Reaper's Salvation: A Last Riders Trilogy by Jamie Begley (read a book TXT) 📗

assistance to build the life they had before. Manny’s sister was taking the courses to become the new teacher; the foundation provided monetary help and tools, but all the decisions were the islanders’.

Outside hands had destroyed this island; they weren’t needed to put Clindale back together. They could do that for themselves. This beautiful island had survived despite Allerton, and they would grow stronger and flourish for generations to come.

Diamond was making sure that Allerton paid for what he’d done. Justice had finally caught up with him, and his finances were now in shambles. There was nothing left of his once vast wealth.

Picking up the front of her dress, Ginny began to climb the trail that led to the base of the waterfall. Every step of the way, she held Gavin’s hand, as she would continue to do for the rest of their lives. Reaching the waterfall’s basin, the area was already filled with their guests waiting for them. Those who hadn’t joined them on the yacht, they’d flown into Sherguevil Island and were staying at the resort, which Desmond Beck now ran, along with the foundation.

Desmond had quickly cleaned house and removed the members who’d supported Allerton. Under Desmond’s new direction, Sherguevil Island was a thriving vacation spot where charities and donors could meet for the benefit of the foundation and its causes.

Ginny took Desmond Beck being completely philanthropic with a grain of salt, but she trusted Diamond and Gavin to make sure he would be held accountable for any actions they considered shady.

The singing stopped when they entered the clearing. Pausing by a woman, Ginny released Gavin arm to take her son. Placing a kiss on his forehead, she handed her wiggling son to Gavin.

“Go ahead. I’ll be there in a second.”

Snuggling, Freddy to his chest, Gavin went to take his place in front of Paster Dean, who was waiting to perform their ceremony.

“Thank you for taking such care of Freddy this morning. I really appreciate it,” Ginny said.

Jewell’s standoffish attitude didn’t prevent her from reaching out to hug her.

Pulling back, Ginny gave her a warm smile. “Gavin told me used your vacation to come here and help him plan the wedding. You’ve done a beautiful job.”

“You never told him I was in love with him.”

Genny’s heart cried for what Jewell was going through. “I told you I wouldn’t.”

Jewell shrugged. “A lot of people say they won’t do things. Doesn’t mean they won’t.”

Her gaze sharpened on her. “When Gavin asked me to watch Freddy this morning and keep him during your honeymoon, he said you asked for me specifically, despite Trudy and Willa offering. Why did you want me to be the one to watch him?”

“Because you would give your life to protect Gavin’s son.”

A flash of unimaginable pain flash crossed Jewell’s face before it she could hide it behind the cool mask she normally wore.

Ginny reached out to hug Jewell again. “I swear, Jewell, there is a man meant just for you,” Ginny whispered to her as she pulled back to give her a mischievous smile. “Who knows? You could meet him tonight at the party.”

Moving away from Jewell, Ginny took a few steps to the man who was waiting to escort her to Gavin. Hooking her arm through Will’s, they moved through the parted crowd to take her place beside Gavin.

Paster Dean cleared his throat as he began the ceremony. “We have all gathered here to witness the end of Gavin and Ginny’s search for the special someone who makes them whole. This is a celebration for these two souls being reunited, as God meant for them to be. Gavin, you may speak your vows.”

Gavin handed Freddy over to Viper, who was standing by his side before he turned to face her. “Ginny, there have been times in my life when I felt God had turned his back on me. I’m ashamed to admit I didn’t understand He had given me His greatest gift—you. When most couples fall in love and marry, their love often evaporates in time like a glass full of water placed out in the sun until the water evaporates. That’s why soulmates have to constantly fight to be reunited with the other to refill the love that was lost. I pledge to refill the glass each and every day with my love so, at the end of our life together, there will be enough to overfill into the universe to light the way for you to find the eternity our love deserves.”

Breaking his gaze from hers, Gavin looked at the people surrounding them. “No matter how many lifetimes I’ve lived before, this will be the most special, because this is the one that I have all of you in my life. Not only did God bless me with Ginny, but He blessed me with each one of you.”

Gavin turned back to face her. “Ginny, I promise never to let you walk alone again, to be the shoulder that you can lean on in troubled times, and unconditionally love you despite how many times you’re angry enough to lock me out. You will never be invisible to me. You will be the reason I strive to be a better man and father. To be the man who deserves your love and the eternity that will be waiting when our time on earth is done.”

Ginny had to swallow back tears several times during Gavin’s speech.

“Ginny,” Paster Dean prompted her to give her vows.

“Gavin,” Ginny began shakily, “God never turned His back on me. It was me who turned my back on Him, I’m also ashamed to admit. Instead of punishing me, He gave me His greatest gift—you. I spent most of my life feeling as if I was expendable. With your love, I feel as if each beat of my heart and every breath I take is just as important to you as my last ones were. I don’t know how this lifetime will end, but I do know you’ve already given me enough