Page 72 of Her Elusive Cowboy Billionaire

Her heart pounded and her pulse raced.“Then let’s do it.We can take Rose with us for a witness.Surely, they’ll have someone at the judge’s office who can be the second witness.”

His eyebrows furrowed, concern in his eyes.“Meri, are you sure?We don’t have to rush.”

She reached up and cupped his jaw.“I can’t wait to be married to you.The sooner, the better.We can have a reception for our family and friends later.I even packed a dress, in case we had to go someplace that required one.I’d say getting married qualifies.”

Chase wrapped her in his arms and tenderly pulled her close.“I love you with all my heart and soul.That will never change whether or not we’re married.But I’m all for getting married.Let’s go tell Rose.”

He loves me.He actually said he loves me.I wasn’t sure he ever would.Could I ever be any happier or want for anything else?

Two hours later,with Rose in tow, they had their license and waited their turn for the judge.

Meri sat with her legs bouncing from nerves.Her dress, a purple slip dress with sheer printed overlay with flowers in shades of lavender and lilac, and with flutter sleeves, was perfect for this occasion.“They must do this a lot, for there to be a line.”

Chase reached over and placed a hand on her knee.“We’re fine.I think we’re next, anyway.Don’t be nervous.We’ll get in before they close.”

A woman with brown hair and a nice peach colored skirt suit came out of the door, holding a clipboard.“Harper.Anderson.”

“We’re here.”Chase took Meri’s hand and gave it a little squeeze.

Meri stood along with Chase and Rose.

“Follow me, please,” said the woman.

The three followed her through the door into the judge’s outer office.

“Judge Garrison will see you now,” said the woman.

She escorted them into the judge’s chambers.

A gray-haired man sat behind the large wooden desk.He wore black robes, his white shirt and black tie poking out at the neckline.

The judge stood and came around the desk.“Well, Chase Harper.I wondered if we’d ever see you here.I’m glad to finally meet you.”He held out his right hand.

Chase shook Judge Garrison’s hand.

The judge turned toward Meri.“And we have Meridith Anderson here.”He held out his hand to her.

She wiped her hand on her skirt and then shook his hand.

“Congratulations, my dear.Shall we get started?I see you brought a witness.That’s good.My assistant, Nadine, can act as the second witness.Sarah, here, is my clerk and has to notarize the documents, so she can’t be a witness, too.”He turned to the woman.“Will you get Nadine for us, please?”

“Certainly.”Sarah left the room.

Meri looked up at Chase and then over at Rose.How can he not be nervous?Even Rose is clasping and unclasping her hands.

“Still nervous?”asked Chase.

“Yes.”Her voice cracked on the word.

He smiled, took one of her hands and kissed the top.“Calm down.We’re getting married.”

The door opened, and Sarah returned with an older woman with blonde hair.

Meri looked around the room.She considered it to be a typical setting for a judge’s chambers.The large wood desk dominated the room.It had brass around the top edge and around the edge of the short, wide legs.The desk looked like a very solid piece of furniture.Two of the walls were floor to ceiling bookshelves, and they were full.She thought they were all most likely law books full of citations and so forth, but then she saw several of the Alex Cross novels by James Patterson.She smiled.The judge liked to read for pleasure, too.

“All right, we’re ready.”The judge stood in front of the desk and clasped his hands in front of him.“Chase Harper, do you take Meridith Anderson for your lawfully wedded wife?To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer and will you keep yourself only unto her, for as long as you both shall live?”

Chase looked at Meri and took her hands in his.He gave them a little squeeze.“I do.”