jail.'
The sparkle in his eyes was mesmerizing. She stared up at him in wonder. He loved her, and how was that possible?
'Our children?' she whispered.
'Yes,' he replied. 'We're going to have lots of children, and, God willing, every one of them will be as adventurous as you are. You do love me, don't you, sweetheart?'
'I love you. I've always loved you.'
He unlocked the door and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her long and hard, and when he lifted his head and looked into her eyes, he saw the love there.
'You're the man of my dreams, Adam.'
He smiled. 'And you, my love, are my greatest adventure.'
Epilogue
Daniel Ryan was Adam's best man at the wedding, and Sheriff Norton was given the honor of escorting Genevieve down the aisle of the cottage-sized church on the outskirts of Middleton. She wore the white linen dress that her mother had made for her the year before she died, and in her hand she carried a lovely bouquet of red roses.
Adam could barely catch his breath at the sight of her. His voice shook when he said his vows, but then, so did hers. When the preacher blessed the union, Adam leaned down and kissed her.
They left Middleton an hour later and spent their first night as man and wife in Pickerman's fancy hotel. Adam had a particular fondness for the town of Gramby, and the town now had a great fondness for his wife. They called her Ruby Leigh, and after trying to explain over and over again, she finally gave up and began to answer to the name.
She was as nervous as all brides are on their wedding night. Her robe was buttoned up to the top of her neck, and its sash was double-knotted. From the look on her face, he guessed it would be easier to break into the U.S. Mint than to get her undressed.
He shut the bedroom door behind him and leaned against it. She moved to the far side of the double four- poster bed, her gaze locked on his.
'Do you want to hear something funny?'
'What's that?'
'I'm scared to death.'
His smile was filled with tenderness. 'I noticed.'
She took a step toward him. 'You aren't nervous, are you?'
'Maybe just a little. I don't want to hurt you.'
'Oh.'
The way he was looking at her made her weak all over. Her heart was racing, and she was having trouble breathing. Loving Adam was going to kill her. The thought made her smile.
'Do you want to go to bed now?' he asked.
'You go ahead,' she whispered. 'I'll join you in a little while.'
He tried not to laugh. 'Sweetheart, what I have in mind requires your attendance.'
She could feel herself blushing. 'Yes, I realize that. Did you mind giving away the reward money?'
The switch of topics didn't faze him. 'No, I didn't mind at all. As soon as Sheriff Norton told you about that injured man's family being so hard up, I knew what you would want to do. You have a very kind heart, Genevieve Clayborne. No wonder I love you so much.'
She watched him take off his shirt and then bend down and remove his shoes and socks. He was still standing by the door, and she suddenly realized he wanted her to come to him when she was ready.
Tonight had to be perfect for her, and if it took her an hour to cross the room, he would patiently wait.
She made it halfway to him before she stopped again. 'Wasn't it nice of Mr. Steeple to send champagne?'
'Yes, it was,' he agreed. 'He and Pickerman are already hatching up another plan to get you to sing again.'
'But I made everyone cry.'
'He's hoping you won't sing your church songs again.'
'I will though.'
He burst out laughing. 'I know.'
She ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. 'I love you so much.'
'And I love you.'
She sighed deeply and then stepped back and began to remove her clothes. He found it difficult to swallow, and when she pulled the nightgown over her head and dropped it on the floor behind her, his heart began to slam inside his chest. She was perfect.
He drew her into his arms, and the feel of her soft skin against him was as wonderful as he knew it would be.
'You make me feel beautiful.'
'You are beautiful,' he whispered. 'Ah, Genevieve, how did I exist before you?'
He kissed her deeply, passionately, lingering over the task of seducing her, and in between his ardent kisses, he told her over and over again how much he loved her. He stroked her back, her arms, and her breasts, and within minutes, her shyness was gone.
She took hold of his hand and led him to the bed. After he removed the rest of his clothes, he eased down on top of her and shuddered with desire.
'I want tonight to be perfect for you, Adam.'
'It already is,' he whispered.
'Tell me what to do so I won't disappoint you.'
He nibbled on her earlobe. 'You could never disappoint me.'
Their lovemaking was magical, and so intense she thought she would go out of her mind. He knew just where to stroke her to drive her wild. She was awkward touching him, then eager, and when she couldn't stand waiting another second, he moved between her thighs and swiftly entered her. The pain of his invasion became all tangled up in ecstasy. He was so incredibly patient. He moved slowly at first until she was writhing in his arms, and then he increased the pace. He felt her tighten around him, knew she was about to find fulfillment, and allowed his own surrender.
She whispered his name. He shouted hers.
Spent, he collapsed on top of her and buried his face in the crook of her neck. The scent of lilacs surrounded him, and he was certain he had just died and gone to heaven.
She kept sighing. The sound made him arrogantly pleased with himself.
He finally found the strength to lift his head. 'Did I hurt you, sweetheart?'
'I don't remember.' Her hands dropped down to her sides, and she sighed once again. 'It was wonderful.'
'Then you wouldn't mind if we made love again?'
She knew he was teasing because of the sparkle in his eyes. 'Now?' she asked.
'Soon,' he promised.
'Every night,' she decided. 'We must make love every single night.'
God, how she pleased him. He leaned down and kissed her again. 'Life with you is going to be an adventure.'
