Embraced by Faulkner, Carolyn (books for 8th graders .TXT) 📕

firmly. “I want you to get up, get dressed, and go to bed without another word, young lady.”

She was smart enough to keep quiet this time, and he released her to step back. Meg was very sure to follow his instructions carefully, knowing without an iota of doubt that if she disobeyed him, he’d punish her again as if this time had never happened. Maybe even with his belt.

Once she was uncomfortably ensconced in her bed, sleep came quickly to the exhausted girl. When Barrett looked in on her an hour later, she was sleeping curled on her side, with Butchie and Tiny lying on either side. They didn’t leave much room for their mistress. He had decided to keep a little closer tabs on the wedding arrangements, because it occurred to him that she might needed a little assistance in acclimating to his world. He had been able to call the boutique and locate, with Mandy’s help, the dress she’d

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Carolyn Faulkner

tried on and loved, but put back. Appointments had been made for fittings that he would personally make sure she kept. And, on impulse, he called the florist to arrange for a dozen apricot roses to be delivered to her tomorrow morning, as well as the morning of their wedding.

Luckily that day dawned comfortably warm and sunny.

The only cloud on the horizon was Meg’s inability to find her parents and let them know about her marriage. They were traveling somewhere in northern Canada, and though she doubted they’d even attempt to attend the wedding, she would have liked to have let them know about it at least. Barrett had spent the night with his two brothers in Hayden’s apartment, so that there was no chance for him to see his bride prior to the appointed hour. Mandy and Barb helped Meg dress with lots of giggles and laughter, then helped her in and out of the limo. At the appointed hour, Barb walked slowly down the aisle past the handful of invited guests, followed by a tearful Mandy, who realized she was losing her big brother, then by a lightly veiled Meagan, who shone in her bridal finery.

While Meg teetered a little on her way towards Barrett, he stood steady as a rock, waiting for her with a loving, expectant expression on his face. They joined hands, Meg’s cold, clammy one nestled in his big, warm one. The ceremony was short and to the point, and did contain “obey”, which she hesitated on just a bit.

When he was through, the preacher pronounced them man and wife, and told Barrett he could kiss his new bride. Reverently, he lifted the veil from her face, then wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs before giving her a warm, loving kiss. The minister then turned them around and introduced them to their guests as “Mr. and Mrs. Costas.”

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Embraced

The reception was held at the ranch and had a few more people than the wedding, but all in all, they had kept it a deliberately smallish, family affair.Mr. Costas kept a watchful eye on his wife from across the room, occasionally wandering over to her, almost as a reassurance that she was there and was his. Meg shone in the crowd of his family, at surprisingly comfortable meeting all the new people, making them laugh and sharing a secret here and there with the older women, who kept telling her not to let him bully her. Meg reassured them that she wouldn’t. Several told her they resembled his parents, and she took that as a heartfelt compliment.

Dinner was a simple buffet, and he served his bride filet, lobster, and sherried mushrooms from his own plate, which everyone one cheered and giggled at. His instigating brothers and sister tapped their champagne glasses so often that it was a wonder they hadn’t shattered, but Meg and Barrett eagerly complied with each request for a kiss.

The party lasted for several hours before people began to express their good wishes and leave. Barrett was talking to the Reverend, who was the last person left who wasn’t close family, when he felt a warm cheek on the broad shoulder of his black tux.

He turned to kiss the top of a bright head. “Tired, Angel-girl?”

“I’m wiped, Husband.” She proved her words by yawning loudly.

“What say we retire to our chambers?” Amanda, after she supervised the clean up of the catering staff, was staying with Hayden tonight, along with Butch and Tiny. Barrett and Meagan were leaving the next morning for DC.She kissed and hugged her brother and new sister-in-law, then shooed them down the hall, promising to get things cleaned up as quickly as possible then lock up as she left.

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Carolyn Faulkner

Unbeknownst to Meg, Barrett had had all of her things moved into his room early that morning. He wanted her to be comfortable in their room from the start, and not having to dash back from one room to the other. Her perfumes and make up looked right at home on the lonesome vanity; Barrett was glad it was going to be used again. Dresses and skirts crowded into his shirts and suits, her shoes lined up next to his on the floor of the closet.

Meg was pleasantly surprised to find that he’d even put her shampoo in his shower stall. Their shower stall. Still in her gown, she followed him to the sunken tub, where he began running soothing warm water. The scent of lavender filled the room as he poured the purple beads in, making clouds of bubbled rise. Their eyes met, and his expression was almost too serious as he shirked