e now donated her profits to a scholarship fund instead of needing the money to survive.
At the moment she was so busy with everything, that she only went in for three days a week, but the staff was managing beautifully and Raina felt happy to leave it into their capable hands. They were all invited to the big day and for two days the B&B would be closed.
“I still can’t believe that you’re getting married,” Kelly said, pulling the white and gold dress over her head, and helping Raina arrange the delicate folds of silk and lace. “Christian’s a great man.”
“Isn’t he?” Raina said, stepping forward to give Kelly a hand.
“Like how he just took the kids for ice cream to get them out of our hair yesterday. I hope that one day I’ll get a guy to spoil me like that.”
Raina looked at Kelly wryly. “You mean the way he bought Jeremiah the ice cream shop because Jeremiah convinced him it would be a good idea?”
“Well … yeah, just like that.” Kelly grinned widely. “Oh, Raina. I’m so happy at how everything has worked out for you!”
“Thank you. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.” They hugged.
Kelly’s pinched look of worry had disappeared and she seemed to glow. Raina added, “You’ll find Mr. Right—but right now, you need to immerse your pretty head in books.”
“I know but that doesn’t mean I can’t look. Hell, I might even get myself a professor at the college.”
Raina laughed. “You’re incorrigible, Kelly!”
“So what was the big news that needed a backdrop of a romantic dinner?” Kelly said.
Raina knew that Kelly was referring to her and Christian’s date a day ago. He had been mysterious about it but he had finally told her after their sumptuous dinner.
“You’re going to fall over when I tell you,” Raina warned, enjoying the impatient look on her friend.
“Don’t tease Raina, tell me.”
“Ok, here goes. Christian gave me a forty percent stake in the company. Would you believe that? I tried to tell him how unnecessary that was but he wouldn’t listen. The papers came in this morning.”
Kelly shook her head. “Why do such great billionaires happen to such clueless people?”
They laughed together picturing the bright futures ahead of them both.
It was a beautiful day for the wedding, Raina thought as she strolled down the makeshift aisle bordered by beautifully colored flowers.
Everyone she loved stood a few steps from her.
There were the twins in their matching gold and white dresses, and Jeremiah, looking sweet in his tiny suit and tie the same color as the groom’s.
There were friends from the Del Mar, and friends from her childhood.
Christian had been able to bring some of her elderly and ailing relatives to witness the wedding, flying them in privately with their nurses and health aides so they could enjoy the day.
Then there was Kelly, who had risked so much for Raina’s happiness.
And then Christian.
Her heartbeat stopped when his eyes met hers through the veil. There were only a handful of people at the ceremony, but that was the way she and Christian wanted it. She never tired of looking at his eyes, so blue and so intense and when he trained them on her, she felt so special and loved—like she was the only person in the world who mattered.
She reached the front and Christian took her hands into his.
The rest of the ceremony passed by in a blur of emotions for Raina. She cried sometimes and laughed during others. When the preacher announced that they were now man and wife, the moment held such significance for Raina.
This was the real thing.
She and Christian were now joined together in marriage. It was a scary and an exciting thought. Afterwards, they left the gardens of Del Mar Hotel and proceeded to the terrace area, where the reception would be. It was closed off for the day, despite Raina’s protests when Christian had told her, her managerial instincts kicking in as she thought about the lost revenue for the hotel.