All Chapters of The Millionaire's Bride : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Salvatore. Salvatore stepped onto the covered balcony to find Henry propped against the railing. One hand held an empty tumbler and the other was shoved into his coat pocket as his father stared into the darkness around them. The balcony was brightly lit, and Salvatore detected a tired smile on his father’s lips as he approached. “You know, I’ve been waiting for this night for a long time, son.” Salvatore clapped a heavy hand on his father’s back as he joined him by the railing. So close to the edge, the wind blew a faint misting of rain toward them. “I know. I’m happy to let you know your wait is over.” “I hope you’ll be happy this time.” Henry studied the vacant bottom of his crystal glass. “I knew you weren’t happy with Vanessa, and I’d hoped you’d come around eventually.” His father paused, but Salvatore didn’t dare interrupt. “You were avoiding commitment, and she was the easiest way to do just that.” His father didn’t look at him, but Salvatore nodded his agreement anywa

Salvatore. Salvatore would be content to sit on this beach with Alexa all afternoon if his stomach would stop its growling. She leaned over to him and smiled. “What’s for dinner?” “Well, I gave Gloria the rest of the day off, so I was thinking we could whip something up together.” A spark lit in Alexa’s eyes, and he felt compelled to lean toward her. “That’s a great idea! I’d love to cook with you.” Before he had time to gather his wits after his daydream, she was on her feet and grabbing his arm. “Okay, but remember, you’re the expert, and I’m just here for assistance.” “I’ll take it.” She shuffled up the stairs and onto the porch. Dusk was in full swing, but her golden hair was shining in the dim evening light. Salvatore leaned back against the kitchen counter as she familiarized herself with the space. Occasionally, he would point out a cabinet or drawer where she could find what she was looking for, but she’d made herself at home, and he was content to watch her. “Here,”

Roman stepped out of the busy kitchen to congratulate the newly engaged couple, and strangers offered well wishes as Alexa and Salvatore made their way from the restaurant later that night. A few reporters tried to ambush them at the door, but Salvatore’s bodyguard, Clayton, was quick to intercept them. Back in the quiet car with Salvatore, Alexa couldn’t contain her happiness as a single tear slid down her cheek, hidden by the darkness surrounding them. “Salvatore, I’m really glad we’re doing this together. I know a lot of times marriages don’t work out, and that scares me. But I think we have something special. I’ve been praying about where God is leading me, and I think this is where He’s guiding me—to you.” Salvatore grasped her left hand, adorned with the symbol of their commitment to each other, and rubbed his thumb over the diamonds. “I’ve been praying too. I’ve felt a peace about our relationship, and I know it’s because this is the time God chose for us. Now, it’s our turn

The weekend after the gala, Salvatore was out of town for a business meeting in Chicago. Now that planning the gala was behind her, Alexa could focus on planning their wedding.Alexa texted Salvatore from the back seat of a black sedan as James drove her to pick up Lorie and Irene. They had an appointment with an exclusive wedding dress designer at ten in the morning and a meeting with the caterer at two in the afternoon.After the gala on Saturday, Alexa had attended Salvatore’s church with him, and she’d been pleased with her visit. The service was enlightening, the members were welcoming, and she’d felt a connection to the place immediately. It was a weight off her shoulders knowing their dilemma about which church to attend was settled. She loved her church, but she could see herself becoming an active member in Salvatore’s church as well.After the service, they’d driven back to Salvatore’s house for lunch where she’d had a wonderful idea.“Do you think we could have the wedding

Alexa closed her eyes and felt the fresh morning breeze off the coast of Italy. Salvatore had chosen the perfect location for their week-long honeymoon. The private villa just south of Naples was the perfect hideaway. The coast was much different from the shores in Seattle or Bainbridge Island, but the changes fascinated her. The white-capped waves that crashed along the jagged cliffs had lulled her to sleep each night, and the terrace where she read her devotionals in the mornings provided the perfect view of the Mediterranean Sea. Alexa had awoken with the sun each morning on their vacation. Jetlag and the changes in her schedule were distracting enough to send her stirring at an earlier hour than Salvatore, so she used the time to study Scripture. She and Salvatore had taken a few journeys into the nearby towns, and although they had no neighbors to observe, she knew the villages were waking with the dawn. Pulling her blanket tighter around her shoulders, she stared at the pass