by Zoe Matthews
She didn’t understand how love could be so strong that it filled her entire soul, but also so powerful that it could hurt so bad. She covered her face and tried to keep the tears at bay but couldn’t do so.
“Colleen.” She barely heard her name over her own sobbing, and at first didn’t register that someone was near her.
“Colleen,” she heard again and then strong arms gathered her close. She opened her eyes and saw that Garrett was on the ground beside her.
“Garrett,” she said breathlessly and threw her arms around him. “I thought you had left me. I couldn’t find you.”
“Yes, I know,” Garrett whispered. “I’m so sorry.”
He stood and pulled her to her feet. “Come. It’s cold out here. Let’s go talk in the barn. No one will bother us there.”
Colleen nodded her agreement while using a handkerchief to wipe her face. He kept her hand in his as they walked the short distance to the barn. After settling down on a stack of hay, Garrett spoke.
“I needed to take a walk, clear my head, make sure the decisions I am making are going to be good for both of us. I never meant for you to think I had used the portal and left you behind.”
“I shouldn’t have assumed,” Colleen said softly, her eyes looking down into her lap. “But you left before. I’m so afraid you will leave again.”
“I left for different reasons the first time. This time, it’s different. I love you, Colleen. I wouldn’t leave you behind. When I go back, you will be at my side.”
Tears formed in Colleen’s eyes again, but this time, they were tears of joy. “Oh, Garrett. I love you, too, so much.”
“I will make you a promise. This love between us is a bond, a power. I will never leave, never think twice about it. I can’t live without you, not in your time or in mine. I will never let you go. Even when times get tough, I won’t give up and leave you behind.”
Colleen leaned away from him and could see the truth of his words in his eyes. His words became a promise. Theirs was a love that began to grow in one time and will continue to grow old in another. She allowed her heart to accept his words, his love.
“And I will make you a promise. I will be your wife, in my time and in yours, regardless of what happens to the portal.”
Garrett gazed into her eyes, and she could see her future in them. He bent and slowly touched his lips to hers, soft at first, growing rough and then soft again. A kiss of a promise, and like Garrett had said, a power.
“I’ve known you for most of my life. We’ve known a love of a brother and a sister, then a friendship between a boy and a girl. Now we will know the love between a man and a woman, a husband and a wife,” Garrett said.
“A true love that comes once in a lifetime and will last forever,” Colleen vowed before his lips claimed hers again.
The End
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Also by Zoe Matthews
Have you read these books?
The Orphan Train Romance Series
In the late 1800s, many orphans were sent to different states in the western United States in order to be provided with stable and loving homes. This series features fictitious orphans who traveled to Texas, the families with which they found homes, and the love they found when they were adults.
An Unexpected Family
The Promise of a Family
Anna
Serena
Katrina
Westward Promises
Westward Skies
Orphan Train Romance Series Boxset, Books 1-5
Majestic Mountain Ranch Romance Series
Six siblings come together at their family ranch after their father’s death. They work together to convert their ranch into a dude ranch. Along the way, each of them finds true love.
Colorado Dreams
Colorado Secrets
Colorado Destiny
Colorado Dawn
Colorado Skies
Colorado Promises
Colorado Christmas
Majestic Mountain Ranch Series Boxset, Books 1-7
Mail-Order Brides of America Series
After the death of their infant daughter, Mary, Elizabeth and Thomas decide to open their large plantation home to orphan girls who need a second chance. They name their new home “Mary’s Home for Girls.” Each book features one of these girls, how they came to Mary’s Home, and the decision they make as adults to become a mail-order bride. Each book is set in a different state.
Southern Belle, Prequel
Iowa Destiny
Texas Hearts
Montana Legacy
Nebraska Promise
South Dakota Jewel
Mail-Order Brides of America Series, Five Books in One!
Time Travel Romance Series
Written by Zoe Matthews and Jade Jenson, a mother/daughter team
This series is based in modern times, as well as in the 1800s. Nicki and her friends find themselves swept up in the past when Nicki reads an ad in her local newspaper, advertising for a mail-order bride. Curious, she answers the ad and is soon sent back in time to meet Patrick, a man who owns a large ranch deep in the Rocky Mountains, and his siblings. Nicki’s friends soon become involved and what happens next changes their lives forever.
Touched by Time
River of Time
Winds of Time
Time Travel Romance Boxset, Books 1-3
Secrets of Time
Changed by Time
Christmas in Time
Harvey Girls Romance Series
Written by Zoe Matthews and Evelyn Michaels, a mother/daughter team
Adelia Burke has co-authored books 4 and beyond
Follow a large family of men (and one daughter) who lives in Arizona near the Grand Canyon at the beginning of the 1900s. This series is Historical fiction about the Harvey Girls, a true event that was started by a man named Fred Harvey. These women helped shaped the West in their own way, just as much as the men did.
Desert Dreams
Desert Wishes
Desert Bells
Harvey Girls Romance Series Boxset, Books 1-3
Desert Lily
Desert Sky
Desert Stars (coming soon)
Millennial Mail-Order Brides Romance Series
Daniel has six grandchildren who refuse to marry and settle down. So he has to take matters into his own hands. He signs each of them up with a dating website and matches them with someone of his choosing. But will his grandchildren cooperate and allow him to be a modern-day matchmaker?
Always and Forever
Now and Forever
A New Love
A Forever Dream
You’re My Everything
Lead Me with Your Heart
Millennial Mail-Order Brides Romance Boxset, Books 1-6
Time Travel Guardians Romance Series
It is 2045 and time travel has been proven to be real. But many devices are falling into the wrong hands, so the Time Travel Guardians were born. Their job is to use time travel to find each device before they are discovered
by others. As they travel, they each have a fun adventure and discover love.
Under One Sky
When Love Collides (Coming soon)
