He glanced once at Rio to make certain he had the all-important ring. Doc’s friend, an older woman by the name of Monica Taylor, had brought him several boxes to allow him to pick out a ring for his bride. He’d never seen such beautiful work, and when he realized the jeweler was Monica, he was even more impressed. Her hands were twisted and gnarled with arthritis, and when she showed him the rings, she’d trembled.

Rio seemed to understand his concern and he nodded his head and made a show of touching his pocket, leaving Conner able to concentrate solely on his bride as she walked up the aisle to him. He wanted the moment to last forever, that image of her moving toward him. Everything else in the yard disappeared. Even his sense of self-preservation. He’d been raised to always—always—be on the alert for danger. There was a part of him aware of his surroundings, constantly vigilant, but in that moment, he was wholly focused, even his cat’s entire attention was completely centered on Isabeau.

He heard the judge asking who gave this woman to this man as if from a great distance. Doc’s voice murmured an answer and then he was placing Isabeau’s hand in Conner’s. He closed his fingers around hers and drew her hand to him. He leaned down, his gaze holding hers.

“You’re so beautiful, Isabeau. Thank you for this.”

Her lashes fluttered. She actually looked shy. He felt her fingers curl in his and his heart jumped again. He’d never felt so protective of anyone in his life. He pulled her close to him as they turned to face the judge. He wanted his body heat to envelope her, his scent, so that he filled her senses in the same way she filled his.

He could hear the man speaking about the sacred bond of marriage and at last he understood what he was really feeling. This was his other half. He was complete with her and she with him. They had chosen one another to share it all—both good and bad. They knew bad. They knew the worst of humanity—and the best. And they had chosen to walk a path together. He wanted that path to be the best he could make for her.

She looked into his eyes as she stated her vows in a soft, firm voice. He was clearer, confident, knowing his choice was right. With every passing moment of the binding ceremony, he felt the threads tying them together grow stronger until they were unbreakable bonds. She looked a little shocked when he removed her glove and pushed the ring onto her finger. She blinked up at him with a little gasp and then turned her head to search out and find Monica with a small happy smile and a nod.