Eb Scott and his wife, along with Dr. Micah Steele and Callie, and Cy Parks and Lisa, were all in the front row with Minette Carson and her husband Hayes. Carlie and her husband were there, too.

There was a reception in the fellowship hall and Jacobsville police chief Cash Grier kept looking around restlessly.

“Is something going on that we should know about?” Gabriel asked with a grin.

“Just waiting for the riot to break out.”

“What riot?” Michelle asked curiously.

“You know, somebody says something, somebody else has too much to drink and takes offense, blows are exchanged, police are called in to break up the altercation...”

“Chief Grier, just how many riots at weddings have you seen?” she wanted to know.

“About half a dozen,” he said.

“Well, I can assure you, there won’t be any here,” Michelle said. “Because there’s no booze!”

Cash gaped at her. “No booze?”

“No.”

“Well, damn,” he said, glowering at her.

“Why do you say that?” she asked.

“How can you have altercations without booze?” He threw up his hands. “And I had so looked forward to a little excitement around here!”

“I could throw a punch at Hayes,” Gabriel offered, grinning at the sheriff. “But then he’d have to arrest me, and Michelle would spend our honeymoon looking for bail bondsmen...”

Cash chuckled. “Just kidding. I like the occasional quiet wedding.” He leaned forward. “When you’re not busy, you might want to ask Blake Kemp about his wedding reception, though,” he added gleefully. “Jacobsville will never forget that one, I swear!”

Michelle lay trembling in Gabriel’s arms, hot and damp in the aftermath of something so turbulent and thrilling that she knew she could live on the memory of it for the rest of her life.

“I believe the chief wanted a little excitement?” She laughed hoarsely. “I don’t think anyone could top this. Ever.”

He trailed his fingers up her body, lingering tenderly on a distended nipple. He stroked it until she arched and gasped. “I don’t think so, either.” He bent his head and slipped his lips over the dusky peak, teasing it until it grew even harder and she shivered. He suckled it, delighting in the sounds that came out of her throat.

“You like that, do you?” he whispered. He moved over her. “How about this?”

“Oh...yes,” she choked. “Yes!”

He slid a hand under her hips and lifted her into the slow penetration of his body, moving restlessly as she accepted him, arched to greet him, shivered again as she felt the slow, hungry depth of his envelopment.

“It’s easier now,” he whispered. “Does it hurt?”

“I haven’t...noticed yet,” she managed, shuddering as he moved on her.

He chuckled.

“I was afraid,” she confessed in a rush of breath.

“I know.”