Free With This Kiss (Windswept Bay Book 3) by Debra Clopton

Chapter One
     
     
    Shar Sinclair stared at her reflection in the mirror and the amazing, but simple, wedding dress that made her look more elegant than she’d ever felt in her life. She was marrying the man of her dreams. And that said a lot since she’d never actually thought she wanted to marry and share her life with anyone. And then Gage came along.
    And suddenly she had her dream man and she was anxious to share her life with him.
    She stared at herself in the mirror wearing her wedding dress and she tried to calm the turmoil trying to go a little haywire inside of her.
    Why was she feeling this way? A tremor ran through her, like agitation as she breathed in slowly filling her lungs and holding it a few beats. I’m just anxious.
    As if to contradict her thought, her stomach tightened into a thousand knots. Twisted, tight knots that threatened to squeeze the cheese crackers she’d eaten for lunch right out of her.
    Nothing said non-elegant more than upchucking while wearing her wedding gown.
    Shar exhaled heavily and shook herself.
    What is wrong with me?
    At the rate she was going she’d have an ulcer before her wedding was over.
    “Is Gage here yet?” she asked.
    Her older sister, Cali pushed a shiny strand of blonde hair behind her ear and smiled with assurance. “Not yet. But I’m sure he’ll show up soon.”
    Shar moistened her dry lips. Instantly Jillian was at her side with a tube of gloss. She and Jillian were two of a trio of triplets and though they didn’t look alike they did share a keen sense about how the others were feeling which Jillian acknowledged in the look she gave her and her words, “Stop being a nervous wreck. And here, at the rate you’re licking those lips they’ll be chapped before Gage gets to kiss you in the ceremony.”
    Cali smiled into the mirror. “True, and that isn’t the fun way to get them chapped.”
    Shar laughed despite her nerves and let Jillian run the rosy gloss over her lips. She was not used to having this much makeup on or her sisters hovering so much. But it was sweet and she was grateful right now to have them beside her.
    “I’ve never worn so much makeup or lip gloss in all my life,” she reminded them. “Gage may not recognize me when he finally gets here.”
    Jillian rolled her eyes. “He’ll recognize you.”
    Tears suddenly pricked at her eyes. And a wave of panic rolled through her.
    Where are you Gage? Three months ago she was afraid of losing her independence and today she couldn’t get his ring on her finger fast enough. If only her man would make it to the church on time they’d get this ceremony out of the way and start their lives together.
    She looked at the clock…one hour to go and he was not here with his groomsmen getting into his tux. No matter what Jillian and Cali said, it wasn’t right. He’d told her he couldn’t wait to be her husband. That he’d be there ready and waiting to put a ring on her finger and to kiss her breathless. But he wasn’t here. And she could deny it all she wanted but the truth was that her groom was missing.
    “Relax, Shar. He’ll be here.” Cali gently rubbed Shar’s back and their gazes met in the mirror once more. “He will be here,” Cali enunciated each word carefully.
    Always the encourager her older sister was trying hard to do just that.
    “He said he would be here early. It’s now inside of an hour and he’s missing.”
    Cali’s expression tensed. “He’s not missing. He’s just running late or something.”
    Not a patient person, Shar gritted her teeth. Patience had never been her strong point, if she wanted something she went out and got it or acted. She was strong-willed that way and it worked for her. Waiting did not. “Jillian, please poke your head out the door again. Just to make sure he’s not out there. Something isn’t right. I feel it and there is no denying it.”
    Both her sisters stared at her and knew she’d reached her limit.
    “It’s just cold feet,”