Chapter 1

"Husband and wife," the Reverend had said, and then Jonathan was kissing her! The service was over, and with those words, she was now Jennifer Edwards Hart. The whole day was such a blur.

Together, hand in hand, they left the church under a shower of rice and jumped into the limousine, which they took for a short ride to allow people to clear out the church so they could take photos. Her parents and Max would wait on them. Jonathan pulled her close to him, kissing her behind her ear and following her neck, sending chills down her spine. "I know I promised to go easy on you until after the photos," he whispered in between kisses, "but I don't know how much longer I can keep from really kissing you." Jennifer pulled back to look him in the eyes.

"Maybe you shouldn't try…" she said, a bit breathless already, "I can fix my lipstick."

"I'm so glad you said that!" He pulled her back for a deep kiss, drinking her in as he had wanted to in front of the whole congregation. His hands were enticed by the silky smooth feel of her stockings as he ran them along her thighs. The driver stopped the car. Jonathan looked up, a bit disappointed to see they were already back at the church. "Can we take another lap?"

Jennifer swallowed, trying to regain both her breath and composure. "Every moment you delay the photos," she said, watching his face, "you delay our arrival time in Napa." It began to dawn on him what she was getting at.

"And that delays our… honeymoon…" Jonathan sighed. "Okay… pictures it is." Jennifer turned to get out of the car. He pulled her back to him. "Right after I kiss my wife…" he said, planting his mouth firmly on hers.

They finished photos as quickly as they could, shooting family and Max first, and then Jonathan suggested they all go on while he and Jennifer finished the couple's photos.

Once it was all complete, they climbed back into the car headed to the Ritz. Jonathan helped her in, slid in beside her, and his arm across the top of the seat. He felt mesmerized as he looked at her magnificent features. The auburn hair cascading its way to her shoulders in wavy curls, her hazel eyes filled with light and desire he could get lost in, her lips full and pouty, begging him to kiss her. "You, Jennifer Hart, are so incredibly sexy. Thank you."

She grinned at him, "For what?"

"For having the patience to wait for me. For trusting me with everything you are. For honoring me by becoming my wife." He kissed her cheek and worked along the edge of her jawline to her ear, where he whispered, "Now, where were we?" His touch sent waves of desire through her body, and she tilted her head, offering him full access to her neck. He took it, nuzzling in, drowning himself in her scent and blanketing her with his kisses.

The reception hall was a low clamor of conversations, and music heard down the corridor when they pulled in. The photographer set up for entry photos, the message that the Harts had arrived given to the band, and the music quieted. "Ladies and gentlemen," the lead vocalist announced, "Please welcome Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Hart."

"Those are the prettiest words," Jennifer commented, as they stood in the hallway, awaiting the moment of entry.

Jonathan offered her his arm, and she wrapped hers around it. "Shall we, Mrs. Hart?"

"Delighted, Mr. Hart."

They stepped through the door to the roar of applause, shouts of joy, and flashes of light as cameras captured the moment. At the announcement of their first dance, they made their way to the dance floor hand in hand. The band covered Joe Cocker's You Are So Beautiful, and Jonathan couldn't help but sing along as he held Jennifer's gaze, and spun her around the floor.

You're everything I hope for

You're everything I need

You are so beautiful to me

You are so beautiful to me

"Oh, Jonathan…" she said, "I never knew I could be so delighted."

"I am so glad."

"How long do we have to stay?"

He grinned at her eagerness, "Not much longer, Darling. And then it will be just the two of us. For a whole month."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

From there, they moved into the father-daughter dance. When Jennifer and Jonathan talked about this dance, Jennifer had wanted to skip it, since Jonathan's mother would not be there to do a mother-son dance. Jonathan wanted her to do it anyway, for her father. It was Suzanne who came up with the compromise they both loved. So when Stephen took the floor with Jennifer, they danced the first verse of a cover of My Chérie Amour by Stevie Wonder. As the second verse started, Jonathan took the platform with Suzanne. About halfway through, they changed partners, and Stephen finished the dance with Suzanne, Jonathan, with Jennifer.

The next couple of hours were a whirlwind of a little food, lots of people, a cutting of the cake, and champagne. Jonathan stood chatting with Marcus Ware; however, he was captivated by Jennifer's smile, which was a constant on her face, as she worked the room of family and friends. He loved the thought he helped put it there.

"Thank you for covering for me while we are gone, Marcus."

"It's my pleasure, Jonathan."

"Please excuse me; I think it's about time to take my wife away from here." He reached out to shake the man's hand, "I'll see you in a month."

"Have a great time, and don't worry about us!"

Jonathan made his way to where Jennifer stood chatting with Stanley Friesen and some Hart Industry employees. "Excuse me, everyone," he placed his hand on Jennifer's arm and let it slide down to her hand. "I am going to steal her away from you." He turned to face her, "We have a plane to catch, Darling, if you want to go change, now would be the time."

"Ah, thank you, Darling. Will you all excuse me? It was lovely talking to you." They turned to walk away together, and she asked, "Have you seen my mother? I'm going to need her help to get out of this dress…"

"I'm happy to volunteer..."

"Not yet, Darling," she grinned a slightly mischievous smile as she patted his chest, "but soon…"

The little girl ran through the vineyard, trying to remain unseen. The dogs barking in the background were almost as terrifying as their master. The loud voices were a jumbled mess in her head; she understood nothing that was said or yelled in her direction. All she understood was she was alone, and she was afraid.