My Heart's Desire by Jo Goodman

"Who's your godfather?"
    Rennie offered him a smug glance. "You should be anxious. He is at least as well-connected as the judge."
    Standing in front of them, Skye overheard the exchange and whispered to Jarret over her shoulder. "Don't worry, Mr. Sullivan, it's not the pope. Papa's a Presbyterian."
    Rennie wrinkled her nose at her sister as soon as Skye turned around. It would serve Jarret Sullivan right if he did think it was the pope.
    Jarret managed to temper his smile. Rennie may as well have telegraphed her thoughts; she was that easy to understand. He watched her out of the corner of his eye, and as her features softened and her hands grew still, he realized the judge was speaking.
    Of all the things Jarret had anticipated happening on his trip to New York, he had not been able to foresee standing in as best man at his friend's wedding. He listened as Ethan and Mary Michael exchanged vows and heard the solemn purpose and promise in Ethan's voice, the loving commitment in Michael's. At the final pronouncement they could only stare at one another, neither moving, as if they'd forgotten everyone else serving witness.
    Judge Halsey broke the expectant silence. "Well, go on, son, this is the time to kiss her."
    Ethan grinned. Bending his head, he touched his mouth to Michael's. Her lips were soft and pliant beneath his; her mouth tasted faintly of peppermint. Her beautiful smile was full of promise when he drew back.
    Jarret's gaze shifted from Ethan and Michael to the father of the bride. That very afternoon he had witnessed John MacKenzie Worth's stoic acceptance and deep regret at not being able to be present at Rennie's public wedding, but here, in the privacy of his old friend's sanctuary, there was a place for him with another of his daughters. Jarret could see the powerful man was powerfully moved.
    Jay Mac pressed a handkerchief into Moira's hand even as he fought to temper his own emotion. She gave him a sideways look, a watery smile, and squeezed his hand. Mary Francis saw the affectionate exchange between her parents, and her own heart swelled with love. No one who saw Jay Mac and Moira together could doubt the depth of the commitment they shared. Mary Francis poked Maggie in the side with her elbow just as Moira leaned into Jay Mac and his hand came around her waist.
    Maggie's smile mirrored her sister's as her eyes drifted from the wedded couple to her unwedded parents. She turned to Skye and saw that her younger sister had already observed the same thing. Simultaneously they glanced over their shoulders to look at Rennie. She seemed to have forgotten Jarret Sullivan's hovering presence for the moment because her mouth was curved in a gently wistful smile.
    Jarret also observed Rennie's rare and beautiful smile and suspected, like her sisters, that he was no longer on Rennie's mind. He watched as Michael turned away from Ethan and sought out the dear, precious faces of her family. In a moment they were surrounding her, smothering her with hugs and good wishes. Jarret heard Ethan's low laughter and was surprised at the twinge of envy he felt as his friend was similarly taken into the fold.
    "It's the right thing you've done," Moira whispered in Michael's ear. She drew back, took the measure of her daughter's glowing happiness, and nodded. "Sure, and you know it, don't you?"
    "I know it, Mama." Michael glanced at Ethan. "He's the one."
    Jarret intercepted Ethan's modest grin and laughed himself. He stepped out of the way as Mary Francis came forward to kiss her sister's cheek.
    "I suppose he knows you're willful and stubborn and can't possibly honor that vow you made to obey."
    Must be a family trait, Jarret thought, seeking out Rennie for a moment. She was eyeing the door, looking as if she was contemplating escape. Jarret caught her eye and gently admonished her with a shake of his head.
    Rennie managed to catch herself before she stuck her tongue out at him. The thought that he had nearly reduced her to such