N A BALMY JUNE SUNDAY, Katherine Elizabeth Connelly walked slowly up the aisle of a stately old Spanish church, past the rows of shyly smiling villagers, to willingly and proudly meet her fate.

With sunlight streaming in rainbows through the stained-glass windows, she placed her hand in the hand of the tall, darkly handsome man who was waiting for her at the altar, and standing before a solemn priest with smiling blue eyes, she became Katherine de Galverra.

Ramon gazed down at the beautiful woman be¬side him, her shining hair entwined with flowers. He heard her saying her marriage vows, while other vi¬sions of her danced through his mind: Katie looking somberly beautiful and regally aloof in the singles' bar where they had met three weeks ago…

Katie, handing him a five-dollar bill. "Please take it, Ramon. I'm sure you can use it."

Katie, her eyes glowing with merriment on their picnic as she accused him of being a male chauvinist. "It may surprise you to hear this, but not all women are born with a burning desire to chop onions and grate cheese."

Katie, dancing in his arms at the pool party, her lips still warm from their passionate kiss, her eyes

dark and apprehensive… "I think I am getting very scared."

And now, Katie, standing beside him in church. Katie, turning her face up to him: "I, Katherine, take you to be my lawfully wedded husband…

Ramon looked down at her and joy exploded in his chest, pouring through his veins until it was almost past bearing.

Her glowing face was a picture he knew he would remember as long as he lived; her softly spoken words a benediction that lingered in his heart.

The memory was still vibrantly alive many hours later, when his wife finally came to him, the naked splendor of her body bathed in moonlight streaming through the bedroom window of the cottage. He watched her, aching to give her the world and every¬thing in it, because she had already given him so much.

Love tightened his throat as her arms drew him to her, and he covered her body with his. Tenderness burst within him when she unashamedly welcomed him into her incredible warmth.

They moved together, two people making wild beautiful love to each other, until Katie finally cried out in shivering ecstasy; then he gathered her into his arms and, whispering her name, Ramon gave her the only gift that was his alone to give. He gave her himself.