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"So they would have been nervous if soislators in New York to clean up crooked business practices, started giving Senator Pierce any ideas for siislation in his own constituency," Adam summarized

"Yeah, if that happened it could shut theoing to try to do about it?" Braden asked

"According to e heard, they wanted to ‘take Gabrielle out of the picture’" Ada prosecutorial voice "I wonder if this is going to turn into a ation"

"What?!" My father looked apoplectic "If I find out that you had any intention of harhter you’ll wish that a criminal prosecution was your worst problem" His voice was colder and more deadly than I had ever heard it Wow

"Homicide?! Are you people nuts?! Nobody wanted to kill her! They just wanted theet her pissed off at hiirlfriend and then Cole tried to seduce her away and when that didn’t work they tried to get her to leave by freaking her out a little They had me write and deliver a couple of anonymous notes I even followed her all the way to her parents’ place in New York Not even that worked though! Finally, they just haddirty and I figured that I would just be there to witness it Then ree to keep their dads out of our business, you know?"

"In other words blackmail us," Braden said coldly

"Semantics," Walker said with a sneer

"They didn’t realize that someone had overheard them, someone who may seem weird on the outside but is basically a decent person on the inside, and who appreciates it when people are nice to her," I added quietly I had been too quick to judge Felicity Her parents probably had all kinds of crie

"Well, even if your story turns out to be true," Ada notes and following thee you"

"And I think that a thorough investigation of the Hill Group ree Ben?"

"Absolutely, Tyler In fact I would be happy to help out Perhaps it will even lead to so practices"

"Which I would be happy to help out with," Tyler replied with a sether Who knew, maybe it would even lead to the White House someday

"I think that maybe Marla, Cole and the Masons may wind up with a bit more than just probation after all," Braden said with satisfaction The cops took Walker away and checking our watches we realized that ere fiveso we all headed downstairs

"I guess you were right after all, Gabrielle," Braden said "You had those three pegged fro that was behind it, and I didn’t realize it was all of theatha Christie" I smiled

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

I went in to freshen up quickly and then ent downstairs Judge Channing aiting patiently for us It was only our parents, Braden’s brother and sister and our closest friends ith us That was the e had wanted it Before we started Judge Channing asked to make a few remarks He cleared his throat and spoke, an, "we started assigning lawyers to specific courtrooned to ht away that there was a spark between the looks at each other" He s "I often wondered if they would eventually get together and I knew right ahen they had, because they both looked really happy Crilad that these two have had each other to lean on They’re both first-class lawyers and it’s been an honor to ith them" He actually sounded a little emotional I couldn’t believe it

"Thank you, Your Honor," I said and then I went over and I shook his hand What the hell Braden got up and did the saet you two married before any other crazy stuff happens," he said, back to his gruff self We went through the simple civil ceremony and Braden and I took our vows We promised to love, honor and cherish each other, to always be faithful and to reh sickness and health until death did us part Finally the judge pronounced us man and wife, and my beautiful blonde Braden, my husband, kissed me I was lost in that romantic dreamy moment when I heard a yip Bruno had hopped off of Aunt Beth’s lap and ca to play the huuests had assembled in the Grand Ballroom and our dads went in to make the happy announcement that we had just been married I heard surprised murmurs and then applause Then I heard Braden’s dad introduce us for the first time in public as Mr and Mrs Braden Pierce and with tears in my eyes I let ot uided e where a lone guitarist stood And then Stan began to play Louis Ar’s What A Wonderful World and as we danced, I have to say that I agreed