‘Try keeping them away. You have no idea what you’re letting yourself in for.’
‘Yes, I think I do.’ There was a teddy on the couch that explained a lot about how Conor’s family loved each other. ‘Can you kiss me again? There’s been a drought this past week.’
Not only did Conor kiss her, he kissed her until she didn’t know which way was up. And then he carried her down to her bedroom and followed through on the promise of that kiss.
EPILOGUE
THE SKY WAS bright blue and Tamara swore there was glitter in the air as she and Kelli walked along the promenade of Sydney’s Darling Harbour towards to the restaurant she and Conor had chosen for their wedding. There were certainly bubbles every time she drew in a breath.
The bunch of daffodils she carried gave off a poignant spring smell and their colour was vibrant against the cream of her simple but stylish wedding dress that draped softly over her baby bump.
‘Well, girlfriend, you’re really marrying that gorgeous Irish hunk. You know every female back home in ED is so jealous?’
‘Yes. And do I care?’ She grinned at Kelli. ‘This is the best day of my life.’
‘I’d be worried if it wasn’t,’ Kelli retorted. ‘I’m so happy for you.’
Along with a few special people, a small Irish crowd was attending her wedding and she couldn’t be happier. All those bonkers sisters and their husbands and children had insisted they were coming out for the wedding with Judy and Dave. Tamara had fallen in love with each and every one of them the moment they’d walked through the arrivals doors at Sydney International Airport and drew her into their midst. When the end of Conor’s stint in Australia came round she’d be pushing to move to Dublin.
At the entrance to the restaurant Tamara stopped and turned to hug her friend. ‘Thank you for always being there for me. I’d never have got this far without you.’
‘Shut up or my make-up will be wrecked when I start crying.’
‘Too late.’ Tamara made a discreet wipe at her own cheeks. ‘Right, here we go.’ And she stepped inside. Stopped, agape. Her heart thumped—hard. Her tummy squeezed. ‘Conor...?’
From now on he was going to have to wear a suit twenty-four seven. The navy-blue fabric outlined his body to perfection, hugging his pecs, emphasising his wide chest and narrow hips. The crisp cream shirt highlighted his blue eyes and black hair.
‘I’m going to faint.’
‘No, you’re not. Go get him, girlfriend.’
She took a step and he was there, reaching for her, taking her hand. ‘You look more than beautiful,’ he said.
Tamara locked eyes with her soon-to-be husband and sucked in a breath. Forget the suit. The look of pure love radiating out from those eyes just melted her. Completely. ‘I love you.’ Those words came so easily now that she couldn’t believe how difficult uttering them had once been.
‘And I you. Shall we do this?’ Conor smiled and if her heart hadn’t already melted it would’ve done so right then.
She nodded. ‘Yes.’
Together they turned to walk up to the marriage celebrant. Conor’s best man, Mac, stood on one side, dressed in nearly as amazing a suit. Glancing at Kelli, Tamara found her as awestruck as she’d been over Conor. Good. Maybe these two would finally get over what ailed them and learn to love each other.
‘Tamara, darling, you look wonderful.’
She turned to face her mother, her poor overworked heart now beating against her ribs. ‘Mum.’
Hard to believe that her mother had phoned out of the blue to ask when and where the wedding was happening. She didn’t know it nearly hadn’t happened, but the moment Tamara had told her it would be in Sydney in a month’s time she’d been on her way to meet her grandson and take charge of planning the perfect wedding, with Tamara’s aunt in tow. Tamara had happily given in. She was over not having her crazy mother in her life.
‘I’m so glad you’re here.’
‘Oh, pish—as if I’d miss my own daughter’s wedding.’
The words were cheap but the sentiment was strong. Typical Mum.
‘You know that’s not what I meant.’
Mum’s smile said it all. ‘Your father will be kicking up a storm, wherever he is.’
Conor was still holding her hand. ‘Ready?’
‘Absolutely.’ They faced the celebrant, both smiling widely.
The woman cleared her throat and began. ‘Tamara and Conor, today is very special for you both. Today is the beginning of a new life, and it’s made more special with your families here to witness your vows.’
Tamara squeezed Conor’s hand. Focused as she was on the celebrant’s words, there was no not being aware of the man standing beside her. The man she loved more than she’d have believed possible. The father of her baby. The caring doctor. The good friend to Mac. Conor. Her about-to-be husband. The light in her heart.
‘Tamara Washington, do you take this man to be your lawful wedded husband, and to love and cherish him for as long as you both shall live?’
‘Oh, yes.’
‘Conor Maguire, do you take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife, and to love and cherish her for as long as you both shall live?’
‘Damn right I do.’
‘Then you may place the ring on her finger.’
Conor dug into his pocket, apparently not willing to trust the ring to Mac. As he slid the wide gold band with an elegant emerald set perfectly in the centre onto her finger he whispered, ‘Love you more than ever, Tam.’
The marriage celebrant had the last word. ‘I declare you husband and wife. Conor, you may kiss the bride.’
Conor’s kisses just kept getting better and better.
* * * * *
If you enjoyed this story, check out these other great reads from Sue MacKay
RESISTING HER ARMY DOC RIVAL
THE ARMY DOC’S BABY BOMBSHELL
DR WHITE’S BABY WISH
BREAKING ALL THEIR RULES
All available now!
Keep reading for an excerpt from REUNITED WITH HIS RUNAWAY DOC by Lucy Clark.
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