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lips, as he’d done the night before. But her trembling body, pressed against his, distracted him. His lips covered hers and found an excitement even greater than last night. As if protesting, she opened her lips against his and he deepened the kiss, until he almost forgot they had an audience. His hands slid down the silk dress, learning her curves, wanting more.
    “All right, already, boy. Don’t eat her alive,” Pete ordered from the bed.
    He broke away, almost dropping Susan, who looked dazed. He grabbed her again as she sagged against him. “Are you okay?”
    “Yes.” She drew a deep breath. “Yes, of course.”
    “Congratulations, Mrs. Lowery,” the judge said, offering his hand. She blinked several times before she accepted his handshake. The minister and the doctor followed with their congratulations.
    Zach shook their hands, too, but all he could think about was getting Susan back into his arms. Their kiss had stirred him more than any kiss ever had. He was having difficulty returning to reality.
    “All right. Let’s party!” Pete called from the bed. “Doc, did you arrange everything?”
    “Yes, but you have to keep your promise.”
    “Paul and I will drink mineral water, right, boy? We don’t need any of that nasty champagne.”
    “What’s champagne?” Paul asked.
    “Stuff you won’t like. But the cake, ah, you’ll love the cake. And you have to eat my piece, too, ’cause I promised that mean man over there that I wouldn’t eat any.”
    “Not even a bite?” Paul asked, seeing the tragedy of that promise.
    “It’s okay.”
    Zach took Susan’s hand and pulled her over to the bed. “What are you talking about, Gramp? You need to stay quiet.”
    “Don’t be silly, boy. The doc approved everything.”
    The doctor stepped to Zach’s side. “Your grandfather wanted to celebrate your marriage, Mr. Lowery. He promised to behave himself, and he does seem to be feeling better.”
    The door opened and a nurse pushed a hospital cart into the room. A small wedding cake, exquisitely decorated, along with plates and forks, was on it, as well as a bottle of champagne and a bottle of mineral water.
    “But I didn’t expect... Gramp, you should’ve been resting, not planning a party,” Zach protested.
    To his surprise, Susan, who had appeared on the verge of fainting two minutes ago, stepped forward to kiss his grandfather’s cheek again. “I think it’s very sweet of you, Gramp.”
    “Good girl Raise my bed a little more and bring Paul and me some mineral water. We want to toast the bride and groom, don’t we, Paul?”
    “Yeah.”
    Zach grinned. The kid had no idea what Gramp meant, but he’d go along with anything tonight.
    “All right, two mineral waters coming up.” He poured the water, finding glasses on the bottom shelf of the cart. Then he opened the champagne, making Susan jump when the cork came out. He poured glasses for everyone else, then turned to his grandfather. “Okay, Gramp. The toast is yours.”
    The old man lifted his glass and motioned for Paul
     to do the same. “To Zach and Susan. May they have a long, happy marriage, with lots of little ones.”
    Everyone sipped.
    “This boy wants some cake,” Gramp ordered. “Susan, you and Zach should cut the first piece.”
    Zach wasn’t going to argue. He knew how this part worked. It meant he got a chance to put his arms around Susan again.
    He closed his hands over hers around the knife and pretended great interest in cutting the cake.
    Until his grandfather spoke again.
    “Where are you two going on your honeymoon?”

Chapter Four
    Z ach choked on the bite of cake he’d just put in his mouth.
    The judge gave him several whacks on his back. When he recovered, his first thought was Susan. She was almost as pale as her gown, staring at him with huge blue eyes.
    “Uh, Gramp, we’re putting the honeymoon off for a while.”
    Color flooded into Susan’s cheeks. “We want to concentrate on your getting well, Gramp.