Gwh had woken up at the crack of dawn to get their marriage license. The


    drive from the old estate to City Hall took over an hour, and in the rush, she hadn''t even managed to grab breakfast.


    Victoria and her grandfather had insisted oning along, but Hawthorne had put his foot down. "It''s not the SATS. We can handle this ourselves."


    No one wanted to be the third wheel on the newlyweds'' big day.


    That single remark left both Thorpe and Victoria red-faced.


    Gwh, gently twisting the hem of her shirt, spoke softly, "Grandpa, Mom, you two should stay home. We''ll be back before you know it."


    As their car passed a restaurant, Hawthorne nced over. "Are you hungry? Let''s grab brunch while we''re out."


    With so many people always around the estate, he was looking forward to a meal alone with Gwh. It struck him that since they''d met, they''d never shared a quiet meal, just the two of them. Their first meal together had been at Leonie''s house; the next was at her grandfather''s. They''d never had a proper date or a candlelit dinner for two.


    Hawthorne pulled up in front of a French bistro-romantic, softly lit, perfect for lovers.


    He chose a semi-private booth, giving them privacy without cutting them off from the lively cityscape below.


    Gwh relished the attention. Hawthorne''s long, graceful fingers deftly peeled the shrimp for her. She noticed, with a flicker of surprise, a in gold band on his ring finger-a man''s ring, simple and elegant.


    "That''s a matching set, isn''t it?" she asked quietly.


    He followed her gaze, then nodded. Reaching into his pocket, he produced a small box. Inside was a delicate women''s band, matching his own.


    "The sales clerk said these came as a pair," he exined. "So I bought both. But I thought a diamond would look better on you, so I didn''t give you this one-it just seemed too in."


    Gwh studied the little ring. It was petite, understated, and exquisite. Nowhere near as dazzling as the diamond she currently wore-but it matched Hawthorne''s.


    She took the ring, then handed it back to him, slipping the diamond from her own finger. Offering her bare hand, she smiled, "Put it on me?"


    Hawthorne didn''t hesitate. He took her hand, sliding the simple band onto her finger. Somehow, it fit perfectly, as if it had been made for her.


    She admired it from every angle, liking it even more than the sparkling diamond.


    "Here, you keep this." She handed


    the diamond ring back to him.


    Hawthorne, tucked it away, making a mental note to get her a special safe for all the gifts he''d give her from now on-for every anniversary, every milestone, everything he could dream up that might make her smile.


    Curious, Gwh drew his hand into hers, pressing their palms together. His handpletely enveloped hers a feeling of safety and warmth that made her heart flutter


    “Excuse me, sir, ma''am—your steaks are ready," the waiter announced, stepping into their alcove.


    Startled, Gwh tried to pull her hand away, but Hawthorne held on, refusing to let go.


    "We''re married now," he teased, his voice low. "There are just a couple more formalities left, Mrs. Everhart. What''s there to be shy about?"