from SAINTS AND SINNERS (Geeks and Things #5)
     
    The sun shone hot overhead as Kalina picked her way through the gravestones in the cemetery beside the church. Halfway to her destination she stopped and pressed a hand to her side, letting the muscle cramp work itself out. Her other hand